Category: Uncategorized

Two-minute read.

Our best friend laid his life down for us, Jesus. We will find no one who loves us more than He does, and the Lord set an example for friendship that few can follow. Periodically, stories of heroism emerge when someone lays their life down for another. Members of the military do it every day for our country. And the sacrifice our military make affects the lives of their families as well. Living in a military area, I have several friends whose husbands leave for deployments that last up to a year. No greater love exists than laying down one’s life for another.

In practice, we lay down our lives for our friends when we put their needs before our own. Putting aside our desires to help another demonstrates true friendship. When my nephew died, I will never forget a friend from high school who drove eight hours to attend his memorial. Even though we hadn’t seen or talked to him in years, when he heard the tragic news, he put aside everything going on in his life and came.

My husband demonstrates his friendship with me regularly. In my most recent episode with a chest cold, he went to the store and got me chicken noodle soup, medicine, and all I needed to get well. Refusing to leave my side, he stayed close, making sure I didn’t want a thing. Marriage means putting your spouse’s needs before your own and doing for them what they can’t do for themselves.

Finding ways to lay our lives down for others helps us develop friendships that will last. God created us for community, designing us to need each other. When we take care of others, they take care of us. Like Ron caring for me during my illness, I care for him when he gets sick. We take turns cooking and doing the chores around the house, and actively find ways to serve each other.

Friends look out for each other. Strive to serve others, finding ways to lighten their loads, and loving them as Jesus loved us. The Lord went to the cross for us, giving His life so we can have eternal life with Him. Willingly, He sacrificed, and we should do the same. Becoming more like Christ means laying down our lives for our friends and loving them with all we have.

Journal Questions:

In what ways do you consider Jesus your best friend?

How can you become more like Christ today?

List practical ways you can lay your life down for your friends.

Friendship Application:

Put aside your desires and find ways to serve your friends.

Two-minute read.

Keeping promises and showing up, even when it hurts, grows us. Recently, I committed to helping a friend entering a new chapter of life. Tag-teaming with another friend, we decided to make a monetary gift. But then life happened, and I forgot to follow up. When my friend texted to ask how much money she owed me, it reminded me that I didn’t do the legwork on the project, so she agreed to do it.

“I’m going to give $100. What do you want to give?” She texted me.

Initially, I had planned to give a quarter of that amount, but then I thought of today’s verse and matched her gift. Pondering on today’s scripture, I thought about making rash promises and having to keep them. Knowing I kept my promise, even though I gave more than I could afford at the time, it helped me grow and mature. When we make promises without thinking and must pay the price of our impulsiveness, we grow. From the situation, we learn to think before we commit. And as we become known for keeping our word, we will gain respect, and people will trust us.

Friends show up, and they keep their promises. The people we trust most have proven to us they deserve the trust we give them. Surrounding ourselves with people who strive to keep their word and do the right thing will help us do the same. We all need accountability, people who will hold us to the commitments we make, and will show up for us when we need them. When someone doesn’t keep their promises or show up, take it as a red flag not to put your trust in them.

As people grow and mature, they become more trustworthy, realizing the value of keeping their word. Unfortunately, some people never learn the lessons, remaining immature and untrustworthy. Discernment allows us to tell the difference. People who keep their promises and show up deserve our trust. But if they prove themselves unreliable, still love them, but don’t depend on them.

Determine what type of person you want to become:  trustworthy and dependable or untrustworthy and unreliable. Your actions reveal your decision. People will know you by what you do.

Journal Questions:

Who always keeps their promises in your life?

How can you show up for someone today?

When have you kept your promise, even though it hurt?

Friendship Application:

Keep your promises and show up.

Two-minute read.

“I got you, Beth!”

One text I will never forget came on a dark day in my life. Sadness overwhelmed me, depression called my name, and I had no energy to do things I needed to do. So I reached out to a loyal everyday friend and told her I needed prayer. Within seconds, she texted me back those four words, and immediately, I started to rise out of the darkness. Knowing my lifelong friend had my back gave me strength. When I couldn’t pray, she prayed for me, and together, we persevered through another day.

Some people think the number of our friendships matters more than the quality, but one good, faithful friend far outweighs ten acquaintances. For years, I played in local tennis leagues against a myriad of people whom I considered friends. Since I stopped playing, I rarely talk to any of them; our connection has ended. But a few have remained close, staying in touch, even though I no longer see them on the courts. Good friends have staying power; they don’t vanish when a season ends or difficulties come.

As Christ’s followers, we have a friend above all the rest, Jesus. Developing a relationship with Him and spending time with the Savior daily will draw you into a friendship like no other. Getting to know Christ through scripture and prayer will help you develop a support network of friendships. God created us to live in community, and He shows us how to do it when we follow Jesus.

My D-group, as our church calls its discipleship groups, consists of several women who have become dear friends in a short amount of time. Each week we gather and study God’s word together, share prayer requests, and life. In the few months we’ve known each other, we’ve shared struggles and joys that have knit us closer, all because our love of Jesus bonds us, the best friend we all share.

Becoming like Jesus will make you a friend to all. The more you get to know the Savior and apply His teachings to your life, the better your relationships will become. One day at a time, one year at a time, become a loyal, everyday friend. When someone reaches out in need, reply with three simple words, “I got you.”

Journal Questions:

Who comes to mind as a loyal, everyday friend and why?

How does your friendship with Jesus continue to grow and flourish?

In what ways can you become a better friend?

Friendship Application:

Follow Jesus’s example and become an everyday friend to others.

Two-minute read.

“Recovery isn’t linear,” said the actor on a show I recently watched, although I can’t recall its name or the character. Talking about a person on the show battling addiction, they had gone missing. As they searched for the missing character, the cast discussed how recovery isn’t linear. In other words, recovering people with an addiction fall; they don’t get sober and stay that way. Typically, they will have slips. And so do we. Whatever we battle, we don’t walk a straight line with sin. Often, we repent, only to find ourselves doing it again despite our best efforts. Thankfully, we serve a loyal God who doesn’t give up on us, and we shouldn’t give up on other people, whatever their battles.

Every day we get another chance to do better than the day before. The Lord gives us fresh mercies, and we need them. The line from the show, “recovery isn’t linear,” has stuck with me. When we start our journey with God, we have the best intentions and receive the clean slate He gives us. But then a friend calls, or an incident happens, and we fall back into old habits, doing the things we repented of when we gave our lives to Christ. When those moments happen, the Lord doesn’t turn His back on us; instead, in His faithful love, He gives us fresh mercies every morning.

Writing today’s devotional in the middle of the day, I’ve already asked the Lord for mercy several times, primarily for my thoughts. Amazing how things will pop into your head out of nowhere, and you find yourself thinking things you shouldn’t. Or getting angry and letting the emotion take control, or doing something you shouldn’t do. So many things happen in a day, it’s impossible and unrealistic to think we won’t sin anymore because we gave our lives to Christ.

Realistic expectations help us lean into the Savior, receiving His grace and mercy, but also having grace for ourselves when we slip up, knowing we will. Daily time with God allows Him to search our hearts, reveal the sin within them, help us repent, and try again. Each time we get a little bit better, but we will never reach perfection this side of heaven. Seek the Lord with each new day, receive the mercy He offers, and try again. God sets a model for us to follow; His mercy never ends, and neither should ours for ourselves and others.

Journal Questions:

What area do you struggle with the most?

How does receiving God’s mercies each morning help you?

Who do you need to extend mercy to today?

Friendship Application:

Receive God’s fresh mercies and share them with everyone.

Two-minute read.

As a writer, one requires solitude and sometimes can feel lonely. Over the past year, the Lord has brought other authors into my life who have joined me on the journey. Nothing compares to having someone who understands your struggles without having to explain them and knows the right thing to say to pick you up. Our organization, Joyful Heart Connections, gained inspiration from a women’s event that my author friend Claire and I did. At the meeting, guest speakers discussed various aspects of connection, and then we had small-group discussions on the topic. Several of the women at the table talked about their lack of community and friendships, feeling very alone in their lives.

As Claire and I discussed the difficulty women have in meeting friends, we decided to start a women’s breakfast to help people connect. Beginning in January, we will host breakfasts featuring guest speakers and activities to help women connect. Each event will have a different topic, and the women will have a challenge at the end to help them build and maintain the relationships they make. Two are better than one, because when you fall, they will pick you up, just like Claire does for me on tough days.

A few weeks ago, feeling discouraged on the journey, I spent the day with Claire, who picked me up. Sharing my struggles, she encouraged me with scripture and reminded me that this world is not our home. In this life, we will have mountains to climb and valleys to traverse, but we have a brief life on Earth and the glory of eternity, where we will spend most of our time. Her words helped me get through the valley and persevere up the next mountain. Friends help each other keep going, something we all desperately need.

If I hadn’t had Claire and had fallen alone, I might have quit. Our minds can take us places God never meant us to go. If we don’t have anyone to help us get back up, we may stay down. Thankfully, we all have a Savior who never leaves or forsakes us when we put our trust in Him. Give your life to Christ, develop a relationship with God’s Son, and make Him your best friend. Then develop life-giving friendships that will support you on the darkest days and rejoice with you on the best ones.

Everyone falls. Having someone to pick you up, dust you off, and get you back on the road makes life better. Become the friend you want to have and enjoy the rewards of living for Christ.

Journal Questions:

Who has picked you up when you’ve fallen?

What can you do today to develop a better relationship with Jesus?

How can you become the friend you want to have for yourself?

Friendship Application:

Thank a friend who picks you up when you fall, tell them how much you appreciate them in your life.

Two-minute read.

At the end of a long day, I like nothing more than to sit on the couch, put my feet up, and relax. Knowing I accomplished a lot gives me satisfaction, but nothing compares to knowing I did it with the Lord. Every morning, as I start my day, I ask for God’s will and direction, receiving the words He wants me to speak and the energy to work well for the Savior. Partnering with Jesus gives me strength I wouldn’t otherwise have, and makes my burdens feel light.

God wants to carry our burdens and give us rest. He didn’t create us to save the world; the Lord gave Jesus that job, one He did well. What the Creator calls us to do, He will give us the strength and ability to do it. Loving God and others does require divine assistance. We can do hard things with the Lord’s help. Nowhere in the scriptures does the Almighty call us to fix people, but He does want us to love them.

When we lay our burdens at the foot of the cross and allow Jesus to carry them, we will find divine rest. Knowing we did all we could, the Lord will bless our efforts and use them in ways we can’t imagine. Bearing our burdens with us, God makes them lighter and easier to endure. Moving a large piece of furniture, I tried to do it myself but couldn’t. However, when Ron came home, we worked together, and it felt like nothing at all. In the same way, when we try to carry our struggles alone, they will wear us out. But when we take Christ’s yoke upon us, it will lighten the load, and we will find rest.

Whatever mountains you must climb today, don’t do it alone. Put on Jesus’s yoke and allow Him to help you find the peak, reaching the mountain top with divine help. Relax into the Lord’s plan, trust His guidance, and tap into His power. When you do, you will find rest from your worries and the joy of the Lord, which will strengthen you.

Journal Questions:

What makes you feel weary and burdened?

How can you put on Christ’s yoke today?

In what ways has Jesus lightened your load for you in the past?

Friendship Application:

Put on Jesus’s yoke and receive divine help for the day ahead.

Two-minute read.

“Hey, what ya doing?” the text read.

Not thinking much of it, her busy friend didn’t respond. A few days later, when he ran into the lady, she told him about the hard week she had had.

“Why didn’t you reach out?” He asked.

“I did, I texted you.”

Looking at his phone, he saw the text he had ignored.

“You mean the one that sounds like every other text? How would I know you need help from that?”

The TikTok video went on to discuss how it only takes 8 minutes for someone to feel not alone in their situation. If the woman had told him she needed help, he would have responded differently, no matter how busy. Watching the scene, I couldn’t help but think of the friend who posted it, and I commented, “I always have 8 minutes for you.”

When we need help, we need to ask for it directly. Sending indirect messages like the woman’s text doesn’t tell the whole story. People don’t know your thoughts, only what you tell them. When you need help, ask. Turning to the Savior, He wants to hear your problems and help you solve them. Praying often prompts us to act, and many times we must ask others for help.

Personally, I struggle asking for help. Not wanting to bother anyone, I try to do whatever myself. But I’ve learned over the years that God made us for community because He never intended for us to face our battles alone. And people want to help us. When we don’t ask for assistance, we take away another’s blessing.

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Proverbs 11:25

Submitting our lives to Christ begins when we ask for His forgiveness, saving us from our sinful nature. Without Jesus’ help, we can’t experience new life, free from our past sins. The more we live our lives for the Savior, the quicker we will become at knowing when we need help and asking for it. If you need someone to give you 8 minutes of their time, tell them that. Instead of sending an ambiguous text, send one with four words: I need your help. Only when we tell them directly will they know exactly what we need.

Know when you need support. Ask God and others for help when you need it. Created for community, we live fully when we share our lives with others.

Journal Questions:

How easily do you ask for help?

When did you need help and not ask for it? What happened?

How can you become better at asking for support when you need it?

Friendship Application:

Think about an area you need support with and ask for help.

Two-minute read.

Yesterday, I talked about weeping with those who mourn, using my spiritual mentor’s son’s accident as an example. The night Robbie died, my friend opened her house to his schoolmates. As kids gathered to mourn the tragic loss, I will never forget how one of the women in our Bible study practically supported our leader. When my friend came to the house, she brought bags full of paper plates, plastic utensils, napkins, and cups for those gathered to use. People brought dishes of food, drinks, and desserts to feed those gathered. The practicality of their actions taught me a lesson in showing love by our actions.

We can show love for others by meeting their needs. Don’t wait for people to tell you what they need; actively look for ways to support them. For the overworked mother, offer to babysit so she can have time for herself. When someone experiences an unexpected loss, make them a meal, take paper plates, clean their house. One of my favorite reels follows a guy who mows people’s lawns for them. Driving around neighborhoods, when he sees an unkempt yard, he knocks on the door and asks if he can mow it for them. No one ever says no, and his act of kindness brings joy to the receiver.

Finding ways to show love through your actions doesn’t require extreme effort. Simply buying a friend a cup of coffee and listening to their day demonstrates affection. When Ron comes home from work, I always ask him, “How was your day?” Because I love him, I want to know my husband’s joys and lows; to do so, I must ask. Small things have big impacts when we do them with love.

Random Acts of Kindness, 40 Day Challenge, ranks as my favorite devotional I wrote last year. Each day has something tangible people can do to spread kindness in the world, whether to those they know or strangers. Donating clothes, baking cookies for the neighbor, taking someone to lunch, writing an encouraging note, each day has a simple activity that can make someone’s day. Accepting the unconditional love of Christ should motivate us to want to share His love with others. When we find ways to demonstrate affection, we bless the Savior and find refreshment for our souls.

Love in deed, not just words. Find ways to show people you care. Blessing others blesses us.

Journal Questions:

When have someone’s actions shown you their love for you?

What small acts of love have had a significant impact on you?

How can you actively share Christ’s love today?

Friendship Application:

Find a way to show someone you love them today.

Two-minute read.

“Robbie had an accident.”

Sitting in the parking lot of Home Depot, I arrived home from Washington, D.C. that morning. Getting up early, I completed my work and drove to Williamsburg, returning around 10:00 a.m. Receiving the phone call from a dear friend, I never expected to hear those words. Robbie, my spiritual mentor and women’s Bible study leader’s 16-year-old son, had snuck out of his bedroom window and gone to a party. After dropping off a friend, the driver lost control of the car, landing in a tree, and both died instantly.

Immediately, I went to my friend’s house, where others had gathered to weep with her. We spent the next few days by her side, helping with arrangements. I will never forget the image of my friend, unable to walk, leaning on her husband for support, as they made their way to the casket the day of the funeral. For the first time, I confronted the brutal reality that bad things happen to God-fearing people who love and serve the Lord.

As the days and years passed, I wept many times with my friend. Words couldn’t bring her son back. God met us in the pit and helped us through those dark days. Knowing Robbie had given his life to Jesus brought comfort in the heavenly reunion that would one day occur. Years later, my friend succumbed to cancer, joining Robbie in heaven. At her funeral, we spent most of the time singing worship songs, because she now lives in the glory of the Savior, reunited with her son.

Just like we will have seasons of rejoicing with others, we will also experience seasons of weeping. Typically, the seasons of sadness come unexpectedly, like in Robbie’s case. Tragic accidents or lengthy illnesses can usher in a period of sorrow. From job loss to broken relationships, weeping comes in many forms. God doesn’t expect us to take away the pain or solve the issue, but He does want us to weep with those who weep. We don’t need words; sharing in others’ grief and crying with them brings them comfort. Sadness isolates people, making them feel alone. By weeping with those who weep, we help dispel loneliness and draw them back into community.

Weep with those who weep, mourn with those who mourn. Give them the gift of presence to help them persevere through their heartache.

Journal Questions:

When have you wept with someone who wept?

How has someone weeping with you helped you persevere?

In what ways does God comfort us through shared tears?

Friendship Application:

Weep with those who weep today and let them know you care.

Two-minute read.

 “Congratulations to the bride and groom!”

When I think of supporting others in seasons of joy, weddings come to mind first. Young brides, full of life, bursting with love, starting a new chapter with their forever best friend. Grooms, dressed to the nines, standing tall at the altar as they await their wives-to-be, smiles adorning their faces. Weddings epitomize joyful occasions and celebrate the best moments of many people’s lives.

Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding at Cana. Invited with His disciples to the festivities, when the wine ran out, the Savior’s mother stepped into the story.

“The mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

John 2:3-5

Respecting His mother’s wishes, Jesus had six stone jars, typically used to wash visitors’ hands, filled with water. Each container held about twenty or thirty gallons. After filling them to the brim, the Savior told them to draw some out and take it to the master. When the host tasted the water, now wine, he had no idea where they had got it. Calling the bridegroom to him, the master compliments him for saving the best wine for last. Jesus rejoiced with those who rejoice.

Life has different seasons, some joyful, others not. When we can celebrate someone’s victory, we should. Whether a wedding, a job promotion, or a good grade in school, whatever the occasion, rejoice with those who rejoice. Recently, I got to rejoice with a friend over her pregnancy. At Awana’s, I rejoice with the kids when they receive their rewards. And when my husband chipped in his par shot, I rejoiced with him. Writing a few weeks before Christmas, I love celebrating the holidays and Jesus’s birthday.

Whatever the reason, when someone has an opportunity to rejoice, join in the celebration. Make joyful seasons memorable, as Jesus did, by joining in the festivities and delighting in the moment. Take pleasure in God’s blessings and share in the happiness. In all things, give glory to the Lord, letting His light shine brightly.

Journal Questions:

What do you think of when you think of rejoicing with others?

Who have you rejoiced with lately?

How can you rejoice with someone today?

Friendship Application:

Find ways to rejoice with those who rejoice today.