Category: Worship

Posted on in Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Worship

Hymns Bring Hope

On Sunday afternoon, Lydia and I had the opportunity to attend a special event. We were invited to a concert highlighting old hymns and the stories behind them.

This was likely Lydia’s first real worship experience that included only hymns. So, I didn’t have much expectation beyond introducing her to the music. Thankfully, she recognized a few tunes, like “Amazing Grace.”

I also pointed out two of the songs we sang at my late-husband Dave’s funeral: “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” and “It is Well with My Soul.”

Hymns are unique when compared to modern worship songs because even when illiterate people couldn’t read about God’s love, they could still learn about Him through hymns. Many of the hymns were written out of such heart-wrenching circumstances. The messages about God are timeless because we all go through difficult trials.

During the service on Sunday, the audience was asked to raise their hands if they could relate to the lyrics—if they or someone they know are going through hard times.

Most of us raised our hands… because who doesn’t have problems?!

Lydia was a little restless, and she whispered to me, “Mom, should I raise my hand, too?”

Somewhat surprised, I quietly asked, “Well, you could if you want, but why do you think you should raise your hand?”

Lydia whispered back, “Because of my dad.”

In that moment, I felt a twinge of sadness and awe. It was bittersweet for me…but I was interested in the reason for Lydia’s question. On the one hand, the fact that she even had to ask almost did me in!

But I was also filled with immense gratitude that Lydia doesn’t fathom the depth of pain many of us faced when Dave died. God has protected her from the brunt of it all.

Of course, Lydia is also fairly new to the idea of hymns. Still, I was amazed she connected with what was going on. That’s God’s power working in her heart through the music!

God has done such a good job of bringing us through with Victory. It hasn’t been easy, but He has been faithful. He has never let us down. So, when I sing songs like, “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” I can’t help but praise Him!

Our collective spiritual heritage is invaluable! Old hymns like “How Great Thou Art” highlight God’s Majesty. These songs help put our problems in perspective and remind of us the hope we have in Jesus.

People all over the world identify with the classic hymns. They have been around for hundreds of years and still bring God’s comfort to us!

With “Blessed Assurance,” we can trust Jesus. He is a kind friend, a gracious savior, and an ever-present help in time of need. Indeed, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” and we have “Victory in Jesus!” Praise the Lord!

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Heavenly Father, I exalt You! Your faithfulness reaches to the skies! Thank You for all You have done for me. You are so good! Be honored, In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What are your favorite hymns?

Tasks: Click on some of the hymns above read the lyrics and/or listen to them. (There are a variety of music styles represented.) Take note of what God puts on your heart.

Posted on in Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Thankful for Answered Prayers

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been watching the international news—not for all the usual drama—but in regards to the Thai soccer team that was trapped in a cave two miles underground.

Like many people, I prayed for God to hold back the rain, for wisdom on how to save the boys, and for the rescue efforts to succeed. Yesterday, I saw an article which quoted the Thai Navy Seals site, “We are not sure if this is a miracle, or science, or what” that saved the boys.

My first thought after reading that quote was, why not both? God certainly answered my prayers and those of people all around the world…and science was one factor (not to mention the cooperation and bravery of each person on the rescue mission).

I’m not sure I want to go spelunking anytime soon… the total darkness alone would be horrifying. Having no sense of time would be disorienting. Also, the separation from loved ones, decreasing oxygen, and lack of food would be awful to endure

I’m glad a doctor and some Thai Navy Seals stayed in the cave for eight days with the team tending to them and preparing them for the journey out. What a picture of God’s love!

Jesus stays with us, teaches us, tends to our needs, provides for us, and leads us out of the darkness into His glorious light. What a Savior and Friend!

Yesterday, while I was praising God for answering our collective prayers and for rescuing the team and coach, I heard something on the radio that jived with what I was thinking.

Basically, the host mentioned how God works through prayer—and so (in some ways) we are a product of other people praying for us. How cool! The host went on to remind the listeners that each of us is called to pray for others, even if we never meet them in person.

I really enjoy learning about different cultures, which includes different religions. Of note, some of the Thai people involved may know Jesus personally, but many more likely do not. Still, Jesus died to save the Thai people just as much as He died for me.

I’m thankful God’s love extends to each of us , even when we is unaware of Him. He is mighty to save and draws us close with His never-ending grace!

A new friend came to my house to visit this week. We just happened to talk about intercessory prayer. She said that if she has a specific need, she starts praying for others with that same need. As she sees God working in other people’s lives, she notices more blessings and answered prayer in her life, too.

I’m so thankful that we can access God directly through prayer in Jesus’ Name. When we pray using the words of Scripture, we agree with God and pray according to His will.

Our prayers are always heard—even if they are answered differently than we’d like.

Whether through prayer, or science, or BOTH, God graciously saved that soccer team. But the Victory is extra special because people all over the world were united in heart and mind as they prayed. Praise God!

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God, thanks for saving the Thai soccer team and coach. Please bless them and bring them to full recovery. Thank You for rescuing us and leading us to Victory, too! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Did you follow this international news story? What answers to prayer have you seen lately?

Tasks: As you bring your own personal requests to the Lord, start praying for others with the same need. That’s a good place to start! 🙂

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Personality, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Free Indeed

Happy Independence Day!! I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating our country, our freedom, and all our blessings. I appreciate all the brave military men, women, and their families who have served and protected us. Thank you for your many sacrifices.

About a month ago, my next-door neighbors went to see Mt. Rushmore. Their kids came over to play one day and I asked how the trip was. Their son is a little younger than Lydia. He told me, “I liked George Washington because he fought ALL the bad guys!”

I love his enthusiasm! May we all celebrate like that today!

On Sunday, one of our pastors reminded us that worshipping God is our greatest freedom. When we worship, we are on the ‘cutting edge’ of what God is doing in America. There is so much power in our praises. But while religious freedom is part of our country’s foundation, how easily we take it for granted!

Worship brings us closer to God—and in His presence, we are set free from all that weighs us down. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. He gives us peace!

Case in point: Fear is subtle and I didn’t realize until Monday afternoon that I was worrying about some upcoming plans and decisions. While I have learned to deal with fear much quicker than in the past, this still caught be by surprise.

One reason I have been anxious is that I don’t have all the details yet and I don’t want to make a mistake. (Of course, that is just life. We all deal with that.) But on occasion, my old perfectionistic tendencies still try to trip me up and I get stuck!

Then, on Monday evening, I went to church for a special worship session. Singing helped me refocus on the Lord and turn my burdens over to Him. There was a brief sermon, and afterward, I humbly asked for prayer.

During the sermon on Monday night, the pastor gave some cool facts about the universe. In summary, our sun is a fairly small star compared to others that are farther away. Of course, Earth is even smaller than the sun… and so, we humans are just a small dot in the universe. It was a great reminder of how big God is.

Even more, I gained perspective on the size of my problems versus God’s love for me.  God is much more capable than me and has greater plans! Jesus gives me His strength to do difficult things. So, I don’t have to be afraid or try to figure out everything on my own!

As I worshiped God on Monday, my fear subsided. I felt His presence and decided to trust Him more. I still don’t know exactly how everything will work out, but I have peace.

I know God will help me: He is for me and with me.  

My Victory is in Jesus! I am free indeed.

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Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing America. On this Independence Day, may we remember that we are dependent on You. May we never forget the price YOU paid for our freedom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Question: Do you have special holiday plans today?

Task: Listen to ‘Who You Say I Am’ by Hillsong Worship.

Posted on in Fruit, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Wisdom, Words, Worship

Philippians 4 from a Child’s Point of View

On Sunday, Lydia and I unexpectedly slept in! It felt great, but since it was rather late, we didn’t make it to church. I don’t like to miss the weekly opportunity for worship and fellowship… So, Lydia and I made time for God by having our own devotion time together. It was time well spent!

In the Bible app on my phone, the verse of the day was Philippians 4:6. On a whim, I decided to read the surrounding verses and share our ideas.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Line by line, I asked Lydia for her thoughts on the text. We answered basic questions, like “What did you learn about God?” and “What did you learn about yourself?” and “Why do you think it says…?” Here are our combined thoughts on Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)…

Verse 4: First, Lydia picked up on the word rejoice. She thought it meant to praise God. I explained how we can have joy regardless of what is going on in our lives. For me, choosing joy takes consistent effort. For Lydia, the concept seemed relatively easy—at her age, she takes things at face value and lives primarily in the moment. Duly noted!

Verse 5: For the next verse, we discussed how our gentleness to others could make God’s love for them more obvious (evident). I explained how some people might feel God is mad at them (perhaps because they don’t know Jesus wants to forgive them). So, loving people well could help them want to know God. Lydia also said we should be kind because God is with us. We represent Him!

Verse 6: Per Lydia, “don’t worry or be mad.” (That’s it, pretty simple!) In other words, be thankful for what God has done for you and trust Him to answer your prayers. Don’t be afraid to ask God for what you want or need. He already knows what you are thinking!

Verse 7: God’s peace is special. We may not quite understand it, but per Lydia, “it’s like God locks up our hearts. Then, Jesus stands guard” so nothing can take our peace. I had never thought of it like that…

As I explained some of the text to Lydia, I was forced to adjust to her level of understanding. She didn’t know the historical context of persecution surrounding Paul’s letter written from jail… yet, going back to the basics actually brought new life to the text for me, too!

Normally, I enjoy researching Biblical topics and looking up details about each verse. But sometimes I can make it more complicated than necessary. On Sunday, my devotional time with Lydia was refreshing. While we didn’t use any fancy Bible study tools, we both learned something new and sensed God’s love for us!

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Heavenly Father, Your Word is alive and active! Thanks for the new perspective on child-like faith. May Your Word flourish in our hearts! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What is your favorite way to read and study the Bible?

Tasks: Read a few verses of the Bible with a child or a new believer in Christ. Let them explain the text before you chime in. (Or, check out The Jesus Storybook Bible!) Maybe you will learn something new, too!

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom, Worship

Book Review: When God Doesn’t Fix It

Recently, I finished another book that I’d highly recommend to anyone dealing with grief or trying to understand how life has turned out so differently than planned…

The book is called, When God Doesn’t Fix It, by Laura Story. Like the other memoir I reviewed, this book also was published two years ago, but I wasn’t ready for it then. I’m so grateful for God’s healing grace—and for how far He has brought me!

The author is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and worship leader. But twelve years ago, her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent a ‘successful’ surgery. However, he now has several deficits including short-term memory problems and loss of peripheral vision. Parts of the story are very funny and other parts are very poignant.

The book has many parallels to my own story, yet both are still unique. Of course, I can relate to the ups and downs of dealing with health issues. When he was sick with cancer, my late-husband, Dave required more care as time went on, but didn’t improve. Life never returned to the way it was.

Ms. Story dispels several myths we believe about God and shows the Truth using Scripture. The Lord always keeps His promises (See 2 Corinthians 1:20)! But often, we place expectations on Him that He never agreed to do for us. Then, we tend to feel betrayed and blame God when He doesn’t come through like we think He should.

Take, for example, the subject of healing. Indeed, Jesus certainly did heal many people. However, as great as that was, physical healing was not His main goal. We see in Luke 19:10 that Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost.” Thus, He had a greater purpose in mind than just physical healing…

(The book gives more details and more examples, but I can trust the Lord for greater things in my life too!)

I appreciated that Ms. Story wrote honestly about her faith journey, one that has more questions than answers. She and her family have repeatedly prayed for healing but have had to learn to move forward without the resolution they desire. Her husband’s condition has not improved, but they have chosen to grow through the experience.

Ms. Story didn’t pretend to understand the “why factor.” Instead of demanding God to fix her family’s problems, they are embracing the present journey. They are choosing to praise Jesus and live for Him, becoming better, not bitter.

This book reminds me that we don’t have to have all the answers to walk by faith.

God is SO good!!

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Father God, thanks for all You do for me. Thanks for graciously guiding me and providing for me. Help me to praise You even when I don’t understand my circumstances. Help me to walk in faith! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are your God-sized questions that seem to have no answers? How can you trust Jesus and move forward?

Tasks: Listen to the song, “Blessings,” by Laura Story. If you read her book, When God Doesn’t Fix It, let me know what you think!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Miscellaneous, Worship

Taste and See: Carrots vs. Cheetos

This week, I worked with a dietetic intern to lead a diabetes support group that meets once a month. The topic was ‘how to eat healthy on a budget.’ As nutrition experts, we often hear that eating healthy is so expensive. I can understand that perspective, but often, there is more to the story.

As the intern and I reviewed our options for the class, I saw a handout I had made a few years ago when I had compared prices of foods in a local grocery store.

In almost every case, the fresh fruits or vegetables in-season were cheaper than junk food.

One comparison still makes me laugh. At the time, a (2.87 oz) small bag of Cheetos cost $1.49 while a (16 oz) small bag of baby carrots was on sale for 99 cents. Woohoo!

While I’m not ‘anti-Cheetos’ and do eat them on occasion, the similarities and differences between these two items are striking. Both Cheetos and baby carrots are around the same size. They are both orange and crunchy. But, they have vastly different nutritional properties and effects on the body.

The bright, shiny Cheetos bag certainly seems more glamorous than the simple baby carrots. On the surface, it is easy to see why the Cheetos are so enticing. They ‘promise’ a lot more fun! However, looks can be deceiving.

With Cheetos, you get a cheap thrill—and not much more. The fake neon powder eventually comes off after you lick your fingers (er, wash your hands)! The long-term cost is more than just financial. In excess, these bright orange puffs will take a toll on your health!

(PC: Frito Lay)

Carrots, on the other hand, bring far more to the table—even if you don’t find them on sale. Their nutritional value is worth any extra cost. They have real nutrients such as beta-carotene and other phytochemicals that protect the body.

It’s physically difficult (or impossible?) to overeat carrots. At any rate, they are low calorie, low fat, low carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan… Regardless of your nutritional needs, carrots are usually a win!

It may seem like a sacrifice to eat wholesome foods. It can be difficult to see an immediate payoff, but the long-term benefits of health and disease prevention outweigh any short-term expense.

While Cheetos are mainly eaten out of the bag, carrots are versatile! To start, they can be eaten plain or with dip and cut in a variety of shapes. Overall, carrots can be found fresh, frozen, or canned and contain similar nutritional values.

Also, carrots can be added to muffins, casseroles, stir-fries, soups, smoothies, or salads. I enjoy them raw, roasted, mashed, steamed, and spiralized, too!

Spiritually, I see a few parallels to our daily life and relationship with God. And while our financial stewardship (aka. keeping a budget) is important to God, the currency of TIME is one we often overlook.

We can spend all of our time doing activities that seem good at the moment but don’t have lasting value. These may include watching television, reviewing social media, staying up late, etc. It may even include reading, cleaning the house, or paying bills.

Some of these things are not only good but necessary. Yet, they, too, have a place. If we neglect to spend time with the Lord, we will soon see the toll it takes.

If we don’t spend quality time with God, we can quickly lose our peace and joy. We may lose our sense of the Father’s love as well. And when that happens, the effect is compounded. If we don’t receive grace and love for ourselves, we surely won’t offer it to others!

With Jesus, we can look forward to good things every day. Even in the midst of trials, we know the best is yet to come. We may not perceive His many blessings, but they are always there. We just have to look for them!

The Lord is not limited to any budget, and He is not bound by time or space. The options are endless because nothing is impossible with Him! Hallelujah!

Following Jesus always costs us something. That will look differently for each of us, but may include offering up our money, our time, or even our attitude! All have immense value when brought with a sincere heart.

Still, each ‘offering’ is well spent and yields eternal rewards! Like choosing carrots over Cheetos, spending time with Jesus is always worth the sacrifice of our time.

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Heavenly Father, thanks for giving us the blessings of health and delicious food. You are so good to us. May we honor You with our choices and our resources. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are your favorite fruits and vegetables? Do you eat the recommended 5+ servings/day?

Tasks: Listen to this song by Paul Baloche. Also, for some healthy cooking tips, check out one of my favorite websites: Fruits and Veggies More Matters

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Worship

MercyMe at the Movies

Over the years, I have grown more comfortable going to see movies on my own. The crazy thing is… it always seems God that meets me at the theater! I’m not joking! Each time I go by myself something interesting happens…

Yesterday, I went to see a matinee showing of “I Can Only Imagine.” I went to a matinee during school hours. As soon as I walked in the door to buy my ticket, my friend, Gwen, ran over to greet me.

I didn’t see Gwen standing there so it was a funny surprise. She was waiting for a friend who I found out was my former neighbor. Lori recognized me from when she and her family still lived on our block. Now, she and her family live out of town near Gwen; their kids go to school together.

We briefly caught up and decided to sit together during the movie. Seeing these ladies was a cool and unexpected blessing. I had considered going to an earlier showing yesterday but decided to run errands instead. I’m so grateful God directs our steps!

The movie told the story behind the hit song of the same name. The movie, in my opinion, was not overly religious…but it was very real. It did not hide the character’s pain or gloss over ugly details. I loved seeing how a relationship with Jesus changes everything.

The main character, Bart Millard, grew up in an abusive household. But when he was in high school, his father started seeking the Lord. It was challenging for Bart to forgive his father, but he did. Praise God, his dad was transformed into a new man! He and Bart improved their relationship before it was too late.

For me, the story, told in the song and movie, highlights what Easter is all about—REDEMPTION. Jesus Christ loved us so much that came to earth and He gave His life on the cross for us. His blood paid the price of our sin and took away the punishment we ourselves deserve: Death. We could never accomplish that on our own.

The movie was a great reminder that Jesus never gives up on us! No one is beyond His salvation. He wants everyone to come to Him… What grace!

But, God didn’t stop there. On Resurrection Sunday, Jesus rose to life again through the power of the Holy Spirit. The best part is that when we accept what Jesus did for us, we are forgiven AND we also receive a new life. We are transformed from the inside out.

Knowing Jesus gives us hope for our future in Heaven—but He also gives us new purpose today. Not only do we have redemption but Jesus also brings RESTORATION.

Jesus renews us and makes us whole. We have new opportunities and can make good choices that honor Him. Because of Jesus, we also can live with joy and fulfillment even in the midst of painful circumstances. Trust me… I know!

We don’t need all the answers to walk by faith. Some situations may years to resolve, but we know that someday, Jesus will make everything right. He is faithful and just!

How awesome that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in us, too!  Not only are we forgiven and have peace with God, but the Holy Spirit’s power is our strength when we ourselves are weak. He enables us to do far more than we can think or imagine according to His power working in us (see Ephesians 3:20)!

Though we should all encourage each other and work together to glorify Jesus, God has made each of us for a unique role. Therefore, how He works in each of our lives may also look different. We don’t need to compare ourselves! 

For me, having God’s power alive and active inside of me means I can choose to walk by faith instead of fear. I have Victory over fear. I am FREE and don’t have to be afraid!

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Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the cross for me! Thanks for giving me new life and freedom. Help me live boldly and walk by faith. Renew me and transform me from the inside out. In Your Name, Amen.

Questions: Have you received God’s free gift of salvation? From what has Jesus redeemed you?

Tasks: Listen to the song, “I Can Only Imagine,” by MercyMe. Read this article about the song and movie! And, go see the movie! 🙂

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel, Wisdom, Worship

Trusting God in Transition

Happy Spring!! I hope you are enjoying sunshine and warmth!!

Here in Fargo…it still looks like winter. In fact, we just got another dusting of snow again this week. However, the snow won’t last long. Change is on its way!

I’m thankful that I chose last week to travel to my hometown in Illinois rather than this week. Because the Lord directed our path and timing, we didn’t have to travel on wet or icy roads. Thank You, Jesus!

Soon, my mom and dad won’t have to deal with snow in Florida!

As my parents finish packing and head south, I have been thinking about life in our small community. Local friends are rallying around my mom and dad to show support, share a meal, and send them off.

Clearly, I’m not the only one grateful for their influence and impact. They have quite a legacy of servant leadership, faithfulness, kindness, and generosity!

I’ve also been recalling all of our memories in the home they built. Since I have been in Fargo for several years, distance has created ’emotional space’ regarding the actual house.

But still, it does seem odd not to be able to call it HOME for much longer… 

Nonetheless, I’m proud of my parents for making the transition. They have been talking about it for a long time. And, I’ve also happily acquired some treasured items from their 43 years of marriage (so far). Bonus!

Moving can be difficult as familiarity is left behind….but I know from personal experience how rewarding it can be to jump into the unknown.

Besides, it’s normal to have new challenges now and then. They remind us this world is not our home… Let’s keep moving forward. God has so much more in store!

God promises to be faithful to those who love and follow Him… Jesus is not bound by zipcodes, timezones, weather, the postal service, or any airline. I know He will take care of my parents just as well in Florida! It is a new adventure!

Transitions can be both scary and exciting. The best part is that times of transition can draw us closer to Jesus. But it’s our choice whether to draw near…

We all have times in our lives where our faith is challenged and doubts creep in. But, if we keep our eyes focused on Jesus, we will remain steady. He is our Rock and our sure foundation. Our hope is in Him.

With Jesus, nothing of value is really lost. Most of us prefer safety and comfort over uncertainty, but everything that truly matters is secure in Christ. We find true peace and rest in Jesus. He will never let us down!

So… I take comfort in those wonderful memories of growing up in the country. I appreciate all the time we spent outdoors and as a family. But, I also look forward to creating new memories… at the beach!

God is good and His plans for us are also good!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for Your love and grace. Thanks for protecting and providing so well for us. In times of transition, help us to rest and trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you in a time of transition? How can you trust Jesus to help you thrive?

Tasks: Ultimately, this world is not our home… Listen to the song, ‘Home‘ by Chris Tomlin.

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Worship

I Belong to God

Last Friday night, I, along with three other ladies, spoke at a women’s event at our church. We each briefly shared our stories as it related to the theme: I Belong to God.

Ironically, each of us interpreted the theme differently, but each story provided a unique angle and gave a deeper, more well-rounded view of the theme. How cool!

One lady shared about how she doesn’t always feel like she belongs. She often feels outside the social circle, but with Jesus, she never has to feel that way.

Another lady shared about how belonging to Christ gives her identity. She shared how she has grown over the years as she understood who she is in Christ.

I shared a quick version of my story, and the fourth lady’s story was about saying yes to God’s call. We also sang worship songs in between testimonies.

For my story, I shared I had grown up in a Christian home and met Jesus at a young age. While I had the head knowledge that Jesus loved me, in my heart, I was afraid.

Looking back, it was difficult for me to put a finger on the root of my fear—and because I couldn’t figure out exactly what the problem was, I never really dealt with it. I just let it become a stronghold over the years. In some ways, fear became my comfort zone.

Then, I shared about moving to Fargo and about our cancer journey. What an emotional roller coaster! It wasn’t easy—our faith was stretched thin at times—but we chose to trust Jesus. And, He really did come through for us in so many ways.

When everything in my life fell apart, God was there to catch me and pick up the pieces. I saw that He is bigger than all my worst fears and was the only sure thing that remained after Dave died. He has taken such good care of me and my daughter, Lydia.

Recently, I came across a quote by Emily Freeman: She says, “When you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart.” I love that because we all find ourselves in unexpected situations and seasons that we didn’t plan.

If you are facing a choice between FEAR and FAITH, choose faith.

When you belong to God, you can cling to Him in the midst of uncertainty. You can trust in His provision. And, you can rest in His grace. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. He’s got you covered!

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Heavenly Father, You are so good! Thanks for setting me free from fear. Help me walk in Your grace and live for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is your story and does it include Jesus? Have you ever written it down or shared it with someone?

Tasks: Write down the evidence of God’s grace in your life—share them someone who needs encouragement. Listen to the song, “It Is Well” by Kristene DiMarco and Bethel Music.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Worship

Finding Grace #105

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

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!

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

This week I really relied on my neighbors! On Sunday, Lydia across the street while I had a meeting at church. I could have taken Lydia with me, perhaps, but she was much more excited to go play with her friends. I was grateful.

Then, Monday turned out to be a snow day and school was canceled! I was glad but had planned to stay home that day anyway. Lydia and I relaxed at home, other than a phone meeting with my writing coach. With the blizzardy weather, I was going to wait until later in the day to clear snow. While I was on the phone, my neighbors came and cleared my driveway and sidewalks. It was totally unexpected and such a blessing.

Tuesday and Wednesday were normal work days. On Tuesday, another friend stopped by to see if I needed help with the snow. It was already done, but we had a good conversation instead. In the evenings, we also finished up cheerleading and JBQ seasons. It will be nice to have our evenings a little freer.

On Friday, Lydia was off for a planned teacher day. She kept busy reading and playing, while I prepared for a talk that night at church. I was sharing my story with some other ladies for a women’s worship night. It was a fun event, and Lydia once again went across the street to visit the neighbors!

The weather has been slowly getting warmer. It is supposed to be in the 30s this next week, and I am sure the snow will be melting even more. Spring is almost here!

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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)!