An Unexpected Bloom
Sarah Freymuth
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a...
Lord, as we enter this season of Advent, prepare our hearts to receive You with hope and expectation. In the waiting, help us to trust Your timing and draw near to Your light. Let this be a time of quiet reflection and renewed faith in Your promises. Awaken in us a deeper longing for Your presence. Come, Lord Jesus — our hope and our salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” John 1:29 (ESV)
“And so it is with people. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:7b-8 (NLT)
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
“… but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
“I said, ‘If only I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.’” Psalm 55:6 (CSB)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NIV)
God, in everything I am facing, it feels hard to find things to thank You for. But You are the Giver of good gifts in my life. Help me to see them even when it’s easier to focus on the things I lack. You have given me abundant life. What Jesus did for me by dying on the cross was the greatest sacrifice anyone could have made. Your grace is something I’m forever grateful for. Open my eyes to all the gifts You’ve offered me right now: the breath in my lungs, the people around me, the provision of Your presence, and the hope of eternal life. I praise You for Your goodness, Lord! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?’” Luke 17:17 (NIV)
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (NIV)
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a...
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 (NIV)
“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:9b (CSB)