TERRE HAUTE — Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens/Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens/Brown paper packages tied up with strings/These are a few of my favorite things.
Now, then. I’ve put that song in your head and I hope it will stay there all day long! No, I don’t want to do a revival of The Sound of Music. No, I don’t want to stand on the bed, play with the curtains, surrounded by seven children. And no, I neither look like nor sound like Julie Andrews. I’m simply going to tell you about some of my favorite things — some things for which I am grateful.
Fat, fuzzy towels that are still warm from the dryer. Grandchildren that giggle when you wrap them in those towels after their bath. Chocolate — in cookies, cakes, and milk. Vanilla — in cookies, cakes, and milk shakes. These are a few of my favorite things.
Gold fish — both the kind that swim and the kind you eat. The ones that swim teach kids about responsibility, and they look cute swimming around in that big round bowl on the table. The ones you eat provide a crunch on your salad or soup, and work as great snacks for those grandchildren that left their soggy towels on your bathroom floor after their bath. These are a few of my favorite things.
The lines painted on the side of the road. They tell me where the ditches are so I can avoid them. My grandfather’s one sentence of driving advice to me still rings in my ears: “Don’t just keep the car between the ditches — keep it between the lines that tell you where the ditches are.” Grandpa was a man of few words, but his words were deep, I tell you. The lines, and my Grandpa, are a few of my favorite things.
Sugar-free chunky applesauce I made in my crock pot, and the smell of cinnamon that permeated the whole house while it was cooking. Then, at the end of nine hours, I lift the lid, give the stuff a stir, and grab a spoonful of applesauce so good I practically swoon. This is one of my favorite things.
Shoe stores with fantastic sales on shoes that are in my size and that I can wear without toppling off them or cementing my toes together in an excruciatingly painful unnatural manner. Fabric sales at my favorite quilt shops. Scrambled eggs with onions and peppers. Thick carpet under my feet. The mail that is delivered to my door six days a week. My collection of teacups. Fresh flowers in a vase on my dining room table. These are a few of my favorite things.
Thanksgiving dinner complete with turkey, dressing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry salad, home-made rolls, and apple pie (sorry, I don’t like pumpkin). My husband, my son and daughter-in-law, my daughter and son-in-law, all three of my grandchildren, my Mom and Dad — all sitting at our long table set with my best china and the real silver I spent hours polishing. The talk and the laughter and the sharing of our lives with each other. These are a few of my favorite things.
Church. Sunday school classes that take me deep into the Word of God. Worship leaders who take the congregation on a musical journey of praise to the Almighty God. Ministers who study and prepare messages that stir me toward love and good works, challenging me to be a more obedient child of God. Brothers and sisters in Christ who encourage me and inspire me. These are a few of my favorite things.
It sounds too simple, but it’s still true. We can feel better by remembering our favorite things. That’s because we know the source of our favorite things. James 1:16-17 says, “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
The God who never changes, the God who sits on His throne in heaven has given, and continues to give, good and perfect gifts to me. Life. Food. Shelter. Family. Employment. Hope. Peace. He also gave his son, Jesus, whose death and resurrection has given me the greatest gift of all, eternal life. These are my favorite things. My favorite things of all.
Verna Davis may be reached at vrdspeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: God and warm, fluffy towels are a few of my favorite things
- Religion
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THE JOY LADY: It’s not too late to send God a Valentine this year
I just finished up doing a little surfing on some Valentine’s Day sites. After the necessary censoring for language and questionable love hints, I have gathered a few Valentine hints that might make your upcoming Valentine’s Day easier.
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Paris church launches Bible-reading campaign
The Bible is the best-selling book in history, but how many people in our communities are actually reading it? A Gallup survey reports the average American household has four Bibles. However, research by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (2008) found that only 16 percent of Americans read the Bible every day.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Feb. 11, 2012
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THE JOY LADY: Doug and I made one promise — to love each other
The first time I met my then future husband, he was no catch. Trust me. It was my first semester in college — August 1970.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Feb. 4, 2012
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THE JOY LADY: Spurred on to husk out the good works left to do
I’ve got this thing. It was passed down to me inside a tin box that once belonged to my grandfather’s aunt. The thing is about 6-inches-long and 2-inches-wide.
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Maryland Community Church develops app
People can experience a church activity without physically being there. A smart phone helps make that connection for a Terre Haute church.
- Church briefs: Jan. 21, 2012
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BOOKS: Wabash Valley author to sign books at Java Haute on Saturday
Brazil resident Marjorie E. Hopkins will sign copies of her Christian Life book, “Dying to Meet Him: Wit and Wisdom from a Funeral Director’s Wife” from 1-3 p.m. Saturday in Java Haute, at 3805 Wabash Ave.
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THE JOY LADY: Be VERY careful with all the words you say
Our language is peculiar, isn’t it?
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Jan. 14, 2012
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New Signing for the Savior class beginning
Senior Education Ministries Inc. in partnership with Families by Choice and Park Place Apartments has scheduled Signing for the Savior.
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Holiness Association to offer Indoor Camp
Vigo County Holiness Association will offer an Indoor Camp from Jan. 17 to 22 in 8th Street Wesleyan Church at Eighth Street and National Avenue in West Terre Haute.
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THE JOY LADY: Lyrics of hymns, worship choruses soothe my soul
When my children were teenagers, I annoyed them. On purpose! Of course, their reaction to my attempts to annoy just added to my fun. The frustrated sighs, the shaking heads, the averted faces only served to keep me going.
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Church to break ground on sanctuary
Groundbreaking on new expansion and remodel project at Cross Lane Community Church is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday in the church at 2204 Lafayette Ave.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Jan. 7, 2012
- Church Briefs: Dec. 31, 2011
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THE JOY LADY: With forming habits in mind, let’s ask some basic questions
OK. It’s over. Pack up the snowmen, the manger scenes, the mistletoe and the ornaments. Put the tree back in the box and cart it all to the attic. Christmas is over.
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THE JOY LADY: Do we forget that Christmas is all about Jesus?
I have a collection of manger scenes. Seventeen, as a matter of fact. A small one, about two inches by three, was purchased in the Holy Land and is carved out of olive wood. It was given to me a couple of weeks ago by a dear friend (thank you, Norma) because she wanted to add to my collection.
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NEWSMAKERS: Dec. 24, 2011
Seventeen individuals made their first commitments as Providence Associates during a recent Eucharistic Liturgy at St. Mary-of-the-Woods and at other sites across the United States.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 24, 2011
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First Congregational Church offering ‘Longest Night Service’
During this season, we often think of Santa and presents, nativity scenes and the birth of the Savior, as well as family gatherings and meals.
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Independent Nazarene Church plans Christmas concert
The Singing Barrick Family will be presenting a Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 25 at the Independent Nazarene Church.
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THE JOY LADY: He is worthy: Are our hearts full of worship this Christmas?
Those manger scenes I’ve been talking about remind us that Joseph’s heart was full of courage and Mary’s heart was obedient. As for the shepherds — their hearts were full of worship.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 17, 2011
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Christmas Dinner planned at Marshall church
The fifth annual Community Christmas Dinner, sponsored by Marshall First United Methodist Church will be on Dec. 25 at the church in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone who lives in the Marshall area is welcome to attend this free dinner.
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THE JOY LADY: Like Mary, we should give God our total, humble obedience
My heart needs to be more like Mary’s. Here she was, minding her own business, busily preparing for her wedding, when the angel Gabriel showed up and told her she had found favor with God and that soon she would be with child. She was going to give birth to Jesus, the Son of the Most High, whose kingdom would never, ever, never end.
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Sponsor a child at Christmas
All 18 elementary schools in Vigo County were able to submit names of three to five families from their school that need the most help for the holiday season.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 10, 2011
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Terre Haute native on her book: It’s a ‘Bible study with a twist’
“Refreshing Bible study with a twist” is how Terre Haute native Mary Ann (Shouse) Crum describes her recently released book, “Live. Learn. Laugh! Stories and Studies That Reveal God’s Amazing Heart” (Xulon Press, 2011).
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