There’s nothing I enjoy more than being on the ice, figure skating. The freedom of movement, the cold air, gliding to music, I find invigorating. While skating, I am immersed in the moment, the rest of the day put on hold. Yet I didn’t always experience this pure enjoyment. For many years I took lessons in ice dancing. A group of us adults would take tests, working to move up the ranks of the sport. In my drive to excel, I sometimes deprived myself of enjoying the day’s practice—by focusing on my paucity of progress, or comparing myself to someone…
Spring has sprung—except where I live. Here in northern New York we still have nearly a foot of snow on the ground, although moderating temperatures are bringing the drip drip drip of melting. Us locals know spring doesn’t really arrive for another month. Yet it will come! As the sun warms the earth and winter’s glory fades, it’s always amazing how plants in the yard that looked dead return to life. Tender shoots appear, soon to burst into lush green leaves and colorful flowers. Our lovely lilac bush, nearly buried by recent storms, appears dead and forgotten—but two months from now…
Nothing is as satisfying as a good meal when you’re hungry. Most of us are blessed to have full refrigerators and stocked pantries. It’s easy to grab a snack any time of the day the stomach growls. But what about spiritual hunger? Jesus said if we believe on Him and go to Him we would never go hungry, for He is the “bread of life.” “And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.’” (John 6:35) Any time we find ourselves…
Years ago scientists conducted an experiment to see the effect hope has on those undergoing hardship. Two groups of laboratory rats were placed in separate tubs of water. Researchers left one set alone and discovered within an hour they had all drowned. The other rats were periodically lifted out of the water and then returned. When that happened, the second group of rats swam for over 24 hours. Why? Not because they were given rest breaks, but because they suddenly had hope! The rats somehow hoped that if they could stay afloat for just a little longer, someone would reach…
