Elaeagnus

 by Macy Johnson

“But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came

and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.”

(Matthew 13:25 NIV)

 

While camping recently at High Falls State Park in Georgia, my husband and I hiked the Tranquility Trail. For Jeff, it was anything but tranquil. Around every bend in the path he pointed out invasive plants. “Elaeagnus is everywhere,” he noted. Later that afternoon he reported his findings to the park office and met with a grounds employee to discuss. Jeff does not take his calling as Master Gardener lightly.

When Tragedy Strikes

 by Macy Johnson

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

(John 16:33 NIV)

 

What is a tragedy? What may be catastrophic for one person could be a walk in the park for another.

 

I recently mourned the sudden death of two friends. One was a fellow musician and the other a bridge partner. In one sense their deaths were tragic, but in another I rejoiced for them at the thought of seeing Jesus face-to-face!

Words of Life

by Macy Johnson

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”

(John 1:14 NIV)

 

Frances Havergal (1836-1879) composed the words to the hymn, “Lord, Speak to Me.” She commented, “If I am to write to any good, a great deal of living must go to a very little writing. Every word comes from God. He speaks to us so we may speak to others.” Frederick Buechner, a Presbyterian minister, wrote, “Jesus didn’t come to merely speak words that were true. He is the Word that makes us true.” “Wonderful Words of Life” was composed by Philip P. Bliss in the late 1800’s. He wrote, “Christ, the blessed one, gives to all wonderful words of life, wooing us to heaven.”

Keep Watch

 by Macy Johnson

“Therefore keep watch,

because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

(Matthew 24:42 NIV)

 

My husband, Jeff, and I recently watched “The Tomorrow War” on Amazon Prime Video. Young soldiers suddenly appeared from thirty years into the future to ask their parents to help them fight a war against alien invaders. Citizens, destined to die before the war even began, were drafted and sent into battle with weapons and minimal combat training. It was a doomed endeavor.

Daddy's Letters

by Macy Johnson

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you

will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ.”

(Philippians 1:6 NIV)

 

My new transcription project has been simmering for the better part of this past century. I recently brought it to life and turned up the heat.

 

After my father’s death in 2003 I was gifted the letters he had written to his family over a span of fifty years. My daughter, Libby, and I labored one weekend to put hundreds of documents in chronological order in large, oversized notebooks.

Beacon of Hope

 by Macy Johnson

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.

If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,”

but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?”

(James 2:15-16 NIV)

 

The choir loft was filling for Wednesday night’s rehearsal. Seated at the piano, I was thumbing through the new music from Kathleen, our director, when one of the members came in and announced, “There’s a lady who needs our help.”

The Muffin Pan

 by Macy Johnson

“I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places,

so that you may know that I am the Lord,

the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”

(Isaiah 45:3 NIV)

 

“Do you know the Muffin Man?” The tune to that children’s song swirled in my brain as I made rounds to close up the house for the night. But my words instead were, “Have you seen my muffin pan?”