It seems that every year at Christmas my mother laments, “What can I give you? You have everything.” She loves to give and feels sad that I have no pressing material needs. In her mind, how can her gift delight, surprise, and overwhelm me with joy if there is little need? I try to reassure her how much her gifts...
SNOW WALTZ By Kathleen Ruckman A wintry waltz debuts today; Shimmering ballroom on display. With swirls and twirls cascading down, Soft snowflakes dancing ’round the town. Fresh scent of pines all clothed in white; A scarlet cardinal, God’s delight. Red and white, a visual story, Painting our Creator’s glory. The icy flakes fall on...
When I visited Bethlehem, we toured the Church of the Nativity which stands on the traditional birthplace of Jesus. Originally commissioned by Constantine and his mother in 327, it is the oldest major church in the Holy Land. Beneath the main altar of the church is a cave with a silver star on the floor. The inscription around it reads, “Here...
Nothing more embarrassing than showing up at a friend’s Open House Christmas Party on the WRONG day! Imagine our happy anticipation as we knock on their door, dressed in our party finest, food dish in hand. Imagine their surprise as they open the door . . . in their bathrobes! “Oh,” they say and begin to chuckle. “The party is...
So, you want to do something a little crazy for Halloween? One year, Hubby and I dressed our family in Halloween costumes and we went trick or treating . . . A WEEK EARLY! It’s great fun showing up randomly at a friend’s house, see the look of surprise, and then dissolve into belly laughs together. You just may get...
(Re-posted from Comfort-Cafe.net, April 2018) Easter has taken on new depth and meaning for me this year as my beloved father just passed away peacefully into the presence of His Savior two weeks ago. Because of the resurrection, I do not have to grieve without hope. I will see my Dad again. My heart is full with so many emotions....
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news . . . Today in the town...
In the 1980’s and ’90’s my husband’s work frequently took us to Las Vegas. At the time, Caesars Palace and the Mirage stood as the most glamorous casinos on the Strip. I remember when Treasure Island, the Excalibur, the Luxor, and Mandalay Bay were built as the latest, most trendy new tourist attractions. Ten Years Later Then followed a full...