Stiff Neck, Screwy Spine

by Macy Johnson

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

(Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV)

Several years ago, while living in Birmingham, I visited a chiropractor because my neck hurt. 

The doctor concluded, “You have a screwy spine.” Recent DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) bone scans confirm osteopenia (bone loss) in my hips and spine, early stages of a weakened, brittle skeleton.

Count Your Blessings

by Macy Johnson

“How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all;

the earth is full of your creatures.”

(Psalm 104:24 NIV)

One Sunday morning, Beverly and I played a captivating piano-organ duet of the well-loved hymn “Count Your Blessings.” 

In the following days, the stanzas rolled around in my brain, nudging me to pay attention to all the wonderful ways in which God continually pours Himself through me.

One, two, three…my feeble brain counts everything, including footsteps. I reset thermostat controls from odd to even numbers. I write dates in the margins of my Bible when I read a section or verse. Why did God create us to count?

On a Mission

by Macy Johnson

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” (Psalm 96:3 NIV)

Headed to a recording session at the middle school, I hurried into my favorite shop for a gift. I breezed past the front counter and overheard a woman say to her co-worker, “She must be on a mission!”

I don’t like to shop. Growing up, I dreaded the weekly, often daily visits with my mother to Gayfer’s, the local department store. When my younger sister developed an affinity for shopping with Mom, I was graciously excused from that daughterly duty.

Eternal Connections

by Macy Johnson

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

(1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV)

A new year dawned. In my early morning devotions I asked God, “What is your “word” for me for the year ahead?” It came loud and clear: Connections.

As the new year’s days progressed, I re-connected with my childhood best friend on Facebook and my brother and cousins at our aunt’s memorial service. My biological half-sister flew across the country to solidify our new-found relationship, conceived through a DNA test.

Rescuing Chelsea

by Macy Johnson

“If you see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen on the road, 
do not ignore it. Help him get it to its feet.”

(Deuteronomy 22:4 NIV)

Sunday afternoon is my favorite time of the week.

After playing the piano for the weekly worship service I relax and read. On our dock with a library book I sensed my husband’s footsteps rapidly approaching. He handed me his heavy binoculars and inquired, “What do you see out there?”

Angels on the Water

by Macy Johnson

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.”

(Psalm 18:16 NIV)

In the summer of 1988, when our children were 4 and 2, long-time friends came from Louisiana to enjoy the Blue Angels’ air show.

Pensacola Beach was crowded, the warm water inviting, and the clear, blue sky promised a spectacular display of aerial acrobatics. Jeff and I lived 30 minutes from the beach. I swam in the Gulf of Mexico all my life, cognizant of its dangers as well as any other Floridian.

Living With the Weeds

by Macy Johnson

“Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.”

(Matthew 13:30 NIV)

Spring has sprung in our yard. 

From a distance the front lawn appears to be immaculate, but up close is another story. Crabgrass, Dallisgrass and other uninvited plants are taking hold and basking in the sun alongside our struggling Bermuda grass.