The pages revealed whose it was and under what circumstances. Mom received a call from her niece. They had cleaned out my aunt's house and discovered some things that might be of interest to Mom. Though never a lover of old or … Read more

The guest pastor read his chosen Scripture. The words sounded eerily familiar. It was like I'd read it an hour previously. And then it hit me — they were included in that day's readings in my daily Bible reading plan. I know for certain … Read more

During recent extreme weather, when our temperatures dropped down to between -35 and -40 degrees Celsius, my old mare, Mama died, no longer able to withstand such temperatures. We do not know for sure how old she was, but after speaking … Read more

The open palm of the hand is generally understood as an indication of trust and surrender. It shows peaceful acceptance and acquiescence. In the Christian world, a raised, open palm is also a sign of adoration and praise to God. Its … Read more

We used to celebrate my mom's birthday at our cottage, when she was able to travel. The first time she came for a visit, I wanted to show her the beauty of our secluded lot on a small, wilderness lake. I took her on a winding path … Read more

I enjoy watching the ducks and geese that frequently visit the pond across the street from my home. This year, I took the cutest picture of four goslings all lined up in a row following their mother as she led them into the water. For a … Read more

Our eighth grandchild is due in the next week or so, and though he or she already has a place in our hearts and in our family, thus far, the baby doesn't have a name. Hundreds of names have been deemed unsuitable. Our name is our … Read more

I find it rather embarrassing these days that when I go to greet someone whom I have known for ages, suddenly her name is gone from my mind. It is especially annoying when I am in the middle of an introduction and I draw a blank. I know … Read more

Are we indeed our brother's keeper? Many may think not, but as in our biological family, we do not survive well unless we help each other. Many of our brothers and sisters carry loneliness around with them like a blanket. What can we do … Read more

Let us look in on the Plaza de Sant Roc de Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain. There stands a man with his bass fiddle poised to start playing his instrument. A young girl approaches the man's hat on the ground and drops in a coin. The man draws … Read more

Thud! Something hit the glass, and I guessed it had to be a bird. Looking outside, sure enough, there on the ground was a goldfinch, lying on its back — stunned! Not wanting to leave it there, I immediately went … Read more

Following the loss of my mother, a beautiful collection of heartfelt poems entitled A Mother's Love (Blue Mountain Press) has been an inspiration to me. These poems reflect my personal appreciation for the value of my mother's life and are … Read more

Years ago, in the early days of my walk with Jesus, I attended my first retreat weekend with a group of women. The main theme was about each believer's choice to have, or not to have, a closer relationship with … Read more

Our staid, turn-of-the-nineteenth-century, Presbyterian sanctuary had been miraculously transformed into a "television game show studio" for our week-long running of the summer Vacation Bible School (VBS) program, "Studio Go" by Standard Publications. In the "audience", the children were careening around … Read more

When I was a young married woman, my parents offered to take me and my three children out west in their motor home. Since my husband had to work, he told us to go. This trip was some adventure for … Read more

Going down a road I had not travelled before, I came across an old, old cemetery. For some reason, I like to walk through cemeteries and read the headstones. Some who are reading this may think this strange, but it's … Read more

My dad has Alzheimer's disease. Since I live a distance of few hours' drive from mom and dad's home, I don't visit in person very often. About a month ago, I took that trip to see them. As a daughter, … Read more

My husband and I toured the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina late in November — after the leaves had fallen, but before the snow came that would bring the skiers to the slopes. The scenes from the parkway and … Read more

On the first Sunday of each month we celebrate communion in our church. On a recent occasion, I sat looking over the small crowd gathered for worship and thought how our congregation avoided this service. I felt disheartened. I had … Read more

December 1992 — my father died — a charter member of St. Luke's Presbyterian Church in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, an elder, a Sunday School superintendent, and a great dad. In the last couple years of his life, his disease (akin … Read more

Today's text was a motto that hung in our home when I was a child, and although it has the obvious meaning, "Watch what comes out of your mouth," it took on a different meaning for me one year. It … Read more

It was in 1994, during a visit from one of our daughters and her infant daughter, that a crisis occurred in our family. This dear child of God was only one month old. She stopped breathing following a cranky time … Read more

At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we stand in silence to remember. We wear the poppies to help us to remember and to help honour those who gave their lives for us, for our … Read more

Have you felt the hands of Christ? Do you ever sense his comforting presence? I have a beautiful little figurine of a very young, trusting child cuddled in a caressing hand. On the bottom is this verse: "I will not … Read more

I was sitting in my office doing whatever scientists do, when the door pushed open and a colleague from downstairs came in saying, "You're a real live Christian. Tell me what I should be doing…" I don't remember what his … Read more