The Unwelcome
I have been checking off my to-do list before leaving for East Texas tomorrow where I’ll be welcomed by my daughter and family. Of course, they will. I will be bearing goodies and gifts for them. On Christmas Day, I’ll return to my Austin Family’s home where we’ll enjoy their Christmas traditions. Then, Monday, we…
Expect the Unexpected
I am closely acquainted with expectations. I have in mind exactly how things should go on my birthday, vacation, holiday, or any other experience. At this time of year, I’m taking some ques from Mary, Jesus’ mother, who learned to expect the unexpected. She became a role model for us when it comes to expectations.…
A Birth Announcement Beyond Compare
The birth announcement fad of “Gender Reveal” has seemed to take over social media. Lots of fun ways to announce a sweet baby girl or boy who will soon make their debut. Don’t you love it when a friend or family member shares the good news “We are expecting!” in a cute photo long before…
Do You Hear What I Hear?
The second verse of this wonderful Christmas carol is:“Said the little lamb to the Shepherd boy,Do you hear what I hear? Ringing through the sky Shepherd boy.Do you hear what I hear? A song, a song, high above the trees,With a voice as big as the sea. With a voice as big as the sea.”…
Being Enough
I remember a time when I begged God to make me just like other super-moms and super-wives – organized, intentional with preparing healthy meals, ensuring my children were the respectful, honorable, ideal kids, and dutifully being the “pristine and perfect” wife, with a “zippedy-do-dah” kind of personality. I so wanted to imitate other women who…
How Will This Be?
Perhaps, like me, you have had an idea, a desire, a dream, or a vision deep in your heart, yet the “how to make it happen” left you wanting. We pray: “Lord, how will this be?” Those were Mary’s words. In Luke one, we read that Gabriel gave a “birth announcement” to Mary. He told…
Run to those Open Arms
Okay! Maybe I’m a “stuck record”! An FYI to the kids who don’t know what “stuck record” means – it refers to the needle on a record player that got stuck on a record and we kept hearing the same lyrics over and over. In my case, it means I can’t move off the story…
Squeezing a YES in
Would you believe that right smack dab in the middle of Christmas busyness, I am working in an Early Voting polling location for nine days (December 1st to 9th – with Sunday the 4th off) and on the 13th, the main Election. It is for the City of Austin’s Runoff Election between two candidates for…
Which Holiday is God’s Favorite?
Surely, it’s when He sent His Son to earth because His long-term plan for our destiny depended on it. So, it must be Christmas. Or is it Easter/Resurrection Sunday when His Son rose from the grave? I’m giving it some second thoughts. Especially, as we sat around our Thanksgiving table declaring our gratitude for all…
In the Waiting Room
I’ve had my share of hospital waiting rooms — waiting while someone is having surgery or waiting for the birth of a precious baby. In both cases, while we’re waiting, a transformation is taking place. Parts of the body that were diseased or broken are being removed or repaired. And, joyfully, waiting to see and…