Betty Whitaker Jackson

I’m rereading my latest book, published in January 2022 as I prepare to begin its sequel. The story, you’ll remember, is of fostering and adopting children, and I just read about halfway through the book about the mom, whose name is Cher, who is waiting for the school day to end. The house has been too quiet. She is distracted as she thinks about the last three weeks of summer, preparing for school to start, with five kids gathering supplies,…..

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Sometimes it’s hard as a retiree to think about this being a time of harvest, but indeed it is. As I think about my years of teaching, beginning a new year with hopes and expectations, goals, reasons to achieve, I miss that “rush,” that little extra bit of enthusiasm that comes with the first week of school. But as a retiree, days seem regular, routine, predictable, and sometimes, well, a bit boring.

Then I read a verse like this: 2nd…..

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It’s been ten years and I’m still nostalgic. Here is the first day of school, and I am not feeling the ecstasy of excitement at meeting new students, beginning a new school year, hopeful that the vibrancy of my teaching will make a difference in yet another 130 or so students entering my classroom. The first day is one of excitement, hope, anticipation, and yet a little bit of humble fear that maybe something is not ready, or perhaps things…..

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During the last six weeks, I have taken a hiatus from life, as my life changed dramatically. I have come face to face with the fact that I cannot do everything, I cannot be everything to everyone, I cannot accomplish tasks that used to be easy, and I cannot be the capable one in the room. I have suffered a severe attitude adjustment.

My pre and post surgery words I’ve read say it’s all temporary. But my body and mind…..

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I’m beginning research for a book idea tracing music and its use through scripture. Music plays a big part in my life. From beginning piano at three years old to try to strengthen my crossed eyes ans astigmatism to watching with pride as my children and grandchildren perform in orchestras, music has inspired, comforted, challenged, and amazed me in countless performances, venues, celebrations, and concerts. I have admired musicians from afar and many are friends. I have enjoyed performing in…..

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I’ve been working at a frenetic pace today, trying to get things done before weeks of recovery from my hip surgery. At 7:00, before breakfast, I was pulling weeds. At 8:00 I was gathering things I will need for my hospital stay. At 9:00 I was checking the pantry. I finally stopped for breakfast. At 10:00, I’m getting ready for small group that meets at 1:00 by zoom. In between I have straightened up the house, dusted with my long-handled…..

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Today I had my pre-op appointment before my scheduled hip surgery on Monday. I learned new things, as I have throughout this whole process. First, that my pain can be relieved by this operation. Second, there are experts willing and able to help. Third, God gives me the courage and insight to trust others. Fourth, there are new methods being used even since my husband’s procedures, and finally, that the physician’s assistant I met will be with me every step…..

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This title, “Can One Man Save the World?” is significant today. As a Christian, I know One Man did save the world as a sacrifice for us all. If you don’t know the story, read the book of John in the Bible

However, here’s a story about another man named John. John Ondrasik, a singer, songwriter who became famous following the 9.11 attacks, and now has a project to save Ukraine. It is being featured today on all the TV…..

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I am preparing for hip surgery nine days from now. I am exercising muscles I didn’t know I had, and it’s part of my routine several times a day. It will be valuable in my recovery time and effectiveness in using my new artificial hip.

The Bible has something to say about this, as it does about many of life’s challenges. Here’s what Paul write in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27: “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only…..

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Job 42:1 says: “Job replied to the Lord, ‘I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘What is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.’Job “

I will admit, in the last few months, I have been discouraged by things in the news, changes in our country, and health concerns of my own. I am…..

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