Bread
She journeyed 1,000 miles to visit me in the peak of summer when the tomatoes were ripe and full, butter beans popping their hulls, and corn fresh and sweet. I had learned so much from her as a child – how to use my hands, how to sew, cook, wash a dish and set a table. It was a special treat having her for a … Continue reading Bread
Rejoice!
It’s a simple thing. Really. Most nights before we climb the stairs for an evening’s rest we gather together as a family and share our joys. We’ve been doing this for as long as I can remember. And most nights the joys are quite demure – chocolate chip pancakes, a game won, a good test grade, a friend to play. I’m thankful for this moment. … Continue reading Rejoice!
Reach Out
Not so long ago, I found myself feeling out of sorts with a new acquaintance. I hadn’t heard from her and the deadline for the event we were working on had come and gone. It was her turn to step into the conversation, but she was silent. My mind began racing with all sorts of ideas about what had gone wrong. But thank goodness the … Continue reading Reach Out
Ashes…
I have vivid memories from my childhood in the Mississippi Delta of the sight and smell of ashes, of looking out across open fields and seeing flames and smoke in the distance, of running my bare hand over the hood of a car and picking-up ash. My father and other farmers in the area would once a year burn their fields to clear the remainder … Continue reading Ashes…
Encourage
Only eight years old, his head was bent low over the paper as he struggled with the numbers. Some things came easy. Some things did not. This was one of those things. I worked quietly in the room, waiting, when with a soft voice and eyes blinking back tears he said, “I just need a little encouragement.” Encouragement? Don’t we all need a little encouragement? … Continue reading Encourage
Make that Call
When the page turned on the calendar we could count on his call. The slow drawl would drift over the phone line, “I just wanted to give y’all a chance to wish me a happy birthday.”
My father and stepmother would chuckle and sing the familiar song. It became a routine. Something they knew to expect each and every year. They asked him once why he couldn’t wait for them to call. Continue reading “Make that Call”
Wait
Do you ever wonder if God has you on the radar? Consider this, One of the chief needs in our waiting upon God, one of the deepest secrets of its blessedness and blessing, is a quiet, confident persuasion that it is not in vain. Have courage and believe that God will hear and help. We are waiting on a God who could never disappoint His … Continue reading Wait
Do the Next Thing
Life can be overwhelming. Work, home, health and well-being can sometimes present us with more than we can realistically manage in a day or even a season.
I’ve always been inspired by Elisabeth Elliott’s story. She recounts how when her husband Jim, a missionary, and several of his colleagues were murdered in South America that she didn’t know where to begin. Continue reading “Do the Next Thing”
Smile
It is much too easy to go through the day without a smile. To become so self-centered, so over-consumed with life’s issues that all hopes of a twinkle are extinguished. But it’s true you’ll do more good with just a little smile than you ever will with self-consumption . Your spouse, your children, your co-workers will benefit in great ways with that one minor seemingly … Continue reading Smile
Pray
Five months into the pregnancy we felt it was time. Time to share our news. A baby was on the way. And so we gathered everyone together just before bedtime and told them. We told them our good, good news. It was a surprise for all. One celebrated being a big brother…again. One celebrated the possibility of having a little brother. One celebrated, because everyone else was celebrating. And one…cried. Continue reading “Pray”
Florence Brooks 