In May 2023, I was a middle school teacher in Savannah, Georgia, USA. I had decided to move back home to Jackson, Tennessee, after the school year ended because I didn't want to teach secondary education anymore after ten years. I am … Read more
Search Results for: "Proverbs 16:"
Channel Markers
During this past January, we spent time in Florida, USA, with our two sons. They had brought their boat down from Canada in November. We decided that the weather looked good enough to take the boat to the Atlantic side of Florida near … Read more
Saying Kind Things
Sometimes, a card or email can say it all. "You are my favourite teacher." "Do you put baby oil on your head to make it shine?" "You have taught me so much." "I was scared of you in the sixth grade, but now you are my favourite teacher." … Read more
The Wallpaper
The wallpaper was dingy and stained and did not want to come off. I talked with the paint people at the store, and they told me to paint over it and how to do so. I decided to try it. As I applied the paint over the paper, I was amazed … Read more
Hard Decisions
The phone rang; it was the chairman of our annual quilt show. "Sharon, we have to cancel tomorrow's show." This was a really big deal! The quilt club at my recreational vehicle park has been having these shows for many years. We have over … Read more
The Tension
I crochet many blankets for babies. Recently, I had just begun one when it occurred to me how well this particular colour went with my décor. I thus decided to pick up more yarn and increase the size of the piece. I now have a lovely … Read more
But The Lord
Perhaps you recall a day when your supervisor listed several impressive qualities in you. Then came that word, "but". You braced yourself, for whatever came next would surely undo everything that had been said. That's the nature of that … Read more
Words Like Plumeria Blossoms
When my husband and I volunteered at the Youth With a Mission (YWAM) base in Kona, Hawaii, a few years ago, we would walk by a huge plumeria tree on the way to work every day. Hundreds of blossoms lay scattered on the sidewalk, and I … Read more
Kind Words
Years ago, after I had injured my ankle, I went to the doctor's office to pick up my new ankle brace. After receiving it, I took it back to my car to try on. I was quite discouraged when I realized that I had been given the wrong size of … Read more
What Are We Communicating?
Everything that we say or do communicates what we want others to know about us. Sometimes, we do this by the clothes that we wear. When I wear a bright green shirt, the comments that I receive indicate that I am bringing happiness to my … Read more
How To Grow Your Nose
Had I created mine, I would have shortened the length and made it narrower. The nose is an interesting part of the body's anatomy. I've heard that it continues to grow as a person ages, and I have seen a number of elderly senior adults … Read more
God Has A Handle On It
I'm making a folding display frame that will stand up on a table and hold the name tags for recurring clergy meetings. When not in use, it closes up with a clasp, but it needs a carrying handle. So, I went to a thrift shop and bought one … Read more
The Impalement
My wire-haired dachshund, Hoss, just didn't seem himself after our daily hike through the bush. He seemed to be favouring his right shoulder and was moving a little more slowly than usual. Finally putting aside what I was doing, I stooped … Read more
The Day Dad Missed His Ship
This Bible verse was always my father's favourite one. The reason stems from the following story. During the Second World War, my dad had orders to report for duty on a ship due to sail through the Gulf of Mexico. At the time, that … Read more
Whose Plan Is It?
I had to laugh when saw this Facebook meme the other night, because it's so true: "My entire life can be summed up in one sentence … 'Well that didn't go as planned.'" For sure, everything that we plan doesn't always work out the way … Read more
Lord, Grant Me Patience
As I entered the bank and noted the long line, I thought, "Oh well, I'm not in a hurry today." Looking ahead, I saw a grey-haired lady entering the bank from the other side. I could not help but notice that when she saw me, she picked up … Read more
On Fake Jewellery
Here's a question for ladies (and men, too): What if we were required to dispose of every piece of fake jewellery in our homes and keep only what is solid gold or pure gem? What would remain? Probably very little. But here's the real … Read more
Busy Seniors
Some time ago, someone asked me a question: "Why does someone your age keep so busy? Isn't it time you slowed down?" This question made me think about seniors who do all kinds of work. There are seniors who volunteer at long term care … Read more
About — Blank
As I stand guard at my school crossing, thoughts for devotionals flit through my brain like those message bars scrolling across the bottom of your television set. From these ideas, I started a number of different themes. They were all … Read more
Finding The Right Path
My wife, my younger brother, and I were off for a three-night, four-day camping trip in North Carolina's Great Smokey Mountains. So we conjured up Siri on our cell phone and asked for driving directions to our destination. We arrived late … Read more
Mincemeat Memories
Because our generous neighbour continually shared the bounty from her pear tree, I had to come up with ways of using the things. You can only eat so many pears. Anyway, I found a recipe for pear mincemeat and made it every summer when the … Read more
One July First
On the first of July, 1983, I had the arduous task of packing up and moving out a music and Christian supply centre that I had been running for about three years. A friend and I packed up his trunk with what remaining stock I had and piled … Read more
The Expert
We had been trying to get satellite television for five years. Several knowledgeable people had spent much time seeking to locate the signal for our dish, but failure always ensued. We even decided to move the dish and purchased a large … Read more
Love Your Enemies
On May 5th, the people in the Netherlands will remember that 69 years ago, the Second World War, or at least the five-year occupation, ended. There will be flags out everywhere. There will be a number of veterans from Canada present as … Read more
A New Beginning
The table is set in the dining room of the seniors' assisted care facility where I reside. Three of us ladies share this table each day. After the meal one day, we got into a conversation noting that there were several in our community … Read more
The Kettle
Recently, I made a cup of tea in my kitchen. Being English, there is nothing special in that, because I am a frequent visitor to the kettle and my tea caddy. So it was with some surprise that, having switched on the kettle to make a … Read more
Dissolved Plans
Years ago, my grandfather had a small lodge in an old farmhouse beside a lake just north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. One summer when I was about nine years old, I was visiting him at the lodge, and one evening … Read more
Yield Not To Temptation
What a time we had this morning on our walk. It was simply gorgeous! The sun was warm and caressing on my skin, and the breeze was so refreshing that I wondered if I should convert from being a night … Read more
Humbling Ourselves
We live in a city. It is a small city, but a city nonetheless. Our city is growing quickly, but I do know my way around. If I need help, I can get out my map and soon find out … Read more