He Holds Tomorrow
On the little shelf outside our apartment door, I change out a bit of décor each month — nothing fancy, just something meant to encourage passersby by giving my voice to faith and calm in a noisy world. This January, I placed a simple sign that reads: “I don’t know what the future holds, but…
Happy New Year — Welcome 2026!
There is something almost sacred about the first page of a new year. The calendar is wide open for all kinds of adventures! The journal is blank. The possibilities are endless. It’s as if God Himself leans in and says, “Let’s begin again!” And oh, how grateful I am to begin this year surrounded by…
“Do Not Fear” — Seems to Be a Theme Here
If we’ve learned anything from the Christmas story so far, it’s this –God must know we humans can be skittish aka jumpy aka nervous. Three scenes in and we’re already batting three for three on angelic fear warnings. Mary? “Do not be afraid.”Joseph? “Do not be afraid.”Shepherds? “Do not be afraid.”(Translation: Breathe. Heaven is speaking.)…
Hearing God When We’re Just Ordinary
Mary was just a teenage girl in a quiet town — no spotlight, no social media following, no impressive resume. Just ordinary days, family routines, and maybe a few daydreams about her future. Then one day — right in the middle of regular life — an angel shows up. Not just any angel — Gabriel…
A Father’s Love at Christmas
Every December, I set out my nativity scenes — all dozen-plus of them — but this year — something sweet caught my eye. Nearly every set shows Mary looking tenderly at Jesus in the manger or holding Him close, as any new mother would. But among all the figures, one nativity stood out from the…
Withstand
WITHSTAND — that word hits home for me. After 40 years in Oklahoma winds and now navigating the Texas gusts, I’ve learned this: wind doesn’t play nice. It pushes, pulls, and pressures — but it also reminds us we were built to stand strong. Those winds have a mind of their own. They can rattle…
I Choose To….
Dr. Robert Schuller said it well: “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.” And mercy, don’t I remember those tough times — days when the bills piled up, and the calendar still insisted the month wasn’t over. Yet somehow, we made it. Not because we were strong, but because we leaned on the One…
Our Emotions Serve a Purpose
I’ll admit it — I can be an emotional basket case from time to time. Sometimes it’s something small — like a touching memory from years gone by. Other times, it’s when I think about the sheer goodness of God or when I get a call from Bryson, my youngest grandchild — who’s currently sailing…
Patience, Muffins, and a Soul Recharge
Before our trip to Tulsa, I took my car to the dealership for my 45,000-mile checkup. “It’ll take about two hours,” they said. Perfect, I thought — time for a little quiet, a complimentary blueberry muffin (bless them), and some writing time with my laptop. I found a cozy corner, coffee beside me, and settled…
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…