The cardinal threw his head back and sang. Bathed in a ray of sunlight breaking through the young foliage of spring, his song lifted to the heavens, its melody surely praising his Creator. I gazed at his brilliance in the soft morning light, lost in the wonder of his beauty. My heart, bittersweet and heavy-laden with burdens, yearned to be free like this beautiful, crimson creature in the apple tree.
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Abba Father, hold me close. Your presence is so sweet to my longing soul. Soothing. Reassuring. I find my rest in You. With the cords of Your faithfulness, You have bound me to Yourself — You have covered me with Your wing and kept me safe from the enemy.
Thank You, Lord.
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I stopped at the rustic fencepost where pavement meets gravel, and meadow yields to pasture. Wind blew against my face as I tilted my gaze upward, heavenward … searching, longing for a touch from the Lord.
Billowing clouds bumped into one another as they moved across the mountain ridge. Some shone brightly, illuminated by the sun. Others had a dark cast to them. Heavy. Daunting. Resisting the light.
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Lord, my soul longs for Your touch, for Your presence — Your light in my shadows of heartache. Some days I am overwhelmed by the sorrow that comes with difficulties — the anguish and feelings of hopelessness.
I know You are well acquainted with suffering, and for that I am thankful. I’m thankful because You understand my heart.
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The old wooden door creaked on its hinges as I gently pushed it open. Inside, beneath the musty shadows of the barn, lay hidden evidence of a life — someone’s story. Some items held value, but many were unwanted, many were simply forgotten, and all were gathering dust from neglect.
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Lord, I desire to be a vessel of honor for the glory of Your Name. Fill me with Your fire, Your grace … Your love so that others might see Your face in the life I live. I want to be more and more like You in every way, but I fail miserably at times. Please forgive me, Lord. I must decrease so that You may increase in my life.
My soul longs for You. To sit in Your presence is such a beautiful privilege — a gift beyond words. In Your presence is where You fill me, comfort me, and quiet me with Your love.
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Lord, I feel safe with You. When the world is spinning out of control, when flames of trial are lapping at my legs, I know I can run to You. You hear my cry, and You call to me, for You are my hiding place — this I know very well.
But I keep peeking out at the enemy’s ambush.
And when I do, I feel afraid.
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I walked along the river’s edge. Moss-laden boulders jutted out from the rich, fertile soil. Patches of snow still refused to melt beneath their shadows, sheltered from the winter sun. Just ahead, a large tree was thriving along the river’s edge. It clung to the soil of the bank, but as I got closer, I realized many of its massive roots extended into the river itself. Soil had washed away over the years, but it still clung to its source of life — the river.
Evidence of past storms spoke of the tree’s life — a few broken branches, a hollowed-out, empty space on its north-facing side, and a slight lean to the left toward the river.
And yet the tree lived. Thriving against all odds.
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O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your Name in all the earth. You have set Your glory above the heavens!
My spirit is troubled by the condition of our nation. A divided house cannot stand. I rebuke the deception, in Jesus’s Name — the unreasonable anger, arrogance, and pride, the need to be right. I ask that You pour out Your grace on Your people. Steady our hearts — steady MY heart and guard us against the work of the enemy.
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The ice storm roared into our mountain community with blinding sleet and freezing rain. Cold air chilling the bone swirled in the mighty wind. The next morning, we awoke to a shimmering splendor — everything coated in ice, glistening in the morning light. Branches bowed beneath the weight, icicles hung long and luminous.
The earth was alive with glimmering light. Wherever the sun’s rays shone, the splendor of heaven’s touch glistened.
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Lord, You promise to go before us. The light of Your Presence and the truth of Your Word are the lamp to our footsteps, leading us forward, even through the shadows of difficult places. Even when I can’t see. I’m waiting on You to lead the way and rekindle my hope.
For You are with me always. You never leave Your children to wander aimlessly.
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There’s a dark cloud on the horizon — the deep charcoal winter-kind-of-dark cloud. A storm is coming with significant snowfall and fierce winds. A gray veil is settling over the mountain as the snow clouds roll in, softening the harsh brown of winter. Do I have enough strength for the day that surely will come in like a lion and wreak havoc across our mountain?
Life has been hard. I’m tired and weary.
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