I was in a very dark season of depression and doubt and fear. A sick, stray female cat showed up on my deck and clearly needed to be rescued. She was scrawny and disheveled and had a large, infected wound on her side. With slow, deliberate patience on my part, she began to trust me and allowed me to tend to her needs and wounds.
Jesus began to reveal His heart towards me through this and the CROSS became a central theme for several weeks in my life. It seemed at every turn I was reminded and held in the awareness of the Great Rescue God executed for me.
With slow, deliberate patience on His part I began to trust Him and allowed Him to tend to my wounds.
That stray cat was grafted into my heart and she soon gave birth to one gorgeous little kitten who we kept.
MOST marvelous of all is that as she grew and fluffed out a bit, she bore a very distinct marking. A pure white, furry CROSS emerged on her forehead and I will forever be undone by God’s intentional pursuit of my doubting, despairing heart.
Oh my gosh, Julie! This is so incredible. Isn’t that just like the kindness of God to give your cat the cross marking?! I love that He gives us these little signs and details to bless and encourage us. Thank you for sharing!
I see that God remembered me by opening doors of provision and opportunity that I had prayed for and even in a wobbly 3 months for his hand of protection and favour and how he used it to gently remind me that He doesn’t rush past grief or push it to the side-he takes his time, he is present in it and plans to use circumstances to walk me through it so I can walk with others in theirs.
I am thankful too for the right people at the right time he has placed around me that have faithfully prayed for me and listened and encouraged me by their example.
I told my husband at the end of 2024 that I wanted to visit at least 1 National Park each year. He went right to work planning a surprise trip to Zion in Utah. It was glorious. The best is that the Lord had me count up how many National Parks I visited this year. 5!! Since I teach on grace and love knowing that 5 represents grace, I find this no coincidence.
This is an Eph 3:20 moment…immeasurably more than I could ask, think or imagine!! 🫶🏼🙌💝🙏
Every year I put together a photo book and wrap it up and put it under the tree. It's been the favorite gift since 2014.
I love to look through them too because it helps me remember ALL the good things from the year. The good stuff. The blessings.
This year has been wonderfully and beautifully challenging and difficult and blessed. Husband was laid off in October. This is the last month of his severance pay. It's going to be interesting walking into a new year operating on only my teacher salary, 1/3 the salary my husband made. Hmmm ... Are we scared? Nope. Because we know God is there. He's with us. Thank you for the reminder that he remembered Noah!
We are also watching our dear friend go through hard things in a custody battle with her ex and the kids have disclosed abuse and yet they are still with their alleged abuser Dad. We are sad and we are praying and hoping God remembers her and her sweet kids and fixes this for them. Lord, deliver the captives and please see us as you have in the past and bless us in your perfect way and under your grace.
Wow Suzanne! What a beautiful way to celebrate the year and reflect on all you and your family have done. My mum does a photo poster in her downstairs bathroom each year with 20 or so images of highlights from the year which is a similar and lovely way of remembering.
God IS with you for sure, and He goes ahead of you. Have been dwelling on Deuteronomy 31:8 quite a bit as we come to the close of the year.
That's so tough to witness messy and broken relationships and know that individuals are getting hurt in the middle of it all. Prayers for a swift resolution and for you all as you support your friend and for justice to rule and reign throughout the situation.
God has definitely remembered me and my family this year and he continues to do so in so many ways, I remain in awe of his glorious presence. Firstly my husband came to Jesus this year and was baptised in November! A day I have prayed for since we married 9 years ago. God has also been working in our families broken relationships with my brother and each week there are small steps forward to reconciliation, my eldest Son who has no faith, and said he would never meet with his uncle again- has met with him and spent time with him- praise God, through our Lord Jesus for these and many more things that God is showing up for me and my family. Thank you Em for your continual inspiring words.
In February this year, on an ordinary morning of an ordinary day, I was walking back home from the pharmacy after collecting my dads prescription for him and suddenly, clear as anything God said to me ‘The best years of your life are still to come’. I was like ‘Really Lord? 😁’ I’ve never forgotten about that lovely moment with Him and cherish the fact that God sees me and wanted (for whatever reason) to give me that information in that moment. ✨
For me, it was having a conversation where a person I thought I knew said encouraging things to me. I didn't think I was impacting anyone, but she told me to keep going (with fb posts). I had underestimated her and it was a wakeup call that my observations can be totally off base. I am praying for her because she has had a recent serious health issue.
That’s so beautiful. I’ve been in situations like that too where God has shown me that what I think I know about others can be sooo off. Prayers for this lady in your life, too 🙏🏼
I was in a very dark season of depression and doubt and fear. A sick, stray female cat showed up on my deck and clearly needed to be rescued. She was scrawny and disheveled and had a large, infected wound on her side. With slow, deliberate patience on my part, she began to trust me and allowed me to tend to her needs and wounds.
Jesus began to reveal His heart towards me through this and the CROSS became a central theme for several weeks in my life. It seemed at every turn I was reminded and held in the awareness of the Great Rescue God executed for me.
With slow, deliberate patience on His part I began to trust Him and allowed Him to tend to my wounds.
That stray cat was grafted into my heart and she soon gave birth to one gorgeous little kitten who we kept.
MOST marvelous of all is that as she grew and fluffed out a bit, she bore a very distinct marking. A pure white, furry CROSS emerged on her forehead and I will forever be undone by God’s intentional pursuit of my doubting, despairing heart.
Thank you for inviting me to remember!
Oh my gosh, Julie! This is so incredible. Isn’t that just like the kindness of God to give your cat the cross marking?! I love that He gives us these little signs and details to bless and encourage us. Thank you for sharing!
I see that God remembered me by opening doors of provision and opportunity that I had prayed for and even in a wobbly 3 months for his hand of protection and favour and how he used it to gently remind me that He doesn’t rush past grief or push it to the side-he takes his time, he is present in it and plans to use circumstances to walk me through it so I can walk with others in theirs.
I am thankful too for the right people at the right time he has placed around me that have faithfully prayed for me and listened and encouraged me by their example.
Praise Jesus!! He is sooo faithful to us and knows exactly what we need.
I told my husband at the end of 2024 that I wanted to visit at least 1 National Park each year. He went right to work planning a surprise trip to Zion in Utah. It was glorious. The best is that the Lord had me count up how many National Parks I visited this year. 5!! Since I teach on grace and love knowing that 5 represents grace, I find this no coincidence.
This is an Eph 3:20 moment…immeasurably more than I could ask, think or imagine!! 🫶🏼🙌💝🙏
Wow. I love this.
Every year I put together a photo book and wrap it up and put it under the tree. It's been the favorite gift since 2014.
I love to look through them too because it helps me remember ALL the good things from the year. The good stuff. The blessings.
This year has been wonderfully and beautifully challenging and difficult and blessed. Husband was laid off in October. This is the last month of his severance pay. It's going to be interesting walking into a new year operating on only my teacher salary, 1/3 the salary my husband made. Hmmm ... Are we scared? Nope. Because we know God is there. He's with us. Thank you for the reminder that he remembered Noah!
We are also watching our dear friend go through hard things in a custody battle with her ex and the kids have disclosed abuse and yet they are still with their alleged abuser Dad. We are sad and we are praying and hoping God remembers her and her sweet kids and fixes this for them. Lord, deliver the captives and please see us as you have in the past and bless us in your perfect way and under your grace.
Wow Suzanne! What a beautiful way to celebrate the year and reflect on all you and your family have done. My mum does a photo poster in her downstairs bathroom each year with 20 or so images of highlights from the year which is a similar and lovely way of remembering.
God IS with you for sure, and He goes ahead of you. Have been dwelling on Deuteronomy 31:8 quite a bit as we come to the close of the year.
That's so tough to witness messy and broken relationships and know that individuals are getting hurt in the middle of it all. Prayers for a swift resolution and for you all as you support your friend and for justice to rule and reign throughout the situation.
God has definitely remembered me and my family this year and he continues to do so in so many ways, I remain in awe of his glorious presence. Firstly my husband came to Jesus this year and was baptised in November! A day I have prayed for since we married 9 years ago. God has also been working in our families broken relationships with my brother and each week there are small steps forward to reconciliation, my eldest Son who has no faith, and said he would never meet with his uncle again- has met with him and spent time with him- praise God, through our Lord Jesus for these and many more things that God is showing up for me and my family. Thank you Em for your continual inspiring words.
ANNAAAAAA I’m literally dancing that your hubby met Jesus this year. Thank you Lord 🙌🏼🙌🏼
Wow. Praising God with you for what He is doing and will continue to do!
In February this year, on an ordinary morning of an ordinary day, I was walking back home from the pharmacy after collecting my dads prescription for him and suddenly, clear as anything God said to me ‘The best years of your life are still to come’. I was like ‘Really Lord? 😁’ I’ve never forgotten about that lovely moment with Him and cherish the fact that God sees me and wanted (for whatever reason) to give me that information in that moment. ✨
What a beautiful moment of intimacy. Thank you Jesus!
Thank you for Finish Free! I look forward to reflecting. 🧡
You’re so welcome 💛
For me, it was having a conversation where a person I thought I knew said encouraging things to me. I didn't think I was impacting anyone, but she told me to keep going (with fb posts). I had underestimated her and it was a wakeup call that my observations can be totally off base. I am praying for her because she has had a recent serious health issue.
That’s so beautiful. I’ve been in situations like that too where God has shown me that what I think I know about others can be sooo off. Prayers for this lady in your life, too 🙏🏼
Thank you Em, looking forward to diving in.
You’re so welcome. Feel free to share with others.
Awesome thoughts...as always. Have the Happiest New Year! Keep on writing and inspiring! -Ray in Michigan-
Thanks Ray. Praying you have a super new year, too.