Echoes of Joy Blog

The Heart: The Center of Ourselves

Posted on by Staci Mauney

 

 

Pictured from left to right: Uncle Venoy (photo courtesy of Sarah Foust); Grandpa Cecil and Grandma Rena (my mom’s parents); Staci, Grandma Velma (my dad’s mom), and Stoney; and Grandpa Fred (my dad’s dad)

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” (Mt. 22:37)

Heart problems run in my family. Of my four biological grandparents, all had heart problems. Of my mom’s five brothers, two have now passed away from heart attacks. Two years ago this March, my uncle Venoy suffered a massive heart attack, passing away just hours later. Were there signs? Yes. He had terrible back pain for three days prior to the heart attack, and even though he rarely suffered from that particular malady, none of us recognized it as a sign of an impending heart attack. Continue reading “The Heart: The Center of Ourselves” →

Love Is Action

Posted on by Staci Mauney

 

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love…” (Eph 4:2)

Each year as Valentine’s Day approaches, thoughts turn to expressions of love. What does love mean to you? It means something different to me now that I’m – ahem – 40 than it did when I was 20. I’m in a different season of life and have had experiences that have reinforced some of my beliefs and caused me to question others. Continue reading “Love Is Action” →

Is Stubbornness Ever a Virtue?

Posted on by Staci Mauney

 

“Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are now far from my righteousness. I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and my salvation will not be delayed…” (Is 46:12-13)

We walked along the side of the road, Lilly trotting on the raised curb beside me. One of my many podcasts droned in my ears as I took advantage of the nice weather to get outside but still learn something new about the craft of writing. I wrapped Lilly’s leash around my hand and wrist to ensure that she couldn’t suddenly break free and take off for parts unknown. Continue reading “Is Stubbornness Ever a Virtue?” →

Celebrating Christmas All Year

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness…” (Eph 4:22-24)

The holidays are over, and I’ve taken down all the Christmas decorations and put them away for safekeeping until next year. Each year, this ritual leaves me feeling a little sad, but also a little energized. There’s just something about the joy of the Christmas season that makes me want to leave things out as long as possible, but as much as I enjoy the decorations, I want my house back in order even more. Continue reading “Celebrating Christmas All Year” →

The House Shoes

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” (2 Cor 4:15)

My feet stay cold. So cold that during the winter, they ache and cramp and generally cause problems for me. I have something called Renaud’s disease. It means that the circulation in my hands and feet has slowed down, causing these extremities to feel extremely cold and sometimes even to go numb. I’ve had this condition for three or four years, and it was probably caused by one of the medications that I took for migraines. Most of the time, I don’t even remember I have it – until my feet get cold and start to bother me. Continue reading “The House Shoes” →