Decisions, God's Faithfulness, Relationships

A Time For Pity

May 30th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

Pity: sympathetic sorrow for one suffering, distressed or unhappy.

Merriam-Webster

For too long, I’ve born the consequences of the foolish decisions of a middle-aged woman. Frustrated, I complained again.

Mollie, she doesn’t know her right hand from her left.

My Husband

He was right. She didn’t, and what did God do with a great city of evildoers who did not know their right from their left?

And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left …

Jonah 4:11 (ESV)

Unlike me, instead of lamenting the Ninevites’ lack of knowledge and listing the reasons why they should know better, God had pity. He took action to correct the situation. I may not be the one to correct, but I can have pity.

Relationships

Answers Rather than Questions

May 23rd, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

He always has an answer, but I’ve never heard him ask a question.

This observation about a church leader impacted someone who later shared it with me. I’ve never forgotten it either.

I thought about those words when my doctor causally said, “You might want to think about walking or swimming,” as he exited the examining room. At that time, I was walking daily and swimming twice a week. Are you exercising would have led to more helpful advice.

I’ve thought about people giving me answers rather than asking me questions the times I was told how to deal with a situation that didn’t exist. Or to try a solution I had tried many times.

And then I caught myself doing the same. I opined on a situation that needed my questions rather than my quick advice.

For three years, our family has walked with loved ones through trying times. Not only did they need help, but so did we. Advice has abounded, but I am grateful for those who asked questions first.

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Luke 2:46

God's Faithfulness, Stories I Share

Stories I Share: Amazing Provision

May 16th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

Far from home, my son was in an accident that could have been fatal. (See here.)

2016

God not only protected, but he also provided. When my son called, I was lunching with prayer partners. After praying, I called another friend. She prayed for the best police officer to be assigned. He was. He said all the evidence collaborated my son’s account, and the officer’s humorous commentary lightened the stress.

The accident’s circumstances were bizarre, but a doctor said he had a similar experience. Comforting.

With my husband and eldest abroad, my middle son gave wise counsel to his brother—advice that never occurred to me.

The body shop drove my son to a hotel that served a free dinner. Unusual.

A buddy drove six hours to take my son home. His pickup truck held all my son’s baggage, including two bikes.

After flying to us, my son needed to register his hand-me-down car in Missouri. His brother had vacation time to accompany him.

We wanted a new car with particular specifications. An order had been canceled the previous day, so our replacement car arrived quickly.

My friend Kathy accompanied me to the dealership.

Jehovah Jireh: The Lord will provide.

God's Faithfulness, Stories I Share

Stories I Share: Amazing Protection

May 9th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox
May 14, 2016

Ten years ago, my son was driving from Missouri to the East Coast to spend time with us before heading to a summer church internship. In Indiana, he had a freak accident. By God’s mercy, while his Subaru was totaled, he walked away without even a bruise. God’s protection and mercy abounded.

The details were lifesaving. The alignment of his car was off. The police officer who responded said a different alignment would have resulted in my son being severely injured or his death, if not the same for others.

The accident occurred before an upcoming merger and clover leaf where the highway would have had more traffic.

The existence of cables instead of a guard rail—or nothing—in the median gradually slowed the car, also protecting my son and others.

The body shop mechanics who looked at the towed car expected my son to have arm burns from the air bag deployment. His thick hoodie protected them.

God’s provision in the aftermath followed his protection

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  Psalm 121:3-4 (ESV)

God's Faithfulness

Turbulence Ahead Pt.2

May 2nd, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

I fear flying, which is why I was glad that the pilot of my 2024 Boston trip warned me of turbulence. (See here.) If only the pilot of my Boston trip two weeks ago had been as considerate.

Immediately after boarding, I heard a disturbing, loud grinding noise. As it continued, I wondered if the plane was mechanically sound. Grind, grind, grind through takeoff and too many minutes of flight, which included sideways turbulence.

The next day, I encountered a Jet Blue flight attendant. My husband told her about the noise.

We call that plane The Whale. It’s supposed to sound like that.

If only…

Before my first knee surgery, I was not warned about the extreme pain and sleepless nights. My doctor answered subsequent concerns with “That’s normal.” Multiple friends said it took a year for total recovery. The last response my doctor sent about my continued pain was “It hasn’t been a year yet.”

If only…

Last week, I had my second knee surgery. It’s helpful to know there’s turbulence ahead.

I’m glad God warns me.

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 (ESV)
Worth the flight!