Monday, March 9, 2026

Thank God For Dogs

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” – James 1:17

While I know most people who’ve lived a few years tend to refer to their lives in decades, I tend to organize mine in “dogcades.” I’ve always relied on companionship from “man’s best friend” and thanks be to God for supplying that companionship!

As a young child I grew up on a small farm and Lassie was our dog who lived in the barn and followed us all around as we played outside in the forest, creek and fields. She was a gentle Shetland sheep dog and like the iconic “Lassie” she watched over my little sister and me as we played with the goats and built dams in the creek.

When I was ten I got my first Golden Retriever puppy. Dee-O-Gee (I didn’t make that up, the lady we got him from had named his father that and because we loved the father dog we used the name) became my 4-H project. I learned how to obedience train a dog and I worked diligently with Dee-O-Gee in all my spare time. He was my confidant. My best friend and collector of my tears. It was Dee-O-Gee I poured out my troubles to in the barn. I had to leave him during the school year to attend years 1-3 of college but when I was a senior and got an apartment, Dee-O-Gee finally came with me. A year later he got married with me and moved to Michigan. A year after that he moved to our first house with us. Dee-O-Gee was my best friend and won the heart of my husband, too until he was 15 and I was 25. When Dee-O-Gee finally finished his time on Earth, I did not think I could go on without him. I vowed I would never have another dog as my young self was positive that would be the way to avoid the terrible heart ache I felt when I lost him.

Three months later, one of my kindergarten students got a Golden puppy and I knew I had to have one after holding hers.

This began the age of Semper Fi. No I wasn’t a Marine as many people asked, just sentimental and still missing Dee-O-Gee when I named my new baby. He came on Palm Sunday. We had to miss one of my favorite Sundays in church to go get him. We had Semper Fi for just one year — a beautiful year of puppy-hood — before the human babies began coming. Semper Fi adapted and welcomed Christopher, then Claire and finally Curt. We did everything together and Semper was mine and my children’s best friend and then it happened again. The end of an era and my broken-hearted kids had to be shown (and so did I) that life goes on.

Twelve days later we welcomed baby Aurora. Aurora followed my kids through the woods and went crazy when they learned to water ski—just convinced they were in trouble out there in the water away from the boat. And as they grew into teens and tested the waters, Aurora absorbed my tears and heard my fears. While God was in my heart and on my mind and directing my steps, Aurora was the soft and gentle companion provided by the Father to walk (figuratively and literally) some lonely and hard paths alongside me. We ran 5 miles each morning in the dark until one morning she could not and I discovered she had lung cancer. It was 2020 and I cried out to God please don’t take her away from me now Lord. But the Lord works in mysterious ways. In some of the longest months of my life, we were dog-less as we waited for a relative of Aurora’s to be bred. We had the hope of a puppy, but who knew when. After four long months another puppy became available. Two Goldens? I’d never had two dogs at once!

How would they both fit in my Kayak like Aurora had? How would TWO dogs run alongside me on my early morning runs? I realized this was God’s double restoration... his “double portion” and I began this new dogcade of life with Iris in April and Belle coming in June. Two tiny sharks chewing up everything in sight. Two puppies to house train. Two babies for the children (all home from college or confined from high school by COVID) and me to love. And they both creatively fit in the kayak and they both run alongside for the early morning runs.

I don’t know how to thank God enough for teaching me to love his creation of the dog and for sending each precious furry life to accompany me on this journey to do God’s work here on Earth. Each “dogcade” has been precious and unique.

Prayer: Dear God, You know what is best for us. Each loving companion you have sent to walk alongside me in life is proof of that. Make us grateful for your beautiful and perfect gifts, Lord. Amen

Sandy Cameron

Sunday, March 8, 2026

The Kindness of Strangers

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.— 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Greg and I have been deeply blessed by the support of church members since I was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2024. I’m not surprised, because our caring congregation reaches out to help others in need, but I am profoundly grateful.

I have, however, been surprised by the kindness of strangers.

From the early uncertain days to now, the busy health care professionals at the Van Elslander Cancer and Liggett Breast Cancer centers have been patient and kind with me as I muddled through diagnosis, surgeries, radiation, and what comes next.

The 33 rounds of radiation did not fly by, as someone promised. But they were more bearable thanks to the anonymous knitters of Knit Michigan, who donate beautiful hats to breast cancer patients, and other kind souls who offered coloring books, snacks, and journals.

The most unexpected blessing has been the community of fellow radiation travelers who filled the appointments around my 12:30 PM time slot. Through radiation tattoos, burns, exhaustion, and lymphedema, we propped each other up and looked for reasons to smile. When one of us got to ring the bell and end radiation, the rest of us showed up to celebrate.

Once strangers in a waiting area, we have a text chain and continue to celebrate both big and small things in our lives.

Prayer: Thank you for the food I eat, the air I breathe, and the quiet moments of joy that make up my day. Teach me to recognize your work in the small things and to respond with genuine gratitude. Amen.

Kathy Gardner

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Speak Up for Others

“Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the misfits.
Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!” – Proverbs 31: 8-9

As I was preparing to work at Shelter Week in late January, I stumbled across a Facebook post from the good folks in Rockland, Maine, who provide shelter for the homeless in the winter.

During a week when it was brutally cold in Maine, volunteers from that shelter were scouring the woods to locate homeless individuals so they could invite them to come in from the cold. Rockland, where our daughter Jennifer lives with her family, is a beautiful area along the state’s coast and tourists flock there during the summer. That means much of the rental housing has been converted into Airbnbs and VRBOs, which is great for the tourists but deprives the community of needed long-term rentals for year-round residents. I was shocked when I learned how many people live in the woods because they simply cannot find affordable housing.

On this day, the director of the shelter shared a video of a campsite that was clearly still being used. A few crates of pots and pans were on the ground near the remnants of a fire. A flimsy two-person tent with a single sleeping bag and pillow was the only shelter for its occupant. I’ve since learned that this is far from an isolated situation, hence the visits from the volunteers from the shelter.

I applaud the men and women who devote their time to improving the lives of the homeless by providing them with food and temporary shelter. But all of us must be ever mindful that policy makers are making decisions every day that create or exacerbate these conditions.

Providing the occasional meal may briefly salve our consciences, but investing in long-term solutions will be better for all of us. As Christians, I believe we have an obligation to raise our voices on behalf of those who are most vulnerable, poor, and disenfranchised.

Prayer: Give me the wisdom to know the best way to advocate on behalf of others and the courage to do so even when that is unpopular with others in my community

Joan Richardson

Friday, March 6, 2026

Tenacious Mission (It is in our "genetics")

“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16

Even if you did not attend the book study "Knowing Who We Are: The Wesleyan Way of Life," you may still want to consider reading the book. I find our church book studies give me the opportunity to learn more about God's Word and plan for us, the Bible, Christianity, and what it means to be a Methodist in ways that I have challenges doing on my own. I do have to admit the first few chapters did not inspire me much with interest. Then came Chapter 4 "Tenacious Mission."

All the mission and connectional activities that the United Methodist Church is active in today all started with intention in the 1700s! Our roots were not just about a new way to worship. News to me in part! John Wesley and the early Methodists created focused initiatives not only for spiritual growth, but access to healthcare, education, and even microfinance. They started free medical clinics that expanded over time to establish hospitals. They supported educating those who were poor and had no access that expanded to establishing universities. They had a lending system to help support folks starting a business. Starting decades ago Methodists advocated for women, the enslaved, and others who were considered outcasts such as the incarcerated and those with certain illnesses. Does this sound familiar?

The many diverse services that organizations such as Cass Community Social Services, the NOAH Project Detroit, UMCOR, and Methodist Home Society Family of Services all developed from the visions of our forebears nearly 200 years ago. The heritage of the Methodist church IS alive and well today.

Within our local church we continue to advocate for people and positions that intend to support the humanity of all. A few examples that come to mind are participation in the Grosse Pointe Pride Parade, educating our congregation on Gun Violence issues and Mental Health support. We are connectional in our missions with the Gift of Reading, the Rummage Sale, supporting the Immanuel Food Pantry, and the Methodist Children's Home Society. We intentionally try to support not only local (the Wave Project, funding school lunches), but national (Henderson Settlement, UMC Hawaii) and international (Haiti, Liberia, Ukraine, etc) missions either directly or through UMCOR.

The United Methodist Church is so much more than attending Sunday Worship and listening to inspiring sermons. During that precious time we are motivated to "Live and Love Like Jesus," and...we also do a pretty nice job of supporting one another.

Elizabeth Blunden

“The poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore, I command you, saying, ‘you shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor in the land.’" – Deuteronomy 15:11

Thursday, March 5, 2026

God’s Beauty

Read: UMH 144 (This Is My Father’s World)

I’ve long looked to music for inspiration and awe. Like nature, it has brought me closer to God.

Yet for many years “art,” as in art museums, never really spoke to me. My father loved art museums and took us there frequently, but he never discussed or explained any of the art. I basically just ran around the museum and looked for the room with the Egyptian mummies.

However, over the last few years I have come to appreciate the beauty of art. I am fascinated and amazed by the fact that people can create such beauty! My granddaughters both love art and think that spending a day at the Detroit Institute of Arts is wonderful. The older of the two, Maya, tells me about her favorite artists and paintings, and has given me summaries of the lives of various famous artists. Last year I accompanied Maya and Sadie to the Art Institute of Chicago, where we gazed for quite some time at the famous painting by George Seurat about a Sunday afternoon at the park. We also marveled at the loveliness of the Impressionists, especially Monet.

Recently, our Book Club has been reading “Mona’s Eyes,” which is the story of a grandfather in Paris who spends one day a week taking his granddaughter to see and discuss one piece of art. He wants to make sure she is able to “see” these beautiful creations after her world goes dark because of an eye disease.

The book is written by a well-known art historian, and each chapter is devoted to one masterpiece. The author talks extensively about each artist, provides a history of the piece, and explains the technique used. I find myself eager to learn more about the art and artists and anxious to see the pictures of the featured art.

I have realized that God has provided us beauty that comes in many different forms. I just need to open my eyes to discover all the beauty there is to see. But don’t expect to see me in the Modern Art wing.

Jan Versical

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Google is good, but God is better.

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart….” – Psalm 27:14

I was in the basement today doing some ironing (very 1950s of me apparently, as most of my friends say they don't even own irons) and, after the ironing, wondered about the best way to fold a round tablecloth to avoid wrinkles. Rather than using trial and error on the folding – and risking new wrinkles – I knew I could use Google. Google is an amazing place for me to find answers to questions like, "What's the best way to fold a round tablecloth to avoid wrinkles?" and "How do I hand-nail wood trim without leaving hammer dents?" (also for finding out they're not always called hammer dents but hammer "kisses"). Google's got the answers! Google is FAST! And using Google makes things easier! Well, sometimes….

There's this thought that popped in my head as I walked upstairs to the kitchen (with the round tablecloth, not yet folded, in my hands). It was a fleeting thought about patience. Questioning how we can work on becoming more patient in a world where everything spins fast, faster, fastest. Where questions that might once have caused us to problem-solve now send us to our phones and computers to find answers quickly. This thinking brought to mind a plaque that hangs in our utility/coat room (repainted "popcorn butter yellow" last year!); it belonged to my grandfather's mother, Ella Cleary, and is a very clunky-looking, store-bought rectangular plaque, manufactured to look old and now IS old. Not very decorative but hugely sentimental! The bible verse on it is Psalm 27:14, all about waiting.

But "waiting" in this verse isn't just about patience, according to ChatGPT, another online "go-to." Waiting means remaining faithful and obedient, holding steady. Waiting means just being WITH the Lord. Be waiting, yet searching and seeking and hoping and believing; wait in the context of trusting. Trusting, even when you don't yet have an answer. Life can be amazingly awesome and amazingly difficult. Messy in easy ways we clean with soap and water and messy in frightening ways that unravel our hearts. We search for answers to simple questions, and we search for answers to the complex "why" for problems and circumstances that could never be answered given millions of years. We so, so, so much want for all answers to come quickly, to provide that hopeful solution for every question. We want everything solved. We're running out of patience.

It's tough for me to give things over, to trust that I don't have to be anxious all the time about keeping life together, to solve every problem in a hurry. Bob often used these words in prayers and sermons, and they come back to me sometimes as I worry: "Ours is an accompanied journey." We're never alone when searching for information and meaning. Simple questions have easy answers, courtesy of Google. And difficult questions, even the unanswerable ones that cause late-night worry and early-morning tears, have the promise of God working to give us stronger hearts as we wait (hope/trust/believe!) on the Lord.

Prayer: Dear God, please make me patient, trusting, and less frightened in confusing times. Amen!

Jenneth Wright

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

A Love Letter to God

It's a story about a young girl. Growing up during the Depression of the 1930's. A busy household of four other siblings, two older brothers and two older sisters. She was the youngest. Her story starts at a young age. Feeling somewhat lost in the mix of her much older siblings, her identity took years to define. Her parents came from Catholic backgrounds. Quite inactive in their own church goings. Her own friends, although, had kept busy in weekly church activities, but this young shy girl, again, was just not connecting. She began journaling her thoughts and prayers recommended from a favorite aunt. Her name was Gertrude, or Gertie for short.

Gertie was a strong woman of faith. She encouraged this young girl to pray her thoughts in her journaling. This was a new concept for her. Eventually, invitations to attend her church came into the picture. She found her belonging. She had connected. Some things were starting to make sense. God was making sense. As she grew, her church activities grew. Participating in the Youth group, church camps and eventually the choir. Her two sisters were also part of the choir. She now had a strong sense of belonging.

Still journaling in her 30's, she has now found herself married with three children. Again, as the youngest, all her older siblings had been married for years with many of their own children grown. She wasn't sure how to be the kind of woman she had been praying and journaling about for many years. She was insecure on so many levels. But...she continued to journal her thoughts and prayers asking for direction and reassurance. Many times there were cries to the Lord for continued guidance. Sometimes yes, she was reassured, other times again feeling forgotten. But, she never questioned God's plan for her. She knew, deep down, that her life did have meaning and purpose.

A highly educated woman, she was finding a purpose as an educator. Her children are now grown. A divorce has occurred after 34 years. Her cherished siblings are scattered all over from Michigan down to Florida. She stays as busy as she can. But, sometimes feeling overwhelmed. But, she continues to pray and journal. As an older adult, she loved being more active within her church. Any Bible study she could attend or Sunday school class she could teach, along with many other groups she had participated in. Her note-taking was impeccable, with many comments left in the margins of her study books and also of her own Bibles. Over the course of her last few years she still continued to journal a bit.

Her faith had become very strong...never once faltering. But now, her journaling has come to an end. And...all of her prayers have now been fulfilled by a life well-lived. After her death, her middle child, a daughter, came across many, many prayers and journaling thoughts. Reading these numerous pieces of paper scattered among her many Bibles, seeing all the underlined passages and comments in the margins, her daughter came to the conclusion that her mother truly was never alone. God always heard her pleas and cries and thankfulness for her many, many joys she celebrated. And she knew her mother never doubted God's presence. She was never alone.

Yes, this is titled, 'A Love Letter to God' but after writing this devotion I've changed the title to 'A Love Letter to Mom.'

One of many favorite passages of Mom’s was Philippians 4:6-8 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Dedicated with all the love and glory to God, our father.
Cathy Cupples