Tag Archives: Women’s Devotions

Just Humming Along by Barb Witt

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV)

photo courtesy of Pixabay

Lucinda sat at her sewing machine, patiently feeding the fabric under the needle. The machine whirred and hummed as she worked. She was creating another baby quilt. She made many of them to donate to the NICU at the local hospital.

Quilting was her passion, and she loved making these quilts for the little ones who came into the world a little too soon or with physical disabilities they and their parents had to deal with. It was her way of spreading the love of God. She embroidered a Bible verse into a corner of each quilt, so that the recipient read at least one verse of God’s word in their lives. She also prayed over each one; that peace, comfort and hope would accompany it as it entered the home of one of God’s children.

She had been working on this quilt all day, and now it was finally finished. She neatly folded and placed it with the others she had finished that week and put them in her van to take to the hospital. She called her contact, her friend Marley, to make sure she was there to receive the quilts. She said she would be available for the next two hours.

Lucinda drove the short distance to the hospital. Marley was waiting for her when she walked in. She handed over the quilts and chatted with her friend for a few moments. Then Marley took the quilts and went to her office to finish her day. Lucinda wandered to the infant Nursery. She loved looking at the sweet babies. She prayed over them all and just took in their innocence and purity. She had had two children of her own. They were grown now. She had made quilts for them, too. She missed having her babies home. And she was proud of the adults they had become.

As Lucinda drove home, she planned her next quilt. She couldn’t wait to get started on it. Each block was sewn with love and hope. Each stitch contained a prayer. Her passion was not only making quilts for the babies but sending the love and hope of Jesus into as many homes as she could.

Just Humming Along (© Barb Witt 6/27/2020)

And now, we pray…

Lord, in You we find hope and peace. Please fill us to overflowing with Your love and joy so that we are able to pass it on to all we meet. Thank You for everything.

In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN!

God Will Take Care of You by Catherine Hershberger

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

In 2019 my husband and I purchased a new piano. Since then I’ve spent many hours trying to revive my rusty playing skills from my music college days. I’ve never been good at playing in front of an audience. My husband walking through the room can make me hit more sour notes than lemonade without sugar. However, I’ve been determined to get my skill level up because, at the time of our piano purchase, our church only had a single pianist, and she needed a break. I will never match her skill, but my goal has been to relearn to play well enough to do a church service without making any mistakes. It hasn’t happened so far.

At any rate, I’ve been practicing a lot of hymns, often in a simplified form. One of the ones I’ve learned is “God Will Take Care of You.”  As a singer, I often use hymns and songs as a way of praising God. The music soothes me and the lyrics stick with me better than scriptures. I’ve always loved this song, but since 2019, when I experienced three unexpected surgeries and with the 2020 COVID pandemic, I’ve had to lean on the knowledge—a lot more than usual—that God will take care of me.

“God Will Take Care of You” was written by husband and wife team Walter Stillman Martin (1862-1935) and Civilla (1866-1948). During their marriage they wrote a lot of hymns, some of which became very popular. Civilla wrote the lyrics and Walter set the words to music. This particular song has an interesting background story I’d like to share.

On one occasion when Walter had a preaching engagement, his wife Civilla was ill and he was considering staying home to care for her. His nine-year-old son encouraged his father to go preach, saying, “Don’t you think if God wants you to preach today, he will take care of Mother while you are away?”  Walter went to his preaching engagement, leaving his wife in God’s care.

On his return home Walter found Civilla improved. In his absence, inspired by their son’s words, she had penned the words to “God Will Take Care of You.” 

Be not dismayed what’er betide. God will take care of you.

Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,

Through every day, o’er all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.

Upon hearing the lyrics, Walter composed the music, creating one of the best-loved hymns of the 20th century.

There is something so comforting in the knowledge that no matter what happens to us God is there. He will be there for us when life goes well, when it’s a bit rough, and when the bottom falls out. No matter the circumstances He wraps us in His love and care.

Listen to the words of this lovely old hymn which is as relevant in its message today as it was when it was published in 1905. I pray that the song will bless you and bring God’s care closer to your heart and mind.

God will take care of you (© Catherine Hershberger 9/16/ 2019)

About the Author:

Catherine is a member of Greendale First Church of Christ. She is also an award-winning author of sweet and inspirational romance under the pen name of Catherine Castle. Many of her devotions have appeared on various places on the internet. You can find her books on her Amazon Author page or at Barnes and Noble.

A Little Elbow Grease by Barb Witt

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But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. (2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV)

Picture courtesy of Pixabay

“Why do I even bother? It’s like pulling teeth to teach these kids,” Mr. Monhollen muttered as he watched the students hurry out of the music room.

And then when he looked up, he saw Beth still in her seat in the back of the room, instrument in hand, continuing to work her fingers into the right places on her flute. She tried a few more times. He was fascinated as he watched the concentration on her face. And, finally, she got it! The right notes came out of her flute. Her eyes widened and she drew in a quick breath.

He smiled and said, “Don’t stop now, keep on playing.”

She looked at him, eyes still wide, and looked at the music again. She began to play once more, and the notes were perfect. Her cheeks turned pink, and she smiled so big her eyes were slits.

He laughed and she laughed, and he said, “Great job, Beth. Keep practicing and you’ll be an expert in no time.”

And now he remembered why he loved this job so much. It was for those who worked hard and didn’t give up. They were the ones he was there to teach. He gladly taught them all, but there were those precious few who just kept on working until they mastered their instrument and the music.

A few years later Mr. Monhollen received a letter with two tickets to an Orchestral Concert at Music Hall. The note read, “I would love to see you at my premiere with the local Symphony Orchestra”. It was signed “Your former student”.

He and his wife walked into Music Hall and found their seats. As he looked at the playbill, he saw a familiar name. A smile slowly spread across his face, and he waited in anticipation for the concert to begin grinning the whole time.

The curtain rose and there she sat, to the left of the Maestro. He raised his baton and the orchestra began. At the proper time, Beth began her flute solo. Tears rolled down his face as he remembered the young girl who looked at him with wide eyes when she played the right notes for the first time. And now, she had mastered her instrument and the music.

When she had finished, she looked up at him and smiled that same smile from so long ago, so big her eyes were slits.

His heart was bursting, and he knew they had both been rewarded for not giving up and working hard.

A Little Elbow Grease (© Barb Witt 11/27/2019)

And now we pray…

Lord, sometimes we must work hard for things. We have to put in effort and thought. We may even have to struggle to learn something new. Allow us to not give up. To keep on working hard, even if it isn’t easy. For our reward in heaven is worth all of our struggling here on this earth.

In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN!

Hello, This is God Calling! By Catherine Hershberger

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“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)

We had a missionary at our church recently and he preached on God’s calling.

“When God calls, you know it,” the missionary said, “and you have two responses: to answer his call with a yes or to answer with a no.”

He referenced the well-known examples of the apostles Peter and Paul being called to discipleship by Jesus. For those who might be reading this and aren’t familiar with the accounts here’s a brief summary.

Jesus asked the fisherman Simon Peter to row him into the lake where He spoke to a crowd on the shore of Lake Gennesaret from Peter’s boat. When he finished talking he told Peter to row out farther into the lake and drop his nets on the other side of the boat in a place where Peter had fished all night and caught nothing.  Peter did as Jesus asked and the nets caught so many fish the ropes started to break. Then Jesus invited Peter to follow him and become ‘fishers of men.’ Peter left his fishing boat and became a disciple. (Luke 5:1-11) At the time of his calling, Peter had no idea what lay ahead for him. He just heard the Lord’s invitation, gave up everything, and followed.

Paul, formerly known as Saul, was on the road to Damascus intent on hunting Christians and bringing them to Jerusalem for punishment. But God had other plans. Christ spoke to Saul from a brilliant heavenly light, leaving him blinded. Saul’s encounter with Christ, and the miracle of Ananias restoring Saul’s sight, caused the most notorious persecutor of Christians to become a follower of Christ.  His name was changed to Paul and he became Christ’s missionary to the Gentiles. (Acts 9:1-31) Unlike Peter, Paul probably had an idea of what might lay ahead for him as a disciple of Christ. After all, he had been persecuting believers who were on the same faith road Paul now chose to walk.

The supernatural nature of Peter and Saul’s calls to Christ are unique. Faced with these miracles, how could you resist such a spectacular display of God’s mighty power? If this had happened to me I’d be hard pressed to walk away.

Today, God still calls us to follow him, but it’s not always in a spectacular fashion. You may have grown up in the church and learned of God’s love at an early age and becoming a follower was a natural progression. Or you may have become convicted to become a follower because you just recently learned about Christ, or because you’d seen a need to turn your life around. Your answer to his call may hinge upon a logical or an emotional decision. God calls us all in different ways, but He always calls because He loves us.

Once you’ve made the decision to follow Christ, God’s calls don’t end. He may not call you to become a missionary in a foreign country, where you will most likely face persecution, but, rest assured, He will call you, You can also expect Him to call you many times, because God’s work never ends.

He may call you to leave home, when you’ve never had any urge to do so, because he wants you to grow or meet someone who will teach you about Him.  Or, in the wee hours of the night while you’re sitting in an empty hospital cafeteria, you may hear Him say, “Come back home and care for your ailing relative.” Perhaps He will whisper to you to give your hard-earned money to someone in need. He may convict you to pledge a tithe of money you don’t have, so you have to depend upon Him to provide that offering.  He may urge you to work in the nursery, when you have no maternal instincts, or teach boys when you know nothing about relating to them. He may call you to service doing the laundry of an elderly couple. He may request your help in front of the congregation or behind the scenes. He may suggest you to do things that will stretch your abilities, or propose you use abilities you don’t believe you have. Answering his call may even make you very uncomfortable.

You won’t know when He will call or what He will ask you to do. The job may be big or small, life altering, or simple to accomplish. Of this, however, you can be certain: He will call.  You can also be assured that if you say “Yes” to God’s call He will be there beside you all the way, no matter what circumstances you may face.

So, when you hear God’s call, and He asks, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Don’t be afraid to reply, “Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV)

Hello, this is God calling! (© Catherine Hershberger 5/29/21)

About the Author:

Catherine is a member of Greendale First Church of Christ. She is also an award-winning author of sweet and inspirational romance under the pen name of Catherine Castle. Many of her devotions have appeared on various places on the internet. You can find her books on her Amazon Author page or at Barnes and Noble.

A Bit of Wool by Barb Witt

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“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Philippians 4:19-20 NIV)

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Helen sat behind the booth passing the time knitting on an afghan as she sold some of the vegetables from her garden. She had made many afghans. All shapes and sizes and colors. The one she worked on now was in her favorite shades of blues, pinks, and purples. Her garden had been rather meager this year. She had hoped for more produce to sell and to have enough left over to can for the winter. She was afraid there wouldn’t be enough to feed her small family during the snowy, cold days. But she trusted her Lord and put it in His hands.

A woman stopped at her booth and watched as the knitting needles flew through the yarn as if on their own. The afghan was beautiful, The colors vibrant. The pattern eye-catching, and the show of talent mesmerized her. She waved a hand to catch the knitter’s attention. “Your afghan is beautiful,” she said. “May I see it a little closer?”

“Sure.” Helen brought her work closer for inspection.

“It’s so soft,” the woman said, as she touched the knitted yarn.

“It’s angora wool from my goats.” Helen smiled as she thought of her pets. “I make the yarn myself from their wool.”

“This is so beautiful. Do you have more?”

“Oh, yes, I have so many I can’t count them all. I have some in my truck if you’d like to see them.” She smiled at the woman.

“I would love to see them,” she said. “By the way, my name is Allyson.”

“My name is Helen. Nice to meet you, Allyson.” Helen smiled at her new acquaintance

They walked to Helen’s truck and she opened the back to reveal a beautiful display of afghans in all colors and shades, sizes, and shapes.

“I would love to buy a few, and I have friends that I know would love to buy some. Will you be here tomorrow? I’ll bring some of my friends to see your beautiful afghans,” Allyson said, as her gaze drifted over the lovely workmanship and expert detail.

“Sure, I’ll be here. I’ll pack a few more in the truck tonight and bring them. I usually carry some in case I see someone in need of a nice blanket to keep off the chill,” she said as she watched the woman looking at her craft.

The next day, Allyson returned as she had promised with several friends in tow. They “Ooooo’d” and “Ahhhh’d” over the afghans and bought almost every one Helen had brought. They waved as they left with their treasures and said they would come again with more friends.

Astonished, Helen sat on her stool, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Thank You, Father,” she said as she looked at the money overflowing in her cash box. “Now I can feed my family all winter and buy the seeds I’ll need for next spring. Thank You for my goats and the ability to make the wool and knit the afghans. I never thought of selling them. Thank You for sending someone to me to buy them. You truly have met my needs today.”

 She wiped the tears away and stowed the money box in a safe place, picked up her knitting and, with a big smile on her face, continued working on the afghan.

A Bit of Wool (© Barb Witt 10/25/2019)

And now we pray…

Thank You, Father for providing us a way to feed and clothe and house ourselves. Sometimes we worry about tomorrow. But You are there to meet our needs if we but ask and trust You. Thank You for that. Thank You for everything.

 In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN

About the Author:

Barb Witt is a Christian wife, mother and grandmother who loves gardening, quilting, crafting, writing poetry and devotions, and is working on a children’s book. She has created an email devotional and prayer warrior ministry that she sends out daily. If you’re interested in being added to her email list let us know.

Look to the Weeds by Catherine Hershberger

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“…we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” Romans 5:2-3 (ESV)

Photo © 2017 C. Hershberger

The other day I was searching for a rose quote to go with some of my rose pictures for a garden post I was planning on my author site. My objective was to talk about the lovely scents, beauty, and joy roses can contribute to one’s garden. Instead, I found this quote about weeds.

“When life is not coming up roses

Look to the weeds and find the beauty hidden within them.”

― L.F.Young

The phrase “find the beauty hidden within them”—them being weeds—stuck with me.

Beauty in weeds? That almost sounds like an oxymoron: two contradictory elements put together. After all, what gardener, or non-gardener even, thinks weeds are beautiful? Isn’t a smooth, manicured expanse of green grass much more pleasing than a lawn filled with lumpy and unruly weeds?

But the author of this quote was on to something that we often forget when we’re in the midst of troubles and trials. Even weeds have a purpose, and in many cases the blooms on a weed are as beautiful as our prized flowers.

As a gardener I must confess that I don’t like weeds very much. They muck up my nice flowerbeds. Grow in places that are hard to weed, and they are difficult to eradicate. It’s also a losing battle to keep the unwanted plants in my garden beds from blooming. A single blossom can result in hundreds or thousands more weeds. But, when I haven’t yanked them out, I have found some beautiful surprises—both physical and spiritual.

For example—the most common of weeds in any gardener’s yard is the lowly dandelion. Gardeners ruthlessly eradicate them, splashing poisonous herbicides across the lawn. But perhaps we should stop and reconsider our actions. This hated weed can serve a purpose. The leaves are edible as salad greens, as long as you haven’t sprayed chemicals on them. If I were starving in a forest, the dandelion is the one plant I could recognize and eat. I’d consider that a hidden beauty if I were hungry enough to forage for food in the wild.

A bunch of these cheery yellow flowers clutched in a small hand and presented to you as a gift is a bouquet that never fades from your memory. I remember all the nosegays my daughter picked for me and the pride with which she delivered her weedy gift. In her childish vision, she recognized beauty where I saw none. Something we adults need to rediscover.

When you carefully pluck the dandelion’s fragile, cottony seed head and tell your child to blow and make a wish—spreading the tiny seeds to the wind—you create an experience you both will remember all your lives. Trust me, watching a thousand seeds float into your lawn is worth the joyful giggles you’ll hear as your child chases the drifting seeds around the yard.

This is just one example of how the lowly weed can be a blessing. I’m sure if you think about the weeds in your life, and the playful things you’ve done with weeds in the garden, you can find the hidden blessing in weeds.

As the literal weed can unwittingly be a blessing, and so can the figurative weed mentioned in the opening quote of this post. So the next time your life isn’t coming up roses, consider the weeds and why they grow. That weed in your garden’s life, which you hate or don’t think you can bear, may contain a lesson you need to learn, be the impetus to make a needed change in your life, provide an example you need to set or see, or be a blessing to discover in the midst of the turmoil. While you are looking for those hidden blessings, remember that “…for those who love God all things work together for good…” Romans 8:28 (ESV).

Do you have a hidden weed blessing in your life?

About the Author:

Catherine is a member of Greendale First Church of Christ. She is also an award-winning author of sweet and inspirational romance under the pen name of Catherine Castle. Many of her devotions have appeared on various places on the internet. You can find her books on her Amazon Author page or at Barnes and Noble.

Women’s Devotions, trial, suffering, hidden blessing, weed in the garden

Fly-In Diner by Barb Witt

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“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31 NIV)

picture courtesy of Pixabay

Geraldine studied the leaf she had plucked from the tree in her front yard. She was an art student and had been assigned the task of doing a watercolor painting, in great detail, of something in nature. She had chosen a leaf, thinking, “How hard can painting a leaf be?”

After several failed attempts, she finally went back outside and got another leaf off the tree. She held them both up in the sunlight and noticed the leaves were not just one solid color of green. There were several shades of green intertwined and even some yellow and a little brown here and there. The veining in the leaves was far more complicated than she imagined. It seemed to reach out to all sections of the leaf, to send nourishment where needed. It looked delicate and skillfully woven. A bug had taken a few bites from one leaf.

She laughed. She had never thought of a leaf as a ‘Fly-In Diner’ before.

She held the leaves up to the sunlight once more,  and one appeared to be nearly transparent,  more so than the other, the sun marking the intricate details that could be missed if you looked at them without its help. One was a little greener than the other, less yellow.

Geraldine carried the leaf with the bug bite back in the house. She sat at her drawing/painting easel and studied the leaf some more. As she did, she talked to her Father about it.

“Father, You’re amazing. Look at this leaf. Something we take for granted every day. You made it so beautiful. And not only is it beautiful, it also has the task of transforming sunlight into food, or energy, for the tree*.  And, in turn, the tree provides homes for birds, shade from the sun and food for Your tinier creatures. I just think that’s amazing.”

Geraldine started a new painting, chatting with her Father as her brush strokes formed the intricate detail of the common leaf we see every day. She wanted to show just how beautiful the leaf is. And so she added the colors as she saw them, detailed the veining as elegant as it was on the leaf and even included the place where the bug had dined, and painted that bug flying away after his meal. That made her laugh again.

When she finished, she sat back and looked at her painting, and said, “Well, Father, it’s not as beautiful as Yours, but it’ll do. Thank You for opening my eyes to the detail You put into everything You created. I can’t wait to go back outside and take a closer look at flowers, and tree bark, and even some bugs. Show me, Lord, I want to look deeper into Your handiwork.” Then she went outside and got lost in the gloriousness of God’s creation.

*photosynthesis

Fly-In Diner (© Barb Witt 6/27/2020)

And now, we pray…

Lord, we stand in awe of all You have created in this world and above and around it. The stars, the moon, other planets, all the animals and fishes and insects. And You created all of these things in six days. Thank You, Lord, You are magnificent and a Wonder to be praised.

In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN!

About the Author:

Barb Witt is a Christian wife, mother and grandmother who loves gardening, quilting, crafting, writing poetry and devotions, and is working on a children’s book. She has created an email devotional and prayer warrior ministry that she sends out daily. If you’re interested in being added to her email list let us know.

God’s Wildflowers by Catherine Hershberger

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“Nevertheless, some good is found in you…” (2 Chronicles 19:3 ESV)

picture courtesy of Pixabay

Over the years, my husband and I have done a lot traveling to various locations across the United States. On one summer, as we sped down the grey strip of highway to Missouri, I couldn’t help but notice the wildflowers along the road brightening the green landscape. White Queen Anne’s lace frosted the hollows, and waving green stems dotted with tiny blue and yellow flowers covered the edge of the road. Plate-sized white blooms, resembling hibiscus, trailed over fences and climbed corn stalks, obviously weeds to the farmers and very out of place in the gigantic corn fields sporting yellow tassels.

I couldn’t identify the weedy blue and yellow wildflowers, but I know they, along with the Queen Anne’s lace, are not things most gardeners cultivate in their gardens. In fact, we vigorously try to eradicate such things from our home landscapes. Yet, all these flowers are beautiful in drifts along the road, and I love to look at them.

Like a gardener who wants an immaculately groomed flowerbed, God couldn’t tolerate the weeds of sin in his Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve disobeyed and blighted the landscape with sin, God yanked them out of his unspoiled garden and tossed them outside the fence, much like I’ve done with the weeds in my garden.

I mercilessly trash my weeds no matter how pretty their flowers might be, because I don’t want them to ever show up in my garden again.  But God was kinder to humanity than I am to my weeds. Even though they were no longer inside the boundaries of the garden gates, God still saw Adam and Eve’s, and ultimately our, potential for beauty. Through Christ’s sacrifice, He provided a way for us all to become part of his garden once again.  

As I admired the weedy, flower-filled berms and hollows along the roadway that summer day, I whispered a “Thank you,” to God for being able to see the beauty of weeds in bloom. Because, except for the grace of God, I am only a weed along the roadside, waiting for a home in a perfect Garden of Eden.

Do you see the beauty of wildflowers in a landscape?  More importantly, do you see the beauty and potential in God’s children, even those who might not be beautiful on the outside?

God’s Wildflowers (© Catherine Hershberger 8/19/13)

About the Author:

Catherine is a member of Greendale First Church of Christ. She is also an award-winning author of sweet and inspirational romance under the pen name of Catherine Castle. Many of her devotions have appeared on various places on the internet. You can find her books on her Amazon Author page or at Barnes and Noble.

Best Friends by Barb Witt

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“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”

(Psalm 94:19 ESV)

Bonnie and Caroline burst into Edna’s room. If they weren’t such good friends, she’d have been very angry. But truth was, she needed them just now. She hadn’t been able to eat much since the accident. She hadn’t slept well either. She couldn’t even find the strength to climb out of bed.

“Honey, you need to get out of that bed. You’ve been in there way too long,” Caroline said as she peeked at her under the covers where Edna had buried her head.

“Yeah, you’re pretty ripe. You need a shower girlfriend,” Bonnie held her nose.

Edna couldn’t help but burst out in laughter. She sat up laughing and crying at the same time, She threw her legs over the side of the bed, and her friends hugged her.

As all three blubbered and caterwauled loudly, the nurse ran in the door. “Is everything all right in here?” she asked, looking at the three women sitting on the bed with their arms around each other.

“Yeah, we’re okay,” Caroline said through sniffs and snorts while wiping her eyes on a tissue.

“Nurse, Ms. Edna here could sure use a shower, can you help her with that? We’ll change her sheets while you take care of her, okay?” Bonnie held her nose again.

“I’d be happy to,” the nurse said with a grin.  “Come on, Edna, let’s get you cleaned up.” She got Edna’s walker and helped her into the bathroom.

When she was all cleaned up, Edna opened the bathroom door to a freshly made bed and a TV tray with a plate of eggs and bacon, toast, and a cup of steaming coffee. Bonnie and Caroline stood behind her chair, smiling at her as only her two best friends could.

“Come on, Edna, sit down and have some breakfast,” Caroline said.

“Yeah, we made it just for you.” Bonnie snorted a laugh.  “Not! We got it from the cafeteria.”

Edna sat down, smiling as she looked at the feast in front of her. Suddenly her tummy growled loud and long. “Oh my! I must be hungry after all,” she exclaimed.

“We’re really sorry about your granddaughter, Edna,” Caroline said. “We know how close you two were. She was so young.”

“Yeah, it’s such a shame,” said Bonnie. “Drunk driving should be against the law.”

That made Edna and Caroline laugh.

“Yes, it is a shame,” Edna said. “She was on her way home from college for a long weekend visit with her parents and out of nowhere another car T-Boned her. The paramedics tried to save her, but it just wasn’t meant to be.” Tears rolled down Edna’s cheeks as she thought about her granddaughter. Such a lovely girl. “But I do know that I’ll see her again when I get to heaven. And that’s something I can look forward to. And I know she wouldn’t want me sitting here moping either. I will miss her. A lot. And I have my memories to cherish.” Edna wiped away the tears.

After Edna finished her breakfast she grinned at her friends. “Okay, girls, let’s go see what mischief we can get into today.”

Bonnie and Caroline laughed, and said in unison, “All right! Let’s go, girlfriend!”

They all walked out the door talking and laughing and Edna whispered a prayer, “Thank You,  Lord for these friends. And please say ‘Hello’ to my granddaughter. Tell her I can’t wait to see her again.”

Best Friends (© Barb Witt 1/7/2020)

And now we pray…

Lord, thank You for Your comfort which comes in many forms. One of the best is through our friends. Thank You for the strength of friendships and for the support they give. Thank You for everything.

In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN!

About the Author:

Barb Witt is a Christian wife, mother and grandmother who loves gardening, quilting, crafting, writing poetry and devotions, and is working on a children’s book. She has created an email devotional and prayer warrior ministry that she sends out daily. If you’re interested in being added to her email list let us know.

Beauty by Barb Witt

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“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 3:4-5 NIV)

photo courtesy of Pixabay

I stood in the door of the classroom and grinned as I watched the children laugh and smile and follow the instructions of the reader as she leads them through movements to match the story she is telling. The children are entranced and do not take their eyes off her as she tells of magical imaginary things. She comes to the class each week to read to the children. They love her, and she loves them. She brings new stories of adventure that keep the children’s attention longer than most.

The first time I saw her, I must admit, I was a bit shocked. She is not very tall and stooped at the shoulder. She walks with a walker and carries an oxygen tank. She has a large scar on her face and wears her hair to cover as much of it as she can.

Every evening she sits at her desk in her modest home and writes stories for the children. She always manages to work in a moral to teach the children the love of God and of His Son, Jesus. Her stories are fun and interesting.

Her life has not been easy. Some would call her ugly. But to the children, there is no one more beautiful. Her beauty comes from her heart and soul. Her beauty comes from her love of her Father in heaven. And she shares this with the little ones, for they see past the physical and look at the beauty within.

And so, we should learn to see people from the inside-out. We need to look for the inward beauty that shimmers through the eyes and smile, and not what’s on the outside alone. We need to see people as Jesus does. Look past the deformities of human life and see the loveliness of the heart. For anyone can dress up the outside, but the inside is where true beauty lies.

And now, we pray…

Father, we ask that You help us look at people from the inside-out. Help us to see the beauty we all carry on the inside. Allow us to see past the ugliness of life and drink in Your love that shines through eyes and smiles. Open our eyes to the beauty You have bestowed in every heart.

In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN!

Beauty (© Barb Witt 9/2019)

About the Author:

Barb Witt is a Christian wife, mother and grandmother who loves gardening, quilting, crafting, writing poetry and devotions, and is working on a children’s book. She has created an email devotional and prayer warrior ministry that she sends out daily. If you’re interested in being added to her email list let us know.