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 had heard that weighted blankets take their inspiration from a therapeutic technique called deep pressure stimulation, which uses firm,…

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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, my mind keeps spinning, playing out recent events and imagined future scenarios… The Lord is on thy side. I don’t…

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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 planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest, So those who went off with heavy hearts will come…

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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 yet today this vibrant woman remains full of joy. How has she been able to “rejoice always”? Joni answers, “I…

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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 throw away half our life’s “stuff.” After living for twenty years in a beautiful, large, colonial parsonage, we were eager…

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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 by the despair that had seized her soul. But he didn’t give up. “Think of the millions of people all…

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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 praises sing. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting king! Praise him for his grace and favor to his people in distress.…

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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 periods of silence do not come naturally to me. But in sheer obedience to God’s Word, I began to sit…

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Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah. ~ Psalm 68:19 “Whoa! You’re talking way too fast. You must stop long enough to breathe. Pauses are also important in a speech.” How well I remember some of my early training as a public speaker. My instructor was telling me to vary the rhythm—inserting pauses, rather than continually spouting information. Our word today is just that—a command to…

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Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! ~ Habakkuk 3:18 The news tonight was horrific. And frightening. Seemingly hopeless. And the news last night was the same. So, I must admit, I’m…

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Jesus replied, “Weren’t ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? No one returned to praise God except this foreigner?” ~ Luke 17:17-18 Leprosy is a horrific disease. It’s easy to recognize lepers. They’re the ones missing noses, fingers, and toes. Because they can’t feel pain, injuries aren’t treated. Not only does this infection spread to other people, but it carries with it a huge social stigma. In biblical times, leprosy was considered a punishment from…

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“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit.” ~ John 15:16 I was usually the last one chosen for sports teams during elementary school recess. Back in the day, the captain of each team would take turns choosing players. Raised hands and shouts of “Me!” echoed until they grudgingly accepted the final leftover people.Kids like me. Chubby. Nonathletic. Slow runners. Is it any wonder I spent much…

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