I love the changing seasons. They each provide unique beauty and gifts. Fall spreads a change of colour to the trees and plants. Some shout their beauty, while others remain muted. Without the one, however, the other becomes mundane. Pewter skies and cooler air bring an appreciation for the rarer days of blue, and the … Continue reading Changing Seasons
joy
Four-letter Words
Obedience is not a four-letter word. For many of us, however, it has the same connotations as those well-known derogatory ones, and submission is right there with it. I was quiet and obedient, as a child, with a rebellious heart. I followed the rules but inside I chafed and grumbled. Mostly inside. As an adult, … Continue reading Four-letter Words
Schoolyard Angst
September. Back to school. My first experience with school was when I was five. There was no kindergarten where we lived, and so my mom, being my mom and the mother of seven children, pushed to have me put in grade one. As a result, I found myself on a hard, cold seat in a … Continue reading Schoolyard Angst
Perfect Power
I was struggling, and sleep eluded me. My mind was whirling with the scenario on repeat in my brain. My insides were in knots, and a heaviness sat on my chest. I felt misunderstood, hurt, and unloved. Sinful thoughts and desires rose up in my heart for self-glory and justification. I knew my thoughts and … Continue reading Perfect Power
Wallflower or Showpiece?
Are you a wallflower that longs to be more? Is God calling you to be a wallflower who steps out in faith? Are you willing to be the flower that God has called you to be, designed you to be, a greenhouse flower? Most of my life I have lived as a wallflower and still … Continue reading Wallflower or Showpiece?
Adventure or Danger?
Eagerly, I climbed to the top of our station wagon roof, placing the item my stepfather had given me in a secure spot. Hot sun shone down, but the metal felt comfortably warm against my skin. Giddiness bubbled up inside me as I gazed around at the green trees gently tossed by the breeze and … Continue reading Adventure or Danger?
Is There a Chink in Your Armour?
Have you felt betrayed, left behind, forgotten and neglected? Sometimes we have. Or did the person we love make a choice when they weren’t thinking clearly? Did they forget to stop and think of us or not know we cared? Whatever the reason, our feelings take over our brains, and we entertain all kinds of … Continue reading Is There a Chink in Your Armour?
Golden Stalks or Dark Clouds?
What is your perspective? From the passenger seat of our car, a field of golden-coloured corn stalks caught my attention. Brightly standing out against the dark grey clouds hovering over them, I commented about their beauty to my husband. He, however, had focused on the threatening clouds and not noticed the cornstalks. Where our eyes … Continue reading Golden Stalks or Dark Clouds?
Happy Heart Day
Valentine’s day began as the remembrance of the martyrdom of St. Valentine for his faith. Over the centuries, it has morphed into a celebration of love - romantic love. Like Christmas, an entire business has developed around it. Chocolates, flowers, diamonds, etc. and, of course, dinner out. This day has become a big deal for … Continue reading Happy Heart Day
Remember Me
Life goes on. The pain eases slightly with time. The days feel normal and we get busy with them. Then certain things remind us, like a date, the day they left. Emotions and memories, forgotten in the day-to-day, flood our hearts and minds and the pain returns; we feel the loss again. In this pain … Continue reading Remember Me