He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul. . . .
                                                            — Psalm 23:2,3a

We have this neighborhood pond that’s more than a pond. It’s a place of unity, healing and beauty, where towering cottonwoods whisper, ‘’Blessings! Blessings!’’

It used to be an eyesore, a slime pit.…

For the things which are seen are temporary,
but the things which are not seen are eternal.

          — 2 Corinthians 4:18b

I love tulip time. Aren’t the waves and splotches of color great, after a dreary winter? Tulips symbolize hope, because of the way the plain little tulip bulb miraculously shoots up out of nowhere to become a tall,

…

Thou art all fair, my love;
there is no spot in thee.

— Song of Solomon 4:7

My parents really did have one of the best love stories around. They were just right for each other, a wonderful match. While they kidded each other a lot, I never heard either of them ever “diss” the other.

…

For the Lord, the God of Israel,
saith he hateth putting away. . . .

— Malachi 2:16a

He was leaving her for another woman. He was demanding a divorce. Thinking of their kids, she didn’t want it. But he did. That was that.

One of her friends took up tae kwon do.

…

And ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free.

— John 8:32

It was like bombs going off, a thousand firecrackers right in front of her face. The wife had just found out about her husband’s longstanding affairs, lies and deceit. He told her he didn’t love her any more and wanted a divorce.

…