I’m quite sure babysitting a youngster wasn’t on her bucket list when she was in her eighties. Yet she took on the responsibility with grace and during those years she instilled in me things that have shaped me ever since. She gave me what she had- time and attention. During the Lenten season giving…
Spring Housecleaning for the Soul
I like the quote I read somewhere that Lent observance is like Spring housecleaning for the soul. I’ve been motivated to do a little deeper than usual cleaning because the sun came out and I could clearly see the dust and spiderwebs lurking in my house! And the sunshine gave me a lift so I’m…
Though I Walk Through the Valley
Our family has gotten bad news after bad news this week. Things seem dark. There have been a lot of tears. The grimness can be overwhelming. In times like these I’m reminded that Jesus experienced sorrows and pain, too. So we run into his welcoming arms because he understands. During this sad week, one lone…
Life in a Broken World
Our family is hurting. One of us is experiencing a major health challenge and all the rest of us are feeling the pain. Different personalities respond differently. How do you respond when someone you love is facing something hard? Knowing we’re hurting, a dear friend sent us a podcast about God’s life being…
Have to or Get to?
It’s Valentines. Do you feel you have to give or do something for Valentines? Or do you feel you get to express your love and appreciation? On the flip side, do you want your spouse to be an order filler? Simply getting you what you demand in order to keep the peace. Or do you want…
God Stories=Good Stories
Just today I heard God stories. We had eaten a meal at the home of a couple who live near us and we were seated comfortably in their living room with the foothills of the Cascade Mountains spread out before us on the other side of their big windows. The conversation turned to how they…