Gaining a heart of wisdom
For those of us in the United States, this is a day of thanksgiving. However, gratitude is not circumscribed by geographic boundaries. Nor do we need a calendar’s permission to leave room for gratitude, so . . . LORD, we thank you!We confess that our hearts are often full of ourselves, for we mistake self-importance… Continue reading A Prayer for You on Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love its simplicity and its uncluttered focus: Gather and give thanks! That's it! No cards or gifts, and no expectation of a big program at church. For the believer, Thanksgiving is a wake-up call to a God-conscious mindset, so I view these days leading up to the holiday as… Continue reading Celebrating a Simple and Uncluttered Holiday
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite days of the entire year. It's all about preparation: rolling pie crust, making yeast rolls, peeling vegetables, boiling cranberries, and assembling the traditional turkey stuffing with lots of celery. With Handel's Messiah blasting in the background, I pour a year's worth of gratitude into… Continue reading Are You Giving Thanks for Your Changing Family—and Your Changing Holidays?
Marriage and family are two gifts God has graciously granted to me—even though I didn't have the optimism or good sense to pray for them. Perhaps that's why I am now so grateful for the privilege of being a wife and mother. Maybe that's why I am awestruck with every announcement of another grandchild on… Continue reading Look at All Your Blessings Through Eyes of Wonder
My first few substitute teaching gigs in the fall always generate a bit of anxiety--butterflies over the unknown, anticipation of challenges, always the possibility of conflict. To my great surprise, on my first day of school, as I inserted my key into the car's ignition, the words of Isaiah 12 rushed into my mind, and… Continue reading Give Thanks! Sing Praises! Solid Disciplines Foster Strong Habits
Living Our Days 