The Resting Place

More Than Enough

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” Psalm 90:1-2 ESV

As I read the above verse of scripture, I am encouraged when I think back over what has now been many years of my life. I remember and am thankful that God has helped and protected me through His mercy and goodness. He has provided more than enough for my needs during times of struggle, hardships, and times when I didn’t know which way to turn. He has been there to guide me toward what is best for me even when I didn’t always give Him my best. It has been through those super hard times of grief and sorrow that He has comforted me as no one else could ever do. I can never thank Him enough for loving me that much!

I have found that regardless of where we are in life—in times of difficulty or the calmer seasons, God will meet us right where we are. As we remember all He has done for us in the past, we are encouraged and strengthened with renewed hope for the future.

Today will be a brighter day as we keep our hearts and minds on the main thing—following the way that leads to peace and comfort no matter what comes our way. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is as close as the mention of His name.

Prayer: Father we thank you for being more than enough. To know that You are with us when we face challenges in life brings peace and hope for better days ahead. It is during those hard seasons that we can face our struggles knowing that we are never alone. Help us to always honor you in all we do. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Dark Times Never Last

“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

“Most of the time, God doesn’t reveal what’s next—and we can’t begin to anticipate what the future holds. But most of us never learn to walk by faith until we walk in the dark. So, if it’s dark, keep walking and trusting. Every step you walk with Jesus will lead you to where He has planned for you to be.” Jennifer Rothschild

I have found the above to be true. Dark times have taught me a lot about trusting and leaning on the only One (Jesus) who has and will always carry me through. It’s all about trusting Him first, and then embracing whatever His plan for my life involves—then walking in faith toward it. As I apply Jeremiah 29:11 to my life, there is peace in knowing that my life is in His hands.

God is so good and I’m thankful that He is always with us. While others may fail us, He never will. His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness!

Prayer: Thank You, Heavenly Father for always being there for us. There is no one like You and we humbly recognize Your power and majesty. You turn our dark moments into days of sunshine through Jesus who died for our sins. Please help us to look to You when we doubt, grieve, or feel discouraged. May we remember Your many promises to love and care for us, to direct us, and to strengthen us. We love You and can never thank You enough for the many blessings brought to us through Your grace and kindness. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Through It All

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:2-3

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

What a powerful thought as I am reminded that amidst trials and hardships, Jesus has always been my source of strength. It is through these times that I have learned to depend upon His Word and more fully rely on Him as my help.

God does not always bring us around storms, but walks with us through those times so that we might learn to trust Him more fully. As the words to the song “Through It All” say, “If we never had a problem, then we would not know that God could solve them, nor would we know what faith in Him could do.”

I continue lean on and trust Jesus as He directs me in ways that I could never have imagined. He is my total source of strength. I pray that He is the source of your strength today as well.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for staying beside us through the tough times. Help those who may be going through such a time to fully rely on You for their strength. May they place their trust in Christ alone. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Forever Ours

“You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.” Psalm 59:17

How uplifting and encouraging it is to see those who have been tested in the crucible of crisis going forward in faith. I can think of many who have served, or currently serve as role models for me in this area of my faith walk. Their experiences serve to teach that God will ALWAYS provide the strength and encouragement needed when facing life’s battles or during times of uncertainty.

Today, there is a calm assurance that God will never abandon His people. He will forever be our Hope, our stronghold, our refuge, and our strength. He will give us the desire to continue living out our lives for Him. We don’t deserve such love, but this is the nature of who He is because He loves us more than we could ever imagine. Through His Word, we are able to consistently draw from the well containing His never-ending supply of living water.

Enjoy this day you’ve been given. Pray for those around you who are currently facing their own personal crisis. Ask the Lord to make you a channel of blessing to someone today. My prayer is that out of your life, Jesus will shine.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for this beautiful day, created by You, for our pleasure and Your good purposes. Help us to make a difference in someone’s life as we go through the traffic lanes of our life today. Give us an abundance of Your love, joy, peace, compassion, and kindness—enough to share with others. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Keep Your Focus On God

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

“God’s peace will be with us through every circumstance. Our struggles in life will change, but our focus should not. God is the author of our story and He is not yet finished writing it. That IS the Good News of the day.” Carolyn Canizales, November, 2010

The paragraph above is a little excerpt from something I wrote 13 years ago. I LOVE that the things of God NEVER change. Our circumstances come and go, but He remains the Great I Am!

When I wrote those thoughts, I had no idea how my circumstances would change some five years later. I did not know that my only biological child, my daughter, Shelly, would be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, fight a valiant battle for 17 1/2 months, only to succumb to its ravages. I did not know the depth of grief I would experience and sometimes still do.

I also did not know the healing and blessings that would come to me during and after this traumatic season of my life. God has been so good to restore joy in my heart. As I interact with the little ones in our family who have been born since that dark period in my life, I see that God continues to write a beautiful story for me. He has also lavished His love upon me by giving wonderful family members and friends who have stood by me through thick and thin. I will forever cherish each one.

Yes, there are circumstances I’d rather have skipped, but truthfully, the hard times have served to bring me closer to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Realizing I cannot make it on my own, I lean into His strength and guidance all the more. That’s exactly where He wants me to be, and I’m so thankful for that.

Friends, whatever you are feeling today, don’t let your circumstances pull you away from a strong dependence on God. The closer you get to Him, the more you will realize that He has been there all along. And…..that He will never leave you!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, how we love You! You are the perfect One to save, love, and guide us. We aren’t meant to know what’s ahead. If we did, we could not bear it. But in Your love and power, You beckon us to trust You daily for things seen and unseen. In our dependency on You, we will have the strength to be aware of the needs and cares of others. Help us to love and serve You as those who have been through pain and difficulties, but have come out shining even more brightly for Jesus. I pray this in His mighty name. Amen.

Making a List

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

“Jehovah Shalom – The LORD is Peace. Where is God in our plight or pain? We must remember that He is with us every step of the way and will bring peace, not fear, to our hearts.” 11-28-13

I wrote the above paragraph nine years ago. As I once again read the message it holds, I began to focus on the peace of God that I have experienced in the midst of challenging times.

As a spiritual exercise, I listed all of the hard things within these last nine years—loss of loved ones, health related issues of self and spouse, adjusting to a new normal in my daily life, needing supernatural strength, having to make some hard choices that personally I didn’t want to make, some things too personal to post, and many other events that have changed my life in ways I would never have dreamed. The list was long. But God’s peace and presence was with me during these times.

After listing the tough times, I then listed the untold blessings that have come my way these last nine years. There have been such wonderful moments that are too numerous to write in this post.

There’s one thing for certain about the good and the not-so-good moments or seasons that come into our lives. It is through our faith and trust in Jesus, that we WILL experience God’s presence, peace, and faithfulness.

Perhaps today, you would want to remember those life events of the past few years. I know some can be sad, but have found that we can see the blessings intertwined into those moments, as well. Sometimes, it is a very bittersweet place to be, but if we look, it’s a place where we are able to see a fraction of our life from God’s perspective. We are able to catch a glimpse of how He continues to lavish His love on us.

My prayer today is that you will remember the peace you’ve felt through your challenging times and know beyond a doubt that your faith sustained you, and that it still does, even up to this very moment in time.

The truth remains that God’s peace will be with us through every circumstance. Our struggles in life will change, but our focus should not. God is the author of our story and He is not yet finished writing it. That IS the Good News of the day.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, how comforting it is to know and experience the peace You bring to every situation that we have ever faced or will ever face in life. This world is not our home, for we have a home in Heaven awaiting us of which we can only imagine. Thank You for peace in our hearts that passes all human understanding. Thank You for carrying us through those times of hardships and uncertainty. Thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your only Son to take our sins upon Himself so that we might have the choice of eternal life spent with Him. Help us to focus on the many blessings that You have given us. You are not only a perfect loving Father, but very generous and One who lavishes Your grace upon us. We thank You and can never repay the debt of love we owe. We commit to praise and honor You completely all the days of our life. I pray these things in the name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

What Does Christmas Mean to You?

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

What does Christmas mean to you?

From my earliest memories, it seems I’ve always known the true meaning of Christmas. My siblings and I were taught about Jesus from childhood, but truthfully, as a little girl, I didn’t have the maturity to fully understand the Greatest Gift of all until I was a bit older.

I did like the idea of Santa and always looked forward to the gifts he brought on Christmas Eve. We never waited until Christmas morning! That was just our family’s tradition.

There were many things we McDaniel’s looked forward to on Christmas Eve. Besides the wonderful food and gifts, we would also build a roaring bonfire for use in popping fireworks, or “firecrackers” as we called them. You’ve never lived until a firecracker goes off in your hand! Oh, that is so painful!!

One Christmas, after I knew where the presents came from, I remember my mother “accidentally” finding a $20 bill inside one of my dad’s old coat pockets in the closet. Although I was no more than 10 years old, I can still see the big smile on my mother’s face. You see, that was her Christmas miracle! Unknown to the kids, there was no money for gifts that year. Mother’s find assured her that each of her children would have a gift waiting for them under the tree on Christmas Eve!

Things didn’t cost much back in the dark ages. $20 would go a long way!! I don’t recall what I got for Christmas that year but have always remembered how excited I was that my baby brother got a big Texaco tanker truck.

My family was not wealthy by any means. We never went without a meal and had what we needed. As children, we somehow understood that our parents were doing the very best they could and we never complained—well, maybe I did when I tired of repetitive peanut butter sandwiches in my school sack lunch.

We were country people and I would not take anything for having grown up that way. Our parents taught us hard work ethics, patriotism, and respect for others. And we were taught about Jesus. Those are gifts that money can’t buy.

As I think back to Christmas 2020, the pandemic was in full swing and we weren’t able to gather as a family. Our table was bare and there was no rushing to get ready. It was different on so many fronts. Still, we were joyful because of the true meaning we held deep in our hearts.

For Christmas 2022, we wait with joyful anticipation for the gift of our family’s presence. We will enjoy a nice meal, watch the little ones beam with excitement, open gifts, and share good fellowship. We will greatly miss those who aren’t able to join us, and those who are celebrating in Heaven. We will always remember their valuable contribution to our family.

A long time ago, I learned that the true meaning of Christmas is NOT about opening presents. It’s about inviting Jesus, the greatest gift ever given to mankind into our hearts.

My prayer for family and friends everywhere is that you will gather with those you love; that you will take the time to reflect and renew your body, mind, and spirit; and that you will accept the Greatest Gift of all freely, humbly, and without reservation. Merry Christmas!

As Is

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

How remarkable that when Jesus died, He paid the highest price for each of us, regardless of our human condition. He willingly purchased us with His blood. We were bought “as is”—-so imperfect, with many faults and flaws. What a marvelous exchange that was! What an incomprehensible thought that God has that much love for us!

Whether we want to admit it or not, there is a needed renovation in each of us. By faith, we are now under His ownership, and in the process of being remodeled for God’s glory. If we trust Him and seek His ways, He won’t leave us the way we were when He rescued us. He has a great plan for our lives that allows us to tell our personal story of how we have been changed. This will be an encouragement to others.

How wonderful that God knew us, loved us, and bought us just as we are. I am continually amazed that He could possibly love me that much! But deep in my heart, I feel His love and have seen it displayed on my behalf so many times. Therefore, I will always be reminded that He loves me enough to continue shaping me into a more beautiful reflection of Himself, and that I’m still a work in progress—His work in progress.

Today, remember that God knows us inside and out. No renovation project is too big for Him. He will always take us just as we are. Have a great day!

“Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee
O Lamb of God, I come! I come” 🎶 🎶🎶🎶
Just As I Am
Charlotte Elliott 1789-1871

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, what joy fills our souls to know that You have accepted us just as we are. In our own strength, we could never reach a point where we’re worthy of Your love! Thank You for grace upon grace as You continue to lovingly mold us into Your image. We are thankful for Your patience and how You’ve rescued us over and over from places we need not go. Thank You for being the One who above all others, will never fail us or forsake us. We love You and desire to follow You all the days of our life. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Lay Your Burdens Down

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22

Today, I am reminded to what extent burdens can weigh us down. We’ve all experienced times when we’ve felt burdened beyond our ability to make it through. When I am burdened, it feels as though I’m carrying a heavy backpack around my heart. It’s tough to be in that place. But hold on! There is some good news! The weight of our burdens and sorrows are lifted at the foot of the Cross when we choose to lay them down.

Today, why not exchange your worries, sorrows, and burdens for the peace that can only come from the One who knows you better than you know yourself. When you find yourself trying to solve life’s challenges on your own, turn your reliance to Jesus. He’s there just waiting for you to lay your burdens down.

As I sit and write this little message, I am reminded of the song by Chuck Gerard entitled, “Lay Your Burden Down.” Here are some of the lyrics:

Lay your burden down, lay your burden down 
Take your troubled soul, your tired mind 
And lay your burden down 
Lay your burden down, get your feet on solid ground 
Take your worries to the foot of the cross, and lay your burden down

Lay your burden down, lay your burden down
Take your weary life, your heavy load, and lay your burden down
Lay your burden down, get your feet on solid ground
Take your failures to the foot of the cross, and lay your burden down

You’ve been tryin’ hard to make it all alone
Tryin’ hard to make it on your own

And the strength you once were feelin’, isn’t there no more 
And you think the wrong you’ve done, is just too much to be forgiven 
But you know that isn’t true 
Just lay your burden down,…He has Forgiven you

Lay your burden down, lay your burden down
Take your burden to the cross, and lay it down
Lay your burden down, lay your burden down
Take your worries to the cross and lay them down

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, whatever our personal burdens may be, You are the Burden Bearer on whom we can depend. You are with us through every season of our lives. There’s no burden too heavy or too painful for You. Thank You for being our help and stay in times when we feel the overwhelming pain and pressure from life’s trials. We love You, trust You, and depend on You every moment of the day. Give us rest and peace and renewal. I pray and ask this in the name above all names, our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

See You Later

Lord, my God, I will praise You with all my heart. “I will honor Your name forever.” Psalm 86:12

On November 17, 2016, 150 pink and purple balloons were released at the cemetery as we said our final “see you later” to our sweet Shelly. It was a beautiful sight—a way to look to the sky as the balloons slowly drifted out of sight. We felt the hope of the great reunion we’d have with Shelly and other loved ones and friends some day. As Shelly’s mother, it was my way of returning her to the Lord, who so graciously loaned her to me for a season. Humanly, I didn’t want to do that, but spiritually my faith gave me the strength to take that step. A few days later, literally just around the corner from Shelly’s house, and miles from the cemetery, a friend/neighbor found one of the balloons in her yard.

It is amazing to think how good our God is through these times. We trust and believe that His plan is best, even though we don’t understand His timing. He is not restricted nor does He operate on our time schedule. Someday, we will understand that part better, but I really don’t think that it will be important to us then. To Him be glory forever!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, how we love and trust You, the One who holds all things together. Father, when times are challenging hold us fast. When we are on the mountaintop, hold us fast. Whatever season we are in, please hold us fast. Without You, life would be hopeless, but because You are our Waymaker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, and Light in the Darkness, we have nothing to dread or fear. We praise You and thank You for lavishing Your love, grace, and mercy upon us as You do. Help us in turn to live a life that is pleasing to You, and help us to pass Your love and the hope of Jesus onto a lost and dying world. I pray this in Jesus name and for His sake. Amen.

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