Easter is upon us. It humbles me to the core to imagine what the Savior endured to save me, and you . .  .  and to secure a way out of the harmful experiences that come with living in a fallen world. Because He died and rose again, we are able to rise above abuse, betrayal, and addiction.

Because we have Easter. We have hope.

What do you hope for today?

One of the most challenging aspects of healing from something painful is how frustrating it is to have a set back after a season of cherished peace.

In my own experience, I would say to myself: I thought I was healed. Why is this happening? Don't be alarmed if you're asking yourself the same questions. Any measure of healing given by the Healer is authentic. But because He is gentle with us, He heals in His own time-line; layer by layer.

I encourage you to view additional pain positively. It's a sign that you're ready to heal more thoroughly. In other words, the territory in your heart is being expanded by God. What you identify as new pain, is really more of what has hurt you in the past and it must go. He loves you that much.

Take heart if you're having one of "those" days. Be kind to yourself. Today, think of an act of kindness you can bestow upon yourself. It can be something simple, like treating yourself to an ice cream cone or new nail polish.

Think of ways this act of kindness can be shared with loved ones. Perhaps a friend would enjoy a trip to get ice cream, too. Little girls love to paint their nails as big girls. Give it a try, you're worth it!

Second Chronicles says, "The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

It doesn't say, "to strengthen those who always respond to life's challenges with a graceful Christian countenance." We're human. Sometimes we screw up. Sometimes we need our attitudes adjusted. Sometimes we miss the mark. Sometimes our best efforts  disappoint others. But no matter the circumstances, if we keep our hearts open to the love of God, then we receive what we need most during trying times . . . God's immeasurable, unfailing love. Refuge for our troubled souls. We are renewed.

The love of God strengthens those who find refuge in the humble confession that we are weak and prone to wonder. How amazing is the Grace that seeks to strenghten us with His love, no matter the circumstances.

Let God love you today. Don't beat yourself up for the mistakes you've made. Fully committ your heart to Him (the good, the bad, and ugly) and you will overcome.

Page will update this afternoon!

Okay, it's 8:30 pm. What can I say, life kept happening today. Tonight's update will have to serve as tomorrow's as well. My son has strep throat.

This is an excerpt from a letter Kelly Minter, author of No Other God's printed in her Bible study. A friend of hers, who is a missionary wrote this and I love it!

"If it be any encouragement to you all, this is what I saw, especially in America: pain (deep, private, unanticipated, suffocating) met with stubborn hope (white-knuckled clinging to Him, rock-bottom conviction that His offer of Reconciliation is the only viable option, and a willingness to risk believing that Redemption is not only something that means we get to go to heaven, but something that He is passionate to carry out now, in specific situations, to make things show His brand of beauty--in which a healed relationship or person can reflect more glory than one who never knew brokenness.) [end of excerpt]

Ask God to reveal His brand of beauty in your circumstances. Ladies, my life is proof, Christ can create beauty from a breakdown. Bless you, today. Bless you, everyday.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid, Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:2-4)

Think of this scripture as a promise. I can't promise that if you speak it out loud today, that tonight you will sleep and that it will be sweet. But I can promise what God promises to all who determine to seek Him and trust Him with their pain: There will come a day that when you lie down, you will not be afraid, and yes, your sleep will be sweet. Don't give up five minutes before the miracle.

My prayer for you today: Lord, lead the broken-hearted to truth that will set them free. Cast out their fears with Your perfect love and give them rest. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 . . . The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:8)

Sometimes we feel alone. We wonder if our efforts are seen by God.

I remember feeling alone. Wondering if God saw me trying so hard, as my husband continued to relapse in his addiction. His last relapse was the most painful of them all. I knew I was destined to write for the purpose of giving others hope. How can I continue to write about healing if he continues to relapse? 

Together, we made an appointment to speak to a pastor. As we waited, the pastor's assistant chatted with us. She told us about a time in her life when everything she'd worked for fell apart before her very eyes. But it was her reaction to the crisis that changed me forever. She prayed. Not for a different set of circumstances. Not for a way out. She simply prayed Lord, I have faithfully been about Your business, now I ask You to be about mine.

I knew right then what I needed to do. What I needed to pray. And so when I got home, I prayed that prayer. I continued to do what God led me to do each day and I let go of the rest. I let go and let God, like never before. To date, my husband has not relapsed and God continues to restore the damage from addiction and past child abuse.

I learned a valuable lesson. When you've done all you can do, stand in faith. Trust that God has your back. Are you willing to believe that the glory of the Lord is your rear guard? You are not alone.

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 3:10 NKJV)

Hope flows naturally to a humble heart. When painful memories or circumstances bring feelings of despair, simply kneel before the Lord--a humble posture will position you to receive the strength you need to carry on.  

I encourage you to try it everyday for one week. Set aside one full minute each day to kneel before God  without speaking. Simple. Bend your knees, bow your head, close your mouth. You will experience His loving kindness.