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
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.
I Will Fear No Evil, But It Sure Does Whisper Loudly
Lord, You are my God. You hide me beneath the shadow of Your wing and I am safe. I will fear no evil, but it sure does whisper loudly calling my name, taunting me, causing me to tremble. Sometimes it’s hard to stand strong.
You, Lord, are my refuge and my fortress. Your truth is my shield and buckler, and in Your Name, I have placed my trust. Though a thousand fall at my side, and ten thousand fall at my right hand, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. You have given Your angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways.
So Great a Cloud of Witnesses Found in the Birdsong
I woke early this morning. Grabbing a cup of coffee, I wandered to the couch, sat curled up on the end, and enjoyed a gentle refreshing breeze coming through the open window. The light of dawn burst through the dark of night as birdsong broke through the silence. So great a cloud of witnesses there in the breaking of dawn.
Birds.
None were visible, but all were heard.
Am I Complacent, Lord? Surely Not! Say It Ain’t So
Lord, You are my everything, my all-in-all. I love to tell Your story, to be an instrument of Your peace. But somedays, all of my focus turns back on myself and I don’t want to put forth the effort to walk this journey of faith. Am I complacent, Lord? Is this how You see me?
I don’t want to be complacent.
God, You are the Burden-Bearer, Not the Burden-Giver
Lord, You are high and lifted up, You are Lord over all the earth! You are mighty, filled with wonder and power and yet You are tender towards Your children You are the Burden-Bearer, not the Burden-Giver.
My burdens are great. Many I know are heavy-laden with burdens of the heart and by the struggles this fallen world creates.