Author Archives: rstaples2013

Realigning My Periscope

Posted on April 11, 2014 by rstaples2013

I have one area of my life where the Presence of God is blurred. I know, cognitively, that God is good. An African greeting begins: “God is good,” followed by the response:“ All the time.” The greeting goes on: “All … Continue reading →

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Becoming a Catalyst for Questions

Posted on April 9, 2014 by rstaples2013

Faith through aging eyes gives us the vantage point of seeing things through the lens of experience. We want to give advice that will prevent an unwelcome outcome to a chosen path. Well-meaning as we are, we usually find unsolicited … Continue reading →

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The Healing Power of Love

Posted on April 4, 2014 by rstaples2013

Yesterday I was sent a visitor from God. She has a name by which people call her, but I recognized her and today remember her as love. She was not in a hurry, even though I know she has much … Continue reading →

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“Following Jesus Is Not Hard”

Posted on March 26, 2014 by rstaples2013

I listened as these words were spoken with confidence and joy by a charismatic prophet from Macedonia. This man then said, “You only think it is hard because someone told you it was hard.” I should probably end this blog … Continue reading →

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Leave Your Dignity at Home

Posted on March 24, 2014 by rstaples2013

There is no way to be a hospital patient and experience a sense of dignity. As a nurse, I can talk about body parts and bodily functions much as a teacher would talk about homework and glue. It becomes part … Continue reading →

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There Is Someone Home

Posted on March 21, 2014 by rstaples2013

Most of us have heard the crude remark, “the lights are on but nobody’s home” referring to someone with cognitive impairment. I recently found myself in conversation with a person whom, I have since learned, has a known diagnosis of … Continue reading →

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Papa Doesn’t Have Spell Check

Posted on March 19, 2014 by rstaples2013

The following story came by email today. It is the first one I have ever seen written by my precious first grade granddaughter. I read it with delight and pride. “The Qwen and the Prinsess, Wans thar was a Qwen … Continue reading →

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In His Grip

Posted on March 18, 2014 by rstaples2013

Try to imagine yourself feeling as someone who could easily lose his or her balance. Now, in this weakened condition, imagine you need to walk on an uneven path that has loose slippery stones. A strong young friend comes along … Continue reading →

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Faith through Aging Eyes

Posted on March 12, 2014 by rstaples2013

As a relatively “young” person assigned to ministry with Senior Adults, I deliberately chose to use the word “we” when addressing “our” group. Over the years, awareness gradually dawned: aging people look old to other people but they don’t feel … Continue reading →

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Too Much Red Ink

Posted on March 10, 2014 by rstaples2013

It’s not hard to remember the sinking feeling that came with getting an assignment back from a teacher and finding it all marked up with red ink. It’s not a very long journey from, “I got a failing grade” to … Continue reading →

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