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
Hope in God Restored as The Morning Dew Signals a New Day
The morning dew lay heavy upon the grass, glistening drops of refreshment clinging to each blade. In each tiny globe of moisture, the light of a new day reflected like glitter scattered across the field. Searching for renewed hope in God, the tiny beads of light got my attention.
I thought of how the dew was formed — the warm air rising from the earth clashing with the cooler air of descending darkness.
A Prayer When Casting All our Cares on Him Isn’t Happening
Lord, what a mighty God You are! Faithful and true, merciful and kind. We need You, Lord. Our burdens are heavy, and we’re having a hard time casting all our cares on You.
We are sheep. You are our shepherd. We are not designed to CARRY our burdens — You are. We are designed and instructed to cast them onto You –to throw them towards You like a fisherman with his net.
As Broken Pieces of former Glory Blow in the Wind, God Speaks
I pulled my jacket closer to my chin. The fall air felt crisp, even though the sun shone faithfully in the eastern sky. I rounded the curve by the massive sugar maple, its glorious shades of crimson now transitioning to brown — broken pieces of former glory.
While pondering the tree’s recent beauty, I heard a crackling sound at my feet. A multitude of brown, brittle leaves hurried across the road in front of me, ushered by a brisk wind. The crackling was pronounced.
A Prayer When Steadfast Faith Slips Away in the Difficult Place
Lord, You have called us to be holy as You are holy. You have called us to steadfast faith in our walk with You, not wavering — being blown about like paper in the wind when the difficult place seeks to devour us.
With You, we can do this — we can remain steadfast.
But without You, steadfast faith runs out the door leaving us in a crumpled mess.
A Prayer When Downcast is Your Word of the Day
Lord, many are the afflictions of the righteous, but You have promised to deliver us out of them all. And I know You will because I know You are faithful.
So why am I so downcast? Why am I disturbed within with restless thoughts that lead me down a darkened path of doubt and fear and frustration?
Foggy Thoughts on a Mountain Steep
I wander in my foggy thoughts, weary steps follow weary steps. I press on, but the mountain is steep. 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 has remained.
A Prayer to See the Goodness of God in the Land of the Living
Lord, thank You for being so good. Goodness is innate within You. It is who You are. I hold fast to this truth in light of this world that is spinning out of control. As I think on who You are, I find reassurance that, indeed, Your children will see the goodness of God in this land in which we live.
Strengthen our hearts as we wait on You, Lord.
The Rhythm of Life Bursts From the Grand Old Maple
The rhythm of life … a grand old maple. God’s message stood stoic before me resting against the hands of time, its grace shadowing the meadow grass with outstretched arms reaching toward heaven.
Winter is coming. Barren landscapes. Cold, harsh winds. Brittle, dead leaves.
A Prayer When You’re Poor in spirit and Needy in Heart
Oh Lord, how excellent is Your Name in all the earth! You are my Refuge and my strength. You are my light in the darkness, my Helper when I am poor in spirit and needy of heart. I know I can depend on You to be my Strong Tower against the enemy.
I know and believe these things, and yet here I am once again calling out to You.