Crafting a Quilt
Created to craft! That was one of the themes of a craft retreat I attended a few months ago. This weekend got me excited because I like to craft occasionally, I was undeterred by the fact that I am not crafty, creative, or precise. However, I do not like to follow the rules or instructions and usually get too impatient to finish any project. I, also, like to collect all the fun and flashy supplies, but soon become irritated that my project does not meet my expectations with my unpolished skills or in the time constraints I think it [...]
Unexpected Places
Technology can be a wonderful thing. While it can move us very quickly into the future, I have found it can also take us back in time. I love when Facebook memories pop up. These reminders are a wonderful souvenir of things of the past, places I have visited, pictures of people I love, and events that have been a part of my life. I love the reminder of each one of these brings. I was recently reminded that I have officially lived in Kingwood for 5 years this month. Facebook does not need to send me a refresher [...]
What Death Cannot Steal
If you have spent any amount of time with me, there is a good chance I have told you about my grandparents. Unlike grandparents today, my grandparents did not have cutesy names. They were Papaw and Granny. My Papaw was 69 years old when I was born. He was born in 1909 and was raised during the great depression. He served in the Army during WWII, and then came home and married my Granny. He worked as a surveyor for a time, and he was a farmer. Most of his farming days were done by the time I was [...]
Storms of Life
Do you love to sit outside and watch a storm roll in? My husband tells me stories of living in West Texas and seeing the the dust storms roll in. Over the course of my life I have seen and experienced many storms such as thunderstorms, hailstorms, ice storms, tornadoes, tropical depressions, hurricanes, snowstorms, and blizzards. Have you ever noticed that these storms vary in intensity, size, and length of time? They have scales, ratings, names, and tracking signals. I can still remember the circumstances surrounding some of the storm I encountered. Once I was at the beach in [...]
Scars
Recently, my 15-year-old son came to me with concern about some marks that were on his shoulders. I examined him and found that he had stretch marks across his shoulders. A result from growing like a weed no doubt. I explained to him what stretch marks were and told him not to worry and that everyone has them. He wanted to know when they would go away and to his horror, I told him they would not go away. He said, “You mean they are scars?”. Again, I reassured him that everyone has them. As I spoke those words, [...]
Snapshot of Life
A few years ago, I went through all the printed photos that I had stored in various boxes around the house. As I was trying to organize theses photos according to age and place where the pictures were taken, my kids started going through the piles. They enjoyed laughing at how we looked, what we were wearing, and what we were doing. I was returning photos to the place in the books where they had taken pictures to school or needed for projects. As I began to sort, I came across photos of my family my children had never [...]
I Command You to Love
2020 has been quite the year and we are only half-way through it. We are certainly in chaotic times right now. For believers, the turmoil that surrounds us should lead us to more fully understand that we live in a fallen world. Sin has corrupted every single thing in this world. We can see that in full display right now through diseases, murder, hatred, violence, and fighting. However, in the midst of the chaos while tensions run high, Christians are called to love. As we seek to display the love of our Heavenly Father in this broken world, it’s [...]
Embracing Those Moments Given from God
How are you doing on your New Year’s Resolutions? Are you challenging yourself to live according to the goals you set? Months ago, I was challenged by a friend to pick a word for 2020. I've seen many of you have, as well. After reading through 1000 alphabetically listed words, I finally landed on the word Embrace. According to Vines, the Biblical definition means to clasp or take one in the arms. Wow! What a picture! Think about being wrapped in your dad’s arms. Can you remember a time of him holding you and caring for your needs, emotions, [...]
Through Our Doubts and Fears
Have you ever felt guilty about doubting the Lord? Maybe you’ve gone through a traumatic experience and are struggling to see his goodness. Maybe your prayers have seemed to continually go unanswered, so you do not feel his nearness. Life can be incredibly difficult at times. In fact, according to I Peter 4:12, Christ followers should not be surprised by the trials we go through. We live in a fallen world. A world that is against Christ and, as his followers, against us. We are not meant to live a life completely clear of struggles. However, that does not [...]