Remembering Mother

Hands that pulled up anklet socks

and buckled leather shoes.
That rolled my hair in pin-curls
for Sunday morning do's.
Homemade cakes they baked and iced
for family and friends.
They hung out clothes upon the line
secured with wooden pins.
Mother's hands were full of love;
gentle was her touch.
Her hands were busy dawn 'til dark
because she loved so much.

I wrote this in memory of Mother, Peggy Williams

Your love has given me much joy and comfort...
your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God's people.
Philemon 1:7

At Christmas time we miss our family members who have gone on to Heaven, and treasure wonderful memories.

Inch Your Body

Kaedyn called out to me:" Come here, Nana, and let me inch your body."

"WHAT?!" I wondered.

I came around the corner to see her holding a tape measure.

"Stand here against the door frame and I will inch you and see how much you've grown," she said.

Tomorrow is my birthday, so she thinks I should have grown taller! (Wider maybe?)

Me...sixty years ago.

I still have the same hair-do!

The Warmth of God's Presence

The kitchen was the warmest sunniest room in the house where I grew up. The alarm clock on the kitchen shelf would buzz and soon I would smell bacon frying and hear the coffee pot percolating. I'd park myself by the heat vent, waiting for Mother to put breakfast on the table.

About this time of year, we'd get the big Sears Roebuck Wish Book in the mail - the one with the toy section! My sister, Mildred, and I would sit together by the heat vent and take crayons and circle every toy we wanted. Talk about positive thinking!

As I remembered that warm scene and our childhood hopes, the Lord reminded me of all the promises in His Book! I think I'll get out the red crayon and underline all my favorites: especially the warmth of His presence.

In Your presence is fullness of joy,

 at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. 

Psalm 16:11

Carols in the Mall

I remember a little girl with the voice of an angel singing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" at Lenox Square Mall (Atlanta) back in the 60's. Our school choir was invited to sing that night. As her voice, so clear and sweet, filled the mall, a hush came over the busy shoppers.

O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel 

 Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, 

GOD WITH US

Matthew 1:23

Prophet, Priest, and King

I read that the three gifts presented to Jesus by the Magi were prophetic.

Gold represents His Kingship.
Frankincense speaks of His priestly anointing.
Myrrh reminds us of His sacrificial death.

I thought of these lyrics:

How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds

In a believer’s ear!

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,

And drives away his fear.

Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,

O Prophet, Priest and King,

My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,

Accept the praise I bring.

John Newton

Prayer Request

Please pray for my precious missionary friends who are serving unreached people groups and translating the New Testament into their languages. There has been much unrest in the country where they are ministering in the past few months. I pray for their safety and that God's Word will be received by those hearing it for the very first time.

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 
Luke 1:30-33