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 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.
The Earth is Shaking. Still I Trust You, Abba Father
Father, even though the earth be removed, and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling — EVEN SO I will trust You. You are my refuge, my Abba Father.
Rise up, O God, and scatter Your enemies. This world has gone crazy, but You remain. You never change. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. There is no shadow of turning with You
I Found Church in the Middle of a Country Road
I passed beneath the pine canopy just before the clearing up ahead. Stepping into the open space, the sky beckoned me to look up. Right there in the middle of a country road, sunshine kissed my face and brought a smile to my weary soul.
Heavy thoughts weighed me down. Too many unanswered questions. An onslaught of flaming arrows seemed to be targeting me left and right … life had been hard.
Lord, You are My Blessed Assurance — Regardless!
Father, You are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust. Regardless of the world condition, regardless of the evil plans of man, I find peace because of You — You are my blessed assurance, not the world systems. Your love will never fail me.
When I consider the heavens and the work of Your hands, I am overwhelmed by Your majesty. Indeed, You hold the whole world in Your hands and orchestrate the days of our lives.