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
How to Know the Magnificence of God and His Voice
I sat on the knoll beneath our apple tree. A stiff breeze showered me with apple blossoms while I peeked through the limbs at a thunderhead brewing on the edge of a periwinkle sky. My mind drifted. How is it that I can know the magnificence of God? His majesty. His holiness … His awesome power.
I thought of the day when He said, “I will be your God and You will be My child” — that wondrous day of my salvation when I entered into a covenant love with my Maker.
Prayer to Make Space for Grace When Life is Screaming Loud
Lord, life is hard — often! Without You, I don’t think I could have made it. I know Your grace is sufficient, but I must learn to consistently make space for grace.
In my mind’s eye I can see You pouring living water from a golden pitcher onto the parched earth. As it falls, I watch it transform into manna — morsels of grace — provided from Your hand.
God is Greater Than the Roar of the Raging Water
As I walked along the country road enjoying the gentle breeze of an approaching storm, I recalled a quote from F.B. Meyer, “Never fear the rough waters ahead which through their proud contempt impede your progress. God is greater than the roar of raging water and the mighty waves of the sea. ‘The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever’ (Psalm 29:10). A storm is simply the hem of His robe, the sign of His coming, and the evidence of His Presence.”
Prayer to Get Off the Gerbil Wheel and Abide Instead
Lord, I’m striving. I can feel it in my frustration; I can feel it in my fatigue. Help me get off the gerbil wheel and abide in You once again.
In Your presence is where I want to be. I want to dwell in Your secret place with You and rest in the knowledge of who You are.
How to Recognize God’s Voice AND RESPOND
Like a song drifting through the darkness of night, I could recognize God’s voice, a whisper, calling, Come to Me, Nan. Come to Me. Gentle. Persuasive — a voice overflowing with a love that softens the rough edges of difficult places …
… a love that soothes and comforts, restores, and renews.
A Prayer, God, to Trust Your Plan When I Can’t See Clearly
Lord, You are good and so very faithful. I stand amazed by Your love. Teach me to trust Your plan even though I can’t see the path clearly.
Your ways are not my ways.
Your thoughts are not my thoughts.
How to Grasp the Wonder of God and Find Healing
The porch swing rocked in peaceful rhythm. My spirit stirred as I looked up from my Bible, raising it to my breast, seeking to grasp the wonder of God within its pages. I looked toward the ridge where the sun began its evening descent.
Magenta began rising above the trees. Lavender and apricot clouds tossed their petals across the wide expanse as the North Star made its appearance. Soon a multitude of glimmering stars would make their presence known against an indigo sky.
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.