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 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?
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.
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 …
Sorrow Seeks to Consume Me Lord, but You are My Joy
"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." ~ Psalm 119:28 "You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light." ~ Psalm 18:28 12 “They will come and sing aloud and shout for joy on the height of Zion,And will be radiant...
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.