Jesus Loves Me
***This appeared first at Arise Daily. It’s a finalist in the 2023 Selah Awards (Devotions Online category).*** The picture hung on our wall. It was a simple portrait depicting our Savior, and as a girl of seven, I imagined this was how Jesus looked…
Peculiar Place
It happened almost exactly thirty-two years ago today. Alone in my living room, I went to the window for the last time. And on this particular morning, I did so out of obedience. At first, I thought I’d heard wrong. After all, my loving Father…
Simeon’s Song
**The following is a fictitious rendering of Simeon’s story from Luke 2. Unless noted, all scripture references are taken from the ESV.** For many years, Simeon held to the promise in the ancient scriptures, a reminder that became his prayer as he awaited the coming Messiah—…
Thankful for… Apostrophe
***(Read to the end for a chance to win an upcoming devotional!)*** Apostrophe—(n.) a mark to indicate the omission of letters or figures, the possessive case (Merriam-Webster.com) Contraction (n.) the act of acquiring… a shortening of a word… by omission… (Merriam-Webster.com) ******* I was thinking…
Reflections on 33 Years of Marriage
“Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” (Ecclesiastes 11:1 ESV). Marriage. That day a couple says, “I do”–it’s like stepping out in faith to walk on water, is it not? Promising to love… In sickness and in health,…
If Jesus Had a Dog
(Read to the end for a chance to win a wonderful puppy dog book by a dear writer friend!) Mother’s Day weekend 2013, a mixed-Pyrenees pup joined our family–not long after our adopted daughter, having suffered great loss, too, joined us at the age of…
Detained in Tel Aviv–Part 1
“The Lord is my shepherd…” (Psalm 23:1a). Once upon a time, a much younger me was detained in Tel Aviv. That’s right. Sounds like the making of a marvelous and quite suspenseful fiction story, does it not? Well, this one’s true. It’s a story from…
Two from Galilee–A Mother’s Perspective
“We read to know we are not alone.” ~~C.S. Lewis’s character in William Nicholson’s play, Shadowlands~~ ******* As part of my 2022 goal to read ten pages per day, one book at a time, from a variety of pre-chosen books, I also intend to offer…
Lessons Learned from Linus and His Blanket
“…Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10 KJV). Our family loves Christmas movies. We love the funny ones, like Elf, which make us laugh. We love the tender ones, like The Nativity…
Unwrapping Rest in the Season’s Stress
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5 NIV). I could hear her weariness, though her message was merely a short text–I tossed and turned all night. I’m so stressed about finding a home and getting settled. I want…