I have always been drawn to soothing, comforting nature of water. Whether it is a babbling brook or the ocean deep. Maybe it is a reminder of the Spirit within me. . Jesus said himself that “He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.” John 7:38 AMPC . This living water is referring to the Holy Spirit that would come to all those who beli

My writing challenge has come to an end. But, I have enjoyed writing so much these last few weeks that I have decided to continue to post devotionals on Mondays and Thursdays. You can follow on Instagram at #aquietpause, on my Facebook page or my blog: aquietpause.com or signup on my blog page to receive it by email. . I pray these posts will encourage you to discover and embrace an abundant life rooted in Jesus. Because I know for me, I couldn’t make it without Jesus. This b

Worry is a feeling that I battle some days. Maybe you can relate. . In John 14:1, Jesus says: “Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God, trust also in me.” . Trust. Pisteuo in Greek means to believe; to commit unto; to place confidence in. . Trust is the antidote for our troubled, worried hearts and minds. Trust is also the antecedent for peace. Trusting in Jesus, believing in his plan, placing confidence in him; that he has already overcome, counteracts a troubled he

The first thing that came to mind when I saw the next writing prompt #goal is this scripture: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 NIV . Some days I feel like Paul: hard pressed on every side, perplexed, persecuted, struck down. With Christ, I am not crushed, not in despair, not abandoned, not destroyed. My hope can remain strong. It is my anchor. (2 Corinthians 4:7, Hebrews 6:19) . Regardless

For me, inspiration comes from simple things. Being in God’s word. I am encouraged and strengthened by His truth which inspires me to share with others what I am learning along the way. Being in God’s world. I am awestruck by nature. From the tiniest creature to the expanse of the ocean, God teaches me spiritual lessons through all He has created. “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light.” Matthew 6:

The big things in life often get the most attention… . “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” Vincent Van Gogh . “I don’t believe there is one great thing I was made to do in this world. I believe there is one great God I was made to glorify. And there will be many ways, even a million little ways, I will declare his glory with my life.” Emily Freeman . “Doing the best we can, where we are, with what we have been given is the best way to live a

My approach to goals and resolutions this year is this: “if you fall off the wagon, you have a choice: To get stuck in the mud and wallow. Or get up and jump back on the wagon.” . . Lots of things make us fall off the wagon when trying to reach our goals. Sometimes it is our choices. Other times it is things we can’t control. My son, in the pic above, has had two broken bones, two concussions and two surgeries in the last two years. Although it has been hard, he is a great ex

Some days there is a storm brewing in my brain. Not what you typically think of as a brainstorm. This one is different. The kind of storm that occurs if I have to think about one more thing. 🤯 Those days I feel like I need to send out a weather alert to my family and friends that says “Severe Thunderstorm Possible. Take Shelter Immediately .” 😂 These storms usually start as a result of an overextended schedule and commitments. Then, when the unexpected happens, boom! The st

My post was ready to go today. After my morning quiet time, I chose to edit and revise it because I felt like someone may need to hear this as much as I did. Isn’t that the way writing works? You have to throw out the original thought for something better. More meaningful. These two scriptures settled over me and quieted my soul this morning. I don’t know what you are going through right now, but let these truths sink into your heart: “Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and st

Drafts. I have many drafts. If you checked my draft folder on my blog, my notes on my phone, or my journals, you would see so many drafts. I can write for days. What I can’t seem to do is click publish. Drafts are easy. Publishing is not. • Why? It is vulnerable. It opens us up to other opinions, judgement and criticism. Publishing our work shares a little bit of our heart. Of who we really are. It’s a little scary. • A draft is like our story. We hold the hurts, the pain, th

I have this little stool. it is older than me. I remember it from my first home when I was a little girl. Somehow it has managed to tag along although I have decluttered most things from back then. • Sometimes, in the morning quiet, I plop down in the floor, at this little stool, open my Bible and think about sitting at the feet of Jesus. Like Mary did. You know as in Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. • Do you recall the story of Mary and Martha? Martha was busy. Don’t we say

At the start of every new year, I ask God for a word. One to direct my thoughts and steps for the year. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ On New Year’s Eve, my morning quiet time led me to Colossians 4:2: “Devote yourself to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” God confirmed it in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 the next morning: “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I already knew gratitude was a focus for the year when I received not one, but two

In Isaiah 7, Ahaz, King of Judah, heard news that Syria was allied with Israel against him. He trembled in fear “by the possible” end of his reign, by the possible attack upon his kingdom. He was “shaking as trees in a storm”. By the possible. This had not happened.  It wasn’t in the process of happening. It was a possibility…The Lord told Isaiah: ” Tell him (King Ahaz) to stop worrying. Tell him he doesn’t need to fear.” (Isaiah 7:4 NLT) Other versions say: be calm, be quiet

When the Lord makes a point to me, He often stresses it several different times. He knows I am stubborn and it takes a minute to sink in. In my first devotional of 2018 in Unshakeable by Christine Caine, the verse was “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you” Proverbs 4:25. Caine says we must stay “laser focused. He wants us to stay the course, and where we focus is where we will go.” Focus. Secondly, in Max Lucado’s book, Anxious for Nothing, I w

As I sat in the waiting room for my name to be called, I was surrounded by women of all ages, colors, shapes and sizes. We had one thing in common as we waited. We all had on a white robe. It was the great equalizer in that moment. Our background, education, income or address did not matter. As we waited for tests and results, we sat mostly in silence. Most too anxious to talk. Yet, equal in that moment. All pondering what the results would bring us. Some news would bring joy

This one goes out to all the busy mommas out there that need to slow down for a moment and take a deep breath. If you are like me, you feel like you have been running a race with your arms full trying to not drop something along the way. And, then May is here! And, we all know how busy May can be. End of school activities, end sports season for some – gearing up for others, graduations, parties, Mother’s Day, weddings, travel, camps – all the on top of the regular every day

When my kids were little, I slept with the door open and no fan on. I wanted to hear them if they needed me in the middle of the night. As they have grown into the teen and young adult years, I purchased a fan to drown out the noise of their coming and going and late night video games. I am a light sleeper and I can hear everything including the cat walking into the room. I have grown to love my fan because I love my sleep. However, Elijah had surgery yesterday. So once again

I am a restless sleeper.  Always have been.  As I get older it has gotten worse, I seem to be awake more than asleep at night.  Like many others, when I wake at night it doesn’t take long for mind to start turning.  To Do Lists.  Worries. What Ifs.  The more I think, the more I stay awake.  There are times when I have to literally will myself not to think.  I pray. Sing songs to myself. Recite scripture. Drink milk. Count sheep. Anything to go back to sleep. A few nights ago

The Simple Life sign. (Referred to in my earlier post “small things, big reminders“.) It was a fun find from a downtown Franklin store. Since living a simple life has been a part of our family’s DNA since we have been married, we grabbed it. In our early years of marriage, we read two books “Simplify Your Life: A 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things that Matter” and “A Place called Simplicity.” These books taught us to look at all aspects of our life to prevent us fro

Yesterday, I posted a “nice” little blog called “nip the worry”. You can read it HERE. God is always teaching me lessons about worry because I am such a worrier. He had shown me clearly how my little worries can direct my path and make me run in fear at times. And, when worries start, to claim scripture – God’s truth – over them. Well, it was only a few hours later, after posting that blog, that I received a text that sent me into a tizzy. All my worries flooded back to me.