It was uncovered a few weeks ago in my sister’s home.  It was a box marked, in my mom’s handwriting, “ Brenda Very Fragile!!! ”  Kept for us, until a later date, this box, that I had forgotten about, contained a tea-set from my mom’s, mom’s, mom. Opening it was a delight.  The dainty teacups...

Retreat – ‘an act of moving back or withdrawing’.  Yesterday I began a spiritual retreat.  I will continue to enjoy it today, and tomorrow.  I am grateful for this opportunity. Those who are officer pastors in The Salvation Army are afforded this blessing on an annual basis. 

Yesterday I sought to move into...

This morning I am reminded of the need to take a break. One definition of a break is ‘an interruption of continuity’. 

Last night I did not have a thought of what to write and this morning I did not either.  Perhaps the Lord is giving me an early start to next week, a week I had chosen to rest from my writing.

A break from...

Hopeful signs of spring are beginning to emerge. Have you seen or heard anything that makes you say, “Spring is on its way?”  What is a favorite sign of spring for you? Someone recently captured a picture of a robin.  You could sense the celebration that winter was moving out!  The signs draw us to the focus –...

I walked by many ‘closed’ signs and locked doors of businesses the other day. Once again it was a disheartening experience.  I thought of the many people who at one point found great delight in turning the key to open the door, welcoming clients to enter.  I considered those who once had a place to go every day, using the...

From the corner of my eye, I saw the small bunch of tulips, and I added them to my grocery cart. Tulips add a delightful splash of spring colour to any room.

From an email I received a few days ago I learned that at the Keukenhof garden, in the Netherlands, 7 million flower bulbs have been planted.  I cannot fathom 7 million flower bulbs.

...

Pausing seems to be part of my recent journey. I am discovering new value in pausing. A pause is a temporary stop in action or speech.  I know more and more people are pausing as they practice deep breathing, stretching and even mindfulness activities. During these days, which bring uncertainty and unique stresses, these activities can be...

I have never seen the northern lights.  Have you? A friend posted of going to chase the northern lights, saw them, and stated that she can’t wait to go chase them again. We know northern lights exist.

I have never seen rice fields. I have only heard about them. I know they exist. They are on my bucket list – maybe one day.

What...

‘Just because’ – have you ever done anything ‘just because’?  For those of you who are new to the English language this phrase is used to imply that the doer's actions are not guided by any purpose. The act is performed usually on impulse.

I shoveled the snow in someone’s driveway – ‘just...

Variant. This is another new word, on account of Covid19, that is found in my vocabulary. I have never had need of that word before. Yesterday it was used in a conversation.

I remember getting the big book of Valentine’s cards when I was young.  You could punch the valentines out, along the perforated edges.  There was one huge...