Honest Reflections

Two-minute read.

Imagine walking onto the beach and pausing to watch the waves roll rhythmically onto the shore. From your vantage point, the water feels far away, beautiful but separate. Then you take a few steps forward, feeling the sand shift beneath your feet, and before long, the tide reaches you. A gentle wave gently washes over your toes.

You didn’t pull the ocean toward you, it didn’t change, always in motion. As you stepped closer and your toes felt the water brush over them, you experienced the ocean more fully.

Just like drawing near to God.

The Lord’s presence lingers close, already moving and present. But when you take intentional steps, pausing to pray, whispering His name, opening your heart, you begin to feel His presence in a deeper, more personal way.

We don’t serve a distant or reluctant Savior. He responds, even when we take the smallest step toward Him. God meets us with grace, presence, and closeness. As we draw near, we change our heart posture. Through Bible reading, quiet reflection, repentance, worship, or simply turning our attention to Him in the middle of a busy day, we find God. Like the waves rolling towards the shore, the Lord actively moves towards those who seek Him.

No matter how far you feel from God, the path back to Him remains open. You don’t have to have everything figured out. Turn toward Him and let His presence wash over you. Experience the Savior like never before as you take intentional steps towards His love, mercy, and grace.

Like the waves hitting the shore, God waits patiently for your presence. When you come towards Him, He draws near. The more steps we take, the deeper our relationship will grow, and the more we will experience the Savior. Transformation happens one step at a time. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you.

Journal Questions:

What is one small step you can take today to draw nearer to God?

When do I feel closest to God, and what was I doing in that moment?

What distractions or worries tend to pull my attention away from Him, and how can I gently refocus?

Beach Vibe

Like the steady tide meeting the shore, God gently meets you the moment you turn toward Him.

Two-minute read.

When I began writing this 60-day devotional on joy, life fell apart. Loss of loved ones and broken relationships overwhelmed me. At one point, I felt like I’d lost everything, but then God. In that moment, I turned to the Lord, and He met me in the pit. Through those dark days, the Lord taught me how His joy really does strengthen us. In our distress, He meets us and helps us find our way.

Psalm 126, written by an unknown author, celebrates the restoration of God’s people after exile. What once seemed impossible had happened. The Israelites’ lives changed so dramatically that it must have felt like a dream. The Psalm responds to their moment of victory, the newfound freedom they never thought they would experience.

Our heavenly Father does that; He moves quickly. What once seemed hopeless no longer has hope. Light dispels the darkness, and what seemed impossible becomes possible. When we recognize those moments, remembering what God has done will give us hope for what He will do, and joy takes root in our hearts.

God restored my hope in a moment. After seeking Him, praying and fasting, I felt it in my spirit. The Lord had answered, and the impossible became possible. I didn’t know how or when things would change, but I knew they would. My Maker restored my hope, lightened my soul, and gave me His divine joy.

Only when we ask, will we receive.

Over the last sixty days, I hope you’ve realized that God’s joy comes from Him. We can’t manufacture it. We can’t fake it. We can only walk in joy when we seek the Savior and ask Him for it.

Each day, start with Jesus. Spend time in His word. Chat with Him through prayer. And ask the Lord for His joy. God will give it to you. And you will discover the strength you receive from it.

God bless you, my friend. I leave you with His joy, that will carry you through.

Reflection:

What “great things” has God done in your life that you may have stopped noticing?

Joy Thought:

God gives you His joy when you seek Him.

Two-minute read.

My Dad froze both his feet while working in freezing temperatures in Pennsylvania in January. Only three months old at the time, I never saw my father walk without a limp. Suffering from gangrene, he lost his toes on his left foot and, eventually, the leg. At that point in his life, he had also lost his first wife to cancer, and two children, one stillborn, the other, only 1 ½ years old, died from pneumonia.

Dad now resides in heaven, where God has wiped away his tears, restored his body, and he no longer suffers the losses he had in this world. The Lord promises that the suffering will end and we will experience a heavenly reality we can’t even imagine. Our heavenly Father cares for us individually and gently.

When my father walked through the pearly gates in 1986, he left behind the heartache of this world. His first wife and two daughters welcomed Dad. And one day, he’ll welcome me when God calls me home.

Every tear you’ve ever cried, God sees. He captures them in a bottle, holding everyone close. The pain we feel now won’t last forever; it will end. The Lord promises an eternal future with everything completely restored, including us.

The apostle John wrote Revelation from a vision he had while on the island of Patmos. He saw what the Lord’s final restoration will look like. John describes a deeply tender and personal moment between God and man.

As the old order passes away, new life begins. In the presence of God, we will bask in His glories without a care in the world. What we leave behind pales in comparison to what we will one day have.

Reflection:

What pain or sorrow are you carrying that you need to place in God’s promise of restoration?

Joy Thought:

God will wipe away every tear.

Two-minute read.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve had job opportunities arise with different non-profit organizations. The idea of a steady paycheck has a lot of appeal. But as I prayed and sought God’s will, I quickly realized I would have to give up what I feel called to do. Even though I would serve Him in a different capacity, with a steadier income, it would pull me away from my calling. And so I declined them and continued the path the Lord has for me, finding peace, fulfillment, and an alignment with God’s purpose for my life.

When we seek the Lord’s kingdom first, we make Him our top priority. Even when we have opportunities that seem good, they may take us away from God and His purpose for us. We must put the Father’s will above our own plans, living with integrity, humility, and trust.

Jesus addresses a very human struggle: worry. We fret about food, clothing, the future, and whether we’ll have enough. But God doesn’t want us to live tied up in knots over material things. Instead, He wants us to seek Him first and foremost, and the Lord will give us the rest. As our provider, He has the resources to fulfill all our needs.

The more we seek God’s kingdom, the more our lives will reflect His values: love, justice, and mercy. Our Savior never promised us a life without trouble. But He does promise that when we put the Lord first, He will provide everything we truly need, including peace, direction, and purpose.

Essentially, Jesus flips our mindset from “Get everything together, then focus on God…” to “Put God first, and everything else will fall into place.” Our priorities determine our peace. Provision follows alignment, not anxiety. The Lord wants to lead our lives, and when we make Him our priority, He will.

Reflection:

What is currently competing with God for first place in your life?

Joy Thought:

Prioritize God, and He’ll take care of the rest.

Two-minute read.

As a coal miner, my Dad left for work early. Usually, his day ended around 4:00 p.m. when he backed the dump truck into our driveway. Mom always had dinner waiting on the table for him. He would use the CB radio to let her know what time he would arrive.

“I’m coming up the Templeton hill,” he would say, his voice crackling over the connection. Mom would immediately set the table and start laying out the meal, knowing she had ten minutes before the engine’s rattle would fill her ears.

Dad sat at the head of the table, Mom to his left, my brothers to his right, and me facing him. We ate as a family. I would say the prayer, and we would eat and drink and find satisfaction in our toil. I kept the prayer short and sweet.

“God is great, God is good. Thank you for our food. Bless it to our bodies. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.”

My memories of our family dinners remind me of Ecclesiastes 3:13. We thanked God for each day He gave us, and enjoyed His blessings. In an ordinary life, our dinner time held a sacred tone, a time when we came together in love and peace—a time that marked the end of a hard day’s work and the satisfaction that came with it.

Ron and I still pray over our meals, but now he does the praying. And we enjoy the same satisfaction from our day’s work as we enjoy the Lord’s blessings.

Solomon invites us to ground ourselves in a grateful lifestyle, receiving today as enough because of God’s presence in it. Enjoyment becomes spiritual when we root it in gratitude. Contentment comes from recognizing what we already have.

The Lord doesn’t only exist in the grand, life-altering moments, but in the ordinary rhythms of life: working, eating, resting, and enjoying what you have. Finding satisfaction in the everyday things we have lets us receive God’s gift in the ordinary.

Reflection:

Where might you be overlooking simple blessings today because you’re focused on what’s next?

Joy Thought:

Enjoy God’s gift of an ordinary day.

Two-minute read.

“I praised God every day on my way home from work,” one of my spiritual mentors, a physical therapist, said one night during Bible study. “Knowing I have the ability to walk, and have arms and hands to lift things with, just the fact I can move, makes me sing God’s praises.”

Kim hosted us in her upper room above the garage. We gathered to read and study scripture. Now in heaven, I can still see her smiling face as she shared her testimony. Ever since, I’ve praised God for the ability to walk, talk, and move, something I’ve taken for granted in the past.

When we do everything in the name of the Lord, it will change how we do things. Living for Jesus, rather than self, will make us choose patience and kindness when dealing with a difficult coworker, rather than frustration or sarcasm. Instead of using harsh words, we will speak with kindness to our friends and family. We will handle responsibility differently, knowing God sees how we respond when no one else sees.

By choosing integrity, gratitude, and grace, we will live out this verse. Like Kim, grateful for the work she did and the gifts God gave her, we’ll give thanks to the Lord. We will live intentionally, bringing Jesus into everything we do.

Living a lifestyle of gratitude weaves it into all aspects of life. When you live with the awareness of God’s presence, thankfulness naturally follows, not just in good moments, but even in ordinary or challenging ones.

Following Jesus will cause us to think more about our actions and how they affect other people. We will learn to deny self, pick up our cross, and follow the Savior. Whatever the Lord calls us to do, He will provide the resources to do it, giving us plenty of things to thank Him for now and always.

Reflection:

If everything you said and did today was done “in Jesus’ name,” what might need to change?

Joy Thought:

Living for Christ makes the ordinary extraordinary.

Two-minute read.

My mom had an enduring faith. Over her lifetime, she faced many trials but never wavered from the Lord. She set an example for me to follow. Because of her, I learned what faithfulness looked like. Psalm 121:1-2, her favorite verses, says it all:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

God has unwavering and long-lasting faithfulness; one my mother knew well. Remembering the Lord’s character and His essence reminds us that no other god compares to the Lord. All other beliefs and influences fall apart. If you look at the “movements” that started and ended in the last five years in America, you will see the truth of that statement. Only our Savior deserves praise for His trustworthiness.

The Lord doesn’t forget, change His mind, or abandon His promises. Faithfulness defines Him. Reading through the Old Testament shows how God repeatedly saved the Israelites from themselves. He never stopped loving them, always showing up for them in their time of need. And He does the same for us. Though we may fall, God picks us up, puts us back on our feet, and helps us persevere.

Rooted in His covenant, God lives up to His promise. Anchored in His character, the Lord doesn’t base his love on emotion or convenience. And His faithfulness has no expiration dates, available to a thousand generations. My mom knew it, and now, so do I.

We don’t earn the Lord’s love, but like my mother, obedience flows from our relationship with Him. My mom reflected her love for God in the way she lived, and now I try to do the same. Some days, I have more success than others, but every day, because of His unending mercy, I get to try again.

Look to the hills for your help, and discover the faithfulness of the Savior, today and always.

Reflection:

Where in your life do you need to trust that God will remain faithful, even when you don’t yet see the outcome?

Joy Thought:

God’s faithfulness doesn’t run out.

Two-minute read.

Yesterday, I talked about God’s guidance leading me back to school and onto my current path. During that period, when I felt discouraged at losing my job and uncertain about the future, the Lord showered me with goodness that helped me persevere.

First, the church service that planted the seeds, then a friend encouraged me to get my master’s. When I signed up for classes, He provided the resources through my work, and my husband’s support. Any time I felt anxious, I would turn my thoughts towards the Savior, and He gave me His peace. Repeatedly, in a myriad of ways, the Lord provided for me, every good and perfect gift coming from above.

Anything genuinely good—peace, provision, wisdom, relationships, opportunities—ultimately traces back to God. When we reframe our perspective and see our blessings not as random or self-made but as gifts, we’ll quickly realize the Lord’s constant provision. Maybe not the way we thought, but always what we need, God has our best interest at heart.

Like the sun, moon, and stars illuminate our world, God’s light gives us truth, goodness, and life itself. The Lord’s character never shifts, nor casts shadows, but lights our path no matter what our circumstances. Steady and reliable, the Son shines brightly for all to see.

Each day, we can find gifts from above. The air we breathe, the food we eat, and the tasks God gives us all represent His gifts. As we follow Jesus and become more like Him, we’ll recognize His provision more. Sometimes, a parking space does open at the exact time we need it. Other times, we do get in the shortest line at the grocery store. And when we arrive home from another day, the Lord has protected us from things we can’t even imagine. Gifts come in a variety of ways, the best ones coming from above.

Reflection:

Do you recognize the good in your life as gifts from God, or do you tend to overlook their source?

Joy Thought:

God gives good gifts, now and always.

Two-minute read.

After I lost my job because of restructuring and downsizing, I didn’t know what to do. At first, I battled through my anger and pain, and then I started seeking the Lord. My first clue came two days later, during church service, when a group of newly graduated speakers shared the pulpit with five-minute sermonettes to complete their course of instruction; they planted the seed that would lead me to return to school.

As I prayed and sought the Lord, I began thinking about writing and my desire to become an author. Writing in my journal, I remember distinctly the moment I felt the nudge: “You need to learn more.”

The next morning, I called Regent University to gain more information. By the end of that conversation, I had enrolled in classes starting the following semester. I’ve never looked back. God guided every step with subtle nudges, open doors, and divine direction. Peace accompanied me on the journey, scripture encouraged my soul, and wise counsel helped me find the path the Lord wanted me to take.

After we receive the saving grace of Jesus, God leads us through life, one step at a time. He doesn’t keep us guessing, but actively guides through His word, His Spirit, and sometimes wise counsel. Every day, He directs our path with intentional, ongoing teaching.

Although the Lord’s guidance may feel random, He has a purpose for the journey. What feels uncertain to us, God already knows. Because of the Father’s vast love for us, He leads us because He cares, not because of control. The Savior watches us, not for failure, but to guide with love, attention, and protection. Christ sees us and never overlooks us.

Trust God’s leading, even if it doesn’t make sense. Don’t expect Him to give you the entire road map. Ask Him for the next step and wait for His response. When you feel the Holy Spirit’s nudge, take the step, then wait for the next one.

Reflection:

Are you taking time to seek God’s guidance, or are you trying to figure everything out on your own?

Joy Thought:

God’s loving eye guides every step.

Two-minute read.

Charles Finney, a Presbyterian minister and leader of the Second Great Awakening, preached revival during the 1820s and 30s. He preached salvation more than discipleship, leading to a shift in the church. Prior to the Second Great Awakening, pastors preached more on discipleship than salvation.

Of course, we need both salvation and discipleship. Once people give their lives to Christ, discipleship helps them learn how to live for Him. Like the disciples, who had the privilege of learning directly from Jesus, they walked with the Lord. Every day, they learned lessons on forgiveness, grace, mercy, and the miraculous power of God. When Jesus called people to Him, He simply said, “Follow me.”

Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, reminds them that following Jesus doesn’t mean graduating from faith, but rather deepening it. Submitting our lives to Jesus takes the first step of faith. After that, we take many more, following in baptism, as Jesus taught, then learning daily the lessons He has to teach us.

If we tune into the Holy Spirit’s prompting, we’ll grow every day. Rooted in Christ, our faith draws nourishment and stability from a close relationship with the Savior. The deeper our connection, the stronger we will stand.

Faith grows through truth. The lessons Jesus taught matter, anchoring our belief and guarding against confusion. Spiritual strength doesn’t come from feeling alone, but from grounding ourselves in the Savior’s truth. As we do, we will overflow with thankfulness, unable to contain it; our gratefulness spills over into our attitudes, words, and perspectives.

Salvation begins the journey, discipleship defines it.

Day after day, as we choose Christ again, we will grow. God never stops teaching us, but we must remain teachable. The more time we spend with the Savior, the more lessons we will learn, and the more spiritual growth we will experience. And as we grow, we will discover the divine joy that comes from a heart connected to Jesus.

Reflection:

Are you trying to grow in your faith through effort alone, or are you still walking in the same trust you had when you first believed?

Joy Thought:

Rooted in Christ, growth comes naturally.