Devotionals for the Heart: When you feel blindsided and off course in life

When Life Isn’t Just Fun and Games
A devotional by Suzanne Felton

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”—Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Have you ever played “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”?

It is a children’s game where everyone stands across the room from a large picture of a donkey without a tail (or a clown without a nose, or a cowboy without a hat, etc.). All you have to do when your turn comes is walk over and stick the donkey’s tail in the proper place. That seems easy enough, but what makes the game challenging—and fun—is that you’re blindfolded and spun around first so that pinning the tail in the right spot becomes nearly impossible. The poor donkey ends up with many tails in all the wrong places, and everyone laughs at the results.

Sometimes life feels like a game of “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”. You can see your goal clearly, and the path to reach it seems easy, but then, out of nowhere, you’re blindsided, spun around, and disoriented, and you end up way off course. When it’s real life, though, it’s anything but funny. You thought you had everything under control. You thought you knew where you were going. You thought you knew exactly how to get there. Instead, you find yourself somewhere entirely different with no idea what to do next.

Does this sound familiar? Maybe you started a new business thinking it was a sure thing, only to find yourself one year later with no profits and no idea how to recover your investment. Maybe you moved to a new state to be near a loved one, but that relationship became strained, and now you feel like an outsider in an unfamiliar community. Maybe you were expecting a promotion in the job you put your heart and soul into for years, only to be let go. Maybe you finally found the courage to trust someone, only to have that trust broken. Whatever your story, I’d bet there’s been a time in your life when you felt like you stuck your pin in the worst possible place.

The book of Exodus in the Bible tells the story of how the Israelites, God’s chosen people, miraculously escaped slavery in Egypt. Led by Moses, they set off triumphantly toward a new land God had promised to give them. If they had taken the most direct route, they probably could have made the trip on foot in under two weeks, but the journey took them forty years. Forty years. Talk about a detour!

God allowed the Israelites to wander in the desert for so long because there were things He wanted to teach them before they reached the Promised Land. The people were not expecting such a long and winding journey. They questioned and complained along the way, but God knew what was best for them.

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us we should not rely on our own understanding as we walk through life. Our paths will only become straight, it says, when we submit our lives to God and trust Him completely. When we rely on our own understanding, thinking we can find the target and reach our goals on our own, we stick our pins in the wrong places. However, when we learn to trust God, we will we end up exactly where He wants us to be.

If you feel like you’re wandering right now, like you have been blindfolded and spun around and can’t find where to stick your pin, perhaps God has something He wants to teach you. You may not yet understand the reason you got off course but trust Him to lead you every step of the way, and He will fulfill His promise.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, sometimes I venture off course in my life, and I feel disoriented and confused. Help me stop leaning on my own understanding and to trust You with my whole heart. Make my path straight and keep me in the center of Your will. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Proverbs 3:5-6 (Trust the Lord)” by Warrior. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Order My Steps” by GMWA Women of Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Lead Me Lord” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir w/Elizabeth Goodine. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Made A Way” by Travis Greene. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Suzanne Felton is a wife, mother, writer, reader, teacher, birder, deep thinker, and sinner saved by grace. 

She has worked in a wide range of settings, from non-profits to science labs to government contracts to educational classrooms. Amazed by the power of words, she currently uses her passion and experience to help authors and students as a writing coach. Encouraging others to find the words and the courage to share their stories is one of her greatest joys.

Suzanne’s devotionals have been published in periodicals and blogs including Truly Magazine, The Upper Room, The Love Offering, Keys 4 Kids, and The Swallow’s Nest. She is also a two-time finalist in the Cascade Christian Writing Contest for poetry.

Suzanne and her family reside in Northern Virginia, but Suzanne will always call her native South Carolina home.

Married to her best friend for twenty-six years, Suzanne is active in her church, where she and her husband serve as deacons and small group leaders. They enjoy watching sports and visiting national parks with their two college-age sons.

~*~
Connect with Suzanne:
Website: suzannefelton.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/l.suzanne.felton
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l_suzanne_felton/
Email: suzannefeltonwriter@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Why God's purpose for us in this life is clear

A Clear Purpose Given to Us by God
A devotional by Suzanne Felton

“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.”

—Psalm 34:3 (NIV)

What’s my purpose?

I have often wrestled with that question throughout my life. How often have I asked God to give me a clear answer or help me figure it out? How often have I feared that I’ve gotten it wrong or totally missed the boat?

I remember learning the Bible verse Romans 8:28 for the first time when I was young. It reads, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” I remember feeling such joy knowing that God had a purpose for my life—a calling for me—and that scripture became my “life verse”. I understood the verse, as many people do, to mean that God had a specific, detailed plan for me, and that I needed to discover exactly what it was it in order to fulfill His purpose for my life. As time went by, I’d often worry that I was getting it wrong or that I’d missed the path God had laid out for me.

While I still believe that God has a plan for each of us, the more I read God’s Word, the more I’m convinced that discovering God’s purpose is not as complicated as I used to think.

Matthew chapter 5 through Matthew chapter 7 records Jesus Christ’s “Sermon on the Mount,” in which He teaches His followers God’s standards for how we should live, love, and serve. In Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV), Jesus uses metaphors of salt and light to illustrate some of this teaching. He said, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

In the past, when I’ve read this passage or heard it taught, the focus was always on what it means to be salt and what it means to be light and how we as Christ’s followers can become those things. There is deep symbolism worth exploring in Jesus’s use of salt and light—two ordinary things common in both Jesus’s day and ours—as teaching tools, but when I read this passage again recently, I saw something new. “You are the salt of the earth” (verse 13a). “You are the light of the world” (verse 14a). As He speaks to His disciples, Jesus does not take time to explain what it means to be like salt and light or what they must do in order to become more like them. It’s a given that they already are those things.

In verse 13, Jesus says that salt that stops being “salty” is no longer good for anything and should be discarded. In verses 14-16, he describes the absurdity of trying to hide a light that’s already shining. If a salt shaker or a lamp isn’t serving its inherent purpose, then what’s the point? That goes right along with my initial understanding of Romans 8:28. Jesus wants us to remember that we were created with a purpose, and that if we’re living in a way that doesn’t fulfill that purpose, our lives lack meaning. What Jesus does not say is that our God-given purpose is a mystery that must be figured out. In fact, he clearly tells us what that purpose is in Matthew 5:16 (NIV): “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

To bring glory to our Father in Heaven. That’s the point. That’s our purpose. How have I missed that before?

Every day we’re faced with countless decisions, some of greater importance than others. As Christians, we pray that God will lead us to make the right decisions, but as humans we inevitably fail sometimes and make the wrong ones. Sometimes there may not even be a bad option, but we can still only choose one or the other.

Instead of becoming paralyzed by “what ifs,” perhaps we should focus more on glorifying God in all that we do. Perhaps we shouldn’t worry so much about whether every single step we choose to take is the one God has chosen for us, but rather choose to glorify Him in every single step we take. When that is our purpose, He will surely keep us on the right path.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me with a purpose. Help me to glorify You in all that I do, and may my life lead others to glorify You, too. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Psalm 34” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Born with a Purpose” by Angela. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Shine the Light” by Babbie Mason. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Suzanne Felton has been a writer for most of her life, even before she realized it. 

She has worked in a wide range of settings, from non-profits to science labs to government contracts to educational classrooms, all of which involved writing in one form or another.

Suzanne is amazed by the power of words and now uses her passion and experience to help authors and students as a writing coach. Encouraging others to find the words and the courage to share their stories is one of her greatest joys.

Suzanne’s devotionals have been published in periodicals and blogs including The Upper Room, The Love Offering, Keys 4 Kids, and The Swallow’s Nest. She is also a two-time finalist in the Cascade Christian Writing Contest for poetry.

She is a wife, mother, writer, reader, teacher, deep thinker, and sinner saved by grace. Suzanne and her family reside in Northern Virginia, but Suzanne will always call her native South Carolina home.

Married to her best friend for twenty-five years, Suzanne is active in her church, where she and her husband have served as deacons for over a decade. They enjoy watching sports and visiting national parks with their two teenage sons. Suzanne is also an avid birder, easily and happily distracted by anything with feathers.

~*~
Connect with Suzanne:
Website: https://suzannefelton.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l_suzanne_felton
Email address: suzannefeltonwriter@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: When you need direction and wisdom from God

Are You on the Right Path?
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”—Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Have you ever gotten lost in the woods? I mean taken a wrong turn while hiking or wandering, then immediately realized you were in trouble.

That happened to my family recently when we were in the mountains for a few days celebrating my stepdaughter’s graduation. We were hiking near a beautiful waterfall and had already seen the big picture view, and now we were making our way toward the base. The written guide warned us the trail would be uneven and steep in some areas, but we weren’t too worried—we’d hiked those kinds of trails before.

We turned where they instructed and picked our way down the jagged rocks. It went on and on for what felt like an hour, and finally, we got to this odd-looking rocky section. The trail seemed to go right through the rocks, but it was a little awkward to do this—especially with our German Shepherd. We had to climb onto a boulder, then sort of wiggle our way through this narrow section of rock and jump at the end, and it wasn’t easy. I was a bit shocked it hadn’t been mentioned in the written guide, but we continued on, painstakingly making our way through the rocks and out the other side.

“This had better be an amazing waterfall,” my son joked.

Then suddenly we came to a dead end. To our left, through the trees, we could glimpse the base of the waterfall, hear children laughing and grownups talking. But ahead of us was just brush and bramble, a thorny mess we certainly weren’t intended to traverse.

“Somehow we’ve gotten off the trail,” I told my family.

What else could we do but turn around and try to make our way back up? But when we got to the rocky section where we’d had to jump, I was stuck—I couldn’t make it up on my own, not without a hand to pull me up or a hefty push from behind. I decided to go around, keeping my eyes on the rocks to make sure I didn’t go too far astray; it was much easier that way. Finally, I got to the top again.

That’s when my stepdaughter pointed. “Look—see that green diamond? That’s the trail we’re supposed to be on.”

She was right. Having found the right path, we made it the rest of the way to the base of the waterfall, hot and sweaty but exhilarated.

Now consider all of this from a spiritual perspective. What do we do when we’re walking what we think is the right path, only gets harder and harder, and finally it gets insanely hard, and we realize we’ve hit a dead end?

Maybe we push ahead stubbornly, muscling our way through that wrong path, determined to make it the right one. Or maybe we turn back around and look for the way back, the right path, the true trail. Our loving God has a path for each of us, only the directions are not always so clear. We walk on that path, trying our best to live right by him. Sometimes we get off the path and encounter obstacles—and sometimes stray so far off the path we wind up in a big mess. All those obstacles we encounter are designed to get us back on His path for us.

We can muscle our way through the brambles all we want, but if we’re not on the right path, if we’re not on God’s righteous path for our lives, it’s not going to lead to the waterfall at the end. What’s necessary is making our way back to the path, learning how to recognize it, looking for those signs.

None of us can ever live in full righteousness this side of Heaven. But we can do our best to walk in alignment with the Lord, to allow the Holy Spirit to operate fully within us. Scripture tells us the Holy Spirit enables us to live a life that reflects the character of the Lord, and we can see this through evidence—fruit—that the Spirit is alive and working in our hearts. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) tells us “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” And Jesus Christ, in Matthew 7:16-20, shares how just as every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit, we can recognize those who are living in alignment with the Lord. As He instructs, “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:20).

Look around you. Do you see trail signs letting you know you’re on the right path, or brambles and thorns blocking your way, letting you know it’s time to turn around? Pray on this, then realign your steps and bask in God’s beautiful waterfall.

Let’s Pray: Lord, thank You for loving me enough to provide the true path of righteousness. Help my heart and my feet stay fully aligned to your will and your way, now and always, and if I get off-track, please steer me back to you. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Waterfall” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. 

Her Christian contemporary novel, The Memory Garden, released this Spring 2025. Book two in the series releases this Fall 2025. Learn more about Jessica’s writing ministry and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com. She has a YouTube devotional, and you can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should always follow God's Roadmap

Following God’s Roadmap Leads to His Greatest Blessings
A devotional by Sarah Cole

“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”—Exodus 13:21-22 (NIV)

My parents and I vacationed at campgrounds across the Midwest every summer.

After we packed up the station wagon and hooked up the camper, we hit the open road, playing car games along the way. With my father behind the wheel, we inevitably arrived in the middle of nowhere because he refused to stop for directions. If it weren’t for my mother’s exceptional navigation skills we wouldn’t have reached our destination.

I wish my mother were here now that I live in the middle of a busy shopping district. Wherever I go, traffic is always heavy and without GPS, I don’t get very far. The same is true of our spiritual lives: without God’s guidance, we will go in circles trying to navigate life alone. When we drive solo, thinking we know better, our merciful Father sees us headed in the wrong direction and keeps us from careening over the cliff of our good intentions.

In today’s anchor text (Exodus 13:21-22), we learn that after Pharaoh agreed to let the Israelites go, God instructed Moses to take them on a long route through the wilderness. The shorter route seemed more convenient to the Israelites, but God saw the dangers ahead. Therefore, He went before them, faithfully leading with pillars of cloud by day and fire by night.

This story reminds us that when the way forward is unclear, we can trust God to guide us, protect us, and equip us with everything we need for the journey.

The Bible warns us in Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV), “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Following God’s roadmap protects us from dangers only He can anticipate. But when we ignore it and go our own way, we suffer consequences that we could’ve avoided if we had relied on Him.

The road of life will lead us through hills and valleys. And we can’t avoid every obstacle that comes our way. But Jesus Christ is our traveling companion, and when we let Him take the wheel, He promises to lead us on a glorious adventure here on Earth that ends with eternity in His Presence someday in Heaven.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father God,

When the pressures and stresses of life cause me to become sidetracked, I’m grateful that You patiently lead me back to You. As my Shepherd, I know I can always depend on Your perfect wisdom, love, and protection. Your Word is a light that keeps me on the path of abundance here on Earth, eventually leading to my eternal home in Heaven. Thank You, Lord! In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Psalm 23: Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sarah Cole’s interest in writing began in grade school when her poem was published in the local paper. Since then, she has written for her college newspaper and two community newspapers where she wrote restaurant reviews and articles for their ‘best of’ spread. 

Her experience as an administrator in the marketing field gave her the opportunity to write ads for a local business journal.

After a 20-year detour and a three-year season of adversity, God reignited her passion to write. Two divine appointments later, the short story she wrote about her father appeared in the St. Paul Almanac, and a short story about her cocker spaniel Gigi was published in Mysterious Ways by Guideposts. She believes her adversity was worth the lessons God taught her.

Sarah's devotionals have been published in David C. Cook’s The Quiet Hour and Devotions, The Secret Place by Judson Press, and Pray a Word a Day by Guideposts. Her short story will be featured in an upcoming book, Too Amazing For Coincidence, also to be published by Guideposts. To this day, Sarah smiles, pinches herself and gives God all the glory.

When she's not writing, she's enjoying her hobbies that include dog sitting, watching cooking shows and taking day trips.

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Connect with Sarah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smittyc65
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@SarahCo45835279
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.cole.52

Devotionals for the Heart: God can give you clear vision and guidance

God Will Make Our Paths Straight
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.”

—Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Trusting God is a constant theme in our lives. We never truly arrive at a perfect level of trust, and we’re constantly growing in our walk with the Lord.

The anchor text above (Proverbs 3:5-6) is one of my favorites for multiple reasons, but recently, I read the last portion of it with fresh eyes. Allow me to explain: We’re commanded to trust in the LORD with all our heart and to refrain from leaning on our own understanding. We’re told in all our ways to acknowledge Him, but do we ever notice the promise at the end? “He will make straight your paths.”

Do you know what this means? We don’t need to fear or try to take control of our “destiny” because if we’re following the Lord, He will make straight our paths. Even now there are times when fear creeps in and I want to take control because, in my sinful nature, I wonder if I can trust the Lord with my future. It sounds so terrible to admit this out loud. I know I can trust Him but sometimes that head knowledge doesn’t reach my heart, and I don’t live it out in my faith walk with Jesus Christ.

Do I truly believe it with all my heart? Do I believe that if I’m following the Lord, I’m not going to miss out on anything I’m supposed to have?

I’ve always been a dreamer with high aspirations. The world would laugh if they knew of the secret desires of my heart, but I know God puts dreams in our hearts for a reason. They might not turn out quite the way we expected, but in His way and in His perfect timing, God will meet the desires of our hearts.

A couple months ago, the Lord challenged me to follow Him wholeheartedly without allowing myself to become distracted by fears or how my circumstances appear. He reminded me I don’t need to try to be someone I’m not or force myself to seize opportunities that clearly aren’t for me because everything I’m supposed to have—from the experiences to the friends who are meant to be in my path—will be there if I’m following the Lord. I don’t need to force anything. If I’m following the Lord, He will make my path straight, and I will end up where I’m supposed to be.

Dear friend, I don’t know the specific desires of your heart. But God does. Trust Him. Don’t lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father God, thank You for making my paths straight and for leading me through this life on Earth. Thank You that I can trust You with my life no matter what. Please help me to trust You where You lead. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Trust in God” by Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

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Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: Absolutes

The Absolutes
A devotional by Nanci Rubin

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever."

~Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)

Our world is in such turmoil, and our youth struggle to find their place in an ever-changing environment. Teens look to their peers for acceptance as parental influence becomes almost nil. Don’t we all look for acceptance? The youth desire to be loved. They need to know God loves them.

I have worked with kids all my life. I was Head Nurse in the Health Center at our local university and when I was nursing I worked in pediatrics. I’ve taught Sunday School to middle-grade kids. I love children, and I’ve seen first-hand how easily they can get into trouble. We’re all familiar with the cute toddler who reaches out to grab something, stops, looks you in the face waiting for your response. A “no-no” will be uttered, and those tiny hands quickly grab the desired object and drop it almost at the same time. They push you beyond your limits. The urge to rebel doesn’t seem to go away, even into adulthood there remains some residual. We appear to like the forbidden thing.

I remember when I worked at the college some of our freshman students would come totally unprepared for the liberal world-view, and the freedom associated with being away from home for the first time. It was such a culture shock that some couldn’t handle it, and they ended up leaving school. We had a sweet young lady named, Roxanne. She was so naïve and easily upset that she refused to sleep in the dorm and received permission from the Dean to sleep in the infirmary. She did that her entire freshman year. It wasn’t long into her sophomore year that Roxanne embraced college life with both arms. I watched her bloom where God planted her. I’m glad we took the time to nurture Roxanne, she needed the extra care. She was worth it. However, there is a universal mantra they all relate to. It is, “I hurt, and I’ll do anything to stop the pain.” And they try whether it’s by drugs, promiscuity, or rebellion. They call out for help. But are we listening? 

Our young people need validation. They need to know how special they are, not only to their parents, friends, and relatives but to God. He created us in His image, so we’re starting off ahead in the game of life.

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."~Genesis 1:27 (KJV)

God knows us before we’re born. He has chosen us and selected our DNA before we were a glimmer in our mother’s eye. I like that. And I’m awed by it.

"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."~Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV)

I would like every young person, old person and all in between to realize God didn’t make a mistake when he formed you. He made each of us unique and special. No one on planet earth has your fingerprint, your thoughts, memories, and your personal quirks. God didn’t make junk when he made you!

There is a gentleman in our Life Group from church who’d seemed troubled for several weeks but never mentioned anything nor asked for prayer. One evening, he finally asked for prayer. He’d begun to doubt what God had for him, and he felt he couldn’t be of use to God any longer because of his age. So many seniors believe their age can hinder their work for God. I am reminded that Sampson did greater feats at the end of his life than in the beginning. The patriarchs of the Bible were mighty men in the later years of their lives. God is not done with you yet. He is no respecter of persons.

"For God shows no partiality [no arbitrary favoritism; with Him one person is not more important than another]." ~Romans 2:11 (AMP)

No matter your age or station in life, you are God’s creation, and He loves you. He has a purpose and a plan for each life. Teach your children whom they can believe and count on. God will lead them through life. These are the absolutes they can hold onto. Be blessed and listen to His still small voice that says:

"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." ~Matthew 28:20 (KJV)

~*~
Author Bio:

Nanci writes Inspy Amish romance. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two fur kids, Romeo and Juliet, rescue cats. She is working on her debut novel, Plain Justice.

She retired earlier than planned from nursing to care for her mother, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Her mom passed last year at the age of ninety-nine and Nanci has delved more into her writing.

She is active in an intercessory prayer ministry in her church, belongs to The Woman’s Club, a service-oriented volunteer organization dedicated to the welfare and enrichment of the community and volunteers two days a week at the Mary Washington Museum.

Currently, she's enrolled in Rhema Bible College’s correspondence Bible studies. She belongs to ACFW and RWA. When she’s not working, reading or writing she’s hiking with her husband at Shenandoah National Park.

Safe Havens and Open Hearts, book review of "A Friend in Me"

Safe Havens and Open Hearts 

Review of book A Friend in Me: How to be A Safe Haven for Other Women
Book written by Pamela Havey Lau
Review written by Alexis A. Goring 

Heartbreak, hope, forgiveness and restoration are all part of Pamela Havey Lau’s new book, A Friend in Me: How to be A Safe Haven for Other Women. But the most important thread found through the stories and pearls of wisdom for women shared in Lau’s book is this: the value of women—young and old—connecting with each other and sharing their life experience in a way that provides support, relief and hope for those who have not yet reached certain stages in life.

“The longing for a mentor, for someone who has gone on the journey before you and stops, or at least slows down, and takes the time to walk alongside of you, is a rare thing. I think Pam is that kind of person. She deftly describes the unfortunate chasm that can arise between generations of women and then, slowly, builds a bridge over it. She painfully describes the “groans” on both sides and the hope that awaits when we meet each other on that bridge.” – Nancy Ortberg writes in the Foreword for Friend in Me: How to be A Safe Haven for Other Women.

As the reader journeys through the 198 pages of this book, they not only meander over the metaphorical “bridge” mentioned by Ortberg—they relate to the stories and are encouraged in their life journey. Most importantly, women readers are reminded that they are not alone. Lau proves this fact page-by-page.

On page 193 of A Friend in Me, Lau writes, “Love restores. Love repairs. Love supports. Love encourages. Hebrews 3:13 reminds us to “encourage one another daily.” That call is still for you and me today. Love lies at the center of God’s character, and every time we answer the call to love women well, we become safe havens for them—this is what comforts them, encourages them; this is what makes us happy and sets our hearts free. What are we waiting for?”

It’s a question worth pondering, answering and setting a plan in motion to effect change.

A Friend in Me is a book purposed to bring together women who can offer each other much needed advice on life, support and agape love. Its message is of high importance in today’s society when we’re so connected yet so isolated.

Statistics show that 232 million people use Twitter every month and 1.3 billion people used Facebook last year. Clearly, we are a very “connected” society worldwide. Yet is it possible to be so connected yet feel so all alone?

Women want to connect with other women and seek mentors who have been there, done that and are willing to share the roadmap. Lau’s book is like that roadmap showing how women can not only be a safe place for women in the earlier stages of life but can be teachers and mentors who offer advice, comfort and understanding.

Through her book, Lau explores ways women need to use to initiate relationships with other women and have real conversations about faith, forgiveness, vocation and other matters of the heart and life.

“I’m praying for a movement around the globe for women to find satisfaction, healing and safety in closer relationships with the women God has placed in their lives,” Lau said in a press release.

Now it’s up to the readers led by God to help make Lau’s prayer and hope for women around the world, to come true.

A Friend in Me is most definitely a book to share with all the women in your life. It is beautifully-written and difficult to stop reading until you reach the final page. So if you’re looking to connect with other women and be encouraged through your struggles in life, this is a book for you.

*Litfuse Publicity Group sent a complimentary copy of A Friend in Me: How to be A Safe Haven for Other Women, to Alexis A. Goring, in exchange for an honest review.