As an only child, I was blessed to have a large extended family that gathered every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins. I didn’t realize the depth of that blessing until it was
Read moreTag: Thanksgiving
It’s okay… this is my normal
I remember the “normal” holidays. Thanksgiving with the aunts, uncles, cousins… everyone. More food than any of us could consume, horseshoes, football, and did I mention there was food? Christmas with my parents and grandparents.
Read moreNo More Perfect Holidays
Norman Rockwell images roll through my head over the holidays, particularly the Freedom From Want painting: the perfect table setting, a large extended family gathered as Grandfather watches Grandmother place an enormous turkey on the
Read moreGentle On My Mind
The message is evident, God is gentle on my mind. It’s everywhere. In our world. In the past and present. Giving thanks falls short when God is forgotten. God’s people have a history of waning.
Read moreGive Thanks to the Lord – A Thankful Heart on this Day
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34(NIV) A thankful heart. That’s what I wanted to convey. I had gathered items for our church’s Thanksgiving service…all things that
Read moreStirred But Never Shaken – A Holiday Cup of Hot Chocolate
Welcome in the holiday season. Ring the bells. Put up the Christmas trees. Fill the yards with blow-up sleighs and giant reindeer. Eleven months have passed and the runner is sliding into home base. It
Read moreThanksgiving Parade
A tree works to grow, its roots reaching down low in this world that you made The fight’s hidden and slow, the fruit finally shows in its outstretched shade And I watch so amazed as
Read moreA Journal of Thanks
For several years now, I’ve followed a November tradition introduced to me by my friend, Cathy Strawhorn. It has changed my life. It’s a simple, but eye-opening exercise. Beginning November 1 and continuing until Thanksgiving Day, I journal five things a day I’m thankful for.
Read moreA Gift to the Giver in Swahili
We arrived in Nakuru, Kenya packed twelve across in a small mini-van with room for six. It was my first missionary trip and the first for many in our group. Our destination was Mama Helen’s
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