God used a decades-old decoration to shine His light into my heart and into our Christmas celebration. After my husband affixed our lighted three-feet-tall Christmas star to the front of the house, he said, “Instead of adding white lights all the way across the shrubbery this year, I think I’ll…
The Blessings We Forget
Even in the season of Thanksgiving, we can forget precious blessings from God. This week, when I read an email from a friend, I realized my gratitude list needed work. In the email, our friends, Chip and Susie, requested prayer and shared news of Will, their friend who’d been bedridden…
Resist the Holiday Rush: Accept a Gift from God’s Table
Dear friend, Pull up a chair and notice the gift on the table. The tag reads: “From: God, To: You.” Yes, this present is for you. Take a deep breath and lay aside your to-do list for a moment. Ready? Now, remove the ribbon. Lift the lid and move the…
Appetizers for Effective Conversation
Whether we’re dining with friends and family or waiting for our table with strangers, we can offer warm greetings as an appetizer to fruitful conversation. Let’s think about dinner appetizers. Imagine sitting on your friend’s sofa as she serves an appetizer tray. You pop a small slice of green fruit…
Finding God’s Gifts at the Table
Our grandchildren’s eyes widen when they see the focal point of family birthday celebrations—the coffee table laden with gift-wrapped packages. Throughout the year, our daughter-in-love notes the toys the children admire, and she considers their needs and interests. Her process ensures the gifts will be both delightful and appropriate. My…