This is a sweet book and reminder to look for God's hand in our life, everywhere, and to trust Him. Here are some favorite quotes:
"In the busyness of our daily lives, in the challenges and surprises we often face, we don't always have a sense of Christ's nearness... What if we watched for Him at home and at work, and everywhere we went?"
"God created each of us with unique gifts and talents that we can use for His glory. When we discover what they are, and joyfully use them, we honor Him and are blessed in return (p. 5)."
"Heavenly Father, help us to listen to our hearts and to Your still, small voice so we can discover the purpose for which You created us. Help us to find the work You created us to do (p. 6)."
"Dreams aren't always instantly fulfilled. Maybe God delays them so that we will learn to call on Him and to trust Him (p. 9)."
"Heavenly Father, we want instant results, and You want a relationship with us. You want us to hear Your voice and to trust Your perfect timing. Help us to use our times of waiting, and disappointment, and frustration to draw closer to You (p. 10)."
"At the moment, I'm waiting for several urgent prayers to be answered. A job opportunity for a loved one. My friends' six-month-old granddaughter who needs a liver transplant. A friend's husband who is battling cancer. For a friend awaiting a biopsy report. These are only a few of many. And don't we all have similar lists (p. 11)?"
"If I had no memory of the countless spring-times and summer-times that have followed winter in the past, I would sink into despair to imagine the world forever looking this way... remembering gives me hope (p. 12)."
"Hope also comes in the form of the prayer journal I keep so I can look back on the many prayers that God has answered in the past (p. 12)."
"'Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord' (Psalm 27:14, p. 13)."
"Thank you, Lord, for always hearing our prayers. As I wait for your answers, help me to remember that You are a faithful, loving God. You always know the best way and the perfect time to answer each one (p. 13)."
"Lord Jesus, I pray that You will help me to see the bruised reeds all around me and to love them as You do. Give me a heart of compassion to tend and nurture these bruised ones the way You would (p. 16)."
"'Do not neglect your gift' (1 Timothy 4:14, p. 17)."
"Many people... aren't even aware that God has given a gift to each of us, the most important one being the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ (p. 18)."
"Why not be like a child and tear into the gift that your loving Heavenly Father has delighted in giving you? Please don't wait another day (p. 19)!"
"As my faith grew, God helped me to conquer my fear (p. 21)."
"'I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength' (Philippians 4:13, p. 21)."
"That Christmas in Bogota was different from any other... We didn't have a Christmas tree. There were no decorations... no presents... no family gatherings. Yet in that simplicity, I found the true meaning of Christmas--a helpless child, a Father's love (p. 27)."
"Every year at Christmas, I pray that I can let go of all the trappings... for just a few moments, and remember how it felt to hold a helpless child in my arms, a child I loved with all that I am. Like Mary, I want to treasure up these things and ponder them in my heart... What if, not only at Christmas, but during all of our stressful, busy days, we set aside a few moments to ponder in our hearts the unfathomable love of God (p. 27)?"
"Love, help me to slow down today so I can treasure the wonder of Your love for me (p. 28)."
"There will probably never come a time when every issue in my life is perfectly resolved, but I hope I can look back and see how God has been shaping me, using my struggles to make me more like Christ (p. 31)."
"Search for that hidden treasure of God's image (p. 35)."
"Lord Jesus, thank You for paying the price to rescue me when I was lost and unlovable. All that I have and all that I am today are because of Your great love for me (p. 38)."
"He showed me how powerful it can be to simply tell others what God has done in my life. I don't need to memorize verses or have a theology degree, but simply tell my story and remind people that God loves them (p. 40)."
"God gives each of us an 'audience' to reach out to, whether at work or at school, at home or in the marketplace... Am I taking advantage of the places God takes me and the people He puts in my path to bring Him glory? Do I take time to offer a word of encouragement (p. 41)?"
"Once we put our story into words, it becomes much easier to recall and retell it whenever a situation arises... We don't need to recite a host of Bible verses or debate theology... All we need to do is share our story of how Christ came into our life and changed us (p. 44)."
"Lord, thank You for loving me and changing my life. Please help me to put my testimony into words so that I will be ready and willing to boldly share with others what You have so graciously done for me (p. 44)."
"It's in these times of wrestling that we often find ourselves drawing closer to God (p. 49)."
"Speak to us, Lord, and give us the faith to persevere through those difficult times, knowing that You have a plan and a purpose for each of our lives that goes beyond what we can see (p. 50)."
"Lord Jesus, I know You want my life to be fruitful. Please help me to see the weeds that are hindering my growth and to get rid of them. Help me not to fear Your season of pruning, but to remember that it's for my good and Your glory (p. 53)."
"There are always two loaves as a reminder that when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness with Moses, God provided twice as much manna on the eve of the Sabbath so the people could enjoy a day of rest (p. 55)."
"The bread and wine had been bought with a great price. Now he invited me to come and to enjoy a time of close fellowship with Him (p. 56)."
"'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' It's an invitation well worth accepting (p. 56)."
"Build your marriage on the foundation of Christ (p. 58)."
"My second secret to a long and happy marriage is to take time to prayerfully plan and dream together (p. 59)."
"'You might be the only Bible that your neighbor will ever read (p. 67).'"
"Never stop praying for family members to give their lives to Christ, no matter how long it takes. I'm praying that I'll find the right opportunity and the right words to say, and to do so in a loving way (p. 71)."
"The Jewish people live in booths to remember how God watched over them and protected them and provided all their needs while they wandered in the wilderness for forty years... One of the 'rules' for creating an authentic sukkah is that the roof cannot be totally enclosed. You're supposed to be able to see the sky and the stars overhead when you look up, and remember that God is watching over you. He's got you covered (p. 74)."
"I find it interesting that God made celebrating Sukkot a commandment. That's how important He thought it was that His people take time to stop and remember everything He has done for us. To remember how He has provided everything we need--including a bountiful harvest. In the description of the feast in Leviticus God says several times to cease working! That is a day of rest! You shall do no work! That's an act of trust. We can stop working--He has us covered (p. 74)."
"We need to remind ourselves that the world won't stop spinning if we take a day of rest from our work. God has everything under control... There is no limit to His ability to supply all of our needs if we simply trust and obey--the way the Israelites did when they lived in tents in the wilderness (p. 75)."
"We all need the Holy Spirit's power to accomplish the work God gives us to do. I sometimes forget that, and I try to.... rely... on my own experience and knowledge instead of the Spirit's inspiration. No wonder I huff and puff (p. 78)!"
"Mom's love of books began when she discovered the public library as a girl during the Great Depression (p. 80)."
"Mom showed me that if there's something you want to do... then why not sit down and do it (p. 81)?"
"She has experienced hard times and losses over the years--a stillborn baby, a life-threatening illness, my dad's early death at age 62, my sister Bonnie's tragic death from cancer... Mom's faith in a loving God has never wavered (p. 82)."
"Heavenly Father, we thank You for the godly people You placed in our lives at just the right time and in just the right place (p. 82)."
"When we fail to stay behind the orange safety cones that God has given us in His Word--or when we foolishly try to move them--we are in danger. And to do so for something that won't bring long-lasting satisfaction is foolish in deed (p. 85)."
"How blessed our lives can be when we choose to walk with Christ, the Light of the World (p. 85)>"
"Heavenly Father... Help us to remember that Your laws are given to us in love, so that we may live the good life You have planned for us. And help us to turn away from the glittering temptations that will do us harm (p. 86)."
"Everyone has to discover the best way they personally recharge (p. 87)."
"'We have to come to Him in humility, acknowledging our helplessness and our utter dependence on Him... If we have given our lives to Him, we are able to accept everything that happens to us as from His hands... You can choose to trust His faithfulness in every detail of your life (Elisabeth Elliot, p. 92).'"
"Ultimately, my life doesn't belong to me, but to God, who has redeemed it through His Son (p. 93)."
"I'm grateful for the reminder of God's power and my own helplessness (p. 93)."
"It's time for me to stop 'doing church' and get involved with the world around... in the same way Jesus did (p. 96)."
"Why not stay in safe waters? Because sometimes complacency masks a lack of faith... Faith grows the most during times of change (p. 97)."
"'When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you (p. 97).'"
"How in the world can I fix my eyes on something that can't be seen (p. 98)?"
"I'm taking time to reminisce about all my experiences, looking for the 'unseen' blessing in each circumstance (p. 100)."
"Lord God, it's so difficult, at times, to see our circumstances through eyes of faith--and so easy to judge merely by what our senses tell us. Help me to remember Your faithfulness in the past, and to trust that Your sight is far greater than mine (p. 100)."
"Our faith has been strengthened after sensing God's presence throughout the crisis and knowing that He hears and answers our prayers (p. 106)."
"Where have you seen God at work when your plans were changed (p. 107)?"
"My faith is always nourished when I take time to reflect on my journey with God and think about the lessons He has taught me along the way... Describe your life's journey in ten words (p. 109)."
"Remembering gives us hope. God was with us. He is with us now. And He will be with us in the future until the end of our days (p. 110)."
"What task requiring courage and faith might God be asking of me (p. 115)?"
"I can delude myself into thinking I'm a pretty good Christian on the outside, all cleaned up and looking good--until Christ shines His light and reveals my spots and streaks (p. 117)."
"God has given each of us a job to do... When we do His work joyfully and for His glory, serving others in His name, the rewards we will receive in return will be beyond all of our expectations (p. 126)."
"Springs returns once the earth tilts back again (p. 128)."
"The best way I know to measure growth is to look for fruit in my life, using the familiar list in Galatians 5:22 as my guide (p. 128)."
"Which one of these fruits of the Spirit do you most want to cultivate this spring? How might you take the first step (p. 129)?"
"It requires discipline to become more like Christ, but thankfully, we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us (p. 132)."
"The rabbi believed that subduing the earth means we're supposed to use our natural curiosity and sense of adventure to explore the world and learn everything we can about it (p. 147)."
"'The aim of the person of faith is not to be as comfortable as possible but to live as deeply and thoroughly as possible--to deal with the reality of life, discover truth, create beauty, act out love... The only opportunity you will ever have to live by faith is in the circumstances you are provided this very day (Eugene Peterson, p. 148).'"
"Heavenly Father, sometimes we are so afraid to risk living deeply and loving others. Help us to remember that You provide the courage and faith to do the work You have for us to do--today. Lord, give me the faith and courage to move mountains in Your name (p. 149)."
"'Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?' (1 Corinthians 3:16, p. 151)"
"Lord Jesus, please help me to remember that the trials you bring my way can be used by You to shape me into the person You desire me to be (p. 152)."
"Are you happy with how things are right now? What would you like to change? Which steps can you take to make change happen and get on track with God's purposes for your life (p. 154)?"
"'Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord' (Psalm 27:14, p. 155)."
"I wonder how God wants us to use our gifts today to share His great love with a hurting world (p. 159)?"
"Change is God's template for our lives... Change will be good for me, not something to fear. It will strip away my self-sufficiency and self-reliance and force me to lean on God, to pray more, to trust Him, and to walk in faith with the One who invented change (p. 162)."
"'Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven (p. 166).'"
"God was still in control... sometimes I'm slow-witted about these things... if He wanted me there, I would get there. And if He had another plan for the brunch tomorrow, then all the worrying in the world wouldn't make a bit of difference (p. 173)."
"God is in control--and I'm not Him (p. 174)."
"Why do worry and fear always go hand-in-hand? The enemy constantly uses these two temptations in my life. But I've discovered a handy weapon to use when I'm tempted. It's the same weapon Jesus used when the enemy tempted Him in the wilderness: The Word of God (p. 177)."
"'Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near' (Philippians 4:4-5, p. 181)."
"Why were the people being so nice? Was it a trick? A scam? Did they want something from me? Sadly, I've built a huge wall of skepticism after living in an unfriendly metropolitan area for the past twenty-two years. But those walls were quickly toppling... As I was writing this morning, one of our neighbors came to the door with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. He'd just picked them from his garden. For us (p. 183)!"
"'A cheerful heart is good medicine' (Proverbs 17:22)... 'You cannot be the person God wants you to be if you keep yourself aloof from others.' So I've been practicing my smile. I've decided I want a dose of God's medicine (p. 183)."
"Heavenly Father, I pray that the love and joy and peace that I've found in Christ will radiate from my soul for everyone to see. Help me to really notice the people I meet, and to see Your image in each one (p. 183)."
"Sometimes it's easy to miss the miraculous in the details of daily living, but as I re-read my journal for the year, God's hand became amazingly clear (p. 184)."
"Looking back at answered prayers in the past gives me faith to believe that God will answer my future prayers too (p. 185)."
"'A brand new year. I can't imagine what it will bring, but I'll trust in God. I long to live intentionally, to enjoy life every day, and not simply mark time on a calendar or check off a to-do list.' Little did I know all the places I would go or how much I would need to trust Him (p. 185)!"
"Lord Jesus, thank You for always answering my prayers, even when it isn't the answer I expected. Help me to remember that you can see the future--and I can't. Help me to trust that You know what's best for me in every circumstance (p. 186)."
"The trials we face build character--and often reveal our characters (p. 188)."
"I hope I'm remembered for showing the love of Christ to others (p. 189)."
"Those of us who know the beauty and joy of God's unfailing love--aren't we supposed to generously give it away to everyone around us (p. 194)?"
"Lord, open my eyes, today, to see who needs to be touched by Your love. Then give me the courage and grace to love as You do (p. 195)."
"Stop and make a list of all the ways God has shown His love to you (p. 198)."
"I can't keep even one of these resolutions without God's help (p. 203)."
"The Israelites traveled through this same wilderness on their way to the Promised Land--and don't we all want to end up, in the place where God wants us to be? But first we sometimes have to trek through dry, difficult places (p. 206)."
"Heavenly Father, thank You for providing for us, even when we find ourselves in desert places. Help us to see Your hand, pointing the way for us to go. Help us to trust You to lead us (p. 208)."
"'What's your mother's name?... If she'll pray for me, I'll pray for her' (p. 217)."
"He loved her and was listening to her every word when she prays. He truly did hear all of her prayers, even the unanswered ones (p. 219)."
"The God who is listening is a God of small miracles as well as big ones (p. 219)."
"When our prayers go unanswered, help us to trust that Your miracle is waiting just around the corner (p. 220)."
"We don't have to make this journey by ourselves. Jesus asks us to take our turn guiding others who are a little behind us on the journey (p. 222)."
"I think Jesus is pleased when we volunteer to... care for the stragglers. It's hard to be patient... But a good Sweep shares the Shepherd's heart for the lost (p. 223)."
"'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths' (Proverbs 3:6, p. 224)."
"I keep a prayer journal to write down people and circumstances I'm praying for. The journal reminds me of them when I sit down to pray during my quiet times... I also leave space... to record how and when God answers (p. 225)."
"Take note of all the 'God sightings' in your life... Write down scripture verses that build your faith. Keep them in a handy place (p. 226)."