Encouragement for Today

[Judy Harder]

February 7, 2013

A Year of Adventure
Lysa TerKeurst


"... great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'" Lamentations 3:23b-24 (NIV)

A few months ago my youngest daughter presented me and my husband with a proposal. An iMovie proposal. Complete with dramatic scenes and credits that rolled at the end.

The message of the iMovie? A request ...

"Please homeschool me."

Oh my heavenly days, no.

No.

No.

No.

No.

I'm not a teacher. I'm not patient. I'm not even nice some days.

No.

I tried homeschooling this darling in kindergarten and honestly thought I was going to lose my mind. I would watch other moms do this thing right. They were organized and scheduled and undistracted.

Me? I looked like a dog's tongue when he's got his head stuck out the window of a truck going 70 miles per hour. Messy. Flapping about. Not pretty to look at.

Can you imagine the conversations she will have about me with her therapist one day? No, let's not add homeschooling to the list of things Mom didn't do well.

But then I got to thinking. What if I took a year of adventure with this beautiful young woman? What if I hit the pause button on all things typical and just took a year to do things differently? With her. For her. Could I do that?

Okay, God if You want me to take a year of adventure with Brooke, I will wait for You to show me. I need You to help fill in the gaps where I'm weak.

Then I met a math teacher who got excited about teaching my daughter a couple times a week.

And a fabulous reading and writing tutor just happened to have a few days a week to do the same.

My friend Kristi asked if Brooke could be in her small group Bible study this year.

Another friend asked if Brooke wanted to take cheerleading classes at her gym.

And I'd already been planning an educational trip to Sea World.

So, the year of adventure started unfolding in front of me and I held tightly to these promises: "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him'" (Lamentations 3:21-24 NIV).

I had no idea how this year would turn out. I thought I might royally mess up my child's education.

But it has turned out to be a year we will never forget. While we are still living out the adventure, it has been a wonderful experience. One where we are growing, being stretched, and learning. Together.

One where we've seen God's great love lower stress when stress can run high. A year I have had to depend on His compassion ... to receive for myself and to give to my daughter. Every new day, Brooke and I walk this adventure out, led by God who continues to fill in the gaps creatively.

You too can have a year of adventure with your children. Maybe it's the year of them learning 12 Bible verses–one per month. Or maybe it could be the year of everybody making their bed at least 3-4 times per week. Or maybe it's the year of letter-writing, where you have them write one letter per week to brighten someone's day.

One leap of faith. One year. God's compassion is there. The adventure is waiting. No pressure. Just intentional learning and fun.

Dear Lord, equip me with the things I need for my year of adventure. Give me Your strength to help me step out of my comfort zone. Please use this as an opportunity for me to grow closer to my children and closer to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Say yes to your year of adventure! What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst is the perfect thing to read as you embark on an exciting journey to fulfill God's calling.

Your year of adventure will hold many joys, but it may also hold frustrations. Be prepared to have godly reactions daily with Lysa TerKeurst's Unglued Devotional: 60 Days of Imperfect Progress.

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
What kind of adventurous thing could you do with your kids this year?

Pick something small. One thing. It doesn't have to be anything complicated, but should be something that will be a stretching experience for everyone.

Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 1:7-9, "God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that." (MSG)

© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

February 8, 2013

To Fly Again
Suzie Eller


"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

I stood on the small ladder with light bulb in hand. The weather was frigid, and changing an outdoor light was not what I wanted to do. But with darkness falling earlier it was necessary.

Something fluttered inside the lamp, which made me hesitant to reach in and unscrew the old bulb.

Peering in, I saw a bird at the bottom of the lamp with its wings pressed close to its side, and spindly legs twisted around the base of the lamp. How had this bird made its way into the lamp? How long had it struggled to be free?

For the next several moments I removed burned out light bulbs and debris, carefully trying to release the bird from its entanglement. As I tried to lift it to freedom with two fingers, it pecked furiously at my hand.

I wrapped my glove around it, and carried it to the front of my home where a birdbath filled with fresh water and a bird feeder awaited.

Upon setting the bird down, it hobbled and nearly fell over. But after some furious flapping, it launched itself into the air, made it to the birdbath and took a long drink. It then fluffed out its wings as if admiring them, and flew up to the birdfeeder.

It looked like the little bird would be all right.

Sometimes unforgiveness can make us feel like this small bird. Something happened to us that shouldn't. A person said something hurtful or vengeful. Or an unfair situation caused us harm. Those events can make us feel angry or bitter, and those emotions make us feel trapped, affecting our marriages, our understanding of God, or our trust in others.

Scriptures like Colossians 3:13 may feel less a path to healing and more an affront. Forgiveness seems impossible. Especially when you are waiting for someone else to apologize, or change, or you just keep on with your heart guarded and closed off.

Why would God ask us to forgive? Perhaps God sees that we were made for something besides being hurt and trapped.

We were made to fly.

Forgiving allows God to remove the debris, carve a path to your heart, and gently lift you to freedom. Just as God sees the sparrow (Matthew 10:29), He sees you. He knows how hard it is; He knows that you've resisted forgiving others because it seems too hard.

You won't be on this journey alone. God waits with open hands. Today is the day to begin to forgive. He is prepared to set you on a new path where you can walk again, and one day to fluff your wings and fly.

Dear Jesus, forgiving has seemed impossible. But today I will hop into Your hand, no longer resisting where You desire to lead me. Instead, I'm opening my heart to forgiving the past so that I can fully live. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Visit Suzie Eller's blog for an opportunity to win a copy of her new release, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness.

Join Suzie in the Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness study on Facebook.

The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzanne Eller

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
The word forgive in Colossians 3:13 is founded on the Greek translated aphiemi, which means: (1) to send away; (2) to let it die; (3) to exchange it for something else; (4) to give up a debt; (5) to forgive.

One of the most powerful things within this definition is to exchange one thing for another. As you forgive you begin to exchange that which has kept your stuck for freedom. You exchange anger for renewed joy. You exchange bitterness for compassion. Where do you believe God desires to lead you as you embrace aphiemi forgiveness?

Power Verse:
John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." (NLT)

© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

February 11, 2013

Dare to Hope
Wendy Pope


"Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this ..." Lamentations 3:21 (NLT)

Have you ever cried until tears no longer fell and your heart was broken in tiny pieces? Have you uttered, "Everything I hope for from the Lord is lost?" Yes? Then you, me, and Jeremiah make three.

I won't forget those long nights of crying myself to sleep. Some nights, only silent tears trickled; other nights, loud wails accompanied questions and prayers. "Why Lord? What am I doing wrong? Why won't You fix this?" My prayers ended with, "If it is Your will," hoping His will was different than it appeared to be.

Many nights I curled up in a ball under my covers hoping for a break-through. Yet, the situation seemed hopeless; I believed everything I had hoped for was lost.

Jeremiah, also known as the weeping prophet in the Old Testament, found himself in a hopeless situation too. He watched the Temple of the Lord being burned to the ground by the Babylonians. Jeremiah's heart broke as the elements of the Temple, such as the water basin and lamp snuffers, were stolen, and taken to Babylon to be used to worship false gods.

In the midst of the devastation, Jeremiah prophesied God's words to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Unfortunately, it wasn't good news. The Lord's immediate future for His people was one of discipline and the utter destruction of Jerusalem as well as His holy Temple. Jeremiah was chosen by God to deliver these words to His people. Jeremiah did his job and did it well, but not without punishment, ridicule, insults, and imprisonment by the recipients of the news.

Jeremiah shed tears until he said, "I have cried until the tears no longer come; my heart is broken." (Lamentations 2:11 NLT) His heart was broken for Jerusalem and for God's people, his people. In anguish Jeremiah lamented, "Everything I had hoped for from the Lord is lost." (Lamentations 3:18 NLT)

Then, in the midst of his despair, he dared. He dared to hope in what he remembered.

Many of us need hope. To find it like Jeremiah did, let's look at what he remembered that gave him the courage to dare to hope again. What Jeremiah remembered was the key to elevating him from the pit of despair to a place of expectancy. It is our key as well. Jeremiah remembered this about the Lord:

• His unfailing love
• His new mercies
• His never-ending faithfulness
• His inheritance

God's Word is just as alive and active today as it was in Jeremiah's day. It is designed to transform us from the inside out. Reading and applying its truths will redirect our perspective.

During my desperate nights I longed for my circumstances to be different. I cried until the tears would no longer come. Many times I tarried in the pit of despair much longer than necessary. But when I remembered God's faithfulness and mercies to me, my hope was renewed.

Did the circumstances surrounding my sorrows change because I remembered God's promises? No. What changed was hope slipped in to my outlook. Hope means to wait with expectation, and this is what I chose to do during those hard nights.

Are you in need of hope today? Will you choose to remember God's faithfulness, love, and mercy, despite the despair and destruction around you? Today, dare to hope.

Dear Lord, I want to dare to hope, but life around me seems uncertain and tentative. Will You help me remember Your faithfulness, love and mercy? Thank You in advance for what You are going to do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Many years ago, tired of the pace she was keeping, Wendy Pope opened her Bible and read the Psalms, one at a time. Wounds from her past that never properly healed began to mend. The unrest in her heart settled as peace grew roots and doubt turned into trust. Journey through the Psalms with her in her book Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow.

Try reading the Psalms one at a time with Proverbs 31 Ministries' new devotional Bible (NIV). Pre-order your copy by clicking here.

Visit Wendy's blog for more encouragement in finding hope.

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
Read Lamentations 3:21-24 aloud. Remember and write down God's expressions of faithfulness, mercy, and love to you. Dare to hope.

Forward today's devotion to someone who needs hope.

What stumbling block keeps you from daring to hope? Remember...
His unfailing love
His new mercies
His never ending faithfulness
His inheritance

Power Verse:
Psalm 33:18, "But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love." (NIV)

© 2013 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

February 12, 2013

When You Miss God
Nicki Koziarz


"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." James 4:8 (ESV)

It's 3:38 a.m. I stare at the clock and something inside me whispers, "You should get up." I toss, turn, and wrestle with my sleep-deprived thoughts for a few minutes before I finally climb out of bed.

Downstairs, I turn on the coffee pot and sit down in the white chair. Opening my journal, these words pour out of my parched soul: "God, I miss You."

Life has been moving at a warp speed lately. Work has been busy for both my husband and me, our three girls' lives are full, and someone always needs something.

Truth is, I would pay a lot of money for 28 hours in a day.

But mostly, in this stretched season of life, I'm experiencing how "it" happens ... how people move far from God.

It's not always intentional:

The kids are sick ... so church is missed.
Carpool has to start earlier the next morning ... leaving no time for quiet prayer.
Bodies need exercise ... reading the Bible gets pushed aside.
Meals must be prepared ... so worship becomes secondary.
Reports and projects have to be finished ... you get the idea.

The list goes on and on of what can keep us from the closeness of God.

I understand these struggles all too well. And I'm finding there is a great danger in these stretched times of life.

We can miss being with God, but we also can miss the movement God is doing in our lives. Missing God {either way} is tragic and threatening to our souls that long to thrive with God.

Recognizing how much I've missed God, I'm taking some time for reflection of this struggle. I'm burdened but also hopeful in the words He is breathing during these soul-stretching moments.

Maybe you too feel that tug in your heart, pulling you back to Him? I share these three things we can do to move closer to the heart of God, because maybe, like me, you're just as fearful of unintentionally moving too far from God ... of missing Him as much as I am.

1. Find our God-space.

Even if it means it's 3:38 a.m. When life feels busy, stretched and chaotic I can stay open to the Spirit's prompting on my heart to create God-space.

Obviously 3:38 a.m. won't always work for me, so I do need to be intentional about scheduling time with God. Finding the moments of white space where we can fully be with Him is important.

May we find our God-space ... everywhere, knowing He is always near.

"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8 ESV)

2. Experience the awe of God.

The colors of the sky on the drive into the office ... experience it. The sun warming our skin on a chilly day ... experience it. Giggles from children, the way someone we love smiles, the praise of God's people ... experience it.

May these moments remind us what it's like to be fully alive and connected to Something much bigger than ourselves.

"... stand in awe of God." (Ecclesiastes 5:7b NIV 1984)

3. Have ears that listen {always}.

The prompting in your heart to slow down, to breathe in the moment ... listen to it. A nudge on your soul to say no when you really want to say yes ... listen to it [or vice-versa].

May we not want to just dream about the promises God has for our life, but want to live them by listening to His voice, always.

"And after the fire came a gentle whisper." (1 Kings 19:12 NIV 1984)

There is always an opportunity in the midst of our busy lives to be aware of God. As we find Him, experience Him, and listen for Him, our intentional steps will always lead us closer to His presence.

Lord, please help me to be intentional with my steps towards You. I can't always control the things around me, but I know with Your guidance I can still draw close to You when life feels so stretched. Amen.

Related Resources:
A Confident Heart by Renee Swope

Visit Nicki Koziarz's blog today for a short video message of encouragement to help make it through the busy days of life.

For more encouragement to make space for God, "Like" our Facebook page.

Reflect and Respond:
Which do you struggle with the most: Finding your God-space? Experiencing the awe of God? Or having ears that listen?

What would you have to change to spend more time with God?

Power Verses:
James 4:8, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." (ESV)

Ecclesiastes 5:7b, "... stand in awe of God." (NIV 1984)

1 Kings 19:12, "And after the fire came a gentle whisper." (NIV 1984)

© 2013 by Nicki Koziarz. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

February 13, 2013

The Day I Almost Quit
Renee Swope


"You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great." Psalm 18:35 (NIV 1984)

I love my kids, but I haven't always liked being a mom.

Once my boys became toddlers who wouldn't listen to me or obey consistently, I kind of panicked. Other moms appeared to know what they were doing, and I wondered why I couldn't get it right with my kids.

Their children seemed to listen when told no. Why wouldn't my child stay in the cart at the grocery store or stop begging me when I told him we could not buy everything his little hand could touch? How come no one told me being a mom would be so hard?

I felt like such a failure. Almost every day I compared how I felt on the inside to how other moms looked on the outside.

I held up my feelings of inadequacy and thoughts of insecurity in contrast to moms who dressed their children in matching outfits and adorned themselves with attitudes of grace and wisdom. How in the world did they pull it off with a smile? I could barely get a shower, get my kids dressed and get us out the door before lunch.

I just wanted to quit. One day I came home from running too many errands with two very tired, fussy kids. When I put them down for an early nap, I started looking for pink construction paper to write "I QUIT" on it so I could turn in my "pink slip" to my husband when he came home from work.

It was just too hard, and I was tired of thinking I would never be "good enough" as a mom.

I needed a new place to start. I started becoming the mom God created me to be, the day I was ready to quit. That afternoon I fell on my knees before God and choked out the words, "I can't do this."

In that place of surrender, His peace came over me. His gentleness calmed my nerves. It was as if God bent down and spoke to my heart: You are right, Renee. In your strength and through your perspective, you can't do this. But with My promises, My presence and My power — all things are possible. I will help you become a great mom.

Looking back on that day, I'm reminded of our key verse in Psalm 19:35, "You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great."

When we acknowledge that on our own we are a mess, God rushes to our side to help us. He bends down to show us that with His grace, wisdom and guidance, we can become the mom He is calling us to be, the mom our kids need us to be, and the mom we want to be!

Dear Lord, I need Your shield of victory to protect me from discouragement. Please extend Your right hand to sustain me; Your grace to strengthen me; and Your wisdom to lead me. Today, I want to find a new starting place with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Join Renee Swope, Dr. Bill Maier and John Fuller from Focus on the Family in Charlotte, NC, this April for the Parenting On Purpose Conference with 91.9 FM.

Click here to find out what God did to give Renee new direction and purpose as a mom and enter to win a "Purpose-Driven Mom Gift Pack" that includes Renee's parenting message on CD, her Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child Character Chart and The Mom I Want to Be by Suzie Eller.

Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child Character Chart that includes positive and practical ways to connect spiritually with your kids by Renee Swope.

The Power of a Purpose-Driven Parent message on CD by Renee Swope. Personal stories, practical ideas and inspirational truths, this 45-minute message will help you discover your purpose as a parent and develop a plan to live it out each day!

Reflect and Respond:
Write a letter, telling God how you feel. Be honest and open. Sharing your heart and thoughts with Him is the first step toward freedom and hope.

As you read today's devotion, what struggles are similar to yours as a mom? Have you ever wanted to quit? What got you to that hard place and what do you need to do to rely on God's perspective instead of your own?

Power Verses:
Psalm 113:5-7, "Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap." (NIV 1984)

© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

February 14, 2013

"Just Because"
Lysa TerKeurst


"Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." 1 John 3:18 (NLT)

Grace looked up from the old, worn photo album to see Richard the postman making his way through the cold to her door. What a sweet young man, she thought.

Grace loved her walks to the mailbox in late spring and through the summer, but the cold winter air seemed to whip through her thin skin. Though in her heart she still felt like a young, energetic girl, her age was evident to her. Aches and pains made her careful and slow. As the air turned cooler, Richard made it a habit to deliver Grace's mail to her door.

Today was an especially lonely day for Grace. It was the seventeenth. No one but her Jim would have known what a special day this was. It wasn't her birthday or their anniversary. For forty-two years the seventeenth of every month was their unique day, as Jim would say, just because.

Though they never were rich with money, they were determined to be rich with love. For this reason, on the seventeenth Jim always found some special way to say it and live out 1 John 3:18, "Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions."

Over the years the gifts had been as simple as a scribbled note or as elaborate as a bouquet of store-bought flowers. But the message was always the same: "Just because." Once he'd secretly taken Grace's wedding band from her jewelry box and had it engraved with their special saying.

She found such comfort, confidence, and connection in those two simple words. To Grace it was more than a gesture of love, it was an outward symbol of much more.

When she'd gotten sick and couldn't keep up with the house, it meant I love you for who you are not what you do. When they had an argument, it meant even when we don't see eye-to-eye I love you still. When she started aging, it meant yours is a timeless beauty. Though Jim had never been a man of many words, his just becausewas perfect and poetic to Grace.

Jim had passed away three weeks ago. It wasn't a sudden death; they both had known his end was near. They'd had a sweet time of reminiscing, hugging, crying, and then as quickly as he came into her life all those years ago, he was gone. She missed him terribly but had peace.

They'd had a wonderful life and left nothing unsaid. Now Grace loved flipping through their old photo albums savoring pictures, but even more so she loved touching all the mementos from over the years written in his masculine handwriting.

Though she'd seen the postman coming, the doorbell startled Grace. Carefully, she made her way to the door. She graciously took the few letters he handed her and apologized for not having cookies. Maybe tomorrow. She then walked slowly to the kitchen to open her mail. A bill, another sympathy card, and something that made her heart jump and melt all at the same time.

Her eyes filled with tears and her hand trembled as she slid her finger underneath the envelope's back flap. It was a simple letter as they always were, delivered on the seventeenth as they always had been. Before his death, Jim had arranged for Richard to make one last special delivery. "Not even death shall stop my heart. Just because, Jim."

Sometimes a short story illustrates a point better than pages of instruction on how to have the perfect marriage. This kind of love — not flashy but forever; not commercial but committed — is truly honoring to the Lord and to your spouse.

I pray this story settles into your heart. That it reveals something to you about the heart of your loved one. Because even the smallest things can bring the greatest joys.

Dear Lord, I am so thankful for who You are – the Great Lover of our souls. Cultivate in me a heart of generosity and intentionality so Your love can shine through me into my relationships. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

For ideas and wisdom on how to have "Just Because" days, pick up a copy of Lysa TerKeurst's Capture His Heart and Capture Her Heart for you and your husband.

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
What relationship is the Lord calling you to be intentional with?

Think of how you could make that person feel truly special. Then, write five things that you could do to help foster this relationship.

Power Verse:
1 John 4:7, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." (NIV)

© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

February 15, 2013

Collateral Damage
Suzie Eller


"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3 (ESV)

My house has a crack. Just over the doorframe, creeping to the ceiling. It catches my eye every time I sit on my couch in my living rom. My house isn't that old, so when I asked how this happened, the answer was, "collateral damage."

Collateral damage is defined as damage to things that are incidental to the intended target. Who knew that the sunny rays outside could fracture the wall of my nicely air conditioned home? But it happened.

Last year we had one of the hottest summers on record and the parched ground around the foundation strained the frame, which put pressure on the walls, and eventually a crack appeared.

Collateral damage can also take place within our family when we've been hurt by something or someone else, no matter how long ago.

Because a parent made you feel unworthy of love, you lash out when your child doesn't eat the meal you lovingly prepared.

Because your trust was shattered by another, your loyal husband pays the price as his faithfulness is questioned again and again.

Because of negative words poured over your tender heart, you struggle to believe your value to God.

Collateral damage. All of it.

Years ago I struggled with collateral damage. Because of my own past hurts, sometimes I lashed out, or withdrew from a loved one. Sometimes I worked way too hard to be accepted by a God who loved me right where I was.

Psalm 147:3 promises God can fix these broken parts. As He began to heal my heart, He showed me the cracks weren't the source of the problem. My behavior, my inadequacies, even my struggle to feel grace ... these were superficial issues.

The foundational issue was there from the time when a little girl tried hard to stay out of trouble, to make peace, and yet nothing I did worked. So I learned how to hide, how to defend myself, and a few other unhealthy behaviors along the way. Do you relate?

By taking my eyes off the cracks and opening my heart to God, the original source of damage was in plain sight ... where it could be addressed and healed. The more I soaked those wounds in God's truth, the more I began to recognize the cracks and see them in an entirely different Light. The more He healed me.

The fact that a child didn't eat a meal so lovingly prepared has nothing to do with a woman's value; it's just one of the many mom-things we get to tackle.

The fact that your trust was shattered by another just makes the gift of a loyal husband that much more sweet.

The fact that negative words were poured over your tender heart means the thousands of words etched in Scripture are that much more powerful because they redefine you, as seen and loved by your Heavenly Father.

The crack in my living room is slated to be fixed. And next summer I'll be sure to water my foundation in the fierce heat. But as for me, my heart is bound and secure, and that foundation has become a source of collateral gifts in my marriage, with my children and grandbabies, and in my relationship with my God.

Dear Jesus, before today I pointed out the cracks, those superficial acts and behaviors that I've tried to patch over. But today I hold up my heart. You see the foundation of my brokenness. Thank You for binding up my wounds, for healing, and for my new journey to wholeness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Visit Suzie Eller's blog for an opportunity to win a copy of her new release, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness.

Join Suzie in the Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness study on Facebook.

The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzie Eller

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
If you take your eyes off the cracks, what do you see?

Invite God into those broken places. He's been waiting to fix the foundation of your heart for a long time.

Power Verses:
Proverbs 4:20-22, "My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh." (ESV)

© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

 February 18, 2013

I Feel Forgotten
Tracie Miles


"Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion?" Psalm 77:7-9 (NLT)

Several years ago I was drowning in a sea of difficult circumstances. With each gasping breath, God appeared farther and farther away. I prayed, but God was silent. Emotions played tricks on me, causing anxiety and fear to get the better of me. Instead of God's kindness and love, loneliness and abandonment loomed large. In my head I knew that wasn't true, but that's how I felt.

Apparently the person who wrote Psalm 77:7-9 experienced these same doubts. It seems he was at the end of his rope, pleading for God's deliverance from hardship. He expressed his feelings, and asked why God had rejected him. Did God even care?

He felt rejected, alone and afraid.

Maybe you are experiencing a season of life where God seems to be a million miles away. You're wondering "why?" and questioning, like the Psalmist, if God has forgotten you.

We all experience feelings of rejection and loneliness at times. Whether as a little girl who desperately wishes her daddy would love her, an employee who longs for the approval of her boss, or a woman who would give anything for a husband that pays attention to her. There are countless reasons to feel rejected in this broken world - but feeling forgotten by God really hurts.

When we find ourselves feeling forgotten, we have two choices. Either turn away from God in anger and frustration. Or we can allow the words of Psalm 77:11-14 to motivate us to recognize God's sovereignty ... and continue to trust and praise Him even in the midst of our difficulties.

Despite his heartache, the author of this Psalm remembered that God truly was his only help. Psalm 77:11-14 says, "But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations." (NLT)

He recognized his own weakness, and his need for God. In the midst of his suffering, he chose to willfully and wholeheartedly ponder the Lord's goodness and praise Him.

The Psalmist changed his attitude completely by focusing on all God has done over the years. Instead of keeping his eyes on his own circumstances and troubles, he meditated on God's ability to overcome them. He gave himself a little praise pep talk, ramping up his faith from the inside out.

If we feel rejected, it's time to turn our focus upward instead of inward. Rather than rehearsing all the ways God hasn't changed our current circumstances, let's praise Him for the many times He has shown His faithfulness in the past. We can have a little praise pep talk of our own! God is waiting with open ears and outstretched arms, for we are too loved to ever be forgotten.

Dear Lord, I feel forgotten and alone. Forgive me for my doubts, and reassure my heart of Your love and protection. I commit to put my hope in You, and trust and praise You in the good and the bad. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace In Your Chaotic World by Tracie Miles

The best way to remember God's faithfulness in the past is by reading Scripture that recounts it. Renew your trust by going through The NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, featuring devotions from Proverbs 31 Ministries writers.

Visit Tracie's blog to read about how she learned to increase her own trust in God.

Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow by Wendy Pope

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
If you feel forgotten or abandoned by God, give yourself a praise pep talk. List three specific instances God has been faithful to you in the past.

Remind yourself about God's goodness and how His promises are true. Spend time in His Word, looking up and memorizing one Scripture that will motivate you toward a personal revelation of faith.

Power Verses:
Psalm 83:1, "O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God." (NIV)

Jeremiah 29:13-14a, "'If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,' says the LORD. 'I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes.'" (NLT)

© 2013 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

February 19, 2013

When an Apology Never Comes
Stephanie Clayton


"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1 (ESV)

Numb to the pain, I sat in my counselor's office to talk about the rape that occurred 10 years prior. I wanted to share what happened but the words would not come. Even if they did, would I feel better? I hoped so, but doubted the process. This part of my life had been hidden for 10 years; surely another 10 wouldn't hurt, right?

Although I wanted desperately to run, I desired freedom more than escape.

Freedom from nightmares, uncontrollable mood swings, panic attacks, and the feeling of gasping for air. Freedom from unforgiveness. Hiding any longer from my pain would never help me move forward. So I stayed in counseling.

Uneasy, I described what happened. The sounds, sights, and smells returned as if it were yesterday. I was left wanting one thing.

An apology.

Couldn't someone say they were sorry for what happened? Not a shallow apology, but one that would restore meaning to my life. One that would somehow return my loss of innocence. Surely an apology from the man who raped me would make a difference, right?

After 10 years, I knew I wanted freedom from the unforgiveness that seemed to enslave me. But how was I supposed to forgive when he never said, "I'm sorry"? I spent a lot of time praying and studying how to move forward when bitter and angry. How to forgive when an apology never comes. Along that journey, I learned a few things.

First of all, for forgiveness to bring freedom, I had to offer it freely, with no strings attached. Not because the person who hurt me earned it, but because it's Christ's gift. If you are a Christian, no one's sin, not even your own, has the right to hold you captive. That means you are free to forgive.

You may not feel like forgiving, but that is where you ask for God's strength. Ask Him daily for help until you are able to offer forgiveness freely to yourself and others.

Second, I had to release my shame. Often when someone hurts us, we blame ourselves. If we had been a better person, done something differently, or spoken more assertively we could have avoided what happened. Right? Wrong! Pressing shame and blame upon ourselves is not conducive to freedom and healing. Galatians 5:1 says, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

Shame is a yoke of slavery. Instead of accepting shame, choose to stand firm in Jesus' love. Stand firm in His freedom that releases you from shame. Because of His sacrifice on the cross you are free!

Third, I had to keep walking forward. To move past your past you must walk through it to move beyond it. This might involve time and professional help ... but here's the freeing part: your past does not define you, Christ does!

I never received an apology from the man who raped me. But I've come to realize that even if he were to apologize it would not make up for the hurt he caused. His apology could not and would not set me free.

Freedom is not contingent upon receiving an apology from those who have hurt us. Instead, forgiveness leads to freedom and is possible because Christ's death on the cross set us free.

Dear Lord, thank You that Your death on the cross gives us all the strength we need to forgive those who have hurt us. Where there is unforgiveness, uproot it with grace. Allow Your mercy to fall on the burdened places of our hearts and minds and show us the areas we need to be set free. Thank You that Your grace, always has been, and will always be, enough. In Jesus' Name I Pray, Amen.

Related Resources:
The word "forgive" is not one dimensional. It doesn't just mean "let go and let God" — a challenge for anyone who has experienced traumatizing abuse, injustice, neglect or abandonment. Believers can, with the help of God's Spirit, leave pain to find wholeness, leave regret to find purpose and leave the past to live fully in the present. The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzie Eller uses the power of story along with biblical teaching to lead readers into healing and a forgiving lifestyle. Order your copy today.

Study The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness with the author! Join Suzie Eller in The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness study on Facebook.

Visit Stephanie Clayton's blog for more encouragement towards hope and healing.

Reflect and Respond:
In what ways are you living with unforgiveness that anchors you in a victim stance?

What is the first step you can take to forgive? If your heart is unwilling, ask Christ for the strength it will take to set you free.

Power Verse:
John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." (NLT)

© 2013 by Stephanie Clayton. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

February 20, 2013

What's Your Message?
Lynn Cowell


"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)

My heart breaks as I watch my girls struggle. Navigating the waters of school, I watch as the storms of rejection slam against their hearts.

Often, I feel like I'm in the hurricane with them. Why do I feel vulnerable when I see the tears in their eyes?

I guess it's because memories of my own turbulent teen years are not far gone. The painful remembrances of growing up come to the surface: confusion, a boy's brush-off, constant over-analyzing myself.

Yet my girls' struggles also bring thankfulness to my heart. Thanksgiving that God sent amazing friends into my life when I was a young woman. I remember the ones who helped me discover that no man, be it a dad, boyfriend or even a husband one day, could fill the love-gap in my heart. Only Jesus can fill what He created.

I am also thankful God has placed me here, in my daughters' lives, to share with them this same truth. You see, when Jesus showed me He was the only one who can fill the emptiness of my heart, He didn't just give that truth for me! Jesus gave me this truth so I can pass His radical love on to my kids and hopefully my grandkids one day.

What is one truth God has revealed to you which you can pass on to your children, your children's children or young people in your world? God has given revelations to you, treasures from His Word, glimpses into His heart. He has entrusted those to you not just for your benefit, but also for the benefit of your family and those in your sphere of influence.

Has the Lord given you a clear understanding of forgiveness? Teach your child the process of working through a grudge. Have you experienced the Lord's healing? Come alongside those in your life as they mend. Do you cling to hope because God has lifted your spirits? Share that with another who's in the middle of grim circumstances.

As our key verse tells us, "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." (Deut. 4:9)

We have opportunity and influence in the lives of our children and others. Let's not take for granted all the Lord has done in our lives. Instead, let's be intentional to pass on the good things the Lord has accomplished so our children will be encouraged to trust Him for the things to come in their lives.

Dear Lord, help me be intentional today to share with my children and those in my life all of the truth You have set to work in my life. Let me take advantage of the message You have given me and pass Your Word on to the next generation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Looking for a way you can connect to your girl and learn about God's radical love together? His Revolutionary Love: Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You by Lynn Cowell is for girls ages 13-18. It is a great study for moms and girls to bond over!

You can intentionally share God's truth with a young woman each day when you give her a copy of Devotions for a Revolutionary Year.

Visit Lynn's website where she shares ways to be intentional about sharing God's truths with children. She's also giving away a copy of her CD Building a Bridge to Your Child's Heart, as well as a coffee gift card!

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
In the next 24 hours, look for an opportunity to share with your child, or someone you love, one truth the Lord has made real in your life. When you connect a teaching to a story, it helps stick in the heart of your listener!

When is your child most open to hearing testimonies from your life? Think of these times in advance so when the time comes, you are ready to share.

Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 6:6-9, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." (NIV)

© 2013 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
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