Leaning

February 5, 2026

Now that I’m old, Age

is taking center stage

roles I’m allowed to play

bring due challenges

(but only every other day)–

no thank you, kind sir

don’t ask me to dance

it’s a tricky proposition

can’t trust my balance–

I’ve discovered one benefit

this perplexed-distressed season

(for in the Master’s plan

there’s always a blessed reason):

I’m learning

about LEANING–

when merely a youth, I was clueless

without a gentle person

on whom to depend…

but the Lord God of mercy

though His face be in shadow

promised to help me

all the way to the end–

He says, “lean on Me

and I’ll take you places

you never dreamed, imagined…

when you tire we’ll rest, never fret

Child, we’ve got time, and miles to go yet”💖

~ Cale

English Standard Version
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

New Living Translation

And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20

New International Version
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4

Psalm 92:12-15 Amplifed Bible

The righteous will flourish like the date palm [long-lived, upright and useful];

They will grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic and stable].

Planted in the house of the LORD,

They will flourish in the courts of our God.

[Growing in grace] they will still thrive and bear fruit and prosper in old age;

They will flourish and be [a]vital and fresh [rich in trust and love and contentment];

[They are living memorials] to declare that the LORD is upright and faithful [to His promises];

He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. 

 

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2026/02/05/rdp-thursday-master/

The Wrong Brand!

February 5, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/02/04/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-57/

Oh it’s a grand day, and a great prompt from our host, the Brilliant Denise!  What’s the word?  BRAND!  So click the link if you’re unfamiliar with this weekly literary feast–get the info, write 6 sentences–and we’ll all gather for story-time.

And since everybody but me is Cold, I’ll try to warm you up with my episode of the continuing saga, starring Judd and Lorelei.

💖😠💕

“JUDD!”–the urgency in her voice drew him from his studio to the kitchen, where she stood–one hand fisted on her hip, the other holding up a can…and wearing the “wrath of Lorelei”; he smiled indulgently, “yes, Love?”

“What is THIS?” she snarled…and he was immediately transported back to Miss Thrumbull’s (retired US Marine Corp) English class on a pop-quiz day where the multiple-choice answers were designed so that the most obvious right one would always and forever be wrong…but you couldn’t count on that because, well, it was Miss Thrumbull.”

“It’s black olives, Love–you had it on the list…did you mean green ones?”

“This is NOT our brand–we only buy Pearl black olives–why did you get the store brand?” (her voice held a machete edge, much like Sgt. Thrumbell’s).

“They were on sale,” he tried, helpfully…(catching himself just before saying black olives are black olives, no considerable difference); she maintained her ridgid stance…and now she’d begun to resemble the unhinged Annie Wilkes in “Misery”; he well knew there were few options for redemption.

“I’ll be glad to return it and get the Pearl’s,”–he extended his hand for the violently rebuffed can she still gripped; “and when I come back, how ’bout some afternoon romance to make you feel better?” (he had 1 Viagra left)…her features softened, his exquisite Lorelei once more.

~ Cale

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2026/01/29/ragtag-daily-prompt-thursday-snarl/

A Responsive Heart💖

February 5, 2026

New Living Translation
My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!  Psalm 57:7

Young’s Literal Translation
And I have given to them one heart, And a new spirit I do give in your midst, And I have turned the heart of stone out of their flesh, And I have given to them a heart of flesh.  Ezekiel 11:19

Amplified Bible
And I will give them one heart [a new heart], and put a new spirit within them. I will take from them the heart of stone, and will give them a heart of flesh [that is responsive to My touch]  Ezek 11:19

Tell it to my heart…

February 4, 2026

Their marriage was nearly dead it seemed–

dry as autumn twigs after summer’s wildfire

cold as January ash on unused hearth–

they went about life in the wordless home

as though living on separate planets–

So, what had shifted, she didn’t know…

maybe it was the moon that waxed

 waned and winked now and then–

daylight had faded…too early for bed…

and suddenly he was standing in the doorway

staring at her with unreadable expression–

“Come out here,” he said–

saying nothing, she followed him

to the large kitchen they’d both

fallen in love with forever ago…

“dance with me”, he said softly

and pressing a button, their song

began playing: “tell it to my heart”…

https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2026/01/30/three-things-challenge-mm320/

A Valentine Story

February 4, 2026

It began with “hello”

just that

an ordinary greeting

ordinary day

ordinary-looking man–

no, not quite ordinary

he was helpful…

handy in ways

beyond her expertise

so, she thanked him

with her speciality…and

with every traded favor–

his chores, for her

tasty home-cooked meals–

he became more handsome

as she grew ever lovelier…

“hello” changed to

“I can help you with that”

and one day:

“how about we get married?”

she said, “yes”❣

~ Cale

https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2026/02/03/three-things-challenge-mm324/

https://thedailyspur.wordpress.com/2026/01/18/expertise-2/

Love Words

February 3, 2026

I will tell of the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,

According to all that the LORD has done for us,

And His great goodness toward the house of Israel,

Which He has shown them according to His compassion

And according to the abundance of His lovingkindnesses.

8For He said, “Be assured, they are My people,

Sons who will not be faithless.”

So He became their Savior [in all their distresses].

9In all their distress He was distressed,

And the [a]angel of His presence saved them,

In His love and in His compassion He redeemed them;

And He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. 

Isaiah 63:7-9 Amplified Bible