The Lord upholds all who fall, and lifts up all who are bowed down (Psalm 145:14).
Respect
Hi Reader!
Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
“Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. (Matt. 20:30-34).
Jesus took everyone seriously. He saw people others ignored, overlooked, or dismissed.
That's respect: Taking people seriously.
“Respect” comes from the Latin “respicere,” meaning, “to look back at, regard, or consider.” Today, the word implies consideration and a serious view of someone.
Most people were kind to me and my kids, during my years as a single mom. But occasionally, I experienced disrespect, probably based on my situation. The Holy Spirit reminded me that no matter what people say or think, God takes me seriously.
It goes both ways. Once, I interrupted a stooped, debilitated man who was talking to a cashier at the hardware store, as if he wasn't even there. By God’s grace, I caught myself and apologized.
We’ve all done this. It’s human nature. We base our respect on flimsy pillars:
- Career
- Looks
- Social status
- Physical prowess
- Etc.
But God isn’t like us. His perspective is different:
“…God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7).
He sees our level of sincerity. Our hopes and desires. Our soul. The light of the faith He plants in us, if we allow Him. Or the darkness we love. The sins we try to hide. Our choices.
And He takes it all seriously. If we respond to His love and repent, He welcomes us. If we turn away, He respects that decision, too.
Isn’t that both comforting and sobering?
When Jesus comes into our lives, He lives with us intimately. Because He respects us, He listens to our heart’s dreams. He addresses our sin. He deals with the issues that hamstring our potential. He convicts, forgives, encourages, restores.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Has God lifted you up when others disrespected you? How did you feel?
Writing News
I wrote Sons from Afar because I don't have the gift of convincing people to act. Seriously. I couldn’t talk a dehydrated dolphin into the ocean.
But fiction can motivate people.
The research was difficult because at the time, the border situation was fluid. Even as Paul and I stood by the border wall in San Diego County, we heard the number of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) crossing the border had risen to nearly 500,000.
Also, the facts were hidden. And when I found them, I doubted myself. Was I missing something? Could these horrible stories really be true?
Since the border crisis stabilized in 2025, official data releases have validated my research. Just last Thursday, the Department of Justice held a press conference about the missing UACs, verifying everything I’d learned, yet again:
- More than 475,000 UACs crossed the border.
- Of those, more than 300,000 were unaccounted for at end of 2024.
- Sponsors weren’t vetted, and many were traffickers.
- Thousands of UACs went to abusive trafficking situations.
- Welfare checks didn’t happen.
We can read statistics and move on. But if we see a child suffer in the pages of a novel, that stays with us. We want to help. And a hope-filled story shows us we can make a difference.
In this excerpt from Sons from Afar, Penny carries a rescued UAC to safety:
The sanctuary building loomed behind us. Breaking clouds partially shrouded the sky. The quarter moon cast a little light.
Sheriff Lee led us to the barbecue field. We slipped alongside it, under trees, then took a sharp right onto a dirt path. The path’s pale width contrasted with the shadowy bushes that pressed close. Tiger Boy snuggled his face into my neck. Branches snagged at my clothing.
Sheriff Lee’s radio crackled. “Two operatives are circling the campus.”
“Deputy Ventura, take cover and keep me updated.” The sheriff’s voice was low. He turned as he walked. “Hurry.”
Tiger Boy whimpered. I jiggled him. “Hush, now.” He quieted, but squeezed my neck, shaking like a dry corn stalk. I clenched my teeth. What had this wordless child endured?
The path descended. I stepped carefully, fumbling on. My purse bumped against my back. My arms ached beneath Tiger Boy’s weight.
Sheriff Lee stopped. Ahead rose the dim outlines of thick bushes, a shed, and a group of boulders. “Past the rocks.” The sheriff’s voice was a murmur.
We stepped between the rocks and the shed. Something clicked in Sheriff Lee’s hand, and soft, yellow light flicked on, silhouetting the window frames of a massive van in a tiny clearing. Moonlight slanted through breaking clouds, shining on cottonwood trees and mesquite bushes. Their branches scraped against the van’s far side and reached partway across its hood and tall roof.
We scurried to the vehicle. Thick, soft dust rose sweet to my nostrils. Deputy Hayes strode silently past us, from the back of the line to the van. Quietly, he slid the passenger door open and gestured to the kids. “Hurry!”
Do you want to help spread the word about Sons from Afar? Join my street team! You’ll get a pre-published copy of the book and other fun stuff.
Prayer
Let’s pray for law enforcement efforts to rescue the lost UACs in America:
Dear Father,
We lift up all those who are trying to rescue lost children in the United States. Protect them from false accusations, attacks, and obstacles thrown in their path.
Open doors for these efforts to proceed smoothly. Flush out the traffickers and restrain them. Reveal the hidden places where their victims are kept. Convict anyone standing in the way of justice and relief for these afflicted minors.
Please forgive our nation for allowing these atrocities to happen.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
Life Lately
Paul is remodeling our kitchen. Yay! It's like watching a magic show. He's very good at this stuff. Yes, that's an antique coffee grinder southeast of his elbow. (Did I mention he's a cutup? Haha!)
Young independent journalist Nick Shirley spoke at our church recently. He has exposed massive fraud in Minnesota and California.
We had coffee with our friends, Ruth and Jerry. If you need an AirBnB in Silicon Valley, they've got a lovely one!
Life-Changing Fiction
Where Hope Begins by Beth Adams
Second-chance romances resonate with me, since I'm living my very own! This promo is for a review copy. That means the book hasn't been published yet, and you can get it free!
The expectation is that you leave a review when the book is launched. Strong, early reviews help the book do well because they support the algorithm. Get it while you can!
The Weight of Staying by Jack Colver
Another second-chance romance, this one focusing on the inner journey of navigating unanticipated challenges. A serious read that ponders important questions and elevates the power of commitment.
Here's a bundle of free books you can get when you subscribe to the authors' email lists. All clean reads. Some Christian romance, collections of short stories, prequels to series, and more! Dive in and find a new author to love.
More from Columba...
Join my team to spread the word about Sons from Afar! Get a free pre-published copy of Sons from Afar. Your review on Amazon or Goodreads would help on launch day. Thanks, and God bless you!
Did you get the freebie I'm offering, By His Grace? Click the button below to download it! Once you've downloaded the EPUB file, follow these easy instructions to pop it on your device and start reading!
- When you've downloaded the EPUB file, make sure it's in your Downloads folder.
- Go to https://amazon.com/sendtokindle (You'll have to type it in. I couldn't find this page by clicking around Amazon.)
- Are you on Amazon's "Send to Kindle" page? Great!
- Click the button that says, "Select files from device." In the popup window, navigate to your Downloads folder.
- You should see the By His Grace EPUB file. Click on it and use the "Send" button to upload your short story to your Amazon library.
- Now, you can access By His Grace from anywhere you have the Kindle app installed. Have fun!
Wonders in the Deep has seventy-five ratings and 4.5 stars on Amazon!
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Thank you for your support! It really does mean the world to me. Please reach out if you want prayer or encouragement.
God bless you!
with love,
Columba
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