The Gift of Words

I read the book Silver Boxes by Florence Littauer a very long time ago.  It is book that is still in my library.  I will not give it away.  I would rather buy you your own copy.   I remember reading that my words should be like a gift with a bow on top.   She was trying to explain Ephesian 4:29 to children.  Her description helped me too because I never forgot it.  Ephesian 4:29 says "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers".


Everyone likes to receive a present.  A beautifully, wrapped gift is hard to resist and makes your heart glad.     Before those words come out of your mouth, ask yourself would I want to receive what I am giving out.   Encouragement is what we all need to keep moving forward.    Give the gift of encouragement to your spouse, children or neighbor.  Give the perfect gift this Christmas...your beautiful, wonderful words!

How Do You Use Prayer?

I am reading Parenting by Design Devotional at YouVersion.  Of course, there's an app for that so you can read it on your smartphone.


I am on day 230 and today mentions a quote from Corrie Ten Boom.  She said "Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?"     Prayer as your steering wheel means I will let God lead me.  I will talk to Him first and see what He wants me to do today.   On the other hand, I have used prayer as a spare tire only at times.  The "spare tire approach" means that it is a tool in the trunk and I will use it in case of emergency.


My day is more frustrating when I use prayer as my spare tire.  The little things seem to bother me more.  When I use prayer as my steering wheel then my day has clarity and a sense of calm.  I trust God will be me throughout the day.  He will give me understanding and insight.

Book Review - Dry As Rain

Dry As Rain by Gina Holmes is about a marriage near its end.   Eric and Kyra Yoshida are the main characters in this relationship tragedy.  The whole story is from Eric's point of view so we do not get to see much of Kyra's thoughts.  In chapter 1, we learn he met the love of his life.   In chapter 2, we fast forward years later and now Eric is thinking "I woke up in bed with a woman who was not my wife".  He was separated from his wife, but he was STILL married.   Misunderstandings and lack of communication caused them to drift apart.

An ironic thing happened after he committed infidelity...he learned that his wife was in accident and a part of her memory was gone.   Her memory was so gone that she did not remember the separation or the bad feelings between her and Eric.  Did he tell her right away about their current situation?  Of course not.  He had moments where he thought that he should, but he wanted to hold on to her as long as possible.  Her loving attitude towards him made him realize how much he missed her.  

Others thought that he should tell her the truth right away instead of waiting.  Of course, Eric was hoping that maybe the bad part of their marriage would be forgotten permanently.    While her memory was gone, he became a better husband.  He was hoping that when her memory did return that his latest actions would work in his favor.  

This book is good.  I kept reading because I just had to know what would happen to Eric and Kyra.  I have started some books and could not finish because I did not care about the characters or I did not understand the plot.   I cared about Eric and his imperfect self.  I wanted to know how Kyra would deal with such a betrayal and whether their marriage would survive.  

When this book starts Eric is mad at Adam and Eve because he thought if they had not messed up that all of humanity would be in Paradise right now.  By the end of the book, he realizes he is just like them.   He was tempted and flawed, but forgiven.

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.