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
God’s Consuming Fire Finds Us in the Difficult Place
The evening sky burned with the fiery orange of a setting sun like God’s consuming fire melting away the day. Colors were intense. Brilliant. Ablaze. It was difficult to look away as this majestic sight drew me into its glory.
I thought about the Lord … and His abiding presence.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
God’s Abiding Presence Found in Indigo Blue
As the light of a new day broke through the darkness, I was reminded of God’s abiding presence. Several sparrows were feasting at the birdfeeder, but they were not alone. An indigo bunting sat in the middle of the tray with them, the dusty cobalt blue of his feathers glistening in the morning light.
My thoughts were on Jesus as I sipped my coffee and watched the Lord paint the sky with colors of coral and blush, but when I caught a glimpse of the indigo blue there amid the sparrows, my heart skipped a beat. I realized the Lord was reminding me I was not alone in my difficult place — He was with me.
I Am Clay in Your Hands God, but the Process … Oy!
Lord, You are the Potter, I am clay in Your hands. You shape me and mold me into a vessel for Your glory, so it’s good … all good. There is purpose in the shaping, but mercy goodness! Sometimes the pressure is hard.
And yet … what a beautiful expression of Your love. You sanctify us — You shape us and mold us and refine us in the fire so that we might know You more, so that we will become holy as You are holy.
An Ocean of Deep Thoughts and a Persevering Squirrel
I grabbed a fresh cup of coffee, its hefty aroma calling to me from an ocean of deep thoughts — thoughts of persevering through the fiery trials. I settled onto the porch swing and tried to relax in the presence of the graceful day lilies swaying rhythmically in the breeze.
My spirit was exhausted from waging battle against life. My mind quarreled with the faithfulness of God; My spirit reminded me of my blessings. I knew the promises of God … I did.