-
Storms
The only time I’ve ever been on a boat of any kind was when we were in Dubai – probably about 22 years ago. It was a company event, and we were taken out to sea to watch the powerboat race. Unfortunately, though, the only thing I saw the entire day was the inside of a large pack of barf bags and a napkin holder that slid mesmerizingly from one side of the dining area floor to the other!! The waves apparently were 8 to 10 feet that day. After a couple of hours of a tossing boat and throwing up, I was certain we were all going to die!!…
-
From generation to generation…
Note: Considering ‘worry’ has been my default button (especially where my children are concerned), for as long as I can remember, I always have to pause and remind myself of God’s truths, so many times, every single day. Where I was or am insufficient, He is more than enough. And He is called “Faithful & True”. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Psalm 22:6 This is a devotional (below), written by Becca, our oldest daughter. Yes, He’s the Faithful One… from generation to generation! You’ll find that I am my mother’s daughter. We share a…
-
Lessons from the ocean
Both the iPhone and Facebook reminded me yesterday that we took a family vacation Mexico, five summers ago. And, as I remember it, the best part of that week was the opportunity to do my daily devotionals on the beach [being of Indian origin, in the shade, of course 🙂 ]. It truly was a blessed time of reflection and rest… and a good reminder to me that God is the same… yesterday, today, and forever! Here are some lessons I learned from the ocean. Who has scooped up the ocean in his two hands, or measured the sky between his thumb and little finger? Who has put all the earth’s…
-
Exchanges
Our 2nd daughter Debbie has always been petite, and when her younger sister was born, she was 6 years old and pint-sized. Now Debbie was very unhappy with the newcomer and made her displeasure known very loudly by slamming doors when the baby was sleeping, and generally being a brat. So to appease this child of mine, when Abi received a gift of baby stuff that was tucked into a humongous baby bottle that was also a ‘piggy’ bank, I took out all the baby stuff, put a few silver dirhams (UAE currency) in, and gave it to her – a gift from the baby. Without exaggeration, the bottle and…
-
Raising ‘Stars’!
I have coordinated a prayer ministry for almost 20 years now, and I find that a majority of prayer requests I receive (for personal prayer and to add to the prayer chain list) are for our children. And when I hear a parent’s heart as they struggle for their child or grandchild, I can empathize, sympathize, and pray with a burden for that need because I’ve been through (and am going through) many of those struggles too. I was at a bookstore the other day, and noticed that there were books galore on raising kids. It was second only to “How to get rich quick” books!! 🙂 As parents (and…
-
Treasures of my heart…
I am so grateful for treasured memories that come spilling out at the drop of a hat! And being a mother brings me great joy, and has revealed my heavenly Father’s heart… just a little more clearly. Here are three “treasures” that took place over the span of probably 20 years. And I placed them in this order only because they opened my eyes to this Word. The Lord your God… He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 Treasure #1: He will take great delight in you…As usual I was racing up and down…
-
Driving on empty
I know nothing about the mechanics of cars, but I love to go on long drives. That’s when my mind is quiet and I’m able to let go of the things that happened prior to my closing the car door – and block out things that I’ll have to think about or do, once the car door opens again. In the car, it’s just me and my thoughts. Believe me, I have quite a few annoyed friends who claim I looked right at them and totally ignored their frantic waves, as they drove past me! 🙂 But it was about 5 years ago, on my drive home from work, when…
-
Weeds
I thought my second devotional post should be something that goes hand in hand with gardens and fruit, and the first word that popped into my head was… weeds. A part of every garden, however well-maintained, and such a headache for gardeners I’m sure! Now, I grew up on Enid Blyton books and fairies… those Tinkerbell-like, mythical creatures that lived in Buttercups and floated on wisps of dandelions. Buttercups! As an impressionable 7 year old, the very name was impressive and in my mind’s eye I saw a big, fat, buttery yellow cup-like flower (something like a big tulip), and it stayed that way until we moved to Canada. After…
-
Fruit
Amongst all the trees in our backyard garden, we have three fruit trees. Maybe because of all the books I read in my childhood, I love busy gardens, and I’ve always felt that no garden is complete without at least one fruit tree. Now, I’m a hopeless gardener and have been known to kill plants by just touching them, but I’m very grateful to have a husband who loves gardening and doesn’t mind the hard work! 🙂 So to get to the story of our fruit trees… Firstly, we have a crab apple tree. During the first few years, though it received a lot of love and care, it was…