I was in my early thirties, established in my career and comfortable in my skin, but I was still nervous when the time came to meet my future mother-in-law. Would she like me as a person, approve of me as a daughter-in-law, accept me into the family, even with my bad-girl past? Our first meeting was cordial, and she always made me welcome in her ...
So, I took my daughter and daughter-in-love, both in their late twenties, to an elegant museum exhibit. Dressed in our summer best, we strolled through the gilded doors, ready for a fun afternoon of admiring the fashions from Downton Abbey and enjoying high tea. Two things quickly became apparent. My girls were w-a-y younger than anyone else ...
A bright Sunday morning in south Georgia. The children’s choir stood on the carpeted platform in two fidgety rows, while their parents beamed. Anticipation hung in the air like dust motes. When the piano introduction began, a fair-haired boy stepped forward to sing the opening solo for the call to worship. After two faltering notes, he burst ...
Why do we always remember the things we’d most like to forget? My husband and son were still sleeping while my pre-teen daughter, Lilly, and I busied ourselves getting ready for a day of sightseeing. Our first family vacation in ages. You know we were pumped. I’d forgotten my curling iron, so made do with a round brush Bill found at the local ...
Lord Jesus, every day is Yours. Especially this one. We’ve been holding our breath for weeks. Watching our calendars. Waiting. Listening for the sound of Your voice amid the noise. Now all is still. Our homes, our hearts are ready for You. Come, Lord Jesus. Long before You were born, a prophet foretold, “The virgin will conceive and ...
We could look at the first real Thanksgiving, when Native Americans and English Puritans ate venison, corn, and shellfish for three days. Nice. Instead, we’re talking about your various first Thanksgivings. The memorable ones that still warm your heart -- or the gray November Thursdays that were an unmitigated disaster. All those firsts add ...
A misty, moist morning in late October. I woke early, too preoccupied to sleep. By nightfall, our son would be married. I slipped outside with my camera, hoping to settle my nerves. As the mother of the groom, my responsibilities were few. Arrive on time. Sit up front. Bring tissues. My emotions were less manageable, tossed here and there ...
My best friend goes to weddings the way some people go to movies. She attended eight last year, with seven more on this year’s calendar. I know, right? Fifteen weddings. All I can say is, everybody loves her, and her handsome sons make great groomsmen. Me? I’ve been spending more time at funerals lately. Close family, close friends. Not ...
“Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon” {1 Kings 10:10}. Rare and precious in any kingdom, the spices from the land of Sheba were the most personal and the most prized of the queen's gifts for Solomon. In fact, the people of Israel had never seen such a load of balsam, myrrh, Arabian balm, ...
This journey of faith? It isn’t meant to be a solo trip. I didn’t get that at first. I was too excited about my salvation, my Jesus, my new life in Him. It really was all about me (how embarrassing). Then someone (gently) pointed out what people who love Jesus are called to do for one another. Okay, then. It isn’t about me at all. It’s about ...
