Daily Photo Parable

Photo ©2026 by Amber Jurgensen
Commentary ©2026 by Russell Jurgensen
Sunday, May 10, 2026

On this Mother’s day, we are celebrating and appreciating mothers in our families, churches, and communities. Mothers play more roles than we realize, and many women who don’t have kids of their own also provide vital roles of a mother.  In this photo a great grandmother (my mother-in-law) sits with her granddaughter as they chat and look out the window at nature.

We might think about the question of what we can do for mothers that is above and beyond what we normally do on other days. A card with thoughtful words is nice and giving her a break from normal chores is a great idea. I have to chuckle though because would a mother want to get some peace and quiet, or would she want to be with her family? Maybe it depends on how overworked she is but here is guessing that being with family is a common choice.

Whatever you do on this Mother’s day, may it be contemplative, and from the heart. To see an example of God’s love reflected in people let’s look at mothers. If mothers love us with the kind of intensity, self-sacrifice, and long suffering that they clearly do, think of how much God loves each one of us. Like mothers, he never gives up, never stops loving, never stops hoping that we will learn and grow and find true happiness.

With utmost respect and love, Happy Mother’s Day!

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Darren Milam
Sabbath, May 9, 2026

Where would we be without our mothers?

Let that question sink in.

I can answer it simply: we wouldn’t be here without our mothers. It’s true. Of course, there are many elements involved in our existence, but our moms played a significant—and irreplaceable—part in the process.

Sunday, at least here in the United States, we pause to honor and reflect on our own mothers, the mothers of our children, and the mother‑figures who have shaped who we are today. To set the stage, I want to focus on the first two—my mom and my wife, the mother of my children.

Why flowers for this photo parable? Easy. Both of these incredible women genuinely enjoy flowers. It’s hard to say whether they would choose the lilac (yes, it’s technically a tree) or the tulips as their favorite—but if I had to guess, they’d likely choose both, and have both in their own gardens.

The flowers of the lilac tree are unique and beautiful, with a fragrance that can stop you in your tracks. The tulips are vibrant, colorful, and wonderfully diverse. Though different in form and expression, both are intentional, meaningful, and a reflection of thoughtful design—much like motherhood itself.

God is the creator of all things, and He allows us not only to see beauty in His creation, but also to reflect on the deeper meaning behind it.

Have you ever stopped to think about how mothers are represented in the Bible? Scripture goes beyond simply acknowledging women as mothers and presents them in a very different light than many other ancient records. I won’t turn this into a history lesson, but a brief observation is worth noting.

Outside the Bible, motherhood was often viewed primarily as a biological duty or a means of producing heirs. In contrast, the Bible portrays motherhood as a spiritual calling—one remembered by name, not merely by function. We see mothers in scripture whose faith and obedience changed history and played a vital role in God’s plan. He chose them to be part of His story.

As Jesus walked the earth, showing us how to love and live, He intentionally included mothers in His ministry and in the gospel accounts. He consistently saw mothers not just as caregivers, but as people of faith—women whose love, loss, courage, and perseverance matter deeply in the Kingdom of God.

In my own life, my mother and my wife embody that kind of selfless love. They have both sacrificed an incredible amount for their children. I saw it as a child, and I continue to see it as an adult—constantly placing the needs of their children above their own. That level of commitment and devotion does not go unnoticed. I love them deeply for it, and God does as well.

So Sunday, as we remember, reflect on, and celebrate the women in our lives, may you know this: God loves you. You are seen. You are valued. You are incredibly special—to God’s family, and to your own.

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Maylan Schurch
Friday, May 8, 2026

The above neighborhood scene, which I snapped Thursday of this week, causes me great delight. But you probably can’t yet tell why.

The above house is not mine. I don’t know whose it is. The sky is delightful, a temperate combination of cooling clouds, but that’s not the most delightful part. I had to resize the photo to fit it into the recommended size for the blog, so you can’t zoom it in and still see the good part.

So here’s an original-size zoom-in:

See those two black specks, one bigger than the other? That’s why I took the photo. The bigger speck is a bald eagle, doing desperate aerial acrobatics to dodge the smaller speck, which is another bird relentlessly harassing it and trying to drive it away.

Why do the smaller birds do this? I found an informative answer online:

 When you spot Bald Eagles around town, it’s likely that you might watch them being scolded and chased by smaller birds or crows. This is because while eagles predominantly eat fish, amphibians, crabs, and small mammals they are not above snatching up other birds or their young. They also frequently engage in kleptoparasitism, a feeding behavior where they harass other birds until they are forced to drop their catch of fish. So, while eagles are striking and impressive birds, their tendency towards playing the big bully of the bird world makes it understandable that they would be subjected to a fair bit of teasing as well.
From https://birdsconnectsea.org/2026/04/06/large-and-in-charge-bald-eagles-in-washington/

 As I say, when I see this happening, I’m delighted. It reminds me of the “great controversy between Christ and Satan,” the devil’s constant harassment of humanity and especially those who follow Jesus. This battle has been happening for many centuries, and Jesus at one point allowed Himself to become its victim.

But He did so in order to take our sins upon Himself and make it possible for us one day to fly away with Him to His Father’s house, and to eventually watch (here’s the good part) as Satan will be destroyed, never to harass us again.

For a thorough, text-by-text history of the great “bully of the universe,” including his final fate, click this link:

https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/satan

Photo ©2026 by Amber Jurgensen
Commentary ©2026 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, May 6, 2026

We were clearing some fallen branches caused by early spring storms when this squirrel came running up to us in cautious stops and starts. At first, we thought it was asking for a handout, although that would be unusual for squirrels in these woods. We talked to it and said sorry we didn’t have any food. It looked us up and down for a moment, since we were standing right beside the tree it was on. Then it put on the gas and zoomed by us, following the same downed tree in the picture. The tree trunk curved up and up about twenty feet into the air where it was hung up on another tree. Some of the trees are very long and thin. The squirrel followed it right up and jumped onto the other tree, and from there ran across a branch onto yet another tree.

We looked at each other in amazement. We had just witnessed a close encounter of a squirrel following its freeway through the trees. This fallen tree was conveniently its onramp. It hadn’t been interested in us; we were just in its path! It even braved getting near people to stay on its desired course.

It reminds me of these well-known verses.

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
    that I will follow your righteous laws.

Psalm 119:105-106

When we know the right path to take, we want to cautiously analyze dangers along the way, but we know it will get us to where we want to go.

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Robert Howson
Tuesday and Wednesday, May 5 and 6, 2026

Many of us like to imagine ourselves as being rational human beings, individuals who look at the information in a cogent manner before making decisions.  Hopefully, that is at least partially true, but I’m guessing there may be another part of us that resides deeper within our psyche that also plays a significant role.  We can call it an emotional response to something that stirs within us which we are unable to identify, nevertheless, still strongly influence our choices.

For some unknown reason I have a particular fondness of Bluebells (Hyacinthoides) of both the English and Spanish varieties.  Native to Europe, these flowers are also known as Common Bluebell, Wild Hyacinth, and Bell Bottle.  Whatever you call them, the terms elegant and friendly both fit comfortably.  In my imagination I picture them creating the perfect setting for Robin Hood and Maid Marian to reside, hidden away somewhere in Sherwood Forest.

The setting does not the story make, it only enhances it and provides a tapestry upon which the story can be told.  But the Lord seems more than willing to provide us with such a setting.  He only asks that we place Him first in our lives. “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.” (Psalm 37:4-5 NIV)

Photo ©2011 and Commentary ©2026 by Chuck Davis
Monday, May 4, 2026

I chose today’s image as a parable demonstrating the importance of flexibility in our walk with God. Abraham left his home to go to a far land; he had no map but trusted God to be his polestar.

Paul talks about the need for flexibility: “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some ” (1 Corinthians 9:22 NIV).

Over time, the Pharisees became rigid in their relationship to God, developing over 600 rules about Sabbath keeping. Jesus taught us differently: “Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27 NIV).

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV).

The tree in our photo survived because of its flexibility. Deep snows caused it to bow its head each winter for several years in a row. Each spring, it found the sky. Eventually, the tree overcame the brutality of winter. Like this tree, the perils of the world may bend us, but keep your eyes on Him and grow to His light. Remember that He is not willing for any of us to perish, so in the darkest night keep your eyes on Him. He will light your way.

Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, May 3, 2026

It’s time. The forecast is telling us we’ll experience 82° weather this weekend. It’s true that it’s also predicting a high of 61° five days later, but that must not distract us from the urgent need to climb the fold-down stairs to the attic and to bring down the bins marked, “SUMMER CLOTHES.”

We’ll empty those bins, then fill them with our thicker, warmer clothing, turn around the labels so they read, “WINTER CLOTHES,” and tuck the bins back in the attic. Since I love a play on words, I was pleased to realize that this could be described as our semi-annual “Changing of the Garb”!

And yes, this makes me think of Jesus. Except the scenario I’m thinking of as described in the Bible, several times and in several ways, is not a semi-annual event. Consider this drama from the Old Testament:

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”

 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.

Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”

 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.  (Zechariah 3:1-5)

I remember the first time I read those verses. I took them personally. (I still do!) I was Joshua. Satan was accusing me of my sins, and the Lord was rebuking him, taking away my sins, clothing me with the rich robes of His righteousness. I cannot read this story without smiling wide.

Now consider this slice of a drama from the New Testament. It’s a well-loved story because it’s full to overflowing with the immense love of a forgiving father for a vastly undeserving son.

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’

 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. and bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:17-24)

Again, I cannot help but “be merry” myself at this picture of God! Here we see, not a Father who holds Himself aloof from us, arms crossed, face frowned, disapproving of our bad behavior, but a Father whose eyes are searching for us, whose heart is yearning for our return. He runs toward us, and interrupts our prepared speech in order to call for us to be clothed in “the best robe.”

I love all the stories in the Bible that describe this “changing of the garb.” God reassures us over and over that we don’t, we can’t, earn the change of clothes (heart) we need. It’s all gift.

Isaiah helps us respond to such amazing grace:

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
(Isaiah 61:10 NKJV)