Tag: GOD

Soften The Heart: Devotional #31

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“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6 

My poor Bible has been pretty lonely. I haven’t been actively reading it. I’ve been spending time with God in nature and in meditation but I haven’t been studying his word. Which I think it’s just as important.

So today I was flipping the pages of my Bible looking for inspiration today…

and I came across this verse I had highlighted. Hebrews 11:16.

And there’s a word in that verse that stands out, believe.

It’s a reminder that trust is crucial.

Faith is kind of like the wind. We can’t always see it but we feel it. It moves through the trees, brushes our skin, and reminds us:

“I’m here.”

I do believe God is like that. All around us. Reminding us and encouraging us of His presence.

Something greater. Something powerful. Something all-knowing. Something here.

And though I don’t fully understand all of it…I do believe this greater power truly loves us.

But like any relationship, it takes two. We want God to constantly reach out and prove Himself…

Yet we don’t always seek.

Seek God.

Let the veil be lifted.

Open your heart.

Open your eyes.

And maybe you’ll start to feel Him like the wind. Maybe this “foreign language” will begin to make sense.

Faith is not about having it all figured out. It’s about having hope.

Keep seeking.

God sees you and is with you.

He rewards those who do.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #30

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“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.”

Ecclesiastes 11:5

Sometimes you hear of things that just make you freeze.

Unbelievable news. Tragedies that feel too big to hold. The sudden, silent crash of reality when life does something you never saw coming.

Sometimes it shakes you to your core that such things happen at all, that this world, the same one where we sing lullabies and light birthday candles, is also a place where deep sorrow and confusion live.

My thoughts scream, “I don’t get it.”

I know I’m not suppose to get it either. We are but children on this earth but the frustration is ever present at times.

I find myself sitting still, eyes locked on nothing, just staring off—wondering. Wondering why. Wondering what the truth is. Wondering how to keep walking forward with the storm of the questions that I possess.

But this verse brings awareness and comfort.

“As you do not know the path of the wind…”

The wind is real, even when I can’t see it. It moves through trees, across oceans, through my hair. I don’t know where it begins or where it ends. I just know it’s there.

And “you do not know how the body is formed in a mother’s womb…”

Another miracle wrapped in mystery. Life forming in secret, one invisible cell at a time, shaped by something far beyond my comprehension.

That’s the point. Faith isn’t about answers—it’s about surrender. About breathing in mystery and still choosing to believe in something good.

There’s a sacredness in not knowing.

There’s room for trust in the questions.

The mystery must remain.

God—the Maker of all things—moves in ways I can’t always trace or explain. And sometimes the most honest prayer I can offer is simply:

“I don’t get it. But I trust You anyway.”

Amen.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #29 — A Message of Hope for the Grieving

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This Is Not the End: A Message of Hope for the Grieving

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

John 14:2-3

Loss has a way of stopping time. One moment, life is moving forward, full of plans, routines, and expectations. The next, everything changes. A phone call, an accident, a last breath you didn’t realize was the last—and suddenly, the world feels different. Emptier.

When we lose someone unexpectedly, the pain is sharp and disorienting. There’s no time to prepare, no gradual goodbye. Just a void. And in that void, we wrestle with the question that lingers in every grieving heart: Where are they now?

Jesus knew we would ask this. He knew our hearts would ache with longing for those who are no longer with us. And so, He left us with this promise.

This world is not the final destination. Death is not the end of the story.

Jesus is preparing a place. A place where brokenness does not exist, where suffering has no power, where love never fades. A place where those we have lost—those who seemed to slip away too soon—are not truly gone but waiting in a home far greater than this one.

That doesn’t take away the pain of missing them now. It doesn’t erase the ache of their absence. But it does mean that separation is temporary. Love is not lost.

Imagine, just for a moment, that there is more beyond what we can see. That the ones we grieve are not lost in darkness but alive in a way we cannot yet comprehend. That God’s love is big enough to hold them and us, to weave our stories together again in a way more beautiful than we can imagine.

We may not have all the answers. We may not understand why loss comes the way it does. But we can hold onto this:

This is not the end.

There is a place beyond this world, a home beyond this life, and a love that is strong enough to bring us back together again. And one day, when the time is right, we will see them again.

Until then, we carry them in our hearts, and we hold onto hope.

If You’re Grieving, You Are Not Alone

If you’ve experienced a sudden loss, I want you to know that your pain is seen. Your grief is real. But so is hope. Even in the darkness, you are not alone. God is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), and He promises that one day, all things will be made new (Revelation 21:4).

If this message speaks to you, I pray it brings even a small measure of peace. And if you know someone who is struggling with loss, please feel free to share it. You never know whose heart might need this reminder today.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #28

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“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.”

Psalm 19:1-2

Have you ever looked up at the sky and felt something stir deep inside you? Maybe it was the brilliance of a sunrise, painting the world in soft golds and pinks. Maybe it was a night sky so full of stars that it made you feel small, yet somehow seen.

Psalm 19:1-2 tells us that the sky isn’t just beautiful—it’s speaking.

What if creation itself is a message from God? What if every sunrise is a reminder that His mercies are new every morning? What if every sunset whispers, Rest, I am still here?

Too often, we rush through life, missing the ways God is revealing Himself. We glance at the sky but don’t really see it. We hear the wind but don’t listen. We admire nature but don’t recognize it as a message. Yet, this verse reminds us—creation is speaking. God is always speaking.

Are we paying attention?

The next time you step outside, take a moment. Look at the sky. Notice the way the clouds move, the way the sun warms your skin, the way the stars seem to stretch endlessly beyond what you can comprehend.

Let it remind you—God is present. He is vast yet personal, powerful yet gentle, distant yet closer than your own breath.

The sky is speaking.

Are you listening?

Soften The Heart: Devotional #27

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“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours”

Mark 11:24

This verse holds a profound message about the power of faith and the unseen forces at work in our lives. It isn’t just about asking for something and expecting it to appear—it’s about aligning our hearts, minds, and actions with the belief that what we seek is already on its way.

When we pray, we are not simply making requests; we are entering into a relationship of trust with God. True faith means believing before seeing—knowing deep within that our prayers are heard and that the answers will come in the right way and at the right time. This belief shifts our mindset from doubt to expectation, from fear to confidence.

But this verse also challenges us: Do we truly believe? Often, we pray while holding onto doubt, questioning whether what we desire is possible. Yet, Jesus calls us to let go of that uncertainty and trust fully. When we pray with unwavering faith, we begin to act and live as if the answer is already unfolding. This shift in perspective opens doors, changes our energy, and aligns us with divine timing.

Faith-filled prayer isn’t just about receiving—it’s about transformation. It teaches patience, deepens our trust, and reminds us that even in the waiting, God is at work. So as you bring your hopes and dreams before God, pray boldly, believe fully, and trust completely.

Your blessing may already be on its way.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #26

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding

Proverbs 3:5-6

As I witness my children grow, I also witness their world expand.

They ask more questions, are hesitant on their choice of words, they remain curious, and there is more confidence that I see.

As their world begins to take a shape they believe they understand it all. The connections are beginning to take place. Children are incredible observers. Since they do not have much life experience they are able to hyper focus on what’s in front of them.

It’s like they see things through a magnifying glass.

I think deep down they know they don’t know everything but who wants to admit that. Even adults don’t want to admit that.

To have been a child and then to an adult is humbling to say the least on how ignorant and innocent we were. How much we really didn’t know.

But also recognizing that in a way we are still very much children but in these “adult” bodies.

What is it that we don’t know yet but will find out soon enough? Or, what do we think we know but really are only sitting at the top of the iceberg?

I believe many of us lay in our beds just wondering. Wondering all sorts of things.

Wondering. Wondering. Wondering.

And it’s frustrating that we don’t have the answers. We have a difficult time trying to figure out where to start looking too.

But what if, we just aren’t ready. We just aren’t there yet.

We have to wait.

And we can wait with frustration or we can wait with confidence because that is how much we trust God.

Surrendering to God is not a one time thing. It is something we must do daily.

We have to give all those anxious thoughts and worries to God and know that God is guiding us.

This world if full of pain and sadness as many of us know and we cannot endure this place without Gods hand. We need Him. You need him. He waits for us.

This I do believe.

A Lesson From Eating Donuts

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For a while, Fridays were “grocery pick-up days” in our family. And just before we’d pick up the groceries, I’d stop at a nearby donut shop and let each of my three daughters choose a donut. Usually, I’d get just enough for them, but on this “donut lesson day,” I decided to treat myself to one as well—and even got an extra for my husband.

On the drive home, my oldest finished her donut and immediately wanted more, glancing at mine hopefully. Another daughter, who had picked a new flavor, was grumbling because she didn’t like it and regretted her choice. So there we were: one daughter, longing for more, and another, frustrated with what she’d chosen.

And as I listened to them, I thought, How similar we are to children sometimes. How often do we ask for more, not even thinking about those who don’t have the luxury of choice? Or get exactly what we wanted, only to find out it’s not what we hoped? It’s like a mirror of life, where we’re constantly balancing gratitude and expectation, fulfillment and frustration. I realized teaching my children to appreciate what they have is challenging, especially when they’re so young and everything is new and full of possibility. Yet, in that moment, I saw myself in them. How many times have I behaved the same way?

And yes, I did end up sharing my donut with my daughter—because I love her. Just as we have a Creator who continues to provide for us, even when we forget to be grateful.

So maybe the donut lesson is this: life gives us chances to learn, to appreciate, and to recognize that sometimes we already have enough. Perhaps, next time we’re tempted to reach for “more,” we can pause and savor what’s already in our hands.

Give Grace To Others

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We could all use a little grace in our lives. None of us are perfect—we’re human, flawed, and always learning. And it’s important to remember that everyone around us is, too. Maybe someone cut you off on the road, didn’t text you back, broke a promise, lied, or your kids aren’t listening. The list goes on. How can we expect grace from others if we’re not willing to offer it ourselves? If you feel upset, consider giving a free pass when you can. Just a bit of grace.

This doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Sometimes it’s challenging to extend grace, especially when we feel hurt. But more often than not, people don’t set out to hurt or upset us. The truth is, we take things personally because we think actions are directed at us, when, in reality, we’re all just working through our own experiences and struggles. Instead of internalizing it, try to meet these moments with compassion. Understand that everyone is going through something, and that understanding can change everything.

Think about the relationships in your life or the encounters you have today—who could you extend a little grace to? Often, that one act of grace can create more peace in our lives than we ever expect.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #24

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“Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.

“You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.

“But the hour is coming, and now is when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

“The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”

“Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

John 4 21-26

After reading this full scripture it makes me think about times God has talked to me or communicated with me and I had not known. Just like the woman at the well.

I imagine her being like, “Uh, huh. Yeah when the Messiah is here he’s going to explain all of that.” And then here is Jesus like, “I’m Jesus Christ.”

What a humbling moment!

We think we know, and God reveals to us exactly that. We think we know. But we don’t. We have so much growing to do.

We are still children and acting as children do. No sense of boundaries, we hear what we want to hear, what are consequences you say?

I just described a toddler.

For some reason we think we know more than we actually do.

Eventually I feel like God makes it click for us, partly because of us His love for his children and because of his patience.

Then we begin to make the connections and understand.

If only we took things serious the first time could we have avoided some struggling. Maybe.

Let’s break down this scripture a little bit though.

What does “the hour is coming” mean?

When Jesus says “the hour is coming” in the scriptures, He is often referring to a specific moment or event in God’s divine plan, particularly His crucifixion, resurrection, and the coming of God’s kingdom. This phrase points to a future fulfillment of God’s purpose for salvation.

For instance, in John 4:23 as we read above, Jesus says, “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” Here, He’s referring to the future when worship will no longer be tied to specific locations or rituals but will be through a genuine connection with God.

In other passages, like John 12:23 (“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified”), it refers to His upcoming death, where He would complete His mission on earth.

In summary, “the hour is coming” points to a pivotal moment in God’s plan, often linked to the transformative events in the life and ministry of Jesus.

But how do we worship the Father in spirit and in truth?

To worship the Father in spirit and truth, as Jesus describes in John 4:23-24, involves a deep, sincere connection with God that transcends external rituals and locations. Here’s how:

1. Worshiping in Spirit:

Worship in spirit means connecting with God on a spiritual level, from the heart and soul, rather than relying solely on outward acts or physical locations. It’s about an authentic relationship with God, led by the Holy Spirit, where worship is heartfelt, personal, and not limited to rituals or ceremonies. This kind of worship engages our whole being, aligning our spirit with God’s Spirit.

• Romans 8:14 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Worshiping in spirit is being led by the Holy Spirit, letting Him guide our hearts, prayers, and lives in a way that honors God.

2. Worshiping in Truth:

Worship in truth refers to worshiping God as He truly is, in alignment with the truth revealed in His Word, the Bible. It means worshiping with sincerity and understanding of who God is, grounded in the knowledge of Scripture. Jesus is the embodiment of truth (John 14:6), and worshiping in truth involves acknowledging and following Him as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

• Psalm 145:18 reflects this, stating, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” Worship in truth rejects hypocrisy or superficial worship and embraces an honest, authentic pursuit of God.

In summary, worshiping in spirit and truth means bringing together heartfelt devotion and sincerity with a grounded understanding of God’s Word and His true nature. It’s worship that’s both inwardly genuine and outwardly aligned with God’s revealed truth in Scripture.

Wishing you love and blessings.

May our hearts and ears hear when God is speaking to us. And even so, may we continue to have greetings at the well.

May God never stop revealing himself to us even when we have lost our sight.

May we share our wisdom with others when God makes it very clear who He is to us.

May we honor the Father and The Son.

Amen.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #21

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“Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence,

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me with your generous Spirit.”

Psalm 51:10-13

The Bible shares with us that each of us are salves in this world. We are either a slave to sin or a slave to Christ. Either way, we are owned.

God granted us the choice in whom we will serve. We have been gifted a freedom to make mistakes, question authority, challenge ourselves, and find ourselves. In our freedom we begin to understand humility and love. We learn, grow, and teach (intentionally or unintentionally).

In choosing God, it is also mentioned that the path of Christ is not an untroubled one. Many tribulations will follow each us in our lives. However there is a degree of peace, patience, and assurance when strengthening your faith and choosing to be a slave of righteousness.

It’s a difficult web to be caught in. And we are all in it.

We need help each day to choose God over the traits of this world. Some days we have slips and will continue to have slips. But we must not shame ourselves, we must give ourselves grace and others daily. We must exhort ourselves, challenge others, and be brave to do what others may not be able to.

To seek God is to have the fog lifted in your life.

Fog can keep us stagnant because we are unaware or afraid. Since we can’t see beyond it, we decide to remain stationary because we only trust what we can see.

To have the courage and hope to seek something greater is to discover what’s beyond the fog. It’s to surrender to the unknown.

And it’s the discovery that there is indeed more than what meets the eye.