The other day, I made a trip to the refuse and recycling centre to drop off some old large stereo speakers. They had taken up residence stacked next to the storage heater since I had liberated them from my parents … Read more

Several years ago, I ventured on a meaningful trip to the Holy Land. Israel sits on the edge of a vast desert, and depends on the Sea of Galilee for its fresh water supply. Because of the scarcity of water … Read more

Today we hear more about mentors than about the leading of the Spirit through the written Word. We have all probably had our mentors who guided us as we grew. For many, it was a writer. Eugenia Price was my … Read more

I walked into a large home supply store, and there he stood, seventy-three years old, holding a smoke alarm in his hand. Four months ago, no one expected him to live through a reaction to the anaesthetic that was used … Read more

After retirement, my husband and I started going to Florida for the winter months. Within a few years, we started to wonder about our home in the north, in comparison to the one we had in the south. The one … Read more

By my desk, I have a window that gives me a view of the hustle and bustle of local life down in the street below. Lately, I have been watching a house being built on the footprint of an old … Read more

Intricate snowflakes are falling to the ground, steadily covering the green grass and black asphalt with a soft, white blanket. The branch of the evergreen tree is moving slightly outside my living room window, indicating that there is a bit … Read more

Our daughter-in-law, Sue, came for a quick visit. As she entered our home, she exclaimed, "No wonder you're depressed — you need some lights on!" She then proceeded to turn on all the lights she could. That was a mistake … Read more

I have always dreamed of being a writer, but God gave me a home and a family, and the necessity of working to support them in the style I desired. The years went by, but the dream still lingered. I … Read more

Even though seventeen years and three thousand miles separated me from my youngest brother during his childhood, we've always maintained a close bond. I remember visiting him when he was six. He told me of his first year at school, … Read more

There's a parable about a man, who, as the ground around him was flooding, continued to call on God for help. The problem was that he was expecting God Himself to reach out His hand and grasp him to safety. … Read more

The Sunday School attendance was beginning to grow, much to the joy of the workers. With this new development, the workers decided to commence a weekly Kids Craft Club. However, in their enthusiasm, they had overlooked the fact that this … Read more

It was a cold and rainy winter afternoon as I left work, and headed across the parking lot to my car. All I could think about was what a "bummer" of a day it had been, how bad I felt, … Read more

The other day, I took a shortcut through a local subdivision in order to by-pass many traffic lights. Unfortunately, the sidewalk was being repaired, and I had to wait in a long line of cars that had been temporarily stopped … Read more

My West Highland White Terrier, Ben Nevis, spent the first years of his life testing the meaning of the word "come". Cats, foxes, people were playmates to be chased. Woods and lakes were playgrounds to be explored. Perhaps the day … Read more

A few days ago, I reread the story of Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus. Seeing (in my mind's eye) Zacchaeus perched on a tree limb brought back memories of my tomboy childhood. Most of the children in my neighbourhood were boys. … Read more

We grow so used to things always being in place and ready to go. The other morning, my husband said goodbye, went out to open the garage door and to start the car, only to re-trace his footsteps back into … Read more

One of the greatest blessings in my life has been the birth of our three grandchildren. I will admit, however, that some of us who are blessed with grandchildren are guilty of a serious oversight: it is easy to be … Read more

Three brilliant, beautiful stained glass windows adorn the wall above the altar at the little church where we meet for Contemplative Prayer. Carefully crafted, the centre window holds Jesus at the door, knocking, lamp in hand. Facing the altar, the … Read more

As a genealogy enthusiast, I spend a lot of time in cemeteries and among old records. I can't help noticing how much longer people are living today. Many of our ancestors died before the age of 65. We are being … Read more

I don't know about you, but I've often wished that God would write His plans for my life down on a piece of paper and hand them to me. I know that I'd be frightened if I saw His handwriting … Read more

The water had frozen, and the pipe had burst. Icy cold water was shooting all over our daughter and son-in-law's fully finished basement. "Why did it happen?" I knew that it was 28 degrees below zero, but I couldn't understand … Read more

There are these two precious little girls in our congregation. One is Abby and one is Molly. I was there for their births. I baptized both of them. But for some reason or another, I constantly get their names mixed … Read more

"What's the use?" This was the question I was tempted to ask after a family move. Seeing as I was far away from our former home and church family, it would have been so easy to stay in my warm … Read more

Our three-year-old granddaughter was sent, by her mother, to get some of her storytime books to be read at "nap time". She dragged herself off, not very interested in nap time, and was gone an abnormally long time. When she … Read more

Some years ago while visiting in a hospital, I regularly passed a patient who always had friends at her bedside. As the weeks went by, one friend appeared to remain longer. One day I spoke to the patient, but, due … Read more

"What is that?" My two-year-old granddaughter was pointing to her great-grandmother's casket. I held my breath, and wondered how her aunt would answer her. I certainly didn't want her to experience the same nightmares that I'd had when someone forced … Read more

A young lady pulled up in a car next to Caroline and me as we walked to the local shops. She wound down the window, and asked if we knew the directions to a local street. As it was one … Read more

While serving as a palliative care volunteer, I spent time with one person who described their experience of learning that they had a terminal illness as being similar to what they might expect to feel had they run headlong into … Read more

One day as my daughter and I were sitting on a park bench watching her two little girls playing on the playground equipment, I was thrilled at what I saw. Sarah, not her real name, was swinging on the monkey … Read more

There is a stretch of highway that leads across southern Ontario known as the 401. The road leading west from the outskirts of Toronto towards London is on a stretch of very flat land. In the winter, if the weather … Read more