Do you sometimes abandon efficiency and choose the scenic route? I do. While running errands, I drive out of my way to visit my favorite fall site—a street in our town lined with gingko trees. When the temperature cools, the green fan-shaped gingko leaves transform into bright splashes of yellow. When the leaves fall, the sidewalk looks like sunshine pooled on the earth, and it makes me happy. Think about the color palette God chooses for fall decorating. Red maple leaves, orange pumpkins, golden chrysanthemums, brown chestnuts, and more. They’re all pretty, but gingko tree yellow is my favorite. Some…
Tag: jeannie waters
Serve One Another: What’s on Your Serving Tray Today?
What do the words “through love serve one another” in Galatians 5:13 mean to you? God taught me a lesson about this verse through my husband. “Do you have to help move the piano after church?” I asked one Sunday morning years ago. As usual, my husband was the first to volunteer. I’d planned to hurry home after the last amen, serve lunch, and conquer my to-do list. He called over his shoulder. “This will only take a few minutes. Be right back.” I watched him smile as he used muscle and a willing spirit to help move the grand…
Which Promise of God Does Your Heart Need Today?
We can trust God’s promises because He’s faithful to keep them. Two symbols of promises touched my heart last weekend. Here’s my story. Late Friday afternoon, Ray and I drove twenty-five miles to our favorite restaurant, a quaint, upscale café. As we held hands to pray over our anniversary dinner, I noticed our wedding rings—symbols of the promises we’d made years ago. After a delicious meal and dessert, we recalled and laughed about our early marriage misunderstandings. The first occurred several months after our wedding. Ray had promised this ready-for-Christmas-in-September girl we’d get a Christmas tree when he returned…
Incorporate Four P’s into a New Season of Learning with God
Although I chuckled at my kindergarten students’ responses, I counted their eagerness to listen as a predictor of learner success. Years ago, I’d designed a lesson on evaporation. The five-year-olds noticed the water level in our uncovered classroom aquarium was lower than usual. I asked, “What do you think happened to the water?” Stacey guessed I’d scooped some out, and Adrian asked if the aquarium had leaked. Then Brian bounced up and down and yelled, “I know, I know. The fish drank it.” Stephanie folded her arms and said, “No, they didn’t, Brian. Mrs. Waters, tell us what really happened…
Follow Two Biblical Steps to Lighten Your Backpack of Cares
Years ago, my dad helped Carson, my twelve-year-old brother, prepare for an overnight camping trip. “Son, now that your backpack is full, try it on and make sure you can manage the weight. It’s really heavy. You don’t need all these campfire pots and cans of food.” “Oh, I can handle it, Dad. No problem. I’ve been swimming all summer, and I’m really strong. Will you put it on my back now?” “Okay, but remember you’ll have to hike through the woods to the campsite.” Carson slipped his arms through the straps. We watched as he rocked onto his toes…