I don’t know what you have on your plate today, but I do know that Jesus is right there with you.
He’s your stronghold, comforter, warrior, healer, provider, mender of broken hearts, and your best friend. He intimately knows every situation you are facing.
Just say His name. Ask for His presence and His help. He hears you. No need for long-winded, big-worded monologues. He’s with you and He’s already working things out, making things right, and putting people and things in their proper place.
If you can’t see it or feel it right now, that’s okay. I pray that hope and trust wrap you up tightly, speaking the exact words you need directly to your heart.
David’s confidence and assurance that when he prayed the Lord heard him and WILL answer encourages me. I love his boldness! David doesn’t say, “I think He heard me and I hope He will answer.”
David doesn’t tell the Lord all the different ways He can answer the prayers and give Him a carefully thought out to-do list. David simply believes and trusts that God WILL answer.
I have been known to get stuck in a pattern of worry and control when I pray. I already have an idea or plan in my mind of how my prayers should be answered and the issues worked out. I rehearse and overthink trying to forecast the outcome. This doesn’t promote trust, faith, and belief that God knows what He’s doing. It’s fear and self-reliance trying to micro-manage whatever circumstances are happening around me.
I’ve gotten much better in trusting God with me, those that I love, and all the trials, and situations that enter our lives. It isn’t easy and it takes effort. It takes remembering all the times God has answered prayers, maybe not how I envisioned, but how He knew things needed to play out.
He is good. He is trustworthy. He is safe. He’s your protector.
I’m so thankful that He knows what lies ahead. He isn’t worried, fretting, fussing, and asking for myriad opinions on what He should do. He is God and He knows.
I have learned and continue learning, that He’s got me and is right there with me for every single thing that I go through. Nothing is wasted and nothing is random. I trust in His goodness and His love for me and mine. I don’t always understand His ways. He tells us that we won’t, but to trust Him because He loves us. He in enough.
Whatever it is you are praying for, trust Him. Believe, even if that belief is a wobbly, flickering flame, that He hears you, sees you, and has a beautiful, mysterious, perfect plan just for you.
As you go about your morning routine today, remember that Jesus is there with you. He loves to hear your voice and gather you close to His heart.
Talk to Him. Lay all that weighs heavily on you at His feet. He already knows all the things vying for your attention and the stress it causes. Allow yourself time to just be and let it all wait a bit, as you renew and refresh your mind, body, and spirit in the presence of God. It’s healing. It’s holy. It’s good.
You are enough and He has equipped you to handle what will come your way with His strength, wisdom, and compassion. You are loved. Peace be with you.
The early sun filters through the blinds at the window. There’s something gentle and delicate about those first rays of light. It feels hopeful.
The fluffy white cat finds a slash of sunlight on the carpet by the bookcase and settles in. He’s had his breakfast and a bath, so it’s time for his morning rest. The soft, grey and white cat finds her spot in the sun on the cozy, green blanket draped over the bed. Fully relaxed, she stretches out, tail gently flicking as she drifts off.
I hear the garden come alive as I sip my hot coffee. It’s a simple thing that brings me happiness as I start my day. The earthy taste and warmth are soothing.
Red-brown squirrels chase each other through the patio and onto the wooden fence, where their race takes them onto the neighbor’s roof and beyond. Joyful and full of energy.
The newly leafed apple tree is filled with red and gold finches, house sparrows, and soft grey doves. They watch as I fill the bird feeders and scatter seeds along the ground. A blue jay joins the crowd, eyeing the peanuts strewn among the flowers and bird baths. Soon, there will be gossipy chatter and scolding as they descend to peck, scratch, and kick, finding just the right seeds and other morsels for breakfast.
There is joy in the routine things that make up a given day.
A tinkling bell heralds the arrival of the neighborhood tomcat. He stops by every so often for his breakfast and a head rub.
As the morning progresses, my mind remains calm as I tend to the garden and inhale the fruity floral scent of the jasmine climbing the trellis, perfuming the morning air.
I sense You in the bright colors, the spicy, flowery scents, and the hope that the pale, lemony sunlight splashes onto the tree branches, dancing to the sweet tune of the tiny windchime that tinkles and sings in the breeze.
We talk as I go about my morning routine. You speak kind and intimate things to my heart. You know the pleasure that these small things bring to my soul. It comforts me, making me feel seen and known. What a happy, life-giving way to begin each day; taking Your love and companionship with me everywhere my feet may go.
On a summer night when cricket symphonies lull and soothe as the moon sails high and pinprick stars wink…He whispers in dark, nocturnal rustlings with deep, supernatural words of mystery.
When the wind shushes and sighs through the Redwood canopy as you hike and soak in the forest…He whispers timeless songs of creation.
Opening your eyes as a new day starts, before the mad rush of living takes over and you savor your morning coffee…He whispers an invitation, “Come and talk with me.”
As you putter in the garden, trimming and admiring the flowers…He whispers promises of new life and a season of rebirth in the rich scent of turned earth.
When the day is done and your tired body falls into those in-between moments before you drift off to sleep…He whispers words of rest and speaks to you in your dreams.
Can you hear Him?
When your heart feels heavy, you retreat to the hidden bench under the willow branches that skim over the pond…His whispers of healing and hope perfume the air around you.
When the cruel, hurtful words sting your heart, and tears spill over and down your cheeks…He whispers songs of love and belonging. He captures each tear. You are His.
As waves crash along the lonely beach and you fling your deepest needs and fears to the relentless tides…His whispers become a divine exchange, taking your hurt and giving you Himself. He is enough.
Taking that first frightening, tentative step of faith into something new and unknown…He whispers courage and strength into your mind, spirit, and body. He is with you. Worry must flee.
With pain so deep and raw that you have no words or tears left…His whispers become intercession in heavenly languages, traveling straight to the Holy of Holies.
Can you hear Him?
When loved ones are far away and your mind is full of frightening thoughts and the chaos of the unknown…He whispers safety and protection. Their names are written on the palm of His hands. He speaks peace, and fear bows.
When the world is filled with injustice, cruelty, and division…He whispers compassion and authority—He is King. There are none before Him. Alpha and Omega.
When self-reliance has taken its toll and you finally unclench your fists and cry to Him in exhaustion…He whispers gentle songs of rest and comfort. All is well, He’s got this.
And…
On the lighter days, when the hurry is hushed and you sit under the apple tree, talking to Him, thanking Him, and whispering that you love Him, an incense of thankfulness, praise, and love rises and dances its way to His throne. As the sacred aroma swirls and fans around Him, He sings, shouts, and prophesies over you with blessings, peace, and joy. Can you hear Him?
I took a walk with Jesus today. He and I both had a lot to say.
He spoke through the breeze as it whispered and danced at His will. I listened with my soul and felt His healing hands smoothing away the rough, prickly spots that needed His care. Living in this world leaves behind remnants of burdens and scars that need what only He can give.
As we walked, the gentle reminders of His love, attention, and authority were evident everywhere I looked. Trees dressed in their budding spring attire made me smile. The little stream that runs through the park in my neighborhood laughed and sang to me as I walked along its banks – perhaps sharing a joke with Jesus.
Just trust, just believe – life is full of blessings and hope tucked away in ordinary places waiting to be found; waiting to heal. He’s still on the throne. He still sees, notices, and lavishes so much grace on us. “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven…”
Life is heavy, frightening, uncertain, and smothering right now. Shelter your soul, mind, and body under the all-powerful wings of Jesus. He is so faithful and kind. He is the Mighty Warrior. He is the only Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent One. You are safe in the shelter of His presence and so are the ones you hold dear. He’s got them and He’s got you. He is the Prince of Peace and Emmanuel, God with us, is His name.
Extravagant Hope 