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
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.
How to Face A Giant with the Giant-Slayer and Win
He was so tiny. All six legs moved in synch as his jaws struggled to carry the beetle delicacy across the porch, down the steps, through the dense foliage of an uncut lawn, and into his ant hill where family and friends waited. He exemplified how to face a giant with grace and ability.
An ant. A tiny, red ant.
Prayer From Eden to Golgotha to Glory
Lord, You are simply amazing! From Eden to Golgotha to Glory You remain. You have pursued us with Your love through light and darkness, good and bad, joy and sorrow. You pursue us.
You are faithful.
Searching for Hope Among Life’s Shadows
Trees bare from winter’s chill stand stark and rigid along the mountain slope. They appear as charcoal skeletons void of life. My spirit, weary and worn, searching for hope among life’s shadows, is drawn to the image outside my window.
As the sun comes up, a beam of heavenly light streaks through the trees, casting a golden thread weaving among the barren branches.
It’s a startling sight.
Prayer When My Heart is Steadfast, But My Thoughts Are Not
Lord, I love You so much. My greatest desire is to please You, to honor You with my words and actions. My heart is steadfast, but too often my thoughts are not.
Crazy thoughts pop out of nowhere — all the what-ifs, all the reasons for impossibility, inadequacy, and insufficiency.
How to Heal From Hidden Wounds of the Heart
The old wooden door creaked on its hinges as I gently pushed it open. Inside, beneath the musty shadows of the barn, lay hidden evidence of a life — someone’s story. Some items held value, but many were unwanted, many were simply forgotten, and all were gathering dust from neglect.
The memories lay in darkness, but the opening of the door introduced light, revealing their existence.