Find Faith, Hope, and Encouragement for Your Walk with God

As I sit reflecting on the day, I can’t help but recognize that it was a good day. There wasn’t anything special, in fact, it was the simplest of days. It started with amazing photos shared of a beautiful sunrise, snuggles with one of the girls as we denied the change in time, and shopping with my girls and watching their joy as they found the special things just for them. Sunday family dinners are back with game night filled with laughter and our new house is truly feeling like a home. Like I said, nothing special, but in a way, it was all special. I made a speech yesterday and I shared that you need to identify your non negotiable. You need to prioritize the things that matter most to you and that is how you find your balance. Today, I found that balance. It was easy to prioritize family time and rest and it filled my cup like nothing else. “This is the day which the Lord hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, KJV)

I have shared in the past the unique nature of our faith that we celebrate the trials and tribulations in life as they bring us closer to God. I don’t know about you, but I can think back on my life and when I am most prayerful. It is always when I am on my knees and needing God the most. Those are the times when I feel like all else is lost and I am powerless without Him. In times of plenty, prayers of thanks never seem to come from my heart as much as the prayers in pain and suffering. It is in those times that I find myself closest to God. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance…Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:2 and 12, NIV)

During a recent discussion in the Lysa Terkeurst Bible Study “Making Peace with What I Cannot Control”, a biblical verse resonated with me. I went back and read further and I couldn’t help but have this image of God as our Father who is always there with us holding our hand. The verse is Psalms 139:10, “even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast”. I immediately saw how Rob would hold the girls hands, one on each side, throughout their entire lives. The comfort and peace found in not only a father’s presence, but the warmth of his hand wrapped around yours is unmatched. That is how God is to us at all times. I encourage you to read further in Psalms 139, it highlights how our Father, our God, knows us. He knows our thoughts, He knows our actions. We can try to flee or go across the world, but He is always there holding our right hand and not letting go. Even when darkness surrounds us, He brings forth the light. Isn’t that imagery beautiful, comforting?