Faith
Draw Near
On February 11, 2022 by Elle R.James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” This scripture came to mind when my son came running to show me that a rainbow had appeared over my neighbor’s backyard. I quickly ran to the window in the hopes I wouldn’t miss it. Yesterday I began a much-needed break from
Faith
Whatever is Lovely
On February 10, 2022 by Elle R.I take daily walks in my local cemetery. It may seem a little creepy if you’re afraid of that sort of thing, but I find it very peaceful as I have a large family and the cemetery is typically fairly quiet. There are other walkers beside myself that favor the same route, even in winter.
Faith
The God Squad
On February 9, 2022 by Elle R.Recently the pastor at my church preached a sermon about Jesus healing a paralyzed man at Capernaum. *Spark Notes version – four men are so determined to get their paralyzed friend to Jesus for healing that they are willing to rip open a roof and hand-deliver their friend straight down to Jesus to circumvent the
Faith
Dear Mom
On February 6, 2022 by Elle R.You may be reading this from your hospital bed as many people, including me, pray for your recovery. Or you may choose to not read it at all. I wanted to find a way to reach you quicker than snail mail and I chose my blog because it’s possible this letter to you may benefit
Faith
Patience and Popsicles
On January 11, 2022 by Elle R.In the book of Exodus in the Bible, God rescues the enslaved Israelites from their Egyptian captors. King Ramses II is the reigning Pharaoh of Egypt and after witnessing God’s mighty displays of power through a series of ten plagues, Ramses reluctantly allows the Hebrews to leave. Ramses’ decision lasts about a couple of hours,
Faith
Last Christmas
On December 30, 2021 by Elle R.“Last Christmas I gave you my heart… But the very next day you gave it away… This year to save me from tears… I’ll give it to someone special.” The Last Christmas song by Wham was a chart-topping hit in 1984 and 1985, respectively. I think the song has a timeless appeal because we believe
Faith
The Christmas Fruit Basket
On December 4, 2021 by Elle R.I wrote this four years ago. It felt appropriate to update it now. 2017 – Confession ~ Our family received a holiday fruit basket last week. I am 47 but I acted like a 4-year-old upon receiving it. Ungrateful. I delayed thanking the gift-givers (a couple) – and the husband called me to check if
Faith
How I Came to Christ
On November 30, 2021 by Elle R.Twenty-nine years ago, I was a newly minted wife and mother. I had a toddler daughter and a son in my womb, ready to be born within days. I should have been happy – fulfilled – but I knew deep down, that something was missing. It wasn’t something though. I had tried all the things
Faith
Let Them Die
On November 29, 2021 by Elle R.I rarely write about things I see in the news media, as I know how there are two sides to every story. Sometimes there are three or four sides. This is a little different, as this topic hit home on a visceral level. A few months ago, I read that a firefighter in Glastonbury, Connecticut
Faith
Grief and Gratitude
On November 23, 2021 by Elle R.A neighbor and dear friend recently suffered the loss of his beloved son, only days before Thanksgiving. It is in bitter moments like these, I am reminded that the first Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States was rooted not only in gratitude but grief. One hundred and two passengers sailed aboard The Mayflower, landing at