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
Along the River’s Edge Grows a Tree
I walked along the river’s edge. Moss-laden boulders jutted out from the rich, fertile soil. Patches of snow still refused to melt beneath their shadows, sheltered from the winter sun.
Just ahead, a large tree grew along the river’s edge. It clung to the soil of the bank, but as I got closer, I realized many of its massive roots extended into the river itself. Soil had washed away over the years, but still it clung to is source of living — the river.
A Prayer to Process My Pain in the Presence of God
Lord, I know You are the God of all comfort. I can’t tell You how many times I have known this to be true. But this pain — this pain is so deep. Help me process my pain, Lord.
Go through this with me in tangible ways — not just through Your promises that permeate Your Word, but through tangible evidence that You are with me. Open my eyes, Lord, that I might see You. Open my ears that I might hear Your reassurance and affirmation. Teach me to recognize Your abiding Presence.
In the Middle of Chaos and Winter Brown Grows a Lesson
In the middle of a thicket, overgrown with chaos and winter brown, grows a lesson from God.
Rose hips.
I had never considered rose hips before, but today was different.
A Prayer When The Old Rugged Cross is Enough
Lord, life is hard, but You are faithful. Fear abounds in the hearts of Your people, but You are with us giving us courage. You are with us because of the old rugged Cross … and that is enough.
When all around us is sinking sand, the Cross is enough because You are enough.
When Howling Wind Becomes a Song in the Night
The winter storm blew fiercely over the mountain ridge, driving snow, bending trees, howling as it assaulted our community in the dead of night. I awoke with alarm as the wind buffeted the house. I turned on the light. Nothing. The power had gone out, probably from falling trees.
Grabbing my robe, I groped in the dark for a flashlight and shuffled my way to the living room. Plopping on the couch, I snuggled beneath a nearby blanket.
And then it happened.
A Prayer When Peace is Disturbed and Your Faith is Shaken
Lord, what a mighty God You are! All-powerful. All-knowing. All-sufficient. You are amazing. When our peace is disturbed You are the glue that holds us together — when, and if, we have built our lives around You.
You have taught me that You are the Anchor of my soul. You are the One who maintains balance for me when my world is crumbling and my faith is shaken.
Hope is Among Us, especially in the Midst of Heavy Burdens
An appropriate reflection of God’s faithfulness from last spring: our hope is among us, found only in Him …
I rounded the bend along the country road, my shoulders sagging beneath the heavy burdens of my heart. Hope was missing. Despair flourishing … my feet merely shuffled along. My thoughts were many — fears of an unknown future exploding within the darkened corners of my mind.
A Prayer When the Road is Long and Your Strength is Gone
Lord, You are the very air I breathe, my Life-Giver. Breathe on me anew. The road is long and valley deep. My heart hurts, my strength is gone, and the stress takes my breath away.
But then I sense You drawing near, gently lifting my chin so that our eyes meet and I remember. I remember I am not alone in the struggle.
God Kept Watch Over His Children Through the Night
Six hundred thousand men plus women and children tramped across the desert sands in the dead of night. Their sojourn in Egypt had ended after 430 years. Pharaoh sent them out in haste following the 10th plague: Death of the Firstborn.
Familiar story, right?
But have you ever noticed verse 41 in this passage of Scripture found in Exodus 12? “God kept watch all night, watching over the Israelites as He brought them out of Egypt.”