Blog

Pain… When you lose someone you love, pain comes in waves. My husband used a phrase the other day, “It comes to the surface like earthworms after a spring shower.” Now, I know he didn’t mean grief when he used the phrase, but it fits. You see, grief comes and goes. There is no timeline. There is no schedule. You don’t know what triggers, what brings on the overwhelming sadness, pain, and heart break. It just happens. Psalm 34: 18, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and sa

Sin‘s Grace… My grandson loves strawberries. He also loves chocolate. Let’s just say this, he loves anything sweet. Put the two together and he is a happy camper. He has been with me this spring break. Everyday, he has asked to make chocolate covered strawberries with white chocolate drizzle. Finally, at the store while buying groceries, I could relent no more and bought the necessary items. I asked him who he had made these with? He watched a video, was his reply. I saw a ch

Holes… I don't know if I mentioned, but we have a Pepé Le Pew. He has been quite the menace. He likes Sunny's food. Between Pepé and the neighbor's dog, we have resorted to simply feeding the cat when we are home. If the cat doesn't complete his breakfast or dinner, we bring the food in and give it back to him when we get home. Sunny isn't exactly happy with this arrangement. He will sit in my swing, watch Pepé move about below him and seems unconcerned by the smell or t

Prison Doors… One of my favorite stories in the Bible is in Acts Chapter 16. Let me paraphrase this for you and set the scene. Paul, an apostle of Jesus, along with Silas were in Phillippi preaching the gospel of Jesus. A woman who had within her an evil spirit which gave her the ability to tell the future (Acts 16:16-40). The female slave began following them proclaiming " These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” (vs 17) Now P

When our boys were at home, I used to do all the laundry. My husband didn’t particularly like the way I did his uniforms, thus began a new era in our marriage. He does his laundry, I do mine. When the boys were home, I did theirs, and I do the sheets. We have been married for close to forty years, and this has worked for us. Over the last couple of months, I have noticed my supply of washcloths has diminished. This morning I realized that I am down to four. I went to his clo

Mean… This cat looks so sweet. He meows gently, seeking affection and food. However, when petted, he is somewhat mean. He will use his claws to keep you from moving away or getting too close, whatever he chooses. As humans, we do the same thing. We often put on fake personas to draw the world in or hide from others. When we truly are exposed, what lies beneath the fake exterior is who we are. Some of my students think I am mean. I have to be very strict and stern in ord

Not My Problem… Have you ever wanted to put your fingers in your ears, sing “la, la, la”, and adamantly state Not my problem”? You see, I am a fixer. If someone has a problem, I feel compelled to fix whatever the problem may be. A wonderful Christian lady told me a couple of years ago, “You have two hands. Ask yourself, does this issue go in the right or left hand? The right hand, you can control. The left, you cannot.” My husband now will say, “Which hand?” The problem w

Peace… A few months back, I walked into one of my classes from hallway duty to find this sitting on my surface keyboard leaned up against my screen. I smiled to myself, this is my class that knows my heart well. I have had them two years and several of them read these blogs. I didn't ask who, I didn't need to point them out. If they wanted to be publicly acknowledged, they would have handed to me openly. They wanted it to be my surprise. My reaction was what they needed t

Unbelief… When I look at this plant, I see hope. I see the small yellow-green color that represents life. What looks dead, dormant. It is waiting until the right time to spring to life. Waiting for the right circumstance, the right weather, the right condition, to flourish and bloom. That is what I see when I see unbelief. I see the hope of a new life. A lady sought me out via text yesterday and a phone call. She was hurt, felt betrayed, despondent of hope. Her highway o