Jesus often ended His parables with this phrase: "He who has ears, let him hear". I have a friend who has just returned from a family vacation in Hawaii. She was commenting on how she would sit on the beach in the early morning for her … Read more

Exceptionally strong winds in Nevada and Utah, USA, have caused large quantities of rolling tumbleweed to invade town, where it has congregated at fences, which provide a barrier to rest against, burying cars and other objects in the … Read more

In the autumn, we managed to clear some of our financial liabilities for the house. This has enabled us, for the first time in a number of years, to have some financial headroom. So, I took Caroline out to visit the local jewellers to buy … Read more

When I was a child, I had a heart disease, and I was bedridden for a number of years. It was a difficult and lonely time for me, and I am sure that this was also a challenging time for my parents as they cared for me, to keep me busily … Read more

His comment came during one of the most taxing times of a school year. As I stood outside my doorway during the changing of classes, a young man — whom I had previously taught — passed my way. I normally spoke to him first, but this … Read more

The rugged Selkirk Mountain Range, spanning Canada and the USA, is home to grizzly bears, cougars, and wolves. When my father was still able to go down into the mines, we lived at the foot of one of the mountains, in tenement housing … Read more

My husband has a moderate-to-severe hearing loss and wears hearing aids. At first, they were the basic kind. As we drove in the car, he would complain, "You're talking to the windshield. I can't hear you." I would get impatient with this … Read more

To my horror, I discovered that the white spring flower flourishing in my garden is on the list of invasive species. This delicate, six-petalled flower called "Star of Bethlehem" has been a blessing in England, but here, it "got away" and … Read more

Uncertainty, loneliness, and confusion — anxiety, aimlessness, and desertion: these aching feelings can echo their hollow voices throughout our hearts. We shudder at the coldness of how feeling lost empties us. Has your soul ever felt … Read more

My friend, Mary, couldn't understand why her almonds were disappearing. She had set out a dishful for snacking, but she certainly wasn't eating them that fast. The only other person around was her husband, so naturally, she suspected him. … Read more