judyvoght

A Father’s Calm in the Storm

In the heart of Simpson County, Mississippi, my grandfather, Charlie Walker found himself raising his children alone after his wife passed away. He was a man of quiet strength and tended to his family with steady hands and a soul anchored in faith. One of those children was my mother, Clara. She remembered a day …

A Father’s Calm in the Storm Read More »

Mocking Others Says A Lot About You

Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by how clever our comments are or how loudly we point out someone else’s flaws. It’s measured by how we respond when others are struggling, especially when their behavior is hard to love.Mockery may feel justified, but it never is.Criticism may feel clever, but it isn’t.True maturity asks:- Am I perfect?- …

Mocking Others Says A Lot About You Read More »

In the Morning Long Before Dawn

“In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house and went off to a lonely place and prayed there.”  Book of Mark 1:35 In our busy, noisy world, the search for peace is more than a luxury, it is a spiritual necessity. Mark 1:35 offers a profound example, that even with …

In the Morning Long Before Dawn Read More »

A Willingness to Change My Point of View

When people pause and say, “I am willing to change my point of view,” they are not just opening themselves up to new ideas, they are opening themselves to connection. Conflict often hardens around fixed positions, but the simple act of willingness dissolves walls and creates bridges. It is not about abandoning convictions, but about …

A Willingness to Change My Point of View Read More »

A Light in the Darkness: Memories of Bay Saint Louis after Katrina

Finding Hope in the Wake of Devastation When we came to Bay Saint Louis in the Fall of 2005, it was hard to believe how much the hurricane had wrecked everything. We had previously selected a house to purchase on prior visits, but it had been destroyed, with nothing left but the front steps. We …

A Light in the Darkness: Memories of Bay Saint Louis after Katrina Read More »

The True Measure of Generosity – Gifts From the Heart

It is not the amount of a gift that matters, but the size of the heart behind it. I am reminded of a touching example from over 30 years ago, when my daughter and her husband were newly married college students. Among their friends, some were struggling financially, yet one friend gave them a wedding …

The True Measure of Generosity – Gifts From the Heart Read More »

The Ripple Effects of Inner Peace

Marvin Gaye once said, “If you cannot find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else.” This timeless wisdom invites us to look inward, reminding us that true tranquility is not found in the outside world but within our hearts. Inner peace is the bedrock upon which a fulfilling life is based. When …

The Ripple Effects of Inner Peace Read More »

Gratitude and Generosity

Here we are in November which of course reminds us of what a generous and abundant world we inhabit. As autumn deepens, we reflect on the signs of abundance everywhere. We see nature’s abundance, moments of connection, kindness, and generosity everywhere. November’s traditions invite us to pause and appreciate the richness of our lives. Generosity …

Gratitude and Generosity Read More »