A Month-End Meditation O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 In place of what used to be called "ttmmh" or "things that make me happy" lists at the end of each month, I've decided to shift to something new: a month-end meditation on Scripture & life.Don Whitney describes the discipline of … Continue reading Steeping Tea
This piece was written for the October issue of the Lee Creek Baptist Church newsletter, Grace & Peace. One clear morning in September, I sat near a lakeside reading Psalm 84 while a pair of birds darted in and out of my vision. They chased each other like children between trees and bushes before disappearing … Continue reading A Sparrow at the Altar
"September came in with golden days and silver nights.”~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King The good in September: A big, white morning moon Birds crossing the sky on my walk over to Teresa's Opening her front door to see the ladies from church on the porch; sharing coffee, breakfast, and conversations together around … Continue reading Bear Cave, Coffee, & a Red Canoe
"His well done is worth a shipful of good days and earthly hours." ~ Samuel Rutherford Good things in November: The goats in the pasture across from church Autumn gold high in the trees like their tops dipped in honey A love note on the back of my grocery list Turtlenecks and weather turned cold … Continue reading Hyacinth Bulbs & Smoked Ham
This piece was written for our church's November newsletter, Grace & Peace. When I was a little girl, I remember something Corrie ten Boom said that stayed with me: "When people come up and give me a compliment... I take each remark as if it were a flower. At the end of the day I … Continue reading A Bouquet of Thanks
“People would think of my ministry as being my missionary work, my writing, my speaking. But you know, I don’t spend most of my life standing at a podium. I spend most of my life sitting at a desk, standing at a sink, standing at an ironing board, going to the grocery store, sitting in … Continue reading Laundry, Loaves, & the Lord’s Day
"The earliest autumn coloring along the country roads... except here and there a fiery maple bough. The cornflower is in bloom, the goldenrod is passing, the asters are at the height of their glory. In our garden the chrysanthemums are just coming out." - David Grayson, "September" in The Countryman's Year Good gifts in September: … Continue reading Acorns, Honey, & Chrysanthemums
“Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness.” ~ Jane Austen A cool, dark Sunday afternoon to bake an apple pie for the first time and weave a lattice crust Barrett and I carrying our rakes around the pond to help Papa with leaves Flag football Wedding dress resale shopping with sisters … Continue reading Rain, Rain, & More November Rain
"Blessed is the man who can enjoy the small things, the common beauties: the little day-by-day events, sunshine on the fields, birds on the bough, breakfast, dinner, supper: the daily paper on the porch, a friend passing by. So many people who go afield for enjoyment leave it behind them at home." ~ David Grayson, … Continue reading Campfire Smoke & Lake Trout
"The Lord is gracious and merciful,slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.The LORD is good to all,and his mercy is over all that he has made."~ Psalm 145:8-9 Things that made me (very) happy in September: The first bite into a honeycrisp apple September goldenrod Jon Foreman's newest album, In Bloom, which I'm late … Continue reading Goldenrod & a Golden Ring
