It's been another year. I can't believe it. 8 years. Where has the time gone? I saw a purple Nutcracker in the store the other day. I laughed. I would have bought it for you. You would have loved it. I can hear your laughter; even now. You made Christmas so magical mom. I've sat many nights in my parlor remembering our Christmas's on Putnam Street and then in your log cabin. Our tree resembles nothing of those tinsel, garland covered giants growing up. I loved coming downstairs and smelling the piney scent. I loved the stillness and glow of the colored lights. I will ... View Post
What is Joy Anyway?
What is Joy anyway? Really? There are song lyrics. Joy to the World. . . . I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. . . Joyful, joyful, We Adore thee. . . Almond Joy. Joy-a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Rick Warren adds his own definition: “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.” While I agree with most of those definitions. I don't find that everything is going to be 'all right.' In ... View Post
She’s Still So Missed
It was the week before Christmas. The presents were wrapped. Plans were made. Life was in full swing. There was a High School concert to attend. Kids to dress, dinner to eat. I still remember; I had made chicken and biscuits. I had teens that I mentored over. My great niece was playing with the kids. I needed to return the teens to their home. It was time to get ready for the concert. I couldn't reach my Mother in law to retrieve the bundle of energy, I called my great niece. I had too many kids to fit in the van. My farmer came down to take the youngest farm boy with him. I ... View Post
Hope and Love
Hope and Love. The first two candles in Advent. Buzz words for sure. Especially love. A term thrown around. Used to make a point. Added for emphasis. Meant to show tolerance. Used to elevate social consciousness. Love. Definition of Christ. One who gave all, for all. John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. Love personified at Christmas. Born in a manger. Humbled before men. Servant; yet King. Crucified. Glorified. We light these two candles; side by side. One. . . next to the other. Light. Dispelling ... View Post
Happy Birthday! And Just Like That, She’s 16!
Happy Birthday, dancer girl!!!And just like that, she's 16. I am not sure where the time went or how we got here. But here we are. Our beautiful Christmas baby. Born when things were different. When death and cancer had not knocked on our door. A time when I spent waiting. Breathing in deep promises of what was to come. Moments of sitting and pondering. Heavy with child. The holiness of the season. Anticipation. Reflection. I resonated with these words Mary proclaimed. Luke 1:46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, What ... View Post
Even If. . . .
Even if. . . Those words. It's how she strings them together with other words that pierces my heart. Even if, the answer isn't what I long for. Even if. . . I know the even if. . . Even if my son is killed in the middle of the night on a lonely, dark road. . . Even if my farmer gets cancer. . . Even if our barns blow down. . . Even if. . . God is still good. Do you know the Even if. . . too? Does your heart long for that which it may never have? Are there the cries of your heart that remain unanswered. Even if. . . can you still praise him? Even if. . . can you still ... View Post
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