Like grass

"As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone."* — Psalm 103:15-16 The psalmist says our days are like grass and I have been trying all week to make that

The first April

"In my Father's house there are many dwelling places."* — John 14:2 I was looking out the kitchen window this morning at the yard and the fence and the barn and the field beyond, and I was remembering the first April. We moved here in March

The garden is done

"He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry."* — Psalm 147:8-9 Henry came by this morning and I was already in the garden

The son who calls

"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

The light is different now

"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

Sunday Evening

"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

He went to him

"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

The frost did not come

"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

Stopped thinking about going

"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

October is beautiful

"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

The house on Franklin Street

"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,

I am going to need a book

"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

The spring set to open

"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

Sunday Evening

"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

Miss Ruby, he went back

"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

A rut worn deep enough

"Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart." — Luke 18:1 Luke says he told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart, and I notice that Luke tells you what the parable

The size of one day

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." — Psalm 90:12 I do not number my days. I have never once sat down and worked out how many I have had or how many are likely left, and I am not

While the light is free

"Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." — James 1:17 My mother used to say: do it while the light is free. She meant get

The state I would call honest

"You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with richness." — Psalm 65:11 The garden this morning is in the state I would call honest. Nothing out there is pretending. The bean vines are brown string on the poles. The squash gave out weeks ago

The year comes level

"He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." — Ecclesiastes 3:11 Tonight a little after eight o'clock the

I was standing there when it did

"Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray." — Proverbs 22:6 I taught third grade at Lexington Elementary for five years before I stopped to have babies, and in the fall of 1975 there was a boy in my class named Curtis who

Sunday Evening

"May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves." — Psalm 126:5-6 It is Sunday evening and I am not going to be able to

There was a boy in the circle

"Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear." — Isaiah 65:24 There was a boy in the circle this morning that I did not know was coming, and he was my grandson. I teach the third and fourth graders at Trinity. Eight

The watches of the night

"When I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy." — Psalm 63:6-7 I was awake at three and I did not