This morning, I took my 16-year-old son, Caeleb, to physical therapy at Carrie Tingley Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He continues to experience recurring pains from past internal bleeding episodes in his right knee and ankle. The goal is to find the source of the pain and a…
In the Twinkling of an Eye - a Column by Joe MacDonald
Last week, I visited an outstanding church member in a local hospital. When I arrived, I saw a friend in the lobby, looked into her eyes, and knew that something was dreadfully wrong. She explained that her baby suffered unexplained medical issues and required immediate care. Parents whose children are…
As I entered my son’s bedroom this morning to turn on his light and wake him up, I heard him say a phrase that sent shivers down my spine. Caeleb, my boy, said, “Dad, my ankle hurts.” My first instinct wanted to allow him extra time to get himself together.
One recent evening, my wife and I watched our favorite television shows. After the last one ended, the local news came on to give us the latest updates on the day’s top stories. One segment touched me deeply, and I couldn’t help but think back on the many health difficulties…
Last school year, my youngest son, Caeleb, had a difficult time as pain in his right knee and ankle resurfaced. Thank God he didn’t have any bleeding episodes, but he experienced the chronic symptoms of damage to his joints caused by past internal bleeds. His pain often proved too…
Last Sunday, I preached about the idea of faith and how it informs our lives as we look toward the future. I drew from scripture to define my terms when speaking about the meaning of faith. According to the text, “Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the…
Earlier this week, I stopped the car and let my youngest son, Caeleb, out for his first day as a junior in high school. I looked at him and told him that I loved him and that this year could be the start of something extraordinary. His laugh let me…
Passion motivates us and puts a fire in our belly to strive for something outside ourselves. Without a sense of purpose, we become less motivated to rise above our current situation and struggle to find a key ingredient to a happy life. As we strive to find our way,…
One of my favorite musicals is “Into the Woods,” with a book by James Lapine and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. One of its roles that I wish I could perform is the Baker, but that’s for another time. In the show, the woods serve as a…
When my oldest son, Julian, expressed an interest in the theater, with hopes of starting a career in musical theater, I smiled and felt I could be an excellent resource for him. After all, I had a reasonably successful career in the business, having done regional…
