Truthful Grace
Renew your heart with these inspiring Christmas articles by author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin~ Truthful Grace. There is hope! Our Savior is born!
By Melissa McLaughlin Horns honked as traffic piled up at the red light. Drivers glared at one another through clenched teeth. As I rolled into the parking lot, another car sped toward the nearest empty parking space. A sigh slipped through my lips. Upon entering the store, shoppers rushed about picking up items and studying … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Her fingers gripped the handlebars, and her feet thrust down on the pedals. With eyes focused in deep concentration, she poured her full strength into the task. It seems like yesterday our children learned to ride a two-wheeled bike. When each child was ready, my husband removed the training wheels. With one … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Their soft faces glowed, and small fingers pointed. Delighted squeals echoed in our car as we drove through the night. “Look at that house!” “Over here’s another one!” I remember the awe our children expressed each year as lights twinkled in the windows, and Christmas carols hummed over the hustle and bustle. … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Have You Met the King? I never met our President. My tiny sphere of influence does not include the King or Queen of any country, for that matter. I’m just an ordinary person. But there is a King who knows my name. And I matter to His kingdom. In Isaiah 9:6-7 we … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Whole World Sings How the sun sparkled! It was a sunny morning after a big winter storm. A nor’easter. A December storm that dumped snow, sleet and freezing rain on our community through the night. We awoke to a blanket of white as far as the eye could see. Still untouched, … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Gift of a Child How their innocent eyes twinkled with glee! I remember with such fondness, the days when my children were preschoolers and brought me gifts for Christmas. They rummaged through the toy box and selected a treasured gift to give. With little fingers, they wrapped the items in Kleenex … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Do you remember a time like this? That moment when you needed someone to believe you, to trust you. Perhaps it was an accident and you wanted others to understand what happened. Maybe it was the doctor and you needed him to believe your symptoms. Perhaps someone was giving a different account … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Childhood Memories Clop, clop, clop. I still remember the sound. As a child, I loved horses. I read books about horses. I drew sketches of horses. At night, I dreamed of horses. Then one year, the unthinkable happened, my parents gave me a Shetland pony for Christmas. What more could a girl … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin If we are honest, we would all admit having experienced this at some point: the world around us dances merrily to the joyful strains of Christmas hallelujahs while we sit quietly, the inner hum of sadness drones on, a low and steady beat in our spirits. We may smile for the camera, … Read more
Guest Post By The Eclectic Contrarian The First Christmas Tree The first Christmas tree was not beautiful. The lights did not catch your eye with splendor. The ornaments did not adorn or complement and decor. In fact, the first Christmas tree (Acts 5:30) was rough, splintered, uncomfortable, cumbersome, awkward and feared. The first Light (John … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Peace I invite you to pause for just a moment and allow these words of Jesus to wash over you: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” … Read more