Beverly Joy Roberts

Fifty years ago when a mother called, "Time to eat!" Everyone came running to the table. Remember that?  People eating around a table, talking about their day, being trained in conversation and manners. When our children were growing up, we did the traditional--sitting together around the table.  During those formative years, our table was a place of instruction, laughing and sometimes tears.  We prayed, told stories and met with friends and family--all around the table. The years quickly passed and one by one our children left our table to establish family tables of their own. We as the family of God gather together at His table--Communion.  It's a place to bring His family together around the table and remember all Christ did for us through His body and blood. If you are feeling alone...disconnected...longing for family...I have some great advice:  be faithful to church--your family awaits you, also make a place at your table.   Don't hide beh

Our son, all grown up! When our eldest son was in kindergarten, he came home from school and told me that his class watched a movie. I responded, "Did you like it?" He confessed, "Well, there was a bad word in the movie."  I immediately was ready to call the school.  The words formed in my head--how dare they show that kind of movie to my child!  Heads will roll! I took a breath, calmed down a bit and decided instead to press my son for a few more details.  I asked, "What was the bad word?" He began to sing this song, "The sun 'll come out tomorrow bet your..." He stopped and whispered the next word "... bottom ..."  Then he started back at his regular volume and finished the song.  "...dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun." The movie was Annie . This happened when our boys were  6 and 4.  It was those years when the sound of bodily functions send boys and minions into fits of roaring laughter. 

I've been working on my second book, Hillbrooke The Healer, and this has caused me to be in writer-mode.  Writer-mode helps me take notice of the smallest of things in my surroundings; a tapping pencil, a creaking swing, a shadow on a wall or a certain way someone turns their head.  When I see or hear these things, I think...that would be perfect for the book. Then I make a mental note. Being sensitive to Holy Spirit is similar to writer-mode.  When my thoughts are focused and turned towards the Lord, He usually has a much better chance of gaining my attention.  The Holy Spirit will gently lead me, often using my surroundings or a still small voice.  It was during a recent group prayer time at church that I felt the Holy Spirit gently remind me-- Breathe His Name .    My thoughts immediately turned to the power of that Name.  I knew whatever the situation "His Name" had the ability to bring peace.  In seasons of rejoicing, fear, sorrow and pain I could Breathe

I'm on the JV Team.  I'm second string.  I willingly gave up that star position the day I became a grandparent...well...actually the day my children married.  My input has changed greatly from the person doing the child-rearing to being a consultant on retainer. So...now...I happily cheer on my children and their spouses as they are "in the trenches" training future responsible members of society.  There are many lessons to be taught: honesty, obedience, purity, respect--just to name a few. Our son, daughter-in-law along with three of our ten grandchildren have been staying with us for three months.  Soon they will be returning to a place far away to serve the Lord.  But for now, we love having them in our home.  This gives me a front row seat to see wonderful parenting in action. Which brings me to my daughter-in-law.  Our daughter-in-law has sonar hearing.  The other day she spoke in a controlled tone from the upstairs bedroom to the family room in the