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
Within the Storm Arched a Rainbow. God Was With Me
A thunderhead rolled across the mountain ridge. The sky slowly darkened like black ink spilling and oozing across blue paper. Torrents of rain pummeled the earth as lightning crashed with its electric fingers. This storm, though swift, was fierce, filling the mountainside with apprehension. As quickly as the storm came with its bite, it was gone. The wind subsided and torrents of rain became a refreshing shower. There, against the steel gray of the sky, peeking from behind lingering clouds, arched a rainbow.
I thought about the storm that had pummeled my life over the past few weeks. The darkness. The fear and angst.
Lord, I Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Father, as a believer in Jesus, my heart longs for Jerusalem, the city of the Living God. My heart aches for Your people, Israel. I will not keep silent, and I will not stop praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Surround her as a shield and deliver her from the fowler’s snare.
You, who keep Israel, neither slumber nor sleep. Remind Your precious people of this. Remind them that Your watchful eye is upon them.
The Song of a Bluebird, an Unlikely Friend in Praise
My song rang out loud and clear as I walked along the dirt road rambling across the mountain ridge. Sunlight warmed my shoulders. Praise warmed my heart. As I sang, I noticed the song of a bluebird, an unlikely friend on my walk, perched on a limb of the oak butted up against the road. I stopped to admire him.
When I stopped singing, he stopped singing. When I sang a note, he sang a note.
I Want to Love You, Lord, With All of My Heart
Father, when I consider the work of Your hands and the beauty of Your heart, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Your love is amazing, Your power to handle the impossible is mind-boggling. And yet, this is all second nature to You because this is who You are. I want to love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength — with everything that I am.
But I don’t want my declaration of love to be mere rhetoric. I want to be consumed by You. I want to be overwhelmed with my love for You.
A Chorus of Birdsong Strengthened My Weary Soul
Their voices rose in a wave of praise, a celebration of the new day. Trills. Chirping. A melody rode along the chorus of birdsong coming from the lush greens of the apple tree. My feathered friends weren’t visible, but I recognized their praise.
Life had been hard. My soul grew weary from the relentless battles and my heart ached to hear from the Lord.
I’m in This World, Not of It. Help Me Be Like You Lord
Father, Your Kingdom is not of this world. It is built in the heavenly places far from the painful effects of sin and shame. Yet, here I am. This is not my home, I’m just passing through. I’m in this world, but I’m not of it because You have redeemed me and made me Your own.
Keep me from the evil one … and from myself! Goodness gracious. The more I want to be like You, the more I realize my self needs to be harnessed.
When a Rhythmic Chirp Accompanied The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer filled my living room as Joshua Aaron, a Messianic Jew, sang in Hebrew. I closed my eyes and worshiped the Lord. The space quickly became sacred in the stillness of the morning.
I became aware of a chirp — steady, rhythmic, like a staccato note released to the beat of Joshua’s song. Opening my eyes, I saw a cardinal perched on the edge of my bird feeder, its brilliant scarlet feathers glistening in the soft sunlight. The cardinal had joined in the worship
Whom Have I in Heaven But You, O Lord?
Father, I adore You. You are the All-Sufficient God who meets my insufficiencies and supplies all my needs. Your grace is sufficient, Your love is steadfast — unfailing. Whom have I in heaven, but You?
There is none like You, Lord. You hung the stars in place. You spoke into the darkness and there was light. You created the earth as You hovered over the chaos. Even when I throw a tantrum like a frustrated child, You don’t condemn me.
God’s Promise of a New Day Stirred Within Her
Sunlight glistened in drops of dew as the morning glory awakened to the dawn. Night had transitioned to day as she waited to herald her Creator. Even though the night poured ebony ink across the meadow where she rested, God’s promise of a new day stirred within her. She waited in silence, petals closed like a shield against the chill of darkness, waiting for God’s glory to paint the sky.
The morning glory was alone in the solitude of the sunrise, her vine trailing along the meadow gate’s weathered wood. And though her beauty stood in stark contrast to the splintered wood and determined weeds that pushed their way into the fertile soil beneath her roots, she waited for the Lord to rouse Himself from His holy dwelling.