Valda Goudie

“Hey! Wake up!” I rubbed my eyes as my dream faded far too quickly. I’d been holding my son’s small hand in mine as we walked to the market. The warmth in my chest from his smile lingered. Was that pride in his eyes? I immediately regretted touching my face. My fingers dripped fresh blood after lifting the scab near my eye. I scowled at the Galilean standing over me. Not only had he cut short the time with my son, even in the fragility of a dream, he’d inadvertently caused me this latest pain. �[...]

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:12-14 NLT Ten years ago, a skinny 17-year-old struggled in his last year at Milliken Mills High School in Markham, Ontario. In addition to being in with the wrong crowd and dabbling in drugs, his low grades didn’t promise a bright future. While he was athletic and loved sports, enjoyment of his favourite had been stolen when his school cancelled its basketball program[...]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 ESV Have you ever stood in a strong wind and, despite your best efforts, had to take a step to maintain your balance? I’ve come to recognize HEARTstrong as that step as the winds of change blow against God’s church. Such gale-force winds do remind me of my roots… When I went to elementary school in Newfoundla[...]

"Go and sin no more." John 8:11 NLT Some people hate change of any kind. They get comfortable in a life of predictability. That life might not be great, but they know what's coming; what to expect. There are no surprises to catch them off guard. This isn't a realistic way to live, however. Change sometimes forgets to ask our permission. It just sneaks in. The World Pandemic of 2020-21, as it will likely be called, changed everything. It ground the world to a stop as we faced a virus that had the potential[...]

The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? (Psalm 27:1 NLT) While we sat in our car as we travelled, the vehicle’s engine slept; the forward motion accredited to the marine vessel it rested on. But, unlike other weekly sea voyages home from the mainland, the motion was less ‘forward’ this time than up and down and side to side. The forward progress was more difficult to measure with the estimated time o[...]

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 33:18 ESV Hagar Narrowed eyes, an aggressive stance, and ugly words spit in rage; I may have deserved it, but the hostility in Sarai’s high-pitched voice shocked me. Everyone in the vicinity knew her threats were no joke. Lately, this was the norm: my mistress’s anger raining down on me, not only in her words but in her treatment too. I ran to my tent and threw my meagre belongings into a blanket roll.[...]

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. - John 10:28 ESV He shuffles next to the idling vehicles at the red light, dragging one leg in a noticeable limp, weaving in and out of the traffic. He grips a paper cup and displays it prominently so his purpose is clear. His hands shake. Is it the cold wind or something more? I see him here almost every time I travel this way. I watch his face light up when drivers drop coins into his cup. His smile and thank[...]