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10 Bible Verses About God’s Timing and Faithfulness
It’s a cloudy Monday morning when I open my Bible in search of Bible verses about God’s timing. Beside me, the amaryllis has burst into full bloom. It bows low under the weight of its heavy blossom. It seems ironic that after waiting for it to bloom for so long, the weight of the blossom might crush it. I watch the amaryllis become its fullest self, and I wonder about my own growth. I’ve been waiting on God this year. Reflecting on my waiting season, I wonder if waiting on God has been more purposeful than I’ve imagined. Maybe God knows that if I bloom before I’m ready, the weight…
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God Knows Your Pain and Cares About Your Suffering
Several years ago, our family endured a painful series of events. I felt alone and forgotten by God when a friend gently said, “God knows your pain, and he hasn’t left your side.” Her words carried me through that dark season. Join me as I stroll down our country road, reflect on my journey, and explore God’s purpose for pain and suffering. God Knows Your Pain The forest shivers as the first signs of a cold front exhales over the rolling fields surrounding me. Above, a ragged edge of cirrus clouds warns us of what’s to come. We’re in the thick of winter in this part of the world. I…
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How to Stop Worrying and Start Trusting God: 8 Ways
Wolf Creek swells with freeze-up. Spilling its saffron onto the bleach-white bank like an unwanted stain on a clean tablecloth, I wonder how far the water will rise before the ice has done its work. I decide not to worry about the way this valley will soon change. Meanwhile, the scene leads me to think about how to stop worrying and start trusting God in the other realms of my life. I want to trust him with our kids as they navigate the challenges of life. I want to trust him with our future as we step slowly into change. As I walk along the riverbank, I talk to God. …
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I Have Called You By Name: Let This Change Your Life Forever
“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1, ESV). We’re sitting in the fading light of a late-summer evening when Aiden, our youngest son, runs to me and nuzzles his cheek against mine. As if he just can’t get enough, he plops onto my lap, wraps both arms around my waist, and buries his face in my T-shirt. “I’m glad you’re my mom,” he declares. “And I’m so glad you’re my son,” I answer. From the deck, his older brother notices us,…
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8 Christmas Bible Verses About Peace and Joy
December rain falls cold and clear, washing away the mud-encrusted ice from children’s footprints. I gaze at the scene from the window as I open my Bible in search of Christmas Bible verses about peace and joy. Christmas Bible Verses About Peace and Joy Christmas will be here soon, and our family could use a fresh outpouring of peace. We’ve battled various viruses nonstop throughout the past several weeks, and we’re ready for a break as we celebrate with family and friends. We’ve faced unexpected setbacks in many realms, and our joy has been tested through affliction. Maybe you could use some joy and peace this Christmas as well. Let’s…
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Why Has God Abandoned Me?
Have you ever asked the question, “Why has God abandoned me?” When life is difficult, it often feels as though God has forgotten and forsaken us. Today, I invite you to join me as I share an excerpt from our new book, Heart to Heart, and we’ll talk about what to do when we feel forgotten by God. Why has God abandoned me? Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or in dread of them, for the Lord your God is the One who is going with you. He will not desert you or abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6 I spent much of my early twenties wondering if God had abandoned me. After a series…
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Rising Above Adversity (With Bekah Pardoe)
Yesterday, Bekah and I shared an exciting announcement. Heart to Heart, our new mother-daughter devotional book for teen girls is on sale here! Today, we’re sharing another devotion from the book. This one is from Bekah. Join her as she shares a few insights on rising above adversity. You’ve Got This! (Rising Above Adversity) Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. Isaiah 40:31 A few years ago, my mom and I decided to end the year with an adventure. It was New Year’s Eve, and we decided to walk five miles from our house to my grandma and grandpa’s house. We set out an hour before dark,…
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Trusting God’s Timing When Life Is Disappointing
Today, I’m sharing a lesson I learned the hard way several years ago when a painful disappointment left me reeling in defeat. If you need encouragement about trusting God’s timing when life is disappointing, these words are also for you today. Trusting God’s Timing Like tears, droplets of the grey firmament fall forsaken on the front step. I watch from the window as they splash with more force than expected. My heart is heavy, and I’ve been having a difficult time trusting God’s timing lately. I’m grieving the loss of a dream that didn’t work out. I know I can trust God’s timing, but the loss still feels like a…
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When God Changes Your Plans
As Bekah and I stand at the base of the giant quartzite mountain, I don’t expect our ascent to become a lesson on how to respond when God changes your plans. “I can’t believe the summit is only three miles away,” she marvels. “It looks like it’s going to take forever to get up there.” “I guess it’ll happen one step at a time. This is going to be a steep climb, but we’ll get there one step at a time,” I respond optimistically. When God Changes Your Plans An hour later, we cling to the side of the giant mountain with racing hearts and trembling knees. “Keep three points…
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4 Signs That God Is Pruning You
Do you sense that God is pruning you and cutting away parts of your life that aren’t bearing fruit? Today, I invite you to join me as I stand on our front stoop, and we’ll talk about the signs that God is pruning you. Signs That God Is Pruning You Yesterday, I pruned the Rose of Sharon. It’s not the season for pruning, but the roseate blossoms were drawing bees to our front door. With flowers hanging like a garland around the door, it was just a matter of time until someone got stung. Suppressing a twinge of sadness, I snipped and shaped the unruly branches. About halfway through the…
