A warm welcome to you! Thank you for stopping by. As you read through my pages, I believe you will find that I am just like you—a woman who loves the Lord and cherishes His grace. And, like you, I sometimes grow weary from the journey. I have experienced many difficult places in my life—a brother’s suicide, my mom’s young death, cancer, a prodigal child, extensive unemployment. There have been times when I thought I couldn’t go on. But, God…don’t you love that? But God carried me through and opened my eyes to see Him in my midst. He opened my ears to hear His sweet whispers of love.
Take hope in the knowledge that you are cherished by the One who made you—you are sheltered in the shadow of His wing, close to His heart. It is my prayer that as we get to know one another you, too, will see beyond the veil and will learn to say, “Even so, I walk in the Presence of the Lord”
With joy,
Nan
I Didn’t Want To But God, in His Goodness, Knew It
Have you ever had one of those days? But God …
Shadows laced together like interlocking fingers carpeting the trail beneath my feet. Blue chicory mingled with fuchsia-painted sweet pea among the boulders heralding my hike.
A cool breeze rubbed against my neck stiff with tension and whispered for me to look up to the sky wrought with glory.
But I didn’t want to.
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A Prayer to Find Jesus in These Ridiculous Circumstances
Lord, I know You are with me. Always! Regardless of my circumstances, You promised to never leave me nor forsake me. Even King David said “Where can I flee from Your Spirit?”
I know You are faithful to fulfill Your Word. I trust You.
But right now, in the middle of this chaos, this crazy detour, this very difficult place, I cannot sense Your Presence. Although I know You’re here I need to feel the touch of Your hand.
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A Chosen Dwelling Place Beneath the Eaves
The birdhouse hangs in the corner of my porch beneath the eaves, its teal blue paint bringing the color of heavenly places a little closer. Twigs jut out from the circular opening, evidence of a home for momma bird’s little ones.
In the ancient juniper next to the house, daddy bird sings his heart out. Day in and day out, rain or shine, blustery or calm, I hear him in the branches — his song fills the air with praise and perhaps love for his beloved nestled in the twigs.
My heart smiles.
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A Prayer to Cease Striving and Rest in God
Lord, You are my Father — my good, good Father. I do not question that Your plans for me are good. I don’t even question Your ways — I’ve learned to trust in Your sovereignty.
But I still catch myself striving.
Like a gerbil on the wheel, some days I feel like I’m racing to accomplish all that is before me and not lose my footing, but it feels like I’m just madly going around in circles.
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Learn to Cast Your Cares With Confidence and Delight
The fly fisherman leaned back, ripples of river swirling around his knees. A glint of sunlight skipped across the water at the awakening of the dawn. Raising his fishing rod strategically upward, sideways, and a little bit backwards, he snapped his wrist and released the reel.
The whirling sound of fishing-line-set-free filled the air. It soared over the river, arching in the gentle breeze. The lure hit the water’s surface, carried by a specialized weighted line, sinking into the depths seeking its target.
I wonder if this is what it means to”cast your cares” on the Lord? Maybe what it looks like from a heart’s perspective?
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A Prayer When You Need God’s Grace Right This Minute
Lord, You are the God of peace, not the god of confusion — not the god of chaos. You are not the author of thoughts that run amuck and create their own three-ring circus.
No, You are the God of peace and Your grace flows freely from Your hand.
Your grace is sufficient for all my needs.
And I need it right now. I know it’s available, but I need You to help me grasp hold.
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When Clouds Remind Me of God’s Presence
I rounded the curve at the top of the hill — the curve that runs alongside a glorious pasture lush from recent rains. Clouds bubbled, some ashen in color. In the distance the mountain range rippled in shades of navy and slate blue. A cooling breeze wiped the sweat from my brow.
The moment was so peaceful. The morning had been difficult as David’s dementia marches on in its devastation. These few minutes of respite along our country road were like giant gulps from the well of Living Water.
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A Prayer When Wounds Run Deep, But You Still Choose Love
Lord, Oh how I love You and praise Your holy Name, for You are a great God, a good Father. You know my coming ins and my going outs. You know my thoughts and my heart’s desires.
And You know when wounds run deep in my heart.
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A Tiny Tumult With a Loud Message
This might be a stretch … but it’s a thought-provoking stretch much like a tiny tumult.
During my quiet time this morning my favorite devotional, Streams in the Desert, took me to Ezekiel, chapter one. The message was learning to be still if we want to hear the voice of the Lord as we seek Him.
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