Category: Prayer

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom

Hearing God’s Heart

In my Bible time yesterday, I was in Isaiah 43-45. I was listening in the car via the YouVersion Bible App. It’s part of a Bible Project reading plan I am doing with friends.

I enjoy listening to the Bible because I often hear things I may have missed while reading. I can always go back and re-read a passage, but I can better understand the bigger picture when I listen. Reading is still important, though, because going slower helps you digest it in other ways!

Yesterday, these two chapters reminded me of when it’s God’s turn to speak in the Book of Job. Isaiah is recording God’s defense. He lays it all out, how Israel and other nations worship worthless idols, their unfaithfulness. He also explains that He loves them and is merciful to them, despite the coming calamity of exile, and how He alone is God and Savior.

God’s heart and passion for His people really stood out to me yesterday. He warned them over and over and literally did everything to save Israel (and us) but even then, we all turned our backs on Him.

How heartbreaking!

Free Landscape Countryside photo and picture

When I think of God’s anger in the Bible, I often think, “Oh sure, He’s justified to punish them. They deserve it!” But, when I think of how sad it must’ve been for God, well, it just makes me love Him more and want to do what is right and pleasing to Him.

Even so, He helps me! Try as I might, I can never be perfect or do everything right one hundred percent of the time! I am so relieved Jesus did for me what I could never do.

God created us and the world we live in, then He saved us when we messed it all up. He made it right at His own costs (His own Son!) and wants to reward us with blessings. For example, we can join Him in His work on Earth and then join Him in Heaven for eternal life. Thank You, Jesus!

There are many ways we can connect with God and hear His heart. Reading His word and talking with Him in prayer are great ways to start!

Another angle to consider is disconnecting from the noise of social media, television, podcasts, and other distractions so we can hear God’s still, small voice, perceive His heart, and make sense of His kindness to us.

In John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” We know it is God when we hear Truth (or a gentle challenge), grace, love, mercy, forgiveness, peace, joy, comfort…  these are the Heartbeat of Heaven!

**********

Heavenly Father, thanks for Jesus! Thanks for all Your love and grace. Help us to quiet ourselves so we can hear You and sense how You are moving in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What will you change today so you can hear God’s heart?

Tasks: Set some time aside today (and/or perhaps a block of time later this week) to talk with God and listen. Read Scripture, sing a worship song, and write down what you sense Him saying. Soak up His love and be refreshed with His grace.

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom

Work Smarter, Not Harder

You have likely heard the phrase, “work smarter, not harder.” And depending on the context, we would probably all agree that’s good advice. Our time, effort, and energy are vital resources!

Sometimes I ask my neighbors for help when it comes to home maintenance. I am grateful for their skills and willingness. However, many run their own businesses and are just as busy as I am (if not more). Therefore, coordinating our schedules can take awhile.

Therefore, I often try to fix things myself or have to read about the issues online. I sometimes say I know a little about a lot. (My brain is a trove of random trivia!!) I generally don’t know enough to solve all the problems, but enough to get by or at least get the gist. It’s also a good thing I know when I am in over my head.

Free Door Toilet Door photo and picture

So, on Sunday, I was reading about front door locks. Mine has not been reliable lately; the deadbolt is still secure, but I needed to change the lower doorknob as soon as possible. It would lock but then not open again. Not a huge problem, except that we use the door just about every day.

The more I read, the more I realized I was out of my league. I did learn some new vocabulary, though! I also learned there are at least three basic options for deadbolts, not to mention the door knobs or levers, colors, brands, security pros and cons.

Within a few minutes, I decided to call in a professional.

On Monday, I took half a day off work, just because. I had no real plans but wanted to use a time-off award before it expired. It was a beautiful day to run some errands. In addition, I called a local locksmith, and he was able to come over right away. The problem I had been thinking about for three weeks was resolved within about twenty minutes!

I was happy to pay for the expert’s work because it saved me a lot of time and effort, not to mention the stress of trying to figure it out! I had him change the door knob and lock on the door that goes to the garage, too. That way, they match!

We who belong to Christ have a built-in expert in every area of life. The Holy Spirit is our guide and teacher. He shows us the path to take and which routes to avoid. By checking in with Him, we can save time, energy, and effort!

“When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them.” -Isaiah 22:22. This verse is about a faithful man named Eliakim, who was put in charge of the Jerusalem treasury, and you can compare it to what is said about the faithful church of Philadelphia in Revelation 3:8 above. Interesting parallels!

The two verses in Isaiah and Revelation encouraged me this week. They are God’s words about those who are godly, loyal, faithful, and effective in their ministries. I am inspired to keep moving forward!

I don’t know about you, I tend to work, work, work, but I can only accomplish so much when I am running on fumes! But, in John 10:9, Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”

When we’re faithful, it blesses God. When we feel weak and tired, may we run to Jesus, our source of strength. He is the Door, and with Him, all things are possible! I am confident that His plan is better than mine and that He will help me work smarter, not harder! 

**********

God, thanks for being my source of strength and energy. When I don’t know what to do, help me run to You. Help me work smarter with Your wisdom, not run myself into the ground. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How can you work smarter, not harder? How can you rely on Jesus today?

Task: Read these Bible verses about doors! 🙂

Posted on in Being Gracious, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom

Finding Grace #371

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Robin Red-Breasted photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was filled with God’s grace. We had some company in the earlier part of the week. It’s always fun to have visitors, and we were especially glad to celebrate Easter together!

I’m thrilled to report I saw our first robins of spring! Today, I saw about twelve all sprinkled through my lawn. They enjoy my deck and trees, as do several other birds: finches, juncos, sparrows, starlings, and swallows so far!

The weather finally warmed up this week, although it will be chilly again for the next few days. The snow is melting more, hour by hour, and the grass is growing a little. I wonder if my tulips will even come up this year since they are usually already up and gone again! Perhaps I will be surprised!

Work went well this week; still busy, but I had a good discussion about the workload with my manager. Hopefully, we will figure out some manageable strategies in the coming weeks. We can only bend so far before we “break” or burn out. I took off the day on Friday for an appointment and some R&R, which really helped.

Today, Lydia and I watched our friend’s little girl! We enjoyed cuddling with her and catching up with her momma when she returned. We will probably relax for the rest of the evening, maybe watch a movie or play a game!

**********

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Prayer

Finding Grace #370

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Easter Lily Flower photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was another good week, but it required a lot of prayers! Nonetheless, God really came through for me! One little highlight was watching little songbirds hopping around on the gigantic piles of snow in my backyard!

It seems like I talk about work almost every week, but as you know, I spend so much time there. I helped with a nursing fair and saw several patients. I also had some important conversations with my coworkers. We had some laughs and also brainstormed our way through some potential problems. It was a good feeling!

The weather was a little crazy this week. Lydia only went to her actual school on Monday; Tuesday through Thursday were remote learning due to the weather. Then, yesterday, she was off for Good Friday already. Thankfully, she handled it all like a champ!

Thankfully, the last couple of days have been above 40 and sunny, just in time to celebrate Easter! We enjoyed our church’s Good Friday service last night. We sat with some friends and worshiped the Lord. I’m grateful for the Cross!

My mother-in-law also came to visit, so she stayed with Lydia while I went to work today (I was on-call). Then, we went to lunch and went shopping! Tonight, we are enjoying a movie together. It was a really nice day after a wild week!

I pray you all have a blessed Easter weekend!

**********

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Prayer, Wisdom

V is for Viola

After a couple of rough weeks (on and off), this week held a few grace-filled surprises! Last week, I was overwhelmed with decisions, partially because I had very little information. This week, I got a few more details.

Soon, I will have to make decisions for and with Lydia, who will attend middle school in August. There will be general registration, course schedules, and filtering through electives.

This week, we learned more about the music option. Previously, they have offered choir, band, orchestra, and general music, but I had heard they discontinued general music for the next school year.

I was hoping for an easy out (such as general music) because I don’t know how it all works. I was never in band or orchestra for a few reasons, including that I generally have no rhythm! So, on top of everything else, it wasn’t a decision I wanted to make.

Free Violin Viola photo and picture

Well, Monday was the day to try some instruments after school. On my way to pick up Lydia, I said a simple prayer. I asked God to direct our path and make our way clear. I decided to have an open mind, ask good questions, and support Lydia. I went in faith and with expectation!

When we walked into the middle school, we were surprised by how big it was! Lydia was both a little excited and nervous. Thankfully, we ran into a friend, and she pointed us in the right direction. First hurdle down!

Next, we navigated down a long hallway. The first sign we saw was for general music, followed by orchestra, and further down the hall, band. We walked into the first open door: Orchestra. Many people were sampling instruments, and at first, we didn’t know where to go. Then, an eighth grader ran over, introduced herself, and invited us to try her violin. She did a great job explaining all the nuances of her instrument.

Then, a little joking occurred between her and some friends. The friends said Lydia “had” to try the viola because it’s “better” than the violin. “The violin is popular and likes all the attention, but the viola is a team player. It works well with all the instruments!” These girls were very attentive, and one talked for about twenty minutes nonstop, answering all my questions. It was so helpful, and her passion was notable! I was blown away!

I had Lydia try the cello, but she wasn’t that interested in the bass. When I asked her what her favorite was, she said she liked the viola! We went to the band room, and immediately, Lydia said it was too loud for her. I made her walk around and check out the instruments anyway. At my prodding, she tried blowing into the mouthpiece of a flute. But, eventually, we went back to trial the violin and viola again. I wanted her to be sure.

Free String Family Violin photo and picture

We had the violinist play a short song, and I remembered how the beautiful soprano instrument can evoke both happiness and sadness for me. I felt a lump form in my throat and told myself not to cry. 🙂 Then, the three violists offered to play together. Their alto sound was surprisingly rich and soothing! It was a noticeable difference in my emotions, and Lydia said it was better for her tinnitus. Wow.

We thanked everyone and met the music teacher. She confirmed there is no general music option next year; thus Lydia has to choose an instrument or be in the choir. She also explained the basic rental process and gave me a heads-up about a few upcoming dates, so I know what to expect. She said they don’t grade based on how well a child plays, but rather on other in-class assignments. I was very pleased with the whole experience, which gave me peace of mind. Thank you, Lord!

At home, we found a video further explaining the differences between the violin and the viola. The more we learned, the more we thought the viola sounded like a good fit for Lydia. She doesn’t like the spotlight but is warm and supportive. She works well with others and is happy in the background, though she can lead as needed. The next day, I saw her watching more videos about the instrument!

Regardless of the instrument she chooses, Lydia must commit to practicing regularly, at least for sixth grade. Although we still have a little more time before deciding, I am glad God answered my prayers and gave me peace. I love seeing Lydia’s excitement for the next big step, and I know she will rise to the occasion. 

**********

God, thanks for helping us this week. You are so gracious and kind. May our decisions bring you glory as we move forward with grace and joy! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Did you play an instrument in school? Did you keep playing it over the years, or do you wish you did?

Task: If you have any good advice when choosing an instrument, please let me know!

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer

One Day At a Time

You may recall that last week, I was feeling depleted. Well, this week, I have had a sense of being overwhelmed combined with a touch of winter blah. You might know what I am talking about! 😉

Even though I am quick to ask the Lord for help, there’s simply a lot going on. Perhaps I got used to the slower (much appreciated) pace of winter, but usually, we have a few more weeks before it gets busier. A lot of the tasks happen to default to me.

There’s nothing unusual, really, but just a lot happening all around the same time. In the last two weeks, we’ve had various appointments, social events, and company. We have volunteered and completed house projects. Lydia has brought home paperwork for summer activities and for middle school sign-ups. And it’s not even spring!

So, this week, I have been praying about what I should do differently, if anything. Sometimes, it is good to ask if I am making myself run in circles or if it’s all necessary! My attitude has been fairly good, despite being stressed. I have been prioritizing sleep, exercising, drinking plenty of water, eating well, and saying ‘no’ when I can.

Check, check, check, check, check, check. 

Anyway, thus far, God hasn’t shown me anything specific, so I’ll keep moving forward while relying on Him. If He brings me to it, He will help me through it.

Yesterday, God came through for me in small ways. I still had to do everything, but He eased the pressure I was feeling. Someone took the time to ask how I was doing and listened when I explained how I was feeling. It helped to have validation and understanding.

Indeed, I felt myself perk up a bit late in the afternoon yesterday. Perhaps it was because I had a good lunch, or, maybe it was the coffee that my coworker made for me! 😉 I for sure felt better after having some fun conversations (via work meetings) with the ladies on my team! Without knowing I was struggling, they each cheered me up in their own ways!

On my way home, I praised God for the little songbirds in the beautiful trees at work. And, I praised Him for the snow flurries that make everything beautiful again… while not making the drive home too difficult.

As I kept turning my eyes to Jesus, I was reminded of when He said each day has enough trouble of its own. I also recalled that God’s mercies are also new every day… so I don’t need to worry about how it’s all going to work out.

Jesus doesn’t always take away our problems, but instead gives us His strength. Feelings can be unpredictable, but the Lord is always dependable, Our Rock. We can trust Him and let Him will lead us. As long as we seek Him first, one day at a time, our path is secure.

**********

God, thanks for all the ways You love me. Thanks for being with me through the challenges of each day. Help me walk in faith and joy, knowing I have Your grace, strength, and help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you relying on your feelings or God’s immovable character this week? Is there something He is prompting you to change?

Tasks: Read Matthew 6:25-34. What do you think this means? How can you apply these Truths to your life today?

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer

Depleted and Dependent

Today, I am thinking about how God always comes through for me. I have been feeling a little stressed this week. We have a full schedule this week, and I have a lot of random things to remember for each activity or event. Also, I haven’t had much downtime to rest and recover from the “excitement.”

So yesterday, I had a slight headache and was a little grumpy. Not outwardly, but just inwardly, I was in a slump. Everything just seemed more difficult! I wanted to rest but had several responsibilities. These included work, an appointment for Lydia, errands, and snowblowing. They went well, but I was struggling!

I wasn’t sick, and I wasn’t sleepy (though I could have used a nap!). I think the best word to describe how I felt was ‘depleted’ or running on empty. I ate regular meals, but I didn’t have much appetite. I was cold all afternoon and had oatmeal with a half a banana, a little peanut butter, and cinnamon for dinner to warm me up! Mmmm…

Needless to say, I acknowledged my dependence on the Lord and asked Him to fill me up. I needed His grace and mercy to exhibit patience with my patients and to be emotionally available for Lydia. I had a few things to do around the house, too.

Ironically, snowblowing was the thing that got me out of my funk! I hadn’t planned on clearing snow but decided not to push myself physically (shoveling) when I was already weak and weary. It was a kindness to myself, and I had the time since I left work early to take Lydia to an appointment, which also ended early. Snowblowing reminded me that I am capable and God is a good provider. He gave me His strength!

I relaxed after that. I intentionally kept this blog post shorter and watched a fun show with Lydia. Afterward, I did some gentle stretching instead of a more intense workout. Then, I read Isaiah 40:28-31 and went to bed early!

Well, I’m glad these weird days don’t happen often. But, I can still be grateful for them because they show me my need for Jesus. When we’re feeling depleted, we can depend on our mighty, dependable God!

**********
God, thanks for always being there for me. You are kind, gracious, and dependable! Give me your strength when I am weary. Help me trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What do you do when you feel depleted? Do you turn to the Lord, or do you try to replete yourself solo?

Tasks: Read Isaiah 40:28-31. Bring all your concerns to the Lord, and let Him fill you up!

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Prayer

On Fog and Fasting

The last few mornings or so have been foggy. Sometimes it clears off to reveal a beautiful sunny day, and at other times, it remains as-is. I don’t mind, especially since that means the temperature is rising!

We had a two-hour late start on Monday since our school district includes many rural families. We enjoyed a little more time together, unexpectedly! I even had time to bake some delicious sweet potatoes, which made me revamp my lunch that day. 🙂

After work yesterday, I could barely see a giant airplane flying in through the clouds. It looked like it came out of nowhere! When I finally saw it, it was about fifty feet in the air, preparing to land. Surreal!

Free Mountain Forest photo and picture

In other news, many of the people at our church are doing a new year’s fast. I decided to join everyone, though I am unsure what kind everyone else is doing. I am doing a twenty-one-day Daniel Fast, which is a partial fast. Think vegan combined with a few more restrictions, such as no sugar and caffeine. (Daniel 10 and Daniel 21)

I have followed the Daniel Fast various times over the years. When Dave was sick, I would fast during his chemo treatments (three days). It worked well to calm my nerves and coincided when he wasn’t eating much. My hunger reminded me to run to Jesus and invite him into our chaos. It was a great help back then when I was running in so many directions, but I didn’t have the bandwidth to do much else.

Over the last couple of years, I held off from fasts because I didn’t feel ready to put in the effort. Not that I discount the importance, my heart just wasn’t where it needed to be. 

This time, the Daniel Fast feels different, joyful even. Perhaps that’s because I signed up for daily encouragement from Susan Gregory, who has authored several books on the subject. I appreciate her level of detail and the way she honors God. It also helps to know other people are fasting with me!

Free Fog Sunset photo and picture

Here are a few key points: First, Jesus talked about fasting as a normal part of a godly life. He did not say “if” but “when you fast.” (If you read the verse, know I am sharing this as an exhortation, not to get attention!) Second, fasting is not to gain God’s approval. He already loves you and wants what’s best for you! Sometimes, though, we get in our own way.

Third, fasting is not about the body or our food… what you eat or don’t eat, or how you look. We already pay enough attention to that! As Lisa Bevere says, “A diet changes the way you look. A fast changes the way you see.” You temporarily lay aside your desires and routine for a higher purpose. Thus, fasting is about saying ‘no’ to the ‘flesh’ and saying ‘yes’ to God. That looks different for each of us, of course. For me, it’s about tuning my spiritual ears to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

As Lydia grows, I want to make sure I am raising her how God wants. If I need to change something, I want to hear and follow through! I don’t want to drag my feet or miss something altogether. That’s just one example, but I am praying about God’s wisdom in several areas. I am excited to see what He does!

It’s ironic that our foggy weather coincides with our church’s fasting period. Fog is difficult to see through, but fasting opens our spiritual eyes. In both cases, we must slow down, pay attention, and rely on God to guide us. Thank You, Lord, for being our Light!

**********

God, thanks for the opportunity to draw near to You. Open my eyes and ears; help me perceive what You are doing and join you there. Bless me, in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you ever done a fast? (Again, this differs from fasting or dieting for weight loss or making yourself look or feel better.) What did you learn about God and yourself?

Task: If you are in need of answers or a breakthrough, consider a spiritual fast. There are many types. Remember, God doesn’t require perfection. He offers us His abundant grace!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Prayer

Finding Grace #353

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free photos of Winter

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was fairly calm! I found myself ‘unplugging’ from various things, just to take in the peace and joy of the season. I spent less time on social media, the internet, movies, etc. and more time praying, singing, reading, and working around the house.

Work went well, and I had a good amount of breathing room. There were a couple of cancellations and some no-shows, so I was able to get caught up with other patients and tasks. It felt good not to be constantly behind, and I was able to have some flexibility to help my coworkers with last-minute changes!

We had a couple birthdays to celebrate – my sister’s on Tuesday and my dad’s on Friday. We sent some gifts and were sure to call my sister and dad/mom on their special days One of my brothers also called me, so it was fun to catch up with him. I am so thankful for my family and don’t want to take them for granted. I realize not everyone is close with their families, so I appreciate that we are.

After my internet was fixed last week, the technician recommended I get a wifi-extender. After some lengthy research online, I still couldn’t quite tell what might work with my current setup. So, I bought what I thought was best! Well, it arrived today, and I followed all the directions before something glitched. It would not work no matter what I tried. So, I called my other brother and he helped me get it started. So far, so good!

This morning, we attended a baby shower and also saw some mutual friends! It was fun to celebrate the mother-to-be and see how we are all connected.

The weather was a little warmer this week, which made everything more enjoyable. I was able to run some errands and clean off my driveway. This is good because we are supposed to get more snow next week! LOL

**********

These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Empty and Filled

This life is full of contradictions and competing scenarios. We don’t think about them all too often, but lately, I have noticed more of them.

Here are a few to get us started: You can be invited somewhere yet feel both excited and nervous to go. It’s okay if you want to attend and stay home simultaneously. You can have low energy and feel wiped out due to a big event, yet feel fulfilled. We may feel one way when we are rested and another when we need to rest!

In the Bible, the Beatitudes also show some contradictions. Jesus turned things upside down! And, as Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” A win-win!

Sometimes, contradictions are a matter of perspective. What causes one person to feel “empty” may cause another to feel “full” and vice versa. We can be empty or full or anywhere in between.

Free photos of Cup

On Sunday night, Lydia told me she was “dreading” going to school. That was a strong statement, so I asked why and she said, “Because tomorrow is Monday.” After a little more digging, she was actually looking forward to seeing her friends. Whew!

A lot of it was just Lydia’s attitude, and she was sleepy… which tends to morph into other emotions. Before it went too far, I used it as a learning opportunity! I reminded her that there are about fifty-two Mondays in a year, so if she doesn’t get ahold of herself, she could face the same dilemma every week. And weeks become months, which become years.

I shared with her some ‘opposites’ I have been pondering lately about feeling empty or full. Some examples could include feeling hungry or satisfied; yearning for something or finally getting it; feeling tired or well-rested; disliking the weather, or being content with it. In each case, the point is that we can be grateful and invite Jesus to fill us and sustain us!

Lydia quickly understood what I meant and started to apply it. Her attitude improved almost immediately, and she soon drifted off to sleep. The next morning, she came into the bathroom to brush her teeth. “Mom, I woke up feeling a little empty, you know?”

I nodded and asked if Lydia was feeling better after eating breakfast. She agreed and said she had asked God to help her. I was so proud of her! She ended up having a good Monday after all, though I am sure we will continue to refine this point!

In this Advent season, I, too, have been feeling a little empty at times. I may be a little sad and missing Dave, but I am also thinking of friends who are suffering or missing loved ones. I am so grateful for the full hope we have in Jesus!

We need to be careful not to fill the void with anything else but Jesus. Though it is quite easy to… eat, watch a show, play on your phone, call a friend, etc. Only Jesus will do.

When I feel empty, I can ask Jesus to fill me. When I am full, I can praise God for His blessing. When I want or need something, I can ask the Lord to help; when I have no lack, I can praise Him for his provision.

When I am sick or in pain, He is my healer. When I am well, I can praise Him for making me whole. When I am weak, then I am strong. Jesus is my all in all.

**********

God, thanks for Your love, grace, and provision! Thanks for filling me when I am empty and letting me perceive Your grace when I am full. Keep reminding me You are near. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you ever noticed feeling empty or full? In those cases, what is your go-to response? Do you try to fill the space yourself, or do you turn to Jesus?

Tasks: Regardless of your circumstances or feelings, invite Jesus in. He is our hope and healer, so watch Him move on your behalf. Also, read Ephesians 1, and notice the very last line!