Terrie's Tender Touch

I am oldest of 5 children, the only girl with 4 younger brothers. I guess you could say that I was spoiled, but I also bore a great deal of responsibility as the oldest child - and with being the only girl I was expected to do all the things that girls do in the home...you know helping with dishes, laundry, cleaning, etc... so, while I was spoiled, I also was held responsible for my younger siblings. I never was bothered about being the only girl, and I didn't mind not having a sister while I was growing up because I was able to share a special relationship with each of my parents. For my mom I was her only girl - so I was able to become the recipient of all the adorable things that moms like to get for their daughters. For my dad - well, I was a daddy's girl, and to a certain extent though I am in my 50's and have been married for nearly 32 years, I still am. Today is my dad's birthday. I was thinking about my dad this morning and as I pondered the wonderful relati...

We live in a “me” generation, by that I mean most people ask “what can I get?” instead of “what can I do?” We can all be so selfish, even on the Ruffles chips bag, it says, “Get your own bag;” in days gone by, it was the "family pass around pack." We used to be encouraged to share, now it’s “get your own” - it sounds silly, but it’s just subtle and constant enough to affect the way we think. We all expect something for ourselves - “What’s in it for me?” is a very common question. People that are consumed with serving themselves will not muster up the strength or energy to serve God or work on the things that God has given them. "And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee..." Isaiah 64:7 I would like to encourage you to “stir yourself up” and “keep the fire burning” in your marriage! God instituted marriage; it is a holy union that will be blessed as your keep Christ in the center. Too many wives complain about what th...

For a mother there aren't many things capable of bringing sheer joy, or a broken heart like the actions of her children. It seems that our hearts are completely enveloped by the lives of our children. Even now that my children are grown as I think of them throughout the day I bring them before the throne of grace. When I see my children fulfill a goal or accomplish something new I want to be the first one to cheer them on, or let them know how proud I am of them. When any of my children face a trial, while I know that I can't prevent it or be there to make everything all better as I did when they were young, I carry it in my heart and go through it with them, and pray it through. I have been thinking of an account of a mother whose heart was broken by the acts of one of her children. She was attending an event over which one of her children was presiding. She was so proud of this great accomplishment, the sessions being taught, and the respect with which her child was being rec...