This weekend I remember my dad’s homegoing one year ago on November 3, 2023. I can’t adequately express the honor and love I’d like to show him on this anniversary, or capture the immensity of the loss my family has known as we have missed him so much this past year. There are thousands of things I could say in his memory that I know those who knew him would affirm with all their hearts!, because he was a deep blessing to so many. But the comments I’d like to make on this first anniversary of dad’s passing are in reference to dad’s experience since he left us one year ago.
…The Garden Heralds Resurrection
Welcoming spring’s rays, our little farm is coming alive — grass reaches up to the sun, eggs fill nesting boxes and kitchen bowls, and mama-cat hides away new kittens. Standing on the porch, you could peer through the screen door to spy an ambitious stack of seed packets and gardening notes spread out on my kitchen counter. This is the time of year that gardening is just FUN — beautiful weather, very few mosquitoes, and the anticipation of summer’s first ripe tomato.
…The Inefficient Ministry of Motherhood
“Two-year-olds take time,” she told me. He was my first, and I had not expected motherhood to consume quite so much time and emotion. The energy and life I had previously invested into eternity-worthy endeavors were now being spent through the inefficiency of motherhood. I’ve often thought back on this grandmother’s wise words, taken a deep breath, and slowed my expectations to a reasonable pace.
…2020: Sing
Its path obscured by winding turns and shadowed horizons, the new year stretches out before us. As if we’re facing a bend in a wooded path, the calendar hides its entries from us, only to be revealed day by day as his grace meets us new each morning.
But around that bend into the year’s unknown, we can “fear not!” For there is Stability that goes before us, a Rock that follows us, and a constant Friend who will be our refuge and strength. So in dependence on that Rock of Ages to be who He says he will be and do what he’s promised he’ll do, why don’t we sing in 2020? Sing to the Rock. Sing in his shelter. Sing to remember that he is with us and near us and loves us.
The Road to Christmas (video)
What God is like ours? With opportunity ripe for him to wow the world through feats of strength in great resurrection power, Jesus’s glorious way was to light a fire in the hearts of his disciples through patiently explaining to them the Scripture. How keenly I identify with the confused, dismayed disciples in Luke 24. “Jesus, this isn’t what I expected. What are you doing? Who are you really? I do believe; help my unbelief.” And he reminds me, too, through the Scripture, that “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
What Jesus did for those disciples on the Road to Emmaus, he will do for you and me if we draw near to him through his Word: he will fill us with all joy and hope in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope. When I had opportunity recently to join the ladies at Longview Point Baptist Church for an evening to consider Jesus here at Christmastime, this story is what I wanted to talk about. They recorded it, and I’ve included the video here.
…How Do I Read the Bible? Remember My Neediness.
Sometimes I sit down to read the Bible, and it’s a glorious feast that I don’t ever want to leave. But other days, I feel like I’m just staring at black marks on a white page, feeling guilty for my lack of excitement about this book. So why does Bible reading sometimes feel dry, and what can I do when I just don’t enjoy it? Here are some ideas to work through.