Category: Family

on • Amy Boucher Pye

As a hospice nurse, my sister Beth cares for people at the end of their lives, ministering God’s grace as she tends to their bodily needs, shows care and empathy, and manages their pain.

In contrast, I couldn’t enter the nursing profession—for one thing, I don’t have Beth’s patience. Nor would Beth want to speak to groups of people about God’s love, like I enjoy doing.

We may be different, but we love each other. My sister is also my friend.

Probably the best-known sisters in the Bible also exemplify a loving friendship—Martha and Mary. Today they’ve been turned into types: “Are you a Martha or a Mary?” (Luke 10.) 

But as we read their three gospel accounts (also John 11 and 12), we understand that they are fully orbed characters—women who love and grieve and question and serve.

They support each other, and their friendship with Jesus transforms them. For instance, consider how Martha lovingly calls Mary to their friend Jesus after their brother dies, and how Jesus responds.

As background, Jesus delayed coming to the sisters after they sent word that their brother was sick. We know now that he did so to bring glory to God, demonstrating that he is the resurrection and the life by raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43). But the sisters, as they wait for Jesus, feel betrayed and unseen by the One who loves them.

Forthright Martha, when she hears that Jesus has arrived outside the village, rushes to meet him. Through conversation he calls her out of her grief, affirming her statement of faith that he is the Messiah.

Martha then returns home to her grieving sister, who seems to have lost all hope. Drawing Mary aside from the other mourners, she gently shares that Jesus asks after her.

She’s deeply concerned for her, longing for her younger sister to enjoy the love that she’s received from Jesus.

Mary goes to him at once, throwing herself at his feet as she releases her deep sorrow over the death of her brother. And Jesus shares her grief in the shortest sentence in the Bible: “Jesus weeps” (John 11:35).

He then moves to the grave, where he raises Lazarus from the dead—an extreme act of love and restoration. In doing so, he fuels the anger of the religious leaders, who want him eliminated.

Jesus loves both the sisters and ministers to them differently in their grief. Just as he loves each of us individually, caring for us in the ways we need most.

I hope you can believe that Jesus will meet you where you are today, whatever your needs. Know that you can come to him with your most heart-wrenching statements, as the sisters did: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21).

You can dialog with him as Martha did (John 11:21–27). You can shower him with love like Mary did when she anointed him with pure nard (John 12:3).

In all the moments of your day, Jesus wants to be your friend.

As you consider your friendship with God, you might also want to ponder any sibling relationships you have. How could you pray for your sister or brother—or a beloved cousin or friend?

Jesus, as he pours out his love on you, might also want to love someone through you today. Know that he delights in you and will never leave you.

He will be your best friend.

*For further reflection, listen to John 11.

  1. John 11

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Adapted from Transforming Love: How Friendship with Jesus Changes Us (Our Daily Bread Publishing, 2023).

on • Abigail Alleman

The song “New Wine” begins

“In the crushing…In the pressing…You are making new wine.”

My early elementary report cards showed “outstanding” rankings, except for one “needs improvement” blot on my second-grade report card. The category described how I “handle disappointment.” Many were my youthful tears—whether shed behind a textbook, on the sidelines of lacrosse, or upon my bed. From my early days, I did not handle disappointment well.

Jesus talked about the need for “new wineskins” with new wines. (Matthew 9:17) The old wineskins would no longer suffice because the new wine would bust them wide open.

In the same way, as an adult, I needed to learn to let go of what I thought my life was supposed to be—the old wineskins—and embrace the reality of entirely new wineskins and the new wines they would hold.

Crushing and pressing are involved in making new wine. On the heels of two very crushing experiences, I faced a continual need to surrender in order to fully produce this new wine, and it all felt so disappointing.

Disappointment never crushed me more than when we had to leave our life in Hungary after I experienced my first mental health crisis.

However, amid all the horrible lies I heard during my manic episode in Orlando, God whispered more fervently, “Endure, beloved, endure.”

I didn’t know what this message meant except that I needed to hold tightly and remember that God was real despite all the lies.

All I could do was seek to hang on to the overarching truth of Christ’s redemption.Christ’s remarkable story would win in my life and in all things.

Sometimes, dear reader, this is all we can do.

With something like mental illness, when our minds are sponges for deception, we have to trust the greater truth of God. He is present beyond every crushing experience, making new wine for us and within us. And not just any wine, but full-bodied, rich, exquisite wine that will one day be served at the great feast of God in the new heaven and new Earth.

As we walk this long road home, there may be many times God calls us to endure. Every one of our beliefs may be tested, but our deepest truths can come to life in this pressing time.

We are made for God, and he will have us forever, basking in his love’s beauty and heavens’ fullness. Moreover, this new wine he makes of us will bear the stunning story of his beauty replacing the ashes of our sorrow.

*For further reflection, listen to Matthew 9.

  1. Matthew 9

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Adapted from A Million Skies: Secure in God’s Strength When Your Mind Can’t Rest © Abigail Alleman, 2022.

on • Toni Collier

We’ve all had that friend—

  • who had a life-threatening disease,
  • who lost a family member or
  • who has experienced abuse.

Still, she can put her faith in Jesus and use her pain to help others.

Those people know there’s a sovereign God who gives us hope when all seems lost.

“I look up to the mountains–does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” Psalm 121:1-2

How can we be women of hope?

It’s one thing to wish for a better life and another to be assured of a better life—because you’ve experienced the hope of God.

So, what does a hope-filled life look like? You can expect it to be hard in some moments. I know that’s not the best thing to read right after you’ve proclaimed hope. But I’m not here to sell you falsehoods.

When hard times come, you can also expect to endure them through a lens of hope. Remember the promise in Philippians 1:6, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Let’s say you suffer a financial loss. Instead of allowing financial stress to consume you, take this heavy burden to the feet of Jesus, to your safe community, and to your counselor. You will find hope for those parts of you, and you will pick up your head and pursue other means for your financial needs.

If you go through a hard breakup, it’s ok to spend some days curled up in a ball, crying—but you can’t stay there. (And you probably shouldn’t call your ex.)

Instead of begging to be taken back, producing more wounds of rejection and abandonment, you will take your heartache to the Lover of your soul, your Heavenly Father, who freely offers intimacy whenever you need it. You will know that while being lonely is a real feeling, you are never, ever alone.

When despair settles in, you will remember that the closer you are to God, the closer you are to joy. When any form of darkness comes into your life, the same God who brought you out of you troubles will do it again.

He can handle your sorrow and is not afraid of your sadness.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6

When you claim the promise of hope and allow God to strengthen your faith, you will be that woman people look at and say, “Wow, she’s got bruised knuckles and a hope she’s fought for. But, she’s fighting through all of it, with Jesus leading the way, and she ain’t giving up!”

Living in hope is not easy, but it’s so worth it.

*For further reflection, listen to Philippians 4.

  1. Philippians 4

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Please enjoy more of Toni’s heart in our interview with her by clicking here!

Adapted from Brave Enough to Be Broken by Toni Collier Copyright © 2022 by Toni Collier. Used by permission of Nelson Books.

on • Ruth Kramer

“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly, the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39)

I woke up one Saturday morning with my “to-do” list racing in my head. Twenty minutes later, I fell back in bed with exhaustion. I had picked up a terrible stomach bug. Sleep felt like relief from my utter wretchedness.

The day passed in the shadows when suddenly my husband rushed into our room, alerting me, “Ruthie, I’m sorry to bug you, but I need help.” Instantly awake, I asked him a few key questions. I was shocked to see my stoic husband groaning in pain. I called 911 and desperately tried to convey his condition. Finally, when he could not stand upright, I hurried, grabbed his wallet and daily prescriptions, and called my 33-year-old stepson.

As I waited, I sensed “God’s calm” come over me.

Soon, EMTs arrived while I was talking to my stepson. After that, a team of paramedics arrived, and I was suddenly having three conversations simultaneously.

Amid the crisis, I still faced my severe stomach issues. But, as quickly as I could, I ran from my bathroom back to my husband as the paramedics asked important questions, tore open medical packages, and hooked him up to beeping machines.

A few minutes later, the paramedics whisked him out the door and away in the ambulance. Unfortunately, because of my illness, I could not go with him. I frantically prayed and depended on my stepson to update me.

Surgeons put in a stent. Then, a day after my own stomach flu passed, I finally saw him! Amazingly, he arrived home just 48 hours later. He is part of the 12 percent who survived this type of heart attack.

I name that entire experience “a storm of life.”

And through it all, I felt supernatural peace. It is the kind of peace that passes understanding and allows for a clear mind, when Jesus takes control.

So the next time a crisis surrounds you, take a moment and focus on Jesus to calm the storm in your life.

Be in the presence of Jesus and experience his calm.

*For deeper reflection, listen to Mark 4 today.

on • L Michelle Salvant

There’s a Life that Jesus died for us to have.

It’s already set, already in Place,

a Life of Promises fulfilled,

where Good Cheer prevails,

despite the Trials and Tribulations we see.

It’s the simple Life of Faith and Grace that is easily preached.

Yet, it is more complex to Live,

especially on a daily basis.

I found this out first hand recently when my pastor came to stay at our house for a few days. During the first night, my family and I were excited to have our special guest staying at our home. 

However, by the second day, the excitement began to wane and our daily routine started to kick in. And with it, came our normal daily challenges that often turned into disagreements. I almost always ended up saying things I should not have said.

This time, my Pastor was there to witness it first hand, but didn’t say a word, instead, just observed. The next day, she lovingly talked to me privately about what she witnessed and reminded me it’s our daily lives that bear witness to what we truly believe.

John 10:10 says Jesus came

to give us a Rich and Satisfying Life.

But how do we Tap into this?

How do we Experience Christ in Everyday Life?

Enter Grace.

Looking over my Life,

how quickly things can change day by day,

I cannot obtain All God has for me

by my works Alone.

“And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.” (Romans 11:6)

This Faith Life is activated

by what we Believe of God’s Word.

His Word tells us

what we Achieve is by His Grace.

His Word reminds us that God’s Grace is all we need. His power works best in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Enter Faith.

So as our daily lives continue to take shape,

let us be Reminded that

God is really looking for our Faith.

“But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” (Luke 18:8b)

At the end of the day,

This is what will be

Pleasing in God’s sight.

Let’s stay in Faith and be Encouraged in Grace.

*For deeper reflection, listen to 2 Corinthians 12.

on • Anjelina Maldonado

I recently helped my parents pack up my childhood home. Full of emotions, we looked through old memorabilia, including my mom’s beautiful china. I’ve secretly hoped to inherit this beautiful set someday, so I bravely asked my mom. To my surprise, she said yes!

We then had to box it up for its trek across the country. We used so much bubble wrap to pack every delicate dish. Then, to assure it all arrived intact, my parents flew with the box in a suitcase surrounded by padded foam. It was a huge ordeal

We put so much work into this china. However, do you want to know how I packed their coffee mugs? I stacked them, threw a towel on top, and taped the box shut. And don’t even get me started on all the disposable cups my mom had. We just threw those on top of the heap of boxes!

What was the difference between all these cups? Their value.

Disposable cups are just that, disposable. If a coffee mug breaks, there are several others to take its place. But handcrafted china from 40 years ago? That is irreplaceable and valuable.

2 Timothy 2:20-21 shares this very sentiment.

“In a wealthy home some utensils are made of silver and gold, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.”

We’re challenged to keep ourselves pure and ready for the Master’s good work.

People may label you as disposable or replaceable, or you may even place that value on yourself. However, you are so valuable. Why? God chose no other person to be you, but you! He personally created and crafted you to share His love with those around you.

So today, I ask you to think of the most precious item you have and know that God thinks of you as so much more valuable than it. You are His unique gift to the world. We are so blessed to have you!

*For deeper reflection, listen to 2 Timothy 2.