Recently, I entered the elevator and met a fellow resident who had been absent from meals for several days. Assuming that she had been away visiting her family, I asked if she had had a good break. Valerie responded, "If you consider … Read more
Archive for October, 2021
The Gate Keeper
The English meaning of the name "Kayley" is "keeper of the keys; pure". In regard to keeper of the keys, this suits my collie, Kayley, very well. Right from the beginning, she has had a habit of lying in front of the dog door. Whether … Read more
Connected Together
Recently, a friend loaned me a jigsaw puzzle. In the past, I'd considered working jigsaw puzzles to be a waste of valuable time. Finally, during a seemingly aimless part of a day, I decided to tackle it and dumped the pieces on a table. … Read more
Our Identity Markers
Have you noticed how our protective face masks have become useful as identity markers? We're seeing them designed with logos, symbols, flags, or colours representing various group identities: sports teams, activist movements, social … Read more
Imperfect Vegetables
This time of the year reminds me of the weeks when my husband and I volunteered at North Okanagan Valley Gleaners, a non-profit organization near Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. We spent our mornings cutting vegetables into chunks to be … Read more
What Do I Do Now?
Once I had come to believe, to step out in faith, and to embrace the truth of God's offer of salvation, I wondered, What do I do now? Some have summed up the Christian life after first believing as Trust God. Clean house. Help others. … Read more
Foot In Mouth
Every time I read about the apostle Peter's early life, I feel that we must be related. Poor Peter, always putting his foot in his mouth over one thing or another. I remember many times in my life when my mouth opened, seemingly of its own … Read more
Walking With The Master
I recently moved twenty miles across town to be closer to my daughter's family, and I have enjoyed being able to help them by occasionally house/dog-sitting for them when they need to be out of town for a short time. Daisy, their aging … Read more
A Picture Of Trust In God
Christians say that we trust in the Lord, but what does that really mean in practice? Recently, my neighbours, who took in an evacuee from a wildfire, were able to see the trust component of faith at work. Elise, 90 years old, had made … Read more
The Quad Ride
On Labour Day weekend, we went for a two-and-a-half-hour ride on our quads (four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles) — and what a ride it was! Donning jackets, wind pants, gloves, boots, and helmets, we mounted our quads and away we went. My … Read more
Learning To Walk Properly
After having knee replacement surgery in January, 2020, I began the physiotherapy appointments, and quickly realized that I needed to re-learn how to walk. Over the years, my disintegrating knee joint and the resulting pain had caused me … Read more
Being A Lying Witness
"He hit me!", yelped my 4-year-old daughter after apparently being assaulted by her big brother. If you're a parent, you'll suspect that there's more to this story! You may wonder, as I did, how this sweet little girl had aggravated him … Read more
Fear Vs. Freedom
We live in scary times because of all the uncertainty that we're experiencing. We try to live our lives as normally as we can, but currently, there seem to be so many setbacks that none of us can find a "normal" routine. As creatures of … Read more
The Pangs Of Death
The thought of experiencing it unnerved me — even though I claimed to be prepared. While a pre-teen, the fear of dying overcame me. As a nine-year-old, I had chosen to follow Jesus. I knew that He had a place in heaven for me, but I … Read more
Looking Up!
I feel the winds of God today; Today my sail I lift, Though heavy oft with drenching spray And torn with many a rift; If hope would light the water's crest, And Christ my bark will use, I'll seek the seas at His behest, And brave another … Read more
Wonderful Words Of Life
As I was walking around Murrayhill Lake near my home one fine summer morning, I spotted something lying on the park bench ahead of me. As I got closer, I saw that it was a small New Testament with a note, tied up with a festive ribbon. I … Read more
Are You Ready To Eat?
One fall day, just before Thanksgiving, my husband and I were driving by a large organic food market. It was lunch time, and we were getting hungry. "Look! People are sitting outside with plates of food. Maybe we could get something at … Read more
The Cauliflowers
Our gardens did amazingly well this year. The cauliflowers, however, were just not producing. Their leaves were truly gigantic but there was no fruit. The celery was harvested, and then, the broccoli, cucumbers, carrots, corn, and cabbage … Read more
Living Through Times Like Ours
When I was seven, my father worked in the Mammoth and Morning coal mine in Washington State, USA, till his frozen lungs wouldn't let him go underground anymore. We knew what "poor" was, but "jobless" was a whole other experience for our … Read more
I'm Fine, Thanks!
"How are you?" "I'm fine, thanks!" We've all engaged in this social greeting formula — even with complete strangers. I did last week while hiking along the river. I came across two fishermen standing in the water. On noticing me, one … Read more
Out Of The Fog
My youngest son, Jeff, was already a mover and a shaker at two years of age, when his dad and I took him for his first trip to the ocean. Because he could disappear in a flash, we agreed to keep him in tow at all times. He delightedly … Read more
Like A Rock
Rocks are my best friends or my most scathing enemies. Encountering rocks is common when hiking in the mountains. During the years that my brother, children, and I hiked, rocks were a common feature on the trails that we travelled. … Read more
The Sword Of The Spirit
I have been fascinated with archaeology ever since I was young, immersed in our family's National Geographic magazines and books. I spent many hours looking at the finds in Egypt and South America. In recent years, I have enjoyed watching … Read more
Finding Lost Things
"Now where could I have put that key?" I wondered. I discovered that my house key was not on the hook where I customarily keep it. I didn't panic, but I whispered, "Lord, I don't know where my key is, and it really is important that I … Read more
God's Timing
When you're in need of a particular friend for a particular reason and they show up at your door, what do you call that? Luck? Coincidence? Okay, but what if they live in another state? Now you have to factor in the possible twists and … Read more
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