Bloom with Jesus!

    Enjoy this guest blog post from Erin E. McEndree.  Even if you are not in the adoption arena, there is great wisdom in her words. I met Erin many years ago through a writer's group. Her calming spirit always makes one feel welcome and loved. Erin's book is available on my website as well at  https://maryrodman.com/updates . I will pass on the information to Erin and she will send you a signed copy. Hi! I am Erin. I like to say I was my mom and dad’s little girl before I was born. My birth mother got pregnant, and my birth father broke it off and did not take responsibility. My birth mother’s parents took her to a maternity home for three months until I was born. It was not her choice. She prayed for a Christian couple to raise me surrounded by the love of the Lord. She did not get to hold me or see me. The nurse told her I was a girl and that I had all 10 fingers and all 10 toes, which translated to, “You had a healthy baby.” Her dad came to pick her up, and I wa...

As 2026 quickly approaches, I contemplated a New Year’s resolution and then thought, “Why bother.” I have seldom made a resolution, let alone keep one. It isn’t that I don’t like change, which I openly admit that change is difficult for me, I just don’t see the need for a resolution that I won’t keep. Why should I put pressure upon myself to keep a resolution, which I may break by January 2 nd ? One year I tried the “One Word” concept. Where you pick a word which helps you focus on making a change. You post it around your house, office, car, etc., to remind you of the big change your “One Word” represents. By mid-February I probably couldn’t even tell you my “Word.” In 2026 the only “Word” that is important to me is Jesus, The Word, himself. If we focus more on our Savior, and less on our resolutions, the changes we desire will come automatically. Why? Because the closer we walk with Jesus, the more we become like Him, creating a light within us that begins to shine.   In the begin...

There were many events which had to line up for me to bring a man to tears yesterday. First of all, years ago I had been to Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan and snapped some pictures of this unique waterfall. Sometime after that visit, I created several pictures with quotes and Bible verses on them to sell at craft shows. A picture of the waterfall was among them. Second, I have adopted a new plan to clean the basement. If something goes down stairs, something must come back upstairs and be evaluated. A couple of weeks ago I did just that and found the basket full of those photos which I had matted. I looked through them and rather than pitching them I packed them for the next craft show. If nothing else, maybe I could give them away. We decided to go to Florida for about a month, so I signed up for a small craft show at the American Legion just down the road from us. I packed all of my books and crafts in the truck in hopes of finding more than one event this winter. When I arrived at th...

  Change doesn’t always come easy for me. Maybe that is why I worked for the same company for over twenty years. There were good and bad times at that company, but in the end I was always glad that I persevered. Making it through difficult times gave me a sense of purpose and accomplishment. At this point and time in my life, change comes a little easier. Is it easier because of my age, or is it my faith that every change in life works out for the greater good? I am a strong believer that if you pray and ask God for direction, He will lead you through changes. My most recent changes include: Posting on my blog more, and working on a book less. Helping other authors self-publish. A new look for my website. Helping less on the farm, as the next generation takes over. It is like God has laid a path out in front of me that I didn’t know existed. A path that I am struggling to understand, but I continue to follow God’s lead. All of the changes are different, yet somehow interconnected. ...

  Recently I assisted three new authors with the publishing process. From start to finish: formatting, uploading files, book covers, tips of the trade, and being published as an Indie author. They now have digital and paperback books available for purchase. It isn’t that I have great knowledge, or know all the tricks of the trades, but after publishing ten books myself I am able to assist. I didn’t help them because I wanted accolades or payment, but because I wanted to help them each obtain their goals of getting their books in front of others. They all have wonderful devotional books, but their writing styles are different than mine, which is great. It takes different styles of authors to impact different people. Ironically, three of us have one thing in common. Our first name is Mary. I have sent group emails with information to the Marys, because it pertains to them specifically and their goals. When I do this, I call it a 3-way Mary email. Just like a 3-way bulb, different aut...

  There are blood relatives which make up your family, and church families. Close friends are often considered family, and as a nation, we are a family. Families can be full of belly laughs, good times, smiles, and unforgettable memories. There is survival mode through tragedies, and celebrations of great accomplishments. But families also come with a blend of personalities, so there is frustration, the occasional harsh word, and arguments which get out of hand. The key to a close family is always remembering what is important. Unconditional love and forgiveness. When difficulties arise, we need to step back, pray, and consider what Jesus would do. He would always forgive. Grace was the key element to His ministry, and forgiveness should always be a part of our Christian walk, no matter the circumstances. In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, his wife, Erika, publicly announced that she forgave the assassin. I’m sure those words were difficult to utter as she mourned the los...