Coming to you from my writer’s room at my home in West Monroe, La., this Monday morning, I am greeted by a cloudy sky out the window in front of my laptop desk. Outdoors the temperature is comfortable.
Travis, Tottie and I arrived here on Friday, before lunch. On Saturday, my sisters Pat, Carol and I went to see the movie, “Paul, Apostle of Christ.” It was good, though, to quote Carol, “That was morbid!”
It really was, but it was set during the time that Paul was awaiting execution, and Christians in Rome were being persecuted by Nero, who burned Rome and claimed the Christians did it. Christians were put into the arena to be mauled to death by wi
ld animals, and some were tied to stakes, covered in oil and burned to death, providing lighting for the streets of Rome. The screen was dark, even in the outdoor scenes.
I just finished reading the book Revelation in the Bible (again) a couple of weeks ago. That book tells us that the tribulation times that are ahead, in the end days, are of such extreme that has never been seen before in the history of mankind. No one knows when that will be, but the Bible is clear: He will return as a thief in the night. Watch and be wary.
Easter Sunday found Travis and me in church at Community Baptist, where we heard a good sermon from Brother Danny, and the special song, “I Can Only Imagine,” by one of the men in the choir. An entire family, filling the front pew, became members of the church at the end of the service; a mom/grandma and her husband, a husband and wife with two daughters and a third due in two weeks!
I took a potato salad, and we dined with Pat and Donnie after church. Pat and I did a little shopping. I bought a few “basket fillers” for Summer’s baby shower in a couple of weeks. Sometimes (often for me) life throws some less than happy surprises at you. I have learned to pray through it and make the best of it. That is what I am doing now.
None of us know what God has ahead for us. Walking with Him, I try to take one step at a time, relaxing in Him and trusting that He will use the checks or nudges of the Holy Spirit to guide me how and where to walk. My goal is to please Him. Sadly, I know I still often disappoint Him, but I try to learn and listen more closely to Him and His Word.
I also try to influence the young people in my life, the best I can. Mostly, those are Kolby, Jade, and Summer. But I have nieces and nephews who are a lot younger than me, and I still try to be there for them as much as possible. And I learned a long time ago, you never know who might be watching you, noticing the things you do, looking for a role model. I pray daily that the Lord will help me to be a worthy one.
I am off to get my car serviced, and I will be heading home tomorrow. I pray you all a blessed week ahead.
Send your news pieces to me at email gingersnapwelch@gmail.com or text to 601-504-3146 or leave voice message at 769-222-7055.
