It is just an ordinary night. Although I am young and small, I am learning how to tend sheep. I’m even in charge of two small lambs. The stars are shining brightly, and all is quiet and calm. Suddenly, the sheep begin to “baa” in anticipation of something unknown. The older boys check the perimeter, but there is no sign of an intruder. The elders encourage us to settle down, and we huddle close together. I gaze again at the…
Yesterday, we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent! And to be honest, I was barely ready for it. Yes, I set up our Advent wreath and Jesse Tree, but I already feel anxious about everything I have to do in the next 21 days. (Yes, Christmas Eve is three weeks from today.) Maybe you are feeling the same way—a bit weary about the busyness of Advent and Christmas? We want Advent to be prayerful and peaceful, but that desire is…
Today is Day 23 of Resetting the Rhythms of Life. As we continue our theme on home, I would like to reflect on how we pray within our homes … Welcoming God Into My Home In the quiet of the early morning, I tiptoe downstairs and make coffee. As it brews and I wake up, I gather my prayer book, Bible, journal, and favorite pen. I find a blanket to curl up underneath. With hot coffee in hand, I make…
Welcome to Day 20 of Resetting the Rhythms of Life! Today, we are going to remember all the ways the Lord reminds us of His love, mercy, peace, grace, and strength. Because just like reminders of an upcoming birthday party, meeting at church, or next week’s doctor appointment, we need reminders from the Holy Spirit to keep us focused and attentive on what matters most. Scripture Reading Take a few moments to quiet your heart. Breathe in and out. Read…
We have reached the end of our first week of this 31-days series on Resetting the Rhythms of Life. I am so grateful we are on this journey together! How wonderful that we end this week of renewing our prayer life on the Sabbath, a built-in day to pray, rest, and reset. If you are anything like me, keeping Sunday holy or set apart can be difficult, because our world is constantly open for business—and busyness. Sunday is often treated…
This week, we have been on a journey toward renewing our prayer life. We heard God’s invitation to be still and rest … We settled into the reality that we’ve felt weary for a long time, and God desires to replenish us gently and tenderly. And as we wait for renewal and restoration, we rejoice in the hope of what is to come. Today is Day 6 of Resetting the Rhythms of Life, and we discover what happens to those who…
On Day 5 of Resetting the Rhythms of Life, I encourage us to be patient with the renewal process. We did not get overwhelmed, weary, and off-balance overnight. So, we may not receive complete restoration overnight either. Over the years, I have learned that a lot happens when we wait for God … when we wait with God. There is important healing taking place. Continue to be still, rest, and experience the replenishing work God is doing in you ……
It’s Day 4 of Resetting the Rhythms of Life … and we will contemplate weariness a bit longer. Why? Because I think it is something that settles in and can be hard to uproot. So often, our weariness is with us for a long time. We can get used to it. We can forget what it feels like to not be weary. But God doesn’t want us to remain in our weariness. He wants us to remain in Him! And…
Now that we’ve stilled our racing minds and anxious hearts, what’s next? On Day 3 of Resetting the Rhythms of Life, let’s say “yes” to God’s invitation to rest a bit more in Him … Come to Me I don’t want to hold onto those things anymore, the heavy burdens that cause such weariness in my soul. I want You to take them once and for all, Lord. Take the lies, the doubts, the fear, the shame, the perfectionism, the…
This is Day 2 in the 31-day series on resetting the rhythms of life. We are focusing this week on renewing our prayer life. Today, let’s spend a little more time being still with God … Scripture Reading Take a few moments to quiet your heart. Breathe in and out. Read today’s Scripture verse. “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” —Exodus 14:14 After reading the verse once, read it one or two more times. What…