My Gift to God:I saw myself at Christmas timeStaring at the treeSeeing all the presents thereStaring back at me. I wondered what the Lord would wantFrom those like you and me,Our gifts aren’t that significantJust boxes beneath the tree. But then I learned - the gift God wants Can simply be discovered,By peering in this velvet boxYou’ll see your gift uncovered.(Author unknown) What is seen...
Less really can be more. This Christmas Day and season may have been marked by seeing less people. Attending less parties. Baking less cookies. Doing less decorating. Buying less presents. When there is less of one thing however, there is always more of another. Could it be in this Christmas (or year) of less, we are actually experiencing more? Could it be that we have been given...
What can thank you notes teach us about responding - in faith - to the unknowns of life? It was still weeks before Christmas when I found cards - stamped, addressed, and ready to be mailed - from my daughter to her grandparents and other family members. When I asked her what they were, she replied that they were thank you notes for the Christmas gifts she would receive in a few weeks....
Things to do. Errands to run. Doctor appointments to make. Sports schedules to coordinate. These notes are what clutter my kitchen countertop on any given day. In fact, the more hectic life is, the more cluttered my counter is! One evening I took off my wedding ring and placed it on the counter. The next day I could not find it, my most valued possession! It was not where I thought I...
Tamar. Rahab. Ruth. Bathsheba. Mary. Five women. At first glance, nothing would seem to tie these women’s stories together. One is known for her deception. The other for her devotion. One for her purity. The other for her prostitution. One for being at the “wrong place at the wrong time.” One for being chosen at the ordained time. Some seemed to be defined by...
“And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered Him faithful who had made the promise” (Hebrews 11:11). She considered Him faithful. She carefully thought about, and concluded, He was trustworthy and would do what He said He would do. His faithfulness: what a thought for us, too, to not only consider but allow to wash over our hearts...
As I walked into the kitchen, I saw that flour, measuring cups, and mixing bowls covered the counter: my daughter had been baking again. I exhaled a heavy sigh as I wondered, “When will these kids clean up after themselves?!” As I got closer, however, I noticed her signature smiley face drawn into the layer of flour dusting. I couldn’t help but smile as I thought, “She left her...
Back to school shopping is one of my favorite things to do! My children love choosing new backpacks, notebooks and folders. We get excited over the purchase of never-before-opened crayons, pencils, and highlighters. There’s something about organizing desk drawers and binders and books: it’s all so new and full of potential. “What will this folder hold? What will be...
{Listen here} A story is told of a hiker who was attacked by a mama grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park. Evidently, the hiker and his wife “surprised” the mother bear and her cubs. The bear did not realize, of course, that the hikers intended to do them no harm. The statement released by The National Park Service read, “In an attempt to defend a perceived threat to...
Fourth of July: the words alone create images in our minds of red, white, and blue; hot dogs and barbecues; fireworks and parades. We see the words “freedom” and “independence” on signs, home décor, and tee-shirts. Indeed, we are celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which stated that the thirteen colonies were now a new nation, the United States of America, and no longer a...