A young girl witnessed a scary time when her parents disagreed and her erratic mother raised a sharp kitchen knife toward her father. God intervened and tragedy was prevented. Her father retreated. No one was hurt. "Yes, my son," Abraham … Read more
When I purchased my house in the village of Roland, I found a few things left here and there that I thought the descendants of the former owners might like to have: an end table, some framed pictures, a footstool… . Out in the garage … Read more
I have been reading a wonderful little book called Heaven is for Real. It is the story of a little boy, Colton, who, when extremely ill in hospital with a burst appendix, had experiences of being in heaven. His father, Todd Burpo, … Read more
"Earnest" might be your name. Or the shortened form, "Ernie," might be the name of the boy you went to school with. Words used for names of people often have meanings. "Earnest" can mean "serious." When we say, "He was earnest when he … Read more
Loving grandparents gave their three-year-old grandson a sturdy black and red four-by-four toy truck for Christmas. Squatted on his knees on the floor, the lad tore off the wrapping, picked up the truck, and went to a cupboard where old … Read more
As I entered the reception area through the main door, a mistaken usher, knowing that I was a relative of the groom, asked me to go to the far end of the room and up a few steps onto the platform where the head table was beginning to fill … Read more
It was in the days of school inspectors. Inspector Clark, round of tummy and bald of head, strode to and fro on the platform leading a singsong to open the evening session of the Teachers' Convention. We teachers sat before him in long … Read more
I was given a plain white porcelain cup, slightly over one inch tall. What could I do with such a wee thing? Still, out of respect for the giver, I kept it. Months afterwards, the horticultural fair listed an item: "Mini-arrangement, … Read more
More than ten years ago, I went with a touring group to Israel. As we rode in the morning sunshine in an open-decked boat on Lake Galilee, we met a similar boat. In the picture I snapped, that boat appears to glide on clear, blue glass, so … Read more
"Take this to your mother to hold in her hands," the little girl said. This little girl stood out at the front of a group of much taller children who had just come into our inner-city mission. I was surprised to see her again so soon. … Read more