The Joy Lady
Verna Davis is available for speaking and singing at your club, school, or church and may be contacted at Vrdspeaks@gmail.com. She is married to Pastor Doug Davis. Many people will remember her columns in the Terre Haute Tribune Star. The Brazil Times is pleased to welcome her to our fold and we trust you will enjoy reading her columns.
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Adults don’t always want to do things, but just do
Posted Thursday, April 15, 2021, at 6:51 PMSometimes I don’t like to go to church. Some Sundays I don’t feel like it, some Sundays I don’t like some things at church, and some Sundays I don’t like some people at the church. There, I’ve said it. Know what that makes me? Normal. As normal as any of you on any given Sunday... -
No commandments better than loving God, others
Posted Thursday, December 10, 2020, at 5:54 PMNo commandments better than loving God, others I’m one of “those” people. I’ve been a Christian my entire life. Went to church every single Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night Bible study... -
It's been a crazy year
Posted Thursday, November 12, 2020, at 5:25 PMIt’s been a crazy year This has been a crazy year, hasn’t it? We’ve been quarantined so long and so many different ways that we might not remember what month it is or whether this is a Friday or a Monday. Time has lost all meaning, as if the clocks and the calendars are distorted beyond all recognition. That’s crazy... -
The Promise Keeper
Posted Thursday, October 15, 2020, at 7:21 PMThe Promise Keeper “No, we won’t be going to the park today,” said the Mom. “But you promised we could go,” said the child. “I know I promised you, but that was before, and this is now. Things have changed, and we won’t be going to the park.”... -
It’s the smart thing to do.
Posted Thursday, October 8, 2020, at 6:13 PMIt’s the smart thing to do. Some of you will feel my pain and understand my embarrassment when I tell you I don’t understand technology. It astounds me. I have a smart phone, and the silly thing is a lot smarter than I am. My grandchildren have explained widgets to me and why it is helpful to use them. ... -
Interruptions!
Posted Monday, September 21, 2020, at 6:08 PMInterruptions! Monday morning, my ringing phone interrupted my shower three times. Three times. When the first call interrupted, I hoped it was one of my children or grandchildren calling to tell me how much they loved me. Wrong. Telemarketer. Honestly, there are times I really miss being able to “slam down the receiver.” The second call came even before I could re-enter the shower. ... -
A week of 'craughing'
Posted Saturday, September 12, 2020, at 8:40 AMIt’s been a week of remembering for me—a week of joy and sorrow. I have simultaneously cried and laughed. (My son calls that “craughing,” and I’m very good at it.) My one surviving aunt passed away this week, and I have been on quite a trip down memory lane... -
Clearer Vision
Posted Monday, August 31, 2020, at 4:11 PMClearer Vision There’s been a remarkable change in me since July 16: I no longer wear glasses! I had cataract surgery in both eyes, and while they were at it, they corrected my vision. Oh, I still have to wear reading glasses, but I’ve turned that into a fun thing. ... -
Remembering is so important
Posted Monday, July 13, 2020, at 7:21 PMRemembering is so important It was one of those days. Company was coming, so I had a rather lengthy grocery list. I had bills to pay and cards to mail, but no stamps. That meant adding a trip to the post office to my To Do list. Delivering some food to a shut-in would have to be crammed in between grocery shopping and dropping off some clothes at the cleaners. ... -
Music soothes our souls, lightens our hearts
Posted Monday, July 6, 2020, at 7:04 PMMusic soothes our souls, lightens our hearts Remember hymn books? Do you remember all the words to all the verses of “What A Friend We Have In Jesus?” Can you close your eyes and see the “two pager” hymns like “Wonderful Grace Of Jesus?” Without looking at the page numbers of your favorite hymn book, I feel pretty certain that “When We All Get To Heaven” is no more than four pages away from “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder.” (I’ll wait while you fetch your hymnal to check.). ... -
To tell the truth ...
Posted Monday, June 8, 2020, at 5:23 PMWhen my children were living at home, I harped on them to always tell the truth. No matter what. Tell the absolute truth the first time and you will never have to cover up what you’ve done with lies you won’t be able to remember you told. Just tell the truth. No matter how stupid it may look at the time... -
Names
Posted Monday, June 1, 2020, at 3:20 PMI have one of those names. You know. A weird name. Said in a certain tone of voice it makes a harsh, almost guttural sound. Verna! My father (named Vernon) randomly chose my middle name, and he was the first to use my full name. Verna Rose Legg... -
'Did I say that?'
Posted Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at 9:07 AMIt’s a painful experience brought on by an absent-minded brain malfunction. Inner conversation breaks through the “STOP TALKING!” filter in our brains and thoughts become spoken words. That’s an Accidental Public Confession, and it is usually quickly followed by, “Did I say that out loud?”... -
There are times we don’t want to speak
Posted Monday, May 11, 2020, at 5:02 PMI know it hasn’t happened very often, but there have been a few times in my life when I have been rendered absolutely speechless. As in totally mute. As in I can’t say a word. (I know some of you are rolling your eyes now. Stop, please!) Granted, I realize that on the rare occasion that I have nothing to say, it becomes a noteworthy event. I’ve seen my husband, dear heart that he is, even jot down the date and the time of my mute state for future reference... -
Getting tired
Posted Monday, May 4, 2020, at 5:36 PMVerna Davis The Joy Lady I don’t know about you, but I’m getting tired of everybody debating about this pandemic thing we’re living through. Is it a sign of the end of the world? Is it blown out of proportion? Is it as bad as they say it is? Is it worse? Is it political? Are we being too cautious? Not cautious enough? I do know this: while we are doing our best to obey the rules, we are becoming weary of all the rules. ... -
Surprise!
Posted Monday, April 20, 2020, at 6:07 PMSurprise! Surprise! Just hearing that word makes us sit up straighter, listen more closely, and look around in expectation. Surprises generally bring great joy. For the most part, even though we might say we don’t like surprise, we secretly delight in surprises... -
Many, many questions
Posted Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at 11:09 AM1People have been asking lots of questions. People have come up with interesting ways to say, “I don’t know.” Seems like the two most often asked questions are: “What is going to happen next? When will all this be over?” We keep asking these questions and get angry when we are not told what we want to hear. The truth is, no one really knows what is next and when it will be over... -
Confession is good for the soul
Posted Monday, March 9, 2020, at 7:47 PM1Confession is good for the soul The Joy Lady By Verna Davis This is a column of confessions. I know it sounds silly to confess my weaknesses and faults (as well as numerous sins) in such a public forum. But I’ve found that if I confess—in print—it helps keep me accountable. So, here are my confessions—at least the ones I am willing to tell you about!... -
Music calms the soul
Posted Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at 9:31 AMMusic calms the soul It is no secret that I love all kinds music. Songs from my teen years, from my children’s teen years…and even some of the songs from my grandchildren’s teen years. I also love classical music, especially playing softly while I read a good book. Even now, as I write, there is the soothing sound of classical pianos playing in the background... -
What does your Bible really say?
Posted Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at 10:18 AMI love my Bible. It’s one of those Bibles that has wide margins so I can draw and write stuff. It has a little heavier paper to stand up to my colored pencils and pens. Best of all, it has large print so my eyes won’t get tired reading it. And, yes, for those who know me well, my Bible’s cover is purple. (Would you expect anything less from me?)...
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