for the times when life is hard...

the days have been short.  and the weeks have been long. 
i have abandoned this space where my soul comes to exhale. 


life has felt a bit like a pinball machine.  hurled in all directions and missing the mark each time.
i never was good at arcade games. 


things haven't been easy the past couple of weeks.  i have failed.  miserably. 


i have missed breathing fresh air in this place.  a place where my heart longs to dwell.  a place where i pray you find encouragement and hope.  a place covered in His abounding grace.


i sit at the feet of my Savior.  exhausted.  spent.  poured out and empty. 


might you find some hope when your life turns hard, too?




for the days when time runs short...

look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,  making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  ~ephesians 5:15-17

no matter how we prioritize our days, there will never be enough time to accomplish it all.  seeking His will in all we set out to accomplish is the only way to spend our time.




for the days when you fail...

it is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. ~psalm 18:32

we are going to fail.  because we are fallen.  but we are not defeated.  we are gloriously victorious in Jesus Christ.  the best cure for failure is submitting to Him.   




for the days surrounded by darkness... 

send Your light and Your truth; let them lead me. let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to Your dwelling place. ~psalm 43:3

darkness is merely the absence of light.  and it begs to envelope us.  let your light shine among all those you encounter and watch the darkness fade.




for the days you need discernment...

my son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. ~proverbs 2:1-5

this world is a confusing place.  people lead us astray.  we lead others astray.  with information bombarding us at every turn, the only way to know the truth is to seek Him first.  with a heart ready to listen, ask for knowledge that only He can give.




for the days you need forgiveness...

repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord  ~acts 3:19

each day i have a laundry list of things that i seek forgiveness for.  we have a choice.  we can bear the burden of guilt and shame.  or we can allow the One who gave His life for us to refresh our souls.  guilt is the work of the enemy, the one who longs to keep us defeated.  but conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit, the One sent to guide and direct us.  know, deep down in the crevasses of your heart, that your sin has been blotted out.  turn to the One who gave His life for you.  for the work is finished.  you are a new creation.




for the days when you need to forgive... 

be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  ~ephesians 4:32

give grace.  for we are all image-bearers of Christ.  when i reflect on all the horrid sin forgiven me, i am reminded that forgiveness is a gift.  one that i didn't deserve.  none of us do.  which is all the more reason we should generously grace others with our forgiveness. 




when you find yourself having days like i have lately, i encourage you to dig into Truth.  the living, breathing Word of God will help make sense of your days.  ask Him for understanding.  He will graciously impart wisdom to hearts that seek Him.




life is hard. 
the stakes are high.


but the price has been paid. 
Jesus, come quickly.