“Just leave the bee alone and it won’t hurt you.” Of course my daughter ventured her little hand towards the yellow and black fuzzy insect. With one finger she gently tried to pet it. Of course the bee was not happy being interrupted from its nectar gathering mission and gave her a fiery response. Disbelief at her friendship offer being rebuffed, she came running to me with tears and a swollen finger. Most children have a fascination with bugs. Years ago my neighbor’s son wou

“Don’t tell me it’s a beautiful day. Show me!” This ongoing message to my writing students over the years encouraged them to use descriptive words and action verbs. I wanted them to talk about the radiant sun, the cotton ball clouds pinned to the azure sky, the warm, gentle breeze bending the daffodils. Help me see it! When it comes to our Christian life, we also need to do more than just talk about it. We should show by example, not by anecdote. Our lives should be the pictu

“Are you sure you understood her correctly? You didn’t miss something in the translation?” “No, Dad. One large room with two queen beds and a balcony overlooking the ocean, free transportation to the island in the bay, and unlimited food and beverages.” “For each night.” “No. For both nights.” “For each of us.” “No. For all three of us.” My husband leaned over the counter and stared at the clerk. “One hundred fifty US dollars. That’s all?” We were traveling with our daughter

“I can’t find a bowl. I wonder where she keeps them?” We were enjoying the generosity of one of our members who had insisted we take their private cabin for the weekend. An unfamiliar kitchen had me searching for utensils and bowls to prepare our dinner. And then I opened a cupboard to the sight of stacks of empty margarine containers and bags of used twist ties. Dear Ruby was a very wealthy woman. At the same time she was humble in her displays of wealth. This cupboard full

“I’ll bet you a dollar he strikes out!” “I’ll take that bet!” The batter struck out and the dollar bill passed down the line of young baseball fans. “I’ll bet you a dollar that he makes it to first base!” “I’ll take that bet!” The batter got a walk and the same dollar bill passed back to the original owner. Our family was enjoying our first Fenway Park baseball game. In front of us was a group of developmentally challenged young men and their counselors. All through the game,