Deuteronomy 2: 1-2 NIV – Then we turned back and set out toward the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea, as the Lord had directed me. For a long time, we made our way round the hill country for Seir. Then the Lord said to me, “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north”.

We as God’s children have a renewed life under His blessings. For generations to come, we continue to see His provisions. Today, this week, this month, or even this year you may feel like you cannot hear or see those blessings and provisions. Think of how the Israelites felt after wandering for 40 years.

Do you ever feel like you are wandering around in fear and worry? When my Dad was diagnosed with cancer, it was the Holy Spirit that guided my eyes to a Run for God book that had been perfectly placed on my parent’s shelf. It was like God was telling me to turn north after wandering in that fear and worry while we waited for the next step. Thanks to God and running, I was able to channel my fears and worries through prayer and worship.

We are all waiting on something. Waiting for a diagnosis. Waiting on a house to sell. Waiting on a marriage to mend. Waiting on a child to return home. Waiting for direction from God. While we are waiting, we can be listening and looking to God. He always uses our seasons of waiting for His glory and our good. He may just be telling you to turn north, wherever your north may be. Let’s pray through Proverbs 3:5-6. 

Dear God, I trust in You Lord with all my heart. Help me not to lean on my own understanding. Help me in all my ways to submit to Your plans. I ask that You make my paths straight. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 40:2 NIV – He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

It is so easy to get stuck in a routine that we can fall into a pit. My routine might look like this: have my morning devotion, eat breakfast, pack lunch, and go to work. I might use my lunch break to run errands or come home to clean. After work, I return home to go for a run, cook dinner, and maybe have a meeting at church or assist a family member. Finishing off the day with a cup of coffee while watching TV or reading before going to bed. It is the same process all over again tomorrow. Does this sound familiar? Before I know it, I find myself in the pit of routine. 

Thankfully, not only can God lift us from our pit of routine but He can also refresh us by putting a new song in our mouths. In Psalm 40:3 NIV: “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the lord and put their trust in him”. In Ray’s photo today you will notice an old, long dock with birds perched. Sometimes the road to our pit is longer and takes more time. I imagine those birds to be singing a beautiful song along the way. Just like those birds, God will allow His word,  people, places, and things for us to find a joyful song. Will you allow God to lift you out of your pit and put a new song in your mouth? 

Let’s pray: Dear God, Thank You for pulling me out of my pit. Thank You for the new song that only you can put in my mouth. I praise You for both the monotonous routines and the adventurous ones. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 77:19 NIV – Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

Ever had a piece of clay, such as a mug, mean so much to you? When you see the mug’s image or words they are comforting or bring back a flood of memories. Often those memories, partnered with what is in that mug, like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, can bring us joy. One day I came across a mug with the Footprints In the Sand poem which derives from our key verse in Psalms. This poem had become words my Dad clung to during his battle with Pancreatic Cancer. These words still mean so much to me today.

God had led Moses, Aaron, and the Israelites to safety through the Red Sea. The sea then closed up before the Egyptians could reach them. Meanwhile, God’s footprints were not seen. Just like a clay pot can be molded and remolded, trials or grief strikes and I am like a piece of clay cracked with sorrow, watered with tears, and remolded with God’s grace. Each day we have the choice to step into the Potter’s hands and let Him continually mold us. We read in Isaiah 64:8 NIV: “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand”.

During my See You Saturday video on May 13th, I talked about how we can grieve many different people, things, or situations. We may be grieving the loss of an animal, a broken marriage, the death of a loved one, canceled plans, a wayward child, or the guilt we often impose upon ourselves. Whatever grief you find yourself in today, intentionally start each day by stepping into the Potter’s hands. He is waiting to hold you in the palm of His hand. I encourage you to listen to the poem with the song: “Footprints In The Sand” by Edgel Groves.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for walking with me, even when I can’t see or feel You. Thank You for molding and making me through all of life’s joys and trials that have made me who I am today. Help me to step into Your hands as You continually mold me and carry me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Join me for See You Saturday as I share on gentleness, goodness, and joy.

1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬ ‭God’s Word — But you, man of God, must avoid these things. Pursue what God approves of: a godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

Psalm‬ ‭23‬:‭6‬ ‭Eastern Standard Version — Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Nehemiah‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬ ‭New International Version — Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
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Proverbs 4:23 NIV — Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Guard: Watch over in order to protect or control.

In reading today’s key verse and definition, is it easier to receive and give grace? Everything flows from the heart and this includes grace. One of my favorite songs is “You Say” by Lauren Daigle. She sings; “In you, I find my worth, in you, I find my identity.” Do You look to God for your worth and identity?

Take a moment to look at Ray’s photo of these yummy chocolate candies. It appears the M&M’s are flowing from the chocolate. When we find our worth and identity in Christ Jesus, His sweet grace flows from our hearts. How have you done with giving grace this past week? How have you done with receiving God’s grace? Maybe we need to ask God to open our hearts so that we can share His sweet spirit with others.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for watching over and protecting me. I ask that You guard my heart so that I can share Your sweet spirit with others. May I always remember to look to You for my worth and identity. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

1 John 3:1 NIV —  See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Love: An intense feeling or deep affection.

In reading today’s key verse and definition of love, is it easier to receive and give grace? God loves us so much that He identifies us as His children. I see our identities built in the lineage of Christ Jesus. Our identities are not dependent on our past, nor do they need to be tied to our future, but rather the gifts we offer in the present moment of today. So here it goes; my name is Julie Wicker and I am a child of God. I am a wife and a mother. I am a daughter and a sister. I am a niece and an aunt. I am a sister-in-law and a cousin. I am a church member. I am a friend and a co-worker. I am a runner. Identity is the characteristics determining who or what a person is.

Take a moment to look at Ray’s photo of the beach. In recent years as I have walked the beaches, God spoke to me that we are just like the broken seashells on the shore. Our God is bigger than the ocean that holds them, just as God is bigger than any fears and the brokenness we may feel. Are you feeling fearful or broken? Have you acknowledged that God is bigger than those feelings? Have you claimed your identity in Christ Jesus?

Let’s pray. Dear God, I surrender all my fears and brokenness over to You. I acknowledge that You’re bigger than anything I am going through. I seek Your grace. I claim the identity I have in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Matthew 17:20 NIV — “He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.””

Mustard seeds: Small round seeds of various mustard plants. The seeds are usually about 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter and may be colored from yellowish-white to black. 

In reading today’s key verse and definition of mustard seeds, is it easier to receive and give grace? You might ask, what do mustard seeds and moving mountains have to do with grace and identity? Interwoven in our identities needs to be mustard seeds of faith so that we can have God going before us, around us, and through us. Often we think we are not worthy of the mountain moving. That’s where grace steps in.

Take a moment to look at Ray’s picture of the mountains. Notice all the valleys and peaks. Receiving and giving grace needs to happen in both our highs and lows. Where could you use mustard seeds in your life? When your faith doesn’t seem to measure up, are you turning to God for help? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for millimeter faith. I ask You to go before me, around me, and through me. Help me to feel worthy of mountain moving through your perfect grace. May I share in Your glory through my highs and lows. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.