I am a Christian, a retired teacher, a mother and a grandmother. I love to read and I love the Lord Jesus Christ! Unless otherwise specified ,all visual illustrations are from the YOU VERSION APP of the Bible.
This is a word that is hard to define or even describe. It’s much easier to think about its antonyms than its synonyms. When I looked up the word in an online dictionary, I found that it is defined as lowliness, with an antonym being pride. Well, that wasn’t much help. Jesus was humble and I want to grow in that trait, but I don’t know how if I can’t understand the definition. In my struggle, I finally came to terms with the fact that if I am thinking of myself first, I am not showing humility. If I consider myself “more than” others, whether it is more intelligent, more talented, prettier, etc. I am not being humble. Our yardstick of measurement is always the Lord and I am always less than in His presence. So, what is the purpose of humility?
It is when we are humble that we are teachable. That is when the Lord can guide us, when we get off our throne of knowledge and self-sufficiency and admit that we are nothing without the Lord. There is nothing I am and nothing that I can do without His guiding hand and help. He teaches me daily the way I should go, the things I should say (or in my case, it is mostly the things I should not say) and the people that I should approach and offer encouragement. But God can only do that if I am willing to put myself out there before Him and listen to what He is telling me to do and say and be. That means starting off with being humble before the King of the Universe.
When we humble ourselves before God, we don’t stay in that position forever. God lifts us up if we will allow Him to do so. It is when we are “tooting our own horns” that we cannot hear God’s instructions and the encouragement that only He can give. The promise is that He WILL lift you up, but this is like a conditional promise. First you humble yourself and then He does the “good job” part. I have found that sometimes I get ahead of God and I’m patting myself on the back before He can even tell me what else I need to do or what I should have done instead. That is not humility in action but pride and God has had to show me numerous times that I need to take a step back and see things the way He sees them, including taking a good look at myself and my efforts. I may have the best intentions but if what I am doing is to glorify myself, I am destined to failure. Sometimes, it will look like success, but it will never be what God intended for it to be unless I learn His ways and practice the humility that will give Him all the glory, recognizing that I am a tool in the hands of the Almighty.
May you be blessed today as you go out and come in, as you meet others and as you are seen by God and by those you meet. May they see Christ in you, the humble servant of His Father.
God is calling us all to a relationship with Him but in our busy lives, we have turned aside and followed other paths. I believe with all of my heart that have passed the crossroads, much like the ancient civilizations of Israel and Judah. We have wandered down the wrong path, away from our roots of faith and God’s blessings. I don’t know if it’s too late to return to the original path, but I know that we, as Christians, need to be sounding the alarm that the path we are taking as a nation is the wrong one. We stood at a crossroads and went the wrong way. I don’t know when it happened. I just see all of the evidence that it did, and I fear for the future of our nation. God’s chosen people was Israel and yet, they ceased to exist for hundreds of years because of their stubborn refusal to repent and acknowledge God as Lord. Israel had the wrong leaders and their priests were not doing their job to keep the people focused on God. Is the U.S.A. on the same pathway to destruction? I fear that it is, but my hope lies in the Lord who will be with His people regardless of the judgment that is to come. We have passed the crossroads and are wandering in the wilderness of sin. All I can say is that we need to turn back, return to God and ask Him for mercy for our ungodly nation.
The story of breast cancer survivor Sophie Eicher and widower Karl Graber just reached out and touched my heart in so many ways. Sophie is a school teacher, looking for a new start in a new town, one in which her medical issues are not known by everyone. Karl is a shopkeeper who is quickly attracted to Sophie but he is quick to sense that she is keeping a secret. The townspeople are endearing, if a little meddlesome, especially Rose who is determined to be a matchmaker. I really enjoyed the scenes in the one-room schoolhouse and how organized Sophie was as well as her realistic dedication to instilling a love of learning in each of her pupils. The talents and personalities of each character were well portrayed and very realistic. My favorite character was Karl’s younger daughter Rachel who reminded me of Mary with the lambs since Rachel’s lambs seem to be in and out of mischief. I also liked the character of Joanna, Sophie’s sister who has come along with her for a new start. Joanna is a fun-loving but also compassionate about her sister and wants what is best for her. The romance was there but it took second place to the characters discovering each other’s vulnerabilities and strengths and finding out how their lives could fit together in spite of the past and hardships that they had faced. This is a book that is gut-wrenching at times, humorous at others and an all-around quick and engaging book. With a lot of details about Amish life, the story moved me right into the setting along with the characters and made me feel their anxiety and their desire to move on to a better future. With themes of overcoming life’s battles and helping others when they need it even when they don’t ask, this book is one with lessons to learn and a good story to enjoy. I am already looking forward to the second book in the series as this first one was so relatable and entertaining. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
A totally clean read and suitable for anyone who enjoys inspiring fictionUSA Today best-selling author Patricia Davids was born in Kansas. After forty years as an NICU nurse, Pat switched careers to become an inspirational writer. She now enjoys laid back life on a Kansas farm, spending time with her family and playing with her dog Sugar, who thinks fetch should be a twenty-four hour a day game. When not throwing a ball, Pat is happily dreaming up new stories where love and faith conquer all.
· Can you describe your hero and heroine in 3 words each?
Karl – devastated by loss. Sophie – convinced she’s dying.
· Are any of the holiday scenes in this book inspired by your own holiday traditions?
Funny you should ask. My brother puts on a living nativity for his church with sometimes hilarious results. I’ve added a few of them to my story.
· What are the key elements of a holiday romance?
I think the holiday must have some special significance to the character. For teacher Sophie, she is forced to come up with a school Christmas program on short notice at a new school. The event is the highlight of the Amish community and much anticipated. Is she up to the task? As things go wrong, can Karl help save the day?
· Is it difficult to come up with a specific Holiday themed novel every year?
Oh my goodness yes. Amish Christmas themed stories are hugely popular, but the Amish don’t celebrate the way we do. No trees or lights, only small gift exchanges. Portraying the Christmas spirit really comes from inside the characters.
· Do you decorate your writing room when you are writing a holiday book?
No, the Christmas story I’m working on is usually due 6 to 8 months before the holiday. My office is where I work but I do bling out the rest of home for the holidays.
· What is the best gift you’ve ever given? Recipient’s reaction?
I hid clues around my home and let my daughter and my grandchildren search for them in a scavenger hunt. When all the clues were gathered, they assembled them into a picture of a fishing lodge in Montana. Then I sent them on an all-expense paid road trip the following summer. They were thrilled and talked about making the trip for weeks.
· What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
The year I moved back to the farm to take care of my elderly dad after my mom passed away, I got to spend many hours with my youngest brother who managed the farm for our dad. Being eight years older, I had moved away before he left grade school. It was wonderful getting to know him. That Christmas he gave me a gold and silver heart-shaped necklace to thank me for taking care of our father. I was overwhelmed. He’s not a hugger but he got hugged that night.
· What’s next for you?
Amazingly, another Amish Christmas story. Christmas on His Doorstep releases on November 29th from Harlequin’s Love Inspired line.
Excerpt:
One
“Oh, Karl. Yoo-hoo!”
Karl Graber cringed at the sound of Rose Yoder calling his name. He was in no mood to deal with her this morning.
After burning the oatmeal at breakfast, he discovered his renter had moved out in the night without giving notice or paying his back rent. Now Karl was going to be late getting to the store because his buggy horse was limping.
He pretended he hadn’t heard Rose. Maybe the elderly Amish woman who claimed to be the most successful matchmaker in Harts Haven would go pester some other poor fellow.
Bent over Checker’s front foot, Karl noticed that a stone lodged between the horse’s steel shoe and his hoof was the gelding’s problem.
“Hallo, Karl! I must speak with you.”
The tenacity of the eighty-four-year-old romance peddler was another difficulty Karl had to face this morning.
“I’m not interested in meeting your latest hopeful,” he muttered under his breath.
If the stubborn stone would come out, he could be on his way before the elderly woman reached the end of the block and crossed the wide street.
“Daed, Granny Rose is calling you.” His six-year-old daughter, Rachel, stood up and waved. Rose wasn’t related to Karl, but due to her advanced age most of the children in Harts Haven called her Granny.
“She’s coming this way,” Clara informed him from the front seat of the open buggy. His ten-year-old daughter wasn’t any more excited to see Rose than Karl was. She suspected the same thing he did. Rose was on a matchmaking mission.
“Hallo, Granny Rose,” Rachel shouted happily. “We’re taking our puppies to the store so someone can buy them. Would you like to see them?”
The offending stone popped loose. Karl dropped Checker’s hoof. “Got to get the store open, Rose. Can’t take time to visit.”
When he spun around, it was already too late. She had reached the buggy ahead of him. How did someone her age move so fast? She didn’t even look winded.
“Guder mariye, Karl. I’m so glad I caught you. There is a chill in the air this morning, isn’t there?”
It was the second week of November. Of course the air was cool. Rose hadn’t intercepted him for idle chitchat. He moved to step around her since she was blocking the buggy door. “Customers will be waiting for me.”
Rose didn’t budge. Other than picking her up and setting her aside, he had no hope of leaving until she finished having her say. He resigned himself to hearing who she thought would be perfect for him this time. As if any woman could take the place of his Nora.
“Did you find us a new mother?” Rachel’s hopeful tone stabbed his heart. Rachel was too young to remember much about the mother who died when she was three. She only knew other children had both mothers and fathers, and she wanted the same thing.
Clara scowled at her sister. “We don’t need a new mother. Ours is in Heaven. No one can replace her.”
Clara understood. She was old enough to remember what Nora had been like. A sweet, gentle, bright and loving woman. The world was a darker place without her.
Rose’s cheerful expression softened with sympathy. “I’m still looking for someone special to join your family. Clara is right. She won’t be your mother. Instead, she will be your stepmother, but she will love you and take care of you as if you were her own.”
Rachel sighed. “I hope you find her soon.”
“That’s enough, Rachel,” Karl said. “What do you want, Rose?”
“I’m here to tell you about the new teacher. She arrived yesterday. She and her sister are staying at the inn for the time being. They are Grace Sutter’s nieces from the Amish side of her family.”
Grace was another elderly widow, Old Order Mennonite, and co-owner of the Harts Haven Inn along with Rose and Rose’s widowed daughter, Susanna King. The trio were all fond of meddling. A single man stood little chance of remaining unattached in this Amish community unless he avoided the widows. Rose’s knowing smile put Karl on his guard.
Rachel clapped her hands. “Yay, the new teacher is here. Now I can go back to school and be in the Christmas program. I hope I get to be an angel like Thea and Miriam Bachman last year. Their mother made the most beautiful wings for them.”
Rose grinned. “Your teacher’s name is Sophie Eicher. Her sister is Joanna. They are lovely young women.”
“Also single and hoping to find husbands in Harts Haven. I know what you’re doing, Rose. Not interested!” If his cutting tone didn’t drive his point home, maybe his scowl would.
Rose puffed up like an angry little hen. “Don’t take that tone with me, Karl Graber. For shame.”
He was thirty-two years old, but she made him feel like an errant toddler. “I’m sorry.”
She inclined her head. “You are forgiven. I stopped to tell you we are hosting a welcome party at the inn on Saturday so folks can meet Sophie and her sister. Would you kindly spread the word?”
He eyed her suspiciously. Where was the catch? “Sure. What time?”
“We’ll start at noon, but folks can come and go as they please.” She turned to his daughters. “I know you girls must be excited to go back to school.”
“Teacher Becky had to leave to take care of her mother because she got sick,” Rachel said. “I only went to school for one week. I don’t think I learned much.”
“I taught you letters and numbers,” Karl said.
Rachel’s lower lip jutted out. “Only so I could help at the store. Not to read a book.”
There weren’t enough hours in the day to run the hardware store, manage the farm work, cook, keep house and still find time to instruct his daughters. Most days, he struggled just to get out of bed. He was doing the best he could.
“How soon will school resume?” he asked Rose.
“The bishop and the school board haven’t decided.” She leveled her gaze at him. “I know you’ll be at the welcome party.”
That was the catch. Grimacing, he shook his head. “Social gatherings aren’t something I enjoy.”
Her eyes narrowed. “It is common courtesy to introduce yourself and your kinder to the new teacher. You remember what courtesy is, don’t you, Karl?” Rose turned on her heels and strode away.
His conscience smote him. It wasn’t right to be rude to anyone, yet alone an elder. He caught up with her in a few steps. “Rose, wait. I’m sorry.”
Glancing over his shoulder to make sure the girls couldn’t overhear; he lowered his voice. “It hasn’t been easy for me. Nora was the one who loved company. It doesn’t feel right to do things without her. It just makes me miss her more.”
Instantly, he was sorry he had shared that much.
Rose’s expression softened. “You have your daughters to consider. Nora wouldn’t want them shut up in the store all day. Nor would she approve of you taking them home straight after church services instead of letting them play with their friends so you can avoid talking to people. I understand grief, Karl. I buried my husband and a son-in-law who was dear to me. We all cope with loss differently, but don’t let your grief rob your kinder of their childhood.”
He focused on his feet. Maybe Rose was right. In his struggle to get through each day, he hadn’t always put his children’s welfare first. “I reckon I could close early for once. I’ll bring the girls to meet their new teacher.”
He looked up with a hard stare. “But don’t get the idea that I’ll go along with any of your matchmaking schemes.”
She shook her head. “Sophie needs someone special. You are completely wrong for her. I’m afraid the two of you would be at each other’s throats within a week.”
He drew back. “If she’s hard to get along with, should she be teaching?”
Rose poked her finger into his chest. “You are the problem, not Sophie.”
“Me? What’s wrong with me?”
“Plenty. You figure it out. Relax. You aren’t on my list of potential suitors.”
That made him smile. “You have a list already? I thought she only arrived yesterday.”
Rose grinned and winked. “There aren’t that many single Amish fellows in this area.”
Karl watched her walk away with a sense of relief that was quickly followed by an unsettling question. What did Rose think was wrong with him?
He kept to himself, but who could blame him? Losing his wife, his childhood sweetheart, had nearly broken him. Standing by helplessly as cancer sucked the life from her despite everything the doctors tried had devastated him.
His beautiful Nora had endured terrible pain. In her last days, he had stopped praying for her to be healed and only asked that God end her suffering and take her home. The guilt from those anguished thoughts never left him. He couldn’t love another woman. He was better off alone. He had his daughters. That was enough.
“Daed, we’re going to be late,” Clara called out.
Clara was trying hard to be his helper at home and in the business the way her mother had been. She worked hard. Perhaps too hard for a child her age. He returned to the buggy and got in. At least he didn’t have to worry about Rose trying to set him up with the new teacher. He wasn’t on her list.
It has been seven plus years since I grabbed a salt shaker and liberally sprinkled it on my food. Any food I ate was doused with a few shakes of that magic shaker that made things taste better, even brussel sprouts. But, alas! After my stroke, my sodium intake is restricted, so I don’t add salt to anything these days. In fact, I read labels to make sure that there is little sodium in anything that I eat or drink. It makes for a bland palate sometimes but it is also keeping my blood pressure down and hopefully saving me the grief of another stroke.
On the other hand, I am called to BE salt, and so are you. I never realized how much flavor salt added until I wasn’t allowed to use it. So in being salt, you don’t know what you are adding to the world because you are just there, doing what you are supposed to do, sprinkling the presence of Jesus into the lives of those who need to see Him.
We are called to show others Jesus’s love, mercy, grace and encouragement. In so doing, we are liberally sprinkling Jesus from our hearts to the hearts of others, hoping that change will happen in their lives. Just as you sprinkle salt on your food and it “magically” tastes better, so your salt in the lives of others should be making their lives better in some way. A smile of encouragement, a thank you that is heartfelt, a blessing in the lives of people who go unnoticed from day to day and have lost their sense of purpose in life. We are the ones Jesus told to “go and be”. He did not say to stay at home and hope that everything turns out okay for the rest of the world. Each time we go out into the world, we are supposed to sprinkle it with truth, love, hope and His greatest attribute of forgiveness. Think about it. What can you do to be more like salt to a dying world? They are dying from spoilage, the spoilage that comes from having sin take over their lives. Whether you call it being “woke” or whatever, the same fate awaits them. They will die in their sins without the hope of salvation unless the salt that we are meant to be sprinkles the truth and stands firmly knowing that we are changing the world, one dash of salt at a time.
My blessing for you today:
As a former pastor used to tell us at the end of each message, “May the Lord bless you real good.”
I would not say that I am claustrophobic, but I will admit that I am not a fan of closed in, tight spaces. I don’t like getting into closets during a tornado warning or closed doors at any time. I want to see the open spaces around me and know that I can walk around freely.
One of my verses in my devotional this morning gave me a new perspective on tight spaces. I don’t mind at all being hemmed in by God’s presence, surrounded by His protection, with His hand on me and telling me that He is there and it’s all going to be okay. That is not a tight space; rather, it is a place where I am free to trust and lean on Him.
There is freedom in knowing that God knows my name. I often wonder if He knows all of the people that are behind each name that I use. But then, I read this verse and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He knows my name, my nickname, my online names and all about each person that each name represents. That is awesome to think about, especially since as I age, I cannot always recall the names of those whom I know I have met and should know. God knows all of us intimately and completely and that gives me the freedom to offer myself to the only One who truly knows me and still loves me.
May each of you have a blessed and safe day. Let’s continue to pray for those in Florida affected by the devastation of Hurricane Ian. And if you have extra funds to donate, may I suggest Samaritan’s Purse. They have already mobilized and headed to the worst-hit places, taking hope, food, water and medical care with them.
I am so thankful to be home again! I got home yesterday afternoon, got most of my things unpacked and just relaxed in the environment that I am used to. The last ten days had been stressful but I survived and one of the main reasons that I was able to hold it together was my dependence on the Lord and my attitude of gratitude. It’s hard to be grumpy when you are grateful! And I am so grateful for family, friends, health, God’s provision…the list goes on and on. So, today is a day to praise. Is everything going well in my world? No, I have family in the hurricane in Florida, but both have assured me that they are okay. I even heard from my brother early this morning. They are on the backside of the storm and expecting possible tornadoes after the hurricane passes later today. But I am thankful that God is watching over both of them and confident that He will take care of them as He sees fit. He is God and there in none other!
Have a blessed day of gratitude to the Lord for all He has done, but mostly for Who He is!
How much does an act of kindness cost you? I would concur with all who say that it costs nothing. I would also remind you that some of the kindest people in the word seem to be those who are remembered well. Do you know the name of Fred Rogers? His gentle, quiet spirit on “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” attracted viewers from around the nation and perhaps the world. He encouraged the children who watched him regularly to “look for the helpers” during troubled times because they will always be there. How could he be so confident that the world is full of helpers? Because God put us here and that is one of our purposes. We need to look for ways to show kindness because the cost of it to us is nothing, but to the recipient, it may be everything.
One of the fruits of the spirit is kindness. Just be kind. Help the one struggling to carry a lot of packages, give your place in line to the mom with screaming toddlers, pick up that dropped piece of paper for the elderly man. It’s hard to imagine a world without kindness, a world in which there are no helpers stepping out. Be the one who helps, the one who shows kindness.
Wow! This Scripture is an eye-opener, isn’t it? God shows us daily the riches of His grace through the KINDNESS of Christ Jesus. If we are to follow Christ’s example, then we need to show kindness to others. After all, don’t we want them to see Jesus in us and wonder what makes us different from others?
Have a blessed day and may God’s grace fill you with kindness so that you may unselfishly reach out to do for others what you would like someone to do for you.
I was told for many years even before I finished high school that when opportunity knocks, I have to open the door. Today, this verse was in my devotional and reminded me of my grandparents’ saying and also expanded on it in a spiritual way. We are always to be ready to tell others about Jesus. There is a world of hurting people who need to know him and we need to seize the time that He has given us to share His love, mercy and grace with them. Yes, the days are evil, but God is good and we need to tell His Story to all who will listen.
I want others to find this rest that only comes from God. In the midst of life’s turmoil, you can find rest and peace in Him, knowing that He can be trusted with your eternal security.
Have a blessed day and when the opportunity arises to share about Jesus, jump in with faith and tell what He has done for you!
I have to confess that my compassion has been sorely tested this last week. Staying with someone who is absorbed by bitterness and anger is frustrating and hurtful. Every morning I need new strength to face whatever that day’s complaints are. And then, God shows me words from His Holy Word that pierce my soul and let me know that what I am doing, the small things that I accomplish daily, are but a drop in the bucket to the compassion He would like to teach me to have.
It’s hard to sing a song of praise around someone who is morose, grieving so many losses in her life. But I sing quietly to myself and then go out to just listen and offer quiet words of comfort. That has been my life this week.
I have found that I need to get ready each day with the armor of God but also with compassion and kindness and patience. The situation is not likely to change, but I can change how I react to it. I know that I would have problems dealing with all that my sister is dealing with, so I am trying to see things through her eyes. Her vision is clouded with macular degeneration and her heart’s vision is clouded with bitterness. But I can see clearly that what she needs is a touch from the Lord and that is what I am praying for and then waiting for the answer.
Jesus did not come so that we can hold grudges but so that we can forgive and be forgiven. This last week has been hard, but kindness has helped.
So, I wait for God to act. I have advised, prayed, given quiet counsel and listened. Now, the infinite wisdom and love of God needs to take over in all of the places where I have failed to make a difference, to consume a bitter life with His unending love. And so I wait.
For what are you waiting? God’s timing is always perfect, so no matter how long it takes, persist in prayer and wait patiently for the Lord to act. His way is not my way, but His way is perfect and that’s what I am waiting for.
Have a blessed day as you wait or as you rejoice because this time the waiting is over for you!
