My youthful father transformed rugged acreage into a small working ranch. The five springs on the property helped him envision the land’s potential.
All in God's Character
The Journey I Wouldn’t Choose
She finished reading the book and declared, “It was a journey I didn’t like being on.” Using that statement to describe a book is no big deal. But for many of us, that statement describes a complicated life situation that we can do nothing about. Many of us are on journeys we don’t like.
Aging with Gratitude: Grace and Mercy
God longs for and tarries to lavish His lovingkindness on us. He honors those who do the same for Him! Waiting is purposeful, not inactive. Love waits and is long-suffering. I am so grateful to Him because I tend to tire quickly the older I get. Consider the following true story:
Our Heavenly Father’s Patience
“Hold your horses!” Though I did not understand the phrase, I did know Mother intended me to settle-down-and-be-patient. I still struggle with patience, but God does not. It is part of His essence as well as His Son’s and His Holy Spirit’s.
Level Ground
My daughter and I decided to go on a spontaneous trip to Enchanted Rock near Fredericksburg, Texas this summer. Fortunately for us, a cloudy sky led to much cooler temperatures than normal for June.
God’s Mighty Hand
My daddy’s hands were also the biggest and the safest hands to be wrapped up in. When I needed protection, his muscular hands were my help. When I needed comfort, his gentle hands would wrap me tightly and hold me close.
Full Circle Love
“Your mother was my teacher. When I discovered I was pregnant, I transferred to her school. She helped me through a very hard time in my life. It is an honor for me to care for her during this difficult time in hers.”
Love and Grief
I am, unfortunately, all too experienced at saying these goodbyes! But, I was not prepared for six granddaughters to simultaneously wail so loudly that their mothers came running!
The Touch of Love
She spoke reassuringly, “I believe in the power of human touch, and I will be holding your hand during the surgery.”
A Song of Love
I could recognize the melody but not the words. It was my son singing his seven-year-old daughter to sleep.
Do You Need a Safety Pin?
As I opened my car door to leave for church one Sunday, I noticed a safety pin on the garage floor. Wondering how it ended up there, I picked it up and stuck it in my change purse.
Divine Lenses
There is no doubt in my mind that Jonah had a greater than passing acquaintance with the LORD. After all, he was a prophet with whom God shared His mind. The Hebrew for know is “yada: to know by experience”.
Run, Jonah. Run
Ah, January—I love Januarys. Januarys beckon me to step back and consider the old year. I transpose my Canadian memories of crisp snowfalls to cover the muddy paths I’ve been over. I cry to the Lord: wash me, and I will be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7). But then Januarys urge me on to chase the new with vigor: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).
Meeting the Need
My neighbor texted me to ask if we had nets to cover the two fruit trees in our backyard to protect them from the anticipated winter weather. I have to admit, I had not even thought about how the cold temperatures could bring death to our trees.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Sometimes you could describe me as “rebellious.” I love nothing more than a good walk around the neighborhood talking to God, but when a Bible Study book instructed me to do so, I had little enthusiasm. I liked it better when it was my own idea.
Words Both Good and True: Day 4
When these words are given at the end of a service you are attending, remember that you are being blessed by some of the oldest words in Scripture. The Aaronic blessing, the oldest benediction in the Bible, was spoken over the people of Israel at the end of the daily sacrifice.
Change Happens
Change happens and sometimes we are happy.
Change happens and sometimes we grieve.
Change is certain.
Some changes I choose and some I don’t. Because God is always the same, we can trust Him, His Word, and be forever secure.
God never changes. Will you count on Him when inevitable changes interrupt?
Neighbors and Bosses, Family and Friends: Day 4
The family is the foundational unit of society. That was God’s plan from the beginning. It was into the family that babies were born, children were instructed in the right and two people, working together, created a place of security and stability.
Neighbors and Bosses, Family and Friends: Day 3
Authority. The Greek word translated here refers to “power as entrusted, i.e. commission, authority, right, full power.” And, as we know, power is heady stuff. For every good boss, there is one who uses that authority to gain personal advantage. And we deal with “bosses” of all varieties from the person who signs our paycheck to the individual who heads up the committee we have volunteered for. Even anarchists have to have someone in charge.
Grace Beyond Measure: God Is Enough
During the 19th century, personal tragedy led Puritan Hannah Whitall Smith to write several books on suffering. Her out-of-print devotion book, God Is Enough, spoke to my heart a decade ago while crippled by insecurities. It continues to be one of my most treasured books.