Uplifted in a Broken Down World

It was a SONday afternoon. A kindergarten lassie was perched upon her daddy’s lap. His arms secured her from sliding off the dining room chair. Lodged in her daddy’s fingers was a common kitchen tool — a nutcracker. Before the duo, a bowl of hazelnuts rested. To the spectator’s eye, preparing a dessert treat was underway. In God’s “I”, a spiritual, meat and potatoes, meal was being readied and served.

“Daddy, why is it so hard to break through the outside so we can eat the yummy stuff inside?”

“My daughter, the goodness of our longed-for delights always rests inside a hard shell that must be broken before we can be nourished by life’s most fulfilling delicacies.”

“But why, Daddy, why?”

“Because we truly are grateful for, hold onto and treasure only what we cherish enough to overcome a struggle to possess.”

“Your hands are strong, daddy. Mine are not. On my own, I cannot open a hard barrier. I need you, daddy, to do it for me.”

“Sweet child of mine, I can’t do it for you. You must do it with my help. Let me explain. Worldly challenges try to ‘steal’ our dreams from us by shutting them inside a hard to crack fortress. Often, we are defeated because the process seems impossible to open up and attain. However, the ‘steel’ of God’s strength is beyond the power needed for us to break all earthly barricades. Our hands just need to trust, take hold of and use all God’s power that rests inside our hearts and souls.”

“Daddy, teach me how to do this.”

“Here, take hold of the nutcracker and discover the wisdom and way to learning this truth and its rewards. First, you must never forget that the nut’s outer shell depicts all worldly attempts to ‘steal’ your dreams come true. The ‘steel’ of God’s power is symbolically represented by the nutcracker. Your frail human fingers must cling to God’s ‘steel’ power. No defeat can ever prevent success, if you hold fast to God being your power. Just as my daddy palms now encircle your petite hands while you grasp the nutcracker, so do your Almighty Father’s surround and uphold yours. Cradled in God’s ‘steel’ strength, you can split open any, and every, worldly barrier attempting to keep you from unlocking the reality of your dreams come true.”

May we each and every one take a seat in our Heavenly Father’s welcoming lap, take hold of the “steel” of God’s strength and allow God’s palms to embrace our vulnerable hands and defeat the world from “steal”ing the dreams harbored in our hearts and souls.

Frank is a senior citizen, yet his heart is anything but over the hill. On the contrary, it is of a little boy joyfully and proudly walking by his momma’s side. His eyes sparkle as this duo round the walking track. Frank’s momma is a petite, soon to be 90 years old, bundle of bliss as she hovers over her walker.

Their mom and son walk is not in silence. While sharing laughter, language and togetherness, they somehow shout a meaningful message to all who are blessed to witness their bond. They walk not out of necessitated effort but, rather, effortlessly out of possessing the treasure of family caring and sharing.

My heart does not feel sorry for the slow pace this pair maintains; but my soul does pity the fast stepped athletic walkers, who speedily whiz by and totally overlook their reflection of what life, healthy as God created it to be, truly looks like. Why do human soles race to exercise their bodies so longevity is theirs, when stopping to walk by another’s faltering side is “soul”y the way to eternal life? As Abraham Lincoln so rightfully proclaimed, “And in the end, it is not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”.

Thank you, God, for gifting my life the present (and presence) of Frank and his momma. They are my inspiration and Your testimony. Bless them for blessing me…

Sitting poolside, my gaze was riveted on my two grandchildren. The pool was divided with swim class on one side of the rope and regulation floaty clad kiddos on the other side. My pair were amidst the playful lot. Nearing that moment when the rope would disappear and the masses rush into current forbidden waters, my sight caught glimpse of a young “lesson boy” struggling with fear.

My guess would place this lad at nine to ten-years-old. His frame was stocky. His sport inclination fell into the clumsy, non-athletic category. My Grammy heart was drawn to him. For at least ten long minutes, he struggled on the pool deck, time after time, trying to muster the courage to jump into three feet of water. Over and over, after each failed attempt, he’d punch his thighs, shake his disappointed head and bow to fear. His mother was obvious. She was the lady, eyes never leaving this child, hands nervously moving in circles, and breaking heart worn on her sleeve. The young swim instructor, inexperienced in how to instill faith and confidence, was kind but not invested in inspiration or fundamentally believing in oneself.

Most, who were only focused on the rope disappearing, began to realize what (or in reality who) was holding up its release. It broke my heart that many grown-ups were reacting as kids — making fun of a struggle, irritated by delay and totally unempathetic of the inner fear a young boy was outwardly fighting.

After many agonizing moments, the young warrior, with his bottom nearly seated on the deck, let himself slide into the water. Spontaneously, I applauded his success. The big people stared at me in total incomprehension. Only the boy’s mother gratefully smiled and understood.

I waited for the little man to exit the pool. As his feet hit dry land, I longed to elevate him with congratulations for his bravery. My words affirmed how very courageous he was — A brave sole is not one who is not afraid. A brave soul is one who faces his fear and overcomes it. I assured this child of God he was one of the bravest little boys I’d ever met.

Never will I forget how his cast down head suddenly lifted high and his tightly sealed mouth turned into a cheek-to-cheek humongous grin. Walking away, I thanked God for touching my life with this special little boy and asked Him to be His child’s courage and protect his tender heart and self-esteem.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not discouraged, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (ESV).

These past two Sundays, while doing a “communion cup collection” for my Studio Artist Son-in Love, I’ve worshipped our God as a visitor amidst a most welcoming congregation. My initial impression was their cart was in front of the horse. Didn’t take but a moment for God to correct me. His redirection signaled “but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come unto Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of heaven!’.” Matthew 19:14 (ESV).

This new covenant church, to my human eye, had their order reversed — Sunday Worship first and Sunday School last. However, in God’s insight, their timeclock was minute by minute punched in to best fulfill Divine work.

Waiting for the service to begin, I was awestruck by the large throng of unlikely worshippers filling the church. Children, from newborn up, were quietly and reverently sitting side by side their mommies, daddies and grandparents. This was not only a family of God event, but also, a family of man happening. My initial response was not thinking bountiful blessing but, rather, catastrophic childcare closure. First indication my “logical” deduction was way off course was confirmed when no explanation of an interruption of normal procedure was offered as worship began.

Didn’t take but witnessing the start of celebrating God to understand the children were not “visiting” the big church but regular participants in bowing their heads and lifting their hearts and souls to their Father God. Not only was I wowed that this was happening, but I was, also, stunned at how it was happening. Youth fidgeting, distracted (and distracting), playing with tech toys or anything else intended to keep them preoccupied was totally lacking. Respectfully, these little ones were, to their highest level, participating in worshipping their Daddy in Heaven. The young blessings were not misplaced but a mile marker of direction that God’s Words and way were never given to exclude children but to encourage their inclusion in coming to their Almighty Daddy.

Against my anticipated expectation, no kid noise was heard at any point during worship. Their joy filled voices did, in song, add to the adult choir — angelic music to this Grammy’s ears!!

Only youngsters needing to be carried out of Church by a parent were little ones needing the restroom. Each time this excursion was required, tiny arms were lovingly wrapped around a parent’s neck as the guardian securely carried, and cared for, the needs of their child. It was the picture of God’s relationship with His children and vice versa.

From birth, this congregation’s babies are not taught, but shown, how to worship God. This Church is not a place you graduate to when you are grown. Baby roots are from day one planted in God’s soil, watered by God’s Word and learn full force that Church is where you belong. Church is HOME, be they seeking and in need of celebration, discovery or refuge. Church is these youngsters’ natural setting, not an acquired seat when old enough for their feet to touch the floor when sitting. No matter how short their stature, their feet are never too tiny to stand with God and side by side their Church family.

The running order of this Church intentionally walks the path of children’s energy. Best chance of aiding focused, calm demeanor in these young worshippers resulted in putting Church Service first and Sunday School second. Chit-chat and playing with friends should always come second to praying with God; and, let’s be honest, it’s hard for the young to reverently and respectfully embrace and learn about God after being wound up from the recess of Sunday School. I chided myself for having initially thought this congregation as mixed up. Truly, it has sorted out, and eliminated, one of the greatest barriers for the young to sit in God’s presence and grow.

Am I now on the soap box of criticizing or restructuring 99.9% of America’s Sunday Worship protocol? No, I’m not. This is not my goal nor my calling. However, I can’t help but wonder if our conventional approach to the young in our churches is, in fact, shutting God’s little children out of His temple ???

As the cracks in my hand were being steri-stripped, my heart was, also, chipping away. My soul, having witnessed past spiritual healings (and sealings), now imploringly exposed my current unravelling to the Heavens. “Yo, Lord, I need SONshine to penetrate the storm clouds!!”

Never failing this ‘ol grammy, I felt God speak: “My child, you have forgotten the sole core of your soul. The Faith, Hope, perseverance, endurance and courage of your being is neither found nor flourishes in success, smooth sailing or serene scenarios. It is born and borne within the worldly broken pieces of your life’s journey. You are not in defeat. You are being called to repeat — repeat not the weakness but the strength of your Faith, Hope, perseverance, endurance and courage. To do this, you do not need My coddling arms but, rather, My foot’s strong kick to get you back heading (and healing) in the right (and write) direction. Your personal roadmap, needing to be infused into your path is, as always, fueled by your “play/PRAY list”. It is more than time for you to leave behind the perspiration of trying to outmaneuver gridlock construction. Instead, soak yourself in the inspiration of soaring above the detours. Get going…”

Alive with rekindled inspiration, I non-stop stitched together the pieces of my newly created UP WHEN YOU’RE DOWN “play/PRAY list”. Its 15 inspirational messages now motivate me to reach beyond my current mess!

I do not believe I am the only child of God who needs to refocus from repeatedly playing back my worldly challenges and substitute what is HIS and changes my downward spiral to an upward soar. For me, this is music. For you, it is whatever fills you with HIS calling, energy and optimism. I’m feeding on my soul food meal. I pray that whatever ingredients compose your needed recipe, God puts them in your hands and gives you the kick needed to cook up your personal batch of soul food.

Today, June 1, 2026, celebrates my Father’s 100th Birthday. He was Granddaddy to all who were (and remain) blessed to know him. Five years ago, he went home to Heaven, not an old man but a child — a child of God.

Though I’m known to be a lady of words, there are no syllables to express Heaven’s gain and my loss when Dad received his well-earned Eternal Reward.

Without his smile starting and finishing each day, there remains a loneliness in my heart, but my soul is not alone. My dad’s wisdom, love and influence forever guide and embrace my being and life’s journey.

The world wrongly labeled my Dad an old man. I smile cause it now, also, wrongly categorizes me an old lady. I’m not. You see, forever, I proudly was, is and will be my Daddy’s little girl.

In my neck of the woods, this week marks the beginning of summer vacation for pre, lower, middle and upper school students. Excitement already fills the hearts of my precious grandchildren. Five-year-old, Rosemary longs for the splash pad to open. Eight-year-old, Zachariah intends to open his own business. His plan has gone from building an $89,000.00 underground football/basketball stadium to opening a lemonade/cookie stand. Finding Duke Energy not interested in bringing power to his backyard for the stadium, he’s learned the priceless lesson that his family never fails to support his needs. His mommy will lovingly supply the lemonade and cookies at no expense to him or his margin of profit. As a rising second grader, Zachariah already understands the desired bottom line is black, not red. Rosemary. bless her heart, has firmly declared to her brother that neither black nor red are on her priority list. Pink and lavender are her choice targets.

My heart chuckles as I hear these two scholars chitter-chatter about their summer plans. My soul thanks God as I hear this duo’s mommy reveal the color in which she will paint their summer is green — the color of Faith. Textbooks, homework and projects will be shelved for the summer. The Bible will not.

I pray parents (and grandparents) across our universe are wise enough to not back burner learning about God during the lazy days of summer. God watches over our little ones 24/7/365. Shouldn’t we make it a priority to use summer’s spare time to root the minds and souls of our young deeper in God? School books are meant to close. The Bible should always be open. Will you share dedicated summer reading of God’s Word with your family’s children?

Between the hardcovers of this year’s summer vacation, we are called to open the pages of the greatest story ever written and share it with the souls of God’s little children. No greater rest, than resting in God, can summer vacation fulfill.

Fears, catastrophes and battles in general are amplified in the shadows of twilight. How many sleepless nights have we tossed and turned as panic and anxiety crescendo at midnight. Watching the slow-moving clock, we wait for darkness to be replaced by the sun coming up. The dawn of light antidotes fear of the dark. This sleepless cycle repeats, not because our fears are insurmountable but because we are not resting in the rays of Spiritual enlightenment.

The world peddles that the sun comes up and puff goes fear. Scripture infallibly proclaims The SON comes down and replaces our fear with Faith.

The SON came down to earth, suffered and died instead of us, perpetually walks beside us and asks us in return to “soul”y “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) It does not matter, how often, how deep or how traumatic our fear is, the SON comes down to accompany us through and beyond any, and all, our fears. We simply need to grasp “I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me.”. Psalm 86:7 (NLT)

Tonight, as darkness creeps into our fears, will you and I rely on the sun will come up, or will we find peaceful rest in trusting The SON will come down?

I ventured to church this morn with one hand stiffly splinted and wrapped in a medical bandage, fingers still tainted in betadine and stubby nails anything but manicured. My thoughts were not of the present but of the past.

It is the first Sunday in May. Three quarters of a century ago, my Mother would have been dressing me for Sunday Service. Come the fifth month of Chicago’s year, Mom would have replaced my wool mittens with white cotton gloves. My Mother firmly instilled a lady (and little girl) was never dressed without her white gloves; and God deserves our finest, nothing less.

What is my finest? What is your finest? What is finest, be it mine, yours or anyone else’s? Yes, white gloves when life is at its best; but could it be our finest is really revealed when we are at our worst? Is finest coming perfectly dressed to stand in God’s presence or coming wounded to kneel in His presence?

My Mother taught me respect in God’s presence. My wounds teach me humility, healing and Hope in God’s presence. Be it seventy some years ago or this 21st century morn, as we approach the throne of God, our hands, hearts and souls were created to wear both white gloves and bandages.

This dawn, I felt my Mother enlighten this newly acquired wisdom within me. Thank you, God, for sending Mom as Your morning messenger, I was yearning for her forever guidance and love.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old, he will not depart from it,” Proverbs 22:6 (ESV). Mom, you did just this…

Like every blessed Grandmother, a grandchild is cherished treasure. My grandson, seven-year-old Zachariah, proudly boasts two baby brothers. Just about the only drawback is both babies are not fans of sitting idle while strapped into their car seats. Thus, my daughter when picking up Zachariah, times it so she is one of the last cars fetching a student. This avoids stereo opera from announcing her arrival. Like any first grader, Zachariah is not keen on always being last. He naturally was delighted to hear his GaGa drew Tuesday/Thursday school pick-up duty this semester.

I needed instructions, and Zachariah announced he’d educate me! His version of my assignment was to always make sure I was waiting in the car line between the “A” and “H” letter signs — ensuring he’d finally be called for release in the first batch of scholars climbing into cars. Confident even this ‘ol GaGa could handle her job, I assured him I could handle the task at hand. However, what I came to learn was to wait between “A” and “H”, a car has to arrive a good hour before school calls it a day.

My immediate solution was to use the wait for catching up on paperwork, messages and to-do lists. Then came last week and the arrival of God’s gorgeous gift of Spring. Arriving at school in time to stop at letter “C”, I reached for the day’s car work, only to scold myself for being satisfied to sit behind tinted windows when God’s landscape and singing creatures were sharing a dazzling display of stunning creation. The invitation to partake of peace, renewed life and inspiration was knocking on my window. You better believe, I swung open the car door and hopped out of stale air to breathe in God’s gifts and breathe out praises to His glory.

I walked the field in the center of the car loop, praying for Zachariah and his fellow students’ wisdom and protection. My stroll completed, I plopped down on one of the benches lining the sidewalk along the car line and began talking to God. I mean a day as beautiful as I was beholding merited a litany of praise and thanksgiving offered to our Creator. The birds chirped along, as if to add their gratitude and joy.

Suddenly, my exuberance changed to somber realization. I sat totally alone. Not one other driver sitting, by now, in about 100 cars left their steel cage to take hold of the Hand of God’s peace, beauty and freedom from stress, schedules and life’s winter woes. How very sad this is.

Why are we captive to cages, when freedom to soar awaits us? Why do we choose to gaze through dark lens and filter out our SONshine? Why do we skim our smartphones over conversing with God? As Zachariah and I drove home, we pondered these questions. Maybe, we were unable to sum up the answers, but wisdom grew from wondering.

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12: 7-10 (ESV)