A coffee and my Bible. An unanswered why and uncontrollable tears. This is how I started my day. I trust Jesus. I know the Word of God is Truth. I have seen beautiful things come from ugly things this year. But I still have mornings of whys. I’ve wondered why I got cancer. Not in a Why me? I don’t deserve this kind of way. (I have honestly never struggled with that.) But more in a What purpose does this serve in my life? kind of way. I know God wouldn’t run me through the wringer for nothing, but I don’t have a…
Proverbs 23:22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. I had a friend years ago whose relationship with her mother was strained. They talked regularly. And though they honestly loved each other, it was not uncommon for their conversations to end in utter frustration. You see, they loved each other, but they didn’t really like each other. One expected too much, the other couldn’t let go of the past. I have lost touch with that friend and don’t know where her relationship with her mother stands today, but I…
Proverbs 19:2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way. Zeal is a good thing. To be enthusiastic and passionate about a goal is a great first step. But if zeal is all we have, we won’t get far. After I watched Florence Griffith Joyner break world track records in Seoul in 1988, my 12-year-old self was going to follow in her footsteps. I would be a runner, and I would run in the Olympics (forget that those Olympics sprinters are not white girls.) So I went out of for track…
Proverbs 18:4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. “He’s 14, and he’s taken to grunting.” Yep, those words came out of my husband’s mouth on a recent double-date, and they are oh so accurate. It is amazing how much can be said in a grunt. There’s the “yes” grunt, the “no” grunt, the “I’m so tired” grunt, the “I don’t care” grunt. I could go on, but you moms out there with teen boys probably know exactly what I’m talking about. Grunting is not my preferred form of…
I found this poem during one of my middle of the night reading sessions. And as I am at the start of what is likely going to be a not-so-good sleep night, I am encouraged by it again. It is beautifully written. Enjoy. Further Still In that lonely place ~ No friend can go ~ No brother can help ~ No loved on can know I must crawl on ~ While you stay ~ Further still ~ Just watch and pray In that lonely place ~ The cup is fought ~ To sip the pain ~ Or choose my lot…