Category: Uncategorized

Matt 14:16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”
I’ve read the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand countless times, and it wasn’t until this morning that one little part caught my attention. Jesus told the disciples to feed the crowd. “You give them something to eat.” The directive was clear and straightforward, not difficult to understand or interpret. “You give them something to eat.” And the disciples balked.
Matt 14:17-18 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” They answered. And He said, “Bring them here to Me.”
I wish I knew the actions that accompanied Christ’s reply to the disciples. Did He heave a frustrated sigh? Roll His eyes? Show some sign of frustration and annoyance that once again He was calling the disciples to do something He knew them to be capable of because He gave them the ability, and once again they failed to see the power they had through Him? Or was He patient because He knew they were still learning to trust, still getting their feet under them, still finding their strength in Him?
Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this reminder that You know what I am capable of through Your strength. When You call me to do difficult things that are beyond my comfort zone, help me to trust You, to obey You, to lean in to You and Your strength. Help me to know that it won’t always be easy or comfortable, but that if You’ve called me to do it, You’ll give me the strength to accomplish it. Help me to trust and obey. Draw me closer. Amen.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Have a blessed day.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Lord, I stand before You today with a humble heart full of joy and praise. Thank You for the many, many blessings in my life and for the amazing people You surround me with daily. Thank You for our slightly neurotic fur babies who love us mightily and for the knowledge that it’s not possessions but relationships that matter in life.
Phil 4:12b, 13  …I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Lord, You are still working on me, teaching me to be content in all things, something I struggle with still, at times, but thank You for the growth and progress we’ve made together. I know You are the source of my joy. The fact that You are always with me, no matter what, gives me peace. Your strength carries me through. Thank You, Lord.
Heb 13:5b …God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this heart absolutely overflowing with gratitude for Your love and provision. Thank You for the ability to center myself on You each morning, to sit at Your feet and hear Your voice. Thank You for this precious and beautiful life, Lord, and for the people with whom I get to share it. Draw us all closer to You. Amen.
Psalm 118:28 You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, and I will exalt You.
Have a blessed day.

Psalm 27:13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Read anything about the Appalachian Trail and you will hear about Trail Magic. It can take a variety of forms, from a cooler of cold sodas and candy bars to fresh fruit to an active cook site where Trail Angels, those who perform Trail Magic, cook hot food for hungry hikers. Trail Magic is free, is to be shared, and usually appears just when the hikers’ spirits need a lift.  Trail Angels often just want to give back, either because they or loved ones have received Trail Magic before or just because they want to do something for others. What a beautiful gift.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
The hubs, who is only 20 days into this incredible adventure, is already talking about coming back to the trail next year to be a Trail Angel for others. I see a direct parallel to “real life” in this example. We should all seek to be Trail Angels on this journey of life. Kind words, a thoughtful gesture, there are so many ways we could set up unexpected, thoughtful Trail Magic for our fellow travelers. 
John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the abundant life lessons that come from this adventure, even for those of us in “off-trail” support roles. Thank You for the ability to be Your hands and feet in this weary world, supplying light, encouragement, and hope when it’s needed most. Help us to try, every day, to perform one small act of kindness for others, just because we know how tough this world can be.  Draw us closer. Amen.
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Have a blessed day. 

Phil 3:7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
For six years, from the time I graduated high school until the hubs and I married, I moved every year. As I was sorting, packing, donating to move each time, I was always amazed at the amount of junk I had amassed in a year’s time. And I remember telling the hubs, not really jokingly, when we bought our house, that our grandchildren could throw our junk away when we died because I was NOT moving again.
Phil 3:8a What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.
So many things, including this scripture, have me reevaluating the amount of “stuff” in my life, the fact that the hubs and our oldest are carrying all they need for six months on their backs included. This world tells us we NEED stuff. Any commercial paints a rosy picture of life if only we had their products. But Jesus whispers softly to our souls, “I am all you need. I will give you rest. Your hope is in Me, not in things.” He longs for us to hear His still small voice and to heed His call.
Phil 3:8b-9 …I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him….
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the reminder that the things of this world can never satisfy me. Help me not to place value on things, Lord, but only on my relationship with You, my ability to serve You and to be Your hands and feet. Help me to simplify my life, Lord, to cut down on the clutter and distraction that tend to get in my way. Draw me closer. Amen.
Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Have a blessed day.

John 12:27-28a “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name!”
Life can be difficult, but it can also be amazingly beautiful and precious. I have learned as I have lived that I have a choice when heartache and heartbreak come. I can fight it, or I can draw closer to my loving Savior. Do not misunderstand me. I do not like trouble or hard times. I don’t wish for them or seek them, but I know that God can draw me closer during trials in ways that just aren’t possible when life is sailing along.
John 12:28b Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
We all have to decide what our purpose is in life. The older I get, the more dedicated I am to drawing closer to my Creator and Savior and shining His light. Anything good that comes from these reflections? That’s because of my precious Savior. Anything good that comes from me? Strength? Wisdom? Perseverance? Once again, I cannot take credit. I will not take credit because without God by my side, drawing me closer, strengthening me, uplifting me, I am nothing, I have nothing, and I stand for nothing. Thank You, Lord for Your support and purpose. Glorify Your name again through my life.
Eph 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the reminder of Your will for me. You want me to seek You, to trust You, to draw closer to You, to glorify You in ALL things. Help me, Lord, to live out that goal, to never lose sight of it in this crazy world. My life means nothing without You, Lord. Draw me closer. Amen.
Eph 5:20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Have a blessed day. 

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding….
Lord, Thank You for the very clear command to love You, love others, and be Your hands and feet in this world. So often in life I feel I reach a crossroads, trying to figure out what I’m supposed to do next. Help me never forget what You call me to do—love You, love others, and be Your hands and feet.
Proverbs 3:6 …in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
You know me, Lord. You created me. You know I try to get a sense of the big picture so that I can keep that end-goal in mind throughout the process. But You don’t always need for me to know the end-goal. More often, You call me to trust You, to love You, to love others, and to be Your hands and feet. Help me to always heed Your call, Lord.
Isaiah 55:8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the simplicity of what You call me to each day. You ask me to love and to serve, without reason, without limit, without exception. Help me, Lord, to trust You, even when I can’t see and don’t understand. Help me to love and to serve. Draw me closer. Amen.
2 Cor 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in in weakness…..”
Have a blessed day.

Jer 33:3 Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
I love the way God works. I thought I knew where He wanted me to go with today’s scripture. Last week marked two years since the hubs suffered a minor heart attack. (For the record, any heart attack that happens to someone you love never feels minor!) I’ve been marveling the past few days at our remarkable Savior, who has led my sweet spouse from the back of an ambulance to a trail stretching from Georgia to Maine. Thank You, Jesus.
Psalm 17:6 I call on You, my God, for You will answer me; turn Your ear to me and hear my prayer.
I thought this was to be a reflection of praise, and I am so tremendously thankful for His presence and provision for the hubs and our family, but as I was praying, I was reminded of all the little stresses that I still hold back, that I feel like are too insignificant for Him. I feel Him telling me to give it all to Him, not just the stuff that’s too much for me. He wants me to trust Him with everything. Thank You, Jesus!
Psalm 17:7 Show me the wonders of Your great love….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for Your steadfast love, for Your unending grace and mercy. Thank You for wanting me to hold nothing back and for reminding me to come to You with all my worries and cares, not just the ones I don’t think I can handle. Help me to hold nothing back from You, Lord. Draw me closer. Help me to shine Your light. Amen.
Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings….
Have a blessed day.

Psalm 91:14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name.”
As I have matured, my understanding of my Creator and my understanding of my relationship with my Creator have also matured. God loves me simply because I am His. When He sees me, He sees my intention and my potential. I can do nothing for Him but love and praise Him, yet that’s all He wants from me–my love, my praise, my heart. Thank You, Jesus.
Psalm 91:15 “He will call on Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”
One thing I’ve grown to understand more clearly is that being His loved child does not mean life will be easy. Life is not easy, but it is amazingly beautiful and precious. And even though it can be incredibly difficult at times, His love for us means that He is with us always, through every trial, through every triumph, through everything in life, all the ups and downs. Thank You, Jesus.
Psalm 91:9-10 Because you made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge shall come near your tent.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for these reflections. Thank You for loving me, all of me, even though the only thing I have to give You in return is my heart, my love, my praise. Thank You for Your steadfast love, a love that I can cling to regardless of the storms of life. Thank You for supporting me through the valleys and trails and for being with me on the mountain tops. Draw me closer, Lord, always. Amen.
Psalm 91:11 For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Have a blessed day.

Psalm 51:17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not despise.
My students and I have talked much this year about humility. In order to grow, we all have to be humble enough to realize that we have room to grow. We have to check our delicate egos that sometimes get bruised when we feel we’re being criticized. We have to be big enough, strong enough to say, “I want to be better than I currently am. Help me to grow by showing me areas where I can improve.” I think this is exactly the attitude being described in Psalm 51:17.
Psalm 51:4 Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight….
It is easy to harbor negative thoughts and feelings against humans. It’s easy to be angry when we feel we have been slighted. It’s easy to say my anger is justified because of someone else’s actions. It is so much more difficult to do any of that when I acknowledge the God that is reflected in every one of His children. That single shift in perspective now shows me that my negative thoughts and my anger are aimed at God’s children, His deeply beloved, and by extension, at Him, the Creator. That’s certainly a sobering thought.
Psalm 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Lord, Thank You for this day and the perspective You have given with this scripture. Help me to always recognize and respond to You in Your children. Help me to always be humble enough to say, “I want to be better than I currently am. Help me to grow by showing me areas where I can improve.” Help me to love Your children and to shine Your light every moment of every day. Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.
Have a blessed day.

Psalm 18:1 I love you, LORD, my strength.
Lord, I come to You this morning just to say Thank You–for strength, for provision and guidance, for opportunities. Thank You for taking all of my anxieties, even when I am reluctant to let them go. Thank You for being bigger than my fears and for being steadfast and true, even when I falter.
Psalm 18:2a The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer….
Lord, Thank You for the amazing people in my life, for my husband and children, my family and extended family, for the phenomenal network of framily and friends with which You have surrounded me. Thank You for looking at the mess I am and for seeing, recognizing, and acknowledging Your deeply loved child.
Psalm 18:2b …my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for my insanely emotional nature, for this heart full of love and gratitude for You and Your provision. Thank You for the opportunities of this day and the people with which You surround me today. Help me to shine Your light. Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 18:2c …my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Have a blessed day.