Sweet Potato Casserole
As a young child, our family Thanksgiving meal consisted of Indian food. We had asked our parents if we could eat turkey like all of our friends at school. So when turkey and the sides were added to the menu, we couldn’t be happier. Being that it was new to us, side dishes such as mashed potatoes came from a box, and corn and yams came from cans. Every year, we enjoyed great food and fellowship with my extended family as we had the best of both cuisines for our Thanksgiving meal. Then, I moved to Texas 16 years ago
His Perspective
Recently I traveled to another city for my cousin’s wedding. Almost everything went well that weekend. Everyone who was traveling got to the wedding safely and on time. The wedding was beautiful and the celebration was a joyous occasion for our family. But after all the wedding festivities had ended and we were preparing to head back to our home town, we were notified by our airline that our flight along with many of our family members' flights had been cancelled. The airline informed us that the earliest flight back home would be 2 days later. Many of us had
Life is like a Plane Ride
“I’m sorry y’all got stuck sitting next to me.” I apologized in advance to my friends seated to my right and left. I’m a horrible travel companion! Since I was young, plane rides and I just haven’t gotten along. I get nauseous and my ears feel like they are about to explode. So as the plane began to ascend, my body language must have said it all. My friends stopped the conversation they were having with one another, and I could hear them praying for me under their breath. Thankfully, once we were at cruising altitude, my motion sickness medication
Your Labor is Not in Vain
Would you ever sign up for a job if you knew you would be met with resistance and may not even be listened to? I know I wouldn’t, yet parenthood seems to fit that description on SOME days lol. I recall when my children were toddlers and I told them to put their toys away. They actually thought it was a good time to keep playing.When they grew older, I found myself reminding them about getting their chores done. They thought it was a great time to … well, do anything else.As they became teenagers, there were life lessons that
Enduring Love
This past weekend marked a milestone for my husband’s parents. 50 GOLDEN YEARS OF MARRIAGE. That’s one half of a century in devoting oneself to another selflessly just as Christ does for us, the Church. With Jesus at the center of it all, they have served faithfully by showing hospitality and generosity to countless, raising their boys to men, and sacrificially caring for one another … for better, for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. What a privilege and honor for us as children and grandchildren to celebrate our parents! At times like this, one
Identity, Purpose, Assignment
I was recently looking for a job. With a blank canvas in front of me, I wasn't sure which direction to take. I spoke to God about it, and I asked Him, "Where do you want me?" After combing though a few websites, I came upon one opportunity that seemed like a pipe dream, but I went ahead and applied. A few interviews later, I got the call that the team was interested in me. My voice remained calm when I replied, "Thank you!", but there was a stampede of horses racing through my heart. I couldn't believe it. I
Music to my Soul
In 1 Samuel 16, we find Saul, tormented and terrified by an evil spirit. Saul’s officials had an idea. They decided to bring in a gifted musician to come and play the harp for Saul. And whenever the anointed harpist, David, would play his harp, “Saul would relax and feel better, and the evil spirit would go away.” (vs. 23) Friends, we live an an anxiety filled world. What we surround ourselves and fill our environment with can make a world of difference in how we feel. My son introduced me to the 42 minute video below. There’s no fluff.
Confidence in the Lord
Recently, I found myself in unchartered territory. While with a group of friends who were choosing between swimming in the pool or laying out on the beach, I ventured off to sit in the ocean … by myself. And I was perfectly content. Maybe you’re thinking, “What’s the big deal??” You see, I typically find it easier to just follow the crowd. After all, I don’t want to miss out on what everyone else is doing. Besides that, I worry immensely about what people are thinking of me. But I knew what I wanted to do. So I did it.
Dancing on the Waves
One of the biggest lies that we can believe is that God does not love us. From the beginning, in the garden of Eden, the devil tried to drive a wedge between man and God. When Adam and Eve sinned by doing the one thing God asked them to not do, they hid from God. And in their shame they sewed fig leaves to cover their nakedness. But it wasn't because God had asked them to. Yet, they condemned themselves and turned away from God because of what they believed God felt about them. I know I find myself far
Perfect & Complete
Of all things, I was in the MIDDLE of a prayer call when I clicked over and heard the news. “Mrs. Samuel, could you come and pick up Caleb, he is hurt.” Really God? I was on a prayer call and THIS is what happens. I’m ashamed to say, that was my one sided, real, raw conversation with God as I drove to the gym to pick up my son. I knew it was REALLY bad when I saw three very strong men carrying him out of the emergency exit. Oh boy. Here we go, this is going to be a journey.
