Restoration for me has always been a term related to old houses or furniture or fine paintings. Today, this word took on a new meaning. I like to think of myself as a calm person. In my mind's eye, I walk down the street, light on my feet, living life on an even keel, almost skipping, and ready for anything that comes to pass (I even sport a cheery yellow daisy top, lemon capris with lace edged legs, a thick white headband, and a cute pair of lemon espadrilles). Unfortunately, there's nothing like a bit of destruction at the hands of my son to challenge my finely tuned vision. This ... Read the Post
Archives for February 2013
Red Light
On a hot August morning in 1983, I set off to take care of some last minute details for my daughter's eleventh birthday party. My three children were home, and I had a limited amount of time. I hurried on my way to get the engraved Bible I had bought her. My little red Volvo and I were making very good time. I had developed the habit of praying as soon as I got in my car. My children were usually with me most of the day, so I had learned to take advantage of "pieces of time" with only Jesus. On this day, as I was pulling up to a busy intersection in town, I got into the left turn lane. As I ... Read the Post
Rewarded Obedience
I am a wife and working mother who spent nearly ten hours a week commuting to my job. During almost every prayer, I would ask God to open up a position closer to home. One evening during First Wednesday service at my church, God told me to “stay where you are.” I was devastated. How could God ask me to stay in a job that kept me from my family? I did not know the reason, but I conceded and stayed were I was. I quit asking God to move me and started asking him to use me. A short time later, I was sitting in church praying and an image flashed into my head. I was standing in a classroom where ... Read the Post
Roasting Marshmallows
Tonight the men in my husband’s small group roasted marshmallows on our back porch. It was hot and muggy outside and I could see sweat dripping down their faces; but their laughter was contagious, drawing my daughter and I outside to join them. The men meet weekly in our home for Christian accountability, sharing their lives and Christ with one another. Their walk with Christ is stronger because of the relationship they share through Him. But on this night, they were sharing the art of preparing s’mores with one of the guys who had never heard of the infamous campfire treat. They had all ... Read the Post
Rock Star
I was leading worship not long ago and we were about to sing one of my favorite songs. The band had an awesome intro and we had the congregation up on their feet, clapping, and about to blow the roof off the place. The crowd was pumped and we hadn’t even started singing yet! The energy was amazing! The drums were pounding, the bass was vibrating in my chest, the electric guitars had this great lead going on, and off I went…bustin’ out like a rock star…when very quickly I realized that I was in the wrong key! For those of you who aren’t musically inclined, that means I was singing loud and ... Read the Post