The Resting Place

He Directs Our Steps 

“A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?” Proverbs 20:24 (NIV)

As I read the above scripture this morning, I was reminded that God is sovereign; that He is intimately involved in the lives of His children; that His ways and thoughts are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8); and, most importantly, that we are not alone in our journey through life. 

It is a fact that, during various seasons of this life, we humans sometimes have questions about the “whys” of what we are facing or have faced. I’ll be the first to admit that I have, at times, struggled to understand God’s ways and His timing in some of the events of my life. But I’ve also seen how He can take a painful situation and turn it into a positive one in the blink of an eye.

Based on God’s Word, we believers in Jesus Christ have the responsibility to trust that God knows what He’s doing and what is best for us. That isn’t always easy, but trusting His wisdom will no doubt help us to cultivate a deeper trust in Him. Embracing His plan for our lives will help us face the uncertainty of these days in which we live. Trusting Jesus to usher us through this life certainly gives us the hope, faith, spiritual strength, and fearlessness that we need. Likewise, in a world filled with uncertainty and unpredictability, trusting Him to direct our steps provides comfort and peace. Even when we cannot clearly see the way forward, we can be confident that God is at work, orchestrating events for our good and His glory. 

We are never alone in this journey of life, for Jesus longs to be with us every step of the way. However, we must choose to take Him with us through every situation. If we do, He will see to it that all things will work together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, how we praise You for directing our steps through life. Sometimes, the road is difficult, but You are with us. Without You, we would be unable to stand. So today, our confidence is this: that through faith in Jesus Christ, we can face each day with hope and joy. Your Word is our firm foundation, and Jesus is the Rock on which we stand. For this, we will forever praise You! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. 

God’s Presence

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

In good times, we often say, “Yes, my God is everywhere!” But during crises, we tend to question God’s presence. Should circumstances influence our belief in God’s presence? To some, they do. After all, God’s timing doesn’t always align with our will. We often don’t understand His timing when it comes to the loss of a loved one, a myriad of health issues that affect both young and old, or any of the twists and turns that we face in life. However, we can rest assured that God is so much wiser than we are. Grounding ourselves in His Word and holding on to His promises will help us weather the uncertainty and hardships we face. We must also communicate with God because prayer is vital to our faith walk. Those two things will help strengthen our faith in Jesus by reminding us that God’s mercies are new every morning and that He is with us as He unfolds a good plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11).

While we can’t see ahead, we can commit to believing that God’s plans are always on time and that He is always with us. We can then find peace, knowing that He was the gentle breeze that dried our tears of grief, and that He is the source of the deep peace we feel in times of hardship. Without a doubt, we can always trust in His close involvement in our lives. He’s not only present in our day-to-day lives; he is everywhere. We can do without Him if we choose. As for me, I’m sticking as close to Him as I humanly can. How about you?

Prayer: Dear God, Your presence in our lives is such a gift. I am thankful beyond words that peace of mind is free to all who will believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Help us always to recognize Your presence in our lives as we focus on the many promises You have given us in the Bible. You are an awesome God and our perfect Father. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

What’s in Your Toolbox?

 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV) 

On Tuesday of this week, I had a medical procedure called an Upper Endoscopy. I’ve had this procedure before without any issues and expected this time to be no different.

After the procedure, my husband drove me home. I ate a small meal, then went to bed to rest and let the anesthesia wear off. A couple of hours later, I awoke with a deep cough, chills, and body aches. Still, I kept trying to go back to sleep. After a while, I felt hot and even sicker, so I checked my temperature. Sure enough, it was elevated. At that point, I told my husband that something was wrong and that I needed to go to the ER. I called my doctor’s office and was directed to the hospital of his choice. Although the emergency room was overflowing when we arrived, I was seen fairly soon and given the best medical care I’ve experienced to date. After many, many tests, scans, and labs, I was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. My WBC (white blood cell) count was more than double the normal level, so it was clear that I had an infection. A chest X-ray confirmed the aspiration pneumonia. Unknown to my gastro doctor, something had happened during my procedure: perhaps even a tiny particle of bacteria had traveled to my lungs. I was surprised when my doctor said the symptoms could appear within the first eight hours of an event, although he said my procedure went very smoothly and he detected nothing out of the ordinary. I was admitted to the hospital because the ER doctor said, “A woman of your maturity, well, we don’t want to take any chances!” It sometimes pays to be old, I guess! LOL! But I am thankful they kept me there. 

While in the hospital for almost three days, I received strong IV antibiotics every 8 hours around the clock. On Thursday, I was deemed fit to go home based on the downward trend in my WBC count. At home, I am continuing a regimen of rest, strong oral antibiotics to clear the pneumonia, and deep-breathing exercises. Next week, I will have several follow-up appointments. Although not quite back to 100%, I know I’ll get there soon. 

I’m not sure why this unexpected detour happened. But as I look at the situation through a spiritual lens, I believe there was a greater purpose than me simply being sick and in the hospital. Thankfully, while at the hospital, I wasn’t too sick to give at least 11 staff members a little Gideon Testament with Psalms and Proverbs, tell them that God loved them and I did too, and explain that it was my way of letting them know how much I appreciated their care. If time allowed, I shared a little about how Jesus has always been with me through each season of life. Most staff members were young enough to be my grandchildren, and I loved that! All were very respectful and receptive to the Word and to my attempts at meaningful conversation. 

One of my nurses and I hit it off well, especially on a spiritual level. This young man and his wife, both strong followers of Jesus, are expecting their first baby in a few days. We had two conversations, and each time he came in, he pulled up a chair and stayed awhile. During these conversations, we shared a few details of our faith journeys. It was the sweetest time. I gave him a signed and dated copy of the New Testament for his soon-to-be-born baby. He doesn’t know the baby’s gender, so I told him to write in the name when the baby is born. I asked my husband to bring a copy of my recently published devotional book, The Resting Place: Finding Hope, Peace, & Joy in All Circumstances, for this young man and his wife. They haven’t experienced seasons of hardship yet, but as time goes on, they will. I hope they will pick up the book someday and be encouraged by the devotions. Only God knows the underlying purpose for laying it on my heart to gift the book to them. He also knows when they might benefit from additional spiritual encouragement alongside their daily time in God’s Word. 

I had been praying for divine encounters, but I had no idea they would come through my hospital stay. I’m the least equipped to share Jesus well. When I do, it’s certainly not on my own strength. I used the tools in my spiritual toolbox — a copy of God’s Word, dependence on the Holy Spirit to give me words to say, my faith-walk experiences over a long lifetime, and my devotional book. The sense of God’s favor over me during that time strengthened my belief in the truth of Romans 8:28, as shown above. ALL THINGS! Even a hospital stay will work for the good of all who believe. 

I am sharing this personal story only to say that if you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have unique tools in your spiritual toolbox to share with others. We are ordinary people serving an extraordinary God. The only thing we need to do is be willing to step out of our comfort zone in faith and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. Through these divine encounters, God receives the glory, and we sense His presence and care more and more each time.

What useful tools do you have in your spiritual toolbox? If you look closely, I’m sure you will find just the right ones for each situation you encounter.

Prayer: Dear God, You are an awesome God! Today, I specifically pray for the eleven individuals with whom I shared Your Word and my heart for Jesus. I pray that You will touch each one in whatever way is needed and, if they don’t have a relationship with You, that they will come to know You in a real way. Thank You for all medical providers, especially nurses who work so hard caring for folks like me, and for the good work You have given them to do. May they have supernatural strength as You bless the work of their hands. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen 

The Prayer of a Child

Photo courtesy of Ben Smith, Unsplash.com

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'” Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

Recently, my granddaughter Heather hosted a baby shower for one of her dear friends. It was a wonderful gathering of young moms who came together to encourage their friend, shower her with sweet gifts, and show lots of love for the soon-to-arrive baby. 

During the baby shower, a moment was set aside for prayer for the honoree and her baby. The women gathered in a circle around the room, each taking a turn to pray. The heartfelt blessings that were spoken became even more special when five-year-old Augustine suddenly offered a prayer for the mom-to-be. Heather told me that Augustine’s beautifully anointed prayer was soft, sweet, and confident, much like what we would imagine an angel’s voice to be. I can imagine it because Augustine has done the same at my house. Once, she prayed for all family members by name, asking for protection. Then she prayed for “all the boys and girls who just sleep around in Your peace.” While the wording was unusual, I know Jesus understood the heart of this precious child. There is no doubt that one of Augustine’s special gifts from God is compassion for others and a deep love for Jesus. If she is praying such prayers at five years of age, I can only imagine how her prayer life will grow over the years. These thoughts bring heavenly music to this great-grandmother’s heart. 

When Heather told me about Augustine’s prayer, I said, “Can you imagine how Jesus was smiling when He heard her pray?” Heather replied, “Yes, and can you imagine how it thrills Him when we adults pray?” I doubt we often stop to think about that, but it is true. I do not believe our prayers of joy or sorrow will ever fall on deaf ears. There is a lifeline to Jesus through prayer twenty-four hours a day, and He wants to hear from us.

Today, I want my prayer life to resemble that of sweet Augustine. Despite the age gap between us, this precious girl has demonstrated the calmness and authenticity of prayer, illustrating how a heart that is full of love for Jesus can make prayers flow as peacefully as a calm sea.

The spiritual innocence and sincerity of a child serve as a valuable reminder to pray with our hearts overflowing with love and to steadfastly believe that God hears us and will answer according to His will for our lives. 

Prayer: Dear God, the prayer of a child no doubt holds great merit with You. Thank You for sweet Augustine, who stood beside adults without fear or intimidation and brought her prayer of blessing for someone straight to Your throne. I pray that You will help me and all who read this come to You with the faith and heart of a little child, trusting that You will keep us in perfect peace as our minds are stayed on You. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

True Light

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12:46 (NIV)

My sister, Peggy, telephoned this morning to tell me that their power had gone off for a second time this week. Apparently, a little thunderstorm rolled through East Texas, and perhaps a transformer blew due to a lightning strike. While she didn’t really know the reason, we both suspected it was somehow weather-related. Nevertheless, Peggy was prepared for the outage with a lantern and a flashlight. But like me, she said she didn’t care for sitting in the dark in lesser light, and is hoping to have power restored soon. 

Have you ever felt as though your life’s circumstances and challenges have left you sitting in the dark? I guess most of us have felt that heaviness because life can be hard at times. However, I was encouraged during my daily quiet time today, while reading and thinking on John, Chapter 13. As I came upon verse 46, shown above, I thought about how dark our world sometimes seems. There is so much bad news and trouble on every side. Families are being surrounded by sickness, loss, severed relationships, financial hardship, and a lot of anxiety about where this world is headed. Some have an Anchor to hold onto, while others don’t. Many feel things are out of control and are simply afraid of what tomorrow will bring. 

Things can be scary if we don’t know the One True Power Source. I’m so thankful that through His Word, God shows us how to walk in the light of Jesus, a place where we don’t need to be fearful or anxious. His is a light that will never flicker or go out and will shine through every storm we face in this life. He always stands ready to steady our path and illuminate our way forward, giving us His peace, love, and joy. There is no safer place to be, for He watches over His flock day and night. So, don’t forget to plug into this power source daily, not only to let His light shine to show you a clear path forward, but also for others to see and be led by Jesus, the Light of the world. 

Prayer: Dear God, there is no power source greater than Yours. We can hardly find words to express the peace You give, even in the midst of a scary world. Our faith tells us that no matter what it might look like, You are in control and eventually all things will be made right. I pray for those who don’t know the Ultimate Power Source, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Please convict and convince them that walking in Your way and Your light is what they have been missing all along. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Never Abandoned by God

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT)

“I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison made the above statement after many failed attempts before inventing the light bulb in 1879. Had he given up, we would still be reading by the light of an old-fashioned lantern. 

Edison and other inventors knew what it took to persevere. They believed in their work and didn’t dwell on the possibility of failure. They kept trying and ultimately succeeded, changing the world for the better.

Have you ever felt like a failure? Have you set your mind to accomplish something, only to find it didn’t turn out as you envisioned? Have you had your hopes and dreams shattered by someone else’s actions? 

Many of us have been wounded or felt like failures at some point in our lives. It happens to the best of us because Satan loves to whisper negative thoughts, trying to keep us from seeing our lives through a spiritual lens. He knows that if we turn to God and lay our failures, hopes, and dreams at the foot of the cross, God will make sweet lemonade from the lemons of our lives. If we allow it, He will help us use this transformation for His glory and our good. 

We might get knocked down, but as the Scripture above tells us, through faith in Jesus Christ, we are not destroyed. You see, failure isn’t final with the Father. It is an event; it doesn’t define us. Jesus will help us keep going when we fail. His help and love only lead us one step closer to victory. 

I am so thankful that God, His Word, and our faith in Christ will always help us rise above feelings of failure. We will never be perfect this side of Heaven, but we can take comfort in knowing that one day thoughts of failure will no longer be an issue. Until then, may God help us stay on the right side of His thinking. It is certainly a more enjoyable place to dwell.

Prayer: Dear God, You are the One who takes our failures, weaves them into our life’s story, and makes something beautiful from them. Thank You for teaching us in Your Word that failure is never final with the Father. Help us bring every thought, every challenge we face, and every anxious moment to You, for we know that only through our faith in Jesus Christ can we find peace in our hearts. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen

Good Friday

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:16-18 (NIV)

All week long, I’ve been distracted by pressing things, but today, I feel the gravity of what Jesus did for us on the cross. And I’m so thankful—as thankful as my human heart can be for such a sacrifice. We owed a debt we could not pay. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe. He did it for you and me. It was His gift of love to humanity, and it’s up to us whether or not to accept it.

For me, Good Friday is a day to reflect and rejoice because without the cross, there would be no resurrection. And without the resurrection, we would have no hope of eternal life. Jesus paid it all. It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!!✝️🙌🏻

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the cross. You saw the evil in our hearts, and there had to be a remedy. Salvation through Jesus Christ is Your greatest gift to humankind. Today, so many have not yet accepted this eternal gift. We pray that their hearts will be convicted and convinced through the power of the Holy Spirit to turn to the only lasting thing that matters. This we humbly pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Don’t Wait

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  Hebrews 4:16

Last night, our family lost a dear friend. It was sudden, and when Mary’s husband Ron called to tell us, I was shocked and saddened. The thing I can’t stop thinking about is that all week long, my sister, Peggy, and I had talked about calling Mary to thank her for the beautiful, handmade Valentine card we had both received in the mail a few days earlier. I literally carried the card around with me as a reminder to call. It seemed as though every time I thought about it, the timing didn’t seem right because of the time difference between my home in Texas and Mary and Ron’s home in Arizona. Now it is too late. I suppose I will always blame myself for not following through, because Mary was strongly on my mind those three days before she passed. 

As I tried to make sense of this today, I was reminded that God wants to stay beside us through every season and circumstance of our lives. Unlike the humans we encounter from time to time, He comes into our lives to stay, never leaving us. He is not one to abandon His children, and He will give us His peace and comfort through every situation we face. We can be thankful for that and take His Word to heart. 

Over my lifetime, God has blessed me with some very dear friends. Some have come into my life only for a season, others for a reason, and still others for a lifetime. I value and cherish each one, and I am thankful to have so many who have stayed by my side through thick and thin. Mary was that kind of friend to my sister and me. She was like another sister, and we loved her and Ron very much. 

Friends, if there are people in your life—family members, friends, or others who are special to you—I would strongly urge you to give them a call. Don’t let other distractions get in the way, as I did this week. We never know when we won’t have that opportunity again.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, the One true friend who sticks closer than a brother and who will never leave us. I thank You for the memory of our dear friend Mary and ask that You give Ron Your perfect peace and comfort, as only You can. Please help each of us not to put off the things You lay on our hearts. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

He Misses Nothing

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22–24

Here we are in January 2026! Some folks have made New Year’s Resolutions, but I haven’t done that for a while now. At my age, I’m just thankful for each new day and try to do my best to stay active and engaged with my family and friends.

Already this year, I have many for whom I’m praying. If you look, you’ll see that there are hurting people all around. Some are suffering from serious health issues, while others are experiencing relationship problems. Many grieve the loss of loved ones and friends. That doesn’t sound like any way to begin a new year, does it? It doesn’t sound very hopeful, either. Unfortunately, that’s life in this broken and sinful world in which we are living. But listen, I’ve not come here to depress you; instead, to encourage each of you in whatever way is needed. Please hear me when I say that God is in charge of your problems if you will allow Him to be. He wants you to call on Him and ask Him to strengthen and help you keep moving forward. He promises to see you through, and He is faithful to His Word. That’s where prayer comes in. When we can’t fix the things that have broken us, we can go to the Father. He is there, He listens, and He will bring you peace in the midst of your situation.

Isn’t it great to know that not one of our prayers has ever slipped by our Heavenly Father? That truth, based on His Word, encourages me, knowing that I’m never alone in my struggles. Yes, we all have them, but we have the hope of Jesus Christ with us each moment. He is with us, and He is for us. What Good News that is today!

Prayer: Dear Father, sometimes the cares of life weigh us down. But when we continue to focus on You, we are eternally grateful for the love, mercy, grace, and peace that only You can bring. Please help those for whom we are praying and those who don’t openly share their pain. We want to be good representatives of Jesus, so strengthen us, I pray. Amen.

Happy New Year!

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

As I look back over 2025, I am very thankful for the love of family and dear friends who have made my life richer. Of course, like everyone else, our family has had highs and lows in 2025, but never once did we lack the loving hand of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Never once did we lack the love and prayer support that we needed. In every situation, the Lord has been our sustainer, and He has led us safely through every step we have taken. We have much to be thankful for, health-wise, as Ray has completely recovered from his open-heart quadruple bypass surgery last June 4th. What a blessing his recovery is for me, our family, and our many friends.

In just a few short hours, we will step into the year 2026. Our memories of 2025 will still be there, but we will have the opportunity to make new ones. The reality for all of us is that with each new year, time on earth grows shorter. I don’t know what the coming days, weeks, and months will bring, but I do know who will be beside us each moment. With our faith and trust centered on where God is leading us, we cannot lose.

My prayer for 2026 is that we will listen more intently for that “still small voice” and continually ask God to lead and use us for His good purposes. I pray that He will help us to see people as He sees them and to love them as He does. May each of us strive to be the kind of person who makes everybody feel like somebody. Through Christ, we will accomplish much, not for our glory, but for His and His alone.

Happy New Year, everyone! Praying that you have a blessed year!🎉🎉🎉

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, by Your mighty hand, we have made it safely through another year. We are thankful for the ways You’ve loved and cared for us. As we enter a new year, we pray that 2026 will be a year dedicated to the cause of Christ. Help us to continue growing in our faith so that we might share His love and light with those we encounter daily. We pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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