Maybe when we wait we struggle to remember that God is good and He has our best in mind.

The gift of the hard things in our lives is that we get to see God in a new way. We get a clearer, sharper image through the lens of suffering that helps us focus on something we haven’t noticed before.

Maybe, like them, we get caught up with life and all that is happening, we miss the miraculous walking beside us.

It’s not about not having grief or heartache, it’s just a part of life here on Earth, it’s about the hope - the promise

God, in His timing and with all the love He has for us, will bring streams in our desert and restore what was lost!

God does not ever need anything outside of Himself to meet me and change my situation and my life.

I am overwhelmed by all the ways that have shown God’s expression of His goodness and faithfulness!

When I saw that question, I had to ask myself am I a fan or follower of Jesus?

When we seek God in those times of being overwhelmed, God gives us the strength to continue on

Once again, I was filled with wonder and gratefulness that I am seen that same way, as His child He loves. Not only that, but He meets me where I am: broken, on my mat. Loving and forgiving, not condemning or frustrated.

No matter what 2022 was like for us or what 2023 will hold for us, we can know ~ fully and wholly ~ that God is with us. And though I may not be completely confident in my tight walking skills, my hope is not in my ability!

It’s the beautiful details that God weaves into my story that has me in awe of Him this Christmas.

Maybe that’s the key. Zechariah was serving faithfully, he was worshipping and spending time in the presence of God.

“ He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his armsand carries them close to his heart…” Isaiah 40:11a

If we believe God is good and all He does is from the love He has for us, then that means we should live our lives in a manner that shows that

BUT think about how both God and Jesus went all-in on Jesus coming to earth, loving us, dying for our sin and being separated from each other.

Simon was busy just living his life when Jesus came and invited Simon to be a part of what He was doing

There are some battles we need our community to fight with us and some battles we need to fight on our own.

It doesn’t matter if I see myself as worthy, holy or valuable, God says I am.

Whatever our response is when it’s not our turn shows our character and if we are willing to be faithful in obscurity.