...a word from Kathy

S o this morning I was sitting in my prayer chair and forcing myself to “de-Christmas” myself. I know this sounds strange . But my life these last few weeks has had little to do with a Saviour’s birth and MUCH to do with cooking, wrapping, buying, decorating, and stressing over who-is-getting-what-and-will-they-like-it”. I began thinking about the gift giving and how it is supposed to represent our celebration of the birth of Jesus into our world. We ARE celebrating His magnificent Self coming into our world. What Glory that is for the God of the universe to squeeze Himself into our world. Ahhh, I thought, I can’t possibly understand what that even means. But, if I could understand His Glory perhaps I could better understand my great need for a Saviour. Isn’t that our problem in the world…we don’t really think we need a Saviour. We’ve got it “under control”. So how can we even start to understand His Glory, His great Light to the world? Think with me. Did your mama e...

O ne of my favorite Christmas songs is, I’ll be home for Christmas ♪♫ I’ll be home for Christmas, you can count on me. Please have snow and mistletoe and presents on the tree. Christmas Eve will find me where the lovelight gleams; I’ll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams. ♫♪ Humming this tune for the last several weeks has brought to mind many people who will be traveling home for Christmas. Those who even now are planning and packing and anticipating the love and joy their arrival will create. I remember the loneliness of long nights at the campus library wanting nothing more that to be home experiencing Christmas with my family. I remember the excitement of finals ending and being on the road headed home for Christmas break. My son is coming home for Christmas. I haven’t seen him since August so yes, I’m thrilled, nervous and anticipating all at the same time! I’m anticipating long talks, great laughs, and a celebration of the Saviour being born. A Saviour tha...

S ome of you know that I have two children, a son who is 22 and a daughter who is 17. My daughter is in her senior year of high school. (For those of you, who have raised a high-school senior daughter, you may now stop and pray for me….that I not torture her, disown her or continuously cry until her graduation in May!) Thus far this senior year has felt a bit like the holidays. All hustle and bustle, deadlines, applications due, celebrations, money needed, invitations ordered, gifts, gowns, going, going and going. On November 23, we were having such a morning. And in all the hustle and bustle tempers flared, words were exchanged, doors slammed and she was gone. Ugh…motherhood!!! I went straight for my coffee and quiet time. I furiously opened my devotional book and read these words: “Entrust your loved ones to me; release them into My protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. When you release loved ones to me, you are free to cl...

T hanksgiving approaches and regardless of your family traditions, foods or gathering time we have a lot in common…a lot of food to eat, football games, casseroles, family we love, family we tolerate, dirty dishes, kitchen duty and a Martha. Martha is the one who keeps it all rolling – she’s the one orchestrating the gathering. She’s the one serving. You remember Martha in the Bible: As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman, named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. Luke 10:38-39 And then again in John 11:20-22, 27 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord, “ Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” “Yes,...

R emember the movie, Field of Dreams ….Build it and they will come?? Well, last Saturday night they came… I sat amongst 101,000 screaming people in a football stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It was quite an experience especially when coupled with the additional 90,000 people outside the stadium expressing just as much enthusiasm but without tickets to enter. Our team played well and lost but the screaming thousands offered all they had in the way of encouragement. A few days later, the randomness of my mind began thinking of all the days, nights and Saturdays I’ve spent in and around a ball field. Cold Saturday mornings, supporting my son’s peewee soccer team or Friday nights sitting on hard bleachers supporting my daughter’s cheer leading efforts. And the fact that my husband and I have always worked in higher education has led to attending many athletic events. In thinking about these times, I honestly don’t recall many specific games but I have an unwavering memory of...

D o you remember that girl in your high school class that won all the beauty pageants, homecoming votes, and most everything votes? That wasn’t me and I daresay it wasn’t you as those people are rare – I mean there is just one prize and many of us. My friend tells me she was never the rose-carrying, crown wearing winner but always nominated!! It was her best friend who always won! So true for many of us… …so a month ago when a young girl I know was crowned Homecoming Queen, it was delightful for my friend and me to hold her roses! We wanted to wear the crown but resisted snatching it off her beautiful head :)! The celebration was outstanding that evening. Hundreds of hugs and congratulations were heard and felt. So many mega-watt smiles and pictures were taken – all of us wanting to be pictured with the Queen. This precious girl is loved by many and had a night of nights that will long be remembered. There was another girl in ...

T his week I walked into my momma’s room and she was asleep. I stood before her in silence expecting her to sense my presence. She did not. As I approached her I touched her arm and she opened her light-green eyes. Momma's eyes have loved on me for 53 years. And I have to say her eyes have actually adored me, spoiled me, showed me unconditional love, laughed with me and cried with me. But today those same eyes looked at me and did not know me. I sat with my momma for several hours today. At times, w e sat in silence and at times we sat in a confused state of meaningless words. But what a great day because she was there and so was I. I often have this same experience in my own mind and heart: either I have no words to speak or too many words to get out of my head. It seems I’m either sitting before the Lord in silence or babbling to Him in concentric circles. Is this old age? Or is this just life with a husband recently out of the hospital, a sick and el...