A Path Interrupted - By Lynn J Simpson

With my faithful blue back pack that carried my camera within, I walked on the familiar path. My plan was to reach the pond on the western side of a provincial park I had visited many times before. However, it was a cool spring that year. Rounding a shaded corner my walk was interrupted by ice capped snow that covered the pathway. I slipped, and was unable to continue walking upright. Stubbornly I crouched, hoping I could crawl myself to my wanted destination. Soon I resigned my plans and turned back, discouraged and saddened that I wouldn't be able to complete the journey I'd set out for myself.

But when I reached my starting point, I kept on, walking an easterly route I had never taken before. Soon I found myself at the edge of a boardwalk. I unzipped my jacket and removed my gloves noticing how the mid-morning sun shined on the wooden slats of the boardwalk and lit the tips of the surrounding cattails. I walked steadily, navigating easily the bends and curves of this newly discovered pathway. I rested on a bench. I quietly watched a pair of Canada geese walk easily on the frozen pond.

If my regular route had not been interrupted by ice, I would not have discovered the place on the other side of the park. Often I can get so caught up in the familiar that I don't see that there might be another way, even a better way, to navigate my places and situations. Sometimes it may take a complete roadblock before I turn to look another way. Then I discover something better than I expected. 

It reminds me too, how the disciples thought Jesus' power would be the path to conquer the Romans. But the path was in the opposite direction, wasn't it? The disciples familiar path to conquer with power and war was interrupted by Jesus' death on the cross. The path to their freedom came in an unexpected but much more better way. The path to freedom came through Jesus' great sacrifice.  

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 2:18-19

Is there a pathway you are turning on to go His Way? Or a familiar path that has been interrupted and you are no longer sure of the way? May you rest in knowing the unexpected path can lead to the unexpected and the better Way....

You can find more of Lynn's writing and photography at Lynn J Simpson.

A Summer Reading Blessing by Lynn J Simpson

When I was a child, my favourite place to spend a hot summer day was the public library. After hours of browsing in the air-conditioned library, my best friend and I, our library bags bursting with books, would again brave the humid hot days of summer in southern Ontario as we walked home in our flip flops. Sometimes we would lie at night on her backyard deck with just patio lights to light our pages. Or we would ride our bikes to parks where a cool breeze fluttered our book pages as the waves of Lake Ontario rippled in the background.

From Judy Blume to Nancy Drew, to J. R. Tolkien to A Wrinkle in Time, we read across many genres. But at the time, we didn’t know our chosen books had a classification. We read what we liked. There was no pressure to read books in various categories for a more ‘well-rounded’ book life and exposure to new story elements. Instead, we naturally gravitated toward different writing styles from our child-like curiosity not yet molded by the should’s we would later experience in academia. 

Studying story style is encouraged! Especially as writers. Yet, when I see again the Canada Geese in the skies and I hear a chorus of frogs on ponds, I know it is time to hide away my Elements of Style and Jane Eyre (the books I’m told every writer should read). Instead, it is time to get lost in the puffy, white clouds on blue skies and the gentle rhythmic waves on lakes. It is time to read with child-like curiosity of beach town romances and of ship voyages to new lands. It is time to slip into a graphic picture scenes and laugh out loud comics. Letting go of agendas, summer is a time to be fully present in the words receiving abundantly without the limits of expectations. 

May your over-flowing book bags this summer suggest a freedom that causes you to soar like an eagle and want to lay by quiet waters. May you have a friend by your side at times, hearing the fluttering of turning pages.  May you always know the Light that penetrates through all darkness. May your explorations bring a fullness of joy from unexpected places. Especially, may you keep your gaze heavenward, embracing His presence in all moments of your summer days.

Happy summer reading! 

You can read more of Lynn J Simpson's musings here. 

The Words We Need by Lynn J Simpson

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” 

All of us, I can almost guarantee, have been asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Maybe from a loving grandmother, or from a favourite aunt, the question was directed to our still growing selves fairly new to the workings of the world and careers available to us. If we were blessed, our utterances of answers such as professional hockey player, astronaut, famous drummer and others were accepted with encouragement and optimism. Some of us though, may have been ridiculed by words uttered by others when disclosing our precious dreams, leaving us feeling silly and disheartened. 

In other words, we may not have received the blessings on our dreams and aspirations we longed for. 

We may devise ways to try to receive words of blessing not unlike Issac's son, Jacob. In the story of Esau and Jacob, we learn of a brother who used deception to receive a blessing from his father. Jacob pretended to be his older brother, Esau, to deceive his father, Issac, to receive a blessing that his older brother was officially owed. That deceit cost Jacob and his family dearly, causing a mess that lasted many years. Interestingly, Jacob would have received the blessing anyway, if he had waited on God’s plan. 

Regardless, we all long for blessing and affirmation. And may try to go to great lengths to feel affirmed. 

For we live in a messy world where more critique, instead of affirmation, may have crippled us in areas of our lives. The good news, though, is words of blessing on us are never too late.  Proverbs 11: 25 tells us “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” Whether we are the receiver or the giver, words of blessing enrich and affirm. 

A Writers Blessing for You

May you know you are a child always loved by God. May you be encouraged every day that you are in God’s hands, created to do good works. May any words uttered to you that discouraged your dreams and ambitions be washed away by God’s truth.  May you be aware of God’s presence with you each moment, giving you all that you need. May you know He is present with you during your creative endeavours—in all the words that you write. Your voice, your words matter. May you turn all your anxiety and struggles onto Him who understands. May God’s peace steady your heart when disappointed and discouraged. May God strengthen your confidence as you persevere your writing goals and ministries. May you know and embrace your value through your identity in Christ. And may you never forget you are greatly loved. I love you.

Is there someone that could use a word of blessing from you today? 

Are you accepting His Gift? An Easter Devotional by Lynn J Simpson

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

How do you receive gifts from your loved ones? Do you say thank-you with words of gratitude? Most likely what you do not do is offer to pay for the gift you just received! A gift is defined as something given to someone without expectation of payment. God’s gift of eternal life is a free gift that also does not require payment from us.  Our salvation is not earned by righteous acts. Instead, it is because of His grace and mercy that we are free from the slavery of sin and death. God’s gift is beyond any gifts we receive from our loved ones! So may we be full of praise and thanksgiving to God who gave us the precious gift of His son. 

When Jesus died on the cross He saved us. His presence with God in heaven assures us that he continues to be forgiving of our past, present, and future sins when we come to Him. We can be secure in knowing we are fully accepted by Him, not needing the acceptance of others to be forgiven. We can be assured that even though we feel disappointed, He is always looking out for our best interests. When we live in the grace of Christ we experience the freedom from guilt and failure to do His work. Let's spread this good news by accepting His gift of eternal life, by living out our security we have through Him and building His Kingdom as He is calling us to!

Adapting To Switchbacks, Setbacks and New Trails by Lynn J Simpson

My 12 year-old granddaughter was quick to strap on her snowshoes while I took longer, fumbling wrapping the rubber straps around my snow boots. A few steps over packed snow in the parking lot took us into deeper snow on a path scattered with lodgepole pines and spruce trees. Ahead opened up to the 22 kms of the frozen waters of Maligne Lake, the largest lake of the Canadian Rockies. We hoped the lake was frozen. It had been a mild winter thus far, but the lady who’d rented us our snowshoes said the 45 minute drive up the winding Maligne Lake Road was worth the time for the best conditions for snowshoeing in Jasper National Park. 

As my granddaughter ran ahead onto the lake, her snow shoes leaving tracks in the deep snow, I wondered if Mary Schaffer would have explored this area on a similar winter weather day. It was during a gruelling summer back-country trip in 1908 when 47 year-old Schaffer, along with her Nakoda First Nations travel companions, found Maligne Lake. Most likely she was also the first white-woman to float upon Maligne Lake’s waters. She also surveyed the lake for the Geographical Board of Canada and now a hiking trail that loops the lake is named in her honour . As I sped up my steps to catch up with my granddaughter, my metal snowshoes light and my hands warm in my synthetic gloves, I wondered what drove Mary Schaffer to endure the thick forests, valleys and mountain passes full of treacherous trails, wildlife and biting bugs that summer? What drives any of us to endure the hard to reach a goal? 

I’ve been struggling with my why to write, and I’ve written less. It all seems so hard, this writing process. My time to complete a piece has expanded. Hours go by and I’ve only a paragraph written. I use the delete key more than the space bar. I measure these times with others where words flowed with creative descriptions, good syntax, and pacing. Now I check google for the definitions of writing elements required for good writing! However, like a mountain switchback, this time I trust is part of the journey to adapting my writing to His plan, not mine. Recently I was reminded (by no coincidence, I am sure) of my God-given strengths that include input (research), learning and connectivity. What is His purpose for me with these strengths? I am not sure. But I can focus on these strengths when discouraged and follow my passions like Mary Schaffer whose deeper explorations continues to bless many. 

For it was Mary Schaffer’s why derived from wanting to complete her late-husband’s botanical guidebook that sent her on a journey to deep explorations into the back-country Canadian Rockies. She sought out relationships with others that understood the land to teach and travel with her. In fact, it was one of her companions that saw Maligne Lake after continuing alone up a mountain when the crew was almost ready to give-up. Her own passions pushed her into the rocky mountain wilderness and she had others come alongside her to help her mission. Our writing journey too, can take us into the wilderness of unforeseen setbacks, switchbacks and trails. We may even feel we are going backwards at times! Yet, we also have companions such as our Inscribe members, friends, and mentors that go ahead of us to show us the way. Most importantly, we always have God as our companion who knows the path ahead. 

A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 KJV

My granddaughter and I rested on a bench, our boots still strapped in our snowshoes. The winter sun warm, we stripped off our hats and mittens. I had us pose for a picture, capturing the moment, feeling blessed in the beauty of Maligne Lake and grateful for explorers like Mary Schaffer who pressed on through the hard, adapted to the new trails set out before her, and found her way through the journey. May you too, I pray, continue to be an explorer on your writing journey. 

You can find more of Lynn J Simpson's writings on faith, books, and the writing life at Lynn J Simpson

The Inscribe Inspiration by Lynn J Simpson

If you want to find more purpose in your life, help others find the path forward with their ambitions. Bob Goff, Dream Big (2020)

Introductions completed, I hoped the other five women would address each other by name as the afternoon meeting continued. I do not remember names easily. 

“So tell us about yourself, Lynn. And tell us about what you like to write,” the hostess said, sitting upright and pretty in her bright dining room. My eyes first wandered to the centre of the table where a delicate plate painted with red roses held an assortment of crackers, cheese and biscuits before settling for a moment on a mahogany corner bookshelf where I saw many familiar book spines. My shoulders relaxed. 

The ladies sharing the same space in that fine dining room are also writers and readers. They are safe people to share writing dreams, accomplishments and failures. They are ones who also get excited about unforeseen connections in a writing piece, laugh with me over misplaced modifiers, and truly understand that the writing process is hard work. 

A writers group around a table is a space of inspiration, encouragement, and constructive feedback. Anytime writer types come together you are guaranteed that there will be something new invented, every— single— time. Each writer controls their writing instrument, yet cannot be unaffected by the collective of the group. I’ve only experienced the positive charge from this collective of my small writers group that is also part of the larger Inscribe Christian Writers Society. I would not have become part of the former without the latter. 

Along with being part of a writers group, my Inscribe membership has challenged my comfort zone through entering contests, has increased my research skills through writing articles for FellowScript, and has allowed me to develop design skills by helping board members with the advertising for Inscribe events. In every activity I’ve only been treated with kindness and grace, even when I’ve made silly typing errors! Each time I connect with members of Inscribe, I learn something new that helps me to navigate my own writing path.  

It didn’t take me long, just a couple of more meetings, before I easily remembered everyone’s name in my new writers group. Now we also have a gentleman who tells us stories from places I may never visit in my lifetime. All genres are represented, I’d say. The members even graciously listen to multiple readings of my creative non-fiction essays, yet will also push me along to submit my writing for publication. They, along with all that Inscribe offers, have helped me find my path forward with my writing. 

I’d encourage all Inscribe members to prayerfully consider how they may be involved with this encouraging and inspiring environment. Maybe a piece is brewing within you for a contest or an article for FellowScript? Or maybe your skills are needed for the volunteer board (such as Treasurer that the board is seeking for currently)? How is God prompting you to be an inspiration to others? 

Lynn's writing is inspired by her adventures in nature. You can see her photography on Instagram

Finding Theme by Lynn J Simpson

“Your theme is a Petri dish and experimental bubble in which you’re going to test and explore your theme and premise.” Ted Dekker

In The Creative Way, author Ted Dekker instructs writers to develop theme by looking within to the questions, struggles and victories they are experiencing in their own life.  Every aspect of your story must serve your theme. And never to cheat by forcing a conclusion, but rather be vulnerable. Experience and explore where the story takes you, be open to surprises and let go of your own preconceived endings. “Everyone is dealing with the same questions in life, so they will connect,” he writes. 

Creating connections through stories has been my goal for my writing as long as I can remember. As a very shy child, books were ways to explore my world safely. Looking back on the books I connected with most, I began to see a theme of the lost being found. 

In my childhood favourite book, Are You My Mother by P.D Eastman, I flew with a baby bird hatched in an empty nest who goes searching for a mother it’s never seen and is rescued by a bulldozer that drops it back into its nest where mother soon appears.

In elementary school my favourite books were Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White and A Cricket in Times Square by George Seldon. Reading Charlotte’s Web, I cheered for Wilbur, the pig, as his lonliness lifted when Charlotte, the spider, befriended him and webbed encouraging messages for the world to see.  Imagining Chester, the lost cricket, and his songs blessing the crowds in Times Square, The Cricket in Times Square showed me that friends can come from the most unlikely of places. 

In middle school, I fell in love with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s character Anne of Green Gables, an orphan girl adopted by a brother and sister who wanted a boy but ultimately wins them over and finds friendship and love. And the year my birthday told me I was a teenager, I journeyed with sensitive Ponyboy in The Outsiders (S. E. Hinton), as he navigated being poor, tried not to get beat up by the rich kids, sought love from his big brother and a place where he belonged.  

Lately my writings of personal essay and creative non-fiction have also had the thread of loss. After my dad passed away, I wrote Steering Dad, a story of navigating Dad who lost his eyesight at age 60. I wrote other essays on the loss of my mother, my best-friend, my brother, and the loss of children no longer living at home. I wrote a long Creative Non-Fiction essay on the fading memories of being a young mother in the Yukon and called it A Mother’s Gold. In each of these pieces, although recommended to have a theme before writing, the theme found me. 

I cannot say for sure it is this way for all of us writers, but I do believe that Ted Dekker has it right.  Our own wrestlings within is where our themes can develop and through our writings, whether fiction or non-fiction, we explore resolution to our own Petri dish of struggles and questions. A story that may even lead the lost to being found. 

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.
John Newton

Lynn J Simpson is a mid-life gal doing life a step at a time with faith, hope, and love. You can read more of her reflections at Keeping It Real.

God's Timetable by Lynn J Simpson

“Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be open.” Matthew 7:7

What does it mean to “seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened?” A lot of us will find ourselves seeking but after an amount of time, we give up our search. When the door we’ve been knocking on is not opened after an amount of time waiting, we leave. We become frustrated and discouraged when the seeking and knocking does not produce the results we want in a timely fashion. We make the decision to walk-away from our searches and pursuits using our own understanding of how we should spend our time.

 An article deadline is fast approaching when we still have not found the information we need and our sources are not responded. We are ready to let the editor know we cannot follow-through on our commitment. Our novel outline stalls when our writing partner kindly let’s us know of a flaw in our research. We start to loose faith in our writing and are ready to hit delete on the project. After months of  waiting for responses from our queries, we start to box up the pages of our memoir wondering if our children might read it when we are gone. We’ve just written our 200^th blog post to just a handful of readers and wonder if it is time to focus our writings elsewhere. Why seek out a blog audience when the numbers are not rising? Not a word has been written for that devotional we have been thinking about for many, many years as there is always something else to do that closes the door on time to spend writing. 

When Jesus taught about asking, seeking and knocking, He did not advise to give-up after a certain amount of time. Instead, He tells us  to pursue God with our whole heart. This whole-hearted pursuit to know God takes faith, focus and follow-through. We are never to give-up our efforts to seek Him and we are promised we will find Him. During those challenging times of our writing life, instead of falling on our own understanding of time and productivity that can lead us to discouragement and even abandoning our projects, may we remember to place God above all our pursuits. We can ask Him for knowledge, patience, faith, love, wisdom and understanding. 

Take heart! God’s timetable is different than ours! His goodness everlasting!

Your goodness continues forever, and your teachings are true. I have had troubles and misery, but I love your commands. Your rules are always good. Help me to understand so I can live. Psalm 142-144

You can find more of Lynn's writing on faith at Keep It Real. 

Breathing in Spring at Easter by Lynn J Simpson

Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. Luke 12:27

There's a greenhouse just a five minute drive from my home. Not a greenhouse in a traditional sense as it is open year around with a restaurant serving organic greens and gluten-free treats, and gift galleries that change with the calendar celebrations.

Christmas time fills the floor with decorative trees and already overflowing shelves with ornaments, wreaths, and garland.

Approaching Valentine's Day more red and white candles, silk and real roses rest on bursting shelves of trinkets, jewels, and framed mottos.

At Easter, pops of pastel colours normally adorn the interior design with baby blue vases, soft pink stuffed bunnies, and sun set orange ribboned baskets.

Last year at this time, I remember walking past all this splendour in the greenhouse into another room unseen from the entry. And all my senses refreshed in a humidity that seemed to steam from the hundreds of cacti plants that rested on shelves against the walls, stood in tall pots in the corners, and were aesthetically arranged on round tables creating a centre aisle.

And I breathed.

I breathed in this place where not a ribbon or jewel or ornament occupied.

I stepped slowly scanning the various cactus plants, some barely two inches in length, some warped in their roundness, others gangly in their tallness. Some bodies plentiful with spines, others edged with scattered thorns.



And it was all so beautiful, in it's rawness, it's unadorned form.

What was it that drew me to this place where beauty and refreshment comes from the misshapen, the undressed? Where symmetry isn't and where thorns are exposed?

Maybe it was the stirring in me from a restlessness for that perfect place of ancestry, in a Garden where all was perfect, nothing hidden until tampered by temptation.

Maybe it was the stirring in me to remember, to be, to come exposed, scars, wounds, prickles, and thorns, no adornments that mask.

Because we are all so most beautiful, my darling, in our raw, unadorned form.

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. Song of Songs 4:7

Hallelujah, everyone

Everyone can come to the cross

It doesn't matter what you've done

Everyone can come to the cross

Come to the Cross by Michael W. Smith 

Lynn J. Simpson understands the need

for creating spaces for rest, renewal, and

transformation. She’s rarely without her

camera, capturing breathing spaces to

share. She’s published Breathing Spaces: A

21-Day Journal of Rest, Reflection and Renewal

and 30-Day Journal of Thankfulness,

Success & Joy, and contributed to Short

and Sweet Too (Grace Publishing, 2017).

Read Lynn’s musings on faith, hope, and

love on her blog (lynnjsimpson.com).

Drawing Closer to God During Lent by Lynn J Simpson

It had been one of those days. Those half a tub of Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream was gone kind of days. And I am a vanilla-liking girl! I also tend to stay away from dairy as it can disagree with my digestion from time to time. Knowing that my self-control was out of control, I poured hot water over the remaining ice-cream until it was only a mush of brown slime in the kitchen sink while trying to keep my late mother’s voice in my thoughts from interfering: “What about those starving children in Africa?” 

I wasted good ice-cream that is also a perfect for a treat for my grandchildren due to my insatiable desire to feel better with a wordly item. I mindlessly overindulged to try to relieve and distract myself from what I considered a bad day. And then a short time later I read Sandi Somers' words, our first post for this month's topic of Lent. 

"Self-denial

A good friend described self-denial as a sacrifice, giving up something that’s hard to do. Perhaps excesses or preoccupations or distractions."

Jesus always meets us where we are at, doesn't He? 

Drawing closer to God from the Lenten practice of Self-denial

Removing what gets in our way of our relationship with God and repenting of our sins clears space for prayer and reverence of Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross. Abstaining from something, even fasting, is often used to observe Lent. During my years in elementary school, I remember the religion class exercise of writing what I would give-up for the Lenten season. Generally this would be cookies after dinner, chewing gum, or spending my allowance on chocolate bars. Now with a maturer faith, I understand that self-denial of something is not just an act of obedience to observe Lent, but to draw closer to God in remembrance of the sufferings of Christ. Whenever I choose to use an improper worldly way that takes control of my life, I move toward sin rather than toward God. 

So, this Lenten season I am going to back to my childhood ways of observing lent, however with a maturer intention of repentance and remembrance. Instead of mindlessly binging on Netflix or purchasing a single serving of cake, I will reach for God’s presence in prayer. When I am troubled and worrisome, instead of seeking comfort in ways that lead to over indulgence and sin, I will seek out His words either in my bible or in my bible app on my phone ( that is readily available when grocery shopping). These acts of self-discipline will take effort! They will also strengthen faith. 

Is there something that is taking control over your life leading to sin? Is there something in your life to give-up to help you remember the sufferings of Christ on the cross? What can you do that will turn your heart in remembrance and repentance toward the suffering of Christ this Lenten season?

I pray you draw comfort, too, this Lenten season, in remembering that God’s grace is not earned, but a gift from His Son’s sacrifice on the cross. 

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (NIV) Titus 2:11-14 

A Mary's Yes by Lynn J Simpson

I walk on the carved trail lined with evergreen trees, shadows painting images that darken spots on the path and I play a game. Like a child avoiding the cracks on a sidewalk, I skip into the light, skirting the shadows.

A time comes though, when darkened areas only remain, the path overshadowed from an easterly sun dipping low in the sky.  It’s not in my control, the rising and setting sun, the beginning of day and the falling light into night.

Enveloped in the shadows, my footfalls fall now evenly on the trail.

And I think of Mary, the mother chosen by God to birth His Son. When she, this young virgin, questioned the angel Gabriel on how she could conceive a son, he assured her with these words:

“The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”  Luke 1:35

And Mary responded by allowing herself to be fully overshadowed, stepping into obedience through her devotion to the Lord to the disregard of her own interests.

“And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke1:38

Oh, what trust Mary had to allow God to overshadow her completely! Her future of marrying Joseph, setting up house, having a family in her community were turned over to the Lord. She risked being shunned by her community, being rejected by Joseph, and possibly living in poverty. Yet, as a bondslave to the Lord, she gave herself completely over to be used to advance His kingdom among men.

Have I ever trusted like Mary, letting God overshadow me, outweigh my own interests and plans? Or is my heart contrite, leaning into my own self-sufficiency and pride so I think I have control of my future?

Mary leaned into the will of God. And God took care of her. Her future did include marrying Joseph, having a family, continuing close ties with her community. Yes, there was also sorrow and pondering in her heart—life challenges. For none of us, since the fall of Adam and Eve, are without our human experience trials.

I see the end of the trail in the near distance, a few dozen steps away. The path opens wide where I know a bridge crossing transfers me over a mountain river onto a wooden boardwalk that ends where I began.

I trust these mountain trails carved between and enveloped with evergreen trees. Do I trust the Lord as Mary did? How am I a bondslave to the One who made us, loves us, is endlessly merciful, and promises to sustain us? 

Do I allow God to envelope me in His shadow?

As Christmas approaches, may we challenge ourselves to trust and be faithful to the Lord as Mary did when the angel appeared. Like Mary, let’s answer “yes” as His bondslaves, honouring the One who made us by being obedient to His calling of advancing His kingdom as Jesus taught us.

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:9-13

Have a Christ-filled Christmas season!

 You can read more of Lynn's musings on faith and life at Lynn J Simpson