“As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the Lord alone led him....” (Deuteronomy 32:11-12a) The first time I ever saw a bald eagle in the wild, its effect was mesmerizing. My husband and I wound up years ago with an unexpected January day off, and... Continue Reading →
The Privileged Life: On Aging Gracefully…with Love
“Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.” (Psalm 71:18) When my cousin’s mother developed Alzheimer’s many years ago and lost her self-awareness, she would gaze into the mirrors on her walls and say, “Who is that old woman following me... Continue Reading →
The Privileged Life: Sugar for the Bottom of Your Cup
“How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103) When I lunched recently with my good friend Melinda, I added honey to my cup of tea but didn’t stir…the honey settled into the bottom, making the last sips the sweetest. Melinda said it reminded her of a quote... Continue Reading →
The Privileged Life: Do You Have a “Front Porch”?
“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.” (Psalm 90:1) In our small-town part of America, front porches used to be important. They were more than just a place to get out of the rain. They were a sociable spot...where family and friends gathered on sunny afternoons or cool evenings...where you could wave to folks... Continue Reading →
The Privileged Life: A Bump in the Road
“...count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” James 1:2-3 As I pulled up to the traffic stop, it happened. The sickening screech of tires behind me. Then, the jolting thunk. I’d been rear-ended. Pretty hard. There’s always an initial shock in a car wreck. It took... Continue Reading →
The Privileged Life: Moms Who Pray
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Prayer is a huge privilege for me...especially when I share prayer time with friends. This week, I joined my praying-mom friends seated around a porch table in the presence of our King, Jesus. After... Continue Reading →
The Privileged Life: Best-Ever Triple-Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies!
“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” (Ephesians 5:2) In the United States, May 15 is “National Chocolate Chip Day.” And, World Cookie Day is August 4. But as far as I'm concerned, every day is “Chocolate Chip Cookie... Continue Reading →
The Privileged Life: A Normal Day…with a Mouse in the House
“I am the Lord, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:6b-7) We’ve discovered an intruder in our house—the four-legged variety that likes cheese and chaos. This is no ordinary field mouse, however. This one has had ninja training. Despite our best efforts to ensnare it overnight, it... Continue Reading →
The Privileged Life: Kings and Queens (Part 4)—The Weight of the Crown
“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown...." (Revelation 14:14) The official royal crown worn by the monarch of Great Britain—made of platinum, gold, silver, purple velvet, and ermine—contains 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, hundreds of pearls and the “Black... Continue Reading →
The Privileged Life: Kings and Queens (Part 3)—Lady Jane Grey, Martyr for Christ
“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14b) As Great Britain gears up for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee—celebrating the longest reign, 70 years, for any monarch in English history—let’s take a look at the shortest reign, by the 16th-century noblewoman who lasted only nine days on the... Continue Reading →