Devotions

[Cocopops]

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You Are Not Alone
May 8, 2024
by Emily Morrow

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

There’s nothing better than sitting in the shade of a big oak tree, looking up as dappled sunshine dances in the leaves. As a “crunchy” mom, I’m an advocate for “green time over screen time” which means getting my boys outside as much as possible to explore together this big, beautiful world that God has given us.  My kids love to collect acorns. I marvel at how inside every acorn is the seed of an oak, one of the mightiest trees, ready to come forth.  However, the acorn first needs to break down, fall apart, crumble die to itself so that the first weak, green sprout has space to emerge. Otherwise, this tender sprout will remain trapped inside the hard shell and never see the light.  God asks us to die to ourselves (Matthew 10:39; Romans 6:6) and often allows us to go through struggles so that we can grow closer to Him. About 10 years ago, I went through the worst bout of anxiety I have ever experienced. I let it take control of my life. And while I was going through that, I couldn’t see any reason God would allow me to walk through such a trial.  Fast-forward 10 years, and my son has just come out of a long period of anxiety that so closely aligned with my own, right down to the need for assurance at 3 a.m.  My son’s middle name is Oaks. Saying his name reminds me of that acorn. It reminds me of the time I went through all that anxiety and fear, the darkest period of my life, when I was falling apart and couldn’t see why any of this was happening.  Really, God was preparing me to burst forth like an oak tree equipped with knowledge and experience to be able to help my child who also struggles with fear and anxiety. God has granted me an opportunity to share empathy and understanding.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Maybe you don’t struggle with anxiety but with loneliness or grief from losing a loved one. Maybe you’re exhausted by motherhood or you’re struggling with your faith. Maybe you feel like your life isn’t going how you thought it would.  Whatever it is, I want to encourage you that time and time again, I have seen God use my hurts and challenges to grow me so I can be a comfort to someone else. Friend, God is shaping you and growing you; this isn’t for nothing. You are not alone.

[heartbroken]

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Even in This, I Will Trust the Lord
May 29, 2024
by Ashley Morgan Jackson

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid ...” Isaiah 12:2 (ESV)

I sat on the couch one afternoon with tears streaming down my face as I received some news that left me full of worry. Then, only minutes later, I received a second text about another situation that was also devastating.  It was as if these messages were punches to my soul. I felt like I’d been hit with one blow to the gut then a swift second.  When it rains, it pours, or so they say. And doesn’t this feel so true sometimes?

In seasons where it seems like one thing after another goes wrong, we are desperate for change or solutions. No matter if we know that struggle and strife are part of being human in a broken world, we’re never ready for the bad news when it hits.  Maybe you, like me, have found yourself in this place today, with unexpected pain, unforeseen challenges and unknown burdens placed in your path. Or maybe you're carrying a weight that has been with you much longer, one that you are tired of having to manage and that has become far too much.  Perhaps the reminder we both need today is what I read this morning as I opened my Bible: “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid …” (Isaiah 12:2).

These issues we find ourselves dealing with may not be going away right now, but like Isaiah, we can declare that God has been and will continue to be our Savior. We don’t have to be afraid. I don’t know about you, but for me, that reminder brings hope in the storm. I am shaken, but my God is not.  In our hard seasons, we can acknowledge the pain, grieve what we’re facing, and also know Jesus will never leave us in it alone. When life feels uncertain or unfair, we can trust God with what breaks our hearts.  Oh, friend, it may rain or even pour, but God will never let you stand alone. He is with you, and He is mighty to save.

[Lil angel]

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Reflecting Christ
June 4, 2024
by Cynthia Heald

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Romans 8:29 (NLT)

One time as I was reading the book of Romans, Romans 8:29 freshly penetrated my heart. My eyes rested on this verse, and I prayed, Lord, is Your overall purpose to make us like Jesus?

What a masterful and lofty plan! But surely this must be for very special, chosen people, I thought. To become like perfect and sinless Jesus seemed an impossible goal. I love the Lord and want to be who He wants me to be, but is it even possible to be molded into someone who could represent Jesus in everyday life?

As a young girl, I enjoyed playing “follow the leader” with neighborhood friends. The game was about imitation copying whatever our chosen leader did. If she ran, hopped or skipped, we did the same thing.  Along these same lines, the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians: “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ” (Ephesians 5:1-2a, NLT).

As I meditated on Paul’s instruction, my daily communications with my husband and children came to mind. I tended to respond too quickly and impatiently to their requests. Many times my behavior could not be considered Christlike.  Imitating and following Jesus as a role model is challenging. Still, when we accept and believe in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we receive new life through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We can begin the process of becoming like Jesus and reflecting His attributes of love, holiness, obedience, servant-heartedness, and unreserved trust in the Father. I’m encouraged by this verse in Philippians: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13, NLT).

So I have begun to be more intentional as I interact with people. My prayer and purpose are to be more loving and patient with my family as well as kind and gracious to the server in the restaurant, the sales clerk in the store, friends, and neighbors. I hope to reflect Christ to whoever crosses my path.  My conformity to Christ, though, is still very much an ongoing process as I guard against pride, impatience and complacency. I can never presume on my past walk with God. My ability to reflect His character comes only through my daily walk with Him, in which I surrender my thoughts, actions and plans to His will.  How humbling it is to think of becoming like Jesus. May this divine goal encourage us not only to accept His purpose for us but also to desire it.

[PippaJane]

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When It’s Time To Reinvent Yourself and Your Life
June 7, 2024
by Tracie Miles

“But forget all that it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT)

I had deep questions on an ordinary day when I looked in the mirror and asked, Who am I now that my life is so different again?

What am I supposed to do, and who do I want to be in this new season?

So much had changed in my life over the past 10 years that I found myself pondering my identity in this new phase of life and my desires for the future.  I knew I had to let go of what was gone, appreciate what remained, determine what was next, and put in the work to make those desires happen. I also needed to remember that my identity as a daughter of Christ would never change and trust in whatever new plans He had for me.  In Isaiah 43:18-19, God spoke to the Babylonian-exiled Israelites through the prophet Isaiah: “But forget all that it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?”

God is always at work, bringing forth newness and transformation in our hearts and lives. Just as He had previously rescued the Israelites from exile in Egypt and given them a fresh start, they could trust He would usher them into something new after Babylon as well.  Perhaps you are in a transition period right now a career change, a relationship transition, a personal challenge, or just a new and unfamiliar season of life. Maybe you are longing to reinvent yourself and reshape your life, but you feel unsure of how to begin and doubtful of whether you have what it takes. Below are five steps to help you move into the new thing God has for you.

Step 1: Identify what you want to change or improve. Allow yourself to consider who you want to be and what you want to accomplish.

Step 2: Determine any skills you may need to develop to move forward, and be willing to invest in yourself.

Step 3: Map out a life plan. A dream without a plan is just a wish. Without setting goals for ourselves, we’ll stay stuck right where we are.

Step 4: Spend time in solitude and prayer, asking God to guide your steps.

Step 5: Get out of your comfort zone, and start working toward your goals! Maintain a positive attitude, and stay focused on your aspirations.

It’s natural to feel apprehensive about the unknown, but God’s ability to bring about transformation and renewal in our lives never fails. We can trust in His sovereignty, remembering He is the master of making all things new … including helping us to become the best version of ourselves and to enjoy the lives He has given us.

[PippaJane]

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True Guilt or False Guilt?
June 12, 2024
by Dr. Alison Cook

“If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” 1 John 3:20 (NIV)

As a therapist, I've noticed the obstacle most of my clients face when they need to set a boundary or make a change is guilt.  When you make a decision that’s wise for you, it often means disappointing someone else. Guilt swoops in: What if I’ve done something wrong?

What if I’ve hurt someone?

What if I’ve made a mistake?

But guilty feelings don’t always mean you’ve done something wrong. They might mean you’ve done something brave.  Guilt is an emotion, not necessarily a direct message from God. “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:20).

Therefore, braving guilt involves getting curious about it. Guilt has important information for you, but it doesn’t always have the full story.  It’s helpful to distinguish between true guilt and false guilt.  The messages of true guilt show up after you do something wrong, when you can name the thing you did wrong. I was too harsh with my kids. I lied to a friend. I betrayed someone’s trust. True guilt involves a clear prick of the conscience, followed by clarity empowering you to change your behavior, apologize or make amends.  The messages of false guilt show up when you haven’t done anything wrong. You can’t name an actual thing that you did wrong. You feel a vague sense of not measuring up to some impossible standard either you or someone else has set. I feel guilty that they feel disappointed. I feel guilty that I’m not available to my kids 24/7. I feel guilty that other people are suffering.  The solution for false guilt is to reframe it gently, giving it a new name one that more accurately describes what you’re feeling.  False guilt often protects you from facing more vulnerable and challenging emotions: sadness, fear, helplessness. I’m sad that I’m disappointing my friend. I’m worried I’m letting my kids down. I feel helpless that I can’t improve their situation.  In this case, guilt is a misnaming. Of course you don’t want other people to feel disappointed, hurt or let down. But it’s not helpful to tell yourself that these things are exclusively your responsibility.  When you experience false guilt, you essentially feel guilty for being human for not being omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. In other words, you feel guilty that you’re not God.  The good news is you’re not. You’re finite, limited. We all are.  The right response to guilt in this case is acceptance of your human limitations: surrender. When you surrender, you reframe your expectations of yourself.

Guilt says, “I’m letting people down.”
Surrender says, “I’m limited, and I’m a beloved child of God.”

Guilt says, “I should be perfect.”
Surrender says, “I’m not perfect, and God’s grace is enough.”

Guilt says, “I should have done more.”
Surrender says, “I gave my best, and I have to trust God with the rest.”

The antidote to false guilt is a radical acceptance of your dependence on God. It’s choosing to bravely honor the reality of your human limitations.

[PippaJane]

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I Have Trust Issues
June 13, 2024
by Lysa TerKeurst

"... because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'" Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)

I want life to be as predictable as a math problem. Two plus two always equals four. It will equal four today, tomorrow, and into the tomorrows years from now.  Math equations don’t experience breakups and letdowns. They don’t get cancer. Or have their best friend move across the country. They don’t have affairs or unmatched affections. They are highly predictable. Therefore, math equations are easy to trust.  But sometimes, life doesn’t add up. Sometimes we can’t make sense of what God is allowing. All of which makes us hold our trust ever so close to our chests, until it becomes more tied to our fears than to our faith.  That’s where I was when my friends Bob and Maria invited me to a retreat at their mountain home. I needed God to untangle some of my trust issues. And the retreat was going well until someone handed me a helmet. We were about to do a ropes course.  The grand dismount of this course was a leap from a platform to catch a bar suspended several feet away. I started looking around for the emergency exit.  And then Bob appeared. With his enormous smile, he said, “Lysa, this isn’t about finishing the ropes course. This is about conquering your hesitancy, resistance and fear. These ropes holding you will only let you slightly drop if you miss the bar.” He whispered as if he had a window view inside my soul, “Then they will catch you, and you absolutely will not fall.”

I looked at the space between the edge of the platform and the bar. I saw death. Bob saw life. What a visual for the word "trust." What we see will violate what we know unless what we know dictates what we see.  Bob knew the ropes would hold me. And he knew my ability to survive this jump had nothing to do with my efforts. I was safe while standing on the platform. I would be safe in midair. And I would absolutely be safe whether or not I caught the bar.  I can’t tell you how long I stood there. It felt like days and milliseconds all at the same time. The world swirled and tilted and shifted without me so much as twitching a muscle fiber. I forgot to breathe. I couldn’t even blink.  I imagine you’ve been in situations that felt quite paralyzing as well. And it’s in these times I have to tie my heart to soul-steadying verses like Hebrews 13:5-6: “Because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’”

The peace of our souls does not have to rise and fall with unpredictable people or situations. Our feelings will shift, of course. People do affect us. But the peace of our souls is tethered to all God is. And though we can’t predict His specific plans, the fact that God will work everything together for good is a completely predictable promise (Romans 8:28).  Finally, I closed my eyes, and without any other conscious thought, my soul kicked in where my brain could not. My feet exploded off the platform and into midair. I touched the bar but did not catch it. I didn’t need to. Because trust caught me.

[Lost Soul]

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The Joy Challenge
June 17, 2024
by Randy Fraze

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight ...” Philippians 1:9 (NIV)

When our four children were young, they bought me Father’s Day presents. I’d get the standard tie or even the dreaded “soap on a rope.” To add insult to injury, they used my money to purchase the gifts.  One year, I said to them, “What I really, really would like more than anything is a handwritten note from you on how you are doing and how you feel about our relationship.”

This year, my oldest child turns 40, and I still receive notes from all my children and grandchildren too.  Today, I don’t have any of the ties they gave me, and I never used the soap on a rope (I think I regifted them). But I have every single letter they’ve given me, and they bring me pure joy. My children helped me know what mattered most to them individually and how to show each of them love in unique ways.  I didn’t and don’t always get it right, but the Apostle Paul’s prayer to the Philippians inspires me to keep finding ways to show love to my family. Paul wrote, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight” (Philippians 1:9).

The singular focus of Paul’s prayer was that the people of Philippi would learn how to love. When we learn to love people better, not only does their joy increase, but so does ours. The word “abound” means “more than enough.” Paul wanted the Philippians to have so much love inside them that they would have no place to store it and no choice but to let it spill out to others.  If the Apostle Paul got it right, my children’s letters also bring them joy. To know that they’re in a unique position of intimacy with me and that, through their depth of insight about me, they can craft a few words that elevate my joy meter well, that is a source of joy for them, for sure.  Here is your Joy Challenge today, friend: Write a letter to a family member or close friend who could use encouragement. Speak joy into their life by writing down things you’ve seen in them that make them special. Call out a specific way they’ve made a difference in your life or the lives of others. It doesn’t have to be a big thing. You can text, email or snail mail it to them, or put it somewhere they’ll find it. Maybe even sit down with them to read the letter out loud. Then ask two questions: Did it bring them joy? Did it bring you joy?

May we be known for our deep, sincere, heartfelt love for others, and may our joy increase because of it.

[Cocopops]

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But They Seem To Get Away With Everything
June 27, 2024
by Lysa TerKeurst

“they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.” Proverbs 1:31 (NIV)

I was sitting in the sand, watching the salty water inch closer and closer. The tide was coming in, and I knew if I didn’t move, the water would soon wash over me and my stuff.  The beauty of the ocean comes with the reality of the tide.  Many things in life come as a package deal like this. When we choose to participate with part of it, we participate with all of it. Relationships. Jobs. Homeownership. Even vacations are this way.  All these things come with fun parts and hard parts. And sin is no different. We must remember this about our own sin and also about other people’s sins against us.  When others intentionally wrong us and blatantly hurt us but never seem to face consequences for any of it, the apparent lack of fairness stirs up bitterness, unforgiveness and even retaliation.  The truth that helps me manage these hurtful situations is that when people sin against us, they also unleash into their lives the consequences of that sin. We may never see it. In fact, it may look like they just got away with everything. But there are many scriptures throughout the Bible, like Proverbs 1:31, that show “they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.”

And as a girl whose heart is wired for justice, that brings me so much relief.  You see, we can trust God with others’ consequences while making sure we don’t get lured into sinful choices by our own bitterness and unforgiveness. And when feelings start rising up inside of us, we must get honest with ourselves and call those feelings what they really are.  Bitterness, for example, does not protect us from getting hurt again. It also doesn’t hurt the person who hurt us. It is the very place where the enemy can lure us into his schemes and where we can be so very tempted to sin.  Friend, I don’t know what relational hurt you may be carrying today, but let me encourage you with this: Your strength is found in humility. When we are humble, it doesn’t mean we are bowing down in defeat. It means we are rising up to declare no one has the power to make us betray who we really are in Christ. We can stand up for what is right, have hard conversations, and even confront things that need to be addressed in equal measures of grace and truth all without losing the best of who we are.  Your heart is much too beautiful a place to be tainted by hurt, haunted by resentment or held back by bitterness. We may feel hurt, but that doesn’t mean we have to live lives that perpetuate that hurt.

[heartbroken]

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Study His Word
June 28, 2024
by Binu Samuel

“... for the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” Ezra 7:9-10 (NIV)

About a month after my husband and I moved into our first home, we purchased a pool table. My husband was passionate about the game and also quite convincing. He couldn’t wait to enjoy his favorite pastime in his own home.  Once our sons were old enough to see the top of the pool table, my husband wasted no time in teaching them the game. By the time our little guys were in elementary school, they were pool pros, and my husband was one proud daddy.  If my husband, an earthly father, couldn’t wait to engage with his children over his favorite pastime, how much more does our heavenly Father beam with excitement when we take an interest in what interests Him His Word?

In the Old Testament book of Ezra, we meet Ezra himself in Chapter 7. He is described as “a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel” (Ezra 7:6a, NLT).

Ezra came up to Jerusalem from Babylon after God's temple was rebuilt. He was determined to study, obey and teach the law of the Lord. God honored Ezra’s passion for His Word by placing His hand upon him and giving him favor (mentioned three times in Ezra 7!).  “... for the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel” (Ezra 7:9-10).

God’s Word is the very heart of God. John 1:1 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (NIV).

Time in God’s Word is time with God! What other book are we able to read with a perfect, holy Author sitting next to us, ready and willing to speak to us and deepen our understanding of what we are reading?

The more time we spend reading our Bibles, the more we grow in our intimacy with God. It’s inevitable!  Those little pool pros are now young men. Although late-night, father-son pool tournaments are still loads of fun, what excites my husband and me beyond words is seeing our boys love God and study His Word.  There truly is “no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4, NIV).

Like Ezra, may we be ready scribes, eager to read, study and obey God’s Word. Our heavenly Father can’t wait to share His heart with His children!

[PippaJane]

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Jesus Sees a Woman’s Tears
July 3, 2024
by Sharon Jaynes

“When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. ‘Don’t cry!’ he said.” Luke 7:13 (NLT)

It was a hard day. I was crying and wondering if God really cared. But then a memory popped into my head about a woman in the Bible who felt about as low as a woman could feel.  She was a widow, which was sad enough. But then the unthinkable happened: Her only son died as well. You can’t get much lower than that, especially in a culture where women had few options for supporting themselves. Family and financial support all gone. Heartbroken and soul-sick all seemed lost.  “A funeral procession was coming out as [Jesus] approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her” (Luke 7:12, NLT).

She walked in a funeral procession with her tears sprinkling the dusty ground under her feet. Grief moved one foot in front of the other.  Just as the funeral procession walked out of the city gate, Jesus walked in. Here’s what happened next:  “When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. ‘Don’t cry!’ he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. ‘Young man,’ he said, ‘I tell you, get up.’ Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother” (Luke 7:13-15, NLT).

Yes, it was a miracle that Jesus brought the boy back to life, but you know what amazes me even more?

The compassion Jesus felt for the grieving momma. When Jesus saw her, His heart overflowed with compassion. He saw her. He sees you.  While we don’t know all Jesus’ intentions with this miracle, we do know it was borne in part out of divine distress for a momma’s broken heart. Her tears moved Him emotionally and physically. “‘Don’t cry!’ he said” (Luke 7:13b).

Jesus was and is a compassionate dryer of a woman’s tears.  I love that the story begins with a woman walking out of the city gate and Jesus walking in. Simply put, their paths crossed. Coincidence?

Not a chance.  Most likely, in her grief, she didn’t even notice Jesus and probably didn’t even know who He was. But He noticed her. And He notices you and me too.  She didn’t ask for a miracle. She didn’t expect a thing. There’s no mention of her great faith or even a trace of hope for anything to change. Jesus simply saw the grieving momma and, filled with compassion, dried her tears and reversed the reason for them.  We might get so busy we fail to recognize Jesus walking alongside us or crossing paths with us. But know this: He always notices you, cares about you, and is ready to dry your tears.

[heartbroken]

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God’s Abundant Provision for You
July 31, 2024
by Binu Samuel

“When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them …” Joshua 19:49 (NIV)

Exiting the highway, I noticed a sign in an empty grass lot across from my subdivision. It read “Grocery Store Coming Soon.” My heart skipped a beat.  Perhaps you’re thinking, Wow, this girl gets oddly excited about the construction of a new grocery store.  I should explain.  I’m a pharmacist, and I had been praying for a job closer to home. Though I explored options nearby, nothing seemed to be a good fit. When I saw the sign, my mind began to race. Could this be it?

Will the grocery store include a pharmacy?

Will they even hire me? At that moment, I felt as if I heard God say, That’s yours.  I was reminded of Joshua 19-20, where God assigned portions of the promised land to the tribes of Israel. They had been desiring, waiting and fighting for this land for a long time. Tribe by tribe, clan by clan, God said to each person (in so many words), That’s yours.  The Simeonites received territory within Judah. The tribe of Zebulun got a tiny but lush green area with its boundary as far as Sarid. Issachar’s allotment was near the Sea of Galilee. Every allotment was strategically assigned by God. The final allotment of land was given to Joshua, Israel’s servant leader.  “When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them, as the LORD had commanded. They gave him the town he asked for Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim” (Joshua 19:49-50a, NIV).

Scholars say this land wasn’t anything fancy, but to Joshua, it was his inheritance. Joshua had been waiting for this land for 45 years. The name Timnath Serah signified “God’s abundant provision.”

Joshua 19:50b then says “he built up the town and settled there” (NIV).

I believe God has given each of us an allotment the schools and churches we attend, the jobs we go to, the gyms or coffee shops we frequent, our homes, our neighborhoods, and our cities. It may not look like much at first, but we must remember God has strategically placed us there. And in doing so, He’s saying, That’s yours your allotment, your sphere of influence, your Timnath Serah.  By the way, about a year after seeing that sign, the empty grass lot was transformed into a beautiful grocery store with a pharmacy inside of it. And for the past 15 years, it’s been my Timnath Serah. It may not look like much to others, but for me, it’s a place of God’s abundant provision.  Wherever God places us, He entrusts us with purpose. However long or short the season, let us be faithful.

[PippaJane]

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Can I Have This Dance?
August 6, 2024
by Calista Baker, COMPEL Training Member

“Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me [ceased from fretting].” Psalm 131:2 (AMPC)

Digging deep into my bag, I prayed to find any morsel of food for my overstimulated, worn-out toddler. The museum was crowded. The day was long. The bag was empty. Not even a half-eaten granola bar or a couple of sticky fruit snacks. I was doomed.  Onlookers gawked as my tiny human wailed and writhed against the restraints of his stroller. With his back arched and mouth wide, he made sure every bystander knew he was being held against his will.  Desperate measures were needed. Unbuckling the straps was no easy feat, and once free, my little guy slid off the stroller like a deflated balloon. Scooping him up, I thought my motherly embrace would calm him.  I was mistaken.  Then I spotted a dimly lit area away from the crowd, and with my hollering toddler on one hip, I propelled around the corner into a quiet hallway. Hysteria broke loose, but tightening my hold, I spoke softly as he whimpered and wriggled.  “Don’t fight, baby. I’ve got you. I know you’re tired and ready to go home. Hush now. It’s OK. Mama loves you.”

Shrieks gave way to stuttered breaths as he relaxed in my arms. Back and forth we swayed in a slow dance, and as I kissed those cheeks covered in sweat and snot, I feared my heart would bust wide open. My baby, why do you struggle so?

I wonder is this what God feels toward us sometimes?

We press on to meet demands on our time and resources, setting a pace that doesn’t allow for breaks to recover from jam-packed schedules. Our energy dwindles until there are no reserves in our overstimulated, worn-out souls.  Oh, God, I’m so tired and afraid. Life is unfair, and I’m angry. The hurt is too much. The demand is too high. I can’t do this anymore!  All the while, God tightens His gentle hold on us as we struggle with our frenzied pace. Just like a loving mother holds her children, God holds us.  Based on what He has spoken in Scripture, we might imagine Him now saying, Why are you fighting, My child?

Look I’m here with you. I know you’re tired. I hear you, and I care. Come away with Me where it’s quiet. Be still for a moment. Breathe. Remember: I love you.  As we finally surrender, He leans in close to dry our tears. Then we can say, “I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child is my soul within me [ceased from fretting]” (Psalm 131:2).

God’s whisper is a divine invitation to come, be quiet, and hear what He has to say. His embrace is the slow dance that brings us into step with His good plan for our lives.  His love is the love that never stops loving.