Royalty Restored
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9 ESV). “In my home country, I…
The Ministry of Banana Bread
***Please read to the end for a BONUS giveaway you won’t want to miss!*** ******* “… will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?” (2 Corinthians 3:8 NIV) Momma. She taught me long ago there’s ministry in preparing food for another, and…
God With Me, God With Us—A Shepherdess’s Story
It happened when the Judean sky just outside Bethlehem was awash with stars, dotting an indigo canvas. My father and I were minding our business, simply tending our flock of sheep. In truth, I’d fallen asleep, something Papa often allows, especially when the night is as…
Woman in Whitewashed Mykonos
“You will go out in joy and be led forth with peace…” (Isaiah 55:12a NIV). “I came home to deal with my demons.” Had I understood correctly? “What’s that? Did you say, ‘Deal with your damage’?” Certainly I’d heard wrong. The woman behind the counter…
An Unlikely Friendship
“A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” Proverbs 27:9 It was an unlikely friendship– Discovered in an unlikely place—at a carwash on a hot July morning more than two decades ago. “Lovely day.” The elderly man was quite stooped, suffering from a condition I later learned was…
Jesus Loves Me
***This appeared first at Arise Daily. It’s a finalist in the 2023 Selah Awards (Devotions Online category).*** The picture hung on our wall. It was a simple portrait depicting our Savior, and as a girl of seven, I imagined this was how Jesus looked…
Peculiar Place
It happened almost exactly thirty-two years ago today. Alone in my living room, I went to the window for the last time. And on this particular morning, I did so out of obedience. At first, I thought I’d heard wrong. After all, my loving Father…
Simeon’s Song
**The following is a fictitious rendering of Simeon’s story from Luke 2. Unless noted, all scripture references are taken from the ESV.** For many years, Simeon held to the promise in the ancient scriptures, a reminder that became his prayer as he awaited the coming Messiah—…
Thankful for… Apostrophe
***(Read to the end for a chance to win an upcoming devotional!)*** Apostrophe—(n.) a mark to indicate the omission of letters or figures, the possessive case (Merriam-Webster.com) Contraction (n.) the act of acquiring… a shortening of a word… by omission… (Merriam-Webster.com) ******* I was thinking…
Reflections on 33 Years of Marriage
“Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” (Ecclesiastes 11:1 ESV). Marriage. That day a couple says, “I do”–it’s like stepping out in faith to walk on water, is it not? Promising to love… In sickness and in health,…