We began our journey last evening at 7pm, as we passed through security and waited to board. Our flight departed at 9:15 pm, and we arrived in Orlando at about 5:30 this morning. Little sleep was had, but our joy and anticipation remains as we await our shuttle departure at 10 am. It will be an adventure to explore the port as we await our embarkation appointment time. 😁
May He bless you and keep you today and always, and may we know His grace in tangible ways.
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. – (Psalm 34:8, NIV)
Give the Lord a chance to show you how good He is. Great blessings belong to those who depend on Him! – (Psalm 34:8, ERV)
Taste and see how good the Lord is! The one who takes refuge in Him is truly happy! – (Psalm 34:8, CEB)
When I look back and reflect on all that has transpired over the past few years, I am in awe of the goodness of God. Though I have walked through some seasons of trial and heartache, He has been my refuge and my strength. All the while, the Lord provided and protected, and has now brought me into a space of unbelievable blessing. Even on the most difficult days, I have been fully aware of His goodness and grace. Today, I know happiness that my heart had only hoped for, and am ever aware of just how good God truly is. This evening, my Viking and I leave on our honeymoon for eight glorious days. Together, we will experience new things in a destination that neither of us have been. Each step of the way, leading to today, we have stood in awe at just how good the Lord has been to us. May we always run to our Redeemer, who is our refuge, and depend on Him in all things and at all times; for He is good and His love endures forever.
The Lord God is good, 
He’s faithful and true;
He answers our call,
To make all things new.
God is our refuge,
Our safe place to stay;
Our bringer of hope,
Who shows us the way.
Great are His blessings,
So full is His joy;
For those who trust Him,
His grace is employed.
All thanks be to God,
For all He has done;
For love and fresh starts,
As each day’s begun.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our refuge and the source of all blessings bestowed upon us. Thank You that You are faithful forever to be present with us in all things and at all times. Thank You that You are so good. Forgive us for our moments of doubt when trials feel that they might overwhelm us. Teach us to run to You, our refuge, in seasons of struggle and those filled with joy. Show us how to love those around us in a way that demonstrates the same sense of security and abundant blessing that You grant to us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we taste and see how wonderful You are. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth (Moreno) Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
Give thanks to the Lord because He is good, because His faithful love endures forever. – 1 Chronicles 16:34
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – (Hebrews 11:1, NIV)
Faith is what makes real the things we hope for. It is proof of what we cannot see. – (Hebrews 11:1, ERV)
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. – (Hebrews 11:1, TLB)
Faith is trusting in the unseen and holding hope in that which is not yet fully known. Marriage is an excellent example of faith in action. We may know our spouse-to-be quite well, yet rarely are they fully known as we enter into the very relationship that God has ordained. It takes two people who have confident hope in a lifetime together, as well as the commitment to trust in God and each other for all that lies ahead. When our hope is in God and the good things that He has in store for us, we find assurance in that which is yet to come. Though I know there is no “perfect” nor easy existence with one another, I have confident hope that when two people are pursuing God’s best for themselves and one another, that His grace will be the glue that holds hope steady in each heart. May we ever seek the Lord and have faith in who He is and all that He has in store for those who place their hope in Him.
Faith’s the foundation,
Photos by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography. ❤
On which we can stand;
As we seek the Lord,
And all He commands.
For confident hope,
In all that’s unseen;
Exemplifies faith,
And what God’s grace means.
Though we cannot see,
All that lies ahead;
When we trust in God,
Faith rises and spreads.
The Lord is faithful,
In what we can’t see;
Choose confident hope,
Through trust and belief.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can have confident hope in that which we cannot yet see, for You are faithful to all who believe. Forgive us for doubting the good that You have in store for us, and help us to hold firmly in faith all that You are and all that lies ahead. Teach us to trust You more, in our relationships with You and one another. Show us how to love confidently and fearlessly, the way that You intended, so that many may be encouraged and find faith where it has been absent. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we hold confident hope in You and trust in that which is yet to come. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth (Moreno) Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. – Psalm 31:24
The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy. – (Psalm 111:7, NIV)
Everything He does is good and fair. All His commands can be trusted. – (Psalm 111:7, ERV)
All His accomplishments are truth and justice; all His instructions are certain. – (Psalm 111:7, VOICE)
My husband, on our wedding day, happened to be holding both of our wedding bands in the hollow of his hand. As he looked closely at the two symbols of our love and commitment to one another, he noticed that mine fit easily in his. He snapped a photo of our rings in his hand, and at some point, showed me the picture he had taken. Because I am such a visual person, when I saw the image, my heart held fast; for just as my Viking held our rings in the hollow of his hand, so too does God hold us in His. In the same way that his ring surrounded and protected mine, likewise is his charge as a husband to surround and protect in love as we are held in the Lord’s hands. Throughout our entire relationship so far, the image matches how my heart has been held. May we ever rest in the Lord, as we are held in His hands, for He is faithful and just, and we can trust Him in all of our ways.
Loved and protected,
For all of our days;
We’re held in His hands,
Both now and always.
We can always trust,
For His ways are sure;
He holds us in love,
In Him, we’re secure.
So, ever seek God,
Who’s faithful and just;
All His ways are good,
And worthy of trust.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give us tangible examples of how You love us and hold us in Your hands. Thank You that You are worthy of all of our trust. Forgive us for forgetting how great the hands are that hold us, as You who created all that exists are capable of holding us and leading us the ways in which we are meant to go. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times; for You are so good. Show us how to love those around us in a way that envelops each in the goodness and faithfulness that Your love provides. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust all in Your hands. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth (Moreno) Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in His hands. – John 3:35
“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” – (Jeremiah 31:25, NIV)
“I will give rest and strength to those who are weak and tired.” – (Jeremiah 31:25, ERV)
“I’ll refresh tired bodies; I’ll restore tired souls.” – (Jeremiah 31:25, MSG)
This morning, 4:00am came far too early for my sweet husband. After running errands, cleaning, appointments and finally a fantastic evening with my bonus brother, his girlfriend, and dear friends, my Viking was completely exhausted by the time we went to bed. Thankfully, he only has three days of work this week until we at long last escape for an eight-day honeymoon cruise to the Caribbean. My prayer, even now, is that our time will be one of refreshment for his weariness and restoration for our souls as we work to build a new life together. I anticipate all of the good that will come from time away together, with the ability to do as much or as little as we feel like on any given day. We have been overwhelmingly blessed each step of our journey thus far, and I trust that we will find rest and strength in the spaces where both have been sparse. May we ever seek the Lord, who grants rest for the weary and strengthens the faint.
When we are weary,
Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography. ❤
The Lord grants us rest;
Strength in our weakness,
Our God knows what’s best.
Time in His presence,
Brings strength to the soul;
Joy where there’s longing,
His love makes us whole.
Let’s lean into Him,
Our Grantor of peace;
For time in His hands,
Bring power’s release.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our place to find rest and refreshment as You are the Bestower of strength when we have none. Thank You that You are the one who sees and hears our needs, and refreshes and renews where we are depleted. Forgive us for not seeking You for strength and rest when it is needed. Teach us to trust You more, as You give good things to those who pursue Your presence. Show us how to love those around us in a way that extends strength and rest to those who are weary and depleted. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, our Source of strength and rest. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth (Moreno) Grabrick and Revelations in Writing,
He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His Name’s sake. – Psalm 23:3
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. – (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NIV)
Two can accomplish more than twice as much as one, for the results can be much better. If one falls, the other pulls him up; but if a man falls when he is alone, he’s in trouble. Also, on a cold night, two under the same blanket gain warmth from each other, but how can one be warm alone? And one standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer; three is even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. – (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, TLB)
For years, this verse has been my hope and prayer, held in my heart, especially the last sentence about a cord of three strands being so strong. As my Viking and I prepared to wed, we did a bit of research about Nordic wedding traditions. Incredibly, we found that often, in Nordic weddings, there is a hand-tying portion of the ceremony where the bride and groom’s hands are bound together in a triple-braided cord to represent the two coming together and be bound to one another with God. The visual representation of this joining together very closely matched an image that has stuck with me for a very long time. Consequently, together with our Pastor, we incorporated this tradition into our wedding ceremony.
Already, as we drove home from Wenatchee yesterday, (where our wedding took place) this verse proved itself true for us. We came upon horrendous traffic, and the typical two-and-a-half hour drive turned into eight hours. On our own, either one of us would have been ready to tap out; however, with the support of one another and the grace of God, we successfully navigated our way home through the heat and traffic, unscathed and still speaking to one another. The wonderful thing about the promise held in two being better than one, is that it perpetuates our charge to be engaged in the body. If we love God and love one another, we are not alone and have the strength of that three-strand cord. May we ever invest in our relationship with God and one another so that we may stand together in His strength, no matter what comes our way.
Our God has designed, 
Us not be alone;
Binds us together,
In heart and in home.
Wherever two stand,
Their strength is greater;
As joined by the Lord,
Loving Creator.
Let two choose unite,
And in God abide;
For their strength shall stand,
With grace found inside.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You created us to be in relationship with You and with each other. Thank You that when two join together and invite You to be the center, You come and intertwine Your heart with ours and grant us strength. Forgive us for the times that we attempt to take on what lies before us on our own. Teach us to trust You and those whom You have given us to walk beside. Show us how to love each other in a way that joins hearts and minds in Your purpose to walk out Your plan. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we stand with You as a three-strand cord, bound in Your strength, hope and love. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth (Moreno) Grabrick and Revelations in Writing,
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His Name together. – Psalm 34:3
We had an incredible day of celebrating with family and friends who we consider family. Rather than try to recap so much, here is a sneak peek at some snapshots that were captured and shared. 😁❤
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be happy today! – (Psalm 118:24 ERV)
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. – (Psalm 118:24, TLB)
This is very day of the Lord that brings gladness and joy, filling our hearts with glee. – (Psalm 118:24, TPT)
This particular day that the Lord has made provides tremendous reason to rejoice! After months of waiting and imagining what the day would be like, today is the day. Though I set my alarm for 5:00 am, I woke, with this verse on my heart, at about 3:40 am. I rose full of joy at the realization that this is the day on which I wed the one whom God has provided to love and be loved by well. After an incredible evening of loved ones gathering to dine and rehearse for today, my heart is overflowing with gladness and joy, as I have seen and known His faithfulness that brought us to this day. We will have our “first look” at 6:00 am, as my dear friend and photographer explained the glory of the morning’s early light for photos. After our hearts are captured and recorded, there will be much time to rest and relax prior to preparations for the ceremony this evening. God has blessed us with family that we would choose as friends and friends whom we consider family. No matter how the day unfolds, I have reason to rejoice, as I will become the wife of my tender-hearted Viking. May we each rise with a thankful heart, recognizing that each new day is a gift from God and holds countless reasons to rejoice.
This is a great day, 
Which the Lord has made;
Full of glad reasons,
To praise the Lord’s Name.
Joy that’s unending,
Because of His grace;
Sweet love descending,
As we seek His face.
Let us choose rejoice,
In all He has done;
All thanks be to God,
O great, Holy One.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this day and all that it holds. Thank You for the countless reasons that we have to rejoice. Thank You for Your incredible gift of redemption and the way in which You bring beauty from ashes and hope from despair. Forgive us for not rising with gratitude each day, for each new day is a gift with reason to be glad for who You are and all that You have done. Teach us to rise with hearts full of praise, as we rejoice in Your love throughout all our days. Show us how to love those around us with hearts that rejoice at the goodness You grant us with each breath that we take. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we celebrate Your goodness and faithfulness, both today and forevermore. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. – 1 Chronicles 16:34
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. – (1 John 3:18, NIV)
My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do. – (1 John 3:18, ERV)
Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions. – (1 John 3:18, TLB)
Beloved children, our love can’t be an abstract theory we only talk about, but a way of life demonstrated through our loving deeds. – (1 John 3:18, TPT)
God’s words to us explain what it truly is to love. Love does not merely speak the words, but it is an ongoing demonstration of actions that support the things we say. Tomorrow, I will have the tremendous joy of joining together in holy matrimony with the one who has shown me love in action, day in and day out, in a way that my heart never knew possible. He demonstrates love from the time I wake to a text each morning, greeting me with words that blanket my heart with blessings, to all of the countless thoughtful little things that show me again and again, he loves me and chooses me as his actions demonstrate what love looks like in a life of choosing to love as we are loved by God. Love truly is a choice, and it requires that we align our deeds with the words that we choose to speak. Though not one of us could do this on our own all the time, with God, we are loved in a way that the overflow shapes the things that we do to reflect His heart for one another. May we all seek the Lord daily, so that we may love in action and truth, just as we are loved by Him.
Love is so much more,
Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤
Than mere words spoken;
For true love lifts up,
It heals what’s broken.
In every act,
In all that we do;
When fueled by love,
God’s kindness shines through.
True love will align,
All that’s said and done;
For love always protects,
As trustworthy one.
True love perseveres,
For it is a choice;
To match word and deed,
One heart and one voice.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible gift of love that we are given through those whom You have placed in our lives to show us Your love through actions over and over again. Thank You for the love that You have given me in the one to whom I will soon wed. Thank You that as I am loved well by him, I come to understand more deeply, the love that You have for us all. Forgive us for doubting the sincerity of love that is demonstrated consistently in our lives and for the times that we do not allow Your heart to lead in the words that we speak and actions that we opt to carry out. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would walk in Your loving way each day and be known as people who live lives of love. Show us how to love those around us with our every deed. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to love as we are so lavishly loved by You. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – 1 Corinthians 13:7
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. – (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)
Don’t worry – I am with you. Don’t be afraid – I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with My right hand that brings victory. – (Isaiah 41:10, ERV)
Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keeping a firm grip on you. – (Isaiah 41:10, MSG)
The saga of moving and cleaning the old house was met with grace and strength. All five of us, (my Viking, my bonus-son-to-be, my boys and me) worked tirelessly yesterday to finish all that needed to be done. By mid-afternoon, everything was a wrap. After everyone had time to shower, pack and load up, we were on our way. God kept our tired crew safe as we traveled east over the pass to my mom’s house to begin preparations for Saturday. The weather was cooler than it has been, which was a huge blessing for preventing our older motorhome from overheating too often. Each of us was comfortable and content as we drove to our destination. As I sip my coffee and enjoy the quiet of the morning while the fellas all still sleep, I find that I have no worries and no fear. I know God is with us, and that He will uphold and help us with all that is yet to come. May we ever place our trust in the Lord, who holds us steady and will never let us go.
No matter what comes, 
I’ve no need to fear;
I am in His hands,
And I know He’s near.
All strength and His help,
Are granted to us;
As we trust in Him,
Our Savior, Jesus.
So be not afraid,
And trust in the Lord;
He’s faithful always,
All grace He affords.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace that strengthens and helps us as You hold us by Your righteous right hand. Thank You that we need not fear, for You are with us; always. Forgive us for our times of doubt and teach us to trust You more. Show us how to love those around us with Your strength and help, as You supply all that we need to walk in Your ways. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we fear not and trust You to be our strength and help in all things and at all times. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. – Psalm 28:7
Revelations In Writing 