I thought I knew everything once. Young, quick of tongue, pregnant with opinions and quietly rebellious. Having travelled around the sun a few more times since youth, I see how wrong I was about most things that fuelled my arrogant words. The mental replays make me cringe. There I am, …
Was it the pandemic’s second or third wave? I can’t recall. But the doorbell rang at supper. I answered it and found a grandchild, standing alone, tears streaming like silver ribbons. Our daughter’s car waited at the end of the driveway. COVID protocol aside, what else is a grandmother to …
These are excellent times to prove the truth of God-inspired words of scripture. Ancient words promising that even in hard times, following Christ brings serenity, peace and joy. I miss talking about this with my Bible study friends. Most of us were working women, grabbing a warm island of companionship …
Cloudy days of the soul often block our view of God, threatening faith in his goodness. But they persist in our souls’ regions, these pandemic times. “Cloudy with increased chance of precipitation, in the form of salty tears,” a forecaster may say. The Preacher has fought depression ever since he …
“Why do you always seem glum?” someone asked my friend and fellow Christ-follower. “Christians should be joyful!” My friend, serious by nature, felt challenged and somewhat bruised by that question. For a time she wondered if she’d gotten something wrong in her faith and life equation. If her joy-basket had a hole …
Since childhood, I have preferred a few close relationships over many superficial ones. Media platforms such as Facebook are too big for me. Too intimidating, and too artificial. Nevertheless, realizing the times, I try. “Birthday blessings,” I typed on a Facebook friend’s page the other day. I regretted it immediately. …
One day, God willing and should the earth last so long, our grandchildren will tell their children that they lived through COVID-19, just as elderly survivors of other pandemics and deadly diseases, have spoken of it to their children and grandchildren. Stories of hardship, of fear and faith and frailty. …
Whatever the circumstances, sings Canadian musician Big Dave McLean, in his gravelly, Louis Armstrong-ish voice, “there will always be a change.” A friend didn’t expect her perfect grandchild to be stillborn. An acquaintance didn’t realize that following her simple biopsy procedure, she’d get a call to go directly to emergency. …
Christmas carries on at our home, as we consider the gift of still-fresh memories of the past year and the promises of the next. “Hon, if you had to wrap 2019 up in a few words or a sentence, how would you do that?” I asked on Christmas Day. …
After years of teaching journaling workshops, the regular habit has slipped away from me. Life is moving faster. I’m moving slower. Taking an hour at the end of each day to jot my thoughts and prayers simply rarely happens anymore. I’m poorer for that. Quiet reflection, pondering both simple and …
