Several years ago I walked up to the bedside of my newly-arrived patient and asked her what all the lesions that covered her legs and belly were. She said “leprosy.” I literally backed out of the room, bathed myself with sanitizer, and called the CDC. Turned out we didn’t need an oxygen-tank-Ebola-suit after all, just good old contact precautions would…
A Reason to Smile
This picture was taken after I received the call, after we picked up my brother, and after we traveled down to Little Rock. This picture was taken hours after my dad died. And it has always baffled me. I’ve looked at it for 21 years now, and I have almost come to loathe it. Why am I smiling? Sitting on…
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
I took about 20 pictures of the gorgeous sunrise on my drive to work the other morning. Out of all of them, I got only this one that did the sky anywhere close to justice. As I was driving, snapping phone pics out the window going 60 mph, I found myself repeating, “His mercies are new every morning. Great is…
Wall Builders
Driving home this evening after a challenging day at work, I listened to my favorite podcast and learned about an organization called Wall Builders. In the introduction, it was explained the name Wall Builders was taken from the Bible book of Nehemiah. David Barton, the founder of this organization, explained he really loved the idea and image of rebuilding what…
Built to Last!
During this time of year, for many years now, I am silently strengthened by the deep faith of two Facebook friends. One friend celebrates her son’s birthday. Dustin Chamberlain would have been 28 years old! What?! But Dustin has been absent from the family for, as Deondra writes, 2,733 days! He was horribly and shockingly killed by a home intruder.…
Let the Son Shine Down!
Wow! We’ve had a lot of rain lately! Our Arkansas the beautiful is experiencing crazy flooding. Apparently, even our route to Camp Yorktown Bay is flooded and for now, a different route has to be made! Sitting outside this morning, I noticed my beautiful pot of flowers! Not so beautiful at the moment. Wilted, soggy, closed, beat down. I thought…
Walk His Way!
I am a creature of habit. Thai restaurant? Pad Thai. (There’s nothing better) Extra cheese? No! (My way of dieting) Mexican Food? Yes! (Just yes!) I don’t like change. I like to know what to expect and where things are. I love the beach and I love the good old El Matador condo. I came here as a kid. It’s…
Here’s Some Advice for You!
Advice. Do you like getting it? Do you take it or leave it? Sometimes if we ask for advice, we like it! 🤓 If we don’t ask for it, then watch out! 😡 Jesus has given us so many promises. He’s given us words of comfort. He’s given us sound guidance. All those words are packed into our brains. But,…
Let’s Finish the Race!
Walking into the house after being out of town for the weekend, I dropped my bag on the kitchen table. I instantly noticed my tulips. It was already dark outside, but these little tulip stalks were still straining towards the window, towards the light that had shown through on them hours earlier. They were stretched out almost pulling themselves from…
Grab It!
A blog post by a new contributor — Cindy Mercer. Have you ever had something rivet you from a deep sleep…maybe a thought, undetermined sounds or maybe a strange dream? Oddly, I was startled at 2 am this morning when an image of stainless steel salad tongs suddenly appeared in my mind. Yes…weird I know. Then, the words “There it…