Have you ever felt like you need to slow down and just breathe?
The Divine Series is for the moments when you need to feel God’s arms wrapping you up in His presence.
He’s there…
on a hike through the Redwoods
as you sip your morning coffee
in the chatter of a mountain stream
in a whispered prayer
when you need to remember that you are not alone
Through poetry, short stories, Scripture, and reflections inspired by nature, these devotionals give you space to relax and experience God’s presence in the beauty of everyday life.
If this speaks to your heart, I invite you to take a look at the Divine Series and see where the journey takes you. Perhaps one of these books will become a much-loved companion for your own journey with God.
If you love listening to devotionals while you garden, walk the dogs, or drink your morning coffee, the audiobook version of The Divine Series on Amazon and Audible are officially ready for you!
How to find them right now: 1️⃣ Open your Amazon or Audible app. 2️⃣ Type “Melissa Giomi” (with the quotation marks!) directly into the search bar. The series will pop up and you can see the 3 formats in which the books are available.
If you listen, please consider leaving a quick star rating. It helps the system show the books to other readers who might need some encouragement today. Thank you all for walking this journey with me! 🙏📚
Weakness. This isn’t a word most of us want to ascribe to ourselves. However, strength needs weakness. When we are at the end of ourselves is when Jesus has room to come in with His strength to protect and do the miraculous. I don’t believe He views our weakness as something to look down on or shake His head at in annoyance. I believe He views our weakness as a beautiful opportunity to shower us with His grace, love, and protection—to impart His perfect strength into us and our circumstances. He shows us glimpses of the future as He opens and closes doors. We see a foreshadowing of eternity as we watch Him do the impossible, comforting and healing us when life doesn’t turn out how we prayed it would. He is the Weaver of our life tapestry. He sees the beginning, middle, and end. He intimately knows where our lives will intersect with another’s journey. Perhaps the unique and specific strengths He has given us will be exactly what is needed to help another—our strength perfectly matched to their circumstances. Weakness doesn’t have to hold a negative connotation. It has much more depth than that. Perhaps there is a richness to it that speaks of humanity needing each other to get through life. In another’s weakness we get the wonderful opportunity to be His hands, feet, and comfort. We are also blessed with opportunities to be on the receiving end of another’s strength. The life-song of humanity is a thing of beauty that intersects and strengthens as we witness startling acts of bravery and kindness, a chance to bring hope. There is beauty in weakness.
Peace has many different faces and invades every situation. It can be quiet and unobserved, waiting to be noticed. It happens in the wee hours of the morning while rocking a tired, cranky baby, praying for rest and calm until suddenly you feel it— peace. It was there waiting, gently and softly. Rest. Peace. All is well; you are safe and secure. Sheltered.
Peace is there on an ordinary day when things are flowing smoothly, life is pleasant, and people are kind.
Peace is there in the absence of storms, just as real, alive, and powerful as it is during grueling trials that seem endless. Peace is there when the Doctor takes a deep breath and says, “I’m so sorry. You have breast cancer.” Peace keeps you from losing yourself to terror when desperation blasts in and you feel like you are drowning and have no control. Peace is there in the middle of the “what-ifs,” saying, “Yes! What if you are healed? What if you are well taken care of and never alone in this? What if you are held in arms that are bigger than all your fears, sheltered amid all this hurt and chaos? What if? What if…”
Peace reminds you that it was there before this storm hit, and it will be there forever after. Peace lifts your face and asks you to fasten your gaze steadily into the eyes of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. It is Jesus; peace is Jesus. Such calm, such safety, such rest.
My searching and desire for peace lead directly to Jesus. I won’t find it inside myself. That will fall short every time. I have tried being self-reliant and strong enough. The One who created me, when I was but a thought in His mind, wants me to feel peace, to know He is working out all things for good, according to that beautiful, unique plan that is my life. Your life. The time He took to carefully place us right where we are, surrounded by the people and circumstances that He brought into being, shows that He knows what He is doing. We win because He is victorious over death and sin. It is ok to not know what to do if you know the One who does. It is ok not to have it figured out. He already did that.
Can we walk out not knowing? We do it every day, don’t we? We wake up and go. However, the going is easier when we understand that He has us in His hands and that nothing comes toward us that He has not first filtered through hands of love, a mind of infinite wisdom, and a heart that loves us fiercely, intensely, and intimately. This is a wild love. It is not tame or controllable. Yet, in this fierce and protective love, we find the greatest of peace. Jesus.
“…- an escape from the mundane of my day and a glimpse into heaven. Every page had me nodding my head; identifying with what the author penned while simultaneously being both challenged and inspired. Truly, a divine encounter!”
Have you ever felt like you need to slow down and just breathe?
Explore the Divine Series here:
It will run today, Weds 12/3 – Sat 12/6 8pm PST. 
Tag someone you think will enjoy the series, and
Share a favorite holiday tradition from your family.
Extravagant Hope 