Praise Him Psalms & Parables, Praises & Promises

  The Little House with the Big Heart (A Devotional Story) "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way  you will fulfill the law of Christ." — Galatians 6:2 (NIV) The morning sun was soft and golden as Aimee Little rounded the corner of the town library on her daily walk. She paused, as she always did, by the Little Pantry — a miniature house built by volunteers, its shelves stocked with canned goods, toiletries, and hope. Today, though, the tiny door hung crookedly on its frame. A figure knelt beside it, a familiar one. Ben was there with his toolbox, tightening the screws of a small replacement hinge. "Morning, Aimee," he said, flashing a quick grin. "Just patching it up again. Seems like every few weeks the poor thing needs mending." Aimee crouched beside him, studying the hinge. It was thin and shiny, but already straining under the weight of the little door. She hesitated, then said softly, "Maybe what it needs isn't just fixing. Mayb...

  Devotional Title:   Singing Through the Shadows Theme:  Praise in the Storm Story: The old church of St. Michael's stood on a small hill overlooking Willow Creek. Its aged stone walls had seen generations of both celebrations and sorrows. Inside, Sarah, the church's organist, sat alone in the dim light filtering through the stained-glass windows. A storm raged outside, mirroring the turmoil in her heart. Her husband, Michael, was in the hospital, his illness worsening with each passing day. Fear gnawed at her, threatening to overwhelm her faith. Pastor Emily found Sarah there, her hands resting on the silent keys. "Sarah," she said gently, "the storm…it's getting worse." Sarah looked up, her eyes filled with tears. "It feels like my whole world is a storm, Emily. I don't know how to praise God when my heart is breaking." Emily sat beside her. "I know it's hard, Sarah. But remember what it says in  Psalm 46:1-3 : 'God is our r...

  Devotional Title: The Enduring Quilt Scripture: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." - Isaiah 40:8 (ESV) Story: The old quilt lay draped across Grandma Rose's lap, a vibrant tapestry of faded colors and mismatched patches. Its edges were frayed, and some of the seams were coming undone, but it held a unique beauty. I sat beside her in her cozy sunroom, the scent of lavender and old books filling the air. Outside, the autumn wind was picking up, stripping the last stubborn leaves from the maple tree. "It's seen better days, hasn't it, dear?" Grandma Rose said, her voice a soft murmur as she gently stroked the quilt. "But it's still strong. Each patch tells a story, a memory. Some are from your grandpa's old work shirts, some from my wedding dress, and some from the children's baby blankets." I traced a worn patch of faded blue and white gingham. "It's beautiful," I said,...

 Here is the opening entry for the new series: Love Restored – January: The Pieces We Keep A Maple Lane Mystery The new year crept into Maple Lane under a soft dusting of snow, and with it came a sense of gentle reckoning. Aimee Little stood in the back room of Faithful Finds , the vintage shop she inherited from her grandmother, surrounded by boxes of forgotten heirlooms. January was quiet enough to take stock—of inventory, yes—but also of the pieces of her life she’d tucked away. One such piece was an old ceramic music box—its paint chipped, its tune broken. It had been her mother’s. Aimee hadn’t heard it play in over a decade, but something about it called to her this year. She placed it in the shop’s front window, a note beneath it: “Some things are worth mending.” Soon, townsfolk began stopping in—not just to shop, but to share items they hoped might be restored. A broken locket. A snapped snow globe. A worn Bible with loose pages. The shop transformed into a quiet work...

Here is the  December  entry for Hope in the Storm – A Maple Lane Mystery , closing the year with quiet hope, cherished traditions, and new beginnings that flicker to life in winter’s hush. Hope in the Storm – December: The Light Still Shines The snow in Maple Lane fell early that year—soft and steady, as if the town was being tucked in gently for the winter. Tori Rae Davis sat alone at her drafting table at the Maplewood Rec Center , piecing together the final designs for the town’s Winter Light Walk . It was a tradition Henry Davis had started years ago with nothing more than a string of blue bulbs and a hand-painted sign that read “Love Still Lives Here.” Now, the walk had grown into a full community event—soup booths, candlelit paths, and the annual blessing of the lanterns. But this year, Tori wasn’t sure she had the spirit for it. The grief of losing her dad had softened, but it still snuck up on her when she least expected it. And with her new Art Café at the Universit...

 Here is the  November  entry for Hope in the Storm – A Maple Lane Mystery , focused on gratitude, remembrance, and quiet strength during the season of thanks: Hope in the Storm – November: A Seat at the Table Thanksgiving in Maplewood was always a grand affair. From pie contests at Faithful on Maple Lane to the town-wide potluck hosted at the Rec Center , the whole community came together to share food and stories. But for Lydia Harper , this year felt different. It was the second Thanksgiving without her husband, and while her sister Clara’s famous apple pie was still the talk of the town, Lydia found it hard to enjoy things like she used to. She had volunteered to help decorate the potluck tables with handcrafted centerpieces, but each cornucopia seemed to whisper memories of what she’d lost. Elsewhere, Aimee Little noticed one of the town’s seniors, Mr. Ernest Bell , lingering at the edge of events, always smiling politely but never quite sitting down. When she...

 Here is tbe  November  entry for Hope in the Storm – A Maple Lane Mystery , centered around gratitude, grief, and the quiet strength that gets us through life’s hardest holidays. Hope in the Storm – November: The Table Left Waiting Thanksgiving was always a big deal on Maple Lane. Tables groaned under bowls of mashed potatoes and sweet corn, pies lined windowsills, and laughter echoed down leaf-strewn sidewalks. But this year, for Eli Turner , the table felt emptier than ever. It was his first Thanksgiving since his wife, Maribel, passed the previous spring. The grief still clung to him like an ill-fitting coat, and though his daughter, Hazel , was home from college with a heart full of hope, Eli had lost his taste for celebration. Aimee Little , ever gentle with wounded hearts, invited them both to the Friendsgiving Dinner at the Crown Diner , a community tradition where no one was left out. Eli resisted at first. “I don’t want to be anyone’s burden,” he muttered. ...

  Hope in the Storm: The Case of the Burdened Baker September painted Maple Lane in hues of amber and gold, a picturesque backdrop for the start of the Willow Creek Fall Festival. Tori Rae Davis, now feeling a comfortable rhythm in her life, was looking forward to the familiar traditions and the crisp autumn air. But a subtle cloud of worry had settled over the usually cheerful atmosphere, centered around Mrs. Gable’s beloved bakery, “The Sugar Maple Sweets.” Mrs. Gable, a pillar of the community known for her comforting pies and unwavering optimism, had been uncharacteristically subdued. The reason? Her antique recipe box, a cherished family heirloom containing generations of baking secrets and handwritten notes, had gone missing from her kitchen. The loss was more than just recipes; it felt like a piece of Willow Creek’s history had been taken. Mrs. Gable was heartbroken, her usual bright smile replaced by a weary sadness. The thought of the Fall Festival without her famous apple...