Mercy's Quiet Places

Tag: christianity

  • The Child Who Changes Everything

    “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

    Every year, about the time the calendar turns to December, something begins to stir in my heart. I pull down the familiar Christmas bins, open the lids, and suddenly I am transported back to childhood. Twinkling lights spill out like captured stars. Garland appears in unruly bundles that somehow turn into beauty. Ornaments rest in layers of tissue paper like hidden treasure.

    Perhaps your home feels the same way. There is usually a special box of ornaments. Some were lovingly created by toddler hands. Some were bought during memorable family trips. A few have been around for so long that no one remembers where they came from. We only know they belong on the tree. Decorating becomes a family event filled with Christmas music that someone insists is not loud enough, laughter that echoes through the house, and the yearly battle with tangled lights. Eventually we step back and admire the tree as though it is a masterpiece.

    Yet amid all the joy and tradition, I have learned something important. It is possible to celebrate Christmas while missing Christ. We can hang stockings, bake cookies, build gingerbread houses, and place the nativity set in a prominent place, yet sometimes the message gets crowded out by the moment. We enjoy the season, but forget the Savior.

    THE PROMISE BEFORE THE MANGER

    Long before Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes, Isaiah told us exactly who He would be:

    “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

    This was not poetic sentiment; it was divine revelation. The child born in Bethlehem would not grow into greatness. He already possessed it. Bethlehem did not begin His existence. It simply revealed His identity. He entered humanity without surrendering His deity. Tiny fingers belonged to the Creator of galaxies. His newborn cry was the same voice that thundered at creation. The infant in the manger was and is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

    Sometimes we decorate for Christmas and mentally leave Jesus in the manger, as though He remained a quiet, harmless baby. Scripture does not allow that. He is Wonderful, which means His nature is beyond our comprehension. He is our Counsellor, the One who guides our steps. He is The mighty God, not a lesser being or a created force. He is The everlasting Father, eternal and unchanging. He is The Prince of Peace, the only One who can calm the storms within our hearts.

    Christmas is not simply the celebration of a birth. It is the celebration of God becoming man. It is the miracle of incarnation. God came to us.

    THE REALITY THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING

    Several years ago, our family decided that the nativity scene needed a better location. It had always sat on an end table where someone inevitably bumped a shepherd or tipped over a camel. That year we cleared a shelf beneath the tree and positioned the entire scene in the very center of the room. We arranged the figures with care, stepped back, and looked at it together. In that moment, something occurred to me. We had placed everything else in the room around the tree, but now the nativity held the center. It changed the whole atmosphere.

    That is exactly what happens when we recognize who Jesus truly is. He does not fit into the margins of our lives. He belongs at the center. Once He is there, everything else finds its rightful place. Obedience becomes a joy, not a burden. Worship becomes a delight, not an obligation. Peace becomes a reality, not a wish. The world tries to present a sentimental Christmas filled with nostalgia and charm. God presents a supernatural Christmas filled with redemption and glory. He did not come because we were doing well. He came because we were lost. He did not come to inspire us. He came to save us. He did not come to be remembered. He came to be received.

    A CHRISTMAS INVITATION FOR YOUR HOME

    As your family prepares for Christmas this year, consider simple ways to point everyone’s hearts toward Christ.

    Place the nativity in a prominent place before the rest of the decorations go up. Say the name Wonderful as you hang the angel on the tree. Whisper Counsellor when decisions feel overwhelming. Speak the truth that He is The mighty God when life feels bigger than you. Rest in The everlasting Father when your heart feels uncertain. Welcome The Prince of Peace into every ordinary moment of family life.

    Let your decorations become reminders of truth. Let your traditions reflect your faith. Let your home shine with more than lights. Let it shine with the presence of Christ.

    Christmas is not just a season; Christmas is a Savior. His name is Jesus, and when we truly see Jesus for who He is, our response changes. Obedience becomes worship, and celebration becomes gratitude. Christmas becomes Christ centered.

    PRAYER

    Lord Jesus, help us not merely celebrate Christmas, but worship Christ. Remind us that You are more than a baby in a manger. You are Wonderful, our Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace. May our homes, classrooms, and hearts reflect Your glory this season. Amen.

  • A Life of Thanksgiving

    A Life of Thanksgiving

    Psalm 34:6–9

    “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
    The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
    O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
    O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.”

    Popcorn, Beans, and Blessings

    I remember as a small child having popcorn for dinner. I did not know it was all we had. My four brothers and I thought it was great fun; a “special” night, sitting cross-legged on the floor, eating from bowls of popcorn and laughing together.

    Another night my mom made refried beans and sprinkled a little sugar on top. I thought it was the most wonderful meal I had ever tasted. Only years later did I realize those meals were not creative choices; they were survival.

    But even then, what stands out is not the lack; it is the laughter. It is the way my mom smiled through the worry, how she bowed her head and thanked God for what we had. She never let scarcity silence gratitude. Because of that, I learned early that thankfulness does not depend on what is on the table; it depends on Who sits with you at it.

    Those simple nights taught me a truth I have carried all my life: Gratitude grows best in humble places.

    The Pilgrims’ Thanksgiving: Gratitude Before the Feast

    When the Pilgrims arrived in the New World, their first act was not to explore or build; it was to kneel. Governor William Bradford recorded that they “fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven” for bringing them safely across “the vast and furious ocean.”

    Before there was a feast, there was faith. Before there was abundance, there was surrender. Their thanksgiving was not born of ease; it was born of trust.

    They gave thanks not because life was comfortable, but because they believed God was faithful.

    A Missionary’s Thanksgiving: The Journal of Allen Gardiner

    In the 1800s British missionary Allen Gardiner traveled to the desolate shores of South America to share the gospel. When his supply ship never returned, he and his companions slowly starved to death.

    When rescuers found them, Gardiner’s Bible lay open to Psalm 34, and his final journal entry read:

    “I am overwhelmed with a sense of the goodness of God.
    He has never left me, nor failed me.
    I am full of joy and peace in believing.
    Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.”

    Even at the end of his life, Gardiner’s gratitude overflowed. His thanksgiving did not depend on deliverance; it rested on faith in the God who never leaves.

    Teaching Children to Be Thankful

    As teachers, parents, and mentors, we carry a sacred responsibility: to help children see God’s goodness in every season.

    Children do not learn gratitude from lectures; they learn it by watching thankful hearts. When they see us thank God for the small things, they begin to see the world differently. When they hear us pray, “Lord, thank You for what You have already provided,” they begin to understand that thankfulness is not a reaction; it is a choice.

    We can help cultivate gratitude by giving them small, meaningful rhythms:

    • A “Gratitude Journal” to record one blessing each day;
    • Classroom “Thankful Thursdays” to share good things from the week;
    • Family bedtime prayers that begin, “Lord, thank You for…”

    When we are honest about hard times yet still thankful, we teach the deepest lesson of all: that joy does not require everything to be right, it simply requires us to trust that God is.

    Children who grow up seeing faith in the hard times carry that light into their own storms someday. Perhaps, when they are grown, they will look back on moments of simplicity, maybe even popcorn for dinner, and remember that God was good there too.

    The Everyday Kind of Thanksgiving

    Thanksgiving is not reserved for abundance. It is woven through small mercies: in the way God sustains us, provides for us, and fills our hearts with peace when the cupboards are thin and the future feels uncertain.

    True gratitude does not wait for everything to be perfect. It begins when we can look around, even in scarcity, and say, “Lord, You have still been good.”

    That kind of thanksgiving does not fade with the season; it becomes a way of living.

    Prayer

    Lord, thank You that You hear us when we cry and surround us with Your presence.
    Teach us to give thanks in every circumstance, not just for what we have but for who You are.
    Help us live gratitude before our children and students, so they will grow to see that Your goodness never depends on circumstances.
    May our hearts, our homes, and our classrooms be places of praise.
    In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  • When the Catfish Swim

    When the Catfish Swim

    Posted on November 3, 2025 · by Janeal Lischke · Mercy’s Quiet Places

    “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

    In the northeastern United States, codfish have long been a big business. But years ago, there was a problem. How could they ship them fresh to the West Coast. The first solution was to freeze them, but freezing took away the flavor. Then they tried shipping them alive in tanks of seawater, but that didn’t work either. By the time the fish arrived, they were soft and tasteless.

    Finally, someone had a creative idea. They placed catfish, the cod’s natural enemy, in the tank with them. All the way across the country, those catfish chased the cod, keeping them active, alert, and strong. When they arrived, they were as firm and flavorful as when they were caught.

    Maybe you’ve got a few catfish swimming in your life: someone who irritates you, challenges you, or just wears you out. Maybe it’s a strained relationship, a coworker who tests your patience, or a season of struggle that won’t seem to end. We don’t like those catfish, but sometimes God uses them to keep our faith alive and our spirit from growing soft. Romans 8:28 reminds us that all things, even the catfish, are working together for our good.

    When We Know the Harvest Is Sure

    Paul begins with two powerful words: “We know.” Not we think or we hope, but we know. It’s a statement of confidence, not in the absence of storms, but in the certainty of the harvest.

    If a farmer knew beyond doubt that his crop would bring the best return of his life, he could face a hailstorm differently. The storm would still come, but peace would remain, because the outcome was already sure.

    As believers, we are often most certain about the ultimate when we are most uncertain about the immediate. When life feels out of control and we turn our eyes toward God, a deep, quiet peace takes hold, a peace that the world cannot explain. Our confidence rests not in circumstances, but in Christ.

    God Is Working Always

    This promise is not a vague “whatever will be, will be.” Paul says, “God worketh.” That means God is personally involved—intimately shaping and guiding the details of our lives. He isn’t distant or distracted. He’s hands-on, working for our good even when we can’t see His hand.

    It’s like the little boy who received a puzzle for his birthday. He worked on it all afternoon, but none of the pieces seemed to fit. Finally, frustrated, he handed the box to his father and said, “I can’t do it.” The father smiled, and in just a few minutes had the puzzle together. “Son,” he said, “I could see the picture the whole time; you only saw the pieces.”

    That’s exactly how life feels at times. We only see the scattered pieces: the disappointments, the budget problems, the delays, the tears, but God sees the whole picture. Someday, from Heaven’s perspective, we’ll see how each piece fit perfectly into the beautiful design He was making all along.

    The Synergy of Grace

    Paul reminds us that “all things work together for good.” Not just the pleasant things. The sickness, the grief, the heartache, they all become part of God’s plan. He’s not saying that evil is good; He’s saying that God is so good that He can use even evil for His purpose.

    Joseph understood this when he said to his brothers, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.” (Genesis 50:20) God took betrayal and imprisonment and turned them into redemption.

    The Greek word Paul used for “work together” gives us our word synergy: different elements combining to produce something greater. Like salt, made from sodium and chloride, each poisonous alone, but together they preserve life. God takes the sweet and the bitter moments of our lives and weaves them into something holy, something good.

    “From the mightiest lever to the tiniest pinion,
    All things move together for the purpose planned;
    And behind the working is a mind controlling,
    And a force directing, and a guiding hand.”
    Annie Johnson Flint

    When the Past Becomes Part of the Picture

    As I’ve walked with the Lord, I’ve come to see how even the darkest chapters of my own childhood have become threads in His tapestry. Growing up in an environment marked by fear and abuse left scars that ran deep. For years, I wondered why God had allowed such pain.

    But now, as a teacher and principal who spends each day loving children, comforting hurting families, and guiding staff through seasons of hardship, I understand what I could not see before. Those painful years made me sensitive to the brokenhearted. They taught me to recognize silent pain in a child’s eyes, to speak gently when others might scold, and to lean on God for wisdom when life feels unfair.

    God never wastes a wound. What once felt like abandonment has become compassion. The hand that hurt me could not stop the hand that healed me, and now He uses that healing to comfort others. Truly, “all things work together for good.”

    If you are a parent, grandparent, or teacher walking through your own difficult story, or watching your child face struggles you wish you could erase. remember this: nothing surrendered to God is ever wasted. The hardships that shape our families can also strengthen our faith.

    For Those Who Love Him

    This promise is not universal; it belongs to those who love God. “To them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” When our hearts belong to Him, no pain, loss, or wrong turn is wasted.

    Scripture promises, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

    Think of Job, who lost everything in a single day: his flocks, his servants, even his children. Yet Job said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21) Even in his darkest hour, Job trusted God’s unseen hand.

    Learning to Trust, Thank, and Persevere

    Romans 8:28 teaches us to trust, to give thanks, and to persevere. It teaches us to trust, because the more we lean on the One who never fails, the more peace we find. It teaches us to give thanks: not for everything, but in everything. As 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Gratitude in the middle of chaos is one of the deepest acts of faith.

    It teaches us perseverance, to keep going even when the pattern makes no sense. God is still stitching.

    The Tangled Threads

    I love the old story of a minister who carried a silk bookmark with him on visits. One side was a tangled mess of threads, seemingly without meaning. Whenever he visited someone who was grieving, he’d show them that side first and ask what they saw. Of course, it looked chaotic and confusing. Then he would turn it over, and woven beautifully on the front were the words, “God is love.”

    That’s life, isn’t it? We see the tangled side. God sees the finished design. One day, He’ll turn it over for us, and we’ll finally see how even the dark threads formed part of His masterpiece of grace.

    Romans 8:28 as David Jeremiah once said is “a soft pillow for a tired heart.” If you don’t need it today, tuck it close as you’ll need it one day. Sooner or later, we all find ourselves sitting in that quiet place, needing to remember that all things work together for good to them that love God.

    “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
    — Numbers 6:24–26

    Author’s Note

    This post was inspired by a message shared by Pastor Jim Fanning of Walnut View Christian Church on November 2, 2025. His sermon on Romans 8:28, and the story of the catfish that keep the cod strong, reminded me how God often uses the uncomfortable things in our lives to strengthen our faith and draw us closer to Him. Just remember, what the enemy meant for harm, God has turned into ministry. May this truth bring comfort and courage to your heart today.

  • The Only Applause That Matters

    The Only Applause That Matters

    By Mrs. Janeal Lischke | Mercy’s Quiet Places

    “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Colossians 3:23

    “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

    A Moment in the Spotlight

    A world-renowned violinist once performed before a packed concert hall. The audience listened in awe as his bow danced across the strings, filling the room with a symphony of beauty. When the final note lingered and faded into silence, the crowd erupted in applause. People stood to their feet, cheering and clapping, shouting “Bravo!” for the masterful performance.

    But instead of smiling, the violinist bowed his head and wept.

    Backstage, someone asked him, “Why are you crying? Everyone in the room is standing!”

    The violinist looked up and quietly pointed to one man still seated in the front row. “That man is my teacher,” he said softly. “If he does not stand, it means I have not yet played well.”

    The Heart Behind the Applause

    That story lingers in my mind because it’s such a vivid picture of how easily we measure success by the reaction of others. The teacher in me knows this well. I’ve had days when parents send sweet notes, students laugh and learn, and everything feels right. And then there are the days when the copier jams, someone forgets their lunch, the math test goes sideways, and I wonder if anything I said made sense at all.

    But beyond the classroom, I’ve learned this lesson in family life too.

    There are seasons when the applause feels far away. When the children argue, when dinner burns, when exhaustion creeps in, and when your best intentions seem to fall flat. There are moments when we pour ourselves into our families: planning, guiding, loving and still wonder if we’re doing enough.

    It’s tempting to measure our worth by what others think: a parent’s opinion, a friend’s praise, or even our children’s temporary gratitude. Our Heavenly Father sees far beyond all that. His eyes are on the heart behind the effort: the patience we show when no one’s watching, the forgiveness we extend, the late-night prayers whispered in the quiet.

    Not every audience matters!

    We serve for the smile of our Savior, the Master Teacher, the perfect Father. His approval is the only one that will ever fill the deep places of our hearts.

    Faithfulness Over Flash

    We live in a world that celebrates visibility and likes, applause, awards, and recognition, but God values something deeper: faithfulness.

    When the lesson doesn’t go as planned, remember that God values your faithfulness far more than your flair.
    When your family day unravels and tempers flare, remember that grace still counts as success.
    When no one notices your effort, know that your quiet obedience is applause in heaven.
    When your patience wears thin, remember that you are shaping eternal souls, not just surviving another day.

    Our success isn’t measured by how many people notice what we do. It’s measured by the smile of our Savior, who sees it all both in the classroom and around the kitchen table.

    For Every Season of Life

    Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or someone quietly trying to do the next right thing, we all have days when we wonder if we’re making a difference. But God never called us to impress; He called us to be faithful.

    The truth is, the applause of people fades quickly, but the peace of knowing we’ve served God well; that endures.

    At the end of the day, when the noise quiets and the to-do list remains half-done, look up. If the Master Teacher nods in approval, that’s the only applause that matters.

    Reflection Question

    Whose approval am I seeking most: the world’s, my family’s, or my Savior’s?

    Prayer

    Lord, teach me to live and serve for Your approval alone. When I am weary or overlooked, remind me that You see every moment at home, at work, and in my heart. Let my words, lessons, and love reflect You in every space I step into today. May my patience with my family, my kindness to my students, and my service to others be a song played for You. When the day is done, may Your smile be my reward.
    In Jesus’ name, Amen

  • Letting God Shape Your Child’s Story, Not Culture

    Letting God Shape Your Child’s Story, Not Culture

    TikTok doesn’t get the final edit; Scripture does.

    There’s a moment in every parent or teacher’s life when you realize the world has gotten louder than your own voice. You see it when children start quoting trends from social media, when a song lyric shapes their mood, or when their worth begins to depend on how many “likes” they get.

    Culture is persuasive. It’s creative. It’s loud. It’s after the hearts of our children, but God is after their hearts too. The good news? He’s already the Author. We’re just called to hold the pencil with steady hands and surrendered hearts.

    Culture Is Loud, But God Still Whispers

    The world shouts, “Be yourself!” “Define your truth!” “You do you!” But the irony is that in trying so hard to “be unique,” most children end up copying whatever’s trending.

    Romans 12:2 “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

    That transformation doesn’t happen through trends; it happens through truth. We can’t drown out every voice of culture, but we can teach our children to recognize the still, small voice of God amid the noise.

    Faith Formation Happens in the Ordinary Moments

    Research shows that parents’ daily faith modeling, not church attendance alone, forms lasting belief. A 2025 Pew Research Center study found that parents’ faith-filled warmth and consistency were the strongest predictors of adult faith. Similar findings came from Smith (2020) and Gemar (2023), showing that faith is transmitted best through family worship, prayer, and conversation at home. The CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey and meta-analyses (Lac & McC, 2009) found that relational monitoring protects against risk behaviors.

    Deuteronomy 6:6–7 “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

    We cannot expect an hour or two each week in church to disciple our children. That time reinforces what should already be happening at home. We must not only tell them how to live for Jesus, we must show them how, every day, in the way we speak, work, forgive, and love.

    Screens, Social Media, and Setting Holy Boundaries

    Social media tells children who they should be before they even know who they are. Studies show excessive screen time can harm mental health and spiritual attentiveness. A 2025 JAMA Network Open study (Nagata et al.) found that increased social media use predicted higher depressive symptoms one year later. The AAP advises Family Media Plans: device-free meals, screen-free bedrooms, and phone-free bedtimes (AAP 2016; AAP CoE 2025). Meta-analyses by Jeong et al. (2012) and Lucidi et al. (2017) show that media-literacy education improves critical thinking and reduces risky behaviors.

    • Limit total screen time, especially before bed.
    • Monitor social media accounts and friend lists.
    • Encourage creative, Christ-centered alternatives.
    • Discuss what they see and filter it through Scripture.

    Five Notes for Parents:

    1. Write with Scripture open. Let the Bible guide your “why,” not just your “what.”
    2. Create a Family Media Plan. Protect peace with family rhythms.
    3. Practice relational monitoring. Know their world; connection builds trust.
    4. Disciple their desires. Ask what the world says matters, then show what God says matters more.
    5. Tell a better story. Speak identity and purpose daily; remind them they are chosen and loved.

    Your Child’s Story Is Still in Draft

    Philippians 1:6 “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

    God is still writing. Even when your child resists correction or stumbles, His hand hasn’t lifted from the page. He is shaping their hearts through your faithfulness. Every prayer, every boundary, every patient word; it all matters.

    A Prayer for Parents and Mentors

    Lord, You are the Author and Finisher of our faith. Give us courage to live for You out loud: in the morning, at the dinner table, on the road, and before bed. Help us set wise boundaries in a noisy world. Let our homes overflow with faith that is seen, heard, and lived daily. May our children learn to follow You and glorify You by watching us walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    References

    Pew Research Center (2025); Smith (2020, Religions); Gemar (2023, Religions); CDC YRBSS (2023); Lac & McC (2009 meta-analysis); Jeong et al. (2012); Lucidi et al. (2017); AAP (2016); AAP CoE (2025); Nagata et al. (2025, JAMA Net Open); Common Sense Media (2025).

  • The Day Everything Spilled but God’s Faithfulness

    The Day Everything Spilled but God’s Faithfulness

    I can laugh about it now—but at the time, I was sure the day was proof that sanctification was a slow and painful process.

    It was Colonial Day at school—a day my three daughters had been preparing for with the kind of excitement only children possess. But that morning, everything unraveled. The hot glue gun broke, the bonnets were nowhere to be found, and one daughter’s oral report note cards mysteriously disappeared overnight (I later found them behind the couch).

    Meanwhile, the clock was ticking. One child was crying because her cap looked “too poofy,” another because her display board had juice on it when her sister spilled her drink all over the kitchen table, and one child was dramatically declaring that she was moving to a different century altogether. Somewhere between ironing aprons and locating missing bonnets, I spilled coffee on my colonial day skirt and muttered a prayer that was less “holy” and more “Lord, help me before I lose what’s left of my sanity.”

    At the time, it was chaos. But years later, I can smile at the memory. Because what felt like disaster was really just life: messy, unpredictable, and full of moments that teach us humility, humor, and dependence on God. He was there that morning, too, in the laughter that followed the tears and in the reminder that His grace holds even when glue guns, and mothers, fall apart.

    “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

    “Even the hardest days can later become holy humor because hindsight reveals what faith was too weary to see in the moment: God was right there in the middle of the mayhem.”

    When the Storm Becomes the Teacher

    Life has a way of unravelling our best-laid plans. Dreams crumble, doors close, and hope sometimes feels delayed. But even there, in the bitter waters of despair, the hand of God is waiting.

    Until we have stood on the cliff of hopelessness, stared into the emptiness of our own ability, and realized how small we truly are, we cannot comprehend the greatness of His love. It is in the tempest that trust takes root. It is in defeat that devotion deepens.

    “For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.” Psalm 66:10

    Trouble is not the enemy; it is the tutor. Suffering is not the punishment; it is the process. Every ache becomes an alphabet through which God spells faith.

    We often pray for calm seas, yet it is the waves that teach us how to cling to Him. We long for ease, but ease never builds endurance. Only pressure forms diamonds; only fire refines gold.

    When Doubt Knocks Loudest

    It is easy to trust God when the path is paved with blessings, but when prayers echo unanswered, and our hearts grow weary, faith begins to falter. We question His nearness. We wonder if heaven has gone silent.

    “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

    The saints before us knew this truth. Job sat among the ashes and still whispered, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Peter wept bitter tears and found forgiveness on a Galilean shore. Paul wrote of joy while chained in a Roman cell.

    Their stories remind us: faith is not proven by prosperity, but by perseverance. To believe when God is silent is to love Him most sincerely.

    “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

    When the Valley Becomes Holy Ground

    There comes a point when the heart can break no further, and it is there that the Lord bends low to meet us. When the last candle flickers out, His light still burns. When the final thread snaps, His hand still holds.

    Our trials are not evidence of His absence but invitations to intimacy. Each sorrow is a doorway through which we learn the language of grace.

    “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”Psalm 23:4

    God never promised an easy journey, but He promised His presence on the path. When we finally reach the end of ourselves, we find, miraculously, that He was there all along, waiting to lift us from the dust and set our feet upon the Rock.

    “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”Psalm 40:2

    A Prayer from the Valley

    Dear Lord,
    Thank You for meeting us in both the laughter and the lament. When life feels out of control, remind us that You are not. Teach us to find joy in the small absurdities of our chaos knowing that Your grace holds steady even when we don’t.

    When doubt creeps in, strengthen our faith. When tears fall, remind us they are seeds You can use to grow something beautiful. May every storm lead us closer to Your heart, and may our joy return brighter because we have known Your faithfulness in the dark. May we honor You even in the chaos of life.

    In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

  • Divine Disruptions

    Divine Disruptions

    Finding Grace in Life’s Unplanned Moments

    Sometimes, God pauses our plans to shape our hearts.

    Some years ago, I stood in my kitchen, reviewing my carefully arranged schedule for the week. Everything was aligned: every meeting, every prayer time, every writing block. Then my phone rang: a dear friend from church had been hospitalized unexpectedly. She needed someone to sit with her, to pray, to simply be present.

    My heart protested: “But this will mess up everything!” Yet God whispered, “Go.”

    So I did. In that hospital room, what looked like an interruption became sacred. We wept, we prayed, we clung to God’s presence together. When I left, I felt less like I had abandoned my plans and more like I had stepped into God’s purpose. That night, I sensed: some of God’s greatest invitations come through the cracks of our “perfect plans.”

    Interruptions often become God’s way of inviting us to surrender our schedule to His sovereignty. The word interrupt suggests interference or disruption. Yet, I believe God allows interruptions not to frustrate us, but to invite us — into His pace, His purpose, and His presence.

    The Little Voice and the New Word

    Not long ago, I overheard a little girl apologize to her teacher: “I’m sorry for the innerruption.” Her mispronunciation made me smile, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt it was profoundly on point.

    What if God doesn’t merely interrupt our plans, what if He innerupts our hearts? What if He deposits something inside us through the disruption that we could only receive when we pause and yield?

    Though innerruption isn’t in any dictionary, perhaps God is coining the term. Inner means “within,” and inter means “to deposit.” What if every interruption is God planting a seed in our soul — something He longs for us to notice, nurture, and let grow?

    Scriptural Anchors for Interruption

    Ephesians 5:15–17 “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

    Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

    Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

    Jesus’ ministry was often “interrupted,” yet He welcomed people as divine appointments. Each interruption can carry a kingdom opportunity : a moment to align our steps with God’s will rather than our own.

    A World in Transition: Seeing with Eternity in View

    When a culture is jolted by loss or unexpected change, we are reminded of how brief life is and how steady God remains. In those moments, the Lord reorients our hearts toward what endures. As Jesus taught:

    John 12:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”

    What seems like a tragic ending can become, in God’s hands, seed for new faith, new courage, and new obedience.

    Technology and the Modern Disruption

    One of the greatest interruptions to the hearts of this generation is technology. For many young girls and teens, social media has become a battlefield for identity. Images, pressures, and the lure of attention can lead toward shame, self-harm, and spiritual disconnection. But God is calling this generation back. He is still saying, “Be still, and know Me.” His interruption to the noise of technology is an innerruption of the heart. It’s an invitation to rediscover purpose, beauty, and belonging in Him alone.

    Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

    The Call to Respond

    When we recognize that interruptions may carry divine deposits, our posture changes. We stop fighting every disruption and start asking: “Lord, what are You saying to me in this moment?” “Where will You have me to pause and listen?” “How might You be reshaping me through what feels like chaos?”

    Interruptions are rarely convenient, but they are often consecrated. God never wastes them.

    What is the reason for your innerruption, and what will you do with it?

    Gratitude for Interruptions

    Lord, thank You for every interruption even the ones I resist. When my plans unravel, remind me that You are weaving something better. Teach me to see divine invitations where I once saw inconvenience. Help me pause, listen, and yield when You redirect my path. Interrupt my hurry with Your peace. Interrupt my pride with Your presence. Interrupt my distractions with Your voice.

    Thank You for loving me enough to rearrange my days for Your glory. May every interruption become an innerruption, a moment when You deposit truth, patience, and faith deep within me.
    In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  • When Screens Become Substitutes: Guarding Our Hearts in a Digital Age

    When Screens Become Substitutes: Guarding Our Hearts in a Digital Age

    As a principal, teacher, and mother, I see every day how screens compete for our hearts. Technology has become a constant companion for children and adults alike. It often shapes our thoughts, habits, and priorities more than we realize. I’ve watched students lose joy because of comparison, families grow distant while sitting in the same room, and adults quietly slip into the same patterns of distraction they warn their children about. My heart has been burdened by one simple truth: we need more oversight and more guardrails for our digital lives.

    A Moment That Made Me Stop

    I remember one evening when my daughter was in high school. I was grading papers at the kitchen table while she sat across from me, laughing quietly at something on her phone. We were only a few feet apart—but miles away in spirit. I caught myself glancing at my own phone every few minutes, checking emails or scrolling through photos, telling myself it was “just for a moment.” Later that night, I realized how many little conversations we had missed. That moment convicted me. I had been warning students about their screen time while modeling the very same distraction at home. God gently reminded me through Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Time is sacred, and technology should never steal it.

    Everywhere we turn, there’s a glowing screen: beckoning, buzzing, updating, refreshing. Our children scroll before they can read. Adults swipe before they pray. Technology has given us incredible tools to learn, connect, and create, but it’s also quietly reshaping what (and Who) holds our attention.

    A Subtle Shift of Worship

    The Bible doesn’t mention “phones” or “apps,” but it does speak clearly about idols. Ezekiel 14:3 warns, “These men have set up their idols in their hearts.” An idol doesn’t have to be a golden calf—it’s anything that captures our devotion more than God.

    When our first instinct each morning is to reach for our phone instead of reaching for His Word, we must ask ourselves: has convenience become our comfort, and technology our teacher?

    Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Technology can either shape us to look more like Christ or more like the culture that constantly craves attention, validation, and distraction.

    Oversight Starts at Home

    As Christian parents, we’re called to guard the hearts of our children, not by sheltering them from every influence, but by teaching discernment and self-control. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

    Oversight doesn’t just mean setting time limits; it means setting examples. Do our children see us turn off the TV to read God’s Word? Do they see us put our phones down when someone walks in the room? Do they see us listening more to God than to our notifications? Technology should serve our family’s mission, not distract us from it.

    What the Numbers Are Telling Us

    If we ever doubted how much technology has taken root in our daily lives, the numbers say it all.
    Recent studies reveal that the average American now spends more than seven hours a day looking at screens: phones, computers, televisions, and tablets combined (DemandSage, 2025). That’s almost a third of every 24-hour day! Globally, the average is only slightly lower, at around six hours and forty minutes per day.

    For children, the pattern begins early. A meta-analysis published in Global Health Research and Policy found that children ages 6–14 average about 2.77 hours per day of screen use (GHRP, 2023).
    The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reports that children ages 8–12 spend four to six hours a day, while teens often exceed seven hours daily (AACAP, 2024).

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also notes that over half of U.S. teens (50.4%) spend at least four hours a day on recreational screen time (CDC, 2023). Researchers warn that time spent beyond that threshold is linked to increased risks of anxiety, depression, attention problems, and poor sleep (arXiv, 2025).

    The data confirms what many of us already sense in our hearts: we are slowly trading the quiet rhythms of home life and spiritual reflection for constant stimulation. If children spend more waking hours online than engaging with their families or with the Lord, how will they learn to hear His still, small voice?

    For many girls and teens, social media and the exposure to inappropriate images, online pressure, and toxic comparison serve as a constant assault on purity, identity, and dignity. Studies show that increased screen time and engagement with harmful content correlate with higher rates of depression, self-harm ideology, and suicide risk among youth, especially among girls. (The Gospel Coalition+3PMC+3PLOS+3 )

    As young people focus on images found in social media, the enemy whispers lies: You’re not enough. You need to prove your value. You must belong by any means. Against that backdrop, Scripture’s call to live as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) and to stand firm in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58) becomes even more urgent. When technology becomes a destructive force in the life of the heart, God’s invitation is to resist, root deeply, and allow Him to restore the soul’s purity and purpose.

    These numbers shouldn’t just alarm us—they should awaken us. They remind us that oversight is not about control, but about care. We must guide our families to use technology purposefully, remembering that every minute we reclaim from the screen is a minute we can give back to God, to others, and to rest.

    The Proper Attitude for Social Media

    Social media can be a tool for ministry—or a trap for comparison. It connects us to others but can disconnect us from gratitude. Scripture cautions us in Galatians 1:10, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

    When we post, comment, or scroll, we should ask: Am I seeking to glorify God or glorify myself? Am I building up others or feeding my envy? Am I spending more time online than on my knees?

    We must remind ourselves and our children that our worth is not measured by followers, likes, or views—it is secured by the love of Christ.

    Choosing Stillness Over Stimulation

    Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Yet stillness has become one of the hardest disciplines in our digital world. Oversight for both children and adults begins with reclaiming that sacred stillness, moments where we set aside our screens to meet with our Savior.

    Imagine what might happen if families had tech-free dinners or screen-free “Sabbaths.” What if our children saw that joy doesn’t come from Wi-Fi connections, but from heart connections first with God, then with one another?

    A Prayer for Our Digital Lives

    Lord, help us to use technology wisely. Teach us to set boundaries that guard our hearts and minds. Let our screens never replace Your Word or our need for quiet communion with You. May every click, post, and message reflect Your goodness and truth. In a world of constant noise, help us to listen for Your still, small voice. Amen.

  • Finding Healing in God’s Love: A Journey of Redemption

    Finding Healing in God’s Love: A Journey of Redemption

    “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

    I grew up in a home where the word “father” didn’t feel safe.
    Punishment wasn’t rare; it was routine.
    Yelling filled the rooms like constant background noise.
    For a six-year-old, being hit wasn’t shocking—it was expected.

    My stepfather’s anger shaped the air we breathed.
    I learned to flinch instead of speak,
    to hide because running never helped.
    Loneliness became my shadow,
    and despair whispered that life itself wasn’t worth holding onto.

    I cried for the hurt my brothers and I endured.
    I sobbed for the nights my stepfather locked me away in handcuffs.
    I ached with feelings of abandonment by the ones who should have protected.

    And his name, the name I was forced to carry,
    felt like a stain I was unable to wash away.
    I hated it. I hated what it represented.
    Every time someone spoke his name,
    it felt like a chain tightening around my identity.

    But God.
    God stepped into my story.
    God, who sees what is done in secret.
    God, who collects every tear in a bottle (Psalm 56:8).
    God, who is “a father to the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5).

    He didn’t just rescue me from my past—He re-named me.

    God Sees You

    In Genesis 16, Hagar, an abused, mistreated servant, ran into the desert, pregnant, alone, and unwanted. But there, in her pain, God met her. She called Him El Roi, “the God who sees me.”

    When the world throws you away… God sees.
    When others speak lies about who you are… God speaks truth.

    “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

    He knows your real name, not the one your abuser used, not the label the world stuck on you, not the name shame tries to whisper. He knows the name He gave you before you were born.

    “When the world calls you forgotten, God calls you beloved.”

     A teacher once shared about a little girl in her Sunday school class who came from a broken home. The girl always drew pictures of herself holding Jesus’ hand. When asked why, she said softly, “Because He’s the only one who doesn’t let go.” That’s the God who sees you.

    God Redeems Your Identity

    Abuse tries to define you by pain. But God defines you by purpose.

    • You are chosen (1 Peter 2:9)
    • You are beloved (Romans 9:25)
    • You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
    • You are free (Galatians 5:1)

    I no longer carry that man’s name in my spirit. I carry the name that my heavenly Father gave me—Daughter.

    In Luke 15, the prodigal son came home filthy and ashamed. Before he could finish his apology, his father ran to him, wrapped him in a robe, and restored him to sonship. That is what God does. He covers our shame and restores our identity.

    God Restores What Was Broken

    “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes…”
    —Isaiah 61:3

    Maybe you’ve felt like your story was too shattered to be used, but God specializes in taking broken things and making them beautiful.

    He did it for Joseph, betrayed by his brothers. He did it for Ruth, who lost everything. He did it for Mephibosheth, crippled and forgotten—yet given a seat at the king’s table (2 Samuel 9). And He can do it for you.

    My past will never define me again. It may be part of my story, but it is not the end of it.

    God Gives You a New Name

    “To the one who conquers… I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.”
    —Revelation 2:17

    When we surrender our story to Him, He gives us a name the world cannot touch.

    Someday, I’ll stand before God with a name that only He and I know—unspoiled, untouched by the world. But until then, I walk forward not as a victim, not even as a survivor… but as a child of the King.

    Closing Words

    If you grew up in pain, like I did—please hear me: You are not what happened to you. You are who God says you are.

    That name is Redeemed.
    That name is Loved.
    That name is Free.

    “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
    Romans 8:16

    A Prayer for the Broken and Beloved

    “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
    Psalm 147:3

    Dear Father,

    Thank You for being the God who sees, who heals, and who restores. For every person reading this who carries a hidden wound, I pray Your love would meet them right where they are.

    Remind them they are not forgotten. You saw them in their pain, You wept with them, and You are still writing a new chapter of redemption in their lives.

    When memories return, let Your peace flood their hearts. When fear whispers lies, let Your truth speak louder. Replace shame with strength, and sorrow with song.

    Help each one to walk in the freedom of being Your child—chosen, seen, and deeply loved. Teach us to forgive, to trust again, and to believe that You can bring beauty from ashes.

    And Lord, may every life You heal become a light to others who are still in the dark. Let the world see through us that God is good, and His mercy truly endures forever.

    In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    When God steps into your story, He doesn’t just rescue you. He renames you. He calls you “Beloved.”

  • A Work Still in Progress

    A Work Still in Progress

    Philippians 1:6–10

    Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
    Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

    When Progress Feels Slow

    Some days, spiritual growth feels painfully slow. We try our best to walk faithfully, yet we stumble over the same weaknesses, wrestle with the same doubts, or fall short in the same old areas. Maybe you’ve whispered in prayer, “Lord, am I ever going to get this right?”

    Paul’s words to the Philippians remind us that we are not unfinished because we’ve failed—we are unfinished because God is still working. He hasn’t given up. He hasn’t walked away from the project He began in you. The Artist never abandons His masterpiece.

    When Paul says, “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ,” he’s reminding us that our growth is God’s ongoing promise. I am a work in progress and a living testimony of His patience, grace, and faithfulness.

    A Story from the Classroom

    As a teacher for 39 years, students have always been a big part of my prayer life. I think often of one of my students, a quiet girl named Emily. She was bright and thoughtful, but easily discouraged. When assignments felt too difficult, she’d sigh and say softly, “I’ll never get this right.”

    I’d remind her gently, “You don’t have to be perfect today; you just have to keep growing. Look how far you have already come! Growth is a process.”

    Over time, I began to notice small changes. Her handwriting grew steadier. Her answers became more complete. She began to lift her head when reading aloud and even encouraged classmates who were struggling. One afternoon, she turned in a paper and said with a shy smile, “I didn’t think I could do it, but I kept trying.”

    That moment stayed with me. Emily didn’t become confident overnight. She grew a little each day because she kept showing up.

    And isn’t that what the Lord calls us to do? Keep showing up. Keep trusting. Keep letting Him work. God is patient with our progress—just as we are patient with our students and children. What matters most isn’t perfection, but persistence. Every small step of obedience, every humble moment of faith, becomes part of His masterpiece in the making.

    The Sculptor’s Hands

    A sculptor was once asked how he created a beautiful lion from a solid block of marble. He smiled and said, “I just chip away everything that doesn’t look like a lion.”

    That’s what God is doing in each of us. Day by day, through joys and hardships, He is gently removing everything that doesn’t look like Christ. Sometimes the chiseling hurts. Sometimes we can’t see the shape of what He’s forming. But the Master Sculptor knows exactly what He’s doing. The blows of His chisel are never random, but they are guided by His love. He truly does LOVE His children.

    Our part is not to resist the shaping, but to trust His steady hand. We can rest knowing that even the hard moments are part of His artistry.

    A Heart That Grows in Love

    “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent.”

    Paul wasn’t praying that their love would simply feel deeper but that it would grow wiser. True spiritual maturity blends compassion with discernment. As we walk with Christ, our love becomes both tender and thoughtful. We learn when to speak and when to listen, when to comfort and when to correct, when to let go and when to hold fast.

    This kind of love requires the Holy Spirit’s daily guidance. It’s the fruit of a heart that’s being transformed—not suddenly, but slowly and beautifully, one obedient moment at a time. The Holy Spirit is there to guide us each day. Talk to Him!

    Growing up an abused child, I have many issues with not thinking I am worth it. I struggle thinking that no one could truly love me. I struggle with feeling like I am a disappointment to God and everyone around me. Yet, God does love me, in fact, He IS LOVE! He loves you and me! He wants to perfect us and use us for His glory!

    Still Becoming

    If you feel today like you’re not where you want to be—remember, neither were the Philippians. Yet Paul (who was in prison himself) wrote to them with joy and confidence because he knew the truth: God finishes what He starts.

    You may not see the full picture yet. You may only see the rough edges. But He sees the finished masterpiece—one that reflects the image of His Son.

    So breathe, friend. Be patient with yourself. The work isn’t done, but it’s being done by the most faithful hands.

    Quiet Reflection

    • What part of my life feels “unfinished” right now?
    • How might God be using this season to shape me into something more like Christ?
    • How can my love “abound more and more in knowledge and judgment” this week?

    Prayer

    Heavenly Father,
    Thank you for the reminder that You are still working in me.
    When I grow weary or discouraged, remind me that I am safely in Your hands. Help me to have love that abounds in wisdom and discernment. Shape me into the likeness of Christ—pure, sincere, and ready for the day of His return. Thank you for your deep love and care for me. Help me to trust you today to refine me and glorify YOU today.
    In Jesus’ name, Amen.