From My Front Porch

Life's stories connect lives

You May Not Deserve Your Church

body-of-christ“Go be a blessing!” Our pastor years ago ended every sermon with this short exhortation. He explained repeatedly over his ten-year tenure that if we come and go to GET a blessing, we’ll likely be disappointed, but if we come and go to BE a blessing, we’ll always GET one.
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Grateful Begets Grateful

grandsons1 “Tank Tu, Gamma!” my little grandsons say for every glass of juice or slice of apple I give.  “You’re welcome!” I always reply.

This may come as a shock, but they did not spontaneously start expressing gratitude upon discovering the wonders their grandparents would lavish on them. In fact, their more natural reactions were “Mine!” at the thought of getting their grubby little hands on some fabulous toy or treat. Gratefulness simply wasn’t in their wheelhouse, and most days it still isn’t. They’re little, though, so we’ll cut them some slack. [Read more…]

Peace and Tolerance Begin With ME

Richmond, VA Police Presence at Protest
Richmond, VA Police Presence at Protest

Obviously, this has been a rough week on American soil. People invested themselves heavily in the outcome of our election, and many found themselves bitterly disappointed: emphasis on bitterly. Still others found themselves elated and took to social media with their gloating. I’ve been through disappointing elections and have also been elated with outcomes of presidential races, but I’ve never seen so many people truly and deeply struggling with an outcome the way they have this time. [Read more…]

Judging a Book

 

My nephew Michael definitely lives in a knock-knock joke world. His little man keeps us all laughing.
My nephew Michael definitely lives in a knock-knock joke world. His little man keeps us all laughing.

My grocery trip today jogged my thinking as I observed two nearly identical sets of men doing their shopping. Both sets clearly from the same socio-economic group, their camouflage hats, overalls, and  baseball caps begged for stereotyping. Their earthy scent suggested regular baths were not a high priority. [For the record, the camo boys in our photo are fans of regular baths.] [Read more…]

Sisterhood of Traveling Attitude: Traveling North

We lost Mom over ten years ago, and one sister is missing from this photo. Insert a sister-in-law, and stir for instant fun.
We lost Mom over ten years ago, and one sister is missing from this photo. Insert a sister-in-law, and stir for instant fun.

They’re coming! My sisters are coming to Michigan! If you haven’t read it, “Sisterhood of the Traveling Attitude” will explain my excitement. Four of my five sisters are headed this way with SUVs bulging. We’ll invade Houghton Lake and fish, cook, sunbathe, lounge, and all other sorts of activity that may or may not pass public muster. [Read more…]