Tag: devotions

devotions

hope- then and now

dailystepsblog

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Hope. It’s a word we see a lot of during the season of advent. And in the advent studies I am reading and journaling through, it has been a theme woven throughout the lessons.

Hope. It almost seems kind of simple, really. We have this magnificent story we read every Christmas about the miracle of the birth of Jesus. He is Almighty, Wonderful, Everlasting, the Prince of Peace… of course I want my hope in a promise that encompasses all of what He is!

But this season, I keep thinking about Mary. I think about what hope meant to her. We have the story written out for us… we know how it all played out. We find our hope there. But Mary? She didn’t have the convenience of knowing how it would all work out. She simply had faith. She believed. And her hope… her feeling of expectation… her feeling of TRUST… that was the anchor.

I read this morning in this devotional above how we are made to be ambassadors of hope…. His ambassadors of hope. I think about Mary and it almost feels like a torch that gets passed along to each and every one of us. We have this incredible example of hope that we can follow… that we can learn from. Every single day, in big ways or small we have a chance to live out that expecatation, that trust.

So, what am I doing with my turn, with my time? It certainly isn’t as big as Mary’s role, but every piece to God’s story does matter. And it is a priveledge that He chooses us to be a part.

Dear God, thank you for Mary, for her strength to find hope in the midst of the miracle, and help me to do my part in living out hope right where you’ve planted me in your story. Amen.❤#10000dailysteps

devotions

inspiration, information, transformation

dailystepsblog

This. I’m about halfway through the book “Uninvited” by us a Terkheursr and I want to both sit and finish it all TODAY and spread it out over the next month so it won’t end… it’s that good and that applicable to life for me (and my girls!).

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This quote in chapter 13 really jumped out at me as I read today. This is SO what I do. I’m a questioner and researcher and ask ‘why?’ about A LOT. I just have a curiousity to understand things better. And I am completely into encouragement and inspiration… Anything that is positive and uplifting…. sunshine and rainbows is what we call it with my daughter. ☀️🌈. I’m ALL about that.

But transformation? The DOING? That’s where I lack. That’s where either laziness or fear step in. Almost.every.time. The brainstorming and idea part is fun. The lets-make-it-happen freaks me out. This is true in every part of my life. I read and study daily. But applying it? That needs work.

I’m learning in this book that so much human emotion and repercution could be avoided if I would DO what His words tell me to do. I’m realizing the same is true in so many areas of life. Bible study, eating healthier, parenting, being a good wife, being a good friend… The list goes on. APPLICATION is what creates my TRANSFORMATION. Not good intentions. Not acquiring knowledge. Not motivation. I’ve got to DO.

For me, this was the perfect excerpt to read at this time of trying to practice intentionality.

Thank you, God, for finding me in the quiet and stillness this early morning and teaching me to apply your holy words to every step I take throughout the day. Every step matters.❤️

being mindful, daily moments, devotions, friends

seasons of stories

dailystepsblog

“He made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he put eternity in man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11.

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I am loving the @womenlivingwell study! I am learning about Solomon and realizing how similar his story of seeking earthly joys seems to our world today. I came across this previous note I made in the margins of my bible. It is from a women’s retreat I attended a couple of years ago.

I relate to it personally, but I think it can relate to so many of our stories here. We ALL have stories. I love following all of the stories I see on Facebook and Instagram, on Twitter, and on the blogs I follow. I find myself  learning so much day to day. I see people who are real and genuine in their fails, and so inspiring and humble in their successes. Let’s keep sharing, keep living out and telling our stories. Every part of His story is important. Every part matters…. YOU Matter.

Here’s what my jotted down notes say- notes from an incredibly wise young speaker:
“Our stories are going somewhere on purpose! Some days I feel I may have a larger part of God’s story than other days, but to God every part is important. Every part is intertwined and interdependent. Even the smallest of “parts” can have an impact for years to come. I need to remember that.”❤️

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

daily moments, devotions

bible study partner

dailystepsblog

tess bible pic

Our sweet dog, Tess, hopped up in my lap this morning when I was doing my bible study.  She just planted her face right in my bible.  I think the best days start when I do the same thing.

Rarely do I sleep in these days.  I’m up early in the morning well before anyone else in the house is stirring.  It’s my own personal quiet time in a household of six.  I have really come to cherish that time and when I don’t get it, my day is just not the same.  It’s off-kilter.  I’m out of sorts.  I need His calming influence and words on my heart to set the tone for my day.  Even if that means sharing it with my pup.  The way she climbed up in my lap to get a little love from me is the same kind of affection I seek of Him.  I’m not going to find that hitting snooze or jump-starting my day with the news.  I’m going to find that same kind of embrace my seeking and talking to my Father.

Thank you, God, for early morning quiet.  Thank you for the coffee that goes hand in hand with it.  Thank you for breathing life through the words in my bible that often feel like you wrote them just for me.  Thank you for cheetah blankets and Shephard-mix doggies that help make my quiet time with you even more special.  Thank you for today. 🙂