enLIVEn Devotionals

Abiding in Jesus - Overflowing His Spirit

Dream Lake

The path is steadily upward, well traveled. I walk slowly and purposefully, age causing me to stop frequently. Yet each pause allows time to reflect, rest and marvel in the simple beauty of a lone bluejay, a chipmunk rolling in the dust, a spray of colorful wildflowers growing from a small cleft of a rock. As the elevation rises, the sounds of traffic lower. The crisp mountain air softly blowing on my sun drenched skin. A fragrance of pine sends its soft aroma. Each shadow lends a chill to the air. As I look upward, towering granite sentinels make me feel small in their majestic ... Read the Post

Playing with Dirt

“They’re still playing with dirt.” From the front seat of our truck, I smiled at Chase’s observation about the main entrance of our neighborhood. When we moved into our house a few years ago, the front entrance to our subdivision was mostly woods with a couple of ponds on the south side, while on the north side was a sandy field dotted with pine trees, live oaks, and scrub brush that we affectionately called “the sand pit.” We often ran around the sand pit during our frequent family walks. We were saddened when, last fall, the sand pit was razed, leaving behind a bare, brown expanse now ... Read the Post

The Twine

For a long time, I believed that God was able to show His power tangibly to people but just not to me. I had come to the conclusion that I wasn't on His radar, but I was totally okay with experiencing His power vicariously through others. One day I was taking my 3 small children around our neighborhood for a walk. My 4 and 6 year old were slowly riding their bikes, and I was pulling my 2 year old in a red wagon. I had to be very careful because our neighborhood does not have sidewalks, so we all had to use the street. After about 20 minutes, my older 2 kids starting crying because their ... Read the Post

One True Thing

Hands clutching a mug of sweet coffee, I pinch my eyes closed to hear the sound of the ocean in tree leaves. Wind sways them like waves. I open my eyes to return to the reality of neighbours, concrete and hydro lines. Far above it all, wind pushes thick layers of grey cloud toward the single patch of blue sky. I consider how it must look above the clouds –sunny, clear sky, a perfect day. The patch of blue shrinks and is swallowed by a sky of grey. All is cloudy and grey from where I sit, yet I know the sky above has not changed. It is still blue, sunny and clear – just hidden from my view. I ... Read the Post

The Missing Texts

Almost a week had gone by, and I still hadn’t received reply texts from several of my friends. I sent one friend a silly photo. I asked another a question. And I was trying to make arrangements with the other friend. Yet, none of them replied back. I struggled with not being offended by this compound shunning. I had to capture every negative thought. I knew my friends, and they usually always communicate back with me in a day or two when they get a chance. However, it had been six days and I began to worry. Did I do something wrong? Were they busy? Did I somehow offend them? And I wrestled ... Read the Post