Ruby Hayes is a retired schoolteacher and widow from Lexington, Virginia. Most mornings she is up before the house, writing at her kitchen table with her Bible open and Earl's old mug full of coffee.
devotional
"In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength."* — Isaiah 30:15 Dan called tonight at eight o'clock, which is when Dan calls, because Dan is a man who does things at the time he has always done
devotional
"Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."* — Psalm 143:8 The light is different now. I do not mean the obvious things, which
"But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hand." — Psalm 31:14-15 It is Sunday evening and October is here. I have been living with September people all week. Monday I sat in the kitchen
"But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity." — Luke 10:33 The lesson this morning was the good Samaritan and I have taught it more times than I can count, which means I have also learned it more
"Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you." — Jeremiah 29:12 Saturday morning. The frost did not come last night. I checked the weather at nine o'clock and covered the tomatoes with the old sheets the way I
"I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." — John 15:5 I have been sitting with the word abide for three days. It is an old word and
"So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day." — 2 Corinthians 4:16 Dear Earl, It is October. I have never liked the way the calendar turns on this one. September to October is
"A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity." — Proverbs 17:17 Ray called tonight and I almost did not answer because I was washing the skillet and my hands were wet and I do not like picking up the phone with wet hands,
"God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day." — Genesis 1:31 There was a bird at the feeder this morning that I have never seen. Not the cardinal, who was there first
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 There is a kind of prayer that does not ask for anything. I have been doing it more this year and
"Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy." — Psalm 96:11-12 It is Sunday evening and the
"I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you." — 2 Timothy 1:5 There were eight children in the circle this morning and one of them called me Miss