Sticky desserts consumed, my extended family and I cram amiably onto the couch and dining room chairs around my narrow condo living room. It's Christmas night; 19 of us are gathered — my sister and brother-in-law, their children and their spouses and children, my husband, our three grown children and I. Gifts find their recipients…
A 20th Century Gentlewoman
In our small, bright yellow kitchen, you stirred your signature onion, chili powder, ground beef, tomato, kidney bean and macaroni dish on the stove. The delicious aroma wafted my way as I perched on the washing machine a few feet away, dangling my teenaged legs and talking with you. Every day, you and I were…
50 Years of Following the King: By His grace, I am what I am!
From a brown-haired teen to a graying older lady, I have seen the King in His beauty. The eyes of my heart have been enlightened. "Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth." His people are the majestic ones, in whom is all my delight. Today I celebrate…
What Name Do You Want to Be Known By? A (No) Rags to Riches Story
I would never want to be called any kind of harlot, especially one like this one — a wife who loathed her husband and left his embrace for many lovers. A wife who paid her lovers to help themselves. A mother who hated her children and put them to death for foreign gods. With this…
What Caring? People Did – and Do: Looking Back, Seeing Now
Please be advised: difficult topic in this post. In the evening caring fathers swungLaughing kids on swing setsBy day they took care of prisonersMethodicallyPumping gas into death chambersFiring ovens to burn human fleshAnyway, they said sincerely,Everyone with reason knowsThey don’t deserve to liveWe are importantAnd I'm a caring personA good friendAmbitiousI have my plansMy futureMy…
8 New Ways to Think…and Find Peace
It was April 1, 1975, in a small college chapel in Bronxville, New York, when I turned my life over to Christ. Within a couple of weeks, I knew I had received more than the gift of eternal salvation. Among my new gifts was a wonderful peace in my heart. And I found I had…
“Funiculi, Funicula” for people who have found eternal love and those who will want it someday
"This song is too much fun not to be able to sing it!" I thought one day, warbling a little of the beloved Italian ballad, "Funiculi, Funicula." The few English lyrics I came up with that day grew into a song telling the story of Jesus and His love for each one of us. I'm…
Dear Lovely Girl, Why You Should Wait to Wear White, and Who Cares?
First, God cares. God, who created you, lovely girl, is the one who said: “Wait!” Wait for marriage to have sex — your white wedding dress the traditional symbol that you did. Doesn’t that make God a killjoy? Well, because He cares so much for you, and if marriage is part of His best plan…
The Marvelous Life of a Queen and the Children of the King
Unexpectedly, I’ve teared up several times in the last eight days over the death of Queen Elizabeth II. This brave and honorable lady touched lives here “across the pond” in America and around the world. Of course, she was imperfect, but known to set anyone at ease; fun-loving, yet serious about the things that mattered.…
Could I Be More Grateful ? — My Reflection in the Garden of Gethsemane
Like the olive treeAncient branches knotted, fused —Your will one with that of the Father.Branches twisted, pierced through.Soon Your sinews, muscles would strain, contorted,Flesh torn.Yet You chose to meet Your betrayerWent willingly, boundYou who spread out a universeTo declare Your glory.Now Your glory shoneFrom obedience to deathOn a cross of wood.Fulfilling all things,Righteous Branch,You burst…
The Nearness of God 