Devotionals
2021
Our Only Resource After Failure: God’s Mercy
A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Rice Handford The man had betrayed his wife, shamed his friends, lost the respect of his children, disgusted his church family. For the last ten years he has been penitently rebuilding his life, earning back his wife’s love,...
Why Should I Expect Others to Be Perfect When I’m Not?
A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Rice Handford The voice on the phone was broken with sobs. “Mrs. Handford, could you come over real quick? My home is falling apart.” Of course I went at once. What horrible tragedy had overcome that precious home? Jane let me in...
Road Rage and a “Soft” Answer
A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Rice Handford Woodruff Road in Greenville, last week. Oozing Friday afternoon traffic. Three lanes of bumper to bumper automobiles. A traffic light in our favor but nothing moves because incoming traffic has blocked all lanes....
The Surprising Cure for My Bad Hair Day
A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Rice Handford My bad-hair day began the day my long-time hair dresser told me she was retiring. And that bad-hair day lasted for several weeks while I desperately shopped to replace her. My kids would tell you my hair-do is not...
This Is My Father’s World
A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Rice Handford “What do you miss most about your home?” I asked a beautiful young college girl, an exchange student from India. “The food,” she answered promptly. “I miss our wonderful food. Especially curry.” I asked a young...
At a job interview the applicant promised, “I Will Bring Joy to This Office”
A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Rice Handford I have a friend who is in high level management in a large organization. She was interviewing a woman for an important position.. The woman smiled and said emphatically, “I will bring joy to this office.” Many of us...
Compromise Isn’t Always Bad
A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Rice Handford As a child in Texas I remember being taught never, ever compromise. (“Remember the Alamo!”) Texans always, always stood for what’s right. And soberly, as an adult, I really do want to stand for what’s right. But the...
Anakin the Dog Is Home Again, So—?
A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Rice Handford For 28 days our “Next door” neighborhood email box was filled with the heart-broken pleas of a woman whose dog Anakin was lost. The owner put up posters everywhere, begged people to pray they’d catch him, and asked...
Because Jesus Did Rise from the Dead
A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Rice Handford Was all that suffering of Jesus on the cross in vain? Did He make that sacrifice all for nothing? His followers had believed Him. They had trusted Him to give them eternal life like He’d promised. Was it all a...
Easter: When God Died
Thinking about Jesus’ death with Elizabeth Rice Handford WARNING: Content disturbing, but in the end, exhilarating. Among their many other dubious achievements, the Romans of the first century perfected the art of the execution of criminals. The Romans had no...
