So many things in life rob you of not only time, but also peace and forward motion. Some of these thieves are so much a part of your life that you stopped realizing their impact on you long ago. Let’s examine these bandits and see what they steal. Fear – Fear holds a position at […]

In the last few weeks, I’ve been searching for a lost item, a huge wooden bowl that belonged to my mother. When I cleaned out Mama’s house after her death, just seeing the bowl sent me spiraling back in time to innumerable youth fellowships at our house and Neely 4th of July family gatherings. On […]

You’ve probably heard someone say, “Oh, I can’t change the way I am. I’m just like my father (or mother or some other relative) and he did (or said or believed) the same thing.” Blaming your words or actions on the influence of others is a poor excuse. You aren’t required to imitate the negative […]

Pain is something we don’t really think about until we experience it personally or act as a comforter and encourager for someone else who is in pain. I can think of several who are currently dealing with pain, either physical or emotional. While I can hold them close in thoughts and prayers, I can’t change […]

My granddaughter was dedicated at church last Sunday. As a five-month-old, she had no understanding of why she was there or what was happening. Her wails pierced the room, as tears streamed down her sweet little cheeks. She wanted to be somewhere else, preferably a place that involved a bottle, a blanket, and then a […]

Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are upon us, and with them, a general malaise that causes us to put off until tomorrow what should be done today. I don’t know about you, but my motivation and productivity drop during the summer. Sitting by the pool reading a book or floating with an eye […]

Over the last year or so, the voices of malcontents have bombarded us with negativity and hatred on many subjects. And you know what? I’m tired of it. I’m tired of listening to rants about our country and its leaders. I’m fed up with people assuming everyone feels as they do and actually wants to […]

A few weeks ago, I picked up a salad from a restaurant via the drive-thru window. Before I’d even gotten out of the parking lot, my phone dinged, notifying me of an incoming email. When I got home, I saw the email was a survey request from the restaurant I had just left. Really? You […]

Father’s Day was a bittersweet day for me. While I love seeing my children with my husband and remembering them as young children, and now, watching my son with his baby daughter, I really, really miss my daddy. I was blessed to have a father who was wise, strong, funny, giving, compassionate, loving, and so […]

Summertime brings outdoor fun and memories of childhood, among them, homemade ice cream. Daddy was a champion ice cream chef, with chocolate perhaps being his most sought-after flavor. I loved helping him heat the milk, crush the junket tablets (remember those?), add the ingredients, and maintain a steady stir with a long, red-handled spoon. Once […]