Mollie T. Cox, Author at 100 Words

Giving Cups Of Cold Water

December 7th, 2024
Mollie T. Cox

And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
Matthew 10:42 (ESV)

Some days, I can only give cups of cold water. Small cups.

However, the cups of cold water given to me are special gifts.

The givers?

The casual acquaintance who stopped her car when she saw me by my mailbox and asked how I was doing during Covid-19.

The friends who checked on me via texts during Covid-19.

The friends who mailed me cards saying I am loved and appreciated.

My co-teacher who carried my bags for me after my cataract surgery—and drove me to my classes.

My son’s tutor who told me my son thrived because of my teaching.

My son who took my hand and helped me climb closer to a waterfall.

My son who drives me to doctor appointments and waits.

My husband who daily brings me ups of cold water—with a splash of orange juice.

And more.

Cups of cold water are on my Christmas list. What’s on yours?

Relationships

Escorts to the Finish Line

November 30th, 2024
Mollie T. Cox

I do my best to watch my husband cross the finish line at his races.

After his last race, we returned to the finish line hours later to watch the final runners. At that point, they were so spread out that the names of all finishers were called—until only one name was called when two runners crossed the finish line together. And again, when three runners crossed together. Why?

After watching carefully, we noticed that the unnamed runners waited by the finish line at the bottom of the hill before running to the top of the hill. After a while—sometimes short and sometimes long—they returned to the finish line with a new runner. Why?

Eventually, the announcer thanked the “pacers.” When runners struggled toward the end, at least one pacer was sent to escort them to the finish line. One 81-year-old crossed with three.

We wondered how many miles were logged by people running up the hill and beyond to help strangers achieve their goals. How many volunteers stood near the finish in order to call for help?

I could have achieved more goals with an escort to the finish line. How about you?

Book Recommendations, Christmas

An Advent Calendar of Books

November 23rd, 2024
Mollie T. Cox

What do I wish I had known and experienced when my sons lived at home? An Advent Calendar of Books.

This Advent Calendar contains a wrapped stash of books to be unwrapped one by one during Advent. New books don’t have to be purchased yearly. Opening Christmas favorites can be satisfying.

Ideas abounded on the internet, but my favorites were beginning with a book per week of Advent and using library Christmas books until you have decided on the books you want—and can afford—in your permanent collection.

After years of collecting, I might have enough for each day of Advent.

My recent additions to my overflowing shelf of Christmas books are

Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne

Voices of Christmas by Nikki Grimes

The Christmas Mitzvah by Jeff Gottesfeld

and Santa Who? by Gail Gibbons.

I’m not sure I could have managed the wrapping and unwrapping of twenty-four books when my sons were young, but my book-per-week selection would have been well-loved favorites

Tomie dePaola’s Christmas Carols by Tomie dePoala

The Lion in the Box by Marguerite de Angeli.

B Is for Bethlehem: A Christmas Alphabet by Isabel Wilner

and Christmas Eve by Edith Thacher Hurd

Happy Reading.

Decisions

I Can’t Fix Messes Either

November 16th, 2024
Mollie T. Cox

Along the way—as in after expensive, time-consuming attempts over twenty-five years—I learned that I can’t dig people out of their messes. My family’s considerable energy and money only provided temporary relief, and the same can be said of others’ attempts to eradicate the same messes.

Why was I so naive? Why didn’t I understand the obvious? Messes don’t just appear. Why did I think they did?

Messes are due to deliberate, day-by-day decisions. If I can’t change someone’s daily decisions, then the mess will reappear, and I can’t fix people—although once upon a time I and others thought I could. (See here)

Do I regret my family’s actions?

No to two. I had to give those relatives opportunities for a new start.

Don’t ask what it will cost you if you help. Ask what it will cost them if you don’t help.
Rev. Josh Diack,

Yes, to one. Our family is still hurting from the experience. I haven’t decided about the others. However, I’m wiser.

Are you being drawn into someone’s mess this holiday season?

Decisions, Parenting, Relationships

I’m Sorry to Disappoint You, But

November 9th, 2024
Mollie T. Cox

Along the way, I learned that I can’t

make my child drop a grudge,

make my child stop being shy,

make my child be on time,

make a friend keep promises,

make a frenemy tell the truth,

make a relative show up at a birthday party—OK. I did have success there,

make my children initiate particular relationships,

make leaders listen,

make acquaintances obey the rules.

And I’m sorrier than you are. I’ve wasted too much time trying.

No matter how much I’m nagged or shamed, only my Heavenly Father can mend his children.

Are you hoping or expected to “fix” someone this upcoming holiday season?