Beloved Devotional Lifehouse Women€¦ · I went to my ﬁrst meeting and held back tears of fear, tears of comfort and tears of relief. I did not realize exactly how - not alone-

Beloved: A 30-Day Devotional for Women

Table of Contents

Day 1 Jamie Black

Day 2 Tiffany Flemming

Day 3 Angie McClurg

Day 4 Patsy Hendricks

Day 5 Michele Snyder

Day 6 Deb Wick

Day 7 Jenny Crabill

Day 8 Janet Beal

Day 9 Jennifer Meyer

Day 10 Susan Chipps

Day 11 Stephanie Lochmueller

Day 12 Jen Bartscht

Day 13 Amy Hobbick

Day 14 Melissa Johnson

Day 15 Malea Kruse

Day 16 Annette Smith

Day 17 Debbie Krempel

Day 18 Amie Johnson

Day 19 Darlene Neckers

Day 20 Brenda Biggs

Day 21 Cheryl Degler

Day 22 Deb Podgorny

Day 23 Stephanie Foote

Day 24 Jill Sloffer

Day 25 Mary Henney

Day 26 Kayla Guerzini

Day 27 Mandy Goldfuss

Day 28 Rachel Mitchell

Day 29 Ruth Bracht

Day 30 Stephanie Foote

Edited by Faith Van Gilder

Day 1 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me

and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

If you are around me long enough, you will discover I don’t like being the center of attention. Public speaking class was my most dreaded class in college. Even my wedding day was stressful because I had to walk by all the guests (who not only looked at me as I walked by but stood up) and then I had to stand in front of everyone. I’m not exactly sure what my issue is except the thought that someone is going to judge me. Why be in front of people when I can hide in the back? No one will think or say that I am too tall, that I would look better if I lost a few pounds, or that I am not smart enough to do a particular task.

What God has taught me over my years is that these people are most likely not thinking or saying any of those things, and it is the enemy putting thoughts and fears in my head. The enemy is the one who says you’re not good enough. I have had to lean on God to remind me that I am His creation and it does not matter what others think, but what He thinks of me. When I am obedient and listen to God, He puts people and opportunities in my path to help me see I am good enough. It is a daily struggle, but God says, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

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Day 2 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up

in honor. James 4:10 NLT

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

1 John 1:9 NLT

One of the best wedding gifts I received was a wise woman’s sage advice that one should never just apologize to their spouse, but rather seek forgiveness. Wait, what? Those first few times when I had to stand before my husband and take responsibility for how I made him feel were hard. When we ask for forgiveness, our pride can get in the way, because forgiveness requires us to admit we’ve actually done something wrong with a view to repent from that act. Worldly wisdom had taught me that humbling myself was a sign of weakness and dependence. When the Holy Spirit would convict me, instead of obeying I would try to rationalize away the need to take action. Saying “I’m sorry” was just so much easier, and quicker. But the more I practiced “Will you please forgive me for..?” I drew closer to my spouse, and to God.

Much like asking for forgiveness, confronting our sin and bringing it to God takes honesty, vulnerability and empathy. But scripture gives us confidence to approach God because of His promise of forgiveness and restoration in Jesus. So may we find courage in God’s promise and practice not to just apologize to people but to seek their forgiveness. Take responsibility for what you’ve done, and extend grace to them as many times as they ask. Humble

yourself, and God will lift you up. It’s how relationships heal and strengthen. It’s how love grows. And that’s what we should all be about.


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Day 3 The Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people

and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will

make your name great, and you will be a blessing.’ Genesis 12:1-2

The beach has always been our go-to for vacations. I love water -- ocean, lakes, streams -- It brings a sense of peace, the beauty always makes me reflect on God as creator and I find myself praising His works. I enjoy taking photos of nature and find that many of them involve water. But for this year’s spring break we made a different plan -- Arizona. The desert. I quickly noticed the lack of water. Even where there should have been rivers and streams, there was just dry ground. However, as I took in the landscape, I had the familiar feeling of awe at the beauty of what God created. The mountains, plants, endless blue sky and canyons are all a part of His handiwork, just one small part of this beautiful planet.

I am glad we gave up our usual and did something different, experienced something new and just as rewarding. Our life can be like that. It’s easy to get into a rut of the usual, and not even consider what else God might have for us. It’s easy to continue doing what is comfortable and not listen to God calling us to something new. It can be scary or sad to take that step into something different, but if God has brought you to it, you’ll find beauty in it. I’ve seen that in my own life recently. Two years ago when I was asked to lead a small group. my immediate instinct was no. I liked the group I was in, the people and

our discussions, I didn’t want to leave that. But God was calling me to something else, something that led me to new friendships with wonderful ladies I wouldn’t have met otherwise. When I felt a call to working with Student Ministries I thought, not me; I don’t think I have the gifts for this, I certainly don’t have the time! That “yes” and stepping out into something new has given me the privilege and joy of walking alongside our students as they grow in relationship with Christ. So I encourage you to not get too comfortable with your routine. Look for what God has for you and be willing to say yes to something new. Who knows what beauty and joy it could bring?


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Day 4 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to

our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.

Psalm 40:1-3

Depression is more than just sadness. It is a mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life. Depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated, and the earlier the better. God is not silent when we suffer; he comes close to those who suffer, so watch for him if you are suffering.

Too many, women especially, suffer from depression in silence and feel all alone. Depression affects as much as 25% of the population, so you are not alone. God is with you and he calls you to reach out to him. It is also helpful to talk with someone who will listen, care and pray for you. Too often, people are not willing to talk about it. As far as we have come, stigma still exists when it comes to depression. People grow to feel like they are alone, that no one can understand them.

Depression is a humbling problem to admit – there is so much stigma surrounding it. But that’s why we need to talk about the mind, especially in the Church, because we (God’s people) have the answer!

https://everydaypowerblog.com/no-growth-without-pain/

https://everydaypowerblog.com/15-simple-ways-to-get-motivated-when-you-are-alone/


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Day 5 But he said to me, ‘My Grace is sufficient for you, for my

power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of

Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

I remember the day that I read that preschool newsletter so vividly. My sweet boy was enrolled in the twos class at what is now Lifehouse Preschool. My firstborn was, and still is, what I now know to be a very typical firstborn child. He is crazy smart, very verbal, high achieving and nothing like I ever imagined him to be. He was ridiculously strong-willed and needed an outlet, and this momma needed a break. So back to the newsletter; there was the tiniest blurb about a MOPS group. After fighting with myself for days (because, honestly, who wants to put themselves out there to join a group of people you don’t know), I sent a message to the MOPS Facebook page asking for more info. To my surprise and relief, my now great friend, JS, replied with excitement about having me come. I went to my first meeting and held back tears of fear, tears of comfort and tears of relief. I did not realize exactly how -not alone- I was in this motherhood thing. I witnessed other moms (new moms, seasoned moms, mentor moms) being vulnerable and honest and raw. That year, my life was literally changed. I gained a new perspective in this season of life, and began to realize that I didn’t have to be perfect, my expectations were often unrealistic and I was putting an insane amount of pressure on myself, my husband and our sweet baby.

Now five years and another kid later, this verse comes in and out of my life, literally weekly. It shows up in Bible studies, Pinterest posts, apps and yes, even a recent sermon series on being broken. I hear you, God! I’ve made it my mission to intentionally show my weakness and vulnerability to others, even those I don’t know well, because those ladies in that MOPS group did that for me when I needed it the most. It is relieving and powerful to boast in my weaknesses. I know that His Grace is enough.


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Day 6 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give

you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Sometimes in our busy lives we get so caught up in everything we have to do and get done. It may be our jobs, our family, our many outside activities, appointments or anything else we could add to our already full plates, we forget to make time and listen to our Almighty Father.

For me personally I have a given time where I was trying so hard to forge ahead. I was trying to forget the emotional pain I was in at that time and was taking a wrong path. I was looking for better living conditions and was trying to buy a house. I wanted something to make me feel better. I was looking for something to give me hope and some sort of future. I was going to make this happen on my own accord, when I was stopped dead in my tracks. I was devastated. It was then that God, our almighty protector, the One who loves each one of us more than anything, took ahold of me. It was in the quietness of an ordinary morning, going out to my car to go to work that I heard the voice of God. It was simple but profound. He told me “be still.” I had to listen and quit with the craziness I had created. It was not instant gratification. I had to wait another nine months, but God delivered. His promise was more than I could have ever imagined. Everything fell into place and He provided, including the house of my dreams. You see, I finally

listened, but it took His voice and two firm words – “be still.”I knew I must obey and be patient.

So in your busyness don’t forget to stop and let God guide you. He knows your future, will protect and direct you, and will give you hope in your despair. Listen and obey if you hear His quiet but firm voice.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your guiding us in our everyday lives and for Your protection. Speak to us firmly when we go astray and allow us to really listen. Amen.


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Day 7 You will do all right, if you obey the most important law in

the Scriptures. It is the law that commands us to love others as much as we love ourselves. But if you treat some people better than others, you have done wrong, and the Scriptures

teach that you have sinned. James 2: 8-9

Our church family and community is amazing at coming together to help those in need, whether it be through fundraising, collecting donations, ministering to the food bank clients, hosting a community fish fry, or simply by praying and being present during difficult times. I personally have been on the receiving end of this generosity many times, but most recently when my mother went home to be with Jesus in September of 2015 and then again in September of 2016 when my youngest son, David, was born.

These were difficult situations for different reasons, but I needed to lean on my church family throughout both. The prayers, phone calls, cards, hugs, delicious meals and shared tears truly made me feel the tangible love of Jesus, right here in Huntertown. Some of you reading this likely were part of that, so I thank you, as it made more of an impact than you’ll ever know.

I’m guessing most are like me and try to help people when we can. I admit I currently give tangible items and prayers more than donated time, as that’s at a premium with two young boys at home. Opportunities to help are everywhere if you look, from our church guides to the

nightly news to middle-of-the-night social media posts. The potential problems arise when we see multiple scenarios to make a positive difference and begin to choose which we’d like to support or who we would like to help. I don’t think we do this on purpose, but rather because we are human and have preferences and opinions that naturally impact every decision we make, whether we like it or not.

The Scriptures make it clear that we need to love and treat everyone as we would ourselves, and that to play favorites among who we help is a sin. Until recently, I hadn’t thought of it this way.

The next time you see a situation where you can show the love of Jesus, remember that we are called to help everyone, not just the people we love and identify with. Keeping this at the forefront of our thoughts will consciously help us to serve and love others on an equal basis. Let’s work at this together until it becomes a wonderful habit of serving and loving others in our community.


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Day 8 Two are better off than one, because together they can work

more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9

One of my favorite ways to get to know someone new is to have the opportunity to work alongside them. By working together at a common task there is often the time to share and learn about each other. You can get the job done and make a new friend at the same time!

When I first came to Huntertown I didn’t know a single person. I hesitantly put myself out there and began to get involved in the United Methodist Women’s Ministry. I had the privilege and honor to work with some amazing women. I learned so much from them but I also learned a lot about myself. Their acceptance of me made me realize that God loves me just the same as he does everyone else. You would have thought I would have picked up on that somewhere during the first 22 years of my life but evidently I hadn’t. I always thought I was less than everyone else.

I grew up very (and I mean VERY) shy and insecure. By watching, working with and listening to wise women I began to feel more confident. They supported me without even knowing it. Many of them became silent mentors to me. I watched and learned.

I now have the awesome privilege of working with our food bank. We have a great group of volunteers who work together to make even the biggest jobs a joy. We work together to get things done but we also deeply care for

each other. If one is hurting or going through a difficult time, we do all that we can to support that person.

It’s also amazing to see how much better we can serve God as a team. When there seems to be an impasse on a decision or the best way to get something done, we brainstorm and someone always comes up with a great idea.

I am so thankful for all the people God has put in my life. I would not be half the person I am today if it weren’t for others. We are all going in the same direction in our own God-gifted ways.


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Day 9 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by

prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in

Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

WORRY…This is such a big word to me. It is a constant sin for me. When I was younger I continually struggled with worry and anxious thoughts. I would worry about starting a new year of school, my homework, conversations with friends, speaking in front of others, and so many more worries. Now as a mother I worry if I’m good enough as a mother, if I am doing enough, whether my kids are safe, will my kids get hurt, about my family, finances and so many other worries that pop into my mind.

Philippians 4:6-7 states, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

This is my favorite verse. I had this verse taped to my wall in my bedroom growing up and now have it stuck to my computer screen at work as a constant reminder to give all my worries to God. As my kids have gotten older and have tried new activities where they are by themselves, I find my mind thinking of all the worst-case scenarios. Such as: Will they get hurt? What happens if they are in an accident? Will they make the right choices? and so many more. Each

time when I remember to talk to God during these times of worry I feel comforted and I’m able to not dwell on my worries and enjoy life.

Another verse that helps me during these times of worry is Matthew 6:34. It states, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” This verse reminds me to focus on the blessings of today. When I put my focus on God and bring my worries to him in prayer, I receive peace in return.

My prayer: Dear Lord, please take the worries on my mind. You know what they are.


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Day 10 Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served

beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the

region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will

serve the Lord. Joshua 24:14-15

There are so many choices to make throughout our lives. Do you want your coffee hot or cold? Do you want to go on vacation or just stay home and relax? Do you go to church today or do you play hooky? Do you want your relationships to thrive or just survive? Some choices do not have a lasting effect on your life and some can be life-changing. There have been many times in my life I have not given a thought to the choices I have made, but on one specific occasion, the decision I made changed my life. I was at a crossroad called a "crisis of belief." Marriage can be difficult and the world has made it too convenient to walk away. Joshua 24: 14-15 challenges us to choose to serve the Lord, not only yourself but your household. I will never forget sitting on the bed ready to leave my marriage. I felt God ask me to choose to be obedient and serve him and to pursue a marriage that will thrive. I could have chosen to ignore the calling of God in my life. Instead, during my "crisis of belief," I trusted that God would be faithful and keep His promises to me.

What a blessing it has been to choose that day whom I would serve. God has rewarded us more abundantly than I could even imagine. A thriving marriage has been a miraculous example of God's goodness. The next time you have a "crisis of belief," remind yourself that God is faithful and will carry you through to completion of His plan for your life.


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Day 11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the

conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

There is uncertainty around who wrote the book of Hebrews, but the theme of the book is clear: the perseverance of faith. Hebrews 11:1 gives us a definition of faith: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (ESV) The CSB translates it this way: “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” I like the use of the word reality here. It takes the idea of faith, which conceptually can feel sort of mystical and detached, and it grounds it. Reality is made up of the things of daily life (laundry, groceries, meetings, car trouble), but as this verse states, it is also made up of our faith in the unseen.

2 Kings 6:11-17 is my favorite story in the Bible. The king of Syria is at war with Israel, and every attack he plans on Israel is foiled. The Lord is telling Syria’s plans to the prophet Elisha so that he can advise the King of Israel how to avoid the attacks. The king of Syria gets tired of this and sends a great army in the night to surround the city in which Elisha lives. Elisha’s servant wakes up, sees the army and panics. He says “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” (Side note: Alas is a great word…perfectly dramatic.) Elisha prays, asking the Lord to open his eyes. The Lord opens the servant’s eyes, and he sees that the mountain is full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding the army that is surrounding Elisha.

I love this story because it perfectly illustrates that what we can see on this earth is not the extent of our reality. Even as we go about our day, Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith not only died once for our sins but continues to act on our behalf. We face our own armies of one form or another that come against us, but just like Elisha, our faith assures us that Jesus has overcome the world. As we go throughout our daily lives, let us ask the Lord to open our eyes in faith to see beyond the reality of this world to the things he is working for the good of those who love him.


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Day 12 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,

plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you

seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

Trusting. Trusting in His plan, that it is the perfect plan. Trusting in His timing, that it is the perfect timing. Trusting is hard for me. At times in my life, I have struggled with trusting. For a lot of us, it does not come easily.

Life can be hard and people can hurt you. In those raw moments of life, my heart tells me to hold onto my trust tightly and not let go. Physically, I’m putting my hands on my chest to protect my heart. Visually, I think of the trust fall. Standing up straight, arms crossed on your chest, eyes closed, falling back into trusting arms. Most of us probably have memories of doing this at a summer camp or with our friends. As we close our eyes before we fall back, we want to feel safe. We want to make sure we can trust the person before we start falling. We all want to feel protected, and we think that if we don’t put our trust in another’s hands then we won’t get hurt. We won’t get hurt because we will remain in control.

Faith. When I started placing my trust in God, that is when, and only when, I could fully trust. Our God is so worthy of our trust and love. He shows us His character time and time again. Just like the trust fall from your childhood, God’s goodness and love is there to catch us. Our

beautiful Savior pursues and loves each one of us; all we have to do is trust Him. Trust that His plan for you is the perfect plan, and that perfect plan will happen at the perfect time. By trusting in His plan, we can encounter the comfort of depending on God, who leads us to everlasting life.


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Day 13 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all

circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

What is joy? The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

When you ask Google what is joy (because we all ask Google when we don’t know the answer) it says it is the emotion evoked by well-being, success or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. When you ask Google what joy means in the Bible, it says Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as He causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world. I don’t know about you, but I want to feel Christian joy always. That is real joy. But we don’t always feel joy. We feel sadness, disappointment, fear, anxiety, etc... and we aren’t very thankful for feeling that way.

So how do I have Christian joy in all circumstances? There have been times in my life when I felt so much sadness and it didn’t go away. Through reading devotions and my Bible I came upon this verse in Thessalonians. I saw the light bulb come on and could feel the weight lifting from me. Understanding this verse was giving me peace...peace deep in my soul. I realized that He wants me to pray continuously, meaning all the time, for everything, big and small, good and bad.

By turning to Him in every situation or circumstance, He takes my sadness and turns it into joy....Christian joy. I can

start seeing beauty through the saddest moments and am thankful. It doesn’t seem possible, but it is possible because God can do anything. Just surrender it ALL to Him. Cry out and ask Him to carry you through it. When we do this, He replaces sadness with joy in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. We become closer to Him. We can feel His love, His grace, His mercy and His peace. He gives us real joy and thankfulness in everything! And this, my friends, is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.


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Day 14 Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and

learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is

light. Matthew 11:28-30

I’ve read and heard this scripture many times growing up in the church, but the first time I really “heard” this scripture was when I heard it in a song in middle school. When I first heard this song, “Come to Me,” by Jennifer Knapp, it was like Jesus was hugging me. I remember feeling myself just breathe and let go. The way I read this scripture was forever changed.

Since then, this scripture has always been a lifeline to me. It’s where I go when I’m needing peace and comfort. My burdens may come in many different forms; whether it be in the form of depression, insecurity or simply just being overwhelmed by a busy and chaotic schedule. Often, it is I who allows myself to become so burdened with these “heavy loads” because I try to do everything on my own. I try to please others and be who I think they want me to be, instead of allowing myself to just rest in who God created me to be. When life gets crazy, again I allow myself to take on more and more, until I feel like I’m drowning in my own misery. When I am unable to live up to the exceptions I have for myself or that I believe others have of me, depression and insecurity come roaring back. And again, I find myself believing the lies that Satan plants in my mind.

But it’s when I come to Jesus and allow myself to rest in Him, that I can be refreshed and my soul renewed.

When those times come, when life just feels too hard and I feel that I can’t go on, I remember this passage. And I can often hear Jesus calling me, “Come to me! Come to me! I will give you rest! My burden is light!” It’s then that I allow myself to melt into his arms and hand over my burdens to him. I’m then reminded that I don’t have to carry these “heavy loads.” What burdens are you carrying today? Hand them over to Jesus. He wants you to find rest in Him.

Prayer:

Father, help me always to remember to find rest in your son, Jesus Christ. Help me to remember not to allow myself to be burdened with the lies of the world, but to stay focused on you. Amen.


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Day 15 This then is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily

bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us

from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13

As we walk the path of life we encounter many events and circumstances along the way. Some are happy, joyous times, while others prove challenging. We tend to forget many of these as the years quickly go by. Recently I was reminded of one of these “tough” times when my 35-year-old son asked me about an extremely difficult family situation we went through when he was 6 years old. As we discussed this event, he was perplexed as to how I was able to maneuver him and his sister through all that was happening. While talking with him, my mind was flooded with memories that I had not thought of in years!

I realized there were three reasons we survived that tough time: a very supportive and loving family, a multitude of friends who were always there to help and most important ,my faith in God. When I didn’t know what or how to pray for what we needed, I always went to Matthew 6: 9-13, The Lord’s Prayer. Verse 10, “Your kingdom come, your will be done” helped me to accept God’s will as the controlling factor in our life. Our path of life was much easier when I didn’t try to control it. God knew exactly who and what we needed and provided that to us and so much more!

How lucky we are to have God there for us in every life situation we face. The happy times are happier with God in control and the tough times are easier to traverse. We just need to remember that God’s will is EXACTLY what we need. Have you thanked God today for taking care of your family’s needs?


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Day 16 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves

those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Loss of a loved one is painful and overwhelming. Losing my mother was one of the most difficult experiences in my life. Prior to experiencing the illness and loss of my mom, my relationship with God was mainly through church activities involving small group Bible study and service projects. I was a Martha, a doer! When my mom became seriously ill, I had to lean on God to get through the journey of her illness, death and grief. Mom was in the hospital for two months. With the support of my husband, daughter and coworkers, I was able to spend as much time as I could with her. This was the last gift I could give, and I will always treasure this time with her. When the doctors told us there wasn’t anything else they could do, we took her home with the help of hospice. She was only home for five days before she passed. I was blessed with family and friends reaching out through their phone calls, sitting with me and providing meals. During the times I was alone with mom, I could feel God’s presence providing me with strength and peace to get through the days of caring for her. I knew what I was to do to give her comfort during her last days.

The awareness of God’s presence and wisdom changed me in my faith. This experience made me realize real comfort comes only from God. He does not want us to hurt but to look to Him, lean on Him and on those He has placed in our life. I prayed for God to deliver mom from her

illness, and although I did not receive the answer I was hoping for, God was faithful by walking with me, giving me strength and wisdom. God promises to be “close to the brokenhearted” to be a source of power, courage and wisdom, helping us in our grief, loss and sorrow.


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Day 17 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set

you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord.

Deuteronomy 28:1-2

Moses said to the people that if they would hear God’s voice and listen to His Commandments, their blessings would overtake them. They were commanded to remember four things: God’s faithfulness, holiness, blessings and warnings.

My grandmother was faithful and wrote her daily experiences in a diary, which became an autobiography of her life, published for her children and grandchildren to read. I admire her for her obedience to the Lord in spite of her life’s hardships. My grandparents were vegetable farmers on Smith Road in Fort Wayne. As I am the oldest grandchild, I often testify to others of their lives and how they impacted others. They were very good money managers and were obedient in giving large percentages to their church, as well as to Africa and India.

I struggle with giving at times and being obedient when times are tight. When Jeff had his stroke, it really hit us hard financially. He was out of work for three months and the medical bills were unbelievable. We were blessed by our family and friends who helped and prayed for us. Thanks to God’s blessings, Jeff is back to good health, playing the bass and working full time. This was the moment when Jeff and I made a pledge to give regularly

each Sunday at church. It is amazing to me how blessings started flowing in our home after this decision. We were able to yell “We are debt free!” after paying off a large charge card that year. Two years ago we doubled our pledge to our church.

If my grandparents were alive today, this is the challenge they’d have for you. Can you hear God’s voice and obey without questioning Him? Your blessings are tied to your obedience.

Praise God From Whom all Blessings Flow. Amen


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Day 18 The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by his Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them. There were a great

many of them on the surface of the valley, and they were very dry. Then he said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’… So I prophesied as he commanded me; the breath

entered them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, a vast army.”

Ezekiel 37:1-3, 10

Sometimes it can be easy to feel very far away from God, so far as to feel like a pile of old bones. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but my very raw truth is that I often feel far from God. Connecting with the Lord can be difficult for me. After all, what is a man I’ve never met face to face supposed to do with some useless bones? But then I remember this isn’t just some man; this is my Heavenly Father, Lord of all. These aren’t just some bones; this is my body and my spirit. Most important, our God can turn the most desolate of nothings into the most beautiful somethings.

Maybe I draw away because I don’t feel worthy or significant enough when compared to the multitude of issues going on in the world. Whatever the reason, it’s no match for the care and concern God has for me. If he is my Father, then I am his child. Like any father, he wants the best for me. More important, he wants a relationship with me. God desires to draw me in.

In this story in Ezekiel, God takes a vast pile of bones and brings them back to life. That’s right; he takes what seems

to be gone and gives it new flesh and a beating heart. No matter how lost I feel, I can never be so far away from God that he can’t bring me back. I just need to put a little effort in on my end and God will do the rest. He has the power to make my heart beat again. It is one of my greatest desires that my heart beats alongside God’s. So in my quest to fulfill this, and never feel far from God, I will take the initiative to spend time with him and listen to his words on my heart.


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Day 19 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive

us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9

Forgiveness ~ We receive forgiveness at the point of salvation, but we still need to confess the sins we commit as we daily live our lives. That small word, IF, has a big meaning. It means “on condition that.” It is up to us to confess. God already knows our sins. It is therapeutic to admit out loud to Him. When we actually hear ourselves speak the words and discover that God does not condemn us, we receive freedom. We are set free from the bondage of our secret. God’s healing has begun! His compassions fail not!

Proverbs 28:13 tells us “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.” Psalm 3:5 says, “Then I let it all out; I said, “I will make a clean breast of my failures to God.” Suddenly the pressure was gone - my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared.” (The Message)

In his book “Grace,” Max Lucado tells us to trust God’s ability to receive your confession more than your ability to make it. If it depends on us, we are lost. Through Jesus, we can confess and receive forgiveness and healing. Not because of how good we are; because of how great He is!

It is important that we believe in forgiveness Because Satan will take advantage of any unbelief. Freedom means liberation from the power of another. Our belief and

confidence in what God says is true can release us from any bondage of our sin and help us when we are again tempted. Hallelujah!

Another aspect of our freedom is the power given to us by the Holy Spirit to forgive others. “And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NAS)

Be encouraged! The Truth sets us free!


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Day 20 Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give Glory to your Father who is in Heaven.

Matthew 5:16

Have you ever thought, I don’t have any special talents to Glorify God, or I can’t make a difference to impact God’s Kingdom? If only I could sing. If only I could play an instrument. If only I had seminary training. If only, if only . . .

For years I convinced myself I wasn’t talented or equipped enough to make a difference for God. I was a “bench sitter” and was comfortable doing so.

One day while on a missions trip, God nudged me and said, “Get going, girl; you are something-something years old; get off that bench!” Time is passing by. I looked around and saw people living in severe poverty, sharing what little they had, encouraging one another, making a difference. Whoa, yes it is time.

If we make no effort to affect the world around us, we are worthless. Don’t ignore your light. Be a blessing to others. Start simple. Smile and say “thank you” to the cashier. Hold the door open for a stranger. Lend a listening ear. Be intentional in your surroundings. These small gestures make a difference and will lead to greater things in glorifying God. God created us and wants to use our gifts, experiences and brokenness to glorify him.

What simple steps can you take to be God’s beacon of light? How can we be compassionate and not judgmental?

Be bold. Be bright. Let your brokenness shine through. Get off the bench and make a difference. You’ve got this; God is on your side.


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Day 21 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your

presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:11

Four years ago I decided to write a letter to my “future self.” I was prompted to write it because as we get older we change, sometimes for the better and sometimes not. So I sat down one day and wrote a letter telling myself what I thought I wanted my “future self” to be like and challenging myself what not to be like. I just knew I wanted to be my best self in the future for my family and friends, but more importantly, I wanted to continue to grow spiritually.

Well, I read the letter to my future self today, and for the most part I have continued to live out those goals. Some of the things I told myself were:

• Make sure you’re still reading your Bible daily • Tell your kids what they are doing right, not what

they did wrong • Be kind • Travel a few times a year • Love, love and love

This letter helped me to see how far I’ve come in four years and where I need to improve.

I want to challenge you to write a letter to your future self. It’s worth looking into your life right now and seeing where you will be a year or two from now. If you’re struggling, maybe when you read this letter in the future, you’ll look back and laugh at yourself at how silly you were to have

worried so much. Maybe it will help you rely less on yourself and more on God.

Or maybe you’re in pain right now and you overcome it. Then you’ll be able to draw strength from where you are now and how strong you have become.

My first letter to myself was not structured, so here are some questions that will help you be more detailed in your letter:

• What are your priorities right now? • What are your fears and hopes? • What do you hope to have stopped, or started,

doing? • And most important, where do you want to be

spiritually? There will always be distractions that keep you from focusing on what’s important. But know that God is always with you, during the highs and lows of your everyday life. And when you yearn for God and seek Him wholeheartedly, you will find He is always there and will provide guidance and answers to your problems. He will give you the peace you need if you just trust Him.

There is a website you can send your letter to, and if your email stays the same it will be emailed to you in whatever time increment you choose. The website is https://www.futureme.org/ or, you can just put it away for a few years and hope you don’t lose it.

Day 22 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are

holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.

Mark 11:25

Wait! What?! Jesus said, when we pray, we must first forgive anyone we are holding a grudge against. First? I don't know about you, but for me that's never the first priority of my prayers. Then Jesus goes on to say we need to forgive first SO THAT our Father in heaven will forgive our sins too. SO THAT requires an action which in turn will produce a result. We must forgive in order to be forgiven. What happens when we find it difficult to forgive? What happens when it seems as though we just can't?

There have been times when I have struggled with forgiveness. I can think about/meditate on Jesus dying on the cross for my sins. He, who did nothing wrong, died a horrible death SO THAT my sins would be forgiven. How can I justify my actions when I know what Jesus did for me? I believe the struggle isn't in the forgiving; it's in the forgetting. We keep the offense alive by not forgiving. In turn, by keeping the offense alive we are unable to forget. So the vicious cycle continues and stays alive in our thoughts. What if, when we pray, we first pray to forgive SO THAT our hearts and minds are opened to the Holy Spirit? We forgive SO THAT our sins are forgiven. What if we forgive SO THAT our hearts and minds are open to love like Jesus loves? What if we love SO THAT we may forget?

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love (and forgive) one another.” 1 John 4:11.


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Day 23 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they

measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without

understanding. 2 Corinthians 10:12

Comparison is my biggest sin, and at times it is all-consuming. While I know logically that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made in the eyes of God, my heart tells me often that he must have gotten it wrong with me. I can remember the first time I compared myself to someone else. It was third grade. I had just moved to a new school, and it became painfully clear that I just didn’t measure up. The veil had been lifted, and instead of comparing myself against God’s standard, I began to compare myself to the world’s standard. My focus stopped being about who I am internally and became about what others thought of me. Comparison brought worry. Am I wearing the right clothes? Do I eat the right food? Am I too tall? That self-doubt carried on into my adult life. Do my children behave? Am I a good wife? Is my house decorated perfectly?

I have spent a lot of time comparing myself to the world’s opinion of me instead of sitting in the truth of what God has told me. God made me just the way I am and has put me exactly where I am supposed to be. 2 Corinthians 10:12 says, “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and

compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” When I read that I am convicted. Will I spend my life comparing myself to people who do not have understanding? People who spend their time praising themselves instead of God? When I find myself stuck in the depths of comparison I ask two questions: How does my life measure up to the life God wants for me, and how am I representing Jesus? When we compare ourselves to others, we are missing the point that God has made us all with unique abilities and gifts.


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Day 24 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ,

though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that

comes from God. Ephesians 3:18-19

Facebook can be a jerk, am I right? It’s all funny memes and crazy cat videos, and in an instant one post can ruin your perfectly good evening. Like one January night, while I was mindlessly scrolling my feed, I saw a friend’s photos of her ski trip earlier that day with her kids. As I continued to thumb my way down the screen, I saw that another friend also had photos of a ski trip with her kids. Curiously, I clicked and sure enough, about five photos into the album, there was a group shot of a bunch of my friends and their kids at the foot of the ski hill.

Hot tears of rejection and hurt welled up in my eyes. I put my phone down and walked away. I wasn’t going to cry over this. “I’m not in middle school anymore,” I told myself, “I’m a grown-up!” No matter how hard I tried to fight it, sitting on the edge of my bathtub, I sobbed and tried to make sense of it all. Why didn’t they ask me to come? Am I annoying? Do they have more fun when I’m not there? One of my friends had been strangely vague about her plans that day, but now it was clear. They had planned a ski trip and kept it a secret from me because they didn’t want me to come with them.

I walked back into the bedroom and my husband inquired about my tear-stained cheeks. As I told him what I had discovered, he sympathetically pulled me in for a hug and gently reminded me, “But you hate skiing. Maybe they thought you wouldn’t want to go.” That was true and possible. But still. It’s nice to be invited, isn’t it?

We’ve all been hurt and, no doubt, we’ve all hurt a friend. They’re human. We’re human. None of us are perfect. And after numerous and slightly different variations of stories of rejection and hurt throughout my life, I’m slowly learning why it is essential that I find my value and self-worth in the One who IS perfect. God will never let me down. He will always love me. He will always have a place for me.

Do you feel lonely sometimes? Rejected? Like you don’t fit in or maybe that people just don’t get you? I encourage you to pray against the lie that these hurts are because you aren’t wanted or needed. You are worthy of love and acceptance. You were created to be uniquely you by a Creator who loves you so much He sent His Son to die in your place. Take a moment today and ask God to show you how much He loves you. He hears you and He sees you. You are valued and worthy, and in His Spirit you are made complete.

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Day 25 Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I

will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

One evening during my recovery after a bad fall, after I had returned home, I needed to find a way to be close to the Lord. A way to raise my spirits and closeness to God. I asked myself: I want to feel closer to worshipping and know the Lord is there with me. What if I die during the night? I am here alone and no one would find me maybe for days. I should leave a way to let someone know I’m feeling low. I prayed what if I call and leave a late message on the phone to call me and check. But no one has a key right now they couldn’t do anything anyway if I didn’t answer. I prayed and prayed.

Then I felt like I had been touched to continue praying and reading my book. My pains went away and I felt renewed. I finished my book and then watched the ball game. Indiana won. It was 10 o’clock and I always went to bed at 8o’clock. I was smiling and felt at ease, thanking the Lord for hearing me.

A good night’s sleep and plans to tell others on how to check on me. Thank you, Lord. Don’t give up when you need answers to your prayers. They are being heard. I actually felt that night that the Lord told me He was in charge, to go to bed and sleep. And I did.


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Day 26 So Martha came to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to prepare the table all by myself? Tell her to help me.” The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part. It won’t be

taken away from her.” Luke 10:40-42

Do you take time each day to just simply sit and be? This is an incredibly hard task for me. Even when I manage to find the time to sit and be, my mind races through the never-ending to-do list in my head. Maybe you can relate. A while back as I scrolled through Pinterest (if you aren’t familiar it’s like an online magazine), I came across an article on mindfulness. This wasn’t a particularly new idea to me, but it took on a new meaning. Instead of simply going through the motions of my day, it was encouraging me to be mindful. Mindful in all aspects of my life, from eating and physical health, to spirituality and my relationships. I began to really think about the impact this could have on my life, and I think Jesus calls us to be more mindful as well.

There are many themes and lessons that can be taken from the story of Jesus’s visit with Mary and Martha in Luke 10, but I want you to focus on Jesus’ response to Martha. He tells her that the distractions she is choosing to focus on aren’t as important as choosing to be with Him. Jesus wants us to have intentional time to sit and be with Him. He calls us to be mindful. When was the last time you set aside

intentional moments with God? Time to just be in his presence and listen.

Perhaps you aren’t sure where to start. Here is a simple breath prayer that you can memorize and repeat to help center yourself, shut off your mind and just be with God. As you breathe say these words or any words that help you focus on listening and being with God:

Inhale: “Be still” Exhale: “And know”

Prayer: Father God, forgive us as we often rush through our day and fail to be mindful to you. Help us to prioritize our tasks so that we spend intentional time with you each day. Lord, you have called us to sit at your feet and listen. As we set aside time this day, speak to us. Share with us as you will so that we may set out to fulfill it. You are gracious and loving, Lord, and for that we are thankful. Amen


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Day 27 By his divine power the Lord has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of the

one who called us by his own honor and glory. 2 Peter 1:3

You are enough. A quick Pinterest search reveals dozens of graphics proclaiming that “you are enough” in brush lettering and watercolor backgrounds. It’s become a popular phrase, and it’s a good reminder. So often we strive to do more, to be more, to prove ourselves worthy. We try to live up to our own unrealistic expectations, instead of resting in the knowledge that we are already enough.

As a high school senior contemplating my future, I listened to a certain Amy Grant song on repeat (in 1997, this meant I rewound the cassette tape over and over again). Her words were a comfort to my overwhelmed soul:

When the weight of all my dreams Is resting heavy on my head

And the thoughtful words of help and hope Have all been nicely said

But I'm still hurting, wondering if I'll ever be the one I think I am.

Then you gently re-remind meThat You've made me from the first …

And all I ever have to be is what You've made me

Any more or less would be a step out of Your plan As you daily recreate me help me always keep in mind

That I only have to do what I can find All I ever have to be is what You've made me

I am enough because I am exactly who God made me to be. You are enough because God created you. You are enough and you have been given enough.

I love The Living Bible translation of 1 Peter 1:3: For as you know him better, he will give you, through his great power, everything you need for living a truly good life: he even shares his own glory and goodness with us! Everything you need. God hasn’t shortchanged you or withheld anything from you. He hasn’t given you just enough to get by, but rather all that you need for really good living. He even shares His glory and His goodness with you! I’d say that’s more than enough. And the only condition is that you get to know Him better.

So next time you’re struggling to feel your worth, skip Pinterest and do some searching in the heart of God. Open His Word, sit with Him in a quiet place, and recognize that He is enough for you, that you are enough because of Him.


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Day 28 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true

worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

John 4:23-24

“You see man made the cars To take us over the road Man made the train To carry the heavy load Mad made the electric light To take us out of the dark Man mad the boat for the water Like Noah made the ark

This is a man’s world This is a man’s world But it wouldn’t be nothing Nothing without a woman or a girl” -James Brown/Betty Jean Newsome-1966

You may be wondering why someone would be starting a devotional with a famous 1960s pop song, but I hope you’ll keep reading. Take a moment and consider the lyrics and culture of that era and what it meant to be a woman during that time. Now consider what it means to be a woman now. Is it the same? Is it different? What kind of unique experiences have you faced being a woman? Are there good experiences? Some challenging ones? Now hold onto those thoughts, experiences and feelings while you read John 4:1-26 and then verses 39-42.

While we may have a lively debate on if we agree or disagree with whether the above song lyrics still hold true today, in Jesus’ day and age it was most definitely a man’s world. It was a time when gender roles were clearly distinct and there was not much socializing between the sexes (there are still parts of the world where this is the norm). But Jesus went against the status quo and spoke to not only a woman, but a Samaritan woman who was living in “sin” and preached the “good news” to her. It was as if he was saying, forget about all the superficial stuff that is meant to separate and exclude, my message and love is for you. I see you. You are loved.

This passage of scripture has been one of the most healing for me. It touches the depths of my heart and affirms my identity as a woman, that God sees me, just like Jesus saw this Samaritan woman. Where some may try to exclude you or me for various reasons, whether that be gender, socio-economic class or previous shortcomings, God is always there, offering His love and grace. You are valued. You are loved. You belong. I hope you feel that today.


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Day 29 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with

praises; give thanks to Him and praise His name. Psalm 100:4

I have my day all planned but things begin to unravel.

• I get a late start to work.

• I get blamed for something that is not my fault.

• I held someone accountable and he did not like it.

• I missed a deadline.

• I forgot to pick up groceries on the way home.

• I begin to complain, whine, wallow in negativity.

And then I remember… I have so much to be thankful for. I start making a list, my gratitude list. I’ll reserve a page or two just for that in my journal. Maybe I’ll start a prayer journal. My perspective begins to shift. (Notice the list above, each sentence begins with I.) I have moved from self-pity to a place of a thankful heart. You are invited to join me….


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Day 30 He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you

will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Psalm 91:4

Change, it can creep in slowly or hit you all at once. A few years ago, I was grieving over the loss of three significant people in my life, and in the midst of that, when I felt as though I could just barely see the shoreline, a sudden and unexpected event shifted how we operated with our extended family. The details don’t really matter, but the deep confusion and anger do. You see, I didn’t really understand why what happened, happened. While logically I knew God’s heart was breaking too, I just couldn’t help but be angry with him. I was consumed with sadness, anger and guilt. I felt guilty about being angry, about the situation and about everything really. I waded through on my own for a while, wrestling back and forth with God and myself. Then I made a really important decision to go talk to someone about it. As I began to work with her, she asked me to write a letter to God. I will share that with you now.

Dear Lord, somewhere along the way I have come to believe we aren’t supposed to be angry with you, and if we are we should suppress it. Because it’s not right to be angry with you. How sinful to be upset with the Lord. But frankly, I am. I am angry and hurt and I don’t understand why bad things happen to some and not others. I want to let it go and believe that all things work for good. But my heart is hurting and heavy. It aches. So I am crying out to you!

Help me! Heal my heart and my misbeliefs. Bring redemption to our hurt. Bring redemption to those who are a part of this story. Help my heart to heal. Help me to find peace and clarity. Help me to remember that you are a good, good Father. Help the seed of grace, forgiveness and acceptance grow in place of fear and anger. Amen.

Putting everything out there was hard. Laying it all at God’s fee was not easy and healing didn’t happen quickly, but slowly I began to see the joy in life again. I think we have this misconception that we should never be angry at God, and that’s just not true. He knows our hearts and he has big shoulders. Nothing about what I walked through was easy, and there are still days when old thoughts and feelings creep back in. Relationships aren’t healed, and I still ache for those I lost. But I know I can give it all to God and he can handle it. He can take my anger and bring peace and healing. It might not be how I think it should look, but it is perfect in His way. Hold fast to His truth! Find shelter in the Lord! He has you even when you might not understand.


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Beloved Devotional Lifehouse Women€¦ · I went to my ﬁrst meeting and held back tears of fear, tears of comfort and tears of relief. I did not realize exactly how - not alone-