24
February 3, 2025 by Gina Stinson
Filed under Daily Devotions, Life Topics
By Gina Stinson
My last 24 hours have been CRAZY! My friend from out of town came to stay with us for two days while in the area working. While here, she had a horrible reaction to some medication she is on and we ended up spending four hours in the ER. When I got home, my son, who had been sick for three days, was worse than ever—fever, vomiting, coughing, stuffy nose…YUCK! We had a pretty sleepless night.
Isn’t it funny how much can change in 24 short hours? The house was clean, we had company over, we were talking about a staff dinner we were to host that night, and we were making PLANS. Needless to say….all those plans…and the clean house changed pretty quickly.
Somehow, in the chaos that transpired, I imagined how it must have been 24 hours before Christ was born. My mind had been dwelling on the nativity story lately so I pondered there for a while. What was Mary thinking? Knowing the Savior of the World was on His way in just hours. What about Joseph? Do you think he felt the weight most fathers feel when they are about to become a parent? I also thought about Mary’s parents. How do you think they felt knowing their daughter was soon to deliver and was heading out of town? (I know my mom wouldn’t have been happy!)
The Elf Is Watching…
January 26, 2025 by Gina Stinson
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family
By Gina Stinson
Every year about this time a small little stuffed creature arrives at our home—Elf. Elf is a friendly little guy who is responsible for reporting back to Santa about the behavior of my kids. He’s Santa’s helper.
It’s convenient. Elf shows up and my parental instructions are more readily obeyed and my kids actually move more quickly and with a little more excitement when routine chores are accomplished. It’s hilarious. I giggle to myself as I watch.
Eagerness to please, quick response times, and such remarkable devotion to a stuffed animal that only comes around three months of the year is cute…and understandable for little children. Adults would be ridiculous to act that way. But in a world where materialism, money, and employment are valued above character, morals, and values, we might need to take a second look into the Elf’s mirror. Who are we trying to please?
The Loudest Sermon
January 15, 2025 by Gina Stinson
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family
By Gina Stinson
Growing up, I had a friend who came from a large family. Becky’s dad was a part-time preacher and carpet layer. They struggled to make ends meet. It was sometime in the 1980’s when I saw my dad do something I will never forget, the kind of thing that makes you look at your parents in a different, more respectful light.
It was Christmastime. We were at church when I saw my dad walk up to Becky’s dad, say a few words in greeting, and hand him a bundle of money. It was exchanged during a handshake. I saw Becky’s dad’s eyes well up with tears and I watched two men embrace in a strong, manly way I will never forget.
What my dad did was put feet to action. He saw a need and did something about it. I also saw the response of a grown man wanting to care for his family. Seeing hope and gratitude in his eyes jumpstarted me to action. I learned you don’t have to have a lot to do a lot. My family didn’t have money to throw away. There were three kids and my uncle and my parents living in a modest home with one income, yet God placed a burden on my dad’s heart to help meet the needs of others. Other than me, I doubt anyone else besides my mom saw what happened that day at church, but it was one of the loudest sermons ever preached to me in church.
Tis The Season
January 5, 2025 by Gina Stinson
Filed under Daily Devotions, Worship
By Gina Stinson
It’s the season of giving thanks, celebrating the birth of the Savior and making goals for living a better life. Oh…the holidays! As I sit and write this I am recovering from an obnoxious cold that has just about gotten the best of me. I’ve been in the recliner for four days and I am pretty sure my poor family is tired of hearing me bark…I mean, cough.
I’ve had a lot of time on my hands. Something I don’t have much of during the holidays. I’ve blogged, read a book, written some, and watched too much television. I’m ready to get back to my real life.
After four days my body and mind start crying out for activity. I’m craving some cuddle time with my kids, I want to cook, laundry is even looking—well, ok…maybe not. But, you know what I mean. When you’ve been down, there comes a time when you are about to go crazy for some activity. I’m there.
Clean Air, Clean Water…Clean Lives?
November 18, 2024 by Gina Stinson
Filed under Daily Devotions, Life Topics
By Gina Stinson
A friend recently said, “People today want clean water, clean air, but don’t necessarily want clean lives.” Isn’t that the truth?
Before we go pointing the proverbial finger, we Christians have to take a look at ourselves. It’s easy to say we want to live a life after God, but how often do we get caught up in the world? The muck and mire of our earthly walk stains our spiritual skin. We say on Sunday “I surrender all,” but by Tuesday we are singing a different tune.
Dedicating ourselves to clean living is a life process. We aren’t programmed for clean living, so it means we have to reprogram the way we think, talk, act, and walk. Instead of complaining and gossiping, we have to reprogram ourselves to be thankful and encouraging. Instead of doing our own thing, we have to reprogram ourselves to think of others…and the contrast could go on forever.
