Orchid blooms bowed toward me as I circled the aisle. I selected a tall beauty with gorgeous, snowy blooms. The horticulturalist grinned as she helped me take the plant down from its perch. "This is a good one. See, the flowers haven't all opened yet." As we began the transaction,…
Born Hungry for Stories Before she can speak, an infant's cry expresses her yearning. A loving voice swaddles the new soul. The words may come with music or the mere sound of turning pages, but they capture her heart and mind either way. The child quiets, listens, grows calm. As if…
Imagine living in a hand-scooped trench beneath a pier. A few years of stubble grown past the high school complexion, but hope no longer sparkles in the eyes. Consider the ocean view of an orphaned young man. Waves batter the shores without mercy. The horizon brings days of hard labor which…
My employee twisted the phone receiver away from her ear. From three feet away, I heard the machine-gun sounds of our area supervisor's voice. After the call ended, I patted the case worker's shoulder. "I'll talk to her." For the past three months, I had started each work day by convincing…
"Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume;…