Category: Finding God’s Presence

I Found Myself in Stillness Even in the Rushing Wind

The rushing wind swept through the treetops like the sound of crashing waves, its power witnessed in the bending of branches and the tousling of the leaves. Yet I found myself in stillness. Far below the forest canopy, I walked in a broad patch of sunshine without the slightest breeze.

In fact, I knew the rushing wind was present only because I heard its whistle and saw its effects above me.

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You Call Me to Rest in You, Lord. I will…I Promise

Lord, I can sense Your Spirit stirring in me, I can hear Your delicate whisper calling me to come. You call me to rest in You, Lord and I want to. But it will be just a minute. I can’t rest yet … but I will. I promise.

I know I need to. I know I am thirsty, depleted … exhausted. I know I need to sit with You and drink from Your living water. That’s why You call me to rest …

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God Remains, Especially When the Trail is Brutal

I wander in my foggy thoughts, weary steps follow weary steps. The trail is brutal at times. Life has been very difficult for a few years now — I know many that have experienced the same. But in the midst of our struggles, God remains. His faithfulness has been a bulwark against the work of the enemy. His grace has sustained and His mercy has held us as hurting, frightened children in the arms of our Father.

How is it that our God remains steadfast and sure? What have we done to deserve love like this?

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I’m Groping in the Dark God. Where is Your Hand?

Lord, You said, “Seek My face,” and I said, “Your face I will seek.” You promised if I seek You with all of my heart, I would find You. And I did. And You did. And I’m so thankful. But lately, it seems I’m groping in the dark, desperately reaching for Your hand.

I know You’re there — I have no doubt. But the trials have been intense and the darkness has tried to consume me. And fear … I am constantly fighting to keep fear at bay because I know You don’t want me to be afraid.

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Bleary-Eyed from a Restless Sleep … But Jesus

I crawled out of bed, bleary-eyed from a restless sleep. My mind careened from one worrisome thought to another, my soul quaked with anxiety.

Curling up on the couch with my Bible and coffee, I turned my thoughts to Jesus. I Exalt Thee played softly in the background and I began to relax into the arms of my Savior …

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My Faith Has Roots, Lord, But I Need Some Fertilizer

How great You are, O Lord! You are high and lifted up, exalted above all the earth. I am Yours and You are mine … forever. These things I know. These things I believe — my faith has roots. But, I sure could use some fertilizer.

You pour out Your grace abundantly, but recently it seems like I’ve needed more.

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Sparrows Sang, Bickered, Feasted. Then Stood Still

Outside my window, the morning frenzy began as multiple sparrows dined at the feeder. They sang. They bickered. They feasted. Worship music saturated the atmosphere of my home as I began my day with Jesus. The Goodness of God began to play: “I love You, Lord. For Your mercy never fails me. All my days I’ve been held in Your hands … ”

I noticed the bickering and chattering had been replaced with silence. Opening my eyes, I glanced at the birdfeeder. I was stunned. All along the iron rods of two shepherd-hook poles, sparrows stood facing the window, their heads cocked, listening. Still. Quiet.

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Help Me Walk in the Sufficiency of Your Grace, Lord

Lord, You are El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient God. In You, there is no lack. Your sufficiency meets my insufficiency and I am complete — lacking nothing. But on the hard days, I tend to forget this. Teach me to walk in the sufficiency of Your grace at all times.

Your grace is such a blessing — a gift from on high. Your grace strengthens me and bathes me in peace in the unlikeliest of places. Your grace goes before me making the crooked places straight and gives me favor in the here and now.

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Even Broken Ground is Holy When God is Near

Several years ago, I needed to be reminded that God is near in my difficult places. I sat on a moss-laden boulder wedged in the soil high above the river streaming through the valley below — a stream flowing in purpose, a stream of life, a stream of beauty even as it coursed over broken branches and places filled with jagged rocks.

It flowed steadily.

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Why Am I Despairing, Lord, If I Find My Hope in You?

Lord, You are Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, the Everlasting Father, and my Prince of Peace. You are my everything. So why am I despairing if I find my hope in You? This battle …

This battle between flesh and spirit is hard. I stand firm on Your promises, I know Your Word is true, but when I allow my mind to wander and my focus to settle on the difficult places … well, despair slinks in.

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