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Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Ten-year-old Billy and his dad were going to eat at Billy’s favorite buffet-style restaurant. It was the boy’s birthday, and Dad had indulgently told him that he could have anything he wanted, as much as he wanted. Big mistake. Billy grabbed a plate and headed straight for the prime rib, steaks, roasts, and seafood bar. Without even a side glance at all the salads, vegetables, and fruits. As he began piling his plate with meats only, his dad stopped him with a warning. “Son, you don’t want to do that. If you eat all that meat, you’re gonna have a beauty of a stomach ache later. You need to have a few vegetables on there.” Confidently, Billy replied, “Nah, I’m good,” and continued building the second layer of his ‘Ode To The Love Of Meat’  on his plate. When he finally reached the dessert bar, he reached for a second large plate and proceeded to load it with every kind of chocolate dessert available. This time Dad spoke firmly, “Absolutely not, Billy! If you ate all that, you would be terribly sick tonight.” Glancing briefly at his dad, Billy’s voice took on an arrogant tone, “You  said I could have whatever I wanted to eat, and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do!” Dad was now faced with difficult choices. Indulge a short-sighted birthday promise he had made that would definitely have consequences, or stick to his guns and enforce what he knew was best for his son. Let Billy indulge to his heart’s content and learn an important lesson in life about self-control, or stop the idiocy beforehand. The life lesson in over-eating won out. Shaking his head, Dad sighed and told Billy, “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t try to warn you, son.” Can you imagine yourself as Billy, and your Creator as the father who loves to indulge you…but only to a point. That point being when you insist on being really stupid.  For example, when you decide to buy a brand-new car with sky-high monthly payments. When you leave your marriage because you’ve become infatuated with a co-worker. Or when you decide to quit your job, ignore your debts, and take a few years to just indulge your love of travel. How does He make the difficult choices between letting you take the fun road, or forcing you to consider your ways and do some growing up? No doubt about it. With God, the fun road isn’t the first consideration. Helping you to learn to take the high road, that’s His focus. And God has perfect focus. He never forces you to do His will, He will let you learn at your own pace and make your own mistakes. But trust me, He will be trying to teach you the life lessons you need. And most of the time, it’s gonna hurt.

By Bob Garver "Scream” is easily my favorite horror franchise. It might be my favorite movie franchise overall, but especially in terms of horror. That’s why it really hurts me to say that “Scream 7” isn’t up to snuff. It’s not hard to see why this installment falls short, given its troubled production history. The latter half of 2023 saw the departures of both co-directors and both lead actresses from both of the last two installments that had reinvigorated the franchise for the 2020’s. Rather than cancel the project outright, the studio forged ahead with a retooled movie with original star Neve Campbell and original screenwriter Kevin Williamson as director. In theory, this could work, especially with the always-welcome Campbell as the lead, but this film never quite shakes off the passionless stench of someone having to deliver a film to meet an obligation despite the absence of first-choice talent. The film, as expected, opens with a violent pre-title sequence. A young couple (Jimmy Tatro and Michelle Randolph) check into the old house of original co-killer Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), now a rental property for fans of murder scenes. Spooky surprises are hidden throughout the house, including a robot wearing the iconic Ghostface costume. Eventually a non-robot Ghostface shows up, ready for some slashing. It’s not a lock that the couple will be killed like so many pre-title sequence characters before them, but… I didn’t see them bucking the trend. We soon rejoin Sidney Prescott (Campbell) trying to live a life out of media spotlight, despite having found herself as a player in five killing sprees in her lifetime. She’s married to the local chief of police (Joel McHale) and has three children, two of whom are away visiting their grandparents. Her teenage daughter Tatum (Isabel May) wants to know some of the juicy details of her past, which she refuses to divulge, but otherwise clashes with her, disobeys her, and wants nothing to do with her, in typical teenage fashion. One day, Sidney gets a call from someone using the familiar Roger L. Jackson filter. It’s the new killer. But instead of terrorizing Sidney in the Ghostface garb, this killer directs Sidney to a screen, where she’s taunted by none other than Stu Macher (played by Lillard at his current age), who died in the first movie… or so she thinks. Did he somehow survive? Is this an A.I. prank? Either way, “Stu” makes it clear that Sidney and her family are targets for revenge. Potential suspects/victims line up. Sidney works at a coffee shop frequented by her neighbor Jessica (Anna Camp) and her slasher-obsessed son Luke (Asa Germann), as well as creepy wildcard Karl (Kraig Dane). Tatum’s circle of friends includes boyfriend Ben (Sam Rechner), and besties Hannah (Mckenna Grace) and Chloe (Celeste O’Connor). Shady characters on the periphery include rude drama teacher Mr. Willis (Tim Simons), mental hospital orderly Marco (Ethan Embry), and fame-hungry reporter Robbie Rivers (Mark Consuelos). Those are the new faces. But because the movie has to use nostalgia as a crutch, it’s not long before longtime ally Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) shows up, flanked by returning characters Chad (Mason Gooding) and Mindy (Jasmin Savoy-Brown), from the fifth and sixth movies, now working as the reporter’s assistants. And as forced as those returns feel, they’re no match for Stu and a gaggle of last-act cameos that serve no purpose other than for the advertising to be able to say that the actors technically appear in the movie. I found some things to like about “Scream 7.” Campbell hasn’t lost an ounce of Scream Queen credibility, there are some creative kills, and the fight choreographer certainly earned their paycheck. But any scene without Campbell that involves mystery, suspense, emotion, or even the series’ trademark humor is a miss. Save for one, I’m not interested in following any surviving characters to another movie. This movie probably shouldn’t have been made without certain people onboard, and I’ll say that there shouldn’t be another “Scream” movie until they can come back. Grade: C “Scream 7” is rated R for strong bloody violence, gore, and language. Its running time is 114 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

Special to The Bolton News The Town of Bolton has announced that Hinds County has been selected to receive a Congressional Direct Spending Award totaling $975,000 to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the facility located at 109 Sharon Street. The building previously housed the Hinds County Department of Human Services and has long been a recognizable property within the community. Town officials say the funding will allow for major improvements to the structure and surrounding property, creating new opportunities to repurpose the facility into a revitalized space that can better serve the needs of Bolton residents. The project is expected to breathe new life into the site while strengthening the town’s ability to provide services and resources for the community. Leaders say the investment represents a meaningful step forward for Bolton as it continues working to enhance local infrastructure and expand opportunities for residents. Once completed, the renovated facility could become an important asset for the town and a focal point for future community initiatives. Town representatives also expressed appreciation to those who played a role in securing the funding and supporting the project. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson was recognized for his continued advocacy and partnership with communities across the region. Local officials also acknowledged the Hinds County Board of Supervisors for their support and collaboration. Special thanks were extended to Board President Robert Graham of District 1 and Supervisor Tony Smith of District 2, along with Lynn Seals, Director of Administration and Human Capital Development for Hinds County, for their leadership and assistance throughout the process. Town officials noted that the support from federal and county partners demonstrates the value of investing in smaller communities and recognizing their potential for growth and revitalization. Additional details about the renovation and future plans for the property will be shared as the project moves forward.

Special to The Bolton News Bolton, Mississippi, is quiet today. But in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the sounds rising from its fields, porches, and juke joints would ripple far beyond Hinds County — shaping the very foundation of American blues. Just outside town stands a Mississippi Blues Trail marker honoring Charley Patton, widely regarded as one of the architects of Delta blues. Born near Bolton in the 1890s, Patton developed a raw, driving guitar style and a commanding stage presence that influenced generations of musicians. His recordings in the late 1920s carried the sound of rural Mississippi to a national audience, preserving a musical tradition that had largely lived in oral form. Patton’s impact was not subtle. He blended work songs, spirituals, and field hollers into a powerful performance style that set the template for Delta blues. His influence can be traced through countless artists who followed, from early blues pioneers to modern rock musicians. What began in small communities like Bolton became a defining thread in American music history. Bolton’s musical legacy does not stop there. The area is also linked to members of the Mississippi Sheiks, including the Chatmon family, who helped popularize a distinctive string-band blues sound in the 1930s. Their music blended blues with country and folk traditions, demonstrating how fluid and interconnected Southern musical styles truly were. Unlike larger Mississippi cities that have built extensive tourism around blues history, Bolton’s connection remains understated. There are no large museums or annual festivals drawing crowds by the thousands. Instead, its contribution lives in historical markers, archived recordings, and the influence embedded in the music itself. That presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Heritage tourism continues to grow across Mississippi, with travelers seeking authentic stories tied to real places. Bolton has one of those stories — not manufactured, not exaggerated, but foundational. The question is whether the town will lean into that identity or allow it to remain a quiet footnote. Blues music was born from hardship, resilience, faith, and daily life in communities like Bolton. It told the truth about work, love, struggle, and survival. Those themes are not relics; they remain relevant. And in a time when authenticity matters more than ever, Bolton holds a genuine piece of cultural history. The roots of the blues run deep here. The soil has not forgotten.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Parenting kids…tough stuff. And just think of doing that same job from God’s point of view. He’s responsible for the same…guiding you and me to become good adults. Not a job that you would hear me volunteering to do in a trillion lightyears. Just imagine. God: “Jimbo, go to work everyday and do your job well, then go straight home to be with your family when you’re done. So you can be the husband and father they need.” Jimbo: “Huh, not happening, God. I enjoy goin’ out drinkin’ with the guys too much. I need some time to unwind.” And now God has to work at teaching and training Jimbo to see life the way God wants him to see it. And believe me, He will not accept Jimbo’s excuses and reasons for living life any old way that he wants. Why? Because God simply never gives up on us. Me in God’s shoes? I’d tell Jimbo to get it right. One time. Oh, I guess I might give him another opportunity to change his ways. Maybe a warning shot across the bow. But if Jimbo still made no attempt to learn to be a good family man, then my next shot wouldn’t be a warning. It would likely be dead center in the middle of his pleasure-seeking little boat and would turn his world upside down, with water rapidly filling and turning it into a watery grave. But not God. The Bible says He is a patient Father. He tells us what He wants for us. Then He tries again. And again. Until finally, He sighs and does what He has to do to get our attention. And it’s up to us to determine just how far He has to go. Heaven help those who rebelliously thumb their noses at Him, and keep going their merry way. Because God is known for using circumstances to get our attention. Things can go from good – to not so good – to bad – to “Somebody please help me, I’m drowning in my problems.” I repeat, because God simply never gives up on us. But back to parenting our kids. In a microcosm, we’re supposed to be handling our job just like God is with you and me. Loving, giving, teaching, training, disciplining, and even punishing to the necessary extent when nothing else seems to work. But never - and I mean never giving up. We parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles can’t afford the luxury of simply walking away from a hellion stuck in rebellion. That adult-to-be should be seen as too valuable to just hand his life over to a world intent on destroying everyone in its path. We need to employ everything at our disposal in trying to make a difference in our kids and their future. Prayers… pleading… discussion…counseling… explanations…lockdowns… ball bats…you name it, we need to try it. My point is simple. Be like Almighty God. Never give up. Try everything. Throw it all against the wall and see if anything will stick. Our kids are worth it.

Special to The Bolton News The Town of Bolton will gather Tuesday evening to officially welcome its newly elected Ward 2 Alderman, Thomas “Meatboy” Warren, as he takes the oath of office and begins his term of service. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., immediately followed by the regularly scheduled Board of Aldermen meeting at 6:00 p.m. The event marks an important moment for Ward 2 and for the town as a whole, as Warren formally steps into his role representing residents and working alongside town leadership. In small communities like Bolton, local government plays a direct role in shaping everyday life. Decisions made during board meetings affect infrastructure, public services, community development, and the overall direction of the town. The oath of office represents a commitment to uphold those responsibilities with integrity and dedication. Residents are encouraged to attend the ceremony and remain for the board meeting to show their support and engagement. Community involvement remains one of Bolton’s greatest strengths, and moments like this reflect the shared investment in the town’s future. As Thomas “Meatboy” Warren begins his service to Ward 2, the community has the opportunity to come together in unity and pride. Bolton remains strong when its citizens show up, support one another, and take part in the civic life that keeps the town moving forward.

Special to The Bolton News Thomas “Meatboy” Warren has been officially certified as the new Alderman for Ward 2 following the special election held Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The election was called to fill the unexpired term left vacant by the passing of longtime Alderwoman Helen Harris, whose years of service left a lasting imprint on both the ward and the City of Bolton. In a closely contested three-way race, Warren received 24 of the 50 votes cast to secure the seat. William Wood finished with 15 votes, and Lendell Mack, Jr. received 11. The narrow margin highlighted the importance of each ballot and reflected the strong interest among residents in selecting the person who will complete the remainder of Harris’ term. With the results now certified, Warren will step into the role immediately, assuming the responsibilities of representing Ward 2 and participating in the work of the board of aldermen. Because the election fills an unexpired term, his service will continue through the remainder of the term that voters originally entrusted to Harris. The special election was held under the shadow of the community’s loss. Harris was widely known for her steady presence, her accessibility to residents, and her dedication to the everyday needs of the ward. Her tenure helped shape the direction of Ward 2 through consistent involvement and a deep sense of care for the people she represented. For many, the election was not only about choosing a successor, but also about ensuring that the standard she set would continue. The turnout of 50 voters, while modest in number, carried significant meaning in a race decided by just a handful of votes. The outcome demonstrated the direct impact of local participation and the value of every voice in municipal government. As Warren prepares to take his seat, he does so at a moment of transition for the ward. His role will be to carry forward the work already in progress while honoring the legacy created by Harris’ years of public service. The certification of the election results marks both the conclusion of a necessary process and the beginning of a new chapter for Ward 2, one rooted in continuity, community trust, and respect for the foundation that has been laid.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB Christian music biopic “I Can Only Imagine” had a surprising performance at the domestic box office back in 2018. The film made $83 million despite never finishing above the #3 position on any given weekend. While it never escaped the shadow of “Black Panther,” which beat it every weekend, it did manage to ultimately outdo the Alicia Vikander “Tomb Raider” and badly-received kaiju sequel “Pacific Rim: Uprising,” both of which had better weekends in their respective debuts in the film’s first two weeks. The film did well because it had stamina and passionate support. Now sequel “I Can Only Imagine 2” has also debuted in the #3 position, behind the second weekends of both “Wuthering Heights” and “GOAT.” Will it have the stamina and support to pull off a similarly impressive showing? Probably not, but only time will tell. I did not see the first film, but I understand that it ended with songwriter Bart Millard (J. Michael Finley) penning one of the biggest Christian crossover hits of all time following the death of his abusive, yet redemption-seeking father (Dennis Quaid). Millard starts this film by assuring us that his story did not end with his achieving financial success in the early 2000’s. Life went on, and as life does, and it contained hardship. In the wake of the song’s success, Bart and his wife Shannon (Sophie Skelton, taking over the role from Madeline Carroll) have a scare when their son Sam suffers a diabetes-related seizure. He’ll have to spend the rest of his life receiving regular insulin injections, which scare him tremendously. Ten years later, in the early 2010’s, Sam (Sammy Dell) is a sullen teenager, while Bart and Shannon, having had four more children, aren’t as financially stable as they once were. Brick (Trace Adkins), manager of Bart’s band MercyMe, informs them that their upcoming tour is in jeopardy due to the headliner pulling out. The tour can continue with MercyMe as headliners, but they’ll need a new opening act. With curiously no time given to the decision-making process, the film introduces Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia), a struggling musician with a loving wife (Arielle Kebbel), an obsession with hymn “It Is Well With My Soul,” and a suspicious gratitude for every day that suggests he has been told his days are numbered. Bart, Tim, and the rest of MercyMe go on tour, with Sam tagging along to spend some quality time with his dad. Though Tim and Sam get along well, with the professional even inviting the aspiring musician to perform with him, the relationship between Bart and Sam is fraught with tension. Bart needs Sam to take his insulin shots on schedule, and Sam wants to avoid them at all costs. Bart wonders if he’s being a monster by “hurting” Sam, the way his father was a monster by hurting him. The film treats this insecurity like a legitimate question, but… the answer is no. Flat no. Bart’s father’s beatings didn’t take the form of delivering life-saving insulin. It’s not the same thing. Next dilemma, please. There are plenty of dilemmas throughout “I Can Only Imagine 2.” Both Sam and Tim struggle with health problems, Bart is under a lot of pressure to write another hit after ten years, his marriage has seen better days, the bus breaks down at one point, etc. But, this being the “uplifting” movie that it is, you can probably guess that faith will see these characters through their various crises. Faith is certainly not a guarantee that these characters (or anyone else) will not experience loss or despair, but genre expectations are such that things aren’t likely to end on a down note.   Grade: C   “I Can Only Imagine 2” is rated PG for thematic material and some language. Its running time is 110 minutes.   Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

As a reminder, Mississippians need to be aware of upcoming important dates and deadlines for the 2026 Primary Election for U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on March 10. Visit the My Election Day portal  to receive election information tailored to your specific address, including a sample ballot. As you type your address into the system, similar addresses should populate. Simply click on yours to get started. Mississippians are encouraged to educate themselves on all races prior to heading to the polls.   In-Person Absentee Voting Circuit Clerk's Offices will be open this Saturday, February 28, from 8:00 a.m. until noon for in-person absentee voting for the 2026 Primary Election. The last day to vote in-person absentee is Saturday, March 7. Circuit Clerk's Offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. until noon. All mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, March 10 (Election Day). To track your mail-in absentee ballot, visit the My Election Day portal . To learn more about absentee voting requirements, visit the Secretary of State's  Absentee Voting Information webpage .   UOCAVA Voter Registration Deadline For non-registered UOCAVA voters to vote in the 2026 Primary Election, Circuit Clerk's Offices must be in actual receipt of a completed Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) from a UOCAVA voter by Saturday, February 28. For more information regarding how to cast a UOCAVA ballot, please contact your local election officials or email  UOCAVA@sos.ms.gov .   The Secretary of State's Office is your primary and trusted source for election information. For questions, please contact the Elections Division at 1-800-829-6786, email  ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov , or visit  YallVote.ms . 2026 Primary Election Dates for U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate February 28 - Saturday In-Person Absentee Voting Begins for the 2026 Primary Election March 7 - In-Person Absentee Voting Deadline for the 2026 Primary Election March 10  - Primary Election Day (U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate) Deadline for the postmark of mail-in absentee ballots

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com If I was still a teen in high school, I would love AI. I could have my writing assignments for English done in a flash and be out the door. And have a lot better grades to show my parents than I did years ago. And later on, with those gnarly issues at work when I became an adult? “No problem, boss. I’ll just let my trusty friend who lives somewhere out there in NeverNeverLand figure it all out for me. I’ll get back to you on that in a little while.” But for the professional writer to use AI? Mostly, no way. For research? Great. Technique? Oh sure, there’d be great technique , “Hey Gemini, I need this column on ‘KIDS HAVING CELLPHONES’ written from a sarcastic humorous viewpoint. And, oh yeah, it needs to be no longer than five hundred and twenty words, please.” And presto, print it out and I would have a masterpiece worthy of my own puny plastic Pulitzer. But for creativity? There’s the real issue. There is no way you could really know how I feel about that subject. The real ME would be absent from that column on kids and cellphones. It’s not going to reflect the individual spark within that causes me to have my own feelings and thoughts. And after a few months of that kind of writing, the real me would be dealing with guilt, resentment, and very likely a stomach that keeps asking for more Pepto Bismol. Why guilt? Simply put, because I think it’s cheating to claim something as your own, when it’s not. Why resentment? There would be no outlet for the God-gifted creativeness that lies within. No doubt it would be great stuff, but just not my stuff. And great stuff is a poor substitution for personal satisfaction. Just like in any other field.  The carpenter who loves the feel of wood in his hands and takes great pride in his final product knows the satisfaction of creativity. A person born with a love of music and has a beautiful God-given voice would shrivel up inside if denied the satisfaction of singing. The naturally-gifted athlete feels compelled to move, and God help the people around him if he doesn’t get to use that gift. People denied the opportunity to use their natural gifts can get a mite testy. Now, if you’re a meteorologist with the safety of thousands at stake? By all means, use AI to your heart’s content. A construction engineer working on building plans for skyscrapers that will house thousands? The banker dealing daily with millions of dollars? Definitely. You people should use every tool available to you to do those types of jobs that affects the safety and wellbeing of so many. But writers? Unless your book, magazine article or column is vital to the safety of the human race, I believe AI has no business taking your place. Your own thoughts, research, tears of frustration, and hours spent pecking away at your keyboard should be the only contributors to your work.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB “Wuthering Heights” is based on a classic novel by Emily Brontë. I’ve never read the novel, which is probably for the best. Reports of the movie differing from the novel are actually quite relieving to me. They’re relieving in the sense that I do not have to lose respect for people who like the novel, which I would do if this movie were any indication of its quality. I’m fine with not judging a book by its movie, especially when the movie is this terrible. Young Catherine Earnshaw (Charlotte Mellington) grows up in the Wuthering Heights estate in 18 th -century England, under the care of her rich, cruel, drunken father (Martin Clunes). Servants include same-aged companion Nelly (Vy Nguyen) and rescued street urchin Heathcliff (Owen Cooper). Cathy initially sees Heathcliff as her “toy,” but eventually comes to see him as a friend. As the two get older and Cathy turns into Margot Robbie and Heathcliff turns into Jacob Elordi, they both begin to think that they might become more than friends. It’s hard for me to buy Robbie, who played Leonardo DiCaprio’s wife in “The Wolf of Wall Street” back in 2013, as someone who is just now going through a sexual awakening, but sure, Cathy and Heathcliff are in love, but neither of them will admit it or make the first move. The problem with such a relationship would be the financial aspect. Cathy’s father has gambled away the family’s fortune, leaving them both “near-poverty,” and Heathcliff, as a servant, has practically nothing. Cathy confides in Nelly (now played by Hong Chau), with Heathcliff overhearing, that she needs to marry someone with money, like wealthy neighbor Edgar (Shazad Latif). She goes on to admit that she’d rather marry the broke Heathcliff, but he misses that part. Heathcliff abandons Wuthering Heights the next day and Cathy goes on to marry Edgar. At first, Cathy loves all the material trappings of her marriage (this portion of the film does some impressive things with the “wealth porn” element, with fine foods and flowers everywhere), but she just can’t bring herself to reciprocate Edgar’s love. A pregnancy makes her feel even more trapped. Soon after, Heathcliff returns, a wealthy man. He and Cathy could be together if it weren’t for that pesky lifetime commitment she made. Their workaround is to have an affair. When Cathy wants to cut things off (due to her pregnancy, not fidelity), Heathcliff gets revenge by marrying Edgar’s naïve ward Isabella (Alison Oliver) and treating her horribly. This is supposed to entice Cathy to come back to him… somehow. Can Cathy and Heathcliff’s game of sexual chess end well for either of them? That’s the question I think we’re supposed to be asking. I was much more concerned about how things would end for well-meaning pawns Edgar and Isabella. Cathy and Heathcliff turn each other into monsters by the end, and not in a tragic, understandable way – more like they’re locked in a contest to see who can be the bigger spoiled brat. Cathy grew up a spoiled brat, but Heathcliff watched her and learned from the best. Speaking of “brat,” I liked the snippets of Charli XCX songs that played throughout the film, usually in scenes of heavy fog that seemed to match the singer’s breathy voice. Maybe she should have played Cathy. “Wuthering Heights” is a movie about two people who deserve each other. At first, this can be said with positive connotations that slowly turn to negative. Because there are so many erotic scenes with the main characters in fancy costumes, this movie is supposedly “romantic.” I’m worried about what young romantics will take away from this movie, considering how many of them came out of last year’s “Nosferatu” with a crush on Count Orlok. I walked away from this film wanting both main characters to fall from a height – Wuthering or otherwise. Grade: C- “Wuthering Heights” is rated R for sexual content, some violent content, and language. Its running time is 136 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Old and slow-moving, nevertheless, Grace faithfully carried her blind rider on the snow-covered, lonely, and seemingly endless journey. There was no real visibility, due to the heavy clouds that hid the moon and stars.  But even if the moon had been as bright as the sun during that long night, the old man with his sightless eyes still would not have seen a thing. If left up to him, He could easily have wandered around endlessly, trying  to find the right path to his log cabin. Yet Grace instinctively knew. She had a horse’s unerring sense of direction, and she knew which path would take her rider home. Grace evaded a lot of dead ends that lead nowhere that night. And that horse also sidestepped dangerous holes in the ground that could have easily caused the old man riding on her back to plunge to the ground.  Hazardous ledges and crevices were all cautiously avoided, which undoubtedly made for a much longer and arduous journey, but also saved her rider from possible harm or death. Finally, the scent of the burning logs in the fire place of his old cabin scented the frozen air as horse and rider drew closer to the old homestead. Grace ambled slowly up to the ancient barn, then stopped and nickered  softly. The old man slowly raised his heavy head, and breathed a deep sigh of relief as he sensed that only steps away, his beloved daughter waited patiently just inside the door of his old house. In just a few more  minutes, love, warmth, security, and safety would wrap their arms around his shaking old body. Barely able to move, he stiffly leaned forward over the frost-covered mane of Grace and gratefully patted her neck,  murmuring his thanks and undying love for his faithful old horse. Reminds me of another faithful bearer of an equally blind and helpless rider. Only this faithful companion thru a long, dark and cold journey is not a horse named Grace. It is Grace. And that blind and helpless rider is every man, woman and child who has ever lived on this danger-ridden and evil-minded earth. Because when it comes to finally entering our Home in heaven, without the help of  Grace, it is impossible. The grace of our God is the only way we are able to eventually enter those gates. There are way too many pitfalls, dangerously wrong paths, and pure evil stalking us through our dark nights for  us to ever find our road home…without Grace. Always there for us. Always knowing the right road that we need to take. Always guiding us toward it. Faithful, perfect-sighted, older than time itself… Grace.