“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 NIV The wind was whipping across the dock, chilling me to the bone. I might have been able to ignore the chill and let the warmth within me chase it away if I felt more secure about the situation surrounding me. Worrisome thoughts popped through my mind like kernels in a bag of microwave popcorn. What did this day hold? Would the relationship I cherished be as … Continue reading →
There’s something about Spring, about seeing the new life bud forth that instills in us a sense of hope.When I walked to my favorite spot in our backyard, I looked up at the green leaves sprouting from our orange tree. But what I desperately wanted to see was some sign of an orange blossom, no matter how small. I crooked my neck back, staring into the twisted branches, just hoping that our tree would hold the promise of a … Continue reading →
Sunrise Across the Arizona Sky “Lord, order my steps today. Make me strong, not for the sake of possessing strength, but to make me sufficient for the crisis moments in my life and in the lives of others who reach out to me.” These words inscribed on a tiny, glossy strip of card stock sit on my placemat at the kitchen table. Each day I have the opportunity to read these words and be reminded of how much … Continue reading →
“His word thundering so wondrously, his mighty acts staggering our understanding. He orders the snow, ‘Blanket the earth!’ and the rain, ‘Soak the whole countryside!’ No one can escape the weather–it’s there. And no one can escape from God.” Job 37:5-7 THE MESSAGE, NavPress, (c)2005 Last week we had the privilege of watching lightly falling snow turn our desert into a winter wonderland. School children’s delightful squeals pierced icy air as they watched feather-sized snowflakes drift … Continue reading →
Winter’s Deep Freeze Has Left the Branches Bare My hope has been placed in so many things, in so many people. I depended on circumstances, or well-thought-out plans, maybe a job, but most especially a particular person in whatever season of my life on which to hang my hope. If whatever I was hoping for would come to pass, then I knew I would be at peace and filled with joy. But time and again, whatever I … Continue reading →
Gray clouds covered the sky but they would not darken my day. The Lord had written His joy and beauty across the sky and in my heart. He had ordered His hidden treasures to be placed with love throughout my day. Sweet words from my precious students. Smiles. Hugs. A thoughtful lunch from coworkers. Friends gathered around God’s word in our home. Words. Wishes. Love notes from friends. And then the desire and prayer answered that my heart feared … Continue reading →
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV God has done some amazing work behind the scenes in my life this week and in my family. To Him be all glory and power and praise forever more! … Continue reading →
We had looked forward to this time for months. With our son having left for boot camp only two weeks prior, we knew that a few-day visit from our friends would be the perfect pick-me-up for our droopy spirits. But as the time approached, I felt myself sinking into a deep pit. Son had not called or written–my heart breaking while other Moms reported glorious words from their offspring. Energy levels plummeted with the mood. I looked around the … Continue reading →
I gazed up at the sky, overcome once again by a vibrant Summer Sunset in this blistering desert. Quickly I grabbed my camera and snapped away before the colors faded and the clouds pulled apart like cotton candy. When I checked the views billowing into my camera’s viewfinder, I was struck at the deep roiling red captured in my first photo. It eerily reminded me of fire more than a peaceful sunset ushering in a docile evening. … Continue reading →
Nervous, as I always am before an event that I am hosting, I checked off my last minute list of goodies to be packed in the car for the party. Star-shaped cookies wrapped in wristbands, two floral centerpieces, the cake, photos of our youngest, the Navy journal, and, of course, the camera. Everyone was in the car when I glanced back and saw youngest’s jeans–they had the fashionable hole on the knees. I started fraying like his jeans, and … Continue reading →
