Day 224 Pause to Worship

 

8/12/2026

"A Christian is like a teabag -

not worth much until he's been through

some hot water."

Daily Walk

 

Now that's an understatement! A little hot water?? I feel as if I've been soaking all night long, and I'm feeling a bit water logged and tea stained! The good news this morning is that my rash from the poison oak fiasco is beginning to look "human," if that can be an adequate description. I still do not know how I managed to get infected, but thankfully, it has remained isolated to my left wrist and arm. Epsom salt is once more my best support against poison bushes. I have purposed to leave the bushes until autumn or closer to winter when everything has died, and I can remove the entire row of bushes and eliminate the poison vines. At this stage of the game I'm not even certain what daddy planted, but I know it is not the beautiful forsythia bushes he used to have lining the property on two sides. They were the most vibrant yellow, and when they bloomed it felt like heaven. Bright flowers bring me so much joy, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the crepe myrtle trees - purple and bright rose. I still have to contend with the Virginia Creeper, but it is manageable. I love sitting outside in my little tree garden in my red retro chair enjoying the beauty and peace.

I woke up before the alarm and visited with Alex on the front porch. He really is a spoiled cat to be half feral. The kitten came face to face with him this morning, but he did not linger inside. I caught her watching him out the window, as if she remembered him. My theory is that Alex is the one who brought Fae to us, as he has other friends visiting us from time to time. He prefers the great outdoors and the freshness of the morning, but once it gets cold, he'll probably want to be back in my room sprawled lazily across the bed. I sat down to visit with him awhile this morning on the top step beside a fat slug and a smaller one attempting to make their exit. At night slugs love to check out the cat's bowls. It seems to be a favorite spot for other critters as well. I've not seen our resident opossum lately, but I hope he's safe. The neighbor came by early this morning, walking his little dog, and they lingered a few minutes in front of my house. We spoke briefly, but it's hard to get into a conversation when I'm still in my pajamas and robe. Plus my hair looked a fright, but that's normal. He's retired military, and he enjoys watching movies in his garage on Friday nights. My friend and I have been invited up, but we have yet to go. It would be nice to get to know him, as he seems very friendly. I 'd love to hear about his tours of duty and share with him about my work as a civilian employee at Fort Lee in Race Relations. I'd love to know about the growth of the base and the change in the name. I have many years to catch up on. 

Later a lady was walking her little dog, and we exchanged "hellos." I was cutting grass which seems to be the time people honk their greetings or wave. Everyone seems friendly, and it reminds me of when I was growing up around here. It's an old neighborhood and is relatively quiet. I was able to get the grass cut, and tree branches and debris from the storm picked up off the yard, but there's weeding left to do. Weed eating is my son's chore, so I left him plenty to do. The rain beat up my wild flowers, so I need to finish cleaning up my flower bed, but that can wait for another day.

I'm ending the day with music by Terry MacAlmon - my usual Wednesday night Hour with Jesus. He went overtime tonight, but I am so glad, because it is so wonderful to sit and listen to praise and worship songs, many of which are from the early days of Integrity Music. His followers don't seem to mind what he sings, as we love it all. He closes with a short devotional, a refreshing way to end the day.

"Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually."

Hebrews 13:15 

Day 223 Risky Love

 

8/11/2026

 "Risky love seizes the moment."

And the Angels Were Silent

Max Lucado 

 

I was awakened by a thump landing on my bed this morning. Little Fae, our mischievous orphaned kitty, decided that it was time to play, and she wanted Gram to get up. It was still rather early, so rather than insisting on her way, she quietly laid down beside me, and put her little head on my shoulder. This didn't last very long, as she decided she needed a better place to lie down, so she crawled up on my chest and settled down for a few more minutes. I was the one to break the silence, however, as she was calm and peaceful still. But the moment my feet hit the floor, she was off and running! My son had gotten her out of the room, but he had neglected to feed her. She didn't seem overly hungry, as she enjoys eating dead bugs and chasing the living ones. Once she was fed, I grabbed my coffee and settled back in my bedroom for quiet time. By this time, Fae had located her ball, and she was busy entertaining herself. And so the morning began.

I received a call during my global prayer call that I felt that I needed to take, and I was correct. The exchange did, however, offer me some hope regarding a matter long held in abeyance may actually have been put to rest. I made the follow up calls, received promising news, but my attempts to gain "in my hand proof" have not yet been obtained. Until this matter is handled, I still have actions to pursue. These are stressful matters, and after dealing with this issue since 2016 it has become very wearying and has a way of tuckering me out for the day. I had to walk around with my phone in my hands, waiting for a return call that never came. Typical, sadly, of this company. Nonetheless, I am giving another day of grace before I proceed on to my next course of action. I don't understand why things have to be this way when the respectful and professional way of handling things should be the customary response. I live in a different world. 

To press that truth of this not being my world a bit further, I received yet another phone call, more drama, more accusations intended to blame me for things that are so absurd - again! After a relatively long monologue, I decided that I'd listened enough, and I decided to end the toxic conversation. Max Lucado's comment about "risky love" was in connection with Mordecai the Jew consulting Queen Esther when wicked Haman had the king sign an edit regarding the annihilation of the Jews. The king had no idea that Queen Esther was a Jew, but Mordecai was asking her to approach the king without invitation, a crime punishable by death unless he held out his scepter. Mordecai told her that if her fear kept her from informing the king of the matter, she would not survive death. The memorable words often quoted about these end times is what Mordecai said to the Queen in Esther 4:14:  "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" Mordecai's entreaty worked, and Queen Esther replied:  "Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 'I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish'" (Esther 4:15-16). Sometimes the response is risky love, an exercise perhaps I must pursue in dealing with legal and personal matters. 

Oswald Chambers wisely counsels: "We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties."           2 Chronicles 20:12 "Our eyes are upon Thee."

It's very late now, and I need to find my pillow. It's been a day of disappointments, yet a day of laughter and relaxation at times from my comic relief, Fae our kitten. Yesterday once we got the refrigerator set up and the food back in place, put the kitchen back together, and grabbed a quick bite, my son headed off to bed, and I finished a few things I had to do. I guess the stress of it all got to both of us, and since I'm much older, I was really wiped out for most of the day just from that activity. Last evening we had quite a thunderstorm that touched down and flooded some areas of my rooms before I was able to get the windows down. Fortunately the sump pump was working, and the basement did not flood. Although today was sunny and remained so all day, I was unable to get the lawn mowed, and I was so tired that I didn't get very much accomplished except for the follow up phone calls that accomplished little actually. May tomorrow prove to be a more promising and fruitful day. 

Day 222 Remember - Focus on Me!

 

8/10/2026

“Holy Spirit, help me discern what is mine to carry and what is not.” 

 

Someone recently shared that when describing me to others she would talk about my joy even in the midst of the worst of circumstances. I have often been told that I am always smiling, and I remember more than one person calling me by nicknames "Smiley," and "Sunshine," to describe my character, my childlike ability to laugh and find something pleasant, even when the atmosphere was less than! I've always taken my worries, that I prefer to call concerns, to Jesus, because He knows everything about how it feels to live among men as a human. It's hard for some people to realize that whereas He is God, He is man, so who better to talk to in these times. But I admit that the days are getting pretty heavy, and the enemy is trying as hard as he can to discourage me. 

I never dreamed that my own family would be the ones to hurt me the most, but I am learning so much from the Lord about letting the hurts go. Abba has been teaching me about human nature, which includes selfishness and manipulation. I fully realize that I've made mistakes in my life, but I am being accused of things that don't make sense. Again, I realize where it all comes from, or who is the deceiver behind it all. I know also that God allows us to endure hardships in order to teach us or perfect us. In short, there are lessons to be learned. In 2 Timothy 2:1-4 Paul encourages Timothy: "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." 

As an intercessor I have long been enlisted as a soldier in the Lord's service, and the strongest message He has ever given me in a dream was to "Keep your eyes on the Commander of the Armies of Heaven" and "Cut off the head of the snake!" At one point today, while I was speaking with the Lord, I said that I really needed to look for a job, because there are expenses and things that need to be done. Plus I felt as if I was being pushed into making a decision that I know in my heart did not come from the Lord. So, as I began to voice the words, "Lord, I really need to find a ...." I heard Him clearly say to me, "What did I tell you to do?" And I replied to Him, "Keep my eyes on You and cut off the head of the snake." So, once more I put that thought out of my mind. God does not need my help with anything. He just wants me to be faithful. So, I will just keep putting one foot in front of the other, and keep turning the other cheek. After all, Jesus never gave an explanation. He did tell many, however, that He only did what His Father told Him to do. In the book of John, Jesus said several times that He only did what the Father showed Him to do (John 5:19, 30; 8:28; 12:49, and 14:31).

It seems as if there are so many things happening, and the enemy's arrows are flying. I wrote about this in a previous blog...many times. We need to be aware of these times. Paul, speaking with Timothy again, says in 2 Timothy 3:1-7: "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" That's quite a list, and I can honestly say that I am seeing this list being played out in people's lives shockingly! I only read legitimate news from truthful, reliable journalists and ministries, and many things I do not need to be told, because God has given me a Spirit of discernment and understanding of things beforehand, so very little surprises me, with the exception of the sources of many things. 

Right now, as I pen these words, helicopters are flying back and forth over this area, and it makes me wonder if the Army is practicing maneuvers. I was married to ex-military, worked at the base, and my family members have served, so I have some inclinations. Whatever all the noise is for, I pray for our military and their families, and for our leaders here on American soil and in the Middle East particularly. That goes without saying, as I pray for Israel and the people of Persia...Iran. But I will not fear, nor will I do anything other than pray and encourage and, mostly, trust God who has all things in His hands. He has given us competent leadership for this time in history, whether those opposed to those in office may feel. All that matters is that God has set up this group of men and women, and He will see it to completion according to His will. Our job as believers is to pray, trust, and be aware of the enemy's evil agenda.

As for me, I will do what he told me to do! 

Day 221 Simplicity of Faith

 

8/9/2026

 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, 

but that the world through Him might be saved." 

 

Over the years I have watched and listened as there has become a growing propensity for certain people to know more, not for the sake of increasing one's knowledge naturally, but in an effort to become more widely known and acclaimed as something greater than one should aspire to be. In essence the quest for identify that is associated not with character but more with wealth and public esteem. To be "Someone."

I have become increasingly aware of such things in Christian circles and more recently conversations pointing such things out. Whereas it is valuable to be warned, when does it become obsessive to the point of accusing one's brethren? That is the job of the devil, but it seems as if the church is helping him out in finding fault with each other. This is disconcerting and extremely sad. 

Reading has always been a pastime I have loved all my life, since early in childhood. In elementary school days I constantly had my nose in a book. I'd take a stack of books home on the weekends, aided in my selection by Mildred Green, the wonderful librarian at Midway Elementary and High School and a close family friend, whose love of literature inspired me to become well read and knowledgeable. But it was never in a quest for superiority, rather an innocent desire to learn more about people, history, and faith. I was raised at a time when a librarian had read every book that lined the shelves of the library, protective of our young minds. Now I don't know if there is a real book that can be checked out, held in your hands, read and returned in a timely manner for others to enjoy. Now there are tablets and apps, so one has only to plug a device in their ear and listen while they're doing something else.

More and more I am so grateful for my simple life and for God's gentle hand on me, as He guided me from one experience to another. And if I was ever caught up in someone's hyperactive quest for a bigger and better experience, aka a deeper spiritual understanding, the Lord opened my eyes to discern the truth, so I could glean wisdom yet not become lost into thinking I somehow knew more than someone else. We never arrive or obtain intellectual superiority. The Bible clearly says in 1 Corinthians 13:12 that, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

My desire is to spend as much time as I can in the presence of my Abba Father, listening and becoming more like Jesus Christ. In writing the story my only desire is to express the lessons learned in life sitting at His feet, reading His Word, in fellowship with like-minded believers and followers of Christ, surrendered to His will. While it would be nice to earn a living writing, I have no desire to be known. I only want others to know Jesus, and be encouraged by my life and my testimony. I have an insatiable hunger and thirst for Jesus and learning from His example. This is all I have to share. My crazy life available to others, being His hands and feet on this earth. Until Jesus comes...again! 

Day 220 No Regrets

 

8/8/2026 

"To be a Christian without time alone with God

is no more possible than to be alive 

without breathing."

Daily Walk

 

I've been holding on to some hurts that seem to keep popping up, and today I was finally able to put the matter to rest. I'm learning that while none of us are perfect, much as we would like that to be so, we will fail each other at some point along the way. I wish I could know that I never disappointed anyone in my lifetime, but I know that simply is not so. I have failed multiple times, and even in recent days, there were things that I could have done to be more helpful and thoughtful towards others. I really want to be more intentional about following through on good ideas. I've had some ideas brewing in my mind, and it's about time I get busy following through on those thoughts. I have a birthday this week, and it makes me realize more and more that my days are numbered. I must get busy while there is still time. This may require me tracking down some slippery cousins who always seem to be busy, but I want to see everyone. I want to know about their lives, and I want to be their friend. I moved two thousand miles to spend time with family, so I am going to try my best to do as much as I can to make that happen. We've had one cousin's reunion, but there's much more to be done. Time is precious.

I tend to set the bar high for myself when it comes to being a doer of the word and not a hearer only. But I am also very critical at times of pastors who are not watching over the flock. I admit that this tendency to judge their lack of concern has been a feeling I have had to fight my entire life. I think it may be from the amount of neglect I have witnessed from the type of work that I was doing. God entrusted many people's lives to me, and seeing them hurt and disappointed by their families was difficult enough, but when the church is the culprit, a place and people that I represented did not follow through, it hurt me deeply as well. 

The Bible says that "mercy triumphs over judgment," and I am a very compassionate, forgiving, and merciful person, thanks to Jesus. Only because of His transformation of my life. All my life I've cared about people, how they were treated, and being raised in the South in the 50's was a period when my feelings were tested greatly. Fortunately, I never witnessed severe mistreatment and abuse up close and personal towards another person. The closest I came was when I was 18 years old, working for a jeweler who felt that the black man who worked there shouldn't be talking to me, much less walking with me in the evening to the bus stop. Petersburg was a dangerous place back then, and out of his kindness, he was trying to protect me from harm. He was threatened, so I quit my job. Otherwise, he may have lost his, and for what?! Trying to protect a young lady from potential harm! My family was not happy, but I have never regretted my action. Later, when I was in my early 20's I had another test, a much larger one, and I stood my ground again. Fortunately, I didn't lose my job, but I stood against racism on behalf of the US Army where I worked.  

With regard to my initial confession, I have finally put the hurt away, an offense against my son, actually. I realized just how many times I've probably not responded to assist someone when I had the opportunity, and, like I said, I'm sure I've done much worse in my life. The fact that the one who offended my son, who really hurt him at a time when he desperately needed a friend, really hurt. On one hand I understand the immaturity of a young man, trying to build his church, but a pastor should have time for anyone who needs him, a member of his church or not. They were very close as children, but I guess time causes one to move on and forget. I do forgive, and the hurt is lessening, because, as I said, we all fail. I don't feel the need to confront, as it seems a mute fact, and it is time to move on. I hadn't even realized how much it still hurt until Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, then confirmed it three times. So, I release this situation into God's capable hands, and I pray that He will send a friend my son's way. I ask Him for direction for a church family for myself as well, and there are possibilities. A place to belong, a sense of family and community, and a place to serve. I miss that, as I've only had online churches for quite awhile. I attend locally, but I have not formed close friendships. I want to correct that! 

I want to live my life with no regrets. When I sin or fall short of God's high calling, I want to be quick to ask forgiveness, repent, and make things right. It's the only way to live.   

Day 219 Gram's Day Out!

 

8/7/2026

"The Rule is you have to dance a little bit in 

the morning before you leave the house,

because it changes the way you walk out into the world."  

-Unknown

 

It's been a crazy, hectic week, with pressure on every side, so I decided that I'd take a little spin out into the world today. When my sister arrived this morning, she came with flowers in one hand and cake in the other. The cake was for my son's birthday that she missed, and since the cake was not gluten free, he devoured it without so much as giving me a sniff of that carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. The sunflowers were for me, so I stuck them in a pot, grateful, but lamenting the loss of one forbidden taste of that scrumptious-looking cake! 

So, after that I was ready and raring to get the measurements done and hit the road for our great adventure. Not everyone enjoys going to Home Depot and Lowe's, as it means work to be done, but I love it! It's an adventure and a dance down every aisle! I've noticed that there are many senior employees working at both stores, and sometimes I do consider applying for a part time job. It seems like great fun, and with my creative mind, I could well imagine fun things to do with my fixer upper home. So much to do and so little time!

We weren't able to pick up the supplies for the well house, but I did give the measurements to my sister who will purchase the supplies for me and bring them over in her truck. Then we'll begin our labor of love in fixing my little casita right up. We discovered flooring on sale that will fit nicely in my kitchen, and an idea for storage and to cover up a particularly difficult area next to the chimney. With the rock quarry down the highway blasting rock underground, my house has many cracks in the plaster walls, as do most everyone's in the neighborhood, so I have been told. The chimney goes down into the basement to the old oil furnace. The repairman who checks it out each year says it's a monster, but I pray that it hangs on for as many years as it can last. The underground blasting probably is unsettling to the foundation, causing the cracks. But with a bit of mud and creativity I will be able to tackle this project with love and imagination. I'll be sure to document all my miss-matched paints in creating my authentic Santa Fe home in North Dinwiddie, Virginia. Of course, I don't have the funds to do a really upscale job, but using my ideas with a creative edge, genius will flow! Well...hopefully!!

We checked out a new diner in Hopewell where the customer service more than made up for the cuisine. The food was simple, and they were extremely busy with local patrons. The food was good, but with my food allergies, I have to be careful. If I cheat on my diet, I pay in pain. They had a long list of homemade desserts, but I was good and behaved myself with great restraint. 

Although we did make one more stop to check out a business who sold sheds and storage units, some large as barns, we didn't make any definite plans for purchase, as I never am quick to act unless I see an extremely good deal. We hurried back home, and after playing with Fae for a little while, my sister left for home. She enjoys getting out, she said, doing something other than what she does at home, but she is really busy with all she has to get done with her garden and other household affairs. She's been refurbishing a house next door their son, but work has been slow. Life gets busy, as I well know, so I am grateful for any time she has for her ole sister. 

Shabbat Services begin shortly, so I'll call this a wrap. No great spiritual wisdom for today, just practical advice. Spend time with your family and enjoy them while you can. We are not promised tomorrow, and each day is a special time to spend together, whether working or playing. But while you're enjoying life, be sure to make Christ the center of it all. 

Day 218 Still Listening

 

8/6/2026

 "Others may only see a hopeless end, 

but believers rejoice in an endless hope."

Daily Walk

 

Sometimes I think I'm too silly for my own good, especially since my birthday is coming up next week, and I really should begin to act my age, or so one would think?! But where's the fun in that?! I've never been a glass half empty gal, and I'd much rather think positively than moan and groan about things.  Especially today in a world gone mad where people are looking everywhere and anywhere for hope. Of course I don't have to look for hope, because I live it every day. Others just can't seem to wrap themselves around the idea that God can and does keep our minds in peace, but then, they have not learned how to quiet themselves down and allow God to be God.

This has been a another busy day, and a productive one. This afternoon we took little Fae, our kitten to the vet for her flea, tick, and other varmints application. She had grown almost double since her initial visit, and she is loving, playful, and too frisky for her own good sometimes. She jumps high like a gazelle when I dangle her bird on a string in the air over her. She's a hoot to watch, and she plays long, hard, and tirelessly. She's still parked on my queen-sized bed while I scrunch up on my twin size, so at least she gets a good rest. When I go out I need to shop for some storage bins to rearrange some items in that room, so I can move in. But when I do, she'll be evicted, so "move over, Mia!"

Tomorrow I'm having a day out with my sister who has graciously consented to helping me fix up my daddy's old pump house that is literally falling apart and blowing away. It seemed to be a pretty sturdy structure years ago, which he insulated with packing peanuts. Unfortunately, the rotting outer board has so decomposed that the peanuts are blowing in the breeze...all over the block...or at least across my yard. With the increasing winds, however, I'm sure the neighbors shared in my excitement of picking up these nasty little inventions of man, wondering, no doubt, if it was raining odd shaped pieces of styrafoam. Chicken Little would be so stoked!

Besides that task we are going to measure for a kitchen floor and for other tasks requiring building materials. I need to locate a reasonably priced storage shed before winter, so I am scoping out the sheds at Home Depot and Lowes, and we may stop by one of those businesses who sell buildings. Who knows, I may find a bargain. I must remain optimistic, as by next summer, if I'm still around, I plan to buy my John Deere riding lawnmower. I love my push mower that self-propels, but my son has a bad back, so I want him to have a nice toy. But, it's all up to the Lord, as He's the one who calls the shots. It is, after all, His money. I hope I'm stewarding it well.

On Thursday evenings I hold my Harvest Online Group study, and there were four in attendance tonight. I have six faithful attendees, including myself, which is kind of nice, as it allows more discussion time, as a general rule. Nonetheless, I miss the other people, and I just hope they are connecting somewhere. Harvest Ministries offers so many community resources, but I still say, as it is true, that face-to-face connection is the best. Having these gals with me really makes a difference though, and I hope I offer come support that will encourage them in their day to day walk with Jesus. After the online meeting, I visited a while by telephone with one of the members, and we had a nice little chat. Sometimes I feel as if I am having a Monologue conversation, as it takes me so long to say anything, so I ramble. To say my life is "complex or complicated," is a tragic understatement. My life...well...is my life...with a lot of wear and tear, frustration, and many tearful conversations with Abba. He is so into our lives, and He's never too busy to listen or, if we allow Him, give us His opinion about things. He's a great Abba, Father, and I love Him, as much as any human being knows how to love anyone, especially a Holy God.

I wish I had some spiritual wisdom to impart to my followers who are going through shaking, pruning, uncertainties, and other spiritual challenges, but when things become more chaotic and affects everyone, then that place must be doing something right for mankind. Enough said.