by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Her name was Mrs. Adele White. She’d been invited to her son’s home for a visit in SC. Up until then, the only home she’d known was an Andy Griffith-like town in VA. He picked her up as promised, but instead of taking her to his home he dropped her off at the local nursing home and rarely returned.
I forgot to mention. Mrs. White was blind.
When we first met, she was still coming to terms with how quickly her seasons had shifted but her faith was steadfast.
The facility was old and governed by Medicare. Walls were scuffed and smells capable of stealing your breath often wafted into her dimly lit room. But there she sat. A smile on her face and the Bible in her lap.
One morning, while reading to her, she began reciting the verse word for word. It was almost as if she could see the expression on my face because she went on to say how, as a young woman, she’d begun memorizing scripture verses. Her eyes welled with tears as she shared how everything could be taken away — her sight, her home, friends, and church — but scripture would always remain because they were in her heart and mind.
Every excuse I had to not memorize scripture melted away somewhere between inspiration and conviction. I purchased an inexpensive pocket-sized notebook and began memorizing my own verses that week.
Ah, the gift of scripture memorization. It’s a gift we can give ourselves, inspire in others, and nurture in our children/grandchildren. Only God knows how He will re-gift it for His glory in the future.
In my Bible, I have written beside Psalm 19:4,5: Devotion given by Mrs. White, 6/14/95. What a smile!
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
What’s the first verse you ever memorized?
**Side note: The son dropped dead of a heart attack at the age of 51. Just saying.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
It’s the first day of Advent—a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping. Lit candles, Bible verses and times of quiet reflection sets our focus on the meaning of Christ’s birth.
If you’re not familiar with Advent, this is a great resource. In addition to Mark’s devotionals, I purchased Ann Voskamp’s new book The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas to accompany me on this journey to a more intentional, simpler, worship-filled Christmas.
The Advent wreath is a nice addition to the celebration but keep it as simple as you wish. Lighting a candle while reading the devotion may be the place to start. It’s not about the doing of the season, but the being.
Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10
Do you celebrate Advent? If not, do you plan to give it a try?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3
On this day of Thanksgiving, know that I thank God for you, our friendship, and the time you spend with me here.
Happy Thanksgiving!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
It’s not too late! Subtract ONE event or routine from the holiday calendar.
Is there an event or something you do every Christmas that you do for all the wrong reasons?
Today, allow intentionality to move forward and take its place in your schedule. Pray over the calendar asking God to release you from guilt or any other misplaced emotion and to make clear those places He would have you to be this December.
It may be in a place you least expect.
The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. Proverbs 13:4
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
If you Google “hospitality” Alberta Scott, my grandmother, is sure to pop up in the top five. MaMa sang in the church choir, taught Sunday School, baked a pound cake nearly every week for shut-ins, was a founding member of the Garden Club, i.e. lots of parties, and welcomed anyone who showed up on her doorstep. Not to mention how she loved on me and the entire family throughout her life.
I wish I could say I’m a mirror image of her, but I’m not. I’ve always struggled with drop-in company and the like. I know the importance of hospitality, but somewhere between my mind and the doorknob, truth can get diluted.
Enter a gift from the Lord, The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking and specifically, Kelly’s recent series, 31 Days of Simple Hospitality, which immediately sparked the idea of my own 31 Day series! (Check out Kelly’s new blog !)
My favorite excerpt, Day 2: Perfect is a lie.
“Perfect is a lie. It is unattainable. And when we are talking about
things like the perfect house or the perfect family or the perfect meal,
it is so subjective that it doesn’t mean anything at all.
Perfect is a big fat lie.
We all have messes in our home and life and heart. Big, broken, somedays-almost-conquered-but-not-quite, beautiful messes. And we hide them away and miss out on the fellowship our soul craves.
The time will never be right. Your house will never be as clean as it
could be. Your to-do list isn’t going anywhere. Friend, please don’t
rob yourself of community waiting for something that doesn’t exist.”
So today, let’s consider how we can extend our beautiful messes to others during the holiday season.
For me, I’m currently planning to enjoy a cup of tea in my mess with a friend who works hard and spends many evenings alone. Next year, I hope to reestablish my annual Christmas Tea.
I’d love to hear how you hope to share your beautiful mess during this season!
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Family Life has been a blessing via radio for years. Imagine my delight when I saw 10 Ways to Build Gratitude Into Our Children’s Hearts by Darcy Kimmel posted on their Web site.
What I appreciate most about Darcy’s post? Not only is her insight spot-on, the ten ways are also pithy, practical and downright powerful.
One of the greatest gifts we can sow into the hearts of our children and grandchildren is gratitude and this article is a great place to start.
After reading the ten ways, #3 particularly spoke to me: Stop your grumbling. In recent weeks God has aimed a megawatt spotlight on my tendency to grumble. A little here, a little there. Sigh. I didn’t recognize it as such but nonetheless I finally called it by name. Grumbling. The opposite of praise.
Because I want to build gratitude into my life, and in that of my family, I plan to spend time today reading through and praying over Darcy’s list again.
Care to join me? I’d love to hear if there was a particular way that spoke to you.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
