I remember well the excitement of starting piano lessons. I still have the little beginner book: "Here we go, up a row, to a birthday party" — all played on three notes in the right hand. Then there followed, "Dolly … Read more

Sometimes we can get too pally with God and treat Him with unintended disrespect. I can remember hearing a pastor at a summer camp starting his prayer with the words, "Hey God," as if he were addressing a mule or … Read more

Every Saturday, from the rise of the early morning sun, and even in the rain, the streets become alive with a different kind of commuter. This commuter is not heading to work in the city, but rather heading from street … Read more

I was reading through a magazine that came to our home from a company that employed my husband for most of his working years. There were two particular quotations that I noticed. One was from Edward Gibbon, the historian, which … Read more

One recent evening, I came upon a student who was talking on a mobile telephone in the computer suite where I work. We do not allow casual mobile-phone ring-tones being used, because students are here to work on their assignments. … Read more

When I enter my car, after closing the door, I immediately fasten my seatbelt. It is then that I start the engine and check my mirrors before pulling out. A family member, however, gets in, starts the car, checks the … Read more

When my granddaughter was four years old, she spent some time with us during the summer. I took her to her favourite fast-food restaurant, and she got the much-anticipated kid's meal with its treasure inside. For some unknown reason, I … Read more

I work in an old Victorian building, built in 1849, that has been annexed by a newer twenty-first-century one. There are connecting corridors with associated stairs to the new rooms. During the construction of the upper bridge between buildings, I … Read more

Perhaps you have been guilty, as I have been, of discreetly packing away photographs of married couples when one of the spouses has changed their partner. When my husband Ron and I divorced, I often wondered if my name was … Read more

I remember being invited to attend a Bible study held at our church, and being very reluctant to attend it, but for some reason, my busy schedule allowed it. The Bible study, indeed, was a life-changer! At the end of … Read more

"An empty shell": these words of truth kept echoing over and over in my mind. I was driving my friend, Anna, home from church, and I mentioned to her how I had been neglecting my Bible reading and prayer time … Read more

Everything went completely black. We had had a power-cut whilst I was working on the computer late at night. This was a bit of a shock, because we live in an area of considerable light pollution from the main road, … Read more

When my husband and I were vacationing in Portugal, we were told very proudly by the Portuguese people about the growth and export of cork. They told us that cork was the bark from the oak tree family, which was … Read more

While doing some work in my garden, I came across some roots, and many worms, just below the surface of the soil. After I was done, I was sitting on the deck, reflecting. I noticed that a bird had come … Read more

Many days since elementary school, I have battled depression. Even as an adult Christian, the Spirit of God constantly has to remind me that my life matters. One day when I was feeling particularly blue, the Lord gave me an … Read more

I have been going through a very difficult trial involving a dear family member. Just when I think I have turned everything over to God, something new happens in this situation, and, poof — I feel as if I haven't … Read more

One of the saddest things that I have seen in more than twenty years of ministry is a person who refuses God's help and rejects His healing. I can remember being called to help one young lad, decades ago, who … Read more

It was a dull and rather dreary day when I decided to wash the few dirty dishes, rather than put them into the dishwasher. As I stood at the sink, I reflected on the phone call I had just received. … Read more

I recently started a new job. It was explained that a part of the training was to include what they call "shadow shifts", which means I would be an extra staff for the shift. I was to work with the … Read more

Jesus loved us enough to give our children to us for a while, so shouldn't we love Him enough to give them back to Him? That is much easier to say than actually to do. We have three living sons, … Read more

We recently went out west for our holiday, and our journey took us to the Rocky Mountains in western Canada. Our first hotel was nestled in the Rockies, and as I sat there and reflected on the vastness and majestic … Read more

When it is sunny, I walk around our nearby lake and watch the wildlife as they carry on their existence. I have noticed the reliance of the young fledglings upon their parents, who watch over them. When they are happy … Read more

Who could believe the summer had slipped away so quickly? Less time would now be spent on the swing set and riding bicycles in the neighbourhood. The swimming pool was being covered until the next year. The new school year … Read more

Ever since I was fourteen years old, I have worn glasses for a medical condition. I go every year to have a check-up to monitor this. This year when I went, I was met with a surprise. My glasses are … Read more

As another school year has started, I have been reminiscing about my school years and those of my children. How exciting it was to go back to school on the first day of September! As a child, I would always … Read more

My daughters are now at college, and the house is very quiet. There's an emptiness in my home, but also in my heart. I'm finding it very hard being an empty-nester, even although it's been less than a week since … Read more

We had had almost an entire week of dreary, wet, autumn weather. The landscape was washed in shades of grays and browns. Nothing stood out against the dull sky as I passed empty, earthy fields on my way to choir … Read more

This summer, on one weekend, we went camping in the mountains. The further we went into the wilderness, the more I wondered if we had made a good choice to camp there. The road was rough, the way was desolate, … Read more

Gone are the fierce storms of last evening. All day, the meteorologists warned us of the impending danger of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. About dusk, black clouds, with a hint of that strange green hue which normally means hail, rolled … Read more

The last peach had been picked and the year's harvest was finished. The beautiful green trees that had covered the flat lands were beginning to show the colours of fall in their leaves. The pruner had come with the pruning … Read more