Devotionals for the Heart: There are blessings that we often overlook

The Blessings We Often Overlook
A devotional by Erica J. Hill

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”

—Psalm 127:3 (NIV)

As summertime arrives and our children are home from school, our houses often become fuller, louder, and busier.

Between the extra meals, errands, activities, and endless requests, it is easy to become overwhelmed and exhausted. Yet, we must not forget that the Bible says in Psalm 127:3, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” Instead of focusing on the busyness of the summer months, let’s choose to notice the small moments and be grateful for our children who are the precious blessings God has entrusted to us.

Most parents would say they love their children, but gratitude is something deeper. Yes, they get on my nerves sometimes, and they worry me more often than they know. Yet I am grateful for them because they remind me daily that they are God’s gifts to me—His heritage and reward entrusted to my care.

I often find myself wondering how my children became the people they are. Most parents might be quick to claim credit for the good qualities and blame someone else for the difficult ones. Yet I have learned that the qualities we sometimes struggle with our children having are not always weaknesses. Sometimes the traits that test our patience today become the strengths they will need tomorrow. When I look at my children—their character, their choices, and the direction their lives are taking—I am reminded that God has been faithfully guiding them all along. In those moments, I thank God for all the people who have prayed for them, even before they were born.

One of the greatest gifts of parenthood is what my children continue to teach me. As parents, we often assume we are the ones doing the teaching, but many times our children become our greatest lessons. Through their dreams, determination, and resilience, they remind me that God is still at work shaping each of us.

Education has always been important in our home, so it brings me great joy to watch my youngest son share that same passion for learning. Since elementary school, he has dreamed of becoming a doctor and has worked hard to excel in school. His confidence and determination remind me that God often places dreams in our hearts long before we understand where they will lead.

My middle child amazes me with his creativity and determination. While many teenagers spend their free time focused on the present, he enjoys talking about business ideas and future opportunities. As I listen to him dream beyond where he is today, I am reminded that God often plants dreams in our hearts for a reason. Watching him pursue those dreams reminds me that God is faithfully at work in his life.

My daughter has made thoughtful decisions about her future. She chose to finish her education, invest in her marriage, and then start a family. Today, she and her husband are praying for God to bless them with a home, but they are also faithfully doing their part by budgeting carefully and saving for the future. Watching her trust God’s timing while walking in wisdom reminds me that God’s guidance is often revealed through the ordinary decisions our children make each day.

I often complain about driving my sons from place to place, but if I am honest, I enjoy those moments in the car. Sometimes that is when I hear what is really going on in their lives. What feels like an inconvenience today may someday become a memory I wish I could relive.

The older my children get, the more I realize how easy it is to take these moments for granted. We are often quick to thank God for our health, finances, and careers, yet overlook the people who mean the most to us. Too often, we focus on what family members do that frustrate us instead of appreciating the blessing of having them in our lives. Gratitude shifts our perspective and reminds us that the ordinary moments we often overlook are gifts from God.

When we walk through the door after a long day and the music is too loud, we can be grateful that our children are where we can see them. When they constantly ask for things, we can be thankful that we are able to provide for their needs and that they do not live with a constant sense of lack.

We must learn to be grateful for the little things as much as the big things. Gratitude is found in everyday moments—the laughter around the dinner table, the unexpected phone call, the safe arrival home, the dreams our children share, and the smiles on the faces of the people we love. These moments may seem ordinary, but they are often the very blessings we once prayed for.

As you move through the busyness of this summer season, pause and thank God for the people He has entrusted to you. They may not always feel like a reward in the moment, but they are among His greatest blessings.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of family and for the blessings You have placed in our lives. Help us to look beyond the busyness and frustrations of daily life and recognize the joy found in the ordinary moments. Give us grateful hearts and remind us to cherish the people You have entrusted to our care.

In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “The Blessing” (Lyrics) ft. Kari Jobe Carnes, Cody Carnes and Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “The Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Gratitude” (Chosen Performance) by Brandon Lake. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Erica J. Hill is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother living in Georgia. 

With a career spanning both elementary education and higher education, she has served as an elementary and middle grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and now works as an administrative assistant in higher education. Currently pursuing her master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media Center Specialist, Erica’s love for learning and teaching runs deep.

Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, she has faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and now as one of the youth directors at her church. A lifelong writer at heart, Erica once set her passion aside to pursue other career goals—but recently felt God’s undeniable tug to pick up her pen again, this time to write for His Kingdom.

She is currently working on her first book, Worthy. Whole. Woman. It is a devotional that she hopes will be an encouraging resource created to uplift and empower women—especially women of color—to walk confidently in their God-given identity.

Through her words, Erica blends faith in God, personal reflection, and practical wisdom to inspire women to heal, grow, and embrace the fullness of who God created them to be.

Originally from Atlanta, Erica now calls Macon County home, where she lives with her husband and children. In her free time, you’ll usually find Erica curled up with a good book, working on DIY projects, or planning her next travel adventure.

~*~
Connect with Erica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahsgrace2931/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahsgrace2931/

Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ invites you to rest when you feel weary

Rest for the Weary
A devotional by Erica J. Hill

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

—Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

As another school year ends for both my children and me, I find myself feeling heavier instead of lighter. The nights seem shorter, the mornings come quicker, and somehow, we have already made it to June. I know this feeling all too well. It is the feeling of being weary—not simply sleepy or overwhelmed but exhausted from carrying too many responsibilities at once.

For so long, my solution was simple: keep going. Push through. Finish the next task. But eventually I learned something important—sometimes the holiest thing you can do is sit down and rest. What does rest look like for you? For me, rest can look like stretching out on the bed, putting the events of the day behind me, and reading an enjoyable book. But true rest is deeper than simply stopping your body. True rest begins when your spirit learns to let go.

I was born a Martha. I am incredibly good at getting things done, but rarely did I just sit still. Even while watching television, I felt the need to fold laundry, cook dinner, iron clothes, or clean something around the house. Sitting still with nothing to do felt unnatural to me. Rest was not a concept I was taught. I used to believe everything on my to-do list had to be completed before I could end my night, and somehow it all had to be done perfectly. That mindset left me exhausted. My nights stretched long after everyone else had gone to bed, only for me to wake up before everyone else the next morning and begin again.

Eventually, my body started responding to the exhaustion. I dealt with headaches, knee pain, and restless nights. I would fall into bed tired yet still toss and turn because my mind refused to rest. That is when I realized there is a difference between sleep and true rest. Sleep may restore the body, but only God can restore a weary spirit.

Slowly, I began shutting down my mind and body before bed. Instead of lying awake replaying problems and responsibilities, I started thanking God for the day I was leaving and the day I was entering. Little by little, I realized that physical rest often begins with spiritual rest.

There was a time when waking up in the middle of the night meant starting another task such as putting clothes in the washer or making a grocery list. Now when I wake up, I pray. At one point, I kept waking up at the same time every morning until I finally said, “Speak, God, your servant is listening.” In those quiet moments, God taught me that rest is not simply inactivity. It is learning to be still enough to hear His voice.

Psalm 55:22 (NIV) tells us, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous be shaken.” So often we cannot rest because we are carrying burdens God never asked us to hold alone. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of God giving His people rest before continuing their assignments. God gave Elijah rest before sending him to Mount Sinai. Jacob rested before dreaming of a ladder reaching to Heaven. Even Jesus Christ stepped away from the crowds to spend quiet time with God. In the same way, we need moments where we step away from the noise and demands of life so God can refresh our spirit.

As women, many of us were raised believing rest must be earned. Even now, many women struggle to truly relax without multitasking. We continue moving even while calling it rest. But constantly doing is not the same as being restored. When we choose to rely on God more than ourselves, we begin to experience true rest, and rest brings clarity. Some responsibilities we once thought were necessary are revealed to be things we can release altogether.

Perhaps that is where some of us are right now—not lazy, not failing, just weary. And maybe God, in His love, is reminding us that we were never meant to carry everything alone. Surrender to God and learn to rest well in this season because the strength you conserve now is what you will need in the next season.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being a place of rest for the weary. Teach us to release every burden, worry, and responsibility into Your hands. Quiet our anxious minds and help us trust You with the things we cannot control. Restore our spirits, renew our strength, and remind us that true rest is found in You. Help us to slow down, hear Your voice, and walk in peace instead of pressure.

In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Breathe” by Maverick City Music (feat. Chandler Moore, Jonathan McReynolds & DOE). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Rest” by Maranatha! Music. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest)” by Kari Jobe Carnes. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Erica J. Hill is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother living in Georgia. 

With a career spanning both elementary education and higher education, she has served as an elementary and middle grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and now works as an administrative assistant in higher education. Currently pursuing her master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media Center Specialist, Erica’s love for learning and teaching runs deep.

Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, she has faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and now as one of the youth directors at her church. A lifelong writer at heart, Erica once set her passion aside to pursue other career goals—but recently felt God’s undeniable tug to pick up her pen again, this time to write for His Kingdom.

She is currently working on her first book, Worthy. Whole. Woman. It is a devotional that she hopes will be an encouraging resource created to uplift and empower women—especially women of color—to walk confidently in their God-given identity.

Through her words, Erica blends faith in God, personal reflection, and practical wisdom to inspire women to heal, grow, and embrace the fullness of who God created them to be.

Originally from Atlanta, Erica now calls Macon County home, where she lives with her husband and children. In her free time, you’ll usually find Erica curled up with a good book, working on DIY projects, or planning her next travel adventure.

~*~
Connect with Erica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahsgrace2931/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahsgrace2931/

Devotionals for the Heart: A life lesson God taught me about motherhood

Motherhood: Learning to Let Go and Let God
A devotional by Erica J. Hill

“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 pats straight.”—Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)

Motherhood looks different in every season. Sometimes, the hardest part is knowing when to hold on and when to let go.

Part of my daily prayers for my children includes thanking God for them and asking Him to give me what I need to mother them where they are. My children range in age from a teenage son to a young adult son, and a married daughter in her late twenties who is now a new mother herself. I am also a new grandmother.

I am learning that motherhood never really gets easier, it just changes. What my teenage son needs is not the same as what my young adult son needs, and what my sons need is different from what my daughter needs.

Motherhood has stretched me in ways I never expected. It is more than cooking meals, offering advice, and praying over them at night. It is learning when to speak, when to listen, and when to step back. It is helping them discover their gifts, guiding them through their emotions, and trusting God with the parts of their lives I cannot control.

I remember when I first became a mother. As a young single mother, I was terrified. Even though I had my own mother there to support me, I still longed for my daughter to grow up in a two-parent home. Then, when I found out I was pregnant with my first son, fear crept in again. I wondered how I would raise a boy into a strong young man. I questioned whether I was enough. I thought I could handle potty training and teaching him manners, but I wondered how I would teach him the things a father traditionally teaches a son.

Looking back, I realize that fear has followed me through many seasons of motherhood. There have been nights when I worried about how I would provide everything my children needed. Even now, I sometimes find myself anxious about their futures or concerned about the decisions they may make.

Recently, I heard the Lord whisper something simple: Let go. This is the story of what happened: I had purchased new beds for my sons, and while my husband was making arrangements for someone to assemble them, my oldest son grew impatient. He had outgrown his bed and wanted to sleep comfortably again. He offered to put the bed together himself, but I initially told him no because I was afraid he would mess it up. It was at that moment that I heard the words: Let go.

It dawned on me that one day he would move into his own place and need to know how to assemble furniture. I realized my “no” was coming from fear, not wisdom. I was trying to protect instead of allowing him to grow. Eventually, he put his bed together—and his brother’s bed as well. In that moment, I realized that sometimes our love holds on too tightly, and growth requires us to loosen our grip.

The Bible gives us many examples of both strong and flawed mothers. Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, trusted God with an unimaginable assignment. Jochebed released Moses into God’s care. Hannah surrendered Samuel after praying for him. Lois and Eunice poured faith into Timothy. Yet other mothers mentioned in the Bible and in our modern day, made choices that led their children in the wrong direction. These stories remind me that motherhood has never required perfection —only faith and trust in God.

I am still learning to trust God with my children. I am learning to release fear and embrace faith, and to remember that my children are not mine to control; they are lives entrusted to me for a season. The Bible reminds me in Psalm 127:3 (NIV), “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”

Therefore, I continue to pray. I thank God for my children. I ask Him for discernment. I ask Him to help me meet each of them where they are. Motherhood is not about having all the answers. It is about trusting God in every season. And every day, I am learning to let go just a little more.

And maybe that is what motherhood is: learning to trust God with what we love the most, one day at a time.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of motherhood and for the children You have entrusted to me. Help me to trust You in every season and give me wisdom to meet each child where they are. Teach me when to hold on and when to let go. Remind me that You love my children even more than I do. Help me to walk in faith and not fear as I parent them.

In Jesus’s Name I pray.
Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Trust in You” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Thy Will” by Hillary Scott & The Scott Family. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong United. Listen to it here

~*~
Author Bio:

Erica J. Hill is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother living in Georgia. 

With a career spanning both elementary education and higher education, she has served as an elementary and middle grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and now works as an administrative assistant in higher education. Currently pursuing her master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media Center Specialist, Erica’s love for learning and teaching runs deep.

Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, she has faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and now as one of the youth directors at her church. A lifelong writer at heart, Erica once set her passion aside to pursue other career goals—but recently felt God’s undeniable tug to pick up her pen again, this time to write for His Kingdom.

She is currently working on her first book, Worthy. Whole. Woman. It is a devotional that she hopes will be an encouraging resource created to uplift and empower women—especially women of color—to walk confidently in their God-given identity.

Through her words, Erica blends faith in God, personal reflection, and practical wisdom to inspire women to heal, grow, and embrace the fullness of who God created them to be.

Originally from Atlanta, Erica now calls Macon County home, where she lives with her husband and children. In her free time, you’ll usually find Erica curled up with a good book, working on DIY projects, or planning her next travel adventure.

~*~
Connect with Erica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahsgrace2931/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahsgrace2931/

Devotionals for the Heart: How God wants us to respond when we're tested

When Your Patience is Tested
A devotional by Erica J. Hill

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

—Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)

Some days I must remind myself that I need the fruit of the Spirit before I even walk into work, especially when I know my patience may be tested by coworkers who try every bit of it.

The old me would have quickly told them where to go. But once I began seriously following God, I realized something had to change. Many days I find myself praying Lord, help me display the fruit of Your Spirit today. Because it is often in the smallest daily frustrations that our spiritual fruit is truly revealed.

The world has a way of testing us repeatedly, tempting us to respond in ways that contradict the fruit God is growing within us. In Galatians, the Apostle Paul describes the fruit of the Holy Spirit. These nine virtues together form the evidence of the Holy Spirit working within a believer. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are all part of the same spiritual fruit that should be evident in the life of a believer.

Years ago, if someone spoke to me the wrong way, I had plenty of sharp words ready to say. Now I pray that God will hold my tongue and allow His Spirit to guide my words. Without His help, I might still have something unkind to say.

If I am honest, forbearance is the fruit of the Spirit I struggle with the most. I once believed that if someone mistreated me, I should instantly clapback. But Scripture teaches that forbearance means patiently and lovingly enduring the faults of others without retaliation. My words could be cutting, and in trying to bring someone else down, I only ended up lowering myself. God had to teach me that winning an argument is not the same as reflecting the character of Jesus Christ.

But what about the people we must see every day, the ones who drain our time and energy or seem determined to disrupt our peace? Those moments are when the fruit of the Spirit matters most.

Over time, God began to teach me to see people differently. Sometimes the person who talks constantly is not trying to be irritating; they may simply be lonely. The one who complains often may still be learning how to practice gratitude.

Displaying the fruit of the Spirit can look as simple as giving someone five extra minutes to talk when you are ready to rush out the door. It is not about preaching to others or quoting Scripture at them. It is about allowing the Spirit to shape our responses. When we remain steady in Christlike character, others will begin to see that fruit in our lives.

This does not mean allowing people to ignore your boundaries. Healthy boundaries are important. Sometimes displaying the fruit means respectfully saying, “I’m not comfortable discussing that.” Other times it means calmly addressing an offense or examining our own hearts to understand why certain behaviors trigger us so deeply. I have also noticed that the fruit of the Spirit becomes hardest to display when I am tired or overwhelmed. When I take on too much, lose sleep, or try to control everything according to my own plans, my patience grows thin.

That is when I must remind myself to slow down and lean on God instead of my own strength. When the Spirit is at work in us, love replaces irritation and patience replaces frustration. What begins in our hearts becomes visible in our lives, the very fruit Paul describes in Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit of the Spirit is not something we produce on our own; it grows as we remain connected to God and allow His Spirit to shape our hearts day by day. And when the Spirit leads our responses, others don’t just hear our words—they see Christ in the way we live.

Food for thought:
Which part of the fruit of the Spirit do you find most difficult to display in your daily life?

Let's Pray:
Lord, help me to reflect the fruit of Your Spirit in every situation. When I feel impatient, remind me to slow down and respond with love and gentleness. Guard my words, guide my actions, and teach me to see others with compassion. Shape my character so that my life reflects You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Songs of Reflection #1: “I Need You to Survive” by Hezekiah Walker. Listen to it here.

Songs of Reflection #2: “Refiner” by Maverick City Music. Listen to it here.

Songs of Reflection #3: “Spirit Lead Me” by Influence Music & Michael Ketterer. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Erica J. Hill is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother living in Georgia. 

With a career spanning both elementary education and higher education, she has served as an elementary and middle grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and now works as an administrative assistant in higher education. Currently pursuing her master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media Center Specialist, Erica’s love for learning and teaching runs deep.

Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, she has faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and now as one of the youth directors at her church. A lifelong writer at heart, Erica once set her passion aside to pursue other career goals—but recently felt God’s undeniable tug to pick up her pen again, this time to write for His Kingdom.

She is currently working on her first book, Worthy. Whole. Woman. It is a devotional that she hopes will be an encouraging resource created to uplift and empower women—especially women of color—to walk confidently in their God-given identity.

Through her words, Erica blends faith in God, personal reflection, and practical wisdom to inspire women to heal, grow, and embrace the fullness of who God created them to be.

Originally from Atlanta, Erica now calls Macon County home, where she lives with her husband and children. In her free time, you’ll usually find Erica curled up with a good book, working on DIY projects, or planning her next travel adventure.

~*~
Connect with Erica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahsgrace2931/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahsgrace2931/

Devotionals for the Heart: God adores a gentle and quiet spirit in women

The Strength of a Gentle Spirit
A devotional by Erica J. Hill

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”—1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)

In a world that celebrates strength as hardness, God invites women into a softness that heals, protects, and transforms.

March is Women’s History Month, a time when we often hear the phrase coined by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, “Well-behaved women seldom make history.” This quote suggests that women who follow the rules rarely create change. Yet those same women are often labeled too assertive, too aggressive, and other unbiblical things. This tension has created a quiet exhaustion for many women, helping explain why so many have been drawn to the idea of the soft girl era. At its heart, this movement reflects a longing to pursue dreams, protect peace, and move out of survival mode into gentleness and emotional safety.

These are not shallow desires; they echo the rest and wholeness Scripture invites us into. Yet when I turned to social media to understand how softness is defined, the picture felt incomplete. What I encountered was femininity presented as an aesthetic—cute clothing, candlelit moments, long showers, travel, luxury dining, and curated comfort.

That emphasis made me pause. In conversations about softness, I rarely hear discussion of godliness. There was little mention of reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible), prayer, fasting, or fellowship with other followers of Jesus Christ. These are practices that anchor peace in something deeper than circumstances. This raises an important question: How can we find lasting peace and practice true gentleness in a hectic world if our lives are not anchored in God?

A biblical understanding of softness must begin within. If we truly want to experience it, we must start with the hard work—inviting God to search our hearts and reveal what needs healing, correction, and surrender. Outward practices are not wrong, but they are not where godly softness is formed. What is of great worth in God’s sight is an inner life shaped by humility, trust, and obedience.

When we look to God’s Word, we see that this kind of softness has always been present. Throughout Scripture, we find women whose gentleness was rooted in spiritual maturity.

Esther stands as a powerful example. Faced with the potential destruction of her people, she did not rush into the king’s presence demanding justice. Instead, she prepared herself through fasting and approached the situation with wisdom and restraint. She trusted God’s timing rather than forcing an outcome. Her softness was not passive; it was courage under control. Read about this in the Bible book titled with her first name (Esther).

Abigail’s story reinforces this truth in a different setting. When she ran to David to save her household, she did not confront him with anger or force. Instead, she spoke with wisdom and restraint, reminding him of who he was before God and calling him back to the future God had promised. Her softness was not silence—it was discernment guided by spiritual clarity. Read about this in 1 Samuel 25:18–35.

Together, Esther and Abigail reveal what our culture often misses: softness is not weakness, avoidance, or appearance. It is spiritual maturity. It is knowing when to speak, how to speak, and trusting God to govern the outcome.

For many women today, the longing for softness goes unfulfilled because the deeper work has been overlooked. Healing wounds and inviting God into broken places is far more demanding than curating a peaceful image.

This is why I believe so deeply in self-care—or, as I prefer to call it, soul care. My desire is not simply to look whole, but to be whole. Soul care is intentional and spiritual. It involves surrendering anxieties to God, consecrating our lives before Him, and allowing what no longer serves His purpose to die. Soul care looks like prayer, fasting, time in God’s presence, and rest that restores rather than distracts.

Soul care also requires allowing God to heal the wounds left by others. Mary Magdalene’s story reminds us that softness follows deliverance, not avoidance. Before she devoted herself fully to following Jesus, He first freed her from what bound her. Her softness was the fruit of healing (Luke 8:1–3). If we do not allow God into our broken places, we cannot expect to experience a soft life rooted in freedom.

Healing and biblical softness are not instant; they are shaped through surrender and sustained by trust in God. This shaping is not always comfortable, yet it is purposeful. True softness cannot be separated from transformation; it requires allowing God to address what we carry and what we have hardened ourselves against. God does not soften us by removing the work, but by walking with us through it, teaching us to release control and trust Him enough to heal what we once guarded.

The beauty of this shaping is found in the hands that guide us. God is gracious. He does not abandon us while He reshapes us. He stays near, patient and attentive, forming something new within us. What emerges is not fragility, but wholeness. Not weakness, but peace.

This is the softness God invites us into—not a curated aesthetic or temporary comfort, but an inner life anchored in Him. A softness that heals, discerns, protects, and endures. Remember, God is the potter, and we are the clay. In His hands, even the shaping becomes an act of care.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, soften the places in me that life has made hard. Search my heart, heal my wounds, and teach me to trust You more deeply. Form within me a gentle and quiet spirit that reflects Your peace, strength, and grace. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Refiner” by Maverick City Music. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Have Your Way” by Travis Greene. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Gracefully Broken” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “The Potter’s Hand” by Helen Baylor. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Erica J. Hill is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother living in Georgia. 

With a career spanning both elementary education and higher education, she has served as an elementary and middle grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and now works as an administrative assistant in higher education. Currently pursuing her master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media Center Specialist, Erica’s love for learning and teaching runs deep.

Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, she has faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and now as one of the youth directors at her church. A lifelong writer at heart, Erica once set her passion aside to pursue other career goals—but recently felt God’s undeniable tug to pick up her pen again, this time to write for His Kingdom.

She is currently working on her first book, Worthy. Whole. Woman. It is a devotional that she hopes will be an encouraging resource created to uplift and empower women—especially women of color—to walk confidently in their God-given identity.

Through her words, Erica blends faith in God, personal reflection, and practical wisdom to inspire women to heal, grow, and embrace the fullness of who God created them to be.

Originally from Atlanta, Erica now calls Macon County home, where she lives with her husband and children. In her free time, you’ll usually find Erica curled up with a good book, working on DIY projects, or planning her next travel adventure.

~*~
Connect with Erica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahsgrace2931/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahsgrace2931/

Devotionals for the Heart: A pure and true love that will never leave you

A Love That Never Leaves
A devotional by Erica J. Hill

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”—Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

Every February, couples celebrate Valentine’s Day holiday.

Many of us learn about this holiday as early as elementary school when the tradition in the classroom this time of year was to give “Happy Valentine’s Day” greeting cards and sometimes candy to our classmates. Sometimes, the girls secretly hoped to receive an extra-special one from the cute boy who they had a crush on. For many females, that same mindset follows us into adulthood. We quietly hope the special man in our lives will buy the perfect gift, and when he falls short, disappointment quickly follows. No matter what the relationship has looked like the rest of the year, we often place all our feelings on this one day.

Even when the people in our lives fail to show up in the ways we want or need, we must remember who we are and whose we are. We are children of the Eternal King (God). We belong to Him. Once we truly understand this, we can begin to love others rightly. Love is not something we give based on what someone does for us; we love them because of who they are. This reminds me of God’s love for us and why we should love Him too. The Bible says this about His Love for humankind in 1 John 4:19 (NIV), “We love because he first loved us.”

The beautiful thing about God is that He loves us every day, and His love is unconditional. God does not forget dinner plans, fail to read our minds, or rush to the florist at the last minute. His love for us is everlasting—eternal and enduring without end—because God is love. Unlike the world, which often loves with a “What can you do for me?” mindset, the Lord’s love has no limits. God does not look back over the year or month to determine how much He loves us today. His love is not based on what we do for Him, but on who He is.

God’s love is constant. He shows His love daily by waking us up in the morning and protecting us from seen and unseen danger. His love is not tied to a holiday or a season. God sees everything we do and still loves us with all our faults, flaws and failures. However, we as flawed humans often see those same faults and judge each other or “cancel” people. They remind us of who we used to be and question what we should or should not do based on past failures. But God sees the person He created and knows who we can become when we walk in the purpose He designed for us. His love does not leave us when we fall. He picks us up and carries us. God covers us in the storm, while the world may drag us through the mud because often people love us for what we can do for them or for the image we project.

Here's the truth: Everyone wants to be loved for who they are—imperfections, flaws, and failures included—not judged but comforted by someone who truly sees them. However, what we often discover is that people love conditionally, while only God loves unconditionally. Yes, God rebukes us when we are wrong and calls us to repentance and obedience, but He still extends grace and mercy. Humans tend to judge each other before hearing the full story and count us out after one mistake. But God—who sees what others cannot—offers chance after chance.

If you are seeking true and everlasting love, do not look for it from people; seek God as your Heavenly Father. He alone can give the love that never leaves.

God’s love brings comfort and joy not only in happy moments, but also in painful ones. While some measure love by gifts or status, and others feel discouraged by loneliness, God remains faithful. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. The Bible says in Psalm 34:18 (NIV), “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Valentine’s Day may come once a year, but God’s love is available to us every day.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for a love that never ends—a love that does not exhaust or condemn but lovingly corrects and desires to see me at my best. Thank You for a love that still chooses me daily, even when I am walking through my mess. I love You, Lord.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Love” by Kirk Franklin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Love Theory” by Kirk Franklin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “I Am Loved/There Is Nothing Better” by Maverick City Music (feat. Naomi Raine) | TRIBL. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “That's How Much I Love You” by Kathy Troccoli. Listen it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Erica J. Hill is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother living in Georgia. 

With a career spanning both elementary education and higher education, she has served as an elementary and middle grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and now works as an administrative assistant in higher education. Currently pursuing her master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media Center Specialist, Erica’s love for learning and teaching runs deep.

Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, she has faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and now as one of the youth directors at her church. A lifelong writer at heart, Erica once set her passion aside to pursue other career goals—but recently felt God’s undeniable tug to pick up her pen again, this time to write for His Kingdom.

She is currently working on her first book, Worthy. Whole. Woman. It is a devotional that she hopes will be an encouraging resource created to uplift and empower women—especially women of color—to walk confidently in their God-given identity.

Through her words, Erica blends faith in God, personal reflection, and practical wisdom to inspire women to heal, grow, and embrace the fullness of who God created them to be.

Originally from Atlanta, Erica now calls Macon County home, where she lives with her husband and children. In her free time, you’ll usually find Erica curled up with a good book, working on DIY projects, or planning her next travel adventure.

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Connect with Erica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahsgrace2931/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahsgrace2931/

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should surrender this year to God

Surrendering Our Year to God
A devotional by Erica J. Hill

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

—Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Let’s start this year with submission to God rather than resolutions we cannot keep.

Each year, as the countdown begins and the ball slowly descends, people everywhere start to make New Year’s resolutions of the things they want to accomplish in the new year or the things they plan to leave behind in the last year. I am sure many of you did that too—whether you were at a party, sitting at home watching the new year celebrations on TV, or even at a church watch night service—thoughts came to mind about something you wanted to change.

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV) tells us to “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Before we make our plans, we must be faithful stewards of our time and consult God.

While I am not much for making resolutions, I am a planner. Each year I sit down with a new planner that I spend hours researching to find the perfect one for my family’s lifestyle. I record appointments, trips, financial goals, and school dates. I worked hard on those plans, but I did not always cover them in prayer.

The past few years, I have begun to pray over that planner and pray daily before I even look at what the day holds. What if we prayed over the doctor’s appointments as we scheduled them? What if we prayed for our children’s school as we recorded their activities? What if we prayed over our finances as we recorded the bills to be paid?

Let’s thank God that we are still alive and that we made it through what we can honestly call a year of unexpected difficulties in an already unprecedented time. We made it through to another year, but many did not, and that alone should be enough to thank God, live righteous lives, and leave our ungodly ways behind.

Let’s give God our heart, mind and soul before we begin setting resolutions of all the things we are resolving to do or stop doing this year. Without God at the center of our lives, nothing can be accomplished to true satisfaction. So, before we plan, let us begin with prayer.

Before we attend vision board parties, book clubs, or engage in planning trips, let’s practice surrendering to the will of God over our plans. Ask God what He desires for our lives this year. Where does He want to see more of us? If we sit quietly with our thoughts, we can often identify where God has been nudging us toward improvement. Maybe He wants us to attend church more faithfully, dive deeper into Scripture, serve more in our church or community, and remove unforgiveness from our hearts.

Lean into these things this year by submitting to God’s will and allowing Him to set our path. Psalm 37:23 (NIV) tells us, “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him.” Let’s spend this year delighting in the Lord, allowing Him to decrease us so that He may increase in our lives. When we do this, we may discover that the things we have spent years trying to let go or finally complete are accomplished this year simply because we decided to surrender to God.

Instead of trying to do everything in our own strength, this year let’s choose to partner with God. Before we plan anything this year, let’s sit at the feet of Jesus Christ and pour out our hearts to Him. Let’s wait for Him to answer our prayers before spending hours struggling to produce a yearly plan. God already knows the blueprint, and He alone should direct our paths.

Let's Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of another year. Thank You for Your mercy that kept us and Your grace that carried us through every unexpected moment. As we stand at the beginning of this new season, we surrender our plans, goals, and desires to You. Teach us to seek You before success and trust You above our own understanding. Order our steps, guard our hearts, and align our will with Yours. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “I Surrender” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

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

Song of Reflection #3: “Yes” by Shekinah Glory Ministry. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Erica J. Hill is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother living in Georgia. 

With a career spanning both elementary education and higher education, she has served as an elementary and middle grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and now works as an administrative assistant in higher education. Currently pursuing her master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media Center Specialist, Erica’s love for learning and teaching runs deep.

Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, she has faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and now as one of the youth directors at her church. A lifelong writer at heart, Erica once set her passion aside to pursue other career goals—but recently felt God’s undeniable tug to pick up her pen again, this time to write for His Kingdom.

She is currently working on her first book, Worthy. Whole. Woman. It is a devotional that she hopes will be an encouraging resource created to uplift and empower women—especially women of color—to walk confidently in their God-given identity.

Through her words, Erica blends faith in God, personal reflection, and practical wisdom to inspire women to heal, grow, and embrace the fullness of who God created them to be.

Originally from Atlanta, Erica now calls Macon County home, where she lives with her husband and children. In her free time, you’ll usually find Erica curled up with a good book, working on DIY projects, or planning her next travel adventure.

~*~
Connect with Erica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahsgrace2931/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahsgrace2931/