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Gratitude

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“And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20 NLT

‘Tis the season for gratitude and being thankful. I admit that sometimes it is hard to count my blessings and be thankful in all things. Sometimes, it takes slowing myself down, breathing deeply, and just being for a bit.

Some things are so easy to be thankful and grateful for like, shelter, food, warmth, answered prayers, good friends, deep conversations, and beautiful nature.

Other things…not so much…like waiting for that prayer to be answered, waiting on a test result, the resolution of an argument, or losing a friendship.

In the moment, I can’t always find it in myself to be thankful and grateful, but I have found that some things I am able to be thankful for after the fact – for the lessons learned, the hindsight that allows that thing/situation to make sense, the wisdom to recognize that the friendship wasn’t healthy, and the understanding that God’s “no” was His divine wisdom and protection.

May we choose to take a few minutes each day to remind ourselves of His goodness and power, to see how He is working all things out for our good, and to bless us. He is the God of the impossible and He does hear our prayers. We can’t always understand His timing and that’s hard. But we know His character. He will never fail us. You are loved. Peace be with you.

The Divine Series

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I’m excited to showcase my books on The Divine Series page. Follow the link to my Author page

https://www.amazon.com/author/melissagiomi

Seeking

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“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10 NIV

May you seek Him today and rest in His gifts and blessings. All who seek Him will find Him. He’s right there, just waiting for you. You are loved. Peace be with you.

FREE eBook Promo!

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FREE EBOOK PROMO! 👀👀

eBook version of Divine Presence… will be FREE beginning Tuesday, Nov 11th at midnight until Weds Nov 12th at midnight! 😍

Please share on your socials to help me spread the word.

Divine books!

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If you haven’t picked up a copy of the books in the Divine series, here are some additional online platforms where you can find them.

Powell’s, Bookshop.org, Walmart, Indigo/Chapters, Barnes & Noble, EBAY, Half-Price books, Books-a-Million, Waterstones (UK).

If you are local, you can find them in-store at Reasonable Books in Lafayette, CA.

Thanks for all the support, friends, it means a lot!

Good Fruit

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“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

As we head into the weekend, I pray that our lives reflect some of these good fruits, as we allow God to mold us, heal us, love us, and guide us. What a lovely way to be Jesus’ hands and feet to a world that is really hurting right now. I hope that we are the recipients of some of this fruit, too! You are deeply loved by God. Peace be with you!

Songs of Victory

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Psalm 32:7 NLT “For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.”

The bench under this willow tree is a peaceful, restful spot at the pond by my house. I’ve written several short stories, poems, and devotions about this pond, the willow tree, and the bench. Jesus and I have had many long talks on the bench under the willow. I feel protected here listening to nature do its thing. I’ve poured out my heart to Him on this bench in laughter, joy, tears, and anger. For just a bit, I can hide myself in Him no matter what hard, frightening, out of control things are spinning around me. I’m safe. I’m protected. He’s my hiding place. Resting in nature and restoring my soul, He sings and surrounds me with songs of joy, victory, and the deep mystery of His peace that passes all understanding.

I hope you have a place that feels safe where you can sit in His presence allowing His songs of joy, victory, and deep compassion flow over you as you are tightly held and protected. You are so loved. Peace be with you.

Radiant with Joy

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Psalm 34:5 NLT

“Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.”

As we start off on today’s journey, let’s be quick to ask Him for help, guidance, patience, and strength to navigate those things that lie in front of us. There is no shame in admitting the need for help, healing, and hope. We were designed to live in constant communion with God – He is our Shepherd and He knows the lay of the land.

His peace gently blankets us when we seek direction, and wait in trust while He opens the way before us. There is beauty strewn along our path. These hidden gems of joy wait for us to take our eyes off of the uncontrollable circumstances and focus Jesus. One step at a time. He’s got us. You are so loved. Peace be with you.

Unfailing

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Psalm 143:8 NLT

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.”

This pond in my neighborhood is one of my favorite places to walk and get a bit lost in nature. I love how the trees and flowering bushes change with the seasons. It’s something constant in an ever changing, rushed, and often chaotic world. I have had many conversations with God here. It feels a sacred and holy. I know I will find Him here under these sweeping, sheltering trees with the beautiful filtered light that shifts and shades.

How comforting and safe it feels knowing that every morning Jesus has a new, unchanging, unfailing love for me and for you. It hasn’t diminished overnight or faded away. He hasn’t moved on to the next best thing or lost interest. Every morning without fail He is there and He always will be. Through stormy seasons of doubt, fear, anger, and unexpected changes, and through seasons of peace, calm, and joy. Unfailing.

If we trust Him with us, if we give ourselves, and our plans into His hands, He will be faithful to hold, guide, and deeply love us. He will show us where to walk. His staff clears the way of obstacles that tempt us to give up, go around, or follow the wide, easy way. In the freshness of the morning, we can hear His voice calling out to come and talk to Him, and walk with Him along the pathway He’s laid out just for us.

I pray you will find a sweet place where you talk to Him, listen to Him, and choose to trust Him as your guide and best friend. Unfailing love. It’s yours, if you choose to lean into it. You are so loved. Peace be with you.

Rejoice, O earth!

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“Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering.” Isaiah 49:13 NLT

I love Fall. Creation gets to show off its palette of gorgeous colors as the Creator paints beauty and joy onto His Earth-canvas. How He loves to delight us and bring joy to our spirits. You are loved. Peace be with you.