I recently celebrated another birthday. Growing up, my mother always celebrated our birthdays and made sure we had a cake and at least one present, even when times were lean, and our numbers grew. She also liked to be celebrated, right into her nineties. So, birthdays are a big deal in my family, and I … Continue reading Birth Days
What’s in a name? I was named Patricia Elizabeth. Patricia means of noble birth, and has its roots in Latin. Elizabeth is a biblical name meaning “my God is an oath.” * In the early days of our friendship, my friend and her husband were talking, and Rick was trying to remember my name. “You … Continue reading What’s In a Name?
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given. Isaiah 9:6 NKJV Here we are, a few days away from Christmas Day. The stress is rising, fatigue deepening, and frustration mounting as we wonder how we will get it all done. Today, let’s take a deep breath, close our eyes and … Continue reading Advent – Week 5
“For God so loved the world…” John 3:16 NIV Most of us get a thrill from giving gifts to those who are precious to us. Our hearts look forward to blessing them with something that will make them smile, comfort, or help them. God made us in His image. Therefore, it stands to reason God … Continue reading Advent – Week 4
“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12 NIV God is a God of humility. During Advent, we celebrate that Almighty God, who needs nothing and lacks nothing, humbled Himself to be born as a weak, helpless human baby. Not a … Continue reading Advent – Week 2
Are you in a season of waiting? Do you feel like a dry, withered stick, tired of waiting for the promised blooms to bud again? A dear friend gave me a beautiful orchid after I lost my mom four years ago. It had not flowered since. I watered, fertilized, tried different lighting, and talked to … Continue reading Hope Deferred
John 14:15-24 Some days, life feels overwhelming and like it is all up to you. The burdens of responsibility and busyness sap your strength and drain your soul. Loneliness settles in like a weighted blanket. How can I do it all? I’m dancing as fast as I can, and there’s still so much to do. … Continue reading Do You Feel Alone?
I gazed down, enraptured, at the picture book. The children were trying to bathe Mr. Muggs, but he wasn’t cooperating. Soapy water flew everywhere as he jumped out and began to shake. I loved this book. Many hours had passed perusing it with either my mom or one of my siblings. But this time was … Continue reading Eyes Wide Open
Suffering is hard. Watching someone you love suffer is also. Are you carrying a second-hand burden? Are you trying your best to ease your loved one’s suffering and smooth out their path? Does it feel like you are caught in strong spiderwebs? You ache to relieve their pain, help them walk, sit or lie down … Continue reading Second-Hand Burden
Jesus didn’t come only to sacrifice himself, but to show us how to live a life that gradually leads to holiness, and that includes prayer. This is an excerpt from Paul Miller’s book, A Praying Life, which shows what Psalm 23 without the Lord or the Shepherd reads like: my; I shall not be in … Continue reading Hi Dad -Part Three