Rita Halter Thomas

“We’ve set an appointment for you to come back next Monday to review the results of your biopsy. In the meantime, we need to set an appointment with a surgeon.” A whole week? A surgeon? The doctor continued to share the specifics with my husband. Attempting to shake the fog of the anesthesia, I tried

“Whatever you do, don’t let go,” my cousin, Judy, turned and called back to me. “Grab two fists full of mane, grip hard, and hold on.”             “But I can’t swim,” I shrieked, wide eyes staring at her back.             “Don’t worry, I can. If anything happens, I’ll dive in and save you,” she said.

The tassels on each end of the golden honor chord, bright against the black collegiate gown, swayed slightly with each step. She paused, took a deep breath, and waited for what came next. As our daughter’s full name was announced, followed by, “Bachelor of Science, Missions, Magna Cum Laude,” Marinna crossed the stage, shook the

My pulse increased. The whooshing in my ears deafening. My mind ran wild with  jumbled details and I sensed the walls closing in.              Grr. Grr. Grr.             Completely overwhelmed with too much to do and not enough time to get it all done, I felt a full-blown meltdown brewing.             To make matters worse,

Roots to Stand Upon Posted on Apr 11, 2018 by Rita Halter Thomas in BLOG, Faith Builder, Hold On Stories, Spiritual Prepping 10344                 “Oh, yay! I will finally have roots,” our eight-year-old daughter squealed.             I remember well that day in 2004. My husband and I felt God calling us back to Arkansas from the Midwest, so once our direction became clear, we

While compiling historical information for a recent family reunion, I discovered countless fascinating stories of adventure, fear, tragedy, joy, loss and sorrow, faith and hope. Many of these stories reflect a firm faith in God – a hold weakened in present day America.  For a moment, let’s journey back to the year 1815.  A looming

One week, an evil, hate-filled act claimed the lives of 17 people in a Florida school shooting. The next week, the great evangelist Rev. Billy Graham died at age 99. One heart filled with deeds of evil. One heart filled with goodness and love.  Such contrast prompted me to consider the hearts of those of

Despite the fullness in my stomach from a huge Christmas dinner, the aroma of buttered popcorn enticed me the second I opened the door to the theater. Deciding on drinks only, my family and I navigated the congested lobby in search of a place to wait for the movie we selected. We arrived an hour

Discussing Christmas traditions with an excited group of children, a young boy’s smile faded as he told me he couldn’t spend Christmas with his daddy. I inquired further, expecting the boy to cite divorce or death as a reason. My mind began forming words to encourage the boy. “He’s in jail,” he said. I stammered