A Prayer for the Tired, the Poor, and the Yearning-to-Be-Free
Today I found myself reading the words etched into the Statue of Liberty — words I’ve known for years but suddenly felt in a deeper way. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” That little poem, written by Emma Lazarus, wasn’t meant to be political. It was meant to…
Clothed in Strength, Dignity… and a Little Sparkle
Sunday night I traded my election badge for a runway pass! Our fearless leader, Anita McGinnis, planned another one of her creative “Sweet Tea” events — this time, a holiday fashion show. Twelve of us “models” (and I use that term loosely!) headed over to Posh Mercantile, a new dress and accessories boutique, to find…
Laughing Without Fear
There’s a woman in the Bible who’s described as “clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” (Proverbs 31:25). Honestly, that line always makes me pause. Laughing? At the future? With everything going on in the world, it feels almost ridiculous. Turn on the news and there’s enough doom and…
The Legacy of our Brothers and Sisters
President Gerald Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” I lived during the era of despicable racism and marginalization against Black Americans. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “dream”…
She Laughs. He Laughs. They Laugh.
There is a woman in the Bible who is described as “being clothed with strength and dignity”, and here’s the part that really gets to me – “she laughs without fear of the future.” (Proverbs 31:25). I want to be that woman. I think we all long to be described like her, but I’m not…
The Legacy of Billy Graham
These were some of the headlines of news releases yesterday: From U.S. News: “Billy Graham, America’s pastor, has died”; From CNN: “Billy Graham, whose ‘matchless voice changed the lives of millions,’ dies at 99; NBC News: “Billy Graham, evangelist, pastor and counselor to presidents, dead at age 99”. No words of defamation. No words of…
Happy Birthday, Mom! You Sure Make Me Want to Up My Game!
Today is my sweet mother-in-law’s 94th birthday. It’s such a good time to express my love and gratitude for her — especially because if it weren’t for the love that she and Dad had for each other, then their precious gift of their son to me would never have been. Mom’s life represents my life…