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Discovering Jesus…This Season
“What does your platform look like?” I looked around to make sure nobody heard my response. “I don’t have one.” The young publisher looked at my children’s book synopsis and my motivational story before returning them to me. “You need to work on that,” she said kindly. “You won’t find a traditional publisher that will take your stories without social media followers.” My heart sank. How do I do it? Where do I start? It was my first Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers’ Conference, and it was exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. That afternoon I attended a class where the speaker said: “A platform is a way…
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To Wish or to Hope, that is the Question
“Happy New Year!” Our family and friends sang in unison as we slammed the door on 2022. “Make a wish everybody!” someone chanted. “Let’s hope for a great 2023!” Early the next morning, I plopped in my favorite chair with a gigantic cup of coffee, my Bible and journal. Two words resounded from the night before: “wish” and “hope.” I wondered which one was the best to use to usher in the new year, so I went to Google. Wish is to have a desire for (something, such as something unattainable, unlikely to happen. (merriam-webster.com) Hope as “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen; a…
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When all that’s Left is a Naked Tree
“Happy New Year!” Our house exploded with family and friends hugging and wishing each other the best of everything. As much as I enjoyed the celebrations and gift-giving, I was ready to put everything away and start the new year in a clean and tidy house. Early the next morning I went room by room, putting everything away, living the tree for last. “You missed an ornament,” my husband said pointing to the center of the tree. It was a nativity scene ornament, a gift from some dear friends, hiding behind some branches. “Poor thing,” he added, “Just last night it was shining so bright. After removing the ornaments and…
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The Great Exchange
“Hurry up, we don’t have much time!” my husband rushed into the kitchen. We grabbed a cup of coffee and headed to the kitchen table. The race track was set. On the left: boxes and wrapping paper. On the right: scissors and tape. Pine scented candles and holiday music served as happy spectators. The oven timer served as the referee that would blow his whistle in the two hours, right before the kids came home from school. “On your mark, get set, go!” he laughed. “And remember to save the receipts in case we have to return anything.” As the race against time began, I admired the gifts. We carefully…
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Servant or Friend?
“Did you hear the news? My friend asked. “Queen Elizabeth of England died!” I rushed to the TV and joined millions around the world, to watch news updates, commentaries, and documentaries about Her Majesty’s life. It was late in the day when a documentary about the Queen’s personal life caught my attention. It delved into a day in the life of the Queen, surrounded by many servants, referred to as “Lady-in-waiting.” A servant is a person who performs duties for others, a personal attendant, a person employed in the service of a government, or a devoted and helpful follower or supporter (New Oxford American Dictionary). The term usually implies performing…
