The Library Heist
Gathering my stack of books, I headed for the counter. Once again I had exceeded the number of books allowed at one time and I was struggling with what to put back. It took me another ten minutes to decide before checking them out. As I did, I wondered if I’d chosen wisely, if the books I’d put back would still be there when I returned
Stage Fright
Like a good beginner, Jean spent hours in practice, in addition to orchestra rehearsals, to learn bowing and fingering. Within a year, she felt comfortable with the instrument – just in time to enter an amateur talent contest at the school. “Of course,” she remembers with a smirk, “I didn’t expect to win.”
The Singing Seraphim
“Humph!” I thought grumpily. “I bet you’ll be glad when you have a knee replacement and get out of that chair!” Then I went outside into the sunny parking lot, where I heard a loud, clear, and joyful voice singing. It flowed from the senior woman as she quickly moved her feet like pedals and scuttled her wheelchair across the parking lot toward her vehicle.
The Pursuit of J.O.Y
Like fire and gasoline, Ken’s negativity and my optimism can be a volatile mix. Yet, we have been married for more than a quarter of a century. The occasional eruptions and some long periods of unrest we have withstood are offset by the joy we share.
God’s Symphony in My Backyard
Music is for worshiping God. As the psalmist proclaims, “For this I will extol you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name” (Ps 18:49). But such praise is not only reserved for humankind. All creation sings to God. “Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! . . . Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!” (Ps 148:10, 150:6).
Just Like Me
Right or wrong, Nathan was watching me. Right or wrong, he was imitating my behavior. And it seemed that I was doing a whole lot more wrong than right.