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Dream Chaser

When I was ten years old, I decided I would write books for a living. My first novel: The Puppy Without A Tail, I wrote and illustrated in the fifth grade. The Boat that Wouldn’t Float followed a few months later, and I lost track after that of the stories in my head, and scribbled on scraps of paper, and pounded out on a Smith Corona typewriter, and finally computers. I’ve worn the letters off keyboards and burned through a handful of laptops, but not one of my novels has been published yet. Chasing my dream of becoming a novelist began long […]

By Paula March 21, 2013

When Love Bites

This old photo ad reminds me of her: the little poodle my mom ran over in our driveway when I was a child. I don’t remember her name. Or even her color. I think perhaps she was grey, but I remember her bite. After running her over, my mom scooped her up and put her in my lap to drive to the vet. I remember my mom crying while driving and me determined to comfort that little dog. Trying my best to help her. And she bit me. This memory came to mind when someone wounded me with her words. […]

By Paula March 14, 2013

The Tiger in My Lifeboat

After a long day, I stopped by the grocery store for some milk and to mail a package. In a hurry to get home to make supper, I noticed barbecue sauce on sale as I walked down the aisle in front of the deli. Grabbing a bottle off the top shelf, I was shocked when the sauce slipped from my hand, and exploded at my feet like a volcano. Sauce drenched me. Coating my suede boots. My favorite jeans. My bright pink sweater. Even speckling my face and dripping from my hair. “I think your boots are ruined,” said a […]

By Paula March 9, 2013

Blooming Faith

I love this time of year when the trees bloom. The almond branches flower first, and then apricot, peaches, and cherry trees. Wild mustard fills the fields and daffodils rear their ruffled, yellow faces. On my way to my friend’s house, I admire her yard filled with flowers. And I admire my friend. She’s an 86 year old pastor’s widow who has lived alone for fifteen years since her husband went to heaven. She once confessed to me her greatest fear was someone would break into her home when she was alone. And one night this past winter it happened. […]

By Paula March 1, 2013

BACKROADS

I didn’t marry my husband because I thought we’d be happy. I married him because I couldn’t stand the thought of never getting over him. Of making a marriage with someone else where Scott would be that memory in my bed. That memory in my head. That memory of a man who broke my heart and held its pieces, though I’d moved on to raise a family with someone safer. There are some bridges once crossed, the water beneath sweeps your soul away. So twenty-four years ago, I eloped with Scott. Keeping it secret for years. We did the whole Catholic […]

By Paula February 23, 2013

LOVE THAT LASTS

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh” Ephesians 5:31.In honor of Valentine’s Day, I looked up this verse in the Bible expecting to find it in the Old Testament, which I did, Genesis 2:24. I also found it listed in Matthew 19:5 and Mark 10:7-8 of the New Testament.Malachi 2:15 also deals with this text. You cry out, “Why doesn’t the LORD accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were […]

By Paula February 14, 2013

Dying Religion

Have you heard the story of the stranded starfish? Yesterday I met a woman who has served God all her life. It’s her vocation. Her livelihood working for the church. But as we talked, I realized something awful. She didn’t know Jesus. Didn’t love the LORD her God. She was stranded in her religion. And for forty years she has taught children in a number of prominent church schools across the nation. All I could think was, no wonder today’s generation rejects the church. Presented with this kind of dying religion, I’d reject the church, too. So I told her […]

By Paula February 7, 2013