Dreams

by Macy Johnson

“And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”

(Matthew 2:12 NIV)

I watched a Netflix documentary on the human brain. The first episode was about memories. Although somewhat useful, I was more interested in episode #2 – Dreams.

Writer's Block

by Macy Johnson

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,

and to the ends of the earth.”

(Acts 1:8 NIV)

“Lord, I’m empty. There are no words to write,” I complained.

For months the words, the ideas flowed. But now a desert, a dry, arid plateau settled in my mind. I reviewed jotted lists, thoughts, memories, but nothing sprang to life to write about. Instead, a still, small voice whispered, “Wait.” I don’t like to wait. I want everything now, neatly laid out on a computer screen.

Gather

by Macy Johnson

“And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds,

from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.”

(Mark 13:27 NIV)

January approached and I asked God what my word for the new year would be: Gather.

Merriam-Webster defines gather as “the most general term for bringing or coming together from a spread-out or scattered state. It often implies careful selection or orderly arrangement.”

Leather Jacket

by Macy Johnson

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.”

(Matthew 7:7

Georgia’s sunny, winter days call for light jackets, not heavy coats.

I wished for many years of owning a black, genuine-leather jacket, but settled instead for ones crafted out of vinyl. Vinyl jackets are flimsy, wear at the collar, peel apart, scratch my neck, and ultimately end up in the trash.

My dormant, leather-jacket search was awakened one Sunday before Christmas.

Widen the Circle

by Macy Johnson

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”

(Ephesians 1:13 NIV)

My knee jiggled nonstop under the exquisitely-decorated table. A friend leaned over and whispered, “Are you nervous?”

“I’m always nervous before a performance, even on Sunday mornings before the worship service,” I admitted.

Suits of a Different Color

by Macy Johnson

“Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.”

(Daniel 7:3 NIV)

Seated at the Bridge table I glanced down at thirteen playing cards fanned out in my left hand.

A roaming heart appeared in my diamond pile. I looked up at the players at my table and asked, “Why are there only two colors, red and black, in playing cards? I think each suit should have its own color.”

Afternoon Prayers

by Macy Johnson

“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon.”

(Acts 3:1 NIV)

Every afternoon at three o’clock assorted temptations, disguised as harmless distractions, knock on the door of my mind.

It started when I was a teenager. I jumped off the afternoon school bus and raced home to a much-anticipated snack. Mid-afternoon was my comfort time, my down time, my time to relax and chill.