In Blessings from Pain, I told about my fall which resulted in a broken patella and subsequent surgery ten days later. As the days dragged on until surgery, I developed a list of "if onlys": – … Read more

One Sunday morning, I left home having my destination clearly in mind. It was an easy trip, so I used the time to enjoy lovely music and relax — until suddenly, I realized that I was heading the wrong direction — to my old stomping … Read more

Tragic events that have occurred over the past few weeks have had an emotional impact upon us. Hurricanes and floods, mass murder and terrorism, and even the deaths of music icons like Tom Petty, have severely dented the well-being and … Read more

One evening before bedtime, I was watching a Christian program on television when the feed for it was cut off. After trying to fix it, things got worse, and I got only one channel to watch. I was sure that I had messed up the television by … Read more

I was watching a program recently where the power of the name of Jesus was the topic. As I listened, I thought about the post office in the store where I work. People come in all day long with letters and parcels to be mailed. Those … Read more

I'm susceptible to guilt trips. The more I care about people and issues, the more vulnerable I am. I hear a multitude of voices urging me to do something. It's too much, and I feel badly for failing so many people. The pile-up of guilt … Read more

My mare, Mama had a crippled front leg when I bought her. How it happened, I don't know. For many years, she wore a leg brace, which was helpful in keeping her comfortable and mobile. One morning, however, we looked out to the corral and … Read more

There's no magic in numbers, but the number 40 keeps coming back as if there were something special about it. The writer of Genesis says that Noah endured rain for 40 days and 40 nights. Moses twice spent 40 days and 40 nights on Mount … Read more

On a sunny spring afternoon a few years ago, I took a drive around my new neighbourhood, on roads unfamiliar to a newcomer. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my outing in the farm country where more fields opened to the view, with farm houses a … Read more

A number of years ago, I purchased three young adult dachshunds: Dinah, Molly, and Casey. None of these dogs had ever been house dogs. They had always resided in a kennel. Thus, between housetraining, teaching manners, socialization … Read more

Among my treasures I have a letter.

The letter is from a lady who was the young wife of a student minister. I was a very young teacher when I received it, and had been home for a weekend or two when the young couple was ministering in … Read more

Did you know that we people of God require regular maintenance, much like cars do? Car oil needs changing because it gets contaminated with acids, burnt fuel, carbon particles, and sludge, which reduce the efficiency of the engine. The oil … Read more

"Keep short accounts with Jesus! Deal quickly with convictions as they arise. Don't muck about, repent, turn around to God, ask forgiveness, get back to living His kingdom life of righteousness, peace, and joy" was our pastor's regular, humorous exhortation, … Read more

On our way to the grocery store, we pass a hot tub store. One day, I noticed that the name of the store was no longer on the building. At first glance, I said to my husband that the store … Read more

I joined the church as a teenager, giving my heart and life to Christ and promising to walk in His ways. I didn't understand then that I'd just taken the first step on a life journey. I thought that once … Read more

When people walk the same route each day, they often see the same individuals in about the same places each day. As a friend and I walked day after day and then into the next month, we would pass the … Read more

Did you know that tinsel was invented in Germany about 1610 and was made from real silver until the 1960s? Me neither! Every year, Mom tossed the old and purchased new because the old strands didn't have the same lustre. … Read more

It was after ten o'clock, and the day was almost spent, when I said to my husband, "The kitchen is closed for the day." Whenever I make this remark, my husband does not reply, because he knows that should he … Read more

I was thrilled with a recent episode of the TV Series "Seventh Heaven". It was the story of what happened in a clergy family home when a container of marijuana "pot" was found in the house. This caused a major … Read more