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 tissue paper aside. Is that not the most beautiful gift you’ve seen in ages? What? You don’t see it? The box looks empty? That’s the beauty of it, my friend. The box is empty by design. When I explain, you’ll love your one-size-fits-all, yet personally designed, very-much-needed present. Rest is…
Tag: peace
The Undertow of Fear
When a dangerous undertow at our favorite childhood beach pulled my little brother, Ed, under the water and further from the shore, he almost drowned. Inside the vicious swirl of water, an older cousin fought relentlessly yet futilely to free Ed from the monster’s grasp. Nearby sunbathers and swimmers mocked the cries of my loved ones because they weren’t far from the shore. How could they be drowning? A young man, unseen by people on the beach, saw my brother and cousin from the second-floor window of his apartment. From a high vantage point, he realized they were in peril.…
Seeking and Finding
It’s okay for a grandmother to pray for her granddaughter to catch a butterfly, right? I hope so, because I did. Our budding scientist received a butterfly net as a birthday gift and she was trying hard to catch one of the insects while spending the afternoon with me. Efforts at her house had failed. She wanted so desperately to capture one and then release it. That’s why I prayed. I wanted her to be delighted by the fragile and beautiful creation she longed to study. This precious girl first swooped the net in the air as she chased the…
Evening Rest
Do you ever have difficulty “turning off” your mind when you lay your head on your pillow at night? I know this happens to me from time to time. Our brains like to work overtime! The human mind is fascinating. It can trap numerous facts, make decisions, and change focus from one second to the next. Our minds work so hard during the day that sometimes at night they just won’t quit. The brain can continue firing thoughts in bullet-like fashion until we “turn it off” and choose to let go of the day’s responsibilities. Otherwise, thoughts like these keep…