Author: Staci Mauney

Thankful to Be Me

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Author’s Note: This month, my blog posts will all focus on thankfulness.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6)

As Thanksgiving draws near, I begin to think more about all the things for which I’m thankful. In an effort to focus more on my blessings, I’m participating in the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc. (OWFI) gratefulness photo challenge this month. Each day, I’ll post a different picture of something for which I’m thankful.

The first photo prompt was to share a photo of someone I see every day, which was a challenge for me since I live and work alone. I can go for several days without seeing another person unless I make an effort to do so. For the photo challenge, I shared a picture of my dog, Lilly. She’s a loyal companion, and I’m more thankful for her than I can really express. After I posted the photo, I felt God speaking to my heart, encouraging me to think more deeply about the meaning the prompt had for me. After all, I realized, I do see someone every day. Continue reading “Thankful to Be Me” →

Fear of Clowns and Other Lessons Learned at Halloween

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Ps 9:10)

My fear of clowns began in 1982 when I was five years old. For Halloween that year, my mom, who designed and sewed many of my clothes, made me a clown costume. I can still remember how thrilled I was. It was so cute – a little red costume with a frilly white collar, frilly white cuffs at the feet, and bright yellow buttons. I couldn’t wait to wear it trick-or-treating. Continue reading “Fear of Clowns and Other Lessons Learned at Halloween” →

Celebrating My Grandma Velma’s Legacy

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” (Ps 46:5)

I come from a line of strong women. From my mom to her mom to my dad’s mom, the most influential women in my life have provided strong examples of who a Christian woman should be. My dad’s mom, my Grandma Velma, would have been 97 on her birthday earlier this month if she were still with us. She had a hard life in which she married young, had two children, divorced, remarried, had four more children, lost one child, divorced again, and remarried for the final time. She worked for the railroad and moved her way up to supervisor, where she was in authority over men including my step-grandpa. For a woman of her era, she lived a life that was different than most other women. Through it all, she kept her faith in God and shared her love of the Lord with her children and grandchildren. Continue reading “Celebrating My Grandma Velma’s Legacy” →

Taking Control of My Thoughts

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Prov 27:17)

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about 2 Corinthians 10:5 and how to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” We have an average of thirty-five to forty-eight thoughts per minute – up to as many as 70,000 thoughts per day. How can I possibly control that many thoughts on my own? When left unchecked, my thoughts tend toward the negative. I worry and use negative self-talk until it’s a spiral that I can’t recover from on my own. Continue reading “Taking Control of My Thoughts” →

The Consolation of a Furry Companion

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” (Ps 94:19)

Lilly, my Yorkie, ran to hide under the bed again as I grabbed my purse and keys. It was time to leave for work, and she was determined to keep me home.

“Lilly,” I called, peering around the corner of the hallway into my bedroom.

Silence.

Then I heard a snuffling noise from under the bed, so I knew she was still there.

I walked into the bedroom and peered under the bed. Two bright eyes stared back at me. I put my hand out, and she licked my fingers, but she didn’t get any closer. I sighed.

“Okay, Lilly, you win. Treat!”

I grabbed the container of treats and shook it just outside the bedroom door. As soon as she heard the crinkle of the packaging, she ran out. I gave her the treat and quickly put the baby gate in place before she could run back into my room. Disappointed, she ran into the living room to hide behind the blankets. Continue reading “The Consolation of a Furry Companion” →