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
Finding God’s Presence ~ When God Sends a Message in the Wind
I stood beneath the pine grove at the crest of the hill. Autumn leaves shimmied on the wings of the wind. Floating. Twirling. Submitting to the authority of the breeze.
Storm clouds pressed eastward leaving an October indigo sky in its wake.
I closed my eyes.
A Prayer When You Don’t Want to Fret Anymore
Lord, return me to a place of peace. Forgive me for stepping out of Your peace, for it is available to me always. You, Lord, remain faithful. But I shift my focus and my thoughts on the obstacles and difficult places — I choose to fret — and soon forget that You are the Great God, Ruler of all things.
You teach us to trust You, to know that our relationship with You is founded in great love — a love that surpasses all understanding.
Therefore, trust can be and should be a natural response.
Finding God’s Presence ~ How to Counter the Enemy’s Attack
Huddled beneath the covers wishing the morning away, I recognized His sweet whisper, “I am for you, not against you. You are my child. You have not been forsaken.” I squeezed my eyes and scrunched up my face because, although I believed what the Lord was speaking to me, my reality felt very different.
I felt alone in many ways.
I definitely felt overwhelmed. Heavy-laden. Crumpling beneath life’s burdens.
But again, He said, “I am for you, not against you.”
A Prayer When Battles Rage and Endurance Wanes
Lord, I’m so thankful for Your mighty power that moves mountains for me, that guards me fiercely in the battles, that parts the Red Sea when I would otherwise drown. You are mighty!
And Your love is steadfast and true.
I depend on the strength of Your love. Thank You.
Sometimes I feel like I don’t have the strength to take another step. The battles rage around me — fiery darts bouncing loudly off my shield of faith, my legs bogged down with the weight pressing against my shoulders.
Finding God’s Presence ~ The Juxtapositions Creating Dew, Grace, and Hope
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.
I thought of how the dew was formed — the warm air rising from the earth clashing with the cooler air of descending darkness.
I thought of the juxtaposition of one season to another — the warmth of summer wrestling with the chill of fall much like the dark of night softens to morning light.
And I thought of God’s grace — His mercies new every morning, especially it seems, in the clash of life’s seasons, the juxtapositions that challenge our faith.
A Prayer When Finding Truth Isn’t as Easy as it Seems
Lord, You are the great God,mighty and true. All of Your ways are perfect. All of Your ways are righteous and just. You are the God of Truth.
There is so much deception permeating our world. It clutters our minds and veils our knowledge of You and Your ways. May it never be, Lord!
Stir within us the gift of discernment that we might walk sure in Your ways. Keep our feet on the path of truth — our eyes on You, our ears open to Your voice of instruction.
Finding God’s Presence ~ What Does Your Path to God Look Like?
Matthew took my hand and hoisted me onto the boulder at the top of the ridge. From the heights we could see the path curling like a ribbon on its way up the mountain slope. It wound its way around fallen logs and through thickets of painful briers.
The forest sheltered portions of the path from the blazing sun, its shade providing respite along the steep climb. I thought of the moss-laden stones sprinkled like emeralds and the patches of wild flowers — oh! the flowers — dotting the hillside with crimson and gold.
Far above this glorious sight, looking perhaps from a smidgen of God’s perspective, I could see the beauty of it all.
A Prayer For Learning to Walk in the Light
Lord, You are mighty and You are good. You set the stars in place and yet You cradle me when I’m hurt. You are my Blessed Savior who lights my darkness and draws me to Yourself. Thank You.
You call us to walk in the light as You are in the light. What does that mean, Lord? I mean, really mean?
Show me, Lord.
Finding God’s Presence ~ Where is God in the Flames of Affliction?
I struck the match and pressed its flame against the candle wick. Within moments, a globe of fire consumed the string and burned bright. I watched as the flame grew stronger, melting the aromatic candle.
The more melting occurred, the stronger the fragrance — the farther its reach as the aroma of Caramel Pecan permeated the room.
Closing my eyes, I leaned back and sat still, waiting on the Lord, for I knew He wanted to show me something.