The Empty Chair

Take time to pray for those who are suffering ECS today— Empty Chair Syndrome, meaning those family and friends who have lost someone. The loss could be recent, 5 years ago or 20 years ago, but the pain is, nonetheless, real and present. Pray for the Lord to comfort them, wrap them in His Perfect Peace and cover them in His Love. Ask for all the wonderful memories, and amazing love, they shared to be near and for them to be covered in Hope in the midst of their pain!


See, for me, today—one of my favorite days of the year—is about thanking Jesus for ALL my many blessings (all of which are undeserved), faith, family, food, did I mention food, and football, but I also look at the empty chairs of Buddy, Mamaw and Papaw. I miss them. I miss Karson, Jonathan, AJ and so many more. So, while I’m infinitely grateful, for today; I also have a heavy heart! A little tiny piece of Thanksgiving will NEVER be the same and is forever lost!

If I know 3 things people appreciate, in life, it’s somebody taking the time to say I love you, somebody taking the time to notice them and to say you don’t walk alone. I care. You matter. Your feelings matter and I know it’s hard. So, take a couple of minutes to text, or *gasp* call, someone and let them know you’re praying for them, are here for them and walk alongside them. On one of the busiest, albeit special, times of the year . . . it will mean the world! +Hope Abounds+ JMB

I, actually, wrote this post 2 times, before now. Don’t believe we face opposition? I typed it on my phone and hit post and my phone, which never messes up, said the link may be broken. It was lost. I then got on my laptop and wrote it again with more fervor, and determination, and a little pissed off and disappointed and hit post and it magically disappeared. So, not one to quit, or give up easily, I got on Microsoft word and composed this, because fool me once, I’m bothered, fool me twice, I’m real irritated, but fool me three times . . . well, that just won’t happen! Because this message was WORTH too much not to get out!

One More

Oh, how sweet it would to be to have ONE MORE . . .

One more hug, one more smile, one more talk

One more game of hopscotch lined in chalk

One trip, as the wind blows, on the merry go-around

One more skinned knee, playing kickball, after falling down

One more time getting called down for not being quiet in class

One more being scared to look at my grade did I fail or did I pass?

One more time staying up to watch a movie past my bedtime

One note, handed in class, check yes or no will you be mine

One more game Mom, I promise it’ll just be one more

One more buggy-ride through the grocery store

One more pick-up game that will end up in a fight

One more windy day just to fly a kite

One more time listening to your laugh as time seems to stand still

One more trip to the golden arches to get the toy in the Happy Meal

One more Sunday morning with grateful hands lifted high

One more I think I can, after all, you never know unless you try

One more time of hearing your footsteps coming down the hall

One more trip, blasting the music, heading to the mall

One more evening, just sitting and listening to your voice

One more time would be magical, abra cadabra, on multiple-choice

One more day, sitting in a swing, holding tightly to your hand

One more touchdown as the school song is played by the band

One more smile— it would be amazing to see your face light up with joy

What I would give to do it all over to go back to being a little boy

One more smell of the breakfast cooking as soon as I awake

One more time skiing or jumping off the pier at the lake

One more tear falling down my cheek that’s how we know we truly care

One more time playing spin the bottle, on the trampoline, or truth or dare

One more time Saturday to sleep in as the rain begins to fall

One more giggle, one more crush, one more late-night phone call

One more time to hit snooze as the boss wonders where we are

One more time to make a wish twinkle, twinkle little star

One more time to bow my head now I lay me down to sleep

If I could make one wish how these memories I would keep

What would be my request if these memories I could store

I would treasure each one before simply asking for just one more!

JMB