With the beginning of a New Year, my Facebook feed, email inbox and even the snail mail was filled with New Year’s resolutions suggestions. I’m being assaulted with “let’s start the year out right” Bible reading plans, Bible memory plans, healthy eating plans and goal setting plans. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all about participating in programs that motivate me to live a better life. In the past, I’ve started out years determined to follow the “Read through the Bible in One Year.” I’ve Keep Reading...
Suffering Well
My grandfather will be 98 years old in January. He fell last week, broke his hip, and had a hip replacement. While caring for him, I was reminded of something that I recently read and I want to share it here. This grandfather was married to my grandmother for 58 years and cared for her when she got leukemia until she passed away. He remarried a wonderful lady and they enjoyed seventeen years together. When she, at 99 years old, became ill and began to slip away, he cared for her (risking Keep Reading...
Tiny Shiny Thing
Do you have one of these in your home? I certainly hope not. Why? Because it is a sin-inducer! A grumble maker. An irritant. This little thing causes me to sin! What is it, you ask? How can that tiny, shiny thing cause me such grief? Well, apparently that tiny, shiny thing makes it nearly impossible for others in my home to replace the paper towels when they run out! If I had a dime for every time I walked into my kitchen and found the paper towel holder covered only by an empty cardboard Keep Reading...
I Need Manly Soap
I did it! I bought a new bedspread for my bedroom! I know that might not seem like much of a feat to some but for some reason, it is giving me reason to celebrate. Why has it been so hard to make a decision on a simple bedspread? Could it possibly be because everything is so West Elm-y and taupe - and my house isn’t? Could it be that I keep hearing the college kids making fun of all of us moms for having jewel tone bedspreads and being way behind the times? Is it because when you do a search Keep Reading...
Turn The Lights Off!
I have a friend that has a lovely, inviting, comfortable home. Every time I am there, she has a lamp or two turned on ~ even in the middle of the day! The lamps help create a cozy and calm atmosphere that makes me feel cozy and calm. I have lamps. I prefer lamps at night instead of the overhead lights. And since I love the way the lamp burning at my friend’s house makes me feel, yesterday I decided to turn one of my lamps on in the middle of the day. It gave off the same warm glow as that of Keep Reading...
Helping Others Shave Their Legs
I spent a lot of summers with my grandparents when I was growing up. I remember my grandmother telling me that she no longer had to shave her legs or armpits! As a thirteen year old who had hair that seemed to grow night and day, I was amazed. What do you mean? She explained that when you get old (now I know she was referring to menopause), your hair doesn’t grow like it does when you are going through puberty. Awesome! I couldn’t wait for that day. I thought God was pretty smart to Keep Reading...
Back to School
It’s back to school time! So many Mamas are sending their babies off to kindergarten or high school or college! So many Mamas (and, yes, Daddies) have emotions creeping up and gushing out. Well, I live in a college town so “back to school” has a different meaning to the residents of my city. The census for my town says the population is about 176,000. We are a quiet city without traffic delays and clogged highways. Wait, we don’t have highways in my city! But we are a college town Keep Reading...
Fear versus Boldness
Fear or Fear Not It’s been a little over three weeks since my 23-year-old daughter had a preventive double mastectomy. She is moving into the healing stage just like she moved into the surgery stage – with bravery. I have spent the last three weeks processing many emotions and helping others to process theirs. Leading up to the surgery, I had to deal with those that do not understand. Those that thought the surgery was done out of fear. It was hard to convince Keep Reading...
A Mastectomy at Age 23
I'm not chuckling today. I still have my joy but I'm not chuckling. I don't have a funny story with a spiritual truth to encourage you with today. Why? Tomorrow, my very brave, twenty-three year old newlywed daughter will have a preventative double mastectomy! She tells it best in her own words and you can read them here. the-bates.com Photo: Michelle Boyd Photography We are grateful that our HOPE is a secure anchor in Christ Jesus! Keep Reading...
The Tepid Tub
I have a dear friend who is the mother of four children. One of her teenagers is a son - the only son - and he has a fondness for long, steaming hot showers. Even before he gets in the shower, he likes the bathroom to resemble a sauna. In order to turn his plain bathroom into a sauna to rival that of any fine, luxury spa, he turns the hot water on full blast. Once the steam is seeping out from under the door, he commences his near scalding shower. And this is not an abbreviated shower. Keep Reading...
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