Which Pet?–2025 Selah Finalist in “Poem” Category
I was blessed to have a poem I wrote be included in a Michelle Rayburn collaborative called Whiskers, Wags, and Woofs–Poems and Heartfelt Essays for Dog and Cat Lovers (Faith Creativity Books, 2024). And more, “Which Pet?” was selected as a 2025 Selah Finalist in the…
The Birth of Gideon’s Book
Hello, faithful Penning Pansies subscribers and readers! First, I want to tell you how blessed I am BY you and how very thankful I am FOR you! Your support–reading my words, commenting, and participating in giveaways over the years–has meant the world. If I…
C*R*E*A*T*I*V*E
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with…
Our Beautiful Feet
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of [her] who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns” (Isaiah 52:7 ESV). Confession: Sometimes my feet get tired. Those imperfect appendages…
Joy Despite Despair
Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. There I will go to the altar of God, to God–the source of all my joy. I will praise you……
The Ministry of Banana Bread
***Please read to the end for a BONUS giveaway you won’t want to miss!*** ******* “… will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?” (2 Corinthians 3:8 NIV) Momma. She taught me long ago there’s ministry in preparing food for another, and…
Surviving the Year of Firsts–A Mom’s Guide to Grieving Child Loss
Children are a gift from God… Whether they come to us biologically or through the miracle of adoption. Whether toddlers going through the terrible twos, teens trying to test their wings in ways that make parents want to pull out their hair, or adult sons…
25 Symbols of Christmas–Guest Post by Author Annie Yorty
O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! ~~John Francis Wade, Translated by Frederick Oakley~~ It’s that time of year again! And with a single step into Advent, many of us are basking in the beauty and joy of Christmas. For many, putting up the…
Something–Someone–To Celebrate!
We don’t always know what burdens others carry. Unless, that is, we’re invited in. I’d say, for me, that invitation came when I had an unexpected encounter with neighbors back in August, as the sun was setting over White Oak. That was the evening I learned…
From Victim to Victorious
“So, you mentioned not being afraid, how God spoke through a children’s song to bring comfort on the Wednesday just prior to this horrendous storm.” A snide laugh before, “But then Hurricane Helene hit less than forty-eight hours later. How, may I ask, do you…