Mollie T. Cox, Author at 100 Words

Walking Each Other Home Pt.2

August 2nd, 2025
Mollie T. Cox

When all is said and done, we’re really just all walking each other home.
Ram Dass

Regardless of your opinion of Ram Dass, these words are worth considering. I’ve done it before (see here), and I did it again after the cancer diagnosis of my friend Tina. We thought the walk would be longer and slower than it was—ending in three to five years instead of last month. (See here.)

How did we find our way through the tears?

Jesus wept.
John 11:35 (ESV)

How did we find our way when God felt far off?

My God, my God why have you forsaken me?
Matthew 26:47b (ESV)

How did we find our way through our frailties?

A bruised reed he will not break and a faintly burning wick he will not quench.
Isaiah 42:3a (ESV)

How did we find our way when we needed hope?

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.
Lamentations 3:22 (ESV)

How did we find our way when the end seemed too soon?

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
Psalm 138:8 (ESV)

Scriptures guided us until Tina was safely home.

Whom are you walking home?

Parenting

Prayers I Should Have Prayed

July 26th, 2025
Mollie T. Cox

I always prayed my children would stay close to each other when they were adults. I never prayed they would stay close to me. I wrongly assumed it.
A Mother

My friend’s words spoke to me. As estrangement from parents becomes common among millennials, my and my friends’ assumptions about adult relationships with our children are challenged.

My friends and I prayed diligently for our children’s salvation, friends, jobs, health, education, and future spouses, but there were gaps. We prayed for particulars and overlooked larger issues. We prayed for major concerns and overlooked important details.

We looked at the older families around us and said, “We and our children are different.”

These days, when I read Ephesians 6:18, “Keep alert with all perseverance” are the words that stand out to me.

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:18

Homeschooling

Did I Homeschool Because I Was A Homeschooler?

July 19th, 2025
Mollie T. Cox

“We sin because we are sinners; we are not sinners because we sin.
John Phillips 1969

As I thought about the truth of Phillips’ statement, I realized there are many corollaries.

Artists are not artists because they create. Artists create because they are artists. Singers must sing. Writers must write. Teachers must teach.

Was I a homeschooler because I homeschooled my children or did I homeschool my children because, in my heart, I was a homeschooler?

That distinction led me to understand why some parents homeschool with passion while others do their duty. (Students learn under both.)

I think the distinction matters most when making decisions. Did I continue to homeschool year after year because I was a homeschooler? While being a homeschooler at heart may give more passion, does it perhaps make it harder to let go when the time is over?

Which are you? Just wondering.

Decisions, Priorities

What Is Big? What Is Little?

July 12th, 2025
Mollie T. Cox

It depends.

Devil’s Den was the site of a major Gettysburg Battle on July 2, 1863. However, during multiple family trips to Gettysburg beginning in the 1990s, Devil’s Den was not a “must see.”

Why?

It was a pile of stones. Seemingly, unimpressive stones.

Devil’s Den (DD), left of me, as seen from Little Round Top (LRT).

Little Round Top, the site of a major Gettysburg battle on the same date, was impressive. My family visited Little Round Top during each Gettysburg trip.

If I zoomed my camera lens while at Little Round Top, Devil’s Den had more substance.

Eventually standing on and among Devil’s Den boulders was the only way I understood how imposing the battle site was.

How little is Devil’s Den? It depends on where I’m standing.

How big is Little Round Top? It depends on where I’m standing.

LRT monuments as seen from the DD parking lot.

How big are my problems? How big are others’ problems? It depends. Am I looking from a distance or am I standing in the middle?

Are you far away or up close?

Friendship, Relationships

Another Goodbye

July 5th, 2025
Mollie T. Cox

Easter morning 2023 with one of my dearest friends

When people die it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready to give them up.
C.A. Belmond

I didn’t want to give up Tina, but unlike my previous loss (see here), the imperfect words have been said.

I met Tina almost twenty-five years ago, but it wasn’t until the summer of 2021 that we started saying all the imperfect words to each other. As we stood at the back of our church sanctuary one Sunday, Tina told me something vulnerable from a place deep within her heart. A different friendship began with that conversation.

While our husbands ran half marathons together, Tina and I walked or rather “talked” the 8Ks. Now we said more. As we went deeper, I never worried about how I phrased something. I could just speak. Tina did not judge or give careless advice. She listened well. She responded with prayer.

Along with our imperfect words, Tina and I also spoke the perfect ones. I love you.

As I long for more, I rest in the knowledge that Tina is with the Lord. One day our conversations will continue.

Let’s keep sharing our words with our loved ones.