Noticer Moments (Written)

The outdoor siren began to wail from across the lake. It was this month’s scheduled test for a tornado warning in our area. I hurried outside and listened closely, waiting for those reassuring words, “this is a test, this is only a test.” I thought, “what if this were a warning that Jesus was on His way?” That thought carried me back to another ordinary day, 25 years ago. Except on that day, ordinary life changed with no warning. My car was being serviced at a Pensacola deale

I had just watched the new Spider-Man movie, so I guess my Spidey sense was still on alert. Outside my sunroom I spotted a single, small leaf that appeared to float mid-air. A slight breeze caused it to sway like it was on a trapeze. From my desk chair, I couldn’t see what was holding it, but I imagined it was a strong strand of spiderweb that had been strategically spun by a clever spider hiding somewhere in the limbs of a large tree overhead. grabbed my phone and headed out

I watched my three-year-old grandson, Sully, “reading” the other day. I smiled as his finger moved across the written words as if his words matched those on the page. Since capturing this moment, I’ve watched it repeatedly. It is adorable. The gift of his imagination is on full display. I’m also reminded that, as his Lolli, I can help him become familiar with the words of the Bible. I can help him discover the wonder and truth of God’s Word. I can tell him the stories of Jesu

It was near the end of the first day of school when I looked up from my desk and saw my mom peeking through the little square window in the classroom door. The bell had not rung yet, but I got up and headed toward her. Mrs. Tiller, my first-grade teacher, told me to sit back down. But first-grade Pam did not appreciate that. I planted my hands on my hips and said, “You’re not my mama!” And I headed right on out the door. I knew who my mother was. What I didn’t understand was

Countless tributes have been written about Dolly Parton since her passing on August 25. I didn’t know her. But, I can give you a snapshot of something that never would have made it into a tribute. It was the 70’s. I was a student at Troy State University, listening to Dolly sing her heart out in a campus auditorium filled with college students. Suddenly, this glamorous, larger-than-life performer stopped mid-song to examine the fingers she was using to strum her guitar and bl

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 Lake living in a house at the top of a gentle slope affords me an incredible view of the goings and comings on Logan Martin Lake. Fishermen and women often fish around our dock and close to our seawall. While they sit patiently in their boats, casting their fishing lines into deeper water, the higher view from my sunroom sanctuary allows me to see silver flashes of fish breaking the water’s surface all around them.

I see you. This morning during my devotion time, I remembered a message I received a couple of days before from a woman I hadn’t heard from in years. She apologized for contacting me “out of the blue” before asking for prayer. I call myself a Noticer and many of you are noticing things along with me through this online ministry. We pay attention to the simple things God places around us and ask, “Lord, what are You teaching me here?” But those things dim in comparison to the

My first thought when I spotted this little turtle was, “He’s having a Titanic moment!” Perched on the highest point of our dock handrail, he looked like the king of the lake, gazing over his domain. As I drew nearer, he decided I was getting too close. Quickly he dove into the water, landed with a loud splash and disappeared beneath the surface. It made me think about us. We often want to be seen. We want someone to notice us… until they get too close. Until we feel exposed

Click Here To Watch Video Sitting at their Pops’ feet, our grandchildren were excited to hear him reveal our plans for the day. He had the girls’ full attention. Three-year-old Sully was nearby, in his own little world, and he could hear every word. But just as Pops was about to give them their choices, he playfully began speaking gibberish. “Yack-mah-tay, ee-wah, moh-mah, meh-deh-moh.” The children’s reaction was immediate. They jumped up, ran to Pops, and repeatedly pleaded

This week I had the privilege of spending time with my 96-year-old Aunt Claudell. When I asked questions, she answered with stories that animated her face, evoked a giggle, a full-bellied laugh, or a big smile. She was beautiful. Wanting to preserve our family’s history, I videoed her answers. The stories were great, but it was her perspective that captured my heart. Aunt Claudell told me she gave her life to Christ as a child. As she looked back on her years, she marveled a

I was sitting in my sunroom sanctuary and noticed a sparrow eating seeds from our bird feeder. Upon reflection, I realized that just a few feet from our bird feeder is where our lilies bloom each spring. In the same view were two of Jesus’ most beautiful illustrations - lasting reminders of The Father’s care and faithful provision for us. It occurred to me that if I hadn’t filled the feeder, God still would have cared for that tiny sparrow. Our bird feeder was one of the way