Beverly Varnado's Blog, page 6
August 27, 2024
What the elves did this week
This past week, a few little neighborhoodelves joined me as I began packing the toiletry items, toys, and schoolsupplies my sister, Tammy, and I have purchased for Samaritan’s Purse OperationChristmas Child boxes. Our boxes have to be packed in a certain order so thatall the items we’ve purchased will fit and my helpers caught on in no time.With their help, we packed nine boxes toward the goal of twenty-five.
This year, national collectionweek is November 18-25, so you have almost three months to get those boxesready, but if you start now, you may be able to pack more boxes because everyyear the need increases. Since 1993 when Operation Christmas Child began,Samaritan’s purse has distributed more than 220 million boxes to children inover 170 countries. To many of those children, this box will be the only giftthey receive all year. I’ve mentioned here before that children in orphanages sometimesshare toothbrushes and their favorite item is not the toy but having their own toothbrushfor the first time.
Along with the box, an invitationis also extended to attend a Greatest Journey Bible study. More than twenty millionchildren have accepted Jesus as their Savior through this study. So, with everybox goes the opportunity to meet Jesus for the first time.
Bev and Tammy with 2023 Operation Christmas Child BoxesInstead of packing a box, you mayalso give toward Operation Christmas Child, and they will pack a box for you.Also, some churches have programs where they purchase items in bulk and offer their folksan opportunity to pack boxes in that way.
I was so impressed with my helperelves this week. They had several good ideas while packing, but a favorite one was to create a color theme—making sure everything inthe box was red, pink, blue, or green. We talked about how when a child opens abox, we want them to be overjoyed at what they see, and color is a terrific wayto do it.
I’ve had the privilege of havingmy writing included in a couple of Christmas collections from Grace Publishingincluding Celebrating Christmas. No author in these books receives aroyalty but royalties are donated to Samaritan’s Purse. You could buy thesebooks for gifts and donate to Samaritan’s Purse at the same time.
For more information on how topack a box, visit the Samaritan’s Purse website which I will link to at theend.
Happy packing and thanks for all you do for Operation Christmas Child!
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Mark 10:14).
Operation Christmas ChildGrace Publishing, Celebrating Christmas
Herblog, One Ringing Bell, has nearly1,000 posts in its archives. Her work has been featured on World Radio, in the Upper Room Magazine, a dozenanthologies, as well as other periodicals, and online sites. One of herscreenplays was a finalist for the prestigious Kairos Prize in screenwriting. More at link in bio.
var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023
August 20, 2024
A new book, A New Thing
I have excitingnews—last week I signeda contract for another book in my small-town romance series. It’s titled, ANew Thing. I don’t have a release date yet, but I’ll keep you posted whenthe publisher lets me know.
The book is about single mom, Sophia,who dreads facing an empty nest. Then a new handsome neighbor moves in and throwsseveral challenges her way, an eccentric aunt shows up for a length of undeterminedlength, and something mysterious is going on in her small town of Worthville. Ilove these characters and hope my readers do, too.
The bookreferences a verse in Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springsup; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams inthe wasteland.”
We may look at thecircumstances around us and cling to the way things are or the way they used tobe just like my character finds herself doing. When presented with another choice,we’ll resist. To press on even in difficulty that seems a wilderness and wastelandbut may seem preferable to God disturbing our comfort zone. However, God is allabout the new thing he wants to do. He wants to bring those refreshing springs.
And that means we mustchange. I have a dear mentor and friend who has said many times, “God neverchanges, but we had better change.”
I have a love/haterelationship with change—even though I maylook forward to it on the one hand, I’ll struggle to adapt on the other. When Ipaint a room, I go through what’s called “color shock” even if it’s just aminor tweak.
But God wants todo something new in us and through us. And when he does, it may feel shockingat first. We grab at what we just let go, but God is advancing us forward tothe thing we may not fully understand, but to which we move toward in faith.
Folks ask if mybooks come from my life, and it is true writers often lift from their ownexperiences and transfer them to their fiction. And in this case, theresistance to change seems eerily familiar although I did not intend it. When Iwrite, I pray and try to hear from the Lord, and so many times, the Lord willuse my writing to speak to my own heart. I’m sometimes surprised at how mycharacters behave in my writing for this reason. Someone once criticized JerryJenkins for killing off a character. Jenkins said, “I didn’t kill him. I foundhim dead.” Ditto. Sometimes, we find things in our writing we didn’t expect tohappen, especially when we pray.
Fun fact aboutthis book. I started it before I received a contract for my last book, InSearch of the Painted Bunting, but stopped to work on the edits for it. Iwent back to A New Thing afterward. The book has a thread about flyingin a small plane and in the meantime, our grandson, Walker, decided to get hispilot’s license so I was able to interview him for the book, which thrilled myheart.
You’ll be hearingmore about A New Thing going forward, but in the interim, watch out forthose new things God wants to do.
Her blog, One Ringing Bell, has over a 1,000 postsin its archives. Her work has been featured on World Radio, in the Upper Room Magazine, a dozenanthologies, as well as other periodicals, and online sites. One of herscreenplays was a finalist for the prestigious Kairos Prize in screenwriting. More at link in bio.
var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023A new thing and A New Thing
I have excitingnews—last week I signeda contract for another book in my small-town romance series. It’s titled, ANew Thing. I don’t have a release date yet, but I’ll keep you posted whenthe publisher lets me know.
The book is about single mom, Sophia,who dreads facing an empty nest. Then a new handsome neighbor moves in and throwsseveral challenges her way, an eccentric aunt shows up for a length of undeterminedlength, and something mysterious is going on in her small town of Worthville. Ilove these characters and hope my readers do, too.
The bookreferences a verse in Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springsup; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams inthe wasteland.”
We may look at thecircumstances around us and cling to the way things are or the way they used tobe just like my character finds herself doing. When presented with another choice,we’ll resist. To press on even in difficulty that seems a wilderness and wastelandbut may seem preferable to God disturbing our comfort zone. However, God is allabout the new thing he wants to do. He wants to bring those refreshing springs.
And that means we mustchange. I have a dear mentor and friend who has said many times, “God neverchanges, but we had better change.”
I have a love/haterelationship with change—even though I maylook forward to it on the one hand, I’ll struggle to adapt on the other. When Ipaint a room, I go through what’s called “color shock” even if it’s just aminor tweak.
But God wants todo something new in us and through us. And when he does, it may feel shockingat first. We grab at what we just let go, but God is advancing us forward tothe thing we may not fully understand, but to which we move toward in faith.
Folks ask if mybooks come from my life, and it is true writers often lift from their ownexperiences and transfer them to their fiction. And in this case, theresistance to change seems eerily familiar although I did not intend it. When Iwrite, I pray and try to hear from the Lord, and so many times, the Lord willuse my writing to speak to my own heart. I’m sometimes surprised at how mycharacters behave in my writing for this reason. Someone once criticized JerryJenkins for killing off a character. Jenkins said, “I didn’t kill him. I foundhim dead.” Ditto. Sometimes, we find things in our writing we didn’t expect tohappen, especially when we pray.
Fun fact aboutthis book. I started it before I received a contract for my last book, InSearch of the Painted Bunting, but stopped to work on the edits for it. Iwent back to A New Thing afterward. The book has a thread about flyingin a small plane and in the meantime, our grandson, Walker, decided to get hispilot’s license so I was able to interview him for the book, which thrilled myheart.
You’ll be hearingmore about A New Thing going forward, but in the interim, watch out forthose new things God wants to do.
Her blog, One Ringing Bell, has over a 1,000 postsin its archives. Her work has been featured on World Radio, in the Upper Room Magazine, a dozenanthologies, as well as other periodicals, and online sites. One of herscreenplays was a finalist for the prestigious Kairos Prize in screenwriting. More at link in bio.
var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023August 13, 2024
When the storm rolls in
As we left for dinner one eveningwhile on vacation, we heard rumbles of thunder and noticed encroaching darkclouds. We put our efforts in high gear to reach the car before the storm, and amile or so down the road after we left, the threatening clouds delivered ontheir promise of rain.
About then, three things happenedalmost simultaneously.
1. My phone rang in my purse onthe car floor, and I glanced down.
2. A fireball hit beside the car.
3. A tremendous explosion sounded overour car.
In my confusion about what washappening, I tried to connect the ringing phone to the explosion. It took me a momentto realize it was thunder. I didn’t see the fireball because I had looked downat my phone, but Jerry did. When I researched, I found fireball lightning is athing. Actually, some think it is as common as the jagged form we usuallyassociate with lightning. Theories abound as to why lightning takes that shape.Jerry said it was about as big as a basketball but radiated outward.
I’m being analytical about this now,but at the time I was shaking from the explosion. It was unlike any thunder I’veever heard. And we were that close, only feet away, from the lightning.
As a character on an old sitcomused to say, “It makes you think.”
Who knows how often we are thatclose to peril, but God in his mercy and grace spares us for his purposes.
But in reference to the sitcomcharacter’s words, the time to start thinking about those situations is notwhen they happen, but now, because we’re all going to face stuff at one time oranother.
“Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he ismy fortress, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 62:6). The word shaken in theoriginal language means slip, totter, or fall. We need to live in such a waythat though we may shake, we will not fall, and the way we do that is through trustingin the Lord, studying His word, praying, and living in fellowship with otherChristians who keep us accountable.
The fact is sometimes thefireball does hit us. When it does, it’s good to remember our God will neverleave us or forsake us. Just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked aroundin the fire, there was also another who looked like “a son of the gods.” Andthey came away from that time without even the smell of fire on them. (Daniel3).
If you’re trembling right now froma near miss or a direct hit, know God is with you. He can keep you fromfalling. As the apostle Paul said, God’s “strength is perfected in weakness.”
“Now unto him that is able tokeep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of hisglory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24).
When the storm rolls in, thelightning may hit close, but He’s even closer.
Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023
August 6, 2024
When you need help
A piece of furniture needed to bemoved from our house, which Jerry and I easily transferred outside to an SUV usinga makeshift dolly. What we had not taken into consideration was it might not beso easy to lift it into the vehicle. As we stood staring at the piece, him withone hand in a splint from an orthopedic issue and me with back issues, we went overour options.
The people that would normallyhelp us in a situation like this were a distance away. This was also at a timeof day that many of the neighbors were gone. Dark clouds gathered overheadthreatening rain. We kept staring at the furniture as if it would sprout legsand climb into the van on its own. I silently prayed the Lord would help us, andthen my attention was drawn to a couple of lawn care workers a few houses away.Could we ask them to help us? No, that would be crazy, I told myself.But the more I thought about it the less crazy it seemed.
“Jerry, do you think we could paythose guys to help us?” I asked pointing to the workers.
He didn’t hesitate. He set off toask. I watched to see what happened. When he reached them, there was a verbalexchange, and then the group began walking in our direction. I glanced again atthe leaden skies and thought, just in time.
When the two workers arrived, theyhad the furniture in the vehicle in less than a minute. Jerry pulled bills fromhis pocket to pay them.
They both put up their hand andrefused.
I persisted.
They still refused. In broken English, one of themsaid, “Everybody needs help sometimes. God bless you.”
Wait. God bless you was our line.I was about to say it. My eyes filled with moisture.
“Yes, they do,” one of us said. Idon’t even remember who, now. “Thank you and God bless you, too.”
As they walked away, I heard theLord whisper in my spirit, “I have my people everywhere.”
And that is because God iseverywhere. I had a special sense of His presence and love for some time afterwardbecause of this experience.
We can find ourselves insituations that in the natural seem impossible to resolve, but God issurrounding us with his care, even when it comes to something as mundane asmoving a piece of furniture. God can move mountains at his command, but he canalso move home decor. We can forget that in the minutiae of life. The Lordspoke these words to Joshua before he entered the promised land, “Do not be frightened,and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”(Joshua 1:9). Even if it’s just out to the driveway.
We don’t need help sometimes. We need help all thetime. And being on the receiving end of an unexpected act of kindness remindsus of that.
The next time you find yourselfin a jam. Look around, God is there already at work.
And may God bless you, too.
Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023July 16, 2024
Taking a Short Break
If you're looking for me today, for the first time in fourteen years, I am taking a short break. I'll see you back here in August. Blessings as you seek your own restful time!!!
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023
July 9, 2024
Best of One Ringing Bell: Twilight and Twinkles
This summer, I'm continuing to share some of my most viewed posts--this one about a sweet reminder. This piece first ran in 2018.
One recent evening, Jerry and Iwalked a bit later than we usually do. As we approached an area where we knowdeer hang out, we were watchful because we didn’t want to be caught between adoe and her fawns.
But that evening, we didn’t see anydeer, but something else.
“Oh, wow, look at that,” I said.Jerry stopped and turned. I pointed to a field. “Fireflies.”
In the twilight, hundreds of themtwinkled randomly. It had been a long time since I'd seen so many. A smile easedacross my face.
We stood in the street for awhile and watched, both of us remembering with joy catching them in mason jarswhen we were kids.
Later, I discovered a few randomfacts while reading about fireflies.
If a field where fireflies liveis paved over, they don’t go to another field. They simply fade away. That maybe one reason why firefly populations are in decline.
Fireflies possess chemicals,which have proven to be useful in research on cancer, multiple sclerosis,cystic fibrosis, and heart disease. They are also useful in the garden as theyfeed on other insect larvae.
They are unique. No other insecthas light producing structures in their abdomen. This fact reminded me of asign a friend gave me, a snippet of a children’s song.
“This little light of mine, I’mgonna let it shine . . .”
It’s a reminder that we areunique and we also have special light producing structures.
Jesus said, “You are the light ofthe world” and “. . . let your light shine before others, that they may seeyour good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14, 16).
God wants to use us to bring Hislight in dark places, and as Jerry has said, we let our lights shine; we don’tshine our lights. There’s a difference. Others are drawn to us as they see Godat work in our lives, but the opposite usually happens if we’re constantly blindingthem with our talk.
We have to think about how our actions might or might not bring glory to God in the places we go and the things that we do. We may try to explain away certain things, but in the end, what we maybe doing is making excuses. To allow God to use us in bringinglight, we may have to alter our actions. Believe me; I have had to alter mine.In fact, it is an ongoing process.
I wonder when God sees us, it’s like how Jerryand I saw the fireflies in the field.
All over the world, we aretwinkling in the darkness bringing joy to the Father’s heart.
Celebrate the holidays early with our awesome 2024 Christmas in July Reader Extravaganza! You’ll meet more than 70 Christian authors with Christmas-themed books and have a chance to win print copies of those books (including mine, A Season for Everything), plus unique Christmas items. All who join us will be entered in the grand prize of a $500 Amazon gift card and lots of 2024 Christmas in July Reader Extravaganza swag! Ready to sign up? Slide over here to to so .
var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023
July 2, 2024
Best of One Ringing Bell: A question we all can ask this Fourth
My kids in front of the US Capitol where we visited one summer.I sat in a third grade classroom at Medlock Elementary probably stumped by some arithmetic problem, which was usually the case. The intercom box blared on with static, and for a moment, I was glad for a distraction from the drudgery. But the static subsided and we realized we were listening to a radio broadcast. The announcer said in an urgent way, “President Kennedy has been shot. The president has been shot.” The shock of it caused the young students to respond in various ways. I only remember growing very quiet.
From a child’s perspective, the Kennedy presidency did indeed seem like Camelot. I had a tea set made just like Jackie’s and my mother wore pillbox hats like hers. As his death and funeral unfolded over the next few days, the sadness seemed profound.
Though as an adult my historical perspective helps me see some of the illusions of that time, John F. Kennedy said a few now familiar words that I memorized as a child which will always be important to me, and I know to many, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
Since our country’s birth, more than a million have answered the call to service and given, as Lincoln said, “the last full measure of devotion.” Nearly three million have been wounded.
Today, many still put themselves in harm’s way to defend our country. But though we may not serve in a branch of the military, we too, need to ask what we can do for our country. In this election year, we again, even in our families, may find ourselves at odds with others' opinions. Conflicting political views may quickly dissolve friendships. One comment can escalate into a shouting match in person or on social media. I have found myself at odds with people close to me, and remember often my grandmother’s advice to “bite my tongue.” I’ve said here before if I had known how important that piece of wisdom was going to be, I would have had it tattooed on my forehead.
I have a lifelong friend, with whom I have found myself on opposite sides of an important issue. When I was around her, I sensed she was almost scared I would reject her because of it. But God has called us to love unconditionally. He didn’t say only love the people that agree with you. I went to her and said, “Listen, we may be in different places on this thing, but you and I are going on. Let’s not allow this to split us apart.” And it hasn’t. In fact, we may be closer today than we were before.
When someone disagrees with us, we could have a dialogue, instead of flaring and sounding off. We might learn something. We might aim to live loving but perhaps not agreeing on all things.
I’m trying my best to listen and love every day. We may fail often in that regard, but we still get up and try again. As we celebrate our nation’s birthday this year, I invite you to join me in this endeavor and let's remember the words President Kennedy spoke at his first inaugural address. Asking what we can do for our country rather than what our country can do for us may take us to a new place entirely. And let's continue to pray because it's the most important thing we can do.
Friends, have a happy Fourth! May God bless America.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).
Celebrate the holidays early with our awesome 2024 Christmas in July Reader Extravaganza! You’ll meet more than 70 Christian authors with Christmas-themed books and have a chance to win print copies of those books (including mine, A Season for Everything), plus unique Christmas items. All who join us will be entered in the grand prize of a $500 Amazon gift card and lots of 2024 Christmas in July Reader Extravaganza swag! Ready to sign up? Slide over here to to so .
var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023
A question we all can ask this Fourth
My kids in front of the US Capitol where we visited one summer.I sat in a third grade classroom at Medlock Elementary probably stumped by some arithmetic problem, which was usually the case. The intercom box blared on with static, and for a moment, I was glad for a distraction from the drudgery. But the static subsided and we realized we were listening to a radio broadcast. The announcer said in an urgent way, “President Kennedy has been shot. The president has been shot.” The shock of it caused the young students to respond in various ways. I only remember growing very quiet.
From a child’s perspective, the Kennedy presidency did indeed seem like Camelot. I had a tea set made just like Jackie’s and my mother wore pillbox hats like hers. As his death and funeral unfolded over the next few days, the sadness seemed profound.
Though as an adult my historical perspective helps me see some of the illusions of that time, John F. Kennedy said a few now familiar words that I memorized as a child which will always be important to me, and I know to many, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
Since our country’s birth, more than a million have answered the call to service and given, as Lincoln said, “the last full measure of devotion.” Nearly three million have been wounded.
Today, many still put themselves in harm’s way to defend our country. But though we may not serve in a branch of the military, we too, need to ask what we can do for our country. In this election year, we again, even in our families, may find ourselves at odds with others' opinions. Conflicting political views may quickly dissolve friendships. One comment can escalate into a shouting match in person or on social media. I have found myself at odds with people close to me, and remember often my grandmother’s advice to “bite my tongue.” I’ve said here before if I had known how important that piece of wisdom was going to be, I would have had it tattooed on my forehead.
I have a lifelong friend, with whom I have found myself on opposite sides of an important issue. When I was around her, I sensed she was almost scared I would reject her because of it. But God has called us to love unconditionally. He didn’t say only love the people that agree with you. I went to her and said, “Listen, we may be in different places on this thing, but you and I are going on. Let’s not allow this to split us apart.” And it hasn’t. In fact, we may be closer today than we were before.
When someone disagrees with us, we could have a dialogue, instead of flaring and sounding off. We might learn something. We might aim to live loving but perhaps not agreeing on all things.
I’m trying my best to listen and love every day. We may fail often in that regard, but we still get up and try again. As we celebrate our nation’s birthday this year, I invite you to join me in this endeavor and let's remember the words President Kennedy spoke at his first inaugural address. Asking what we can do for our country rather than what our country can do for us may take us to a new place entirely. And let's continue to pray because it's the most important thing we can do.
Friends, have a happy Fourth! May God bless America.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).
Celebrate the holidays early with our awesome 2024 Christmas in July Reader Extravaganza! You’ll meet more than 70 Christian authors with Christmas-themed books and have a chance to win print copies of those books (including mine, A Season for Everything), plus unique Christmas items. All who join us will be entered in the grand prize of a $500 Amazon gift card and lots of 2024 Christmas in July Reader Extravaganza swag! Ready to sign up? Slide over here to to so .
var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023
June 25, 2024
Best of One Ringing Bell: When they're far away and what she said
Thissummer, I'm continuing to share some of my most viewed posts--this oneabout a challenge I faced when one of my children was traveling. This piece firstran in 2019.
Mysister handed me an envelope. “Patsygave these to me. She found them while going through old photographs.”
Our friend Patsy’s mom and ours were friends and coworkers when young. I opened the envelope and found a picture of my mom I’d never seen, which had to have been taken during the mid 1940’s judging from her age.
Interesting that after more than seventy years, the picture came to me at this particular time.
Here's why. Someone I love is working in London for a month. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime with all expenses paid. Such a blessing!
Yet, may I admit in a very unsophisticated way that it’s a bit challenging when people I care for are on another continent.
My mother always liked to keep the people she loved close, too, so when Jerry and I announced we were embarking on a Wesley studies tour in England, she was none too happy. After a few days of wrestling with the idea, she called me. “I guess I’m going to have to trust God with you.”
What she said.
Yes, I guess I’m going to have to trust God for my traveler.
Why does it seem I’m surrounded by people with huge adventuresome spirits. A writer friend has a daughter they nicknamed, “Danger.” I understand that. It could apply to many I know starting first with Jerry, that plane flying, quarterback sacking, swamp wading, hunter- gatherer I married.
When this picture showed up of mom with her hand on her hip, it’s as if she were saying, “Uh, huh. Now, you know what I went through.” I had to laugh.
That trust thing, well, I’ve written about it so much.
I don’t imagine anybody I know will suddenly decide to hole up somewhere (and I don’t want them to), so I guess I’m going to keep writing about it and hopefully doing it.
At present, I am reading Max Lucado’s book, Anxious for Nothing. In it, he describes a practice he uses which I find helpful. “On my good days I begin my morning with a cup of coffee and a conversation with God. I look ahead into the day and make my requests . . . Then if a sense of stress surfaces during the day, I remind myself, Oh, I gave this challenge to God earlier today. He has already taken responsibility for the situation. I can be grateful, not fretful.”
Gratefulness, not fretfulness. Don’t you love it? That one practice can change the way our days go. We pray in the morning, and then the rest of the day we rely on Him and give thanks.
I’m convinced God allows these situations where we’re totally out of control to occur so we’ll look to Him alone. If you’re facing one of those yourself, pray over your day, and then trust that He’s got it.
So, thanks, Patsy, you had no idea how meaningful those pictures would be.
Praying the words the Lord spoke to Joshua for those close to me, “. . . for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
If you're in the area,
I'd love to have you join me this Friday from 2-4
for a book signing in Watkinsville, Georgia
at the lovely
Bird and Brass on Main Street.
Hope to see you there.
Beverly Varnado, a Georgianative, is an award-winning multi-published author, as well as a screenwriter,blogger, and artist. Her writing has also been included in a dozen anthologiesand one of her screenplays was a finalist for the Kairos Prize in screenwriting.She enjoys participating in gallery exhibits and is always working on a newpainting.Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023
