Baby Steps

“Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.”‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭2‬ ‭ Look! Shoes! Two of them, in fact! You don’t seem suitably impressed. Let’s try this again. I’ve been stuck in a cast boot for months. I’ve been hobbling and unable to handle much movement. So on a recent road trip

Accessibility

“Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬ ‭ Just before Christmas I enrolled in a new course. It was a surprise, last minute addition to my goals of lifelong learning. Because of

All in the Eyes of the Tea Maker

“For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.”‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭15‬ ‭ My tea experiences lately have been rather – instructive. See, a few days ago, I was sitting in a coffee shop with my Mister and my daughter. A steaming Kashmiri chai was before me. Good company, good

The Garden

“Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made.”‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭ This is my garden. Well, part of it. It’s been a work in progress for over 20 years. I plan. I plant. I dig up. I replant. I weed. I trim, prune,

Stay Under Cover

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5:11‬ ‭ My double flowering almond is really outdoing itself this spring. It’s positively smothered with pink blossoms. (Well, on that one branch, it

Signs of Spring

“Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:10‬ ‭ Aren’t these wee flowers just like a burst of spring sunshine? They’ve bravely poked their noses

Back to Life

“The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?”‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:5‬ ‭ It’s finally happened. The annual spring sing-a-thon. It only happens, you see, when the frogs come back to life. Okay, so they weren’t technically dead.

Bling

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.””‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭ Her touch was reverent. Small fingers trailed over the rhinestones in my necklace, tracing

Real Actual Grass

“Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭65:8‬ “Mrs. Lowes! You have to come!” The call was urgent. I hesitated. Was this the ‘someone is down and needs medical attention, so come-quick-double-time-hurry’ sort

The Accelerated Program

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ I bought myself a new toy. A heat mat. Not a heating pad. A heat mat. It provides steady gentle heat