 My son makes me nervous. He's just not as careful as his mother would like him to be. Yes, I need to chill sometimes, and I've tried, but that little bit of tension remains. Like when we went marsh fishing with friends in the Chalmette-Hopedale, Louisiana area. On the outskirts of New Orleans, the land is flat and low, and it was virtually swamped and destroyed during Katrina. That's the reason for the trailer on really tall stilts that we stayed in, also the enormous levy system with huge gates--they look as though built to keep out giants. The marsh itself is a very unique place, both beautiful and dangerous.  When our friends took us on their boat for the first time, I quickly realized I'd rather just relax on the balcony overlooking the marsh and read a book. The reason? There's a small lip along the edge of the boat, and of course, that was where my son (who was about fifteen at the time) chose to stand and fish. (You can see the edge of the boat in this picture of my friend Dawn holding her trophy fish.) I could just picture him falling into that murky water....all sorts of sea creatures waiting for him... My husband and son fished with them a few times out there on the marsh, brought home some delicious redfish. But on one occasion, my fears proved to be legitimate. The motor surged, and my son fell in. They say he came out of the water and back into the boat about as fast as--or maybe even faster than--he went in. I feel like there's a short spiritual lesson in that little fishing story...not to stand on the edge of danger or sin. In my younger years, I failed to heed that advice, and I fell into deep waters and some bad situations. So, if you do happen to get too close to the edge and end up in that murky situation or sin, try to scramble back into the safety of God's arms as quickly as possible. P.S. If you go fishing, bring me some fish!  This is Cam, and his company makes a great product called The Fish Grip, made right here in Mississippi!  Upcoming Book Signing Events:
Lemuria, Jackson, Saturday August 13 1:00 Mississippi Book Festival Saturday August 20 9-6:30 Reed's Gum Tree Bookstore, Tupelo, Tuesday August 23 12:00 Book 3, Tackling the Fields releases August 13 on most platforms Book 4, Blown Together, set in Mobile, Alabama will release this fall.
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 I’m an old mom now. A year ago, a ministry was started at my church where the older women mentor the younger. Somehow, my children were born, and then after hundreds of baby videos, recitals, ballgames, laughs, tears, and tension headaches, a whirlwind happened—I landed on the other side of motherhood. My babies grew up. So I’m one of the older women who are supposed to teach the younger, according to Titus 2. Basically, a group of us who’ve gone through that same time whirlwind make dinner each month and share how we tried, how we messed up … hoping our openness helps the younger women. There was a conference this past weekend in West Monroe, Louisiana, about this whole mentoring thing. I thought I’d better go, because I needed guidance in this new role.  Monroe has that Louisiana look with flat delta land and bayous. And of course flavorful food. A friend and I ate at Waterfront Grill and enjoyed their specialty, Catfish Desiard, and a lovely view. Many of us made our photo at the famous spot in front of the Duck Commander store. A river divides the area into two cities—Monroe and West Monroe, but everything was really close. I heard there are more interesting stores on antique row, as well as restaurants near the river, but the conference was our priority this trip. A slew of great speakers talked, including Jeremy and Addie Camp, the Robertson ladies, Joneal Kirby, and Shellie Tomlinson, all with moving and powerful encouragement. They really didn’t go about telling everyone how to be a better mentor or person or mother, so much as, inspiring women to not give up—to be the light for their generation and the ones coming behind. While the world goes crazy and life gets scary, we women can rise up boldly and speak life into our families and our communities for the good of our country-our world. I was inspired. So, ladies reading this … being an old mom is no excuse. Rise up and speak Words of Life.  |
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