Welcome to Daily Encouragement!
Hi, I’m Charlene Notgrass. I was born a long time before you, way back in 1953. I loved homeschooling — once I learned how to make homeschooling who our family was instead of something I carried around like a big, heavy burden every day. From the lessons God has taught me, I offer you daily encouragement.
Through the Wardrobe
The sign on the door read, “Enter only if you want to go into Narnia.” I remember thinking for a split second “I sure do” before joyfully opening the door. Our son John was about seven years old when he…
Decisions
As Ray and I were picking tomatoes the other day, I was struck by how many decisions we were making. Is this tomato red enough? Do I reach up here or down there? If I reach for this one, will I…
Tomato Seeds and Mustard Seeds
Almost-nine-months-pregnant Mary Evelyn has been picking and picking her family’s bumper crop of cherry tomatoes. A recent picking was so big she decided she shouldn’t try to carry them all at one time. She’s grateful, happy, and tired. Ray and…
Susan, the Therapist
Susan (not her real name) is a therapist who came into our lives in June when Mother came to stay with us after her stroke. The first time she came for a home health visit, I was a little disappointed…
Thoughts About the Transition From Child to Adult
When does a child make the transition from childhood to adulthood? The common answer to that question has changed through the centuries. In America the legal age of adulthood was once twenty-one. Today most people seem to think of eighteen as…
Childhood Innocence
I believe in childhood. It’s easy to let our children grow up too soon. In fact, I think it is hard not to do that. Resisting the temptation to rush childhood requires many well-thought-out decisions. Even something as simple as…