Mornings with Jesusの January/February 2026 の目次

Something you may not know about the publishing process is how far in advance we work to make sure our books and magazines come out at a particular time. For example, I’m writing this editor’s note in the heat and humidity of June 2025, trying to imagine what I’ll be doing, thinking, and experiencing in the bitter cold of January 2026. I can become overwhelmed considering my future—whether it’s a future that’s merely six months from now or one that’s years or even decades away. This has been true for me most of my life but especially in the last several months, since I hit what you might call a “milestone” birthday in May. Now the future feels as though it holds more weight. I’ve begun to ask myself questions…

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 43:5 (NIV) WHEN I LISTED MY GOALS for the year, one was for healing of a skin condition called pityriasis rosea. But instead of writing the words out, I abbreviated my goal to “healed of pity.” At first glance, I laughed at my silly sentence. On second thought, I’d created a perfect goal: to become free of feeling sorry for myself. And I know just the One who can empower me to do that: Jesus. Jesus has many ways to heal a sickness, a situation, or a person. He also has unlimited grace for me to overcome the pity that threatens to…

He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5 (ESV) EVERY YEAR, I SELECT A word to focus on, but this year I selected a phrase: all things new. We had lost our home and everything we owned to a wildfire that swept through our community. For almost three years, we worked through the insurance process to receive our payment to replace our contents and rebuild. It was a tedious and exhausting process where we had to create an extensive spreadsheet listing every item in our home that we could remember. My mind constantly focused on what we had lost. Finally, we reached an agreement with our insurance company.…

I praise the word of God; I trust in God, I do not fear. What can mere flesh do to me? Psalm 56:5 (NABRE) GROWING UP IN THE NORTHEASTERN part of the country, I had always loved winter. Sledding, hot cocoa, blanket snuggles, and chunky sweaters. A snow-covered town warmed my heart. However, after a diagnosis of moderate arthritis, winter was losing its charm. I quickly joined the ranks of those who could predict the weather by their joint pain. Amid a bitterly cold and icy winter, my bones and joints ached more than usual. I spent more time idly indoors, yearning for the coming of spring to ease my pain—warmer days, the vibrant colors of rebirth, happily chirping birds. My heart longed to run from the metaphorical abbey and…

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3 (NIV) MY SON, MASON, AUDITIONED FOR his high school’s play, Les Misérables. He was elated when he landed a lead role. My daughter, Jocelyn, auditioned for her middle school’s play, Frozen. She was heartbroken when she just got ensemble. After Jocelyn’s day of disappointment, she picked herself up, brushed herself off, committed to her part, and got excited for her brother. Hearing her brag to all her friends about his lead role and saying how proud she was of him filled me with joy. I’m not one to verbalize my jealousy, but I sure do feel it. When wearing an old dress to a wedding, I resent the beautiful women in their…

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6–7 (NIV) STANDING AT THE WINDOW OF our cozy cottage, I stared out at the wintry scene. With temperatures well below freezing and the wind blowing amid an ice storm, no cars drove past, no delivery vans parked nearby. I saw zero activity, aside from the numerous birds gathered around our maple where the feeders hung empty. They looked hungry. And I worried—had my husband, David, and I stored enough provisions for ourselves to make it through until the weather cleared? Getting seed out to the birds seemed daunting. A blanket of…

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:6 (NLT) FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME, WE told our then-teenaged son AJ it was time to clean his bathroom. For the umpteenth time, he sighed and sing-songed, “Okaaaay.” Eventually, it got done. Whenever my husband, the original Mr. Clean, supervised the operation, it got done very well. If he didn’t, telltale signs of grime always remained. On one of those cleaning days, I noticed my hubby was watching television downstairs while I heard water running upstairs, the strong smell of bleach permeating the air. To my surprise, AJ was cleaning his bathroom—without supervision. “Dear, did you tell him to clean? Or did he do it on his own?” Andrew paused his program…

“If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” John 11:48 (NIV) WE RECENTLY CELEBRATED A FAMILY anniversary—the day a match was found for a kidney transplant for my nephew. While he and his wife had raced to the transplant hospital almost four hours away, the life-giving kidney donated by a grieving family began its almost 1,500-mile flight from the donor’s hospital. Any number of things could have delayed either the road trip or the flight. All had to happen precisely for the kidney to be viable when it reached the operating room. After waiting years for a rare match, how heartbreaking it would have been if it had been delayed too…

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. Psalm 86:12 (NIV) DURING DINNER WITH SEVERAL FRIENDS from college, one of my classmates shared that his wife calls him “Mr. Wonderful.” We all laughed and teased him about that. But later I thought that moniker was a great way for my classmate’s spouse to affirm and express her love and appreciation for him and who he is to her. In Psalm 86, King David does the same thing as my friend’s wife. He gives honor and glory to the Lord for His wonderful works and for who He is. David says in verse 10 (NIV), “For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.” I, too, must praise Jesus…

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 (NIV) MY DAUGHTER AND I OFTEN laugh about the Minecraft incident. Several years ago, my eight-year-old grandson decided to teach me to play his favorite video game during my upcoming visit. I thought that was sweet—but talk about pressure. Roman kept telling his mom beforehand that he just knew Nana would be a great player. After a brief session, however, he proclaimed me the world’s worst Minecraft player. (I had chopped some leaves off a tree with my sword but didn’t find any gold or weapons.) A couple of days later, Roman decided that his faulty teaching had been the problem, and he tried again.…

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV) I STRUGGLE WITH DEPRESSION AND anxiety. Someone once said this is like having Tigger and Eeyore living inside the same body, which is pretty accurate. This morning I woke up before it was daylight in the fetal position. As I tried to go back to sleep, my heart slammed against my chest and echoed in my ears. It seemed like ants were crawling through my veins. I wanted to jump out of my skin (anxiety), but inertia and exhaustion held me to the bed (depression). It’s a hard place to rest. The worst of both worlds.…

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8 (NIV) FOR CHRISTMAS I LIKE TO give experiences, so I gave my husband, Zane, a certificate for an adventure dinner. I made a reservation at a restaurant in Leadville, Colorado, called the Tennessee Pass Cookhouse. The dinner is in a yurt (a portable circular building) that you cross-country ski to one mile up at the top of a pass called Tennessee Pass. After dining, using a headlamp, you ski back down. Neither of us is an experienced cross-country skier, but being comfortable on downhill skis, we quickly adapted to the skinny, wobbly equipment. We started the trek at dusk. The snow carpeted the ground, and a full moon slowly appeared. It…

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) WHEN RON AND I MARRIED, I inherited my mother’s piano, which she’d had since childhood. She, my sisters, and I played it in our youth. As a young bride, I imagined my future children carrying on the special tradition of playing the family piano. Our four kids grew up. I didn’t play the piano anymore, and only one of our children took piano lessons. The heirloom became a household nemesis instead. I kept the piano with respect for its family memories, hoping one of my kids would want it when they moved out, but none of them did. Did I dare get rid of it? I felt guilty even thinking about it! Though it…

“I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.” Hosea 11:4 (NIV) A FEW YEARS AGO, MY friend Michelle and I embarked on a transformative journey by starting a daily podcast in which we read and discuss the Bible. We started this project with the hope of helping more people read and understand God’s Word, but the personal growth within us has blossomed into something we hadn’t fully anticipated. As my friend and I read and discuss God’s Word daily, my grasp of the Bible’s overarching themes has become clearer, and my relationship with Jesus has also deepened. One joyful discovery has been that despite humanity’s…

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12 (NIV) EARLY IN HER FIRST TRIMESTER, while her pregnancy was still a secret, my daughter Kelli called to tell me she had received the best compliment of her life. An elderly woman sitting at a table in a coffee shop told her, “You’re absolutely glowing.” Kelli smiled and shared her secret with the perceptive stranger, who quickly responded, “Oh no, honey. You’re glowing with the love of Jesus.” What a compliment indeed! I tried to imagine what the woman might have observed in Kelli that allowed her to see Jesus. Perhaps as the woman entered the coffee shop, Kelli held the door and…

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1 (NIV) I SPECIFIED MY VALENTINE’S DAY preference early in my forty-fouryear marriage. “Flowers are pretty, and jewelry is nice, but I love, love, love turtles.” I was talking about those sweet treats made of crunchy pecans and creamy caramel, covered in milk chocolate. So, for our first decade together, Tim gave me a big heart-shaped box of turtles each February 14. I could stretch the gift for several months if I rationed myself to one or two pieces per week. I looked forward to replenishing my stash when the final bite was gone. One Valentine’s Day, Tim handed me two rectangular boxes of…

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13–14 (NIV) THE DRIVEWAY AT OUR NEW home begins narrow at the street then widens at the garage, creating an abrupt curve that is hard to navigate. When we first moved, it became my job to manage the awkward turn every morning when I went to work. I used every mirror at every angle to avoid accidentally driving onto the grass beside the driveway as I backed up, and I thought I was doing a great job. Then my sons pointed out all the ruts I’d made…

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:1–2 (NIV) I EMPATHIZED WITH MY FRIEND Mike as he shared an incident when he was reprimanded at work. His words were fine, but the vocal tone he used when attempting to get his important point across was what got him into trouble. For me, my voice changes to one of sternness, most times conveying a tone of anger and not one of caution or correction as I intended. As a rebellious teen, my words intentionally had a harsh or firm tone as I asserted my independence. But over time, I found that a more…

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30–31 (NIV) ONE OF THE FUN ASPECTS of being an empty nester is reliving the joy of parenthood through friends and family members who are just beginning their journey as parents. Recently, our neighbors shared with us that they were expecting their first child. Remembering those exciting—and scary—times, my husband and I decided we wanted to be as much of a blessing as possible. Although it wasn’t much, we volunteered to provide them with meals one of the first weeks after bringing their little one home. In addition to…

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) I WROTE A TO-DO LIST to keep myself focused amid a multitude of deadlines. I figured that tackling one or two tasks each day would soon bring me to the end of that list. The weight of my workload would lift, and I’d breathe easy, right? My plan sounded reasonable, but it didn’t turn out as I hoped. My pastor asked me to serve on a committee. My publisher asked me to record teaching videos for my soon-to-be-released book. As mission agency directors, my husband and I had to represent our organization at two weekend conferences…

Copyright © 2025 by Guideposts. All rights reserved. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher. Every attempt has been made to credit the sources of copyrighted material used in this book. If any such acknowledgment has been inadvertently omitted or miscredited, receipt of such information would be appreciated. Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are taken from Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version. Copyright © 1995 American Bible Society. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (GNT)…

“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:8 (NIV) NEW YEAR’S DAY TYPICALLY is not one of reflection or planning for me. I become frustrated when I set goals that get derailed by stress or unplanned events. This past year was filled with such experiences. An automobile accident, broken relationships, and the deaths of close friends created ongoing challenges and losses. I awoke on January 1 feeling tired and ready for a new year to start. I spent my devotional time thinking about the prior year’s events. I had learned how much of life was out of my control. Could new beginnings with a fresh calendar reclaim anything? I wondered if goals for practical rhythms, including simple prayer practices, could…

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:6–7 (NIV) I live in a two-story town house, so it’s a little short on sunlight on the ground floor. The builders compensated by installing many light fixtures, especially in the kitchen and connected foyer, for which there are seven light switches (I kid you not). As a matter of thrift and preference, I don’t always keep all the lights blazing, which has some ramifications. My downstairs floor is a variegated, sand-colored, textured ceramic…

Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. 1 Samuel 23:16 (NIV) EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING, A DOZEN friends and I meet on Zoom to discuss the Bible study we’re doing. Afterward, the leader assigns partners, and we share prayer requests and encourage each other in little ways until we meet again the following week. I consider these women, whose age differences span thirty years, my sisters in faith. Our love for Jesus bonds us. Our Zoom room provides a safe place to be transparent without fear of being judged. We share our wins and losses, assured the others will celebrate our joys and feel our sorrows. Most of all, we commit to encouraging one another’s relationship with Jesus so we can best flourish…

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18 (NIV) THIS MORNING, I VENTURED OUT on our porch to see how much snow had fallen overnight. The once-bare tree branches were coated in sparkling frost. Every house was covered with a bright white layer of snow. Icicles hung off eaves. It looked magical. My seven-year-old neighbor was perfecting snow angels in his front yard. “Do you want to come make some snow angels over here too?” I called. With a shout of laughter, he bounded across the street. Looking at the fluffy snow, I said, “I may need to make one with you.”…

A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up. Proverbs 15:1 (CEV) I’VE NEVER BEEN ONE TO jump out of bed at the first sound of the alarm. I need a slow start to my day. A morning that begins with an invitation rather than a command. This is why I used a snooze button and set my alarm for thirty minutes before I needed to wake up. The strategy was effective but not the most pleasant way to begin the day. Who wants to be jolted awake by a cacophony of alarms blaring into their ears every nine minutes? Not me—and certainly not my husband. I finally found a better solution when I began experimenting with the alarm feature on my smartwatch. It doesn’t use sound…

As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Micah 7:7 (NLT) MY SISTER, NAN, AND I decided to install cameras in the assisted living apartment of our ninety-year-old mother who has Alzheimer’s disease. We were concerned about Mom falling and wanted to monitor her movements and the staff’s care of her more closely. Mom often gets up in the middle of the night to walk aimlessly around the apartment for hours in the dark. Soon after we got the cameras, I saw Mom get up late one night and became worried that she was not safely in bed getting the rest that she needed. But then Jesus reminded me just to ask Him…

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 (NIV) AMONG THE LONG LIST OF Martin Luther King Jr.’s accomplishments is his advocacy for the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Both acts changed the course of US history forever. The only thing that eclipsed what MLK Jr. did is how he did it: peacefully. Despite being arrested twenty-nine times on charges ranging from civil disobedience to traffic violations— considered by many to be trumped-up charges—he never resorted to violence to defend himself. His constant message was this: “Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” In fact, his stance of nonviolence won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, making him the youngest recipient…

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established. Proverbs 24:3 (NIV) “SO MUCH HARD-EARNED, GOD-HONORING WISDOM,” a friend messaged me after I was a guest on her podcast. I was the episode’s expert as a therapist and someone with personal experience on a difficult parenting subject I rarely discussed in open forums. My expertise was professional and personal. Yet I felt vulnerable sharing personal struggles when I didn’t know how they would be received. But the phrase in the text, “hard-earned wisdom,” made me pause. Others rarely validated my most painful life experiences because few people were privy to them. The story I shared in the interview was one of the most challenging I had walked through. Had wisdom grown from that heartache? As a counselor, I…

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. 1 John 5:3 (NKJV) I PICKED UP MY COFFEE at the drive-through. As soon as the steaming cup contacted my palm, I knew my order was wrong. Again. A cup of half coffee and half cream should not be so hot—or so complicated. It’s only two ingredients. The barista had steamed the cream, even though I’d asked her not to. I could drive away with my scalding drink, but it was late, I was two hours from home, and I needed a caffeine pick-me-up now, not after it cooled. With an apology, I asked the barista to remake my order. She explained so much cream would make my coffee cold and asked if I wanted an iced coffee. I…

You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. Psalm 92:4 (NLT) I LOVE RODEOS. I GREW up going to them, and every year we go to one in Denver. The wildness of the whole event thrills me. This year, I sat by a boy and his sister. His parents, juggling a baby, sat in front of them. When the lights went out and fifty women on horses, with saddles lit up, carrying flags galloped in and around the arena to loud music, he looked at me with his eyes wide open. Obviously, this was his first rodeo. Throughout the competition, his jaw would drop, and he would turn his face to me, shocked and delighted. I wish…

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 (NIV) “HOW WAS YOUR CHICKEN, NANNIE?” I asked. “That ole raw chicken was so burned you couldn’t eat it,” she mumbled, face scrunched in a scowl. I chuckled. Only Nannie could use raw and burned in the same description. Nannie lived in the nursing home where I worked as activity director throughout college. At eighty-nine, her body was spry, and her mind was sharp. Her spirit, however, seemed angry and troubled. The widow made negative comments about everything and everybody, pushing back potential friendships with other residents. Perhaps she had offended her family also. Her son lived…

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) MY FOUR-YEAR-OLD GRANDDAUGHTER, LEXI, AND her two-yearold brother, Josh, were playing with friends. I entered the room as the two youngest children began tussling over a stuffed dinosaur. Instinct told me to step in and fix it, but I stepped back instead when I saw Lexi approach the dueling duo. The words she spoke brought a mile-wide smile to my heart. “Sharing is caring,” said Lexi. “That’s the emergency word when people aren’t sharing.” Wisdom spoken from the mouth of babes, right? Sharing is caring. No matter the language we speak, these three words translate as kindness. Sharing our time with a…

“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36 (ESV) GUILTY CONFESSION: I’VE BEEN KNOWN to check my phone when I’m sitting at a light in heavy traffic. I suspect that maybe, just maybe, I’m not alone (wink). Living on Florida’s popular Suncoast, I’m sometimes caught in traffic backed up through a few light cycles, only creeping up slowly before we finally get through. I can get distracted by my phone in an attempt to pass time. Usually, I’m very alert and scoot along as soon as the traffic moves. Sometimes, the person in the car behind me will angrily lean on the horn and glare. Other times, someone beeps gently to prompt me to go. Occasionally, I have been humbled and amazed to casually glance up to notice…

The LORD their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. Zechariah 9:16 (NIV) ON A RARE SUNNY MORNING after many gray, rainy days, my husband, John, pointed out something sparkling in the distance. Looking out the window, I saw glistening in a tall tree about a block away from our house. Not just a single sparkle either. The towering evergreen shimmered in the breeze, glinting in the sun. What could be causing all that radiance? Mesmerized, I had difficulty tearing my gaze away during our daily devotions that morning. Shiny object syndrome! I had to exert willpower to focus on our devotional lesson. When we finished, the investigative journalist in me embarked on…

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NIV) WE HAVE A DESIGNATED KITCHEN drawer that holds seldom used items that my husband and I don’t know where else to put. We toss paper clips, rubber bands, and birthday candles into what we call the “junk drawer.” If one of us can’t find something, the first question is, “Did you check the junk drawer?” When I opened it today, it was crammed so full, the contents were totally unmanageable. I immediately got busy cleaning it out one item at a time. As I peered at that random, jumbled mess of useless and unneeded items, I couldn’t help but imagine what a designated drawer…

The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS about losing all I owned in a fire was losing the items that had meaning attached, such as photos, journals, silver that belonged to my great-grandmother, and many handmade things my sons created in elementary school. For Valentine’s Day, I remember getting a few of those handwoven hearts made of construction paper from the boys. All those special keepsakes filled with love are gone forever. After mourning so much loss, I can confidently proclaim Jesus, in His grace, has restored my joy and made me stronger. When I feel…

I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes. Daniel 9:3 (KJV) ASH WEDNESDAY, THE BEGINNING OF the Lenten season for many Christians, is a representation of humility and mortality (ashes to ashes, dust to dust), of repentance and gratitude for Christ’s suffering on the cross. This year, I’m being more intentional to give it the attention it deserves. The attention Jesus and soul-cleansing deserve. I wanted to know more about traditions and ways Ash Wednesday is observed around the world. In Iceland, for example, children dress up in costumes and roam their towns and villages, asking for candy—almost like a version of Halloween. But one tradition speaks more significantly to my heart. For centuries, palm branches used on…

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV) As I PULLED MY TEEN son’s long-legged jeans out of the dryer that morning, I felt a nudge. Something drew me to pray and hold those jeans tight. I giggled a little; what a strange thing to do. Aaron, a senior in high school, would surely get a kick out of it if he saw his mom holding onto his pants. I hung them up and went to work like any other day. That afternoon, I received a message at my office. Aaron had packed his bag and gone to stay with my mom, who lived in another state. No notice, no discussion. He was seventeen and just gone! We’d…

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” John 21:16 (NIV) I RECENTLY DEVELOPED A PHOBIA of driving in wintry conditions. My biggest fear is the invisible menace of black ice. I’ve heard one too many stories of people hitting it, losing all control, crashing their cars, and suffering significant injuries. These fears flashed through my mind when my husband, John, was at the wheel during a recent storm. To ratchet my anxiety up to a new level, he was driving with just one hand, relaxed as can be. I kept thinking how vulnerable we’d be if we hit black ice and he wasn’t gripping the wheel with both hands.…

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV) EVEN THOUGH MY OLDER SON, Pierce, is a young adult, I still like to make him an Easter basket that truly pleases him—a cool, stylish athlete who isn’t into sweets. I decided to shop at one of his favorite economical, youth-oriented online stores. The website had a dizzying array of options, and I wasn’t at all sure what he would like most. I used the filter to search for “most popular” to tune in to the teen trends—and, boy, was that alarming! The Holy Spirit inside my soul bristled a bit.…

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV) NEW ENGLAND WINTERS ARE COLD, especially since we keep our thermostat on low in our house to combat the rising cost of propane. That means I’m eternally cold from October to May, even indoors. Knowing this, my husband gave me a heated vest for Christmas. It has a rechargeable battery pack that powers the coils sewn into the back of the garment, heating them up so they radiate warmth. It’s an amazing invention and the perfect gift for me! Sometimes, I stop right in the middle of my busy day, close my eyes, and focus on the sensation. Taking the time to consciously bask in the warmth helps me appreciate how it envelops me…

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4 (NIV) YOU NEVER KNOW HOW YOU’LL react in a crisis, but recently I found out. As my husband drove us to a homeschool conference in North Dakota, twelve hours into our eighteen-hour journey we hit black ice. The trailer we were pulling fishtailed violently and rolled into the ditch, threatening to pull over our truck with it. “Hold on, everyone, we’re going to roll!” he called out. Abruptly awakened from the passenger seat, I automatically shouted, “Jesus!” Seconds later, the truck’s wheels miraculously gripped the road, and the trailer astonishingly flipped onto its wheels and jumped back onto the roadway. I breathed a sigh of…

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 (NIV) WHO SAYS MULTITASKING IS A myth? I had it all figured out. Baking six dozen cookies to take to a church reception was time-consuming, but I could do other things while the cookies were in the oven. I read my devotions and ironed my jacket. I emptied the dishwasher and put a load of clothes in the wash. I answered some emails and wrote a get-well note to a friend. No matter where I was in the house, when I heard the timer go off, I’d remove the cookies and put in another sheet. Feeling proud of my intricate timing, I decided to hop in the shower, wash my hair, towel-dry, and remove the last batch…

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. Hebrews 12:2 (GNT) THE LAST TIME I PLAYED charades at my daughter’s house, my four-year-old granddaughter stole the show. Each time Leo took a turn, which was frequently, her family knew what was coming. She would make the hand signal for movie, drop down on all fours, and start to look ferocious. One or more family members would shout, “Lion King!” and Leo would respond with an excited yes. A couple of times, Leo seemed about to imitate another animal, but when someone yelled “Lion King,” she decided that was the correct answer. Even when someone guessed the answer before she made any movement, Leo couldn’t resist saying yes. We all laughed and…

All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad. Psalm 45:8 (NIV) I SAT MOTIONLESS, STARING AT my son’s silent guitar. The rich rosewood instrument seemed lost on its stand in the corner. I knew exactly how it felt. The pain of losing my son, Steven, in a car crash was more than I could bear. Tears dripped down my cheeks, knowing I would never hear him play again. Steven had mastered almost every instrument, but the guitar was his passion. I remembered the last time our family was gathered. He played while we belted out “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” Even though the memory should have brought me happiness, the guitar only emphasized what I had…

You have become weak, so make yourselves strong again. Hebrews 12:12 (NCV) AS A FITNESS INSTRUCTOR, I’M always seeking new exercises for my students. Their physical challenges include back issues, heart problems, and joint replacements, so I’m constantly looking for beneficial, safe, but challenging exercises to help improve well-being and physical fitness. Meanwhile, I’m torn between knowing I should exercise but preferring to sit and read my Bible instead during the cold winter months. Unless I’m teaching an indoor fitness program or aqua fitness at the pool, the only exercise I get is an occasional two-mile walk after church with a friend. Like most people, I’m too sedentary during the winter months. So, by the time all the winter holidays have passed, I’m ready to start moving again. Thankfully, my students…

God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Hebrews 6:18–19 (NLT) MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE a dream to cruise the Great Loop, a 6,000-mile yacht adventure through the eastern part of the United States. When the time comes, we’ll launch from Lake Michigan and make our way to the Mississippi River, then south to the Gulf of Mexico. We’ll cross the Gulf to Florida, then navigate around it and back north…

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) HALFWAY THROUGH MY WORKDAY, I was feeling pretty weary. Not even a strong afternoon coffee provided the kind of pick-me-up I needed at that moment. Suddenly, a text flashed across my phone screen. Cara! “Prayed for you this morning.” Five words strung together and accented with a heart emoji at the end. My spirit soared and a smile came across my face as I thought of this faithful friend I’d gotten to know so well over the last couple of months. My weariness melted away. How could Cara have known this was exactly the encouragement I needed at this moment? People need encouragement. We need one another. It’s easy for…

Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. Proverbs 25:11–12 (NLT) WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF one another, three people gave me the same feedback: “You don’t need to go into details and explain yourself.” I was hurt because I listened to every single detail they shared whenever they talked to me. Yet they were quick to interrupt or hurry me along, signaling they got the gist of what I was saying. I’m sure they meant well by their comments, but I didn’t agree with what they said. It’s not that I can’t take feedback. I’ve received tough critiques before. Early in my career, one of my managers challenged my superfluous writing that…

When Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Luke 8:40 (NIV) OUR DAUGHTER ESTHER RECENTLY BOUGHT her first new home as a single mom. Rather, an old home. Super old. When the Realtor showed the darling two-story Cape Cod to Esther, she said, “It’s in good shape. It just needs some TLC.” Of course, the Realtor didn’t mention that her definition of the word some was more than most people’s. The first time the heat went out in Esther’s house, snow and ice were gusting southward from Lake Erie into our Illinois prairie. Schools were closed. Supermarket shelves boasted no milk, bread, or batteries. And White’s Cooling & Heating repairmen had to work overtime. “Can we stay with you guys for a day or two…

Older women … admonish the young women … Titus 2:3–4 (NKJV) I ALWAYS LOVED MY GRANDMA’S hands. As a child, I remember crawling into her lap, holding her hands, and admiring them as I traced the wrinkles and veins with my fingers. Grandma’s hands reflected a lifetime of wisdom, experience, and faithfulness. Years of loving her husband, raising her children, serving her community, and helping her neighbors. Her beautiful hands and her presence helped shape my life as she modeled the love of Jesus. Now having crossed the threshold of middle age, I’m a grandma. I fall into that blessed bracket of older women that Paul mentioned in Titus. Those verses inspire me to let Jesus use me in unique and purposeful ways as I connect with younger women who…

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ . . . And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:36–39 (NIV) “HI, NEIGHBOR!” A LITTLE VOICE called out. Five-year-old Maddie waved furiously from the yard beside mine. I threw my hand high in the air and waved back with equal enthusiasm. Her sweet greeting always made me smile. I am blessed with good neighbors on both sides—to the right, Maddie’s family in a redbrick house, and to the left, a man named Ben in a white wooden house. We don’t see each other daily and only chat occasionally. But we know if help is needed,…

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV) I JUST DOWNLOADED A NEW fitness app on my phone. It has short workout demonstrations and encouraging instructors. I’m trying to rebuild my strength. I have been wrestling with an autoimmune disease that weakens my muscles. My muscles weren’t that strong to begin with. Sometimes it feels easier just to lie on the couch. But I know strength is built gradually, and if I want to be strong in the future, I’d better keep working out. My muscles aren’t the only things that need exercise. My spirit needs a daily workout too. I want to work God’s Word down into…

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) “ARE YOU OK?” THOSE THREE simple words, texted during an ice storm, meant more than my close friend could guess. When loved ones reach out to me, I’m reassured and strengthened by their concern. It warms my heart, and I bask in the cozy hug of their kindness. I adore historic architecture, so to maintain our old farmhouse’s integrity, I’ve kept the original wavy-glass windows and resisted the temptation to install insulation. As a result, when winter offers up her…

Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions. 1 John 3:18 (TLB) I TURNED ONTO THE DRIVEWAY leading to my grandkids’ school, and a man stepping from his car grabbed my attention. Wearing a coal-black suit and a pristine white shirt, he carried a generous bouquet of red roses. My curiosity kicked into gear. Maybe his wife worked at the school, and he wanted to surprise her for Valentine’s Day. Or maybe he planned to propose to one of the staff members. When I looked in my rearview mirror, I saw that instead of walking toward the school, he had turned into the adjacent small cemetery. Now I wondered even more about his story. Was he continuing…

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT) “DO I FINAGLE?” I asked my husband, Kevin, after I’d shared my brainstorm on how we could afford a second car. Kevin spoke slower than usual. “Sometimes you do, Jeanette.” Was he using his best diplomatic skills gained from fifty years as a pastor or forty-nine years as a husband? “You like to arrange situations so they turn out the way you want.” I laughed on the outside, but inside I cringed. Because as much as I hate to admit it, I am a champion manipulator and schemer. I can’t count the number of times I’ve…

“Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the Lord.” 1 Chronicles 22:19 (ESV) ALMOST THREE YEARS AFTER WE lost our home and all of our possessions in a wildfire, we were finally building. I knew rebuilding and replacing everything would be a marathon, not a sprint, but it felt like a long slog. And I was tired of it. I began to doubt our decision to rebuild. Is it worth the stress and effort? I talked to Jesus about this, and then, as a sort of Bible roulette, I…

“The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8 (TLB) MY CHURCH PRODUCES A DEVOTIONAL booklet for Lent each year that encourages everyone to spend sacred time in prayer and meditation daily during the forty days before Easter. I have collected these booklets over many years. Recently I saw a stack of them on a bookshelf at home and started to look through them, flipping the pages and taking note of the contributing writers. As I began to read the meditations written by beloved church members, I realized that many of these fellow believers are now gone and resting in heaven with Jesus. While they are no longer here on earth physically, their words of wisdom live on and beckon me to…

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. Psalm 94:18 (NIV) ONE OF OUR DOGS WENT in for a teeth cleaning yesterday morning. I’d had little sleep because she awakened several times, thirsty from no food or water since midnight. I was ready for a nap before I dropped her off at the vet. The procedure went fine, and I picked her up after lunch. But she has a sensitive stomach, so she struggled coming out of the anesthesia. I spent hours cleaning up after her, while trying to work and oversee my teenagers’ activities after school. Finally, by evening, I had a few minutes and some brain cells left to knock out a task at my desk. But before I could focus, my phone…

“Forgive us as we forgive others.” Matthew 6:12 (NOG) ANNIVERSARIES CAN BE LOVELY CELEBRATIONS—beautiful remembrances of past events. Or anniversaries can be painful, as today is for me. Six years ago, a drunk driver smashed into my daughter Brooke’s car, changing her life forever. I can still hear the emergency sirens and the shaky tone of Brooke’s boyfriend when he called to say he didn’t know if she was OK or not. Jesus’s grace was with us that night as Brooke was taken to a premier trauma center and given the best care. Nonetheless, her ankle was crushed and ligaments were torn from her tibia, and after three surgeries, she endured extensive rehabilitation. She can’t run, dance, or coach soccer as she did, but she lives her life with joy.…