Under God's Umbrella

by Macy Johnson

“I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents

and have compassion on his dwellings;

the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,

and the palace will stand in its proper place.”

(Jeremiah 30:18 NIV)

 

It was our final handbell rehearsal before leading the worship service. One of the pieces tempted me to cross one hand over the other to pick up a bell. I accidentally set the bell down in the wrong place. Then I rang the wrong bell! Handbells, like most things in life, must be kept in their proper place.

Jumping Through Hoops

 by Macy Johnson

“Throwing his cloak aside,

he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.”

(Mark 10:50 NIV)

 

Bank of America declined my Norton/LifeLock renewal charge and sent me a fraud alert via text and email. The bank claimed it was suspicious activity. The same amount has been automatically charged for my annual renewal to this card on the same day of the year for the past decade. Yet, I had to jump through a hoop this year to approve the charge.

Deer Whistles

 by Macy Johnson

“The sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder.

Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.”

(Exodus 19:19 NIV)

 

My husband, Jeff, reminds me to watch for deer while driving on our country roads. It is not a matter of “if” I will hit one, but “when” one will run into my car. We have both had collisions with deer in our rural Georgia community.

 

A Quiet Life

 by Macy Johnson

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life,

to mind your own business

and to work with your hands,

just as we told you,

so that your daily life

may win the respect of outsiders

and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

(1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV)

 

Every morning I open my Bible to a page in the Old or New Testament so the Holy Spirit can lead me to a verse for the day. My eyes fell to First Thessalonians 4:11 one Saturday morning as my thoughts swirled in preparation for a busy weekend.

Old Camper

by Macy Johnson

“Do not judge,

or you too will be judged.”

(Matthew 7:1 NIV)

 

I pulled our camper into the perfect site at Hard Labor Creek State Park, near Rutledge, Georgia. We were thrilled to have booked four nights at a promising campsite with sewer hookup and a charming view. I reserved it one year earlier to secure this particular site for our fifth camping trip to this park.

Slippery Slope

 by Macy Johnson

“Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light for my path.”

(Psalm 119:105 NIV)

 

I might be on a slippery slope if I think I know the best way and am not willing to see things from God’s perspective. I dare not shield my eyes from His Light.

 

Our neighbor’s driveway is a steep downhill drop to their cabin at water level on the lake. Over the years my husband and I watched cars and trucks slip and slide up and down their driveway with squealing tires. The spectacle was more prevalent during rainy, autumn days, when the cement was covered with wet leaves.

My Mother's Bible

 by Macy Johnson

“Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

preserve my life according to your word.”

(Psalm 119:37 NIV)

 

There at the large, round, wooden breakfast table, my mother, Ruby Martin, sat with her Living Bible and various commentaries spread out before her. The padded green cover was torn and worn, and notes were scribbled on the pages of scripture in her unique penmanship.