Hush - be still!

Artwork used by permission from Erin of ArtbyErinLeigh

Usually, my morning devotions consist of some scripture reading, some journaling and end with prayer, but when I'm really in a dither, when what I really want to do is rant and insist that God give me some answers, I've learned that best thing to do is to just get quiet.

I turn on some soothing music, grab a cup of something warm and comforting and sink down into the cushy chair in my bedroom and just sit and soak up the peace of God. There is a peace that comes no other way than to spend time in His presence, asking nothing, saying nothing.

In this, I find a clarity and confidence in knowing that He is God, that He is with me and that He is in control.

Joyful - Patient - Faithful

Artwork used by permission from Jen at BettyandMaude

Joyful - Patient - Faithful...

three wonderful words. Words that we want to describe us, but when I look at what's between those words-at WHEN we are supposed to be joyful, patient and faithful, my face gets a little red.

I'm supposed to be joyful in hope. When I think about what it means to be "in hope," I realize that the only time we are in hope is when we don't have something we long for...when we're hoping that we get it or that our circumstances will change.  It's hard to be joyful when we are longing for things to be made right.

Likewise, being patient in affliction (pain & suffering).  What? I'm supposed to be patient when I'm in pain? When I'm suffering? Patient?  I just want it over as soon as possible!

And finally, faithful in prayer.  I pray. A lot. But my prayers do tend to slack off when everything is going well or when I've prayed about something several times and not received an answer yet.

Looks like the Lord and I have some more work to do on me!

It's a really good thing that HE is 

Joyful, Patient & Faithful!

Trusting God in the Midst of the Pain

Artwork used by permission from Karla Dornacher

"She blossomed, not despite her pain, but because she chose to trust God in the midst of it." So often all we want is for God to deliver us out of our struggle and make the pain go away but, more often than not, God wants us to trust Him enough to let Him raise us up and cause us to grow... and even blossom... in the midst of our most painful circumstances.

by Karla Dornacher

You can visit Karla on her website or connect with her on her blog.

*Note from Jan - I love Karla's work. It's bright and beautiful and glorifies the Lord. I saw this piece and knew I wanted to feature it on my blog. Karla has given me permission to do so. I usually write a devotional based on the artwork I feature, but what Karla wrote about this piece was so perfect, I just had to use it instead.

Finally, Daddy's Little Girl

photo used by permission from Abby at LittleBirdieBlessings

What little girl hasn't dreamed of being her Daddy's little princess? I know I did. Unfortunately, that didn't work out so well.  I'm the only girl in a family with 5 boys.  You would have thought I would have been spoiled rotten, but that wasn't the case.

My Dad and I didn't really have a close relationship as I grew up. I don't think that was on purpose. I just think that he really didn't know how to relate to a girl child, so I wasn't Daddy's little girl, but when he was nearing the end of his life, I had the privilege of caring for him through his year long battle with cancer.  We had fun. We got close.

The best memory I have of my Dad came toward the end of that year. The living room was full friends and family. Dad sat in his favorite chair. Everyone else had a seat on the sofa or loveseat. There were no seats left, so I took a seat on the floor next to Dad's chair. One friend played the guitar while we all sang hymns together. At one point my Dad reached out and twirled a lock of my hair round and round in his fingers. Something most fathers do at some point in their little girl's life, but mine never had...until then. It was at that moment that I finally became Daddy's little girl - at 51 years of age.

For those of you who don't have a close relationship with your natural father, take heart. During those years when I longed for a close relationship with my Dad, God was my perfect Father. He filled my heart with love and acceptance. He wrapped his arms around me when I was hurting, picked me up when I fell and protected me from those who tried to harm me. He provided all I needed and lavished me with blessings untold.

My Dad is gone, now, but I'm still Daddy's little girl, because my Heavenly Father is with me always and He has made me his child - his precious daughter.

Thank you, Father!

 And, "I will be a Father to you, 

and you will be my sons and daughters, 

says the Lord Almighty." 

2 Corinthians 6:18