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 the rough tree covering? Maybe it wasn’t as delicate as I’d supposed. Upon further investigation, I noticed the vine’s stem had sprouted bunches of tiny tendrils that grasped the bark like the spikes on hiking boots grip mountain surfaces. The collection of tendrils tethered the vine to the pine…
Blog
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 weakness. My mother longed for the former days of good health and the freedom of independence when she could meet friends for lunch and shop for groceries. As the current pandemic continues to stretch across the months of 2020, we too long for the former times—for the good health and…
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 sky when a new day begins. Three hundred and sixty-five times per year, God wraps a new day with fresh air and promises. Whether the package includes the sun’s rays streaming through the trees or rumbling thunder in an ominous sky, each twenty-four-hour period represents a gift. When I wake…
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 a deep breath and smile. In a familiar psalm, after describing God as the good Shepherd, David wrote about His heavenly Father’s table: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies … Psalm 23:5 ESV I often read this verse and picture myself standing on tiptoe…
The Safest Pandemic Fellowship
After facing 2020’s canceled events with minimal social time, safe gathering opportunities fill my heart with joy. Family, friends, and Christian fellowship brighten our days. Last week one of our granddaughters was giddy with anticipation to visit Poppy and Gigi (that’s us) for the first time in months. She danced around the room and with top-of-her-lungs excitement, shared her good fortune with siblings. Two days later I was the giddy one. Our son invited us to join his family at a state park where he’d discovered a secluded, crystal-clear stream. We waded, splashed, found wild muscadines, and watched a toy…