inspirational
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The Cardinal in the Tree, Part 3
Returning to the story, we see Blanche back in her room, pondering the news from her last visit with sweet Kathy. In the days that followed, Blanche began spending more time in her room alone. She even refused to go to the Day Room when the girls’ club came on Friday. She couldn’t bear to see the group without Kathy’s smiling face among them. She sat in her chair looking out at the Maple and at the cardinal pinned to her curtains. Even the activity of birds at the feeder didn’t amuse her. “God,” she finally broke the silence. “It’s been such a long time since I’ve even wanted to…
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The Cardinal in the Tree, Part 2
Let's pick up where we left off in Part 1 of The Cardinal in the Tree. Blanche has finally settled into a chair, ready to listen to a group of young girls sing. She scanned the faces then stopped on a small-boned wisp of a girl in the front row, who had short red hair in loose curls and steel-rimmed glasses. The girl was looking around the room when her eyes passed Blanche, then came back again. She beamed a smile. “That’s just like my Penny,” Blanche thought. “Hello. My name is Janet Worthington,” the girls’ leader began. “We’re here from Calvary Chapel, in Smedley, and we’d like to sing…
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The Cardinal in the Tree, Part 1
Blanche sat in a faded, floral wingback chair facing the window in her room. Her head was bowed and eyes closed, her hands folded in her lap as though in prayer. Nearly white brows knit together and even whiter hair was pulled loosely back in a bun; her lower lip protruded slightly as she exhaled soft puffs of air. The puffs became more pronounced, rousing Blanche from her catnap. She gazed out of the window, waiting for her eyes to focus on the Maple which comprised most of her view. It was a grey day. The tree limbs seemed bolder rather than shrouded by the mid-morning mist. Buds were beginning…
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First Thought
Softly closing the door to the prayer room behind me, I walked over to turn on a chrome floor lamp by my pipe desk. For months, I’d been immersed in a rich study of the Old Testament Minor Prophets, preparing to teach students in our church’s mission training school. It was amazing how that which was considered “old” had now been infused with “new” life. With the thought of “What’s next,” I sat down at my desk, feeling inclined to start reading the Psalms. It wasn’t long before I paused to ponder: Psalm 5:3 ESV O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a…
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It’s Fun to Run!
We pulled into the driveway at our oldest daughter’s home, looking forward to taking two of our grandchildren out for ice cream. Our granddaughter, 9 at the time, exploded from the front door and hopped into the back seat, beaming from ear-to-ear. Our grandson, then 4, quickly followed, arms spread wide: “Papa Nana (dispensing with the ‘and,’ since he considered us a package), I’m so happy to see you! Give me a hug and kiss!” I met his eager request, then buckled him into a booster in the back seat. Animated conversation ensued until we stopped at Baskin Robbins for our treat. Our grandson selected a deep blue ice cream…
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In the Aftermath of California’s Firenadoes
Wildfires are a common occurrence throughout the State of California. News anchors announce the arrival of the annual fire season with most listeners unmoved by its activity, unless family or someone they know is involved. In recent years, wildfires have gradually escalated, but nothing to the destructive force marking the Summer of 2018. The season was preceded by low or no precipitation – winter through spring. California also is noted for its sporadic, hot gusty winds. Lack of rain, combined with dry brush and vegetation, becomes the kindling for wildfires that morph into fire tornadoes. The Carr Fire in Redding, Calif., ignited on July 23, 2018, due to sparks from…
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Be Strong and Courageous
In the face of fear, be strong and courageous. Yes, be brave! You say, “What? How? You don’t know what I’m going through!” Let’s look first at our foe, then the solution. The online Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines FEAR as: “an unpleasant, often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger.” Fear can present itself in varying degrees of intensity and in differing types of situations. Synonyms – alternative words – for fear, help express the depth of what is being felt. Merriam-Webster describes fear, in its most basic form, as “anxiety and usually loss of courage,” such as in “fear of the unknown.” DREAD steps up the level of fear…
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Candle Wax and Crusty Attitudes
Breakfast dishes done. Husband kissed and waved off to work. Showered and make-up applied. The house settled into stillness. My mind, however, was busy with thoughts, all in different directions. It was time to quiet my soul, so I walked into the living room, quilt wrapped around me to ward off the chill, and began to pray. Kneeling down, I noticed something on the carpet. Running my finger over the slightly milky spots, I realized they were drips from a candle I moved to the dining room a few nights earlier. “That’ll be tough to get out,” I thought, and went back to prayer. I’d take care of it later.…
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Fox Sightings
It was a Saturday morning in late summer when something caught my attention as I was driving to a bridal shower. Glancing to my left, there, in the midst of a green meadow, was a little red fox. It was sitting in the open, scratching his ear! I said aloud (mind you, no one was in the car with me): “There’s a fox! What is that little fox doing there?” It was the first time since moving to Crown Point, Indiana, many years ago, that I had seen a fox within the city limits. This one seemed totally undaunted by the fact that he could be seen. Song of Solomon…
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Dad and WD-40
WD-40® was invented in 1953 as a “rust prevention solvent and degreaser,” initially for the aerospace industry. By the 1970s, it became a household must-have for mechanical jobs of any kind. My dad loved working with his hands. He tinkered with our cars, either going at it with the hood up or by crawling underneath. Space was made for his work bench and tool box in the garage to meet the demands of auto and household repair. He gave attention to detail. When WD-40® became available for home use, dad had the little blue and yellow can with a thin red tube (for tricky-to-reach places), on a shelf in the…