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
A Prayer When Life Takes a Detour, But You Still Choose Faith
Lord, I am so thankful for Your sovereignty — Your authority over all things concerning me, detours and all. You know my coming ins and my going outs. You know my thoughts from afar off. You lead me in the paths I should go.
You do all things well.
These things I know, Lord, but sometimes I need to be reminded of these truths every moment of every day. Sometimes I take my eyes off You, I let my thoughts wander into the netherlands, and despair tries to consume me — confusion, fear and doubt call to me from the darkness and I answer to them, instead of keeping my heart stayed on You.
God is My Fortress — a Fortress of Care
David shuffled along while we walked Blue this afternoon, arm locked in mine to offer him balance. His countenance was dim today. His shoulders stooped, brows furrowed.
Dementia is taking its toll and slowly taking my soulmate.
But a beautiful thing happened while we walked — a shining example of God’s tender watchcare during this extremely difficult season …
A Prayer When You Know He is the God of Peace but You Feel So Confused
Lord, I long to follow You closely — You. My Master, my Savior, my Lord. Place my feet in Your footsteps.
You, Lord, are my everything — the One I desire. You are my sustenance — my Bread of Life. You are my Light in the darkness — my Morning Star. My courage in fear, my hope in despair.
My Peace.
So why do I feel so confused?
Sapphire … the Color of Love on a Bleak Afternoon
The birdfeeder stands with its generous invitation just outside my window. I take great joy in watching the cardinals, chickadees, goldfinches, and wrens feast at my table.
Sheer delight.
Monday afternoon my heart skipped a beat.
From the corner of my eye I saw a flash of rich, intense sapphire blue. It was an indigo bunting! His gorgeous blue feathers glistened in the sunlight, reflecting the radiance of His Creator.
A Prayer When Silence From God is Anything But Golden
Lord, I’m listening. I’m waiting on You for I know You hear my cries. I know You stand ready to respond to meet my needs because of Your great love.
But I can’t hear You. I can’t see Your hand working. You have become silent.
Longing For Zion in a Foreign Land
The morning light felt gentle and warm against my troubled spirit. I sat on the porch sipping my coffee, Bible in lap, Blue by my side. Peace settled over me — contentment that had been missing for quite some time.
“Speak to me through Your Word, Lord. I’m listening,” I prayed.
Opening my Bible, my eyes fell on the subtitle of Psalm 137: Longing for Zion in a Foreign Land. I paused and considered the season of life I’m experiencing.
It feels foreign to me.
A Prayer to Be Kept by the Power of God
Lord, what a Mighty God You are! You amaze me with Your protective instincts when it comes to Your children. You guard us as a sentinel, hedging us in from the front and the back. You serve as our rear guard causing goodness and mercy to follow us all the days of our lives.
Thank You for going before us in all things, making a way where there seems to be no way. You are in my tomorrows well before I get there, therefore I need not be afraid. You are my strength, therefore I need not worry about being overcome by weakness and weariness of soul.
Lord, the power of Your Holy Spirit is within me — Your resurrection power that defies all odds and explodes with miraculous provision and intervention — keeps me.
Gethsemane: A Place of Excruciating Choice
After sharing the Passover meal, Jesus and His disciples walked the dusty roads of Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives, talking as they went — Jesus trying to prepare them for what was ahead.
They came to the Brook Kidron, hoisted their robes high above their ankles and crossed over to the Garden of Gethsemane — the garden of the olive press. Olive trees filled the orchard, their gnarled limbs weaving webs of grace and beauty.
It was a favorite place for Jesus to take His disciples.
The symbolism is great.
A Prayer When You’re Stuck Between Expectations and Reality
Lord, I trusted You. I really did. I shared all of my dreams with You, my heart’s desires, my plans — I gave them all to You because I trust in Your faithfulness. I know Your goodness.
I know that I know You hear me when I call out to you … and You respond.
But now everything seems to be on hold. Now, sometimes, I wonder if You care about my disappointments, my difficulty in seeing everything come to a halt while I wait.