Devotionals for the Heart: What Dandelions Taught Me About God

A Life Lesson Learned from Dandelions
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”—2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)

A few weeks ago, I took a long walk down the gravel road near my home.

The weather was warm and refreshing after an unusually cold week in April. It had recently rained and the creek flowing beneath the narrow concrete bridge was gushing over the rocks before settling in the calm pool a little further down the creek.

On that particular day, dandelions were everywhere, and I had collected quite the bouquet.

Feeling curious, I stood at the bridge and broke the stems off the dandelions, dropping the dandelion blossoms over the edge. I wanted—and expected—the dandelions to land perfectly in the flowing water. But they didn’t. The blossoms would land upside down in the water so only the short, stubby stem was visible. I tried dropping them more gently and even waited for the breeze to calm, but nothing worked. Not even my best efforts would place those dandelions right side up in the creek.

But then, something unexpected happened. The calm water carried my dandelion blossoms to the rocks. The water rushed over the rocks and through the troubled waters, my little dandelion blossoms turned right side up and floated elegantly into the calm pool—just as I wanted them to.

This experience taught me a life lesson. I learned that my best efforts were not enough. So often, this is the case for many of us. We try so hard to make everything absolutely perfect, but the harder we try, the more of a disaster we create. It is our natural tendency to simply ‘try harder’ when things do not work out as we want them to. For years we have been told by our culture that we can accomplish anything if we only try harder. Culture and other influences have told us continuously that failure is weakness. And weakness can only bring about shame. Shame that we did not do enough. Or worse, shame that we personally are not enough.

Even as Christians we do our best to hide our weaknesses. When we are unable to accomplish a task, we make excuses and find a way to dismiss ourselves of responsibility. As Christians, shouldn’t we be joyful in our weakness? Paul was certainly joyful in his weakness. In fact, Paul would glory in his weakness. Paul was joyful in his weakness because he knew it was the best way to bring glory to God (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Consider Moses—he had a speech problem and God chose him to lead the nation of Israel. Why would God choose someone who was completely unqualified for the task? God chose Moses because his weakness would bring God the most glory (Exodus 4:10-12). His strength is made perfect in weakness.

The idea of weakness is such a troubling idea to most of us because it takes true humility to accept it. Humility involves taking the spotlight off of us and placing it on God. We would have to acknowledge that we cannot do everything on our own and that God is the one who should receive all the praise and the glory.

One truth I would like to assure you with, dear reader, is this: If it is God’s will, He will make it happen. I know that most Christians believe this intellectually, but many of us do not hold this truth in our hearts. God is going to take care of you even if your life seems a little upside down right now. You may have to cross the troubled water. You may have to face a few trials. But you are exactly where He wants you to be. Through all the ups and downs—all your mistakes and shortcomings—His strength is being made perfect.

Not a single dandelion grows beyond our God’s notice. And I assure you, dear reader, God is going to take care of you and turn your world right side up.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for taking our weakness and using it for Your glory. Teach us to be humble and search for opportunities to give You praise. Our lives are in Your hands, and we entrust our past, present, and future to You. Help us to know Your love for us that we may be able to live it out each day through faith. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Note from Alexis: Tessa’s devotional message reminds me of two songs, “I Will Go” by Crystal Lewis (Listen to it here) and “His Strength is Perfect” by CeCe Winans (Listen to it here).

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Author Bio:

Tessa Huckstep grew up in rural Illinois to Christian parents and has known Jesus personally since the age of five.

She is currently attending community college and majoring in elementary education. In the future, she plans to teach in the public school, hoping to bring the love of God with her.

God’s dream of Tessa becoming a writer was revealed to her at the age of sixteen and she hasn’t been able to stop since. Though she has not yet been published, Tessa enjoys writing historical romance novels and speculative fiction.

Tessa believes God loves stories, and through her writing, she wants to reveal the happily ever after God dreams of for each of his daughters—one where Jesus is the knight in shining armor.

Tessa loves all things Georgian/Regency, needlework, and dainty teacups of every size. When she isn’t writing or studying for exams, Tessa can be found in the kitchen with more flour in her hair and on the floor than in the mixing bowl, though the mess is always half the fun!

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Connect with Tessa:
Blog: https://beautifulbeloved937002841.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beloved.bookworm/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/101227159

Devotionals for the Heart: Life Lessons from the kitchen and dish duty

Strength in Weakness
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

‘But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, 

for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

Therefore I will boast more gladly of my weakness, 

so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.’ 

–2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

Have you ever considered your greatest weakness could be God’s greatest strength within you?

As a child, one of my key strengths could also be my binding weakness. I was the youngest of my siblings and fiercely independent. I preferred to do things by myself. Case in point was during the nightly duties after dinner when I was to help my older brother and sister clean up the table and the kitchen. I would pick up my dishes and utensils from the table and carry them to the kitchen sink, but beyond that I milled around and eventually left the kitchen. My siblings would complain that I wasn’t helping them or doing my part. I would get mad, they would retaliate, and yelling would ensue.

One night, my wise mother decided to assign me the entire kitchen clean-up. To do it all by myself. After all the dishes were brought in, she tied an apron around my waist, stood me up on a stool in front of the sink, and let me go to town cleaning up everything, even the pots and pans. Much to everyone’s surprise I wore a huge smile on my face and cleaned with glee. There is even a picture of me to commemorate the event that is in our photo album to this day.

Rather than scold me or let my frustrated siblings accuse me of wrongdoing, my mother found a way to empower my independent nature. She knew I wasn’t being willful, that I could and did want to help, I just didn’t know how to contribute when there were too many people in the mix. I wanted to be the cook, and there were literally too many cooks in the kitchen. In order for me to succeed and not offend, I would have to learn how to use my independence wisely and carefully.

The apostle Paul represents a strong character with an independent spirit. One that God had to tear down and build up again by placing a thorn in his side because Paul was a persecutor of Christians before he became a believer and follower of Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, Paul pleads for the thorn’s removal, but God tells him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God knew Paul’s potential and endurance even though most would have perceived his past as a disqualifier for him to author a majority of the New Testament. It was because of his confessions of weakness and desire to know and be one with God that he became known as a champion of Christ. God uses Paul’s weakness to show us an example of His great love and forgiveness of sins, but also to show us the full strength of someone’s character when he is fully reliant on God.

I am blessed to say that I eventually learned how to use my independence to benefit others rather than go it alone all the time. It can get very lonely on an island by yourself. Yet, like Paul, yielding my independent nature to God has also allowed Him to take me places I never could have imagined and further than I ever dreamed. According to 1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV): But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” 

Yielding our weaknesses to God opens the doors wide for His strength to be made complete in us. In this His love, power, and grace we can know no bounds. And like a proud parent, He will smile upon us as we do His will with freedom and glee.

Do you have a strength that others may perceive as a weakness?

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, I thank you for my uniqueness and how you have created me differently for your purpose. I count it a blessing that you have put a specific character trait in me that is made strong even when I am weak. Guide me and my giftings with your love, power, and grace. That in all I do, I will honor you and who you created me to be. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia, where she teaches television production at her high school alma mater. 

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is an alumnus of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program.

Mirachelle is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Fiction Writers Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII.

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Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan

Devotionals for the Heart: Life lessons learned from the devotion of a bulldog

Bulldog Devotion
A devotional by Kristy Horine

“Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You.”

– Psalm 119:38 (NKJV)

I once had a friend named Reeca. She once had a friend named George.

George weighed seventy pounds and was nearly twenty inches tall. His nose smashed back into his face. Furrows of wrinkles rippled from there all the way back to his ears. His teeth were horribly crooked, yet his severe under bite gave him quite an endearing countenance. His bowed legs and curled, stumpy tail rounded out the extraordinary features of his breed.

Yes, George was a dog. Although George was a prime specimen of English Bulldog, he possessed an admirable trait that far outweighed his physical characteristics – this dog was devoted.

He was devoted to the idea that he was a lap dog, despite his size. Those who survived his antics received a towel to sop up the viscous liquid that continually dripped from his enormous jowls.

He was devoted to the complete and utter destruction of Reeca’s daughter’s bike. It didn’t matter if the bike was parked or in use, George was intent on annihilation of the conveyance.

He was devoted to anything that remotely resembled food. Even with his five square meals a day, he stood at the ready to cocoon morsels in his giant tongue and draw them into the nether regions of his cavernous mouth.

Sometimes, I wish that I were a dog. Maybe it would make my life a bit easier. You see, my devotion is there, just not all there at all times. I go back and forth between being close to Jesus and being close to me. The struggle to have a wholly devoted heart for my Savior is real.

What am I to do with a heart that wants to be all in, but struggles with constancy?

I turn to my Father (God) and I read verses like Psalm 119:33-38 (NKJV): “Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way. Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You.”

God is there to offer strength in my weakness and focus in my fractures. Notice the terms of responsibility in this passage.

The inside work comes from the Lord. 

Remember these key points:

· He teaches the way.

· He gives understanding.

· He moves my heart.

· He revives me.

· He establishes His word. 

Please note: The outside work comes from me. Remember these key points too:

· I move my hands and my feet to serve.

· I dedicate time to the Lord.

· I obey.

My physical work is simply an outpouring of my gratitude for His transformative work in my heart, and the food for this journey is a heaping helping of holy words found in God’s Word (The Holy Bible).

My Prayer: Oh, Dearest, Most Holy Father (God), You have used the foolish antics of a dog to keep me from being wise in my own eyes. I praise You for Your loving kindness in every day lessons. I plead like the Psalmist in Psalm 119:33-38. Work on my inside so it proves my devotion to You on the outside.

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Author Bio:

Kristy Horine is a Kentucky writer, freelance journalist by trade and creative by God’s grace.

She writes a little bit of everything including poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction. Her professional and creative work has been published in newspapers, magazines and anthologies in Kentucky and beyond.

Kristy founded 3rd Letter Christian Writers in Lexington, Kentucky in 2015. Read more of her work at www.kristyhorine.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Strength is Perfect and He is Enough

Motherhood, Plans and Perfect Strength
A devotional by Amanda Wen

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” ~2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

My whole life, I’ve been able to do pretty much anything I set my mind to. Good grades, musical achievements, college scholarships, you name it. Studying, preparing, practicing, and Doing All The Right Things, combined with the natural talents God gave me, meant I could usually meet the lofty goals I set for myself.

And then, ten years ago this month, I became a mom.

Motherhood was radically different from anything this overachieving Type A control freak had ever experienced. The All-Natural Drug-Free Peaceful Birthing Experience I’d planned ended in a medically necessary C-section. My plan to nurse exclusively ran up against the dual roadblocks of low milk supply from me and a less-than-ideal latch from my darling son. My vision of rocking a contented sleeping baby was dashed against the rocky reality of colic. Despite all my hard work, preparation, and Doing All The Right Things, nothing turned out the way I expected.

But even worse for this hormonal, postpartum mama? The discovery that I do not have a natural talent for mothering. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my newborn son more than anything. But that zing that comes from when God’s gifting perfectly intersects with His calling on your life? That didn’t happen for me. All those things that seemed to come naturally to other mothers, things like rocking and playing and soothing and comforting, those things I thought were intuitive for all mothers? Many of those were the exact opposite for me.

However—and this was something I didn’t realize until years later—that was okay. Because God was with me. He was guiding me even when I couldn’t see it or feel it. And, as 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, His strength was being made perfect in my weakness.

God kept me going during all those sleepless nights. He provided strength and endurance when my son wouldn’t stop crying. He provided my caring, supportive, patient, and incredibly laid-back husband. He sent a passel of friends to stop in with meals, advice, an extra pair of hands, and a listening ear. And, after six months or so, He provided a way for us to move to my hometown to be closer to family, a decision for which I’ve been grateful countless times for countless reasons.

For the last ten years, my number one fear has been that I won’t be a good enough mom. But I’ve recently realized that, on my own, I’m not a good enough mom. I never was, and I never will be. But, again, that is okay. Because I have God. And He is enough.

Philippians 4:13 is a very popular verse, but I think it can be misinterpreted. Sometimes we want to make it a rubber stamp, a catch-all for following our hearts and chasing our dreams and assuming Jesus will enable us to do it all. But the verse in context is actually about contentment. About how, even when Paul was at his wits’ end and things weren’t going as he planned and he was dealing with the mysterious thorn in his side that God refused to remove, he had peace. Joy. He’d learned the secret of being okay whether he had everything or nothing, when things were awesome and when they weren’t: he could endure because God was with him. Making perfect his weaknesses and filling in the gaps with His strength. Enabling Paul to fulfill God’s plan, not his own.

He does that with us, too.

So now, ten years down the road, I’m grateful motherhood didn’t come naturally to me. Not being able to do it on my own forced me—in the best possible way—to become totally dependent on God for the ability to care for my children. Ten years ago—and every day since—he’s come through for me. His strength has been made perfect in my weakness.

What areas of your life don’t come naturally to you? I’d love to hear about them in the comments, and to pray for God’s supernatural strength to be evident in your situation. 

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Author Bio:

Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of contemporary inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction. 

A first place winner in the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest, she also placed first in the 2017 Phoenix Rattler Contest, the 2017 Great Expectations Contest, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions Contest, among others. In addition, she was a finalist in the 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest. 

Amanda is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She’s also been spotted onstage with the worship team at recent ACFW conferences. Amanda is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

In addition to her writing, Amanda maintains an active and rewarding career as a freelance cellist, frequently performing with symphony orchestras, string quartets, and her church’s worship team. She lives in the Midwest with her amazing husband and their three adorable and hilarious Wenlets.

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Connect with Amanda:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authoramandawen

Twitter: www.twitter.com/authoramandawen
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authoramandawen
Website: www.amandawen.com

Words of Faith: Sarah's story about a Savior who gives His strength to us

A Life of Strength
A Words of Faith story written by Sarah Hamaker

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”~Philippians 4:13

Life can wear you down. We all struggle at times with feeling tired, worn out, stressed out, and overwhelmed. We face obstacles that we think we cannot overcome. We slog through days that seem long and drawn out. We have to find a way through hurt feelings, injustice and unfairness.

And all too often we forget that we are not in this alone: We have a Savior who wants to shoulder those burdens on his strong back. We also have a Savior who gives his strength to us.

But we don’t ask for that, do we? We go it by ourselves, trying to keep our heads above water without reaching for the lifeline right by our side.

Philippians 4:13 is the perfect antidote to our weariness. I don’t recall when I memorized this verse, but it’s one that has stuck with me for many, many years. It pops into my mind whenever my strength is failing and I sometimes silently, sometimes audibly, repeat it over and over until I feel stronger to face whatever trial is before me.

I’ve said during labor and delivery of my four children. I’ve said it in the dentist chair as the hygienist scraps plaque of my teeth. I’ve prayed it for others when they’re facing a tough day or event.

Each time, I’m reminded of Christ’s strength. This isn’t some ordinary strength. Christ needed extraordinary strength to fulfill His Father’s will to die on the cross for the sins of those to whom He’s called as His own. This strength is more than sufficient for my own small needs by comparison.

We all can live a life of strength when we cling to the promise in this verse: We can do all things because of the strength Christ gives us.

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Author bio:

Sarah Hamaker has written Ending Sibling Rivalry: Moving Your Kids From War to Peace (Beacon Hill Press, 2014). 

Her stories have appeared in several Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and her romantic suspense novel, The Dark Guest, won the 2015 ACFW Genesis contest. 

Visit her online at www.sarahhamaker.com.