Postcards Magazine ETX April 2024

8 Local Treasures

San Jacinto Building

14 Special Conversation

Southern Raised

18 Business Focus

Designed by Kelly

Community Calendar -22

Dear Gabby -6

Glorious Grandkids -11

Mustard Seed Moments -23

Pet Pals -7

Publisher’s Post -5

Puzzle Solutions -20

Sudoku Marketplace -12

Things My Granddaddy Said -17

What’s Cookin’ -21

Cover Photo by Roberta Cowan

Postcards 2023

Photo Contest Submission

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Published Monthly by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc.

Publisher Karen Altom

Editor Wes Altom

Operations Manager

Marshall Altom

Advertising Team

Nancy Jolly

Leah Lamp

Marshall Altom

Design Team

Mary Partida April Key

Online: www.PostcardsLive.com

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Call our Office: 936.293.1188

We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of any unsolicited material. No material from Postcards Magazine™ can be copied, faxed, electronically, or otherwise used without express written permission. Publication of articles, advertisements or product information does not constitute endorsement or approval by Postcards Magazine™ and/or its publisher. Business Focus stories printed in Postcards Magazine™ are drawn at random from contract advertisers.

© 2024 by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc., All rights reserved.

publisher@postcardslive.com

So Long. Farewell.

Hello Eastex Readers,

If you have ever seen the movie The Sound of Music, you may remember the scene where the family sings So Long, Farewell at the music festival as they prepare to leave their beloved homeland. The emotions displayed were those of a resigned sadness. Writing this column has made me feel the same way.

More than a year ago, we started meeting with leaders and businesspersons in the Cleveland and Tarkington areas about bringing a community magazine to your area. We were met with overwhelming positivity and worked for several months to make it happen.

We launched the Eastex Edition of Postcards Magazine almost a year ago. Although at launch it was not quite paying for itself, we felt like once we arrived, that would rectify itself. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. While we have had wonderful feedback and love from our readers, it appears our timing was inopportune for enough local businesses to be supportive to make it viable for us to stay. To all the businesses who believed in this edition and helped us get going this past year, we offer our heartfelt and sincere thanks.

We have enjoyed being a part of Cleveland, and we will still be around – just in a different way. One thing our company also does is specialize in digital marketing, helping businesses with their online presence and advertising. We are currently working with several local folks, and we look forward to working with more.

One thing I was sure of when we started working in Cleveland was that the small town, community feel was something I would love. I grew up in a small town, and I really think that always stays with you.

I was right.

I have loved every minute of visiting with the citizens and business owners I have had the privilege to meet. We have loved sharing the stories of many of those. We will have many fond memories of sharing life with you, and we hope you will have a few regarding us as well. If you’d like, you can still check in with us and read digital versions of our other editions (as well as archived editions of Eastex) on our website, PostcardsLive.com.

So, for the final time, I want to remind you…we are able to do what we do because of the advertisers in these pages. If you have enjoyed the time we spent with you, please call them and let them know you have appreciated it.

Until we meet again, ~

Karen

Karen Altom

Dear Gabby

Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. I regret to inform you this will be the very last Dear Gabby column. I can only hope this news is not good news and that you will accept my APRIL FOOL joke in good humor. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself! Stop clapping, it was a joke; I’ll still be in other editions, and you can always read us online. I would sincerely like to thank each of you who stop by every month to see what this old gal has to say. And if you can’t laugh at yourself, let me do it. Send me your questions by clicking on Dear Gabby at www. PostcardsLive.com/share. I wish you peace, love, and happiness always.

DEAR GABBY

I’ve been trying to get started on my spring cleaning for weeks, but I can’t seem to generate any motivation. The only thing I hate more than a dirty house is cleaning. Any suggestions?

EXCUSE THE MESS

worst part about spring cleaning around my house is taking down the Christmas tree! Speaking of spring cleaning and Christmas; a friend who sends gifts and cards with glitter…is not your friend!

GABBY

DEAR EX

Yes! Invite someone over. I get more cleaning done in the ten minutes before company comes than I can in the previous week or two. The

CONFIDENTIAL TO “FIRST NAME GIVEN (BUT WITHHELD)” The problems you perceive from the authority agencies in your area are much too serious for this forum. If all those incidents are truly happening to you, it sounds as if you need legal advice. The following information came from Texas.gov website. The Houston Bar Association offers its LegalLine on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Please sign up to select a date and time slot to receive a phone call from an attorney. If you have questions, please call the HBA office at (713) 759-1133. This service is also offered in Spanish on the 1st Thursday of each month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the same phone number. I hope this finds you some relief.

Story by Kelly Thomas Photos by Cara Williams

The San Jacinto Professional Building

The restoration of

the

San Jacinto Professional Building is more than an architectural achievement; it’s a celebration of community, history, and the enduring spirit of a town that cherishes its past while boldly stepping into the future.

Nestled in the heart of Cleveland, Texas, on the southwest corner of Crockett Street and San Jacinto Avenue, stands the San Jacinto Professional Building, a beacon of the town’s rich history. The restoration of this iconic structure was the dream of Sherry and Danny Cook, of Cook Construction Company. The newly renovated building marks a significant milestone in the preservation of Cleveland’s heritage.

The Cooks embarked on a mission not just to restore the building, but to keep its historical essence, marrying it gracefully with the advancements of modern architecture and technology. “The aim was to recreate what was already here and to bring it up to date,” Sherry Cook said, emphasizing the effort to maintain the building’s unique narrative through every nook and corner.

Originally the headquarters of the First National Bank of Cleveland, established in 1912, the building was a testament to the town’s growth and prosperity. It’s a lesser-known fact that Alfred C. Finn, the architect behind the San Jacinto Monument, had a hand in the building’s remodeling and expansion back in 1931, doubling its size and functionality.

Many

Mementos and treasures of the Bank’s historic past are on display.

original building materials have been restored or thoughtfully reused.

Throughout the restoration process, significant elements from the building’s days as a bank were preserved, including the original stone casting of the bank sign, which can now be viewed in the conference room atop the original vault wall. The exterior depository boxes are still at the front of the building, and several of the arched windows were restored, as well as the original terrazzo and wood floors in the building. Sections of the original building’s granite can be found in the building’s interior columns, along with areas of exposed original brick and tin ceiling tiles. All these restored elements showcase the building’s rich legacy. The Cooks also worked to preserve the surrounding buildings, which used to be McAdams Dry Goods. The sign for the building is now fully visible to the public.

Over the years, the building has hosted a myriad of businesses--including the First National Bank, Trinity Valley Savings and

Loan, Diamond Mine Jewelry Store, First Fundamental Baptist Church, Rags to Riches Resale, Diane’s Flea Market, and Second Chance Resale Store. At one point, the Cleveland School District used the building for school offices. The Cooks have ensured that traces of these businesses remain, honoring the building’s role as a commercial hub in Cleveland.

The transformation spearheaded by the Cooks is not just about architectural restoration, but about reviving the community spirit. The building’s connection to Alfred C. Finn and its architectural significance were rediscovered by the Cooks during their meticulous research, further deepening their commitment to the project. The discovery of Finn’s blueprints in Houston was a pivotal moment, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of the building’s historical importance.

Now known as the San Jacinto Professional Building, this landmark offers office spaces, a central indoor staircase, and an elevator-features that blend historical charm with modern necessity. Sherry Cook’s decision to preserve the building’s original features adds a unique character to each office space, making them far from “cookie-cutter.”

The building’s name, inspired by its location on San Jacinto Street, inadvertently ties it to the broader narrative of Texas history, a detail that the Cooks find serendipitous and fitting.

As the oldest national bank in Liberty County, First National Bank’s original building has witnessed Cleveland’s transformation over more than a century. Today, the San Jacinto Professional Building stands as a testament to the community’s resilience, its dedication to preserving its historical landmarks, and its forward-looking vision.

The Cooks’ approach to restoration, emphasizing historical integrity while providing modern amenities, has made the building a sought-after location for businesses. Tenants of the building now include a diverse array of businesses and professionals, including Donny Haltom, Attorney; Majestic Homes; Contreras Building Group; Tarver Abstract; Air Tech Solutions; Dana Jackson Insurance Agency; Justin Morgan, Attorney; Allen Dumpster Rentals; Slyder Energy Solutions; CRC; Country World Realty; and NelCo.

Sherry and Lori Cook, the mother-daughter team running the San Jacinto Professional Building, have created more than just office spaces; they’ve fostered a community of tenants who contribute to the vibrant life of Cleveland. Their commitment to maintaining the building’s historical essence while ensuring it meets contemporary needs is a fine example of how the past and present can coexist harmoniously. “All the tenants here are amazing people. Anytime you walk in this building you will be welcomed by smiling faces,” said Sherry of her tenants.

The Cooks continue to welcome stories and artifacts from the building’s past, adding layers to its ongoing story wall located in the Conference Room. “We are always so happy to hear stories from those who used to frequent the bank or work here,” said Cook. “There is still so much we don’t know about it and want to uncover.”

Front row: Sherry Cook, Lori Cook; Second row: Megan Gaston, Elizabeth Valdez, Dawn Anderson; Third row: Stephanie Meadows, Wanda Nelson Tarver, Wendi Thompson; Back row: Bryan Neal, Justin K Morgan

A Special Conversation

Story by Karen Altom Submitted Photos

A family quartet of musicians and vocalists make their mark—in many different and multi-talented ways.

How does one describe an unusually unique band such as Southern Raised in three words or less? They probably don’t! That would be very difficult to do even in a full, single sentence. You would have to encapsulate family relationships, vocal harmony, bluegrass, gospel, classical, Celtic, traditional, contemporary, eclectic, every band member playing multiple instruments, and LOTS of awards and nominations. Perhaps this well-constructed single sentence from the band themselves is a good start: We are Southern Raised, a bluegrass band from the Ozark Mountains that has created a trademark sound where classical meets bluegrass and city streets meet country roads.

Postcards visited recently with sibling band members Emily (Reith) Clayton and Matt Reith so we can share with readers more about the group ahead of their upcoming performance on May 10, 2024 at Old Town Theatre in Huntsville, Texas.

As a group, you have such a different style and sound combination. How did

that happen?

Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of outside musical influences other than classical music. I know that’s probably unusual for a group from the Ozarks. Shortly before 2007, when the band started, we became interested in bluegrass. We saw bluegrass family groups at Silver Dollar City, near where we live, and just fell in love with that style of music; but our instrument learning and playing had already been steeped in classical, with orchestraltype experiences and lessons. We started the band with bluegrass, and it was really several years before we did anything with classical music in the group.

How old were all of you when the band started?

We started as four siblings. Lindsay was 20, Sarah was 18, Emily was 12, and Matt was 9. Of course, we all started out learning to play instruments prior to that, and doing very local shows. It wasn’t even really an “intentional” band start. It kind of happened by accident. We loved that bluegrass sound we heard, and we thought let’s just get some bluegrass

instruments and play around. Then our grandmother had us play for a senior function at her church. It was just the three girls… Matt hadn’t begun guitar yet, so he wasn’t with us. And we didn’t sing, because that’s NOT something we grew up doing <laughs>. We did an hour of bluegrass instrumental tunes. Then we started getting requests to appear, and it just grew. Looking back, for sure it was a God thing, because it wasn’t something we really “tried to do.”

Matt, who originally played only the cello, learned guitar in order to join the group. He recalls his first appearance with the group was a few months later at an outdoor amphitheater. He joined for one song, “Orange Blossom Special,” because that’s all he had learned at that point.

The group name is Southern Raised. Where exactly were you raised?

We were all born in northwest Arkansas. We have been here near Branson, Missouri for almost 20 years. Sarah got married and left the group to settle down in late 2019. She now lives in Kansas and has two daughters. At that point, we added musician Alex Clayton into the group. That developed into another family relationship when Alex and Emily got married! So, now the group is three siblings and a spouse.

That’s interesting! Tell more about this Alex connection.

We actually met through a promoter who connected us. We didn’t know him at all before that. He was working at a music shop in Springfield. The three siblings did an interview with him in a small practice room at the shop. Alex later shared that it felt more like an “interrogation.” It’s quite a big deal when you try to replace a sibling in a sibling group. I’m sure we were kind of overwhelming. We did one show with him before Covid hit, so it was a really weird transition, as well.

Emily and Alex started dating in April 2020. Like the beginning of the band, neither really saw that coming, and that also seemed like God gifted a real blessing into an otherwise hard transition and difficult situation. The couple got engaged in September, married in March 2021, and now have a toddler son.

Describe yourselves.

Matt plays guitar, cello, and penny whistle. He handles logistics and finances for

the band, as well as giving input on creatives and arrangements. He is also the newlywed of the group, having married in August 2023. He enjoys mountain biking.

Emily plays violin, mandolin, and ukulele. She works on creatives and arrangements. She loves traveling, writing, and interior design.

Lindsay plays bass and is the emcee for the group. She loves hiking and gardening.

Alex plays banjo, dobro, guitar, and bass. He is laid back and quiet, and he enjoys cooking, traveling, target shooting, and exercising. Where did the Celtic come in?

We have some Irish ancestry on our mother’s side, but that’s not really the source behind it. We also really enjoy that style of music. It’s a favorite for each of us, and we have found that it lends itself well to the bluegrass instruments. That makes it fun!

You have some unusual choices for song selections. When it comes to the creative side, how do you select?

We like choosing older songs that haven’t been revisited a lot. They seem to go really well with our style of music, and we get a lot of comments from people whose memories are touched by them. It’s a cool way to have a musical “connection” with folks. We do try to read all the comments on YouTube as well, to see what people who are following us want to hear. We have gone on a little run of doing some older classics recently, and we have found that people really love that and are kind of craving it. It also translates well to stage, because a lot of the people who come to see us found us on YouTube.

What is something you want people to know about your group or your family?

Our ultimate goal, always, is to share the message of Jesus Christ— and the hope, and the love, and the acceptance we have in Him.

Things My Granddaddy Said

A clinging vine can choke a body.

Interest on debt never sleeps.

Don’t try to hold a barn cat against his will. Even stubborn mules know you have to pull together to get where you’re going.

Whatever the illness, time is the best cure.

A cat that licks his paw may be scratching his tongue.

Don’t lick a frozen pump handle.

Don’t ride a new path at full trot.

Publisher Karen Altom and her Granddaddy J.C. Farris

As I grow older, more and more often I find myself saying, “Like my Granddaddy used to say…” In an effort to keep some of these old sayings alive, we are sharing them here. Please feel free to share yours with us!

CHRISTINA WISE EMPLOYEE BEYOND REPAIRS, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT

SERVICE ADVISOR/ADMIN

Say hello to Christina Wise, proud Cleveland resident and friendly face behind the counter at Akin Auto Repair. More than your average service advisor, Christina’s a dedicated family wife She and her husband, Jason, have four adorable children, Jeramiah, Jace, Jordan & Caitlyn.

Christina has been with Akin for a year and is a dedicated Service Advisor/ Administrator. She is committed to ensuring that your maintenance and repair journey is as smooth as the ride you expect from your beloved vehicle. With a passion for precision and a knack for understanding your unique automotive needs, Christina is here to guide you through every step of the process. Whether you're seeking routine maintenance or addressing unexpected issues, her goal is to provide transparent communication, accurate information, and personalized solutions, ensuring your satisfaction and peace of mind.

Christina’s go-to tip? "Don’t diagnosis your own vehicle.”

Welcome to a service encounter that goes beyond expectations, where your

SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT

JONATHAN MYER EMPLOYEE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN

Say hello to Jonathan Myer, proud Cleveland resident and friendly face behind the wrench at Akin Auto Repair. More than your average service technician, Jonathan specializes in brakes, suspension, alignment, engines and transmissions.

Jonathan has been with Akin for a year and is a dedicated automotive technician. He is here to diagnose, repair and fine-tune your vehicle to peak performance. From routine maintenance to complex repairs, trust that your automotive needs are in the hands of a skilled professional who takes pride in delivering exceptional craftsmanship.

Jonathan’s go-to tip? "If you don’t know what you are doing, take it to a professional.”

Jonathan works hard to make sure your vehicle is running in tip top shape. He never lets a hard job bring him down and he always makes sure everything is good.

Revolutionizing the Online Presence of Small Businesses and Non-Profits with Community at Heart

Located in the heart of Cleveland, Texas, Designed by Kelly has become a cherished partner for small businesses, non-profits, startups, and entrepreneurs eager to enhance their online presence affordably.

Founded in 2019 by Kelly Thomas, this venture has transformed personal adversity into professional success, becoming a symbol of excellence, innovation, and unwavering community spirit.

Kelly Thomas’s entry into the design world was anything but ordinary. With a background in home staging and redesign, she pivoted to graphic design, eventually serving as the Director of Communications for a large local church. However, the sudden loss of her husband in November 2017 altered her life’s trajectory. Facing the challenges of widowhood with four children, Kelly chose to prioritize her family, stepping away from her job. This period of reflection and encouragement from a friend led to the birth of Designed by Kelly. Fueled by her

passion for design and the desire to support her family on her own terms, Kelly created a business that allows her to be creative and give back to the community. “It was important for me to design a business that has affordable services for every business,” says Kelly.

At its core, Designed by Kelly offers a wide range of design and marketing services, including business branding, web design, print and digital design, Canva templates, social media management, and business branded photography. The team takes pride in their five-star rating and the trust they’ve built with hundreds of satisfied clients over the past five years. Their commitment to delivering affordable, high-quality design solutions is what truly sets them apart. They are keenly aware of the hurdles small businesses face, from budget constraints to the need for a strong online presence and the ongoing challenge of digital marketing. With customized solutions, Designed by Kelly

navigates these challenges, empowering clients to confidently step into the digital arena.

“If I could give Designed by Kelly infinity stars, I would. Kelly is truly amazing with her marketing and web design. She goes above and beyond in helping nonprofits and is very reasonably priced. Her attention to detail is outstanding, as well as her creativity and responsiveness. Kelly has helped us tremendously with updating our look. She is also a super kind person,” said Amy Scott with Mothers Against Cancer, a local nonprofit.

A unique aspect of Designed by Kelly is its family-oriented team. Kelly, her daughter Cara Williams, and son Ian Thomas have formed a tight-knit group that brings diverse skills and a personal touch to their work, fostering a familial atmosphere for their clients.

Beyond its professional services, Designed

Owners, Kelly Thomas & daughter, Cara Williams

Looking to purchase your Dream Home?

Puzzle Solutions

Answers

by Kelly is deeply woven into the fabric of the community. Kelly emphasizes, “We strive to be more than just service providers; we aim to drive positive change in our community by aiding those in need.” They are active members of the Greater East Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. Kelly and her team are passionate about giving back through their DBK Gives Back Program, offering their time, services, and financial support. Over the years, they’ve created free websites, hosted various classes and resources, and donated to local causes like community schools, the H-Town Dream Center, and Heaven’s Army. Joshua Mason of H-Town said, “Kelly has supported the Dream Center’s mission of giving hope, healing, and freedom to the most vulnerable. It is inspiring to see local business owners pour back into their community so the less fortunate can get their needs met!! THANK YOU, KELLY and Team!!”

and is proud to see her students pursue graphic design in college.

As Designed by Kelly continues to grow, it remains grounded in its founding principles of creativity, affordability, and community service. Kelly Thomas and her team are ready to expand their reach, impacting the digital landscape and their community profoundly. Looking ahead, they are excited to launch Buzzworthy Tools—Marketing Made Easy for Every Brand in the next few months. This new branch of the business will offer a monthly membership with unlimited access to a wealth of pre-designed, fully editable marketing materials, catering to small businesses, church plants and nonprofit startups not yet ready for the full suite of services offered at Designed by Kelly. This initiative underscores Kelly’s commitment to providing affordable, stress-free marketing solutions that can be customized to fit any brand.

Easy Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, Volume 3, Book 1

Kelly’s dedication and the impact of her business have garnered significant recognition. In 2024, she was named Cleveland’s Business Person Of The Year by Alignable.com, highlighting her leadership and positive influence on the community and fellow business leaders during challenging times.

Kelly’s passion for education and teaching, particularly in design, shines through in her work with students at Home Run Ministries in Kingwood, where she teaches web and graphic design one morning per week. She has also teamed up with We Care Connection in St. Louis, MO, where she teaches a yearly online graphic design course to inner-city underserved youth ages 13-18. She finds joy in teaching design skills

Kelly encapsulates her philosophy, “We handle the complex online digital tasks so our clients can focus on what they do best.” This approach defines Designed by Kelly—a place where collaboration is key, clients become family, and every success is celebrated together.

To explore the innovative world of Designed by Kelly and learn how Kelly Thomas and her dedicated team can transform your online presence, visit www.designedbykelly. org today. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your digital footprint with their comprehensive range of services. Schedule a free consultation and take the first step towards a more vibrant and effective online presence. Join the Designed by Kelly family and let them empower you to focus on what you do best, while they handle the rest.

What’s Cookin’

Best Strawberry Cake from Scratch

Ingredients

2 cups white sugar

1 cup butter, softened

1 (3 oz) pkg strawberry flavored gelatin

4 large eggs (room temperature)

2 ¾ cups sifted cake flour

2 ½ tsp baking powder

1 cup whole milk, room temperature

For

½ cup strawberry puree made from frozen sweetened strawberries

1 Tbs vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

Step 2: Beat sugar, butter, and dry strawberry gelatin together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Step 3: Combine flour and baking powder in a large bowl; stir into butter mixture alternately with milk.

Step 4: Blend in strawberry puree and vanilla.

Step 5: Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans.

CALENDAR

Thru 6

Huntsville

Walker County Fair & Rodeo walkercountyfair.com

5-6

Cleveland

Rummage Sale fumcclevelandtx.org

Huntsville

Bill Watrous Jazz Festival shsu.universitytickets.com

5-7

Houston

FOODIELAND Food Festival nrgpark.com

5-21

Conroe

“Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” crightontheatre.org

6

Montgomery

MISD Education Foundation Spring Soiree montgomeryisdef.org

Nacogdoches

Spring Brewfest nacbrewclub.org

Port Arthur

Cajun Heritage Festival visitportarthurtx.com

10-13

Conroe

“The Spongebob Musical” lonestar.edu/ticket-info

11-13

Huntsville

“Vive La Commedia!” shsu.universitytickets.com

11-14

Houston

Disney on Ice: “Magic in the Stars” nrgpark.com

11-21

Conroe

Montgomery County Fair & Rodeo mcfa.org

12

Huntsville

Jimmy Fortune oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

12-13

Tomball

Art Show & Sale

thetomballartleague.com

12-14

The Woodlands

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival

thewoodlandsartcouncil.org

13

Conroe

“Space: The Final Frontier” conroesymphony.org

Huntsville

2024 Lane Smith Classic alphaomegaacademy.org

2024 Rotary Winequest: Fantasy Island winequestrotary.org

13

Huntsville

SHSU Alumni Food Drive

https://www.surveymonkey.com /r/NGZSDL7

13

Madisonville

2024 Mudbug Festival madisonvilletexas.us/events 19

Huntsville

14th Annual Diva Night business.huntsvillewalker chamber.com 20

Huntsville

All About KIDS Expo casaofwalkercounty.org

Cleveland

Taste of Cleveland business.clevelandtxchamber.com

25-27

Huntsville

“The Prom”

shsu.universitytickets.com 26

Huntsville

Doug Stone

oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

The Woodlands

Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas visitthewoodlands.com

by Ruth Fields

Are We Dishwasher Safe?

When my husband retired in 2023, he offered to help me with some of the many household tasks I had been doing alone. Because I hate to unload the dishwasher, I suggested he might want to take over this task. I congratulated myself for being so clever.

What I soon discovered, however, is that hubs didn’t know where everything in the kitchen was supposed to go. When in doubt, he put items in whatever spots seemed handy. After he unloaded the dishwasher, I often had to go on Easter egg hunts to find things in the kitchen. Clearly, we needed to talk.

My intent is not to bash my brave, hard-working, smart, funny, loyal spouse; however, his dishwasher-unloading technique reminds me of a much greater issue. We humans like to do things our own way. We take matters into our own hands, sometimes bending God’s laws to our own benefit. We make excuses, forgetting that God’s rules do not shift with time. (“I the Lord do not change.” – Malachi 3:6.)

Once I started digging, I found many verses that warn us to stay true to God’s Word. For example, Deuteronomy 5:32 says, “So be careful

to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.”

I love the way the Bible, with its poetic language, often compares our Christian experience to a walk. The Bible tells us that Noah “walked with God,” and we all know the rest of the story. King Solomon, considered the wisest person in the world during his lifetime on earth, used a similar analogy in Proverbs 4:26-27: “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

This is (of course) easier said than done, but I believe we should all strive to maintain a straight path. I’m sure my husband will agree (as long as I don’t ask him to change the way he unloads the dishwasher). Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6