Posts by Lucinda Secrest McDowell

She was waiting by the sink in the Ladies Room as I began washing my hands. “Excuse me,” she interrupted, “But the Lord has given me a word for you.” What? More than 20 years ago, I was in Colorado Springs for a meeting with my literary agent and publishers. Honestly, it wasn’t going very…

On this day — every year on October 26th — I think about someone I never met.Forty-one years ago today my husband’s first wife died from liver cancer, leaving  three small children ages 5, 4 and 1, and a young 36-year-old widower. One day I suspect we will have a grand time together in heaven since we love…

After Mama died, I began sleeping under a weighted blanket. Yes, even though I hadn’t lived with my mother in more than fifty years. Even though I am the age I am, I felt a deep need to be Held. Comforted. Secure. I realize that’s a lot to ask from a mere blanket. But yet……

I awakened early this morning with this ancient hymn “Be Still My Soul” by Katharina von Schlegel on my heart. And as I heard Jesus singing over me, I responded. Always remember God delights over you with singing. Be still my soul But Lord, my heart is churning, my emotions are all over the place,…

It is now September and for most of us, that means the Fall Season has begun. Colorful leaves. Apples and Cornucopia baskets. Cozy sweaters. New sharpened pencils. Hearty soup. Pumpkin everything. How desperately we need a time of Harvest in our lives! And now, God, do it again— bring rains to our drought-stricken lives. So those who…

Rejoice always. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16 “I’ve been living without the use of my hands and legs for more than fifty years!” Joni Eareckson Tada recently wrote. When she first broke her neck as a teenager, she met a guy who had been in a wheelchair for eight years—unimaginable to her at the time. And…

From sunrise to sunset, let the Lord’s name be praised! Psalm 113:3 My husband calls me out on the porch to watch the sunset. It is glorious—fiery red, dazzling orange with a bit of purple mixed in. We are in awe and enjoy the companioned silence. Eleven years ago we decided to downsize—give away or…

Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him enough? ~ Psalm 106:2 “I tell you I’m going crazy,” the woman shouted to her mentor. He gently replied, “Here is a yellow pad and here is a ballpoint pen. I want you to write down your blessings.” She refused, overcome…

Declare God’s glory among the nations; declare his wondrous works among all people because the Lord is great and so worthy of praise. ~ 1 Chronicles 16:24-25 In my green hymnal, it’s the very first song. Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet your tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore his…

It’s good to wait in silence for the Lord’s deliverance. It’s good for a man to carry a yoke in his youth. He should sit alone and be silent when God lays it on him. ~ Lamentations 3:26-28 When prompted to add the spiritual discipline of silence to my daily prayers, I fought it. Sustained…