trials

Divine Series

~ Extravagant Hope ~ Leave a comment

Good morning! If you haven’t checked out my 4 devotional books, The Divine Series, I invite you to click the link below ⬇️ and check them out.

Discover the God who meets you in every moment—compassionately, powerfully, and always with love.

The Divine Series by Melissa Giomi is a collection of devotionals inviting readers to slow down, breathe deeply, and encounter God in the midst of everyday life. Through poetry inspired by nature, engaging storytelling, and vivid imagery rooted in Scripture, each book offers a fresh way to discover His presence—in a rushed morning routine, a peaceful hike, a whispered prayer, or the chatter of a mountain stream.

Whether you’re overwhelmed by busyness, longing for peace, or simply seeking a deeper sense of connection, the Divine Series becomes a spiritual sanctuary—your invitation to be present and rediscover the beauty of a life lived with God.

This series guides you back to the truth that you are never alone. God is here in the whisper of the wind, the warm glow of a sunset, or the solace of hike in the Redwoods.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2G2ZJSD

He Listens

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Photo credit: Kate

The gentleness of God is so beautiful. Imagining God bending down, His face level with mine, listening intently to my prayers, His heavenly breath wrapping me up —so safe, so loved, so cherished.

Whatever you need from Him this morning, He is listening. He’s right here. Speak His name, whisper it if you need to. He hears you. He loves you.

Peace, Be Still

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Photo Credit: Connor Scott McManus

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”

Jesus is right there with you in whatever storms are brewing on the horizon or that are already surrounding you.

Can you hear Him speaking to your heart even now? “Peace, be still.”

He will never leave you or forsake you. He stays. In the calm, in the peace, in the joy, and through the storms, the heartbreak, and chaos.

With a word, a glance, a brush of His robe the storm is stilled, fear is silenced, and worry is blanketed with His unending peace.

Whisper His name. He’s got you. Even the wind and waves obey Him.

Cup of Blessing

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I love the imagery in this verse .The Lord is my cup of blessing.

When I imagine a cup, I immediately think of my favorite coffee mug. It’s familiar, comforting, filled with something warm and soothing that makes me happy. It feels peaceful and safe.

Of course Jesus is SO much more than a mere coffee mug, but He is comforting, safe, and soothing. He delights in bringing joyful, happy, lovely things into our lives to help soothe and comfort us when life blindsides us, wounds us, and we walk in seasons that are overwhelming and so tiring.

Walking with Him and being in His presence is the true blessing. That He loves us enough to give us even more is an undeserved, yet beautiful kindness.

He guards all that is ours and draws a boundary around what He’s given us. Those we love are guarded, protected, and hemmed in. We can let go of the fear and exhaustion of trying to control and manipulate life and circumstances to keep our loved ones safe. He’s got them. They are safely tucked up into the folds of His robe. He knows what He’s doing. We can breathe out, let our shoulders settle, and allow the joys from His cup of blessing to pour over us – healing, delighting, and comforting.

Refuge

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Photo credit: Tom Fisk

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.

Mindful of You

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Photo credit: Juan Capriano Esquer

Even in the vastness of the heavens, the intricate placement of each galaxy, the planets, and stars God sees you. You are never lost to Him in the enormity of creation. Your name is written on the palm of His hand – cherished, loved, and perfectly known. Every sigh, every tear, every mask you wear, and every thought you have is completely and fully known.

It amazes me. It always does. Such love and depth of being seen is scary, but so comforting at the same time. So hopeful.

Nothing separates you from Him. Be at peace. He is near and loves you with a fierceness that is beyond what the human mind can conceive. Safety. Rest.

It’s sacred and beautiful – this love is for you.

BOOK GIVEAWAY

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GIVEAWAY TIME!

Guess the number of gummy candies in the dish. Leave your guess in the comments on my FB author page ONLY.

Head over to my author page to see the pics!

https://www.facebook.com/MelissaGiomiauthor

The closest guess wins a signed book of your choice that I will mail to you.

Contest begins today, 4/8 – 4/11 8am PST.

Thread of Hope

~ Extravagant Hope ~ 3 Comments

Life is unpredictable. We go into each day not knowing what is waiting for us. Will that prayer finally be answered, will that hard conversation go the way we want it to, will this health issue be resolved, can we just get some peace, will our loved one be safe?

Right in the center of this unpredictability is Jesus. He’s good, steadfast, true, and omnipotent. He has everything concerning you well taken care of.

The chaos that swirls and looks for a way into our hearts is held at bay when we reach out and take His hand. Fear must bow, anxiety must quiet, control must release its vise grip.

The lovely, gentle, glimmering thread of Hope that binds us to Jesus is protected and cherished. It can’t be broken or snipped by the vagaries of life. It is our strong and holy connection to the heart of Jesus.

Hope trusts that He’s got you, will never leave you, is always with you. You can’t be snatched up.

The holy, sacred, mysterious thread of Hope is tethered in His power, compassion, and deep love which cannot be taken away.

He Hears Our Prayers

~ Extravagant Hope ~ 3 Comments

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.

In the Morning…

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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.