Devotionals: Finding God in the everyday

Welcome to my devotional space, where faith meets the rhythm of daily life. Here, you'll discover short, heartfelt reflections that connect Bible verses with real-life moments, drawing inspiration from experiences like mountain living and nature's quiet lessons. I invite you to find peace, encouragement, and a deeper connection to God's presence in every ordinary moment.

Scripture and story intertwined

My devotionals blend the timeless wisdom of Scripture with the relatable fabric of everyday life. Each post pairs a Bible verse with a short, heartfelt reflection, showing how God’s word moves through our ordinary experiences. Whether it’s a quiet moment on Flat Top Mountain, the gentle rhythm of nature, or a simple lesson learned in daily living, we explore how faith connects with the world around us.

Peace and encouragement for your soul

I want you to feel peaceful and encouraged, as if you’ve just stepped onto the porch with a cup of coffee and a moment of stillness with God. My hope is that each devotional leaves you inspired to see His presence in your own daily life, comforted by His promises, and reminded that even in ordinary moments, His grace is quietly at work.

Unique reflections from Flat Top Mountain

What makes my devotionals unique is that they come straight from real life — from my own walk with God here on Flat Top Mountain and life beforehand.  I'm not a trained writers or theologians, but simply someone led to share how God moves through ordinary days and unexpected seasons. My stories are personal and honest moments of grace, struggle, and quiet revelation. These are not polished sermons, but living testimonies, offering glimpses of how God has worked in ways I never imagined.

Loving the Difficult Ones

May 27, 2026 5:23 PM

Some weeks stretch us in ways we didn’t sign up for. Words fly, tempers flare, and suddenly we find ourselves face‑to‑face with someone whose personality seems to clash with ours at every turn. Maybe they hit a tender place. Maybe they spoke sharply. Maybe they stirred up old wounds you thought were healed.

Read more »

Five Truths About Grace

May 20, 2026 11:07 AM

Scripture: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And that is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

Read more »

Loving the Difficult Ones

May 27, 2026 5:23 PM

Some weeks stretch us in ways we didn’t sign up for. Words fly, tempers flare, and suddenly we find ourselves face‑to‑face with someone whose personality seems to clash with ours at every turn. Maybe they hit a tender place. Maybe they spoke sharply. Maybe they stirred up old wounds you thought were healed.

Read more »

Five Truths About Grace

May 20, 2026 11:07 AM

Scripture: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And that is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

Read more »

Loving the Difficult Ones

May 27, 2026 5:23 PM

Some weeks stretch us in ways we didn’t sign up for. Words fly, tempers flare, and suddenly we find ourselves face‑to‑face with someone whose personality seems to clash with ours at every turn. Maybe they hit a tender place. Maybe they spoke sharply. Maybe they stirred up old wounds you thought were healed.

Read more »

Five Truths About Grace

May 20, 2026 11:07 AM

Scripture: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And that is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

Read more »

Loving the Difficult Ones

May 27, 2026 5:23 PM

Some weeks stretch us in ways we didn’t sign up for. Words fly, tempers flare, and suddenly we find ourselves face‑to‑face with someone whose personality seems to clash with ours at every turn. Maybe they hit a tender place. Maybe they spoke sharply. Maybe they stirred up old wounds you thought were healed.

Read more »

Five Truths About Grace

May 20, 2026 11:07 AM

Scripture: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And that is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

Read more »

Coffee & Jesus at the Berry Burrow

 

☕ Coffee & Jesus - A Clean Heart

April 19, 2026

Psalm 51:10 ESV
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

Reflection

Some mornings we wake up carrying more than we realize—old guilt, quiet shame, lingering negativity, the heaviness of things we never meant to hold onto. Psalm 51:10 is David’s cry for renewal, but it’s also an invitation for us today.

A clean heart isn’t about perfection. It’s about surrender.
A right spirit isn’t about getting everything together. It’s about letting God realign what’s been bent, bruised, or burdened.

My prayer today is that God uproots everything that has been stealing your joy—
the negativity that whispers lie,
the guilt that keeps replaying old scenes,
the shame that tries to define you,
the junk that has consumed your peace.

May the Holy Spirit sweep through the rooms of your heart and make space again for joy, clarity, and holy confidence. Renewal is not only possible—it’s God’s delight.

💛 Heart Question

What is one thing you need God to cleanse, lift, or renew in your spirit today?

🙏 Prayer

Father, create in us clean hearts today.
Uproot every lie, every weight, every hidden thing that has tried to choke out our joy.
Wash away guilt, silence shame, and break the power of negativity.
Renew our spirits—steady us, strengthen us, and align us with Your truth.
Let Your peace settle where chaos once lived and let Your joy rise where heaviness once sat.
We trust You with the deep places of our hearts. Amen.

Closing Quote

“May your faith allow you to depend solely on God and His provision for your life.” — Sopha Rush

🎶 Worship Songs

“Clean” by Natalie Grant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPg5NGdq15Q

"That's What the Cross is For by Cade Thompson

https://youtu.be/CO4xoksv7Wk?si=CED5rdXvY1xupj_m

 

 

Loving the Difficult Ones

May 27, 2026 5:23 PM

Some weeks stretch us in ways we didn’t sign up for. Words fly, tempers flare, and suddenly we find ourselves face‑to‑face with someone whose personality seems to clash with ours at every turn. Maybe they hit a tender place. Maybe they spoke sharply. Maybe they stirred up old wounds you thought were healed.

Read more »

Five Truths About Grace

May 20, 2026 11:07 AM

Scripture: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And that is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

Read more »

Loving the Difficult Ones

May 27, 2026 5:23 PM

Some weeks stretch us in ways we didn’t sign up for. Words fly, tempers flare, and suddenly we find ourselves face‑to‑face with someone whose personality seems to clash with ours at every turn. Maybe they hit a tender place. Maybe they spoke sharply. Maybe they stirred up old wounds you thought were healed.

Read more »

Five Truths About Grace

May 20, 2026 11:07 AM

Scripture: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And that is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

Read more »

Loving the Difficult Ones

May 27, 2026 5:23 PM

Some weeks stretch us in ways we didn’t sign up for. Words fly, tempers flare, and suddenly we find ourselves face‑to‑face with someone whose personality seems to clash with ours at every turn. Maybe they hit a tender place. Maybe they spoke sharply. Maybe they stirred up old wounds you thought were healed.

Read more »

Five Truths About Grace

May 20, 2026 11:07 AM

Scripture: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And that is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

Read more »

 

Coffee & Jesus at the Berry Burrow

Sowing Seeds

April 22, 2026

Scripture of the Day — 2 Corinthians 9:6

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

Morning Reflection

Last night, as I sorted seeds for the Berry Burrow garden, I felt the Lord whisper a familiar truth:
Every seed carries a future.
Not just the ones we tuck into soil — but the ones we sow with our words, our habits, our choices, our faith.

Scripture is full of reminders that sowing is not random. It is intentional, spiritual, and deeply connected to God’s design:

  • Galatians 6:7 — We reap what we sow.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:10 — God supplies the seed and multiplies it.
  • Genesis 26:12 — Isaac sowed in faith and reaped a hundredfold.
  • Matthew 13:7 — Seeds tossed into unprepared soil get choked out.

These verses invite us to pause and ask:

What am I planting today?
And what harvest will it produce?

Prepare the Soil of Your Heart

Seeds don’t flourish in hardened, neglected ground.
Neither do spiritual seeds.

Before we plant anything — forgiveness, generosity, discipline, kindness, creativity, faith — we must tend the soil of our hearts.
Pull the weeds.
Break up the hardness.
Invite the Holy Spirit to soften what has grown resistant.

Sow with Intention & Faith

God doesn’t ask us to manufacture goodness.
He gives the seed.

Your gifts, your ideas, your compassion, your time, your creativity — these are seeds placed in your hands by a generous God.

Sow them freely.
Sow them joyfully.
Sow them believing that God will multiply what you release.

Reap a Bountiful Harvest

Harvest always comes later — but it always comes.

Every prayer whispered, every act of kindness, every moment of obedience, every seed of faith planted in quiet places…
God sees it.
God waters it.
God brings the increase.

Your future harvest is already forming in the unseen.

Prayer for Today

Lord,
Thank You for the seeds You’ve placed in my hands.
Prepare my heart to receive Your truth.
Teach me to sow generously, faithfully, and intentionally.
Let my life produce a harvest that honors You and blesses others.
Multiply what I offer, and guide me as I plant seeds of righteousness today.
Amen.

Daily Send-Off

As you sip your coffee today, imagine your life as a garden God is tending with you.
Every choice is a seed.
Every seed is a future.
Sow well — your harvest is on its way.

 

Behind this Mornings Devotional

Last night’s seed‑sorting wasn’t just gardening prep. It was a spiritual mirror. Seeds always preach if we’re willing to listen. So, I listened.  I was organizing my seeds last night to make planting easier this season. I was inspired by sorting through them, creating an inventory list of what I had, and logging in information into my Garden Journal. God spoke to me gently to share with you this morning's devotional. 

 

Berry Burrow Weekend Devotional

April 23, 2026

1 Peter 4:8–10 • 1 Peter 5:14

There are so many moments when we move through the world without really seeing one another. We rush to aisle 16 for bread, weave through clothing racks hunting for a sale, or walk down a busy sidewalk with our minds already on the next thing. No eye contact. No smile. No pause. Just motion.

Yesterday in Hobby Lobby, I found myself doing the same; tucked inside my own little world as I browsed the shelves. A woman beside me stopped in front of the eucalyptus and said, “Doesn’t that smell wonderful?” I hadn’t even noticed her standing there, much less the fragrance. But her simple greeting opened a door. We talked. We laughed. And when we parted, she said, “It was really nice talking to you.”

Her kindness pulled me back into the present moment.
Her words reminded me that connection often begins with something small, a greeting, a smile, a shared scent of eucalyptus in an aisle full of strangers.

Scripture calls us to this kind of intentional love:

“Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.” — 1 Peter 4:8–10

“Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.” — 1 Peter 5:14

That woman offered me a moment of kindness.
I offered her my time.
Maybe that’s all she needed — a human connection, a gentle pause in her day.

As we head into the weekend, let’s carry these verses with us.
Let’s be the ones who look up.
The ones who smile first.
The ones who speak kindness into the quiet spaces of someone else’s life.

A greeting.
A moment.
A little peace.
It matters more than we know.

 

Coffee with Jesus Daily

“Today’s Grace, Not Tomorrow’s Worry”

April 26, 2026

 

Matthew 6:34

“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” — Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)

This weekend reminded me how God shows Himself in the ordinary — in aisles of Dollar Tree, in conversations we didn’t plan, in moments we didn’t schedule. On Friday, I encouraged us to look up, make eye contact, smile, and be present. And when I did, God met me with two women who carried pieces of His heart.

Kim, who needed someone to listen.
Beth, who radiated Jesus through her cross necklace and her joy about her church and upcoming marriage.

Both conversations lifted my spirit. I didn’t feel rushed. I didn’t feel interrupted. I felt invited — into connection, into kindness, into the present moment.

And that’s exactly what Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:34:
Stay here. Stay in today. Let tomorrow rest in God’s hands.

When Fear Looks Toward Tomorrow

I’ve been reading The Way of the Wildflower by Ruth Chou Simons, and her words echo this truth so beautifully:

“The antidote to fear isn’t more confidence in myself; it’s assurance in a God who holds my future safely in His hands.”

We often try to predict, plan, and prepare for every possible outcome.
We want to see ahead.
We want to feel in control.
We want to know what’s coming.

But God reminds us:

  • He is the light when we reach for something to illuminate the dark.
  • He is the One who sees farther when our vision is limited.
  • He is the Alpha and the Omega — the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13).
  • He establishes our steps even when we make our plans (Proverbs 16:9).
  • He gives us a spirit of power, love, and self‑control — not fear (2 Timothy 1:7).

Our fear of tomorrow doesn’t change God’s sovereignty.
Our worry doesn’t alter His protection.
But it does rob us of the peace He offers today.

Showing Jesus to the World

John 7:4 says:

“For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly.
If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”

Jesus didn’t hide His presence — He revealed it.
And when we step into the world with openness, kindness, and availability,
we show Him too.

Kim and Beth weren’t interruptions.
They were reminders:
God is present in today. God is speaking in today. God is working in today.

Reflection for Your Journal

Take a quiet moment with your coffee and consider:

  1. What fears about tomorrow have been weighing on my heart lately?
  2. Where am I trying to control outcomes instead of trusting God’s timing?
  3. How did God show Himself to me in the ordinary moments of this week?
  4. Who might God place in my path today that needs a smile, a listening ear, or a gentle word?
  5. What burden do I need to hand over to God right now — not later, not tomorrow?

A Closing Thought

You don’t need more confidence in yourself.
You need deeper assurance in the God who holds your future.
He knows better.
He sees farther.
He carries the experience we don’t.

And today — not tomorrow — is where His peace is waiting.

Read My Latest Devotional

Coffee & Jesus Daily

When Life Feels Like a Chaotic Mess

April 27, 2026

Takeaway:
Even when our minds feel scattered and our lives feel out of control, God is not overwhelmed. He meets us in the mess, steadies our spirit, and teaches us how to breathe again.

Today’s Reflection

This morning feels heavy. My thoughts are scattered, my attention is pulled in a dozen directions, and everything around me seems loud. I know this feeling well — the sense that life is happening faster than I can organize it, manage it, or even understand it. Living with ADD means my mind can be a beautiful place, but on days like this, it can also feel like a storm I can’t quite calm.

And when the storm hits, I start to feel out of control — and that is the part that shakes me the most.

Life is real. Life is messy. And sometimes, behind the scenes, it feels like everything is unraveling even when we’re trying our best to hold it all together.

But here’s the truth:
Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean we’re failing. It means we’re human.

When Overwhelm Meets Scripture

God never asked us to carry everything alone. In fact, He reminds us:

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear…”
Psalm 46:1–2

Even Jesus — perfect, holy, fully God — experienced deep overwhelm.

In Gethsemane, He said:

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”
Mark 14:33–35

And what did He do?

  1. He was honest about how He felt.
    He didn’t hide it. He didn’t pretend He was fine.

  2. He asked His friends to stay close.
    He didn’t isolate Himself.

  3. He prayed.
    He took His burden straight to the Father.

Jesus modeled the very things we forget to do when we’re drowning.

When Distractions Pull Us Away

Distractions aren’t always sinful — but they are powerful.
They can:

  • Pull us away from God
  • Steal our peace
  • Slow our spiritual growth
  • Cause us to miss moments with the people we love
  • Make us feel like we’re losing control

Right now, my distractions look like:

  • A new home still in transition
  • A long to-do list before phase two of building
  • Knee replacement surgery coming in June
  • The pressure to get everything “in order” before life forces me to slow down

Your distractions may look different, but the impact feels the same.

Scriptures for Refocusing

When distractions rise, these verses anchor us:

  • Hebrews 12:1–2 — Fix your eyes on Jesus
  • Philippians 4:8 — Think on what is true and pure
  • Colossians 3:2 — Set your mind on things above
  • Isaiah 26:3 — God keeps in perfect peace those whose minds stay on Him
  • Luke 10:42 — Choose the “one thing” that matters most

Practical Steps for Today

1. Identify the distraction.
Name what’s pulling your focus.

2. Reframe your focus.
Shift your eyes from the chaos to Christ.

3. Guard your time.
Not everything deserves access to your attention.

4. Stay close to God.
Even short prayers steady the heart.

5. Trust His guidance.
You don’t have to figure everything out today.

6. Pray over your distractions.
Invite God into the very places that feel messy.

Self‑Reflection Questions for Journaling

  • What is overwhelming me the most today?
  • What distractions are pulling my attention away from God?
  • What responsibilities might I need to pause or release for a season?
  • How can I be more honest with God about how I’m feeling?
  • What is one small step I can take today to refocus my mind?
  • Where have I seen God’s strength show up in my weakness before?
  • What would it look like to trust God with the things I cannot control?

Closing Thought

You don’t have to have it all together to come to Jesus.
You don’t have to be organized, calm, or perfectly focused.
You just have to be willing.

God meets you right where you are — even in the chaos, even in the overwhelm, even in the mess behind the scenes.

He is your refuge.
He is your strength.
He is your ever-present help.

And He’s holding you steady today.

 

Loving the Difficult Ones

May 27, 2026 5:23 PM

Some weeks stretch us in ways we didn’t sign up for. Words fly, tempers flare, and suddenly we find ourselves face‑to‑face with someone whose personality seems to clash with ours at every turn. Maybe they hit a tender place. Maybe they spoke sharply. Maybe they stirred up old wounds you thought were healed.

Read more »

Five Truths About Grace

May 20, 2026 11:07 AM

Scripture: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And that is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

Read more »

Loving the Difficult Ones

May 27, 2026 5:23 PM

Some weeks stretch us in ways we didn’t sign up for. Words fly, tempers flare, and suddenly we find ourselves face‑to‑face with someone whose personality seems to clash with ours at every turn. Maybe they hit a tender place. Maybe they spoke sharply. Maybe they stirred up old wounds you thought were healed.

Read more »

Five Truths About Grace

May 20, 2026 11:07 AM

Scripture: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And that is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

Read more »

Loving the Difficult Ones

May 27, 2026 5:23 PM

Some weeks stretch us in ways we didn’t sign up for. Words fly, tempers flare, and suddenly we find ourselves face‑to‑face with someone whose personality seems to clash with ours at every turn. Maybe they hit a tender place. Maybe they spoke sharply. Maybe they stirred up old wounds you thought were healed.

Read more »

Five Truths About Grace

May 20, 2026 11:07 AM

Scripture: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And that is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

Read more »

Loving the Difficult Ones

May 27, 2026 5:23 PM

Some weeks stretch us in ways we didn’t sign up for. Words fly, tempers flare, and suddenly we find ourselves face‑to‑face with someone whose personality seems to clash with ours at every turn. Maybe they hit a tender place. Maybe they spoke sharply. Maybe they stirred up old wounds you thought were healed.

Read more »

Five Truths About Grace

May 20, 2026 11:07 AM

Scripture: “By grace you have been saved through faith. And that is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

Read more »