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
Prayer to Pray It Through! But Your Grit is running Out
O Lord, what a battle it has been lately! I keep praying and praying in order to pray it through, but it’s been hard. I’ve been discouraged because I don’t see the results I seek. The shadows of difficulty have dimmed Your fingerprints so that I don’t see them clearly.
Yet I know by faith You are with me. Indeed, You are for me and You are working in my life at all times.
Surely the Lord is in This Place, But I Didn’t know it
A few nights ago my devotional began with, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it” (Genesis 28:16).
I close out each day reading from a little book of Scripture, each page gathered beneath a theme, a thought … a concept of God. The leather cover of Daily Light is growing soft and worn from use, its pages beginning to take on the fragrance of my hand lotion applied every night as I settle into bed.
Early Spring Storm and Mud … Lots of Mud
The early spring storm came with a vengeance. Winds hammered the house while trees bent in submission to its power. Four inches of rain soaked the earth and overflowed into the creeks, rivers, and roads.
It was fierce and frightening.
But it was over.
Prayer to Count it All Joy When Your Attitude Stinks
Lord, what a joy You are. Your blessings are abundant. Your faithfulness astounds me. You remain steadfast, even when I don’t — especially when the flames of trial are fierce. I want to count it all joy, but, honestly, Lord? Honestly, my attitude stinks sometimes.
It’s easy to become self-absorbed. It’s easy to see only circumstances and not focus on You instead. Forgive me, Lord. That is my downfall! When I take my eyes off You, my bad attitude towards the difficult place takes over. Please forgive me.
Inspired to Praise, Salty Tears Turn Sweet
The cardinal threw his head back and sang. Bathed in a ray of sunlight breaking through the young foliage of spring, his song lifted to the heavens, its melody surely praising his Creator.
As the cardinal’s song wafted over the mountain hollar, I too was inspired to praise. I lifted my head towards the One who loves me and began to sing, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty …
Prayer When Groping in the Dark and Needing a Flashlight
Lord, You are my light and my salvation, my shield, the Rock upon which I stand. When I stand on the Rock with You, I get a glimpse of the plans You have for me, the hope of needed miracles for health and circumstances of my loved ones. And I am comforted.
But when I climb down from that Rock by my own accord, I find myself groping in the dark, unable to see a future of hope.
How God Speaks Out of the Darkness
The blanket of darkness unfolded over the earth as the glory of the sunset descended behind the ridge. Silence fell. Like the glittering diamonds of a tiara, stars appeared one by one until all of heaven declared the glory of the Lord. I wondered, is this how God speaks out of the darkness?
The stars had been there all along, but were hidden by the bright lights and noise of the day.
Prayer When Clinging to God but Waves are Getting Higher
Lord, You are the Solid Rock on which I stand. You are my strong foundation, my hope, my peace. I’m clinging to You, Lord, but the waves are getting higher.
I feel afraid at times. Overwhelmed.