Devotionals for the Heart: How taking a small step led to my big adventure

How Adventures with God Begin with Small Steps
A devotional by Lynette Allcock Yoon

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

—Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

Everything changed when I stepped on the plane to Korea, but I didn’t know it yet. I thought I was going to teach English for a couple of years. Instead, I met my husband, and started to put down roots in a country I had no original plan to settle in. God led me on a course I had not imagined!

What meaningful experience in your life started as one simple step of faith?

Big changes most often begin as small decisions. A single step forward, following God’s prompting, may lead to an entirely new path. Yet, it can be tempting to downplay the significance of small things.

We might look at some of the more dramatic stories of the Bible—a burning bush, a pillar of fire, a thundering voice from heaven—and wish for similarly clear signs. We want to know for sure that something important is happening, that we are going in the right direction, or that we are embarking on a momentous journey.

However, God doesn’t always give us bold indications of what He is up to, what will happen next, or exactly how He is leading us. Instead, adventures with God often begin with ordinary moments and quiet—but brave—decisions.

Consider the story of David. In his life, a series of seemingly small choices and events led to something significant. In 1 Samuel 16-17, we see that David was the youngest in his family and a humble shepherd. His older brothers were fighting with the King of Israel against the Philistines. One day, David’s father told him to take some food to his brothers on the battlefield. While he was dropping off the supplies, David overhead Goliath taunting the Israelite army, and he couldn’t stand it.

He decided to fight the giant, finding courage in how God helped him rescue his sheep from lions and bears in the past. Then, he chose to fight armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling instead of using the king’s heavy armor.

David triumphed over Goliath and the Philistines fled. This led to David being appointed as a wildly successful army officer under King Saul…which then led to Saul’s jealousy…which led to David’s fugitive years in the wilderness where he wrote many of the Psalms that speak so deeply to our hearts today. Eventually, David became the king of Israel and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. And to think that all this began with David faithfully carrying out a simple, humble task for his family!

David went from a lowly shepherd to a celebrated king, whose story is still told thousands of years later. I’m sure David never imagined that course for his life, but God guided him into miracles and adventures he had not foreseen, one step at a time.

Just as how David’s ordinary lunch delivery ended in the slaying of a giant, we may never know how one moment could completely change our lives. We can’t see the future, but God can. He knows where He is leading us. Each single step we take in following God is important.

Remember, the Bible says in Zechariah 4:10 (NLT), “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”

May you be encouraged today that the little things matter—whether you are carrying out your regular responsibilities, or whether you are making a small, faith-filled decision to turn in a new direction. God will establish your steps and lead you on.

Let’s Pray: Father God, it’s amazing to think that my ordinary faithfulness and my small steps in following You can lead to beautiful outcomes that I can’t imagine yet. When I don’t always sense that something important is happening, or see immediate results from my efforts, help me to still be faithful in the small things. I know You are directing the course of my life. Help me to trust You, Lord, with every step I take. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Say Yes” by Josh Wilson. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Increase My Faith” by Brian Courtney Wilson. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “He Leadeth Me” by Reawaken Hymns. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Walk by Faith” by Jeremy Camp. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “I Know the Plans (Audrey’s Song)” by Dámaris Carbaugh. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “Lead Me Lord” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir with w/ Elizabeth Goodine. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “I Will Follow” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Lynette Allcock Yoon is a writer, teacher, and former radio host. 

She grew up in three countries and now lives in South Korea with her husband.

Lynette writes about life abroad, faith, and relationships from an expat, Third Culture Kid (TCK) perspective.

Outside of work, Lynette enjoys musical theatre and long walks with good friends.

~*~
Connect with Lynette:
Website: https://www.lynetteallcock.com/

A Tour of Wildflower Island, led by a story character

Give a hearty "hello" to one of our blog friends, Kimberly Rose Johnson! She's a regular visitor to this blog and this time, she brings a special treat for you, my lovely readers! :)

Today, the hero of her book Island Dreams is going to give you a tour of Wildflower Island which is the setting for the story. Enjoy the tour! 

Hi there, my name is Chase Grayson. I’d like to take you on a tour of my home, Wildflower Island! 

It’s best to start from the ferry landing. You may notice that we don’t have a sandy beach. I suppose most people would prefer sand, but God gave us a pebbled beach instead, which suits me fine. If we had white sandy beaches the tourists would be flocking to my small island in the Puget Sound. It’s not really my island, but I love it as if it were my own. 

Just yesterday I was reminded when the ferry dropped off Piper Hunt—a land developer whose family owns about half of Wildflower Island—that this land is not mine. In fact, I own a very small portion. I still can’t believe what she wants to do. She plans to build a resort. A resort! And her land abuts mine. No way do I want a resort next door. 

Sorry, I get distracted thinking about that woman and her plans. Anyway, back to the tour.

Up ahead and on the left is the driveway to Wildflower B&B where Piper is staying. The B&B is a nice place and has a great view of the Sound from the backyard. 

If you continue on inland you’ll pass by the general store, but don’t blink or you’ll miss it. A little further on and you’ll happen upon the golf club, which has the only nice restaurant on the island. I’m meeting Piper there tonight for dinner, so she can show me her new plan for her resort. She seems to think I have the ability to push her project though to the town council. But as far as I’m concerned we don’t need more people clogging our roadways. Plus there aren’t enough businesses to service the amount of people Piper’s resort would bring anyway. I digress. Sorry about that. 

I know you want a tour, but there’s really not much more to see except a few churches, an old schoolhouse, a bunch of trees with houses sprinkled in here and there, and a few lakes. We’ve done a good job at preserving the natural beauty of the island. People who come here to visit enjoy water sports, hiking, biking, and relaxing. I personally enjoy kayaking. It’s a favorite pastime. 

Oh, but before you go I’d love to give you a tour of my yard. I’ve worked hard making it a showpiece for my landscaping business. I designed a lookout that has an amazing view of the Sound. And here we are. The driveway is long and private just the way I like it. Isn’t the view something? The sailboats are my favorite to watch on nice days like today. Feel free to enjoy the view, but I need to head in and get ready for my dinner date with Piper. Somehow I have to convince her that this island is a bad choice for her development. I know I’m playing with fire when it comes to Piper, but I actually like her. She’s nice and seems to want to do right by the land. I at least need to give her a chance to pitch her proposal to me. Not that what I think matters, but I suppose anyone would appreciate a supporter. 

Thanks for visiting. I’m sure you can find your own way back to the ferry.

~*~

Author bio:

Kimberly Rose Johnson, soon to be empty-nester, lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their yellow lab.

Island Refuge is her sixth published book and the first in a series of three.

Kimberly enjoys long walks, chocolate, and mochas, not necessarily in that order.

 

~*~

Book blurb:

Piper Hunt arrives on Wildflower Island to develop family property into an upscale resort knowing this may be her last chance to prove her worth to her father. With grandiose ideas, she soon finds herself at odds with adjoining property owner, Chase Grayson.

As she begins to appreciate the simplicity of the island, she struggles to maintain balance between her father’s wishes, preserving the natural beauty of the island, and her attraction for Chase.

Chase Grayson values the peace and quiet of Wildflower Island. That serenity is threatened when Piper Hunt discloses her plans to develop an upscale resort that not only butts up to his property, but will turn the island into a busy tourist destination.

In fighting her plans, he also finds himself fighting his attraction to her. If he doesn’t stop her plans for the resort, his life will be altered forever. If he succeeds, it means he will never see her again. Can he live with either choice?

Love is in the Air: Is Falling in Love An Unavoidable Dive?

Today's special guest married the man of her dreams when she turned Sweet 16. True story, Ada became Mrs. Brownell on her 16th birthday! 

The married couple are celebrating 62 years of wedded bliss that produced five children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

You'd think a couple who share such a remarkable life story would have good advice to share about matters of the heart. So today, I invited Ada to share her story and invite your mind to ponder the whether or not falling in love is unavoidable.

Enjoy! :)

~*~
Is Falling in Love An Unavoidable Dive?
Written by Ada Brownell

I’ve studied and written about love many times, but writing my historical romance, The Lady Fugitive, was an exceptional experience. As with my own, that love takes a while to burst into full bloom.

Truth is, I wasn’t looking for romance when for some reason I caught the eye of my future husband. He’s my brother-in-law’s brother and I at almost 15 barely noticed him, except I knew several girls in our church were crazy about him. He was handsome, but nearly five years older and working for the railroad.

I was president of the youth group and busy with a job, school, and ministry. I’d had a couple of dates but I didn’t like either of the guys much. I didn’t expect romance until later. After all, a freckled redhead would never have a bunch of handsome suitors.

I’d noticed L.C. watching me before, but it was at a Sunday school ice skating party that I knew something was going on. He had taken skating lessons while in telegraph school in Minneapolis. My dad found skates at an auction for me and my brother and I spent part of every winter on frozen ponds and canals.

L.C. and I were about the only ones at the party who knew how to skate. Others spent their time wobbling on their blades and drinking hot chocolate around the fire.

This young man began talking to me as we went around the moon-lit curves in the canal. I wondered why he was talking to me. Then he asked if he could take me home. Afterward, he asked me for a date. Flattered, I accepted, but I didn’t expect love. After all, my sister was engaged five times before she married.

I didn’t know he was smitten and hunting for a wife.

That led to a year of dating, breaking up, making up, and then a proposal and engagement. But even then I broke up with him and almost refused to have anything to do with him. He wanted to tell me what to do. I wanted no part of that. Yet, he persisted and finally we married on my 16th birthday.

We’ve had a wonderful life together, have five children and have been married 62 years.

I finished high school, later earned my college degree, and I’ve studied love a long time.

Falling in love is an act of the will. Cupid doesn’t shoot you with a poison love arrow and “twang!” you’re a goner. Love happens because of several circumstances.

1. You are around the person of the opposite sex frequently (that’s called propinquity—what happens when you are near in time and space).

2. You desire someone in your life.

3. Your God-given instincts are telling you to create a family.

4. The person will build your ego.

5. Because you decide to fall in love to create excitement in your life.

6. Because no one better is available.

7. Because you have similar interests.

8. Because you are lonely.

9. Because someone else thinks it’s a good idea.

10. Most important: Because while you were in the womb God had a plan for your lives, and your love is so strong you feel you can’t live without one another (Psalm 37:23).

Finally, long marriages happen because you decide to continue to love one another, obey God’s Word, and honor the vows made before God to cherish only each other until death—the most romantic words ever spoken.

~*~
Author bio:

Ada Brownell, a devoted Bible student, has written for Christian publications since age 15 and spent much of her life as a reporter for The Pueblo Chieftain in Colorado. She also is a veteran youth Christian education teacher. 

After moving to Missouri in her retirement, she continues to write books, free lance for Sunday school papers, Christian magazines, write op-ed pieces for newspapers, and blogs with stick-to-your-soul encouragement. 

She is the author of six books. She is a member of Ozarks Chapter of American Christian Writers and American Christian Fiction Writers. She and her husband have five children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

~*~

Blurb for Ada's book, The Lady Fugitive: 

How does a respected elocutionist become a face on a wanted poster?

Jenny Louise Parks escapes from the coal bin, and her abusive uncle offers a handsome reward for her return. Because he is a judge, he will find her or he won’t inherit her parents’ ranch. 

Determination to remain free grips Jenny, especially after she meets William and there’s a hint of romance. But while peddling household goods and showing a Passion of the Christ moving picture, he discovers his father’s brutal murder. 

Will Jenny avoid the bounty hunters? Can she forgive the person who turns her in?

~*~

Buy Ada's book, The Lady Fugitive, on Ada's Amazon Author page:

https://www.amazon.com/author/adabrownell 

~*~

Connect with Ada:

Blog - http://inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com Stick-to-Your-Soul Encouragement

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AdaBrownellWritingMinistries

Twitter - @AdaBrownell