A favourite lament of a high school teacher of mine was, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. I can teach you all knowledge, but I can't make you think." As a daydreamer, I … (read more)

Time is a commodity that we never seem to have enough of. Regardless of what stage of life we are in — even in the retirement stage — we manage to get involved in many activities that fill up our … (read more)

A bad experience in early childhood taught me that I didn't want to arrive at any gathering too early. This desire to arrive later has also gotten me into embarrassing experiences. Somewhere between being first and last, awake and asleep, … (read more)

In the area where I spent my childhood, there was an old iron bridge. It spanned the river on a dirt road, marking the one road the residents of Ellabelle community had for getting to the next town. Over the … (read more)

There have been times in my life when I've had responsibilities which I've thought were greater than I could handle placed on my shoulders. Then I've thought of Joshua, who inherited a tremendous responsibility when Moses died, and the task … (read more)

Jesus said: Why would Jesus want us to take His yoke upon us? Is not a yoke intended to enable animals to pull a burden? It sounds like He really wants to make our lives harder. In an antique shop, … (read more)

Late one night following my husband's surgery, I made the decision to go home, which is just a few city blocks from the hospital, rather than spending the night by his bedside. Leaving the bright lights of the parking lot, … (read more)

Once I worked in a technical school where there was a vocational rehabilitation refreshment stand operated to provide jobs for the blind and handicapped. The man who operated the cash register was legally blind, but had enough vision to operate … (read more)

I had a problem with my ice maker. The repairman responded quickly to my call. He performed the procedure that he thought necessary to get the water flowing. It did not work. He came again and decided my icemaker needed … (read more)

My hometown has become a medical centre for the southwestern part of the state in which I live. In fact, the medical profession is the largest business in our area, creating jobs and bringing outsiders in. People from other areas … (read more)

My favourite vacation is a trip to the beach. My husband and I love to get a hotel by the water. We can sit and watch the mighty ocean waves roll in — roll in just so far, and no … (read more)

The greater part of my years has been focused on getting through one stage of life to another stage. As a child, I couldn't wait to be a teenager; then, as a teenager, I wanted to be an adult. Things … (read more)

A friend of mine sang with a barber shop quartet in his younger days. He is always talking about the "fifth voice". "What is the fifth voice?" I asked Bob one day. "When four voices blend together, a unified sound … (read more)

I have been thinking on today's Scripture verse for some time. I read, searched the Scriptures, and thought long and hard about how faith can sustain us at every stage of life. I drew closer to God, learned more of … (read more)

In the southern United States, we are in the time period known as Hurricane Season. At this time, we are more likely to have devastating weather. But even if some areas of the land, the coastline, and the Caribbean receive … (read more)

It had been a long, dry summer. The crops were parched in the fields. The grass, on which the cattle grazed, was brown and dry. A few more days and it would be gone. What would happen to our cattle … (read more)

Our grape arbour is filled with grapes this year. What a joy it is to go pick this fruit directly from the vine. These are Muscadine and Scuppernong grapes. One must dispose of the skin and the seed before eating … (read more)

Men are amazed at all the "torture" women go through to be attractive: hair manipulation on the head, face, legs, and body; exercise to keep the body at just the right weight or size; light garments to support that which … (read more)

I am allergic to shrimp, so I attempt to avoid them. However, it's not as easy as one might think. Nice restaurants camouflage them in soups, sauces, egg rolls, and other delicious recipes. Recently, I discovered, just before putting the … (read more)

When Cub Scouts once met in my yard, a "busy-work scheme" was letting the boys search for four-leaf clovers. Early on, this would fascinate them, until one would decide this assignment was busy-work and refuse to be conned. Now and … (read more)

In the hospital where I worked, name tags were very important. They told visitors that we were employees. They told other employers what department we worked in and what our specific job was in that area. While we were at … (read more)

Some preschool children were in a race to see who could reach the red flag first. Jane, a spirited little girl, was gaining speed on a little boy who was leading the group. It was evident to the bystanders that … (read more)

I had very little understanding of other people's pain until I had a knee go bad. As I struggled to continue the chores of everyday living with constant pain, I became aware of those around me living with pain. I … (read more)

This scripture brings to mind memories of two wonderful friends and prayer partners I once had. Both have now gone to their final home. Their lives and influences remain strong in my memory, especially when I need friends to pray … (read more)

I learned early in life to be teachable. My mother had taught me a few sewing skills at home, so when I began Home Economics classes in the ninth grade, I let the others know that I already knew how … (read more)

My grandchildren are fascinated with all kinds of wildlife. To them, all of God's creatures are important. During their last visit, they searched for an armadillo, hoping to capture and make a pet of him. They didn't understand my desire … (read more)

There is a wet-weather pond behind my house that holds water only when we have excessive amounts of rain; it dries up quickly when the rains cease. During the time when we have a pond, frogs mysteriously appear from somewhere … (read more)

In my genealogical research of the early history of my area of the North American continent, I found that salt was an important commodity for the early settlers. Before refrigeration, salt was an essential preservative for meats of various kinds. … (read more)

In the church where I grew up, there were no paid positions except a pastor who was shared with another church. All the members used the gifts God had given them to keep the church functioning as the Body of … (read more)

As a child, I wanted to be a teacher. I wanted to teach and sing and inspire others with my gifts of music and the usage of the Word. As I grew older, I couldn't understand why God did not … (read more)

This event took place two thousand years ago as Jesus met John at the Jordan River. Last year, I stood beside the Jordan River, watching my friend being submerged into its waters. Covenant words were spoken, and the waters of … (read more)

When I retrieved a sweet potato from my storage bin in the kitchen, there were shoots of new growth protruding from all over it. "No good for food," I said. "I paid more for that potato in the market than … (read more)

For many years, Aunt Sarah was known to me only through letters, cards, and gifts for special occasions. She was my mother's sister, so I visualized her looking like my mother, acting like her, and concerned about me because we … (read more)