by Marie | May 24, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognised His picture when I saw it, but I didn’t know Him. But later on, when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don’t know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable, it was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, “Pedal!” I worried and was anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure, and when I said, “I’m scared,” He’d lean back and touch my hand. I gained love, peace, acceptance
;
by Marie | May 23, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background. A sign on the receptionist’s counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office. The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants in the waiting area. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in. Naturally, the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. They muttered among themselves that they hadn’t heard any summons yet. They assumed that the young man who went into the office had made a mistake and would be disqualified. Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants, “Gentlemen, thank you for coming, but the job has just been filled.” The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up, saying, “Wait a minute, I don’t understand.
;
by Marie | May 22, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
Boudreaux lived across the bayou from Clarence, whom he didn’t like at all. All the time, they would yell across the bayou at each other. Boudreaux would yell to Clearance,… Boudreaux lived across the bayou from Clarence, whom he didn’t like at all. All the time, they would yell across the bayou at each other. Boudreaux would yell to Clearance, “If I had a way to cross this bayou, I’d come over there and teach you good, yeah! This went on for years. Finally, the state built a bridge across the bayou right by their houses. Boudreaux’s wife said to him, “Now is your chance, Boudreaux. Why don’t you go over there and teach him good like you say?” Boudreaux started across the bridge, and partway across, he saw a sign and stopped to read it. Then he turned to go back home. His wife said, “Why are you back so soon?” Boudreaux replied, “I changed my mind about Clarence. They have a sign on that bridge that says Clarence is 13’ 6”. You know he doesn’t look that big when I yell at him from across the bayou…!” Twelve spies crossed into the land God had already planned for Israel to have. Two of them saw the opportunities God would provide; unfortunately, ten of them saw only the giants
;
by Marie | May 21, 2025 | Archives, Attitude
Wait Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried. Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied. I pleaded and I wept for a clue to my fate, And the Master so gently said; “Child, you… Wait Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried. Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied. I pleaded and I wept for a clue to my fate, And the Master so gently said; “Child, you must wait!” “‘Wait?’, you say, wait!” my indignant reply. Lord, I need answers, I need to know why! Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By FAITH I have asked, and am claiming your Word. “My future and all to which I can relate Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to WAIT? I’m needing a ‘yes,’ a go-ahead sign, Or even a ‘no’ to which I can resign. “And Lord, you promised that if we believe We need but to ask, and we shall receive. And Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry: I’m weary of asking! I need a reply!” Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate As my Master replied once again, “You must wait.” So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut And grumbled to God, “So, I’m waiting… for what?” He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes wept with mine, And he tenderly said, “I could give
;
by Marie | May 20, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
Pickup in the Rain One night, at 11.30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her… Pickup in the Rain One night, at 11.30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, which was generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by, and a knock came on the man’s door. To his surprise, a giant colour TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. It read: “Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.” Meditation: But whoever
;
