He Even Surprises Us With Special Gifts is a quote I read in Rosann S. Coulon’s book, “40 Days to God, My Father,” and I’m pondering it with you today.

For Lent 2025, I’ll be writing new blog posts every day. I’m writing for just five unedited minutes on a quote of the day to deepen our faith in this Lenten season.

Day 7 of Lent 2025- March 11

I read this quote in Rosann S. Coulon’s new book, “40 Days to God, My Father: Finding Shelter in the Heart of God.” I recently received it as a surprise gift in my mailbox, and you can buy a copy of the book HERE.

Rosann has faced many trials, which she outlines in the book. She’s struggled with disappointment and hurts as a child of an addict, someone struggling with financial issues and a sufferer of chronic illness. Yet in this book of brief, encouraging devotions, she tells how she held onto faith in those hard times, and shares Bible stories of encouragement.

Though Rosann and I have followed each other for years on social media, I didn’t know the extent of her suffering until I started reading her book. Her struggles help me feel less lonely in my struggles, and I’m thankful for this affirmation through her book. I’m also encouraged by the story she shares on Day 21, Unexpected Gifts of Goodness. I’m not going to spoil it for you, but I will say it’s a great story that’s helping me reflect on how God has surprised me with special gifts right when I needed them, though I didn’t expect them.

One particular time stands out to me. Today, I realized it’s a testimony that he even surprises us with special gifts. I’m recounting it here:

Post from Nov. 27, 2021

This weaving is a new treasure for me, and I have an encouraging testimony to share with you.⠀

Recently I had a conversation with my intern about some money problems. She encouraged me to start tithing on everything I make. Though I have always given to the church, I have not been specific about giving a full 10 percent.⠀

I was in the throne room praying on Sun., Nov. 21, like I do every week. I prayed about all of my money issues and set them on the altar. Then, God brought to mind a beautiful weaving I saw at the craft fair the day before. It had a price tag of $120.⠀

In the prayer room, God told me to go back to the craft fair and purchase it as a symbol of the redeeming work he will do in me regarding the trauma I’ve experienced over finances. He said that if I purchase it in faith (I rarely spend that much on myself on one single item), he will provide the recompense for it.⠀

God wants me to display it in my office and every time I see it, pray that I will be like a well-watered garden as promised in Isaiah 58:11. He also told me to make that verse my meditation verse for 2022, since I have picked a verse every year:⠀

The Lord will guide you continually,⠀

giving you water when you are dry⠀

and restoring your strength.⠀

You will be like a well-watered garden,⠀

like an ever-flowing spring.⠀

Isaiah 58:11 NLT⠀

Joel Muddamalle has said that gardens are a sign of God’s kingdom in the Bible. Only kings could afford to have gardens because they required a large supply of potable water and a paid staff to maintain them. When we see gardens in the Bible, they are a sign of God’s kingly presence, abundant provision, and beauty.⠀

I was overcome with tears of joy when God revealed this in the throne room. I was also overjoyed to find the weaving waiting for me on Sunday. It’s now hanging in my office.

Then, on Wed., Nov. 24, I received a blessing check of $100 out of the blue from one of my launch team members for my teen girl book. I tithed on that check, and I’ll continue tithing on everything I receive this month.⠀

So grateful to join this adventure with God!

He Even Surprises Us With Special Gifts

Today I’m following up with you on that testimony.

God knew that in just six weeks from that posting, my marriage would come to a horrific end, and three years of intense trauma and spiritual warfare would result.
But I didn’t know that, of course.

After my husband left me, I brought the weaving up from my office and hung it on my bedroom door, where I could stare at it from my place in bed.

Every time I looked at it, I was forced to remember the testimony and the accompanying verse, even when I doubted its validity.

There were many times I didn’t feel like a well-watered garden. Instead, I felt like a dried-up wasteland. However, God’s presence has never left me, even on the hardest nights. His presence has made me a well-watered garden despite the intense suffering I faced.

Now I can look back on this testimony with a greater appreciation for the timely gift. I see how God used this beautiful weaving to tether me to him, even when I was unsure if I wanted to hang on any longer. I have found shelter in the heart of God, as Rosann’s book subtitle states. I’m using her book to draw closer to him and thank him for the surprise gifts he gives along with the daily manna I need.

It’s even more timely as I am currently attacking the significant debts I’ve incurred post-divorce due to my inability to work to capacity from complex PTSD. Thankfully, I’m in a different place emotionally now, and I can look at this weaving as encouragement for my financial issues again. This is a great full-circle moment for me, and it’s good to celebrate that special gift from God again.

Join me again tomorrow for another reflection on a different quote. I encourage you to reflect on a special gift God has given you and let me know about it in the comments.

Find all my additional resources for Lent on this page.

Are You Looking for a Book Launch Manager or Virtual Assistant?

If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 50 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon. I’m also taking on new VA clients. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!

People Are Worth the Pain is a quote I read in Nancy Guthrie’s book, “The One Year Book of Hope,” and I’m pondering it with you today.

For Lent 2025, I’ll be writing new blog posts every day. I’m writing for just five unedited minutes on a quote of the day to deepen our faith in this Lenten season.

Day 6 of Lent 2025- March 10

I read this quote in Nancy Guthrie’s book, “The One Year Book of Hope.” It has been my morning devotional for several months, and you can buy a copy of the book HERE.

Nancy has suffered greatly in her life. Two of her children died before their first birthdays due to a rare disease. The devotional covers how she clung to hope despite the intense pain she felt.

She talks about how people have great power to help, but also great power to harm, especially when we are suffering. As I suffered after my massively traumatic divorce, people often said things that made things much worse, though they were trying to help. Here’s a useful meme I found during that time that I refer to now when I’m unsure what to say to someone who is suffering:

Why I Need to Remember People Are Worth the Pain

I want to remember that even when people hurt me, people are worth the pain. They are often Jesus-with-skin-on for me in moments when I need them most. People often let me down, yet I need people in my life.

In fact, in the past three difficult years, the best I’ve felt is when I’m with people. This is a reversal for me as an introvert. My baseline is to spend time alone to recharge. Of course, that’s still true, as it’s my nature. However, I’ve learned how truly dependent I am on the body of Christ – my Christian brothers and sisters – to support me when I’m needy, lonely, broken, depressed, and desperate. Those feelings are triggers to call someone, get out of my house, go to church even if I don’t feel like it, and keep meeting with my small group.

My tendency is to isolate, especially when I’ve been hurt by someone close to me. However, I’ve learned that people are worth the pain. The payoff is greater than the disappointments due to their imperfections. What they offer in time, conversation, listening, affirmation, and laughter is worth its weight in gold.

It’s been good for me to learn that people are worth the pain in my time of suffering. In a few situations, God has invited me to persist even though I didn’t see a payoff of my investment in people. I have to trust that because God knows that people are worth the pain to him, they can be worth the pain of disappointment and loss to me as well. As long as I’m doing his will and not putting myself in a position of abuse, I can have peace that the pain is worth it.

Join me again tomorrow for another reflection on a different quote.

Find all my additional resources for Lent on this page.

Are You Looking for a Book Launch Manager or Virtual Assistant?

If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 50 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon. I’m also taking on new VA clients. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!

Dare to Trust Again is a quote I read in Lysa TerKeurst’s book, “I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t,” and I’m pondering it with you today.

For Lent 2025, I’ll be writing new blog posts every day. I’m writing for just five unedited minutes on a quote of the day to deepen our faith in this Lenten season.

Day 5 of Lent 2025- March 9

I read this quote in Lysa TerKeurst’s book, “I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t.” It is just one of many quotes I highlighted, and you can see more helpful quotes from the book HERE.

Today’s quote is pulled from one of the last chapters in the book. It’s not given at the front of the book, because Lysa does a great job of affirming pain and doubt in the first three-quarters of the book. Then she gently guides you on how and why you need to rebuild trust.

Here’s a longer quote from this chapter on healing:

“Instead of focusing on all that was taken from me, maybe I could shift my focus to what this new season could give me.”

I’m pondering this truth carefully for this reason. In the past three years, every single time I’ve gone to a counseling session, I have faced high-level spiritual warfare. However, this week was the first time I didn’t face any huge fights with the enemy before, during, or after my appointment. This is a wonder to me.

I’m carefully wondering if God is inviting me to trust him again in a new season that won’t be fraught with constant trauma and spiritual warfare. I wonder if the lack of spiritual warfare is a sign that it’s a new season. I have other signs that God might even be restoring twice as much to me, as seen in this meme:

My trust in God must be rebuilt before my trust in people can be restored. I’m rebuilding my trust by taking baby steps forward in choosing hope that things will be better.

Do you need to dare to trust again, like I do? I highly recommend Lysa’s book as a companion to your regular rhythms of Bible reading, prayer, corporate worship, singing or listening to praise songs, and meditating on God’s Word. I hope this quote and post inspires new hope for you today.

Join me again tomorrow for another reflection on a different quote.

Find all my additional resources for Lent on this page.

Are You Looking for a Book Launch Manager or Virtual Assistant?

If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 50 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon. I’m also taking on new VA clients. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!

When Facing the Night is a quote I read in an important book last year, and I’m pondering it with you today.

For Lent 2025, I’ll be writing new blog posts every day. I’m writing for just five unedited minutes on a quote of the day to deepen our faith in this Lenten season.

Day 4 of Lent 2025- March 8

I read this quote in Alicia Britt Chole’s book, The Night is Normal. It’s one of my favorite books that I read in 2024, out of over 100 books. It helped me greatly through my dark night of the soul.

The full quote is this: “So, when facing the night, my friend, do not bail. Bloom.” The whole premise of the book is to commit and persist in our faith during dark seasons. Alicia says that certain faith muscles only develop in hard seasons. She also says that when hope feels out of reach for us, like it has for me many times in the past three years, it’s more important to persist in our faith. I wrote about this in another recent post, which you can read HERE.

This book is a comforting helper for dark seasons in your faith. It will not only affirm your pain, but direct you toward the light with true wisdom, not empty platitudes. I highly recommend you get a copy for yourself HERE.

Join me again tomorrow for another reflection on a different quote.

Find all my additional resources for Lent on this page.

Are You Looking for a Book Launch Manager or Virtual Assistant?

If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 50 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon. I’m also taking on new VA clients. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!

God Comes Where He Is Wanted is a quote I recently heard in a sermon, and I’m pondering it with you today.

For Lent 2025, I’ll be writing new blog posts every day. I’m writing for just five unedited minutes on a quote of the day to deepen our faith in this Lenten season.

Day 3 of Lent 2025- March 7

I heard this quote in the Ash Wednesday sermon at my church. My pastor quoted Jon Tyson, an influential New York City pastor. You can watch the fascinating sermon in which this quote is featured HERE.

I remember reading the chilling opposite of this quote in a C.S. Lewis book I read in college – “The doors of hell are locked on the inside.” This means the people who choose to oppose God choose by their own will.

However, today’s quote makes the positive side vivid. God comes where he is wanted. He longs for relationship with humans who crave his presence. He doesn’t want us to follow him out of duty or just as an insurance policy against going to hell. God wants us to want him, just like he wants us. True love is freely given on both sides.

The psalmist captures this longing in several places:

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

Psalm 42:2 NIV

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

Psalm 63:1 NIV

My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.

Isaiah 26:9a NIV

This quote and these scriptures force me to ask myself – do I long for God? Does he know that I want a relationship with him? Is this proven by my actions, not just by my wishes?

Just yesterday in a conversation with my counselor, I said that perhaps the reason I’ve felt God’s presence close by me every moment of the past three years of intense suffering is it’s a reward for my obedience. I decided even in the darkest times to keep up with my rhythms of reading morning devotions, praying intercessory prayers, singing praise songs, and attending corporate worship at my church. Even when I didn’t feel like doing these things because I felt betrayed by God, I kept up these rhythms for the future me, the one on the other side of all the suffering. I wanted to do her proud, and I wanted to do God proud too.

As I ponder this quote today, I am thinking more about how God came to me because he knew in my heart of hearts, even while I was ranting at him for the unfairness he was allowing in my life, I still wanted him. He knows my heart even better than I know it myself, and he honors my commitment to him no matter what happens.

I’m so glad that God comes where he is wanted even when we are going through the hardest times. He will honor our commitment to faith that demonstrates our fidelity to him. If we keep up the rhythms of faith, he will be faithful to us. I needed this reminder today, and perhaps you do too.

Join me again tomorrow for another reflection on a different quote.

Find all my additional resources for Lent on this page.

Are You Looking for a Book Launch Manager or Virtual Assistant?

If you’re launching a book in 2025 or beyond, be sure to book a call with me HERE to discuss your book launch. I’ve had over 50 clients since 2022, and I’d love to speak with you soon. I’m also taking on new VA clients. You can learn more and book a call with me on THIS PAGE.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

Also, if you make a purchase from any of the links on this post, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

I send my weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!