Tag: Jesus

The Backpack

Posted on by Staci Mauney

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matt. 11:30)

Years ago, when I was working on my master’s degree, I noticed some pain just under the right side of my collar bone. I’m not opposed to going to the doctor, but I didn’t want to take the time. When I went to the doctor to find out what was causing the pain, I was surprised by the diagnosis—a pulled muscle in my back.

But the pain was in the front, not the back, so I questioned the doctor—was she sure? She was patient and launched into an explanation about how some of the muscles in my back are attached to my rib cage, which is why I felt the pain in the front instead of the back. I’m still not entirely sure I understand how that worked, but one thing I did know for sure—I wanted to prevent it from happening again. Continue reading “The Backpack” →

The Lighthouse

Posted on by Staci Mauney

The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Matt. 4:13)

My family and I recently visited two lighthouses on Lake Michigan. The history behind the beautifully restored lighthouses on Lake Michigan fascinates me. The lighthouse keepers and their families were isolated in a way that we can’t imagine today, even with the isolation caused by the pandemic. Imagine you’re the lighthouse keeper at Point Betsie Lighthouse, or his wife or child. The nearest road was 40 miles away, and it could be reached only by boat, which severely restricted access in and out. The lighthouse had been in operation for decades before the townspeople of nearby Frankfort, Michigan, banded together and raised money to create a road directly to the lighthouse for delivering supplies. Continue reading “The Lighthouse” →

Sacrifice

Posted on by Staci Mauney

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)

The summer holiday really begins in earnest Memorial Day weekend. Many people spend the weekend cooking and eating hot dogs and hamburgers, hanging out at the lake, and enjoying the three-day weekend before heading back to work on Tuesday. Still others decide to use this weekend as a springboard to start their summer vacations. Continue reading “Sacrifice” →

Try Harder

Posted on by Staci Mauney

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph. 2:8–9)

When I was in the eighth grade, a new basketball coach came to my school. He was young, and the community had high hopes for what he would do for our team. His style of coaching brought out the best in us—and in me. He saw potential in me, and he would often stay after practice to give me extra help. He taught me how to shoot a proper layup and how to develop a rhythm for free throws. Years later, as a senior, that training paid off when I became number eight in the state of Oklahoma for free throw percentage. Continue reading “Try Harder” →

Finding My Way Back to Center

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.” (Ps. 71:5)

Several months ago, my workload increased to the point where I was working upwards of ten to twelve hours a day, seven days a week, consistently for almost four months. While I was excited that my business was doing so well, working those kinds of hours took a toll. I let a number of things slide—things like my blogs and social media posts and my next cozy mystery—things I had worked hard to build but didn’t have time to maintain. I didn’t participate in get togethers with friends because I had deadlines to meet. I stopped reaching out as much. I started reading books and Bible studies that I still haven’t finished. Continue reading “Finding My Way Back to Center” →