I stood in the office store and stared at the beautifully artsy notebooks. Covers with hand-drawn birds or stylized print. I said to the older woman next to me: “I just love new notebooks – they represent such possibility!” I think she muttered, “Mm-hhm,” then moved to another aisle. Well, it’s true. Something about the blank pages, the open question, the clear slate on which to think and create! The hardest part seems to be shutting down the clutter in... Read more
Mel kicked her feet as she waited for the school bus. A lone car approached and young men inside watched Mel, then slowly drove off. She glanced up the deserted street and across the adjacent empty field and waited. The guys drove by again, leering. She looked away. She knew she had no place to hide. They drove away and Mel whispered, “God, protect me.” Mel was used to asking for and receiving God’s protection in all the missionary work... Read more
“The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg; and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.” James Allen And the mature man or woman who walks with God grows in the child in your home. Sigh. As I look at my beautiful children, I am amazed at all that God has done in them.... Read more
Two days I drove alone from Texas to Arizona. I was bringing a car to our son, and I had set up visits with my kids, plus two small retreats—so I had plenty to look forward to once I got there. But what a long drive. Would I get bored or claustrophobic?! Not sure. I decided to load plenty of books and teachings on my phone, to play through the car speakers. God and I would talk at length about... Read more
Today’s post is not political — it is an analogy. Human beings are compelled to look at behavior, assess behavior, and attempt to change behavior. We are compelled to try to arrange circumstances so that behavior will change. We can’t help trying to change behavior from without. Jesus does not change behavior from without. He addresses the heart. When the heart changes, behavior naturally follows. When I receive the peace Jesus offers (that is beyond human understanding), then I can... Read more
In Winnipeg, Canada, a man going through the Tim Horton’s drive-through paid for the person behind him… who paid for the person behind him… who paid for the person behind him. This went on for 228 cars, more than 3 hours! “Such acts of kindness have become a bit of a trend in Canada, with many paying for lunches, coffee orders or small grocery purchase of total strangers,” the reporter said, but they’d never seen a chain so long. What... Read more
I do not make New Year’s Resolutions. I can’t trust myself even to remember them, much less keep them. “I’m going to keep my desk clean from now on.” Who am I kidding? But here’s what I do like about the New Year: the new beginning. I’m all about new beginnings. I feel like I need a do-over every morning. …Fortunately, I have a God who allows that. “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come... Read more
I think our most under-expressed emotion is our love, appreciation and gratitude for each other. Don’t you? Isn’t that something we could always enjoy more of? Hannah, my youngest, had a wonderful idea for Christmas this year: to write a personal card to each family member, saying how much we love them. Everyone included, we each wrote nine cards. It was an amazing encouragement! Perhaps your family would write each other a year-end card to say, “Thank you for being... Read more
Christmas can be full of wonder. But if you are hurting, it can be downright painful. My daughter’s roommate is engaged to a great guy–and her parents don’t approve. No specific reason, but somehow, in her 25 years, she never seems to measure up. I wrote her, and I was inspired to revise and post this as an open letter to all of you whose parents have rejected you, or who are otherwise disenfranchised. I don’t know what you have... Read more
Victoria Soto, 27, hid her students in the cabinets and closets before the gunman stormed in. She told him they were in the gym, then he shot her dead. Some 20 families in CT will have children missing at Christmas next week. Children who would have been there, opening presents in their jammies. These children will also be missing at graduation, at their weddings, as their parents grow old. My heart breaks. But my heart is grateful for Victoria Soto–without... Read more
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