Let Me Tell You One Thing

 September 27, 2024 I wish I had something to say to convince you that being a storm survivor was a good feeling. Of course, I am thankful that me and mine are fine; but I think of others who are fighting the aftermath of the storm, Helene, fighting the emotional and financial part of a storm that takes more than it gives. I have lived in middle Georgia since 1979 and I have never been under a hurricane warning that I recall.  It was so unusual it took me a minute to believe that it could be real.  It finally dawned on me that I needed to make some kind of sensible preparation.  The first thing I did was to run water in my bathroom sinks and fill water jugs.  That was after I discovered that Instacart and Publix were closing down shop and leaving us to fight this as best we could.  Of course, it was 7 p.m. when I discovered that, and if I had been Publix and Instacart, I would have done the same thing. Having said that, the reality hit me that perhaps, just perhaps I may need to fill a

    The Wise Woman with the Country Scarf   Paula Day Johns Feb 18 2003 Read at Thelma Vickers Johns’ Funeral 2003 When you looked into her soft brown eyes, there was a knowing look that brought surprise. She was not a woman that held contemporary matters worth a cent, she was from a different era but knew what life really meant. In her younger days it was work that gave meaning to her life, tilling the soil, milking the cow, away from global problems of trouble and strife. It was a narrow world for her, this woman of the field, nothing was more important than Enoch and cooking him a meal. Bah! she would say to glitter and glitz, and no one could orchestrate a more passionate fit! When her fit was on, we would all back away! She could carry on and leave us nothing to say. But when the fit was over and she had settled down, she’d say “you want some eggs before you go back to town?” Many a morning when the dew was still on the ground, she would harvest her strawberries

  Romans 8:32 (New King James)     Paula Day Johns He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?   It took God some time before he decided to not spare His own Son.   How long had he thought about it?   For many generations He used blood sacrifices of animals to give people a method of sin relief.   This somehow did not meet God’s approval and He wanted a better way.   I would imagine that He really did not want to look at the solution, because it would cost Him dearly.   It would require Him to offer His only Son for the salvation of mankind.   Did He get to the place that He considered mankind may not be worth it?   When He held Christ in one hand and mankind in the other, did He consider that it may not be worth it? After all, He was God, and it was God who had to be appeased for sin.   He created mankind, it was His option to do whatever He decided to do. When He began to weigh things out

A bucket of tears I could cry,  I could cry a bucket of tears. If I turn the faucet on it will drain my soul. But a bucket of tears I could cry. When my grands I love and hold dear, Say, "Nana, it's time for me to go". I get my cane and go to the lane,  And wave goodbye until they are out of sight. I turn and face my empty place,  I hold my hands full of my face; And cry my bucket of tears, My bucket of tears I do cry.  

  I will stay in my walled house. No one can bother me there. In my house, I find security, comfort, and peace. No matter that there are others, Out there somewhere who may need my help. I will stay in my walled house. No one can bother me there. Do I mind if I hear the cries of others who are in sorrow? Shall I trouble myself today or shall I wait until tomorrow? I will stay in my walled house. No one can bother me there. Anxious I am about what I may find. A needy child, an addicted mother, a man who is blind. I will stay in my walled house. No one can bother me there. I will eat chocolates, and take nice hot baths, No matter to me if they have lost their paths. I will stay in my walled house. No one can bother me there. A knock on my door, I cringe at who it may be. How dare they come without a call. I peek through the window and shrink in despair. I see Jesus Christ standing there! I will not open it! I am sure He is not pleased.