A Knight's Journey

(free photo from pixabay.com) Earlier this week Jeff asked me a question about the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.  I had thought of it before when I had written a few Christmas Plays for our home church (many eons ago!!) but had been so busy of late, I had not paused long enough to think.  I haven't had the joy of watching any Nativity movies in many years about the birth of Christ--which was something I always enjoyed!  A few select HGTV shows or a couple of the better Hallmark movies in the spare parts of the week have been the sum of it.   Early one morning this week, I asked the LORD to help me write out some possibilities of what it might have been like.   I know Bible scholars would probably disagree with many things here--especially me not using the name Yahweh, as is used in the Old Testament, but I'm writing this for the joy of reading the story--and using what I know Him to be:  My Heavenly Father, God. I'm not saying this is "it",...

Yesterday morning, I begrudgingly got out of bed, still exhausted from the previous day; however, I knew my mind wouldn’t let me stay.     Too many things racing to be lined up for the day.   So many changes this year—they came rushing in on the coattails of last year. We are no longer inching through weeks, months and years; we seem to be rushing headlong into 2024.  What does it hold?  For many people, much of the same as the last few years, for others, they are headed into the great unknown of dreams and plans long in the making.  Some are about to hold a brand-new life, whether their first or third baby, the changes that little one will make will impact the full 24 hours of every-single-day.  And many others are about to step into a new job or new school.     Those on my mind this morning are the ones who have been handed a more drastic change of life—the last days of having a loved one close by.  All of...

How many times growing up did you hear that phrase?  "Close the door!"  If it involved a screen door it might be, "don't slam the door".   In the early hours of Saturday morning I woke up praying.  Has that ever happened to you?  I've had it happen a few times--and it always involved a dream where prayer, urgent prayer was needed-immediately.  It was 2:04 AM.  When I woke, I was actually praying in the Spirit and the need was critical.  I'll explain in a minute.   I got up and came to the living room--knowing there was someone I needed to pray for but didn't know who.  On my knees I called out to our Father in Heaven.  I don't always kneel--sometimes I sit--but this feeling that I had--I felt I needed to kneel--like we did as grandchildren growing up when we stayed summers with Mama and Paw-Paw.  On my knees it's easier to block out other things. I don't remember how long I prayed--but when I finished I took my notebook and beg...

Yesterday, when I sat down to write and pray, I did what I always do: write the date.  August 1, 2023.  I knew immediately what Wednesday, August 2, 2023 would represent.  Seven years since the diagnosis of breast cancer marched into my ears, as if it was going to take up permanent residence.  It was not. There are some things that chemotherapy snatched away from my memories--but that day feels as if it is grounded in concrete with rebar.  After my physician, Dr. Sheffield, came into the room and gave me those words--I was not even sure I heard her correctly.  But I mentally shook myself alert as the facts sank in.  I almost typed the word "truth sank in", but the truth is--the TRUTH had already sank in--years before.  These were simply some current facts of life. The TRUTH was and is-- I am fearfully and wonderfully made-- and no weapon formed against me shall prosper.  These are truths that had so knitted themselves into my soul that even...

Sometimes I have a dream that sticks.  It's not often--but it happens.  In the wee hours of today--it happened.  The thing is, I only remember a small portion: "I was on highway 177 in Bonifay and a tragic accident had taken place somewhere between Miller's Crossroads and Bethlehem School.  Tragic enough that it caused a very large gaping hole in the earth/road.  I remember being on a motored bike of some sort--and I had seen it all from above the situation (don't ask me how).  I dreamed I was suddenly further back on the highway--closer to 79 and I was driving fast to give warning.  I knew that if people didn't turn around--they would be stuck.  The traffic on that road in the dream looked more like I-10--heavy traffic.  Lots of cars and trucks.  I went from vehicle to vehicle telling people about what was ahead and that if they didn't find a turning around place in the road and go back they would be stuck--for no telling how many hours...

I had so much trouble this morning getting signed on that I forgot what I had on my heart to share!  How crazy is that?  It happens.  To all of us. I woke during the night this weekend, to a storm--a big one.  But because we have a roof over our heads and I was safe in my bed, I didn't worry or fret.  That's not the case with so many in the world.  This is going to be kind of heavy...I've not seen the movie [yet] that is a hot topic of discussion about child trafficking...since we have some people who are close to us in various cities who are foster parents...I am not sure I can watch it.  I've held some of the babies they are protecting...the children...the littles.  I can tell you right now--all "good thoughts and intentions" in my head gets shoved out of the way when I think of what's happening to the children right now all over the world.  My blood pressure rises and everything in me wants to rage and turn into the Incredible Mama Hulk ov...