Basics | 100 Words

The Blessing of Photography Pt.2

May 18th, 2024
Mollie T. Cox

Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever … It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.
Aaron Siskind

When I visited my college campus last year, the place held little meaning. So many changes had been made since my graduation that I could not retrace my college steps from my dorm to the cafeteria or library.

Weeks later, my brother texted 1970s photos that depicted the place I remembered. As I looked at photo after photo of where I slept, ate, studied, and made friends while an undergraduate, emotions hidden in my heart rose to the surface.

Later that night, I decluttered papers on my desk and found an article about Christopher Lawing, who photographed old signs from buildings in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Our State March 2023) Viewers told him about rekindled memories and feelings as they gazed on their childhood icons.

May God bless the photographers who help us remember and reminisce.

* May is National Photography Month

Basics, God's Faithfulness

My Inheritance

January 13th, 2024
Mollie T. Cox

When my uncle passed in 2020, I received an inheritance. (See here) Given the distance between my home and his, I could not claim most of it.

My great-aunt’s working sewing machine was donated.

While giving items to my uncle’s friends and arranging donations, I thought about the future inheritance I could claim. Neither distance nor limited time and energy could keep me from it.

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him—”
1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)

I was an unlikely heir. My uncle’s daughter and wife had passed. My uncle’s relationships with other potential heirs had been damaged. My brother and I were grafted in.

Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”
Romans 11:19 (ESV)

I considered my situation an analogy of the Gentiles being included in the inheritance belonging to the Israelites.

Deeply understanding the truth of being grafted in to receive an inheritance that could not be lost was more valuable than anything I left behind in Oklahoma.

Thank you for the lesson, Uncle Floyd.

Basics, God's Faithfulness

Inheritance: A Deeper Understanding

November 11th, 2023
Mollie T. Cox

Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
Luke 10:20 (ESV)

I knew that God wrote the names of his children in his Book of Life. I knew that my name was written there. However, my understanding deepened with the passing of my beloved Uncle Floyd in November 2020.

Mollie with Uncle Floyd (August 4, 1928 – November 13, 2020)

When I relayed the news of Uncle Floyd’s passing, relatives listed the possessions they wanted. Only one asked—weeks after her requests—if she was in the will. She wasn’t.

I could only listen. My brother, who held the unopened will, was on vacation. I only knew my uncle’s hints about my inheritance.

Days later, I read these sobering words.

Any other relatives of mine who are not mentioned in this Last Will and Testament have been intentionally omitted and are not to receive anything from my estate.

Inheritance was clearly specified—as specific as the Book of Life.

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. Revelation 3:5 (ESV)

Basics, Friendship

Being Yourself

April 15th, 2023
Mollie T. Cox

Be Yourself because everyone else is taken. Oscar Wilde

One of my favorite women traveled over 600 miles to my house—in her pajamas. I know because when she arrived exhausted, and I offered her a nap before dinner, she said, “I shouldn’t have changed out of my pajamas to go inside McDonald’s at the last exit. My daughter insisted.”

A friend, who had recently moved, asked if she could crash at my home overnight. Her son had a morning orthodontic appointment. “We won’t be any trouble,” she said. “Fix us peanut butter and jelly.” I did. She couldn’t believe that I believed her. Why not? She’s authentic.

These dear women—both named Sandi—are themselves, which frees me to be myself, which hopefully makes it even easier for them to be themselves. It is a cycle that ministers.

Who is the Sandi in your life?

Basics

World Art Day

April 11th, 2023
Mollie T. Cox

Why do you try to understand art? Do you try to understand the song of a bird?

Pablo Picasso

Along the way, I learned that I am an amazing art teacher—by my standards.

Multiple students and parents of students have told me for almost three decades how much their children enjoy art and look at the world in a different way because of my classes. And that is my standard.

Perhaps, my students will remember some artists or art terminology or acquire a favorite or think about creating art. I hope they do. But the goal is for my students to enjoy art—and for that enjoyment to be as accessible as their favorite books and games.

So, let’s cerebrate World Art Day on April 15th this year by enjoying some art, even if it is only a clever graphic design on your cereal box.

For fun, find and read If Picasso Painted a Snowman by Amy Newbold.