Bring Courage
This morning, I watched the video of when Fred Rogers was inducted into the TV Critics Television Hall of Fame in 1999. In the video, the adult Jeff Erlanger—the same little boy who visited Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood to talk about life in his wheelchair in 1981—came to surprise Mr. Rogers on the stage. I remember […]
More or Less
I love asking students midway through the semester what they need more of or less of. They often need more advanced grammar lessons, so I adjust. They often need less rhetorical theory since their high schools prepared them, so I adjust. I like the question for my own soul, too. Midway into October, I ask […]
More Ways to Pray
I continue to think more about ways I can pray for my husband and children. I note this morning that Jesus prays twice in John 17 that God would protect His followers from the evil one. I remember to pray that God would protect my family. I also consider the beautiful blessing in Psalm 115 […]
A Little Something of a Big Joy
This morning, I read Judy Dunagan’s wonderful devotion called Praying God’s Word. She explores John 17 and teaches us about praying for our children or grandchildren especially. I note her comment on praying for them that they may have the “full measure of joy” Jesus talks about in verse 13. I thought about how I […]
Just Gather The Stories
When I’m with new people, I love to just gather the stories. I’ve learned to say, “I bet you have a great story about that” based on whatever they’ve just shared. And guess what? They do! They really do! If you say, “I’d love to hear that story!” and then really listen, you’ll find a […]
When You’re Not in Your Physical Place
Physical spaces matter so much to me. I’m a homebody. I love my things. There’s nothing quite like my own bed, my own bathroom, my own kitchen. I love the sights, sounds, and smells of home. But what if your physical space changes or if you cannot be in that location when you wish? I’m […]
Speaking to My Campers 25 Years Later
They grew up. So did I!
Every Day a Fresh Start
God gave us mornings. He didn’t have to. Think about it: God decided to create us with the need to sleep, and He created a sun to set and a moon to rise and then a sun to waken us with a new morning. It’s a fresh resurrection every day of our lives. It’s a […]
By Day, By Night
I love the simplicity of Psalm 42:8: “By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life.” It’s wonderful to think of God directing His love like a great orchestra conductor or like someone sending orders out to dispense love everywhere it’s needed. But […]
That One Friend
I reunited with an old friend this past weekend at the Greystone 100th anniversary reunion. This friend is the one who gave me the very same green Bible that I read every morning of my life. She left it on my cabin bunk in 1994 with my name embossed in gold and a note inscribed […]