Susan Perelka

Feeling my kitty slink past my legs, I watch knowing she is on the prowl. I have not spied what she sees on our patio, so I watch. Soon, I see a chipmunk scurrying about, looking for food to eat among the fallen leaves. The watch becomes more intense as the chipmunk climbs onto the…

Sometimes God takes us through circumstances in life that simply don’t make sense. I am sure this is how Hosea felt when God asked him to take a woman to be his wife who was a known prostitute. It seemed a strange request, but together they created a family. This new life did not create…

What are you doing for New Year’s Eve? Probably one of the most asked questions soon after Christmas. People begin their plans for a party, staying up through the early morning hours as a new year is ushered in. I have never been big on New Year’s Eve celebrations. I would rather go to bed…

Wandering down the staircase in the early morning hours, I walk through the house with confidence. Though it is dark, enough light filters in to make me aware of my surroundings. I can see just enough, but then I flip on the light. The house darkened for the hours of sleep and quiet is suddenly…

I have been posting 12 Questions of Christmas on my Facebook page this Christmas season, and I thought I would share one of those posts with you. How About the Stable? “I have no room.” the innkeeper replied. Her spirits fell at the sound of those words. Heavy with pregnancy, Mary had travelled many miles…

Recently, I heard food described as cozy food. A cozy sweater or a cozy room, but cozy food? But the more I thought about it, what a perfect term for food! How have ever walked into a house and the air was filled with wafts of home-baked bread, or the spicy scent of cinnamon, nutmeg,…

I have just come out of a very busy season in my life. I always have that long to-do list at home, but several events at church kept me busier than usual. In the midst of all that, I also brought a big project to completion. All cause for celebration, right? I stepped into Thanksgiving…

I went for a walk in the woods the other day. Most of the leaves had fallen from the trees and with the many trees, beautiful leaves created a golden layer on the ground. In fact, there were so many leaves, often the path was completely covered. A tree root would poke above the surface…

I love Christmas. Aside from Scrooge and the Grinch, I am sure I am not alone in this, although both characters saw the joy of Christmas by the end of their stories. I love the festivities, the decorations, and the baking, but not until after Thanksgiving Day! Yes, my preparations for Christmas do not begin until the…

Needs vs. Wants – try explaining that one to your kids! So often they beg for something they need, when in actuality what they are asking for is something they could live without. What they want is not a basic need. Mankind has been created with certain basic needs – food, water, air, and shelter…