Devotionals for the Heart: When you feel like your life is too small

Your Life is Not Too Small
A devotional by Lynette Allcock Yoon

“God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.”

—1 Corinthians 1:28 (NLT)

“My life is too small now,” I thought to myself as I looked out the subway window on my way to work. Brown wintry trees and tall grey apartment buildings seemed to mirror my dull spirit.

When I first moved to South Korea to teach English, the excitement of my new adventure ensured that I spent every spare moment exploring. I delighted in visiting colorful palaces, walking the narrow streets between traditional “hanok” houses, finding cute cafes, and taking in mountains, parks, and beaches. As I went through the highs and lows of adapting to my work and new surroundings, I felt I had plenty to write about or post on social media.

However, a couple of years and a wedding later, I found myself figuring out how to “settle down” in Korea. Life became “normal.” I got into a routine of home and work responsibilities. I didn’t have the same time or energy for always going out as I once did, and somehow my life began to feel too small and ordinary. Was there anything truly meaningful in my story now?

I grew up as a Third Culture Kid (TCK)—moving between numerous cities and even countries during my younger years—and I knew that many other TCKs also struggled with perceived smallness or stillness when they tried to settle down after many years of going to and fro. I knew it could be hard to adopt a different, slower rhythm of life.

But as I made my way to work that day, a question rose up inside me: “Who gets to decide what ‘small’ is, anyway?” I felt God whisper to my heart, “Slow, small, settled, or still does not equal ‘meaningless.’”

The things that we might consider small and even unimportant are not so to God. For example, Jesus Christ said in Matthew 25:40 (NIV), “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Luke 16:10 (NIV) reminds us, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

And then there is the story of the boy with five barley loaves and two small fish (John 6:1-13). His small lunch fed thousands because he was willing to offer the little that he had to Jesus.

It’s important to note Ephesians 5:2 (NLT) where the Apostle Paul writes, “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.” Jesus spent most of His life on Earth in obscurity, doing the humble work of a carpenter before He stepped into public ministry. Perhaps our ordinary days—without adventurous thrills or social media validation—are the best way to learn how follow Christ’s example and to live a life filled with love. As Mother Teresa said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

So, that day on the subway, I put aside my inner grumblings. I went to teach my English classes with a renewed perspective. I hoped that my students wouldn’t just learn new grammar and vocabulary, but that they would smile, and that they would feel the love and interest of God flowing through me to them. Then I went home and loved my husband by preparing bowls of sliced fruit and putting clean socks in the drawer. These ordinary tasks, this unglamourous day, still held value in learning how to love.

Friend, if you too are sometimes tempted to feel that your life is too small or ordinary, remember that your life makes ripples of loving impact that go on and on, no matter what your day looks like. That is no small thing.

Let’s Pray: Lord, teach us to look at our lives through Your perspective. You care about sparrows and lilies and the hair on our heads. May we too value seemingly small things. Help us to see that our most ordinary days, our most unexciting tasks, and our apparently slow or small life seasons, still hold purpose and meaning. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Dream Small” by Josh Wilson. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Little is Much” by Downhere. Listen to it here.

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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.

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Connect with Lynette:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wordsforwanderers/
Website: https://www.lynetteallcock.com/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to find peace and contentment in this life

Finding Peace and Contentment in All Circumstances
A devotional by Jennifer Hamill

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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. —2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

Sometimes life can throw some circumstances at us that are not particularly fun, easy, or things we would have chosen ourselves. When this happens, our minds are filled with questions like “Why?” or “What if…” and “How long, O Lord?”

Have you ever been there? Have you ever struggled with finding peace and contentment in life because of the hard and undesirable circumstances you were facing? In these challenging moments, we easily begin trying to depend on ourselves to muster up enough strength to not be anxious, to be content, to rejoice in everything, and try to count it all joy, as several Bible passages instruct us to do. However, Scripture is clear about the fact that we, in and of ourselves, cannot muster up the strength to persevere or the peace to keep our souls and mind at ease.

We can learn a lot when we read a dialogue between the Apostle Paul and the Lord in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (ESV). Let’s look at what it says: “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

What I find interesting is Paul understands that his struggle, the “thorn” in his flesh, was to keep him from becoming conceited. It is evident he was not thrilled about the hardship it brought upon him. Paul was desperately pleading with the Lord to take it from him. However, God did not respond by saying, “Okay, let me take this from you.” No, instead, He reminded Paul of the truth that in his weakness, God’s power would be made perfect, and He would be his strength. This truth is what brought peace and contentment to Paul’s life.

Recently, I have been challenged by this thought, “What does it look like to delight in the Lord in this circumstance?” All throughout Scripture we read that our delight should be in God. His Word is healing to our souls and bones. However, in the moments of suffering, struggle, and hardship, the last thing my hopeless heart wants to do is to delight in is the Lord. Why is that? Why is it so easy for us to turn away help and hope from the Lord? I believe it is because of the deception we easily walk in where we think we can get through it in our own strength or because we are questioning why God would let this happen to us and/or why He is not removing it from our life.

We must surrender this pride. We must take our eyes off ourselves and off our circumstances and fix them on Jesus Christ. We need to trust and rely on the hope, peace, and strength that we have in Christ alone. We must dwell on the truth found in God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and remember the character of God.

In moments of hardship, when we are desperately seeking peace and contentment, we must remember that God is sovereign, and He is good. He allows us to walk through various trials and circumstances to conform us into the image of His Son (Jesus Christ) and to bring glory to His Name.

It’s not an easy journey. The struggle to find peace and contentment in difficult circumstances is real. But it is in these moments that we need to turn our eyes upon Jesus and trust that the God of the universe sees you, hears you, cares for you, and loves you. He will strengthen you in your weak state. God will teach you how to be content in all things. You can truly find hope, peace, and contentment as you delight in Him and in the fact that He has saved you and made you His own.

Remember: There will be a day this life here on Earth is no longer your reality and you will be healed and whole with God in glory (Heaven) forever.

Let’s Pray:

Father God,

Thank You for the Truth of your Word, and for the peace, joy, and life it brings. Thank You for being my strength when I feel so incredibly weak and my peace no matter what I am walking through. Please help me keep my eyes fixed on You. Help me to remember Your promises and Your good and faithful character. May I find help and hope from You alone and bring You glory in all that I do.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “In Christ Alone” by Michael English. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Turn Your Eyes” by Sovereign Grace Music. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Jennifer Hamill obtained a Bachelor of Social Work, a Master of Ministry in Intercultural Studies, and a certification in Biblical Counseling. 

Her educational training has afforded Jennifer the opportunity to work with various populations—such as foster care and adoption, refugee women, homeless, under-resourced youth, international students, and local churches. It has been through these experiences that she has seen a need for women of all ages to understand their true identity as a child of God in order to experience the promised abundant life and freedom.

By working as a Biblical Counselor and Coach, Jennifer focuses on helping others discover who God is and to know their true identity in Jesus Christ. Through her professional work and ministry, she helps people learn how to carry out their specific purpose and calling in building God’s Kingdom that is not of this world.

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Connect with Jennifer:
Website: www.rootedandfixed.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rootedandfixed
Email address: rootedandfixed@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to use the power of our words wisely

The Power of Words
A devotional by Desiree Future

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

— Proverbs 16:24 (KJV)

Years ago, an interesting thing occurred while I worked in an office building.

Just returning from my break, a woman approached me. She looked a little bit troubled. With crossed arms and furrowed brows, she immediately began to ramble. Noticing her body language of frustration and not wanting to further her initial angered state, I replied in the best way I could. Smiling brightly, I responded “Good morning.” The woman took a deep breath and relaxed her hunched shoulders. Replacing her frown with a smile, she greeted me as well.

She asked me if I knew where the doctor’s office was in the building. I assisted her so she could find her way. She shook my hand in a thankful gesture before heading in the right direction to her appointment.

In this thing we call life, someone is always going through something. My private matters can be ten times worse than yours. The person standing in front of you in the grocery line could have issues the size of Texas. Unless you know them personally, you cannot understand the depth of their pain.

Real-life scenarios that cause deep pain include but are not limited to: A man evicted from his apartment desperately seeks shelter for his wife and their kids. A single mother of four children struggles to decide whether to pay the electric bill or feed her hungry kids. An older gentleman without health insurance franticly searches for ways to pay for his much-needed surgery so he can return to work.

What is going on in the minds of people who are suffering is more than likely reflected on their faces. The weight of the world is beating them down to the ground. Feelings of heartache and despair have taken up permanent residency in the place where their beautiful smile once resided.

The examples of everyday stories above are just a few of the troubles we might go through in our lives. For most of us having to endure any hardship is very difficult, especially if you’ve never been in that place before. In times like this, we all need to hear a kind word. I brought a smile to that woman’s face simply by saying “Good morning.” That was all it took to change her demeanor. My simple greeting to her could have meant she didn’t hurt herself or someone else.

Some people say that words are irrelevant and mean absolutely nothing. However, I beg to differ because I’ve seen and heard a lot in the fifty-plus years of my life. I’ve had hurtful and painful things hurled at me like daggers from all different sides. All I wanted to do was cry because my circumstances were so bad and beyond my control. But by the grace of God, I’ve experienced a healing touch that is as light as a feather. God saw fit to mend my wounds by putting people in my life to help me along the way.

God often puts people in your life to guide you in the direction you must go. Whether they come and give you a five-second encouraging word or become your life-long confidant, He will send you a rescuer just for you.

Remember: Words say and do more than you know. It’s how you choose to use them that’s important. Saying “Good morning” or “Thank you” or “Please” and “Goodnight” goes a long way. You never know what someone is going through and whether they need to hear something to make them stronger.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, I pray that the person reading this will understand that they are just as powerful as the words they use. Let them speak life into others by lifting them up and not tearing them down. Help us all to be more like You. In Jesus's Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Speak Life” by TobyMac. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Desiree Future is a self-improvement blogger at “Hope Faith & A Smile” where she pens inspirational and encouraging posts. 

This blog that she started as a place for her upcoming novel turned into something far more than she expected. It developed into a home for conversations with people from all walks of life. By writing about everyday events that occur in her world she makes her posts very relatable. As some commenters have said, “Desiree talks to us and not at us.”

In 2013, she self-published The Pastor’s Heart, a Christian romance novel. The following year in 2014, she self-published its sequel, It’s a New Season.

Desiree has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2020. She’s also been a member of a writing critique group through her local ACFW Chapter since 2021. Several of her articles have appeared on the official blog for ACFW. In 2022, she became a contributing author in the encouraging devotional, The Courage to Write.

This child of God may not have a church home yet, but God is first in her life.

Desiree is a cancer survivor who calls New Jersey home. She enjoys traveling to different places to spark ideas for her next article. She likes thrifting and going to the theater to see the latest matinee.

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Connect with Desiree:

Website: https://desireefuture.com/

E-mail: desireefuturewrites@hotmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: When you want to know God more deeply

When You Receive A New Vision of God
A devotional by Essie Faye

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”—Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know of God.

My parents taught me to pray and believe in the God who created the universe. As a child, I attended Bible school faithfully. I witnessed for Jesus Christ to my friends in pre-school, telling my classmates about God’s love and the truth of His Word. I believed with all my heart that the God of the Bible was real, though He is invisible. My relationship with God runs deep. For years, I’ve had the pleasure of growing in my knowledge of God as I’ve walked with Him through life’s ups and downs. We’ve passed through celebratory times, times of loss and pain, and times of doubt and confusion. My faith has been tried. My love has been proven. Our relationship has been strengthened.

God has been faithfully by my side through it all and I’m grateful. Each decade of my life has had its challenges and triumphs, and God has seen me through each one with His loving presence. Somehow though, the more I’ve grown to know Him, the more I’ve wanted to know about Him. Can you relate?

I have a healthy dissatisfaction with my relationship with the God who sits on the circle of the earth. He is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and eternal. Heaven is His throne and the Earth is His footstool (Isaiah 66:1). We cannot understand God. He is a mastermind and creative genius! The universe is His handiwork and the Earth declares His glory. How can one even begin to know such a being? It is too great for me. Yet, God takes time to love and accept humankind. He created the Earth to give us a place to live, and He provides our every need. What love! My heart is overwhelmed by the love of God and so I desire to know more about Him.

In Philippians (a book in The Holy Bible), we read the heart of a murderer converted to Christianity: the Apostle Paul. He was converted after being confronted by Jesus Christ who is the Son of the living God (Acts 9:1-19). Prior to this life-changing moment, Paul was devoted to Judaism and its practices. He believed that he was defending the faith against unbelievers and those who would destroy the truth of God. Later in his life, Paul realized he had it all wrong when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. This God-sent event changed Paul’s life and steered him in the right direction. Paul had a relationship with God. 

Prior to his conversion, Paul had dedicated much of his life to the study of God’s Word and keeping the practices of the law. He was zealous and impassioned to follow the God of Israel. Yet, like us, Paul had much to learn about God and His ways. Paul pens this letter to the church at Philippi many years after his conversion and after decades of walking the path God ordained for him. Yet, he still desires to know God deeply. He desired a new vision of God–a fresh experience with Him that would affirm their connection and deepen their relationship.

Let’s look at a few ways in which Paul wanted to know God:

Paul wanted to know God in the power of His resurrection. He wanted to experience the reality of God’s reviving power. In Philippians 3:10, Paul references the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which fulfills God’s Word over multiple generations. He affirms His faithfulness and His character. His resurrection unlocks hundreds of promises for His people. The power of His resurrection declares that He can do what no other power can do. Paul declares that he desires to know the essence of God’s character—who He really is. Is this a desire of ours? Do we really want to see God as He is as opposed to creating a God that we want? Do we want to acknowledge a God that we must obey and revere instead of making ourselves “god” and creating a false god who must obey us and fulfill our every command?

Paul wanted to know God in the fellowship of His suffering. Some lessons are only learned through suffering. When we are suffering, we discover who our real friends are, and we reflect in a way that we don’t when we are not suffering. In Philippians 3:11, Paul declared that he is willing to experience pain in order to know God deeply. He was willing to sacrifice comfort and even happiness in order to know the one true living God. Somehow there is fellowship, a connection or bond that is built when we suffer together. Are we willing to experience discomfort in order to grow in our faith walk with God? Or do we simply want comfort and a flowery bed of ease during this walk of faith?

Paul wanted to know God by experiencing elements of His death. He was willing to deny himself and follow Christ daily. He was willing to submit to the will of God, forsaking his own. He was willing to practice spiritual disciplines and live out his faith, even when his body doesn’t want to and in the face of many temptations. He declared, “I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:31 NIV). When he would try to do God’s will, evil was present to oppose his good efforts and challenge his faith because there is a war between good and evil that we fight each day not only then but now. Are we willing, like Paul, to take up our cross and follow Christ in order to know Him?

Do you want to know God more deeply this year? What are you willing to do or refrain from doing in order to draw closer to Him? Are you willing to spend time practicing spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, solitude, and fellowship in order to practice the presence of God and hear His voice? Do you desire to catch a new vision of God in 2025? Are you willing to have new experiences with Him that cause you to see Him in a new light? Are you willing to do the work to nurture your relationship with God and deepen your love and commitment to your faith? I am. Let’s do it together!

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, You are the God of the Universe. We are Your children and we want to know You more. Lord, help us to grow to know you more deeply. Cause us to see you in a new light and with a fresh perspective. Help us to reject Satan’s lies about You and walk in the truth of Your essence. Draw us closer to You. Thank You for hearing us and answering. In Your Son, Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: "Oh, I Want to Know You More" by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “For the Sake of the Call” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith. 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

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Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefaye.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

My Review of the Jesus Daily Bible

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review the CSB Jesus Daily Bible, I readily agreed because I love reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and sharing it with everyone! This version of the Bible is a bit unique because of its devotional format. 

But before I share my review with you, I’d like to share a word from Momentum Influencers Network about this product:

Read through the Bible in a year—and keep Jesus at the center of each day. The NEW CSB Jesus Daily Bible includes a 52-week, Christ-focused, guided reading plan that you can join at any point during the year.

Day by day, you'll thematically study Scripture through a weekly introduction, helpful articles and infographics, and a weekly summary to help you understand Jesus’s central role from Genesis to Revelation.

See how every page of God’s Word points to the bigger story of Jesus. Every page of God’s Word points to the bigger story of Jesus. And every day, the CSB Jesus Daily Bible will help you see how.

Read through the Bible this year—and keep Jesus at the center of each day.

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My Review of the CSB Jesus Daily Bible:

There are a lot of features to love about this Bible and only a few things I didn’t like as I flipped through these sacred pages. These are my thoughts about it:

The cover design was a little bit too busy and intricate for my taste. The layout of the interior was neatly formatted. The pages felt crisp and smelled fresh like most new books do and that is always refreshing to the heart of most book readers.

The Introduction page is helpful for people who have not picked up a Bible and tried to read it yet. Written by a pastor, this introduction sets the stage for your Bible study time as it introduces you to the God who this beautiful book is written about and tells you about His Son (Jesus Christ) who is the Savior of the world.

The page next to the Introduction is titled “Christ at the Center of God’s Word” and it is an adequate continuation of introducing the reader to Jesus Christ and explaining why He is the center of the Bible. I like how it includes a short but sufficient list of tips on how to find Christ as you read this Bible. The first tip is especially helpful for new believers who are getting acquainted with God’s Word. The tip says, “If Jesus is not described explicitly in the text, look for him symbolically.” Very good advice!

The next few pages include text and graphics that explain to the reader how to read this Bible. It is very comprehensive but looks overwhelming in display. There is also a Daily Reading Plan that is very detailed as it provides the reader with a proper outline for this 52-week study of the entire Bible that begins with Genesis and ends with Revelation.

Before Week 1 of this Bible study starts, there is a page dedicated to introducing the reader to the Christian Standard Bible which is this book published by Holman Bible Publishers.

There is an introduction page for each week of this study and a summary of each week on the last page before the next week in this Bible. This is the first Bible I have read that is presented in this 52-week devotional format. I found it interesting yet compelling.

After the final week of the study, there is a CSB Concordance, and the last few pages contain what you see on most Bibles: A map of the Middle East and Eastern Africa where the Bible stories took place in real time.

I found this Bible to live up to its promise in the product description on Amazon when it says, “The CSB Jesus Daily Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB captures the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.”

I would recommend this “Jesus Daily Bible” most to new believers who are just getting to know God and follow Jesus Christ.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

#JesusDailyBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #jesusdailybible #dailybible #bibleinayear #christianstandardbible #csb #csbible #holmanbible #bhpub

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Learn more about the CSB Jesus Daily Bible via the publisher’s website:
https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/purchase-the-csb-jesus-daily-bible/

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Giveaway:
If you live in the USA then you are eligible to win one copy of CSB Jesus Daily Bible when you enter this giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter link below: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c505/

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should focus on Jesus Christ

The Shift
A devotional by Colette Lawrence

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”— Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

Have you been looking at the past and wondering “Lord, when?”

I know I have done that so many times when life gets hard, the challenges seem overwhelming, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

This is the start of a new year. It carries with it the promise and hope of change. However, not all of us are at the place where we can receive that promise. Instead, we are fixated on what didn’t work, the number of times we have tried and failed, the turmoil we face in our relationships, the loss we suffered, and so on. We complain about what God hasn’t done, and we get upset with Him like petulant children.

Today, the Lord is reminding us through His words advising us to not focus on the past that we are to not to dwell there because He is doing something new in our present. My friends, if our focus remains on the past and on what God didn’t do, then neither you nor I are in a place to “see” what God is doing. We cannot look backward and forward simultaneously, so the decision is ours. Where will your gaze be fixed?

I know it’s not easy to believe that a shift is coming, but it is. In the same way that the Lord gives us seedtime and harvest and reminds us that there is a season for everything under the sun, we can trust that He will keep all of His promises. The promise made to the children of Israel of making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert (Isaiah 43:19) can also be claimed by us. They went through judgments and would face even more. However, the Lord reminded them that He was still their God when He said in Isaiah 43:15 (NIV), “I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.”

The Lord knows you, your challenges, heartache, and pain. He is touched by the feelings of your infirmity, and He understands how you are feeling and sees you right where you are. What I love about this is that the Lord understands the season we are in and where our gaze is fixed. I believe God is saying gently to you, “Look to Me. Focus your attention on Me and then all your cares—everything that is affecting you—will become dim in My presence.”

You may be in the wilderness or approaching it. Wherever you are in that journey, you can be comforted with the promise that as you fix your gaze on the Lord, He will make streams in the wasteland for you (Isaiah 43:19). Last year might have been a very hard year for you. I understand because it was true for me as well. However, as I look forward, I am comforted with the hope of a promise that I know will be fulfilled because He who has promised is faithful.

There is a shift coming, a change. I pray that you will be ready to see it and prepared to receive it. Whatever challenge you may be faced with, God is with you, right by your side, and He has wonderful plans for you. Look up and see that He is doing something new for you! Look back to reflect and express gratitude for what God has done then look forward to continuing to move into what God has for you in the future. Ask Him for spiritual eyes and discernment to see His revelations as they unfold.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, I pray that You minister to every soul who needs a gentle reminder to look up to You today and to know that You keep Your promises. May they rest in the fact that what You say You will do, You always will do. Thank You for the shift that is coming. We look forward to the future you have for us with anticipation. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Helen Lemmel (Grace Johnston) | North Palm Worship | Throwback Thursday. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Colette Lawrence is an empowered woman who inspires women to be who they were created to be. Her core message is empowerment. She is an author, certified life coach, podcast host, and trainer with the Maxwell Leadership team. 

Colette believes that an empowered woman empowers others and is powerful in knowing who she is and what she can accomplish. Colette is on a mission to impact the lives of the women assigned to her, whether she is their coach or trainer or shares a word that will transform their lives.

Colette utilizes her Christian principles as the base of all her engagements. She is passionate about fulfilling her life purpose of empowering women to know who they are, rebuild their confidence, and use their voices as tools to uplift themselves and others.

​​She is the founder of the M.E.E. Movement L.L.C., a faith-based empowerment ministry business that helps women of faith rebuild their confidence and use their voice to walk in their purpose through life coaching, mentoring, and empowerment speaking. Colette believes in using the gifts God has given her to help women be who God has called them to be and ultimately fulfill the purpose for which they were created. She lives by Romans 8:28 (NIV), that promises, “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."

A native of Jamaica, Colette resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is the mother of two beautiful young women, a son-in-love, and two grandsons.

Colette enjoys reading, writing, watching good movies, and chatting with her daughters and friends.

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Connect with Colette:
Blog: https://www.colettemarie.online/blog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colettemarie_cm/
Website: https://www.colettemarie.online/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteMarie-cmc
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2367935
Email: Colettemarieonline@gmail.com

Movie Review: Between Borders

Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) invited me to watch a new movie titled “Between Borders” and review it before it shows in theaters. After seeing the riveting trailer, I agreed.

Before I share my review, I’d like to share a word from MIN: This film stars Elizabeth Tabish from “The Chosen” and Elizabeth Mitchell. Watch this moving family film in theaters starting January 26, 2025. 

Synopsis: In a crumbling Soviet Union, the Petrosyan family are outcasts wherever they go. Armenian heritage marks them for discrimination both at home in Azerbaijan and in Russia. Based on a riveting true story of faith and hope set amidst great oppression … in the shadow of exile, hope became their home.

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My Review:

Between Borders is a poignant film based on a true story that chronicles the life of the Petrosyan family and portrays their troubled journey to freedom and safety.

Elizabeth Tabish, an actress famous for her role as Mary Magdalene in “The Chosen” (a TV show about the life of Jesus Christ), played Violet Petrosyan. Patrick Sabongui, a Canadian actor and stunt performer, played Ivan Petrosyan who is Violet’s husband. Elizabeth Mitchell is the actress who played the lawyer who was making a case against asylum in the United States of America for the Petrosyan Family.

This movie is remarkable. The acting is beautiful. As I watched each scene, I could feel the emotions of Violet and Ivan. As a woman of color in this real world where people of color are marginalized, I could relate to how Violet felt in many scenarios when she was treated lesser than based on her appearance.

Being part of a community of color that is discriminated against based on race and ethnicity, I understood the plight of the Petrosyan Family as they felt torn about leaving their home where racism was rife, but it was all they knew, and seeking refuge in another country. They bravely faced the unknown in hopes of securing safety and a better life for their family.

In the beginning of the conflict in this movie where crowds of people are marching in the streets holding up signs with words that call for death to the Armenians, Violet tells her family who is concerned about their safety that these threats against Armenians happen off and on throughout history in their country. She assured them that the threats of danger would die down and they would be safe. Her hope was short-lived because in the next few scenes of the movie, some of the people who hate Armenians murdered a friend of the Petrosyan family just because of his ethnicity.

This incident propels Violet and her husband (Ivan) to gather their essential belongings in a few suitcases and flee to Russia. However, their relief proves to be fleeting because within days of living in a small and cold apartment, the Russian cops and a few bad people start to target Ivan. There are several scenes in this movie where Ivan barely survives attacks from the people in Russia who hate him just because he’s Armenian. When Violet searches for a job to help Ivan support their family of four (they have two girls), she can only find work as a teacher and the woman who hired Violet told her that she only is hiring her because there’s a shortage of teachers in their school. She makes it known to Violet that they prefer to only hire “their people” (Russians) and makes Violet repeat words that are meant to dehumanize her and make her feel worthless. Violet’s boss then tells her to recite those words in her head every day at work and remember that her life has no value. This made Violet break down and cry. But she stays strong as accepts the job, showing up faithfully and doing the work even though she faces discrimination and mistreatment in her work environment every single day.

Elizabeth Mitchell plays the lawyer who holds the fate of the Petrosyan family in her hands. Her portrayal of this cold-hearted, racially tone-deaf attorney is well-done. I did not like the negative and cruel way she treated Violet and Ivan. She made them feel lesser than and tried to twist their words when they spoke on the witness stand before the court. This lawyer tried to make it seem like their pain and claims of racism were unfounded. She tried to argue against what Violet and Ivan knew to be true because they experienced it when they lived outside of the USA.

The tension in the courtroom scene is so thick that you can cut it with a knife. And the way that the actors draw you into the story makes you want to know what will happen at the end of this movie. The way that it all plays out will keep you guessing until it’s over.

Final thoughts: This movie was incredibly well-done and delivered. I think it’s worth buying tickets and seeing it for yourself in theaters this Jan. 26 to Jan. 28.

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More details for you:

Official website for “Between Borders” movie:
https://betweenbordersmovie.com/

Watch the movie trailer for “Between Borders” here.

Buy tickets today to see Between Borders in theaters only January 26-28. Here’s the site where you can go to purchase your movie tickets:
https://www.fathomentertainment.com/events/between-borders/

Many thanks to Pinnacle Peak Pictures for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own. 

#BetweenBordersMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

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Giveaway:

If you live in the USA, you are eligible to enter this giveaway contest. The winner will receive a gift card worth $10 to spend on Amazon.com. Enter the giveaway contest via this link to Rafflecopter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c504/