Up to My Elbows in Ruffles

A few weeks ago I wrote about my daughter asking me to make my granddaughter an Easter dress. Today (a snowday) I pulled out the pattern, fabric, pins and scissors and set to work. The pattern challenged me. I won't say how many times I had to unsew  and resew some of the pieces in the bodice. But I loved stitching the pieces together, like a puzzle, and seeing how the fabrics complemented each other.

Gathering the ruffles took some patience. I've never seen so many ruffles on such a small dress. But they turned out beautiful. Now I just have buttons to sew on the back and bloomers to make.

I love being a grandma!

An Eerie Fog

Penny Frost McGinnis

Yesterday as I drove to my daughter's house, I encountered fog. With snow on the ground and warm temperatures, the clouds hung close to the ground. I was fascinated by the eerie evening. When I passed a small cemetery I couldn't help but stop and snap a photo. I loved the way the fog kissed the snowy ground and the splash of pink teased with the reminder that spring's around the corner.

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Penny Frost McGinnis

A Crossing I Look Forward To

Penny Frost McGinnis

John 17:1-5
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

For most of my life I feared bridges. Nevertheless, I’ve had to travel across them. Several years ago, my young daughters and I, with my brother and his family, traveled to Georgia to visit our other brother. To get to St. Simon’s Island, where he lived, we had to cross a causeway. Similar to a bridge, the concrete road rose above the water to a peak, then came back down and connected to the island. As I drove I felt like I might propel straight to heaven before we came down on the other side. Then there was a bridge in Maryland I rode on, over 4 miles long, that curved across the Chesapeake Bay. It was beautifully engineered but gave me butterflies. If that’s not enough, the old Maysville bridge that crossed the Ohio River filled me with great anxiety every time we traveled to the college my daughters and I attended (at different times.) Fortunately they’ve updated it and added a new one down the road. So when Tim and I walked across the Purple People Bridge in Cincinnati, I had a mini-celebration.

My fear of bridges has dissipated over the years although I still get a flutter sometimes when I cross over. But one bridge I’ll never fear is the one God has given me to get to heaven. Jesus is the bridge to eternal life. He’s the only way for imperfect people like me to be forgiven. Because of Jesus, I look forward to a home in heaven where I’ll be free to rejoice and praise God all day long. Because of Jesus I have the freedom from sin that gives me peace and hope. He bridges the gap between earth and heaven and that’s one crossing I look forward to. Praise God for Jesus!

Have you ever feared bridges?

Wednesday Wisdom

The Most Basic Element

I'm taking an online class to prepare me to help students with reference questions in the library where I work. Several years ago I helped people find information in the public library. Things have changed. An increase in online databases, e-books, and search engines has updated the face of gathering information. But, even as the techniques get more sophisticated, the most basic element of helping someone hasn't changed.

Our second online chat addressed---wait for it---being friendly so people will come back. That's one of the most important elements to good reference work.

I have to admit, I was a bit surprised to have an instructor teach me to be approachable, kind, and patient. Whether I needed it or not, it's a good reminder of how to treat people, no matter what I'm doing. 

When have you encountered an especially helpful person in public service?

He Spreads the Snow Like Wool

Psalm 147:15-18
He sends his command to the earth;
    his word runs swiftly.
He spreads the snow like wool
    and scatters the frost like ashes.
He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
    Who can withstand his icy blast?
He sends his word and melts them;
    he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

Southwest Ohio has been covered in snow and ice this week, like much of the country. We’ve not had the amount Boston had, but the fluffy stuff closed businesses, schools and made life more difficult for anyone who needed to be out and about. The weather caused power outages, accidents, stress, and frustration. But once the ice and snow melt away, people will travel, kids will go back to school and stress will ease.

Much like life, something happens that causes stress, a negative change, or difficulties beyond our control. The Psalm assures us that even though God sends the snow and ice, he also breaths the warm breezes to make the waters flow. When you think you can’t take anymore winter weather, spring arrives and warms the air. My hope is in God and his caring hands. No matter what I experience, I know he’s with me and brighter days are ahead. I love winter, but by the time spring rolls around, I’ll love that too. Praise God for hope. 

What's your favorite season?