My husband and I decided to reorganize the garage. In so doing, we decided to finally unpack our wedding china. You see, we moved into this house a few years ago and unpacked the essentials. We’ve made do with our everyday dishes because they were convenient and functional. For special dinners, we’ve made do with…
Author: Monica
Monica is a Bible teacher, freelance author, and editor who loves Jesus and her family. She is humbled to soak up the love and grace of God each day and seeks to share it with others.
The Easter Kind of Love
On Valentine’s Day, we celebrate love. But I think Easter does a better job of it. Easter celebrates the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ—the ultimate act of love and redemption in all the course of human history. And I’m thinking today about the love of Jesus, and how we’re supposed to love like that,…
Wake Up, Sleeper!
So, I’m getting over a fairly serious bout of bronchitis combined with a sinus infection. It all started with a benign cough due to allergies…nothing a little over-the-counter meds can’t handle. But it didn’t go away, and I ignored it. And ignored it. No fever meant nothing too serious, right? Deep down, I think I…
Harper Lee
The author is gone, but what she contributed to the landscape of American culture will not soon be forgotten. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic, my favorite. Even the name of my blog is inspired by To Kill a Mockingbird. My family quotes the book and the movie on a regular basis….
Lent, Love, and Preschool
My youngest came home from preschool yesterday with a story. His class was making craft hearts with tissue paper, and he was running out of supplies. His friend across the table said, “Here’s some of my paper!” and freely gave it away. During the retelling, my son said thoughtfully, “I didn’t even ask for it,…
The Puppets in My Purse
Sunday morning at church, my children had a difficult time leaving Oink and Ducky alone. Oink and Ducky are the puppets who sometimes live in my purse. Each week, a puppet or two makes an appearance in the kindergarten Sunday School. Oink has a British accent. Ducky talks really fast. I realized that if I…
The Eternal “Oughtness”
“I refuse to accept the idea that the ‘issues’ of man’s present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal ‘oughtness’ that forever confronts him.” –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I think there’s very little that Dr. King spoke that is not quote-worthy. His words were powerful forces that spurred people to…
Reflections on Bravery and Turtles
My daughter entered an art competition last year where she had to explore the concept of imagination. She chose to dance to a song about bravery because she felt if someone wants to soar away with their imagination, it takes guts. I agree. Many people try to muster the courage for new beginnings or try…
“Don We Now Our Gay Apparel, Falalalalalalalala!”
It’s that time of year when people wear ugly sweaters to parties and jingle bell earrings and fun hats and matching jammies on Christmas morning. Every day of the year, we think about what to wear, and at this time of year, what we wear can reflect the joy and fun of the holiday season….
He is Coming!
There is so much to look forward to at Christmastime. Santa, presents, the dawn of Christmas morning, the smell of roast beast in the oven, the sound of carols in the candlelight at Christmas Eve service. So much to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. And yet there is still more. One of my goals…
Garage Treasures and Other Things to Be Thankful For
Happy Thanksgiving, y’all. Today I am resting contentedly, the smell of cornbread is in the air, and I’m overwhelmed by all the goodness that’s seeped into my soul this year, even if it stung a little on the outset. Struggles and pain and suffering often accompany the growth process, but oh the sweet joy of…
Why Are You So Afraid?
I’m sitting listening to the rain, having just discovered my parents’ neighborhood is flooding and my dad can’t get home right now due to highway and road closures. All is well with their house, but oh the damage a storm can cause. It made me think of Jesus on the boat with the disciples and…
A Picture of What 