Who’s that singing? I peered through the glass of the storm door and discovered a little sparrow belting out an aria on the deck. The sight beyond the sparrow quickly turned my smile into a frown. Thin-stemmed, summer plants drooped over the edges of pots and cried for replacements. The…
Six Ways to Cling to God
On a recent walk I noticed a little vine that held fast to the surface it claimed as its home—the trunk of an immense pine tree. The graceful, serrated leaves contributed to the vine’s delicate appearance and created contrast against the furrowed gray-brown bark. How did the vine cling to…
Finding Pandemic Gratitude and Service
The little bird figurine in the photo above sits on my kitchen counter and reminds me, “Every day is a gift from God.” I gave the bird to my mom to encourage her when she struggled to maintain her usual optimism in the face of congestive heart failure and muscle…
Embrace the New Day with Joy and Prayer
I’m a “wannabe” morning person. How about you? Do you bounce up early, eager to get started? Or are you sliding under the comforter after midnight? By nature I’m a night owl who’s trying hard to convert. I’d like to see more of God’s glorious colors painted across the eastern…
The Answer to Anxiety is on the Table
When our entire family gathers in our home, I love to prepare everyone’s favorite dishes, even though I sometimes get anxious about doing a good job. Anxiety loses its grip when I pray. As the younger grandchildren arrive and stand on tiptoe to see what’s on the table, I take…