God Knows My Heart Before I Utter a Word

I held the warmth of my coffee cup to my chin, allowing the steam to rise and help remove the chill of this frosty spring morning. Sitting quietly, gazing out the window at the wonder of God’s creation, I sensed God’s presence drawing near. We didn’t speak. There was no need. God knows my heart before I utter a word.

David’s dementia is increasing, his ability to reason escaping his gentle spirit. It’s been a hard few days … and I needed to be held in my Savior’s love.

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When Winter Lingers, Even Though It’s Spring

Our porch thermometer registered a brisk twenty-six degrees this morning — this first day of spring. The old apple tree is beginning to form tiny buds on its branches, my rose bushes are awakening from their slumber … spring is here, and yet winter lingers with its frosty mornings and oyster gray skies.

As I observed the contrast of two seasons — their merging, their conflict — I thought about my spirit. And yours.

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Rise Up, O God, and Scatter My Enemies. Life is Hard

Lord, I love the power of Your might, and I love the tenderness of Your watch-care over Your children. Your love guards us fiercely. Rise up, O God, and scatter my enemies. They are many and are making life hard.

My enemies aren’t clothed in flesh and blood. They are principalities of darkness that won’t leave me alone. They know just how to trigger fear and upsettedness in me. They know how to make me question everything, how to stir discontentment in my heart.

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A Heart Connection Amid a Cacophony of Noise

Against the backdrop of a dusty, dry desert, a grass-covered pasture graces the outskirts of Bethlehem. It’s known as Shepherd’s Field. Shepherds bring their flocks there to graze and lie down on the lush, tender grass — many shepherds and many flocks at the same time. It’s not hard for an observer to realize the strong heart connection each shepherd has with his sheep amid the noise.

As the sun begins to inch toward the horizon at the closing of the day, each shepherd calls to his sheep. To the observer, there is a cacophony of voices traveling across the hillside. But to the sheep, they hear one voice …

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How to Resist Satan and Not Become His Lunch

We’ve adopted a stray cat, Emily. She is shaped like a raccoon, walks with a hitch in her left hip, has half of a white mustache on her orange and black shag-rug-from-the-seventies fur. Little did I know this precious, misfit kitty was going to give me a lesson on how to resist Satan.

Birdfeeders outside our window see a flurry of activity, especially in the mornings. An array of birds take turns swooping in for a breakfast treat, singing their merry songs, chattering away the lingering darkness. My heart smiles as I sit quietly to watch.

This morning Emily discovered the birds.

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