There was an advertising campaign that I have never forgotten.
The commercial, which aired in the 1970’s, advertised a brand of shampoo.
A girl with luxurious hair told you to spread the word about this fabulous product.

If you tell two friends about Faberge Organics shampoo with wheat germ oil and honey, then they’ll tell two friends, and so on and so on and so on.

As she told us to spread the word, her picture multiplied on the TV screen.
Multiple squares of her face, spreading the word about the shampoo.
Each square gave the same message making it seem as if many were spreading the word.

Read More...

I was remembering field day.
Field day with its games.
Field day when there really was a winner and there really was a loser.

I was thinking back to a game we probably all played.
A game with two tubs on either side of a field.
One tub was filled with water and one tub was empty.

Each person was given a bucket.
You had to take water from the tub that was filled and run to the other side.
You quickly poured the water from your bucket into the empty tub.

Read More...

Valentine’s Day is approaching.
Exciting for some.
Difficult for others.

Remember the days in elementary school?
You had to decorate a cereal box that became your own personal mailbox.
It was kept on your desk, or in a special place in the back of the room.

Directions were given.
You may send valentines to your classmates but there must be one for everyone.
It was a way to guarantee that no one was left out.

Read More...

My husband and I sat in the family room.
The children were tucked in bed for the night.
It was now that quiet time of winding down, the peaceful hours before bed.

Suddenly, one of our children was standing next to us.
We heard words that made no sense.
It was as if someone speaking another language had entered the room.

The look that was staring back at us was awake but not awake.
My husband and I looked at each other amazed.
Sleepwalking, my husband mouthed so as not to disturb this sleeping child.

Read More...

I was thinking this morning about how much “Christian-ese” is tossed around.
Words and concepts that the average person just does not understand.
Lofty thoughts that can actually hinder instead of build up.

We need to do better when we proclaim Truth.

Jesus is a Master Truth teller.
He is Truth personified.
He told stories using everyday situations that explained Truth.

Read More...

The eyes are the windows to the soul.
I do believe that’s true.
I was looking at the antique Raggedy Ann doll that sits in her own chair in my foyer.
I was remembering.

Raggedy Ann was my favorite doll when I was a girl.
There was something so special about her little heart.
That hidden heart upon which was written, I love you.
Every other Raggedy Ann doll had the same message but I knew it was there for me.

Read More...

I was sitting right near the escalator.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do this now.
A makeover…a skin consultation.
Why would the Clinique counter choose to put their customers here?

This was the same escalator that used to have a fountain around its base.
This was the fountain where my children threw pennies.
This was now the place where I sat vulnerable, by my own choice.
This was the time I wanted to say, No thank you, and walk away.

Read More...

I am not an easy person to surprise.
My children always said, You can’t pull one over on Mom!
Well, apparently you can because my three daughters did just that!

I was delighted when my daughters wanted to take me out to lunch.
Don’t plan anything for November 10, Mom.
We are taking you to lunch after church.
We want to celebrate your book…we are so proud of you!

Read More...

On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of a church.
It was the door of the Schlosskirche (Castle Church) in Wittenberg, Germany.
Luther objected to the doctrine and practice of selling indulgences.
His 95 Theses literally sparked the Reformation.

Aided by the printing press, Luther’s 95 Theses were widely printed and distributed.
His 95 Theses were translated from Latin to German.
In two weeks, copies spread throughout Germany.
In two months, copies spread throughout Europe.

Read More...

I enjoy fall decorating.
A bale of hay, cornstalks, pumpkins, mums, and gourds are displayed by the front door.
A primitive scarecrow that was named Patches by my children still stands guard.

Usually by Thanksgiving, squirrels have nibbled the corn.
The gourds have been chewed in miniscule bites by chipmunks.
Walnut shells are scattered around the display letting me know they had dessert as well.

Read More...