In The Wait

I have had several projects going on, and they never seemed to come together. Then finally last week they all fell into place. The wait was frustrating. When I read about David call out to the Lord, I simply had to write about the wait because God is in the wait with me. 

In The Wait

 

“How long, O Lord?

Will You forget me forever?

But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness.

My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.”

That’s the lament David cried.

It was simple in God’s eye.

It was an honest plea from David laying his anguish out.

God was listening-His was still watching- He was still about.

For David, the delay was frustrating,

But God was with David in the waiting.

God heard!

He was stirred!

Yet, David’s request was deferred.

Then we see another thread

And one we have read.

David trusted-His heart rejoiced,

And that’s what David voiced.

This was a simple and earnest prayer

And God was there.

God didn’t need perfect or rehearsed words to hear

He simply wants His children to draw near.

Yesterday, today, tomorrow

God never veers away

He is in the wait, today.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  8/31/2026

 

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? But I have trusted in your steadfast love.” Psalm 13:1a, 5a

 

When and Then

I completely agree with Rick Warren’s Daily Hope this morning. It was about “when and then.” He wrote about when so and so happens then I will be happy. He gave examples. It is so true! As he wrote, “happiness is a choice.” Having something “when” won’t make you happy “then.” Therefore, enjoy what you have NOW!

The One I Call

 It's always good to have a friend to call at any time. It gives me comfort to know my friend is available at any time and is always there.

The One I Call 

 

God is the only One-

The One and Only!

It’s to him I call;

I call God when I fall down,

When I frown,

And when I feel like I’m about to drown.

I call God when I feel up,

When He fills my cup,

And when I feel anxious and all bound up.

I call on God when I’m in the valley, 

And I call on Him when I’m on top of the mountain.

I call on God whether good or bad-

Whether happy or glad,

Whether taking a walk or just doodling on a notepad.

I call on God any time, any hour, any minute, any second,

‘Cause I can, and isn’t that grand?

I reckon I just need to check in.

I call on God anytime, anywhere,

‘Cause He is there.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/24/2026

 

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” 

Psalm 145:18 ESV

Wait! How Long?

I believe I posted this poem some years back, but it came to mind this morning. The reason is that I am waiting on the Good Lord to send rain. I have been waiting for weeks now. He is rather slow doing this. 

     Then I thought that really God is just telling us, "How long have I waited for you? How long before you will give me your time? How long before you praise me for your daily blessings which I give? How long before you lift my name up and tell others about me? I have waited now it is your time to wait!"

Hurry And Wait!

I threw the cover from my arm as I shut off the alarm;

Then jumped from my bed to get everyone fed.

I’d overslept, but still got the floors all swept.

I threw on the wash, but I was late, “Oh my gosh!”

“At this rate, Lord, you’ll just have to wait.”

I rushed into work, and said “Hello” to the clerk.

It was half past eight, and I was running late.

As I sank into my job my head began to throb,

But soon it was ten, and I threw down my pen.

It was time for my break, and that’s something I’d take.

I’d enjoy the time for it was all mine.

I had to relax, find some coffee and snacks;

Read the news and get other people’s views.

As it came to an end I had more work to attend.

“I’m in such a state, Lord, you’ll still have to wait.”

I had unopened files which I stacked in different piles.

They were enough to make me swoon, but I planned to quit at noon.  

As I looked at my watch, my task looked top-notch.  

So I wrapped up loose ends to lunch with my friends.

 Reservations had been made, and all was prepaid.

As I entered Mel’s I knew there’d be stories to hear and to tell.

The noise was loud, coming from all of the crowd.

“Lord, it’s no time to pray- not in this café. 

I’m sure it’s alright to wait till tonight.”  

At the end of the day there were events to convey;

Kids to get into bed and stories to be read;

There were movies to view and mail to go through.

Time was slipping by as I began to close my eye.

I crawled into bed -fluffed up the pillow as I laid down my head.    

“Lord, it’s awful late. I’m so sleepy you’ll just have to wait?”

                                                                 Mary Crisp Jameson   

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock… Revelations 4:20

Do You Know?

I just published a book, Old and New Testament Gleanings. It is a one to two page summary of each Book of the Bible in poetic form. The link to Amazon is below.  I am now in the process of writing a sequel which provides a one page character description of characters in the Bible. Below is a sample of what is to come. 

Do you know who Rhoda was in the New Testament?  Her name was only given one time. Following is who she was. 

“And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate.” Acts 12:13-14

 

“They said to her, ‘You are out of your mind. But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, ‘It is his angel.' But Peter continued knocking.” Acts 12:15-16a

 

“But Peter continued knocking.” Acts 12:16a

 

Rhoda

 

Imagine if you will

a girl who was so surprised she forgot to think.

She moved simply by her instinct.

Peter had knocked on the door.

Rhoda, a servant girl, came to answer.

Peter spoke. What he said, we know not what,  

but Rhoda recognized Peter’s voice.

She became so excited she did not open the door- it remained shut.  

This was at Mary’s house, and there was a group there praying. 

 Instead of letting Peter in, 

Rhoda ran to tell the group that Peter was at the door.

 Peter was left standing while still knocking and being ignored.

But Rhoda was too joyful and stirred to think to let him in.

The group at the house were responding in disbelief.

The chatter was probably not brief,

and Peter was still knocking.

One was saying, “Your out of your mind.”

Another may have leaned back to listen and remained, in amazement, reclined.

Rhoda excitedly continued insisting that Peter was at the door.

Another joined the conversation, “It must be his angel,”

as Peter continued knocking.

Finally, they opened the door and were amazed.

Rhonda joined everyone as they praised.

Why were they in awe? 

Why was Peter left knocking?

Peter explained to them,

“An angel awakened me in my cell

and said, ‘Peter, get up quickly.’

The chains fell from my hands, 

and the angel led me past the guards and out the gate.”  

No one had expected Peter to be at Mary’s house nor knocking,

least of all Rhoda.

Rhoda was just a servant girl stirred with excitement-

Her joy was so deep, she forgot to open the door.

 

 

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A Little Humor

While reading my devotional this morning, I was still pretty sleepy and read foes as toes. It made me laugh. Then it brought to mind the following about the toes most all of you with our babies while wiggling their toes. I don’t know why? It just popped in my head.

 

“This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home, this little piggy had roast beef, this little piggy had none, and this little piggy cried, “wee, wee, wee” all the way home.”

 

After that I decided to write 5 little things to encourage children to learn: 

Jesus loves me

Jesus lives in me

Jesus saves me

Jesus guides me all day long

Jesus helps me when I fear- all the live long day.

 

Said I Wouldn'd- But Did!

I said I would’nt, but I did. How many times have we all said that and went ahead and did it. My confession is that I said I would not water the grass but I am doing it. Lord! My plea and prayer is give us rain! Please! 

 

R aindrops falling on My Head, I promise to sing.

A ll day long, please let it rain.

I nto praise, I will rejoice when You bless with rain

N o One knows better than You, Lord, how we need rain.

                           Amen!

 Now back to "I said I wouldn’t but I did". Peter said he wouldn’t deny Jesus, but he did. He denied Him three times. How many times have you? 

Days of the Week

I have seven days to plan for something every week. Sometimes I get up asking myself, “What will I do today?” Other days I check my calendar to see what appointments I have. At one time, I tried setting specific tasks for the day, like Sunday is church day, Monday is a day to cook, Tuesday is a day for washing,  Wednesday is mow day, and on and on. That was entirely too structured. It did not work for me. I find it simple to just take “one day at a time” for whatever comes my way.

     Reading Psalm 23:6 and Psalm 145:20 gave me further thought. God does the same every day no matter what day it is. He gives me goodness and mercy every day, and He protects and loves me every day no matter what day of the week it is. I rejoice in that.

 

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 

 

“The Lord preserves all who love Him," Psalm 145:20

    

Complain or Rejoice

It’s Monday! A new week! A new day! A new hour! A new minute!

 I ask myself? What’s better!

 Complaining or rejoicing?

Inaction or motion?

Frowning or Smiling?

Worrying or “Letting God”?

Stewing on something or doing something?

 

Hmmm...I think my verse of the day will be Philippians 2:14 ESV, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” 

My Cup Runneth Over

I love the 23^rd Psalm. It was probably one the first sets of scriptures I memorized when I was growing up and attending Girls’ Auxiliary (G.A.’s)  at church. 

 

“The Lord is my Shepherd...(vs. 5)-my cup runneth over.” 

 

Do you ever fill like your “cup runneth over”? 

 

At times I dwell on the problems I have that runneth over my cup, but I prefer to center my life around the blessings I have that runneth my cup over; like, joy, everyday delights, good neighbors, great church friends, even things like, “hey, my car runs, I have good health, I have a roof over my head, I have friends I can call when I need to talk, and things like that. Most of all though is that I have Jesus in my heart and I have salvation through belief in Him, and that gives me security, hope, and joy. This last one is what makes my cup runneth over.

 

Following along with that is a saying which I have framed on my wall- (author unknown)  

“I am drinking from my saucer

 ‘cause my cup has overflowed. 

I’ve got a friend in Jesus, 

and that makes me rich enough.”

 

 

Run the Race

Lord,

Because of you, I can rejoice – I am alive - I thrive.

Give me drive to strive deeper into Your Word,

 And to stay the course.

What I lack -When I fall back-

Get me back on track,

And help me run the race.

Lord, 

Fix my eyes on Jesus, 

Who paid the price- who made the sacrifice,

Who rose again, 

And Who made a home for me in paradise.

Please establish my pace-

Hold me tight with You ever in my space.

And Lord, 

I thank you for Your grace.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/7/2026

 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set down before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

Romans 12:1-2 ESV 

 

What Have You Done?

“Then the Lord God said to the woman, (Eve) ‘What is this that you have done?’” Genesis 3:13a

 

“And the Lord said, (to Cain) ‘What have you done?’” Genesis 4:10a

 

When I hear, “What have you done!” how do I react. Do I blame or do I confess and ask forgiveness. Am I too proud to say, “I am sorry. Please forgive me.” I know there is no hiding. God has seen! Others have either heard my speech or seen and felt my actions. Pride needs to be put aside and the right thing be done. Others will feel better and so will I. God would be pleased to hear, “Father, forgive me for I have sinned.” 

 

He Sees! He Knows! 

 

“What have you done?”

Was a question God asked of Adam and Eve.

Eve made an excuse in an attempt to blame and deceive.

Her response didn’t go well.

Judgment still fell.

“What have you done?” 

Was asked of Cain.      

But Cain wouldn’t admit, Abel he had slain.

Yet, God witnessed the deed.

He saw! He knew!

That was then, 

But today it still holds true.

He sees! He knows!

In His Omniscience, my deeds are exposed.

“What have you done?”

He may need ask of me or anyone.

My thoughts, actions, speech, and who I serve

Are all readily revealed for God to observe.

What will my answer be within my plea?

“For all have sinned and fallen short.”

Will that be my excuse

When God has the final say in His heavenly court?

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/4/2026

 

Who Is The Lord?

I've had a few blah days. Not really at my best. I think the best way to turn it around is to start off my day giving the Lord my praise. 

Praise

Who is the Lord?

He is God!

He is worthy to be praised.

Praise the Lord all my days.

Praise His Holy Name!

Who is the Lord?

It is He who has made me!

I will sing to Him with glee.

Praise His Holy Name!

Praise God, 

The Maker of the Universe.

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Praise the Lord all my days!

“From the rising of the sun to its setting. 

The name of the Lord is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3 ESV

Repeat and Repeat

Do you ever get tired or frustrated with having to repeat the same thing over and over to your children so they will grasp your words? My child is grown and no longer lives at home, but I remember having to repeat myself often. In today’s world, I may still have to repeat myself, but that would be because the hearing aid is not turned up loud enough. 

     Getting back to repeating! In my Daily Hope devotional this morning, the author stated that “there are 365 ‘fear not’ verses in the Bible.”  Yesterday, I did a search on Google and found several who stated there are “sixteen verses with ‘I am with you’ or ‘I will be with you,’ or ‘God will be with you’” or similar statements.” 

     I have to say that God is my Father, and I am very sorry that He has to continually repeat Himself to get my attention. However, I am, also, so very glad He does. I know God repeats Himself because I am constantly pulled back from my sinful ways to Him. He sees! He knows! He holds me tight! 

     I am a constant sinner who knows, “God is always with me,” and I “fear not” because He is!

I Am With You

One of my favorite thoughts that takes me through the day is “This is the day the Lord hath made, rejoice and be glad in it.” Why shouldn’t I be glad, because God is with me! Knowing God is with me absolutely makes my day. 

     How many times does God say, “I am with you” or God will be with you?” I didn’t do the count but one or two researchers said it was sixteen.

 

     Regardless, my verse for today will be from Isaiah 41:10

 

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  

 

Rudeness

I was just thinking this morning about my knee-jerk reactions. I am like most folks when grumbled at, I grumble back. When faced with a rude person, I instantly want to be rude right back. However, that is not what God desires to see in my daily character. I have to be alert. So, what should I do when people are rude? I have to keep in mind they may have troubles I do not know about or can even comprehend.

 

R aise the bar- give them a smile

U ndo their influence – stay happy 

D o the unexpected -wish them a better day

E ven the score is not my job- keep that in mind – pray for them

 

"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding." Proverbs 3:13 KJV 

 

Women of Mention

Women have a place in everyday simple places - in the home, in the workplace, and in the church. So, I thought I might talk about them just a bit. 

“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’” Luke 1:38

 

“And then as a widow (Anna) until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.” Luke 2:37 

 

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church...for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well” Romans 16:1,2b

 

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life.” Romans 16:3a

 

“One who heard us was a woman named Lydia...a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” Acts 16:14 

 

Women of Mention

 

We all know about Mary. How she was chosen to bare the Messiah!

And how she said, “I am a servant of the Lord; let it be.” 

She was obedient to God, you see.

Then there is Anna, a widow until she was eighty-four. 

She didn’t leave the temple but fasted and prayed day and night.

She gave thanks and spoke of Jesus to those at the temple door.

 Martha and Mary were two different talented sisters.

Both were eager to welcome Jesus as a guest into their home.

One wanted to clean- The other to give full attention to their guest.

There’s a purpose to both, but consider what Jesus expressed. 

There is no discounting Phoebe, a servant of the church.

She was a patron of many and of Paul, as well. 

Then there is Prisca who journeyed with her husband, risking her neck, for the ministry they had to tell. 

Lydia was a seller of purple goods and a woman of faith.

She offered her home for Christians to stay during her day.

Rich or poor, women have a place; 

Gifts upon them God has graced.

There is purpose within His intent,

And they’re flavored with a delicate scent.

 

Be Happy! Laugh Hard!

     There are several verses on “a merry heart.” Today, as in every day, I strive to find laughter! I believe it is a weapon with healing power! Better than vitamins! I invite all my readers to strive to find joy and laughter, for “Today is the day the Lord has made.” 
 

Following are a few good verses on “a merry heart.”
  Proverbs 17:22a “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.”
  Proverbs 15:15b “He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” 
  Proverbs 15:13a “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.” 

 

     Laughter and joy seem to go hand-in-hand. Aside from the verses above, I also found a few good quotes of interest. 

 

“We don’t laugh because we’re happy – we’re happy because we laugh.” – William James
“A day without laughter is a day wasted.”- Charlie Chaplin
“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” -Victor Hugo
“Joy is God’s smile; love is God’s laughter.” – John O’Donahue
“Your body cannot heal without play. Your mind cannot heal without laughter. Your soul cannot heal without joy.” – Catherine Ripperger Fenwick 
“To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it.” -Charlie Chaplin
“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.” – George Bernard Shaw 
“The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.” Mark Twain
 

 

 

Catch and Release

 In the world of fishing, there is a “Catch and release” and a “No fishing” ordinance. Both can be good. To look at life in a similar way, we all sin and feel guilt. When we confess our sin, God forgives us. He has put it away. So if we “Catch” our sin and confess, we need to “Release” it and observe the “No fishing” sign to prevent us from pulling it back in and dwelling on it. 

     Does that make sense?  

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Pierced! Crushed! Wounded!

My verse for today comes from Isreal 53:5-6 NIV version, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” 

 

     Verse 6 answers the reason for His pierced body, His crushed body, and His wounds. We are straying sheep.  Jesus took our sins on Himself. What a wonderful Lord we have!

 

     I add to this just a few more thoughts of what Jesus does for me every day. 

Jesus was pierced.     

   Why? To indwell inside a wandering sheep like me.            

Jesus was crushed.    

   Why? To rescue a sinner like me. 

Jesus was wounded.  

   Why? To save, from death, me so I can live with Him forever.

 

Praise His Holy Name!

Stuck

Have you ever been stuck? I got stuck one time in a mud hole. The car would not not go forward, and it would not go backward so matter how I gunned the engine. It took another truck to pull me out. What a relief that was!

     There are other ways of being stuck. Stuck in anger, stuck in resentment, stuck in the humdrum of life, stuck in loneliness...does this ring a bell? It often takes something or other to pull you out. Often that something can just be “you” or better yet, a relationship with God.

     It may take a change of “thinking”- or a change by getting out of “self” into someone else to get “unstuck.”

     When I find myself about to get stuck, I like to, first, pick up my Bible and talk to the One who is always there. God goes before! His guidance pulls me out of the mire. After that I like to “get busy,” and/or think about doing something for someone else.

     I like James 4:8, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” With God, there is peace, and there is no need to feel “stuck.” in life.

     

On Stage

It was Shakespeare who quoted, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” This covers a lot in life, from birth to death. Yet, it is up to me to choose what I want to display on stage. 

 

S eek Satan’s ways or Seek God’s ways 

T hink negative or Think positive  

A ct out or Act righteously and meekly

G ain earthly approval or Gain God’s approval 

E mbrace idolatry or Embrace God 

 

“Scene 1 -Act – Cut” ... What will be seen on stage?

 

SIN

     Sin is a part of my weakness. I am so glad and praise God for being a forgiving God. 

     I remembered Peter this morning in his denial. Jesus had already predicted that Peter would deny him three time before the cock crows. It suddenly dawned on me that Jesus knows my sin before I even sin, yet He loves me still- before, during, and after.

   S ees

   I t 

   N ow, before, and after 

That’s what God does!

Height and Depth

 

It surpasses my comprehension of

how deep and wide, 

wide and deep -

is God’s love for me

I cannot grasp 

the breadth and length,

 height and depth -

of His love for me.

Yet, I know I am rooted and grounded, 

grounded and rooted - 

In God’s great love.

You see

I am written,

 graven,

inscribed,

imprinted, 

tattooed,

engraved

marked

on the palm of my Lord’s hand.

It happened 

when the nails pierced His palms,

when I believed.

when I accepted.

You see

 I am made whole -

A child of Christ!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 7/16/2026 

 

“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and ground in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19 ESV

 

“Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” Isaiah 49:16 ESV

 

 

The Invisible - The Unbelievable - The Impossible!

"Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible."  Quote by Corrie ten Boom

God is the invisible. We see Him through His creation, through His works, and through His grace.

God has done and will do the unbelievable. An example is the Christ who came in love to die for me, a sinner.

God gives the impossible. Events occur every single day that would be impossible by man.

A New Song

Often when I wake it is just not one of those, instant wake up, get up moments. I am sleepy, I am listless, I just have no “get up and go.” I suppose this is one of those mornings in which I need a “new song,” a “new skip to my step”, and a “new get up and go.” 

     Therefore, I look to the One who can do that. Psalm 40:3 says, “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our (my) God.” 

     What am I to do with this new song? 

     Scripture takes it a step further, Psalm 98:1 says , “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.”

     With that comes my new lift, my new step, and my renewed desire to “get up and go” with a joyful heart. 

 

Thank you, God for the newness of the day!

Feasting or Fasting!

 Feasting or Fasting-- is there anything in common?

I can fast and pray to hear from God.

I can feast on scripture and pray to hear from God. 

Matthew Five

Matthew 5 is loaded with really good stuff! First, there are the Beatitudes:

 

Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, and those who are reviled because of their love for Christ.

 

Next there is what we should be: The salt of earth and the light of the world. As salt, we should not lose our flavor. As light, we should not hide it under a bushel.

 

There is deeper meaning given and what our reaction should be on: anger, lust, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love for enemies.

 

Then there is verse 44, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

 

Why? Is it because we, as Christians, are doing more than what others do!

 

A final example: verse 45, God “makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends the rain on the just and the unjust.”

By The Book

In our church service this past Sunday, the pastor talked about what God intended when we were born. He stated we were “born to believe, obey, overcome, and love.” This led me to my word of the day which is Book. I simply changed love to keep, because if we keep God’s commands, we will love. Following is my summary:

 

B elieve in Jesus and be saved

O bey God’s commands

O vercome the world by following God’s instructions

K eep God’s laws and love God and others

 

If I follow the above, I will have written a good Book of my life’s earthly brief journey and ready myself for my heavenly everlasting journey. However, the one sure way to prepare and get ready for eternal life is to believe. If we believe, we will overcome. If we believe, we will obey. If we believe, we will keep God’s laws and love as we should. 

 

Never forget the verse from John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 

 

 

Good Always, Always Good

During creation, God looked at His work and said, “It is good.” In Romans 8:28 we find that “for those who love God all things work together for good.” 

     Not all of life is good. There is going to be some bad, but the good overrules. I must remember that the bad is there to help me grow and ready me for the good to come. I love the phrase, “God is good all the time. All the time, God is good."

     Therefore, my word of the day is Good.

 

G od first in every day.

O ffer thanks to God. Thank Him “Before” and thank Him “After”.

O vercome the bad with God’s help, for He is with me.

D aily, hourly seek God in every situation.