Last year some of you asked me to share the word the Lord had given me for 2021. I said I would wait until the year had ended and then share. The word God gave me for last year was “favor”. I studied favor and I searched the scriptures for everywhere it was written. I made myself more aware by writing down each time I heard the word “favor” or read it in the Bible, devotional, or a book. It amazed me how many times favor popped up throughout the year.

“Christmas is the season of giving.” This slogan is used over and over this time of year. Whoever coined that phrase motivated people to give. We have lists of people to buy for—husbands, wives, children, grandchildren, parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, neighbors—and we scurry around finding the perfect gift for each one. Many people save all year long just to buy that special gift for someone they love. It starts out as a heartfelt gesture, but hopefully in the end it doesn’t turn into a chore.

All of us have lost a loved one, either through physical death or through the death of a close relationship. This year our Thanksgiving table will be set with one less member of our family. This past spring, our son-in-love observed his father being taken into the arms of Jesus to spend his eternal life. Alton was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend. The empty place at our table will be a reminder of the man who influenced many young people as a volunteer soccer coach and college professor. His character displayed godliness, kindness, and humility.

“Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it?” 
Isaiah 43:18-19 (CSV)

The movie “The Beautician and the Beast” is one of my all-time favorites. It’s about a young woman wrongfully hired to be a science tutor for the children of a dictator. As a beautician, she had no qualifications for the position, and the dictator often got upset with her. When he unleashed his anger on her, she held up her hand, turned her head, and said, “Talk to the hand.” In other words, I’m not interested.

“Please God no. Please, please. Let this not be her.” These words rang in my mind as I received the news that our eight-year-old daughter had a large brain tumor. I held her close as the doctor said he must operate immediately or she would lose all her motor skills.

“Mommy what is a brain tumor?” She asked.

I had been married a little over four years and pregnant with our second child. Our daughter was a very active two-and-a-half-year-old toddler and I was a very busy homemaker. It was during this time my husband, George, was spending long hours at work. I did not feel I got a break to do much of anything except the typical things a young wife and mother normally do. At that time there was not a Mother’s Day Out program for my daughter. We were new to the church and therefore, I had not met any moms for setting up playdates. 

“For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”
Hebrews 10:36 NJKV

Spring is here. The rains usher in a beautiful display of flowers. Trees are bursting with life and lush plants emerge from the ground. The birds are chirping their happy songs. “The earth is vibrantly alive with my blessings, giving vivid testimony to My Presence” (Sarah Young, Jesus Calling).

When our daughter was in her early teens, she and her best friend had a crush on a Christian artist named Carman. I heard Carman was going on tour, so I looked up his schedule and found out he was performing only 20 minutes from our home. I called the parents of my daughter’s friend and we planned to surprise the girls with tickets to the concert. When we gave them the tickets, they screamed so loud, a person two blocks away could have heard their delight.

In February, snow, ice, and a deep freeze for several days surprised us here in Texas. Many years ago, we had a similar ice storm in Waco. My father cared so much about people that he put on his golf shoes with metal spikes, and walked five miles to make sure the furnaces where he worked did not freeze. As an executive with Owens Illinois Glass Company, he knew if the furnaces broke, people’s jobs would be in jeopardy. Since many of his employees lived from paycheck to paycheck, he didn’t want anyone to be out of a job.

February is called the “Love Month” and is a time to express love to those you care about. Hallmark sells their tear-jerking cards, florists create beautiful arrangements, and stores sell heart-shaped boxes filled with candies. I think love should be shown every day, from the time we awaken to the time we fall asleep.

I have tried New Year’s resolutions more times than I can count. They have usually been more fleshly than spiritual – and let me tell you, I am not disciplined enough. One year I resolved to lose weight. That didn’t happen. Those desserts beckoned me and I succumbed. Another year I resolved to exercise more than I do now. That didn’t work because I injured myself. Another year I resolved to march into a New Year with an attitude of peace and goodwill towards all men and women. That happened until my first emotional crisis and my goodwill towards certain people sunk down the tubes.

Years ago while reading another devotion, I found this acronym for the word cocoa. It can be great for remembering to center our hearts on Christ.  Let’s take some time and look at the word C-O-C-O-A.

What is happening to our country? How has freedom turned into violence? Like yours, my mind races with these questions. My heart breaks for who we are becoming as a nation. 

As she walked into my office and closed the door, this vivacious young woman who seemed to always have a cheery smile, was extremely downcast.  With slumped shoulders, she sat down with her eyes towards the floor. Tears began to spill from her eyes. She was wrung her hands is if there were something she wanted to clean off of them. I immediately grabbed Kleenex and sat down beside her. The room was silent until the tears became sobs as I held her in my arms. I’m unsure as to the time frame of no words being spoken , but the more she cried the more my heart ached for I saw such brokenness.

I had just returned from a trip overseas visiting the gorgeous countryside of Scotland and England. Those lush green meadows were the home of many sheep. As far as my eyes could see, sheep dotted the hills all the way to the horizon. I loved watching the shepherd on horseback, riding among the sheep, counting the numbers, and making sure all were well. Imagine my surprise to this ideal setting when the headlines in a magazine stated, “Outbreak of Ravens Attacking Sheep.” 

The rodeo had come to our small town. Many people eagerly turned out to see the horses, riders, and their loved ones marching in the bands. A famous movie star, who played a cowboy on our black-and-white TV, rode in a shiny white convertible and waved to the crowd. Sitting upon my dad’s broad shoulders, I had a bird’s eye view. At the young age of four, I waved to everyone and everything until my skinny arms grew tired. When the majorettes made their appearance, they twirled their batons high in the air and caught them with perfection.

Throughout the years, I have enjoyed baking with my grandchildren. The cakes are usually made for special occasions and shared by the entire family. I always want my “grands” to feel they “created” the cake, so I only help on special occasions. If the directions were followed precisely, the cake was bound to be a wonderful expression of their work. When they were much younger, many times egg shells were dropped into the mix and baked right in. As it was baked, the cake smelled wonderful and the grands ran into the kitchen asking if it was ready.