The Hope We Know

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. – (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)

But keep the Lord Christ holy in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have. But answer them in a gentle way with respect. – (1 Peter 3:15, ERV)

Exalt Him as Lord in your heart. Always be ready to offer a defense, humbly and respectfully, when someone asks why you live in hope. – (1 Peter 3:15, VOICE)

If we revere, exalt, and keep holy Christ in our hearts, then we cannot help but have an answer for the hope we hold. When asked, we ought to be ready to answer why we have such hope. However, it is important that we do so humbly and respectfully, as our own experience speaks the loudest and is irrefutable. In my own life, I have seen and experienced the faithfulness of God so many times that there is no denying His existence or His love for me. Yes, there have been challenges, trials, and heartache, but each time, God has faithfully met me and provided His strength and love to carry me through when I could not walk on my own. He meets us both in our lack and our plenty, and He shows us His goodness, grace, and peace. May we ever seek the Lord and give Him praise, and trust Him to supply the words that clearly explain the hope we hold forever in Him.

Lord, You are our hope,

throughout all our days;

blessed assurance,

for now and always.

Our calm through the storms,

that life brings our way;

comfort in chaos,

strength that’s new each day.

True joy in sorrow,

hope when in despair;

faithful sweet presence,

that shows us He cares.

All things that are good,

sweet blessings from Him;

glimpses of heaven,

that let His light in.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we know hope and help, joy and peace, and Your sweet presence that promises that all in the here and now is temporary, but our future with You is eternal. Thank You that You show us again and again that hope in You is what lasts. Forgive us for the times that we have lost sight of an eternal perspective when the present presses beyond what we can navigate on our own. Continue to teach us over and over that You are good, faithful and true. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make our hope in You evident and obtainable. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You anew each day, and remind us again of how to share the hope we know with all who are longing to hear. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:5

Compassion and Comfort

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. – (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father who is full of mercy, the God of all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble so that when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us. – (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, ERV)

All praise goes to God, Father of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. He is the Father of compassion, the God of all comfort. He consoles us as we endure the pain and hardship of life so that we may draw from His comfort and share it with others in their own struggles. – (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, VOICE)

The compassion and comfort of Christ not only teaches us how to give the same to others, but it fills us to overflowing so that we are able to comfort others as we ourselves are comforted. When we endure our own trials and struggles, we gain insight and understanding for those who go through similar things after us. It never ceases to amaze me as to how quickly God brings this sort of beauty from our ashes. Empathy can only truly exist through our own experiences and God seems to place us in spaces where there are people who need what we know, and find comfort in the company of another who has walked a similar road. Though none of us enjoy struggles and hardships, there is comfort in knowing that God can use the difficult things to help someone else. May we ever seek the Lord to be our strength in the struggle and our peace as we walk alongside those in the midst of their own difficulties, for He is the God of all comfort and compassion.

God of compassion,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Father of all grace;

comforts the seekers,

throughout all our days.

All that He gives us,

we have to give too;

to comfort others,

with love that is true.

True in its goodness,

an embrace of peace;

sweetness in sorrow,

compassion’s release.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the God of all compassion, comfort and care. Thank You that You see and know our needs. Thank You that You provide, even in our most difficult seasons. Thank You that You use such seasons to help others later on. Forgive us for our fears and frustrations when we walk through hard things. Teach us to trust You more, for You can use all things for good when we trust in You. Lead us in Your love so that we might have compassion for those around us and offer comfort in the same ways that we ourselves were comforted. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You for the comfort You continually give to us and for the beauty that You can bring from our ashes. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

…To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair… – Isaiah 61:3b

Grateful for the Faithful

I thank my God every time I remember you. – (Philippians 1:3, NIV)

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. – (Philippians 1:3, MSG)

Whenever you cross my mind, I thank my God for you and for the gift of knowing you. – (Philippians 1:3, VOICE)

One of the greatest gifts that we have, aside from salvation, is the treasure found in faithful friends and family. These are the people in our circle that no matter what, they are for us and would do anything they could if a need arises. Such people in our lives are our tangible reminder of the goodness and faithfulness of God. Even now, as I ponder such individuals in my life, I smile and give God thanks, for I am rich in family and friends. Friends and family that fall into this category, are the ones that no matter how much time has passed between conversations, we are able to pick up where we left off without hesitation or discomfort. Joy is always present when time is spent together. May we ever give thanks to God for the people whom He has placed in our lives in different seasons, and praise Him for the treasure we know in each one.

Forever grateful,

is how my heart feels;

when I remember,

loved ones that are real.

For each is a gift,

So many more that are not pictured here… ❤

that my heart treasures;

kindness, grace and love,

found beyond measure.

This love that is known,

all we can compare;

to the love of God,

such goodness He shares.

All that we have found,

is only a part;

of eternal love,

that dwells in our heart.

His love is beyond,

all that we have known;

His goodness and peace,

through loved ones is shown.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You gift us with family and friends that provide us with glimpses of the goodness and faithfulness we have in You. Thank You for the treasures we have in those whom You have purposefully placed in our lives. Forgive us for the times that we neglect to give You praise, for You are the Provider throughout all our days. Teach us to recognize the glorious gifts that You have given, and to praise You with thanksgiving for each treasure we have known. Lead us to love one another as You love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as I give You thanks each time a loved one comes to mind. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

God is the source of our blessings; may every corner of the earth respect and revere Him. – Psalm 67:7

Cleansed and Renewed

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. – (Psalm 51:10, NIV)

God, create a pure heart in me, and make my spirit strong again. – (Psalm 51:10, ERV)

Create in me a clean heart, O God; restore within me a sense of being brand new. – (Psalm 51:10, VOICE)

To have a clean and pure heart, we must confess our sins to God and ask for His forgiveness. As we do, He meets us and restores us, refreshing our strength and spirit once again. Incredibly, His loving kindness does not run out. He knows the state of our broken humanity and loves us anyway. Jesus came so that we could be forgiven and free, and continually find a sense of being brand new in Him. God is overwhelmingly faithful, even when we are not. When I pause and reflect on His goodness, grace, forgiveness, and loving ways, I cannot help but desire to seek Him more. Yesterday, for the first time in ages, I truly enjoyed my art classes. His grace was present, a few individuals were absent, and the feeling in the room was one of peace, rather than the common chaotic feel of too many dysregulated kids together in one space. Students worked on their projects and interacted with each other with kindness and calm. I walked away at the end of the day with a smile on my face, rather than feeling exhausted and defeated. Instead of relying on the joy I find in coaching after school to revive my weary heart, I drove to prepare for our meet in a great state of mind. Despite being fatigued from a late night, I woke feeling renewed and ready to take on the day. I know not what today may hold, but I do know that God will go before me, remain with me, walk beside me, and renew my strength to do what needs to be done. May we ever seek the Lord to cleanse our hearts so that we may live and love as He intended.

O Lord, cleanse my heart,

ever make me new;

so that I reflect,

the goodness that’s You.

Please grant me Your grace,

and Your eyes to see;

so that I choose love,

always, endlessly.

Teach me to trust You,

to forgive, renew;

show me Your goodness,

in all that I do.

Lead me and guide me,

in Your loving way;

correct, redirect,

so in You I stay.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You and confess our sins, You forgive us and renew us to live and love as You intended. Thank You that Your heart is for us. Forgive us for every word, thought and deed that was not a reflection of Your goodness and love. Teach us to seek and depend on You to lead us in Your goodness and grace. Show us how to love well as we go through our day. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your goodness and grace, and rely on You to lead us in Your love. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. – Psalm 118:29

Kindness and Comfort

So the Lord spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. – (Zechariah 1:13, NIV)

Then the Lord answered the angel who was talking with me. He spoke good, comforting words. – (Zechariah 1:13, ERV)

The Eternal One answered him, speaking kind and comforting words to the heavenly messenger who had been talking to me. He shared with me the message. – (Zechariah 1:13, VOICE)

After seventy years of suffering, God showed Zechariah that He would restore Jerusalem and her people. He spoke through an angel and showed Zechariah visions that assured him that there would be restoration. Zechariah knew that his people had suffered for their evil thoughts and acts. God, in His great mercy, showed Zechariah that He would not only relent on the punishment, but that He would restore and protect His people. Our God is just and merciful and offers us kindness and comfort as we recognize our need to repent. He hears our cries and sees our needs, and He makes the way for all to be restored. May we ever seek the Lord, for He is our comfort and the One who restores what has been lost.

When all seems hopeless,

or full of despair;

the Lord’s sweet presence,

reminds us He’s there.

He stands beside us,

holds us in His hands;

He leads and guides us,

so that we can stand.

Stand in His goodness,

rise up in His grace;

follow His leading,

and walk in His ways.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are kind and comforting to us. Thank You that You see us in our need and come close so that we are ever aware of Your presence and Your peace. Thank You that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Forgive us for our fears and frustrations that warp our view of You. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times, for You are faithful forever. Lead us in Your love so that those around us may know Your comfort and kindness. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your presence and thank You for Your kindness and comfort that meets us in our need. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His Holy Name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits. – Psalm 103:1-2

Place of Peace

“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,” says the Lord Almighty. “And in this place I will grant peace,” declares the Lord Almighty. – (Haggai 2:9, NIV)

And the Lord All-Powerful said, “This last Temple will be more beautiful than the first one, and I will bring peace to this place.” Remember, this is what the Lord All-Powerful said. – (Haggai 2:9, ERV)

“This Temple is going to end up far better than it started out, a glorious beginning but an even more glorious finish; a place in which I will hand out wholeness and holiness.” Decree of God-of-the-Angel-Armies. – (Haggai 2:9, MSG)

This passage from Haggai is when the Lord had spoken to Haggai about rebuilding the temple. He had withheld His blessings because the people had not obeyed or honored Him. God spoke to Haggai and let him know what needed to be done and how He would restore the glory of His House and the peace of His people. The people feared the Lord and chose to obey. Though our gathering places are not ornate temples, where we gather is meant to be a place of peace. In my experience, churches that care well for one another and are good stewards of their space to gather perpetuate His peace. May we look to the Lord to lead and guide us in His ways, and may we care well for one another and our spaces to gather, for together, they become sweet places of peace.

Lord, build Your temple,

within all our hearts;

may we make the room,

for You to impart.

Deposit Your peace,

as wisdom we seek;

please teach and lead us,

so love does increase.

Help us to steward,

all that You do give;

so others may see,

Your love as we live.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our place of peace. Thank You that as we gather together to seek You, Your peace is present and Your goodness is shown. Forgive us for the times that we have not exemplified Your goodness and grace. Teach us to listen and love like You so that Your peace is ever present within us. Show us how to love and care for those around us well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as they experience Your peace for themselves. Be glorified O God, as we are intentional to care for those around us and the places we gather so that Your peace and presence are made known. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. – Isaiah 32:18

God is… (Day 22 – Omnipresent)

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. – (Colossians 1:17, NIV)

The Son was there before anything was made. And all things continue because of Him. – (Colossians 1:17, ERV)

He has always been! It is His hand that holds everything together. – (Colossians 1:17, VOICE)

Omnipresence means all-present. It reminds us that God is able to be everywhere at the same time, and that His divine presence goes before us, is with us, and surrounds us, no matter where we are or where we go. I was acutely aware of this attribute of God yesterday, as I had a routine medical procedure done, and simultaneously, my best friend was in surgery, halfway across the country. God was with us both. For me, He surrounded me with kind people who set my mind at ease, and made the procedure a positive experience. For my bestie, He upheld her and gave the surgical team wisdom, as they were able to do a much less invasive surgery than originally thought, and the prognosis for her is excellent. He knows what we need before we ask, and is with us in and through all things. May we ever seek the Lord in all things, and trust in His presence to provide all that we need. He is good, and He will never leave us nor forsake us, no matter what comes our way.

Wherever we go,

the Lord is there too;

He’s omnipresent,

His nearness shines through.

Whatever we face,

it’s never alone;

for He is with us,

and makes His love known.

On the mountaintop,

and the deepest sea;

where I go, He’s there,

He’s present with me.

Never will He leave,

nor forsake His own;

ever He’s with us,

’til He leads us home.

All thanks be to God,

forever He’s near;

loving through all things,

and fending off fear.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are omnipresent, for knowing that You are everywhere, always, brings comfort and peace. Thank You that You show us again and again that You are able to be with us all. Forgive us for our fears and doubts when we face unknowns. Remind us anew that You are with us to be our comfort, peace, and provision. Teach us how to trust You more. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your presence known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your omnipresence, for we need You in all things and at all times. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of Your deeds. – Psalm 73:28

God is…(Day 4 – My Savior)

The part of God’s being that I am highlighting today is God is my Savior. There are sixteen different passages that highlight God as “my Savior”. My hope is that I might highlight what it means to call God my Savior.

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – (Psalm 25:5, NIV)

Guide me and teach me Your truths. You are my God, my Savior. You are the One I have been waiting for. – (Psalm 25:5, ERV)

Take me by the hand; lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren’t You? – (Psalm 25:5, MSG)

Merriam-Webster defines savior as: One that saves from danger or destruction; One who brings salvation, specifically, Savior: Jesus. I love that even the dictionary recognizes that it is Jesus who is our Savior. In Christ, we are indeed saved from danger and destruction and are provided salvation, which is the presence of God right now, and the promised hope in all that lies ahead. God as my Savior, is He who protects and preserves my life, and He saves and carries me through that which I was never meant to do on my own. From health challenges to heartaches, loss to life events, God my Savior is present to teach me and provide hope, no matter what my own eyes perceive. He saves me from myself and my own foolish ways, and He shows me which way is right. When I fall down, He picks me up, dusts me off, and leads me in the direction to which I have been called, once again. His forgiveness and acceptance is the salvation that provides us His promised presence forever. May we ever seek the Lord to teach us His truths, and praise Him for being the Savior of all who trust in Him.

Each day as I rise,

I become aware;

my desperate need,

a Savior who cares.

He’s hope for today,

peace for tomorrow;

the One who saves us,

comforts our sorrows.

He’s our strength and help,

no matter what comes;

the courage we need,

’til each day is done.

Peace in His presence,

for in Him, we know;

the truth of His love,

our awareness grows.

The more that we seek,

we know He is near;

to help and keep us,

the Savior is here.

Here in each heartbeat,

life through each new breath;

the One who saves us,

Who overcame death.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are my Savior. Thank You that You rescued me from death and destruction, and accepted me as Your own. Thank You that as Your daughter, I am saved and loved, valued and known, and provided all that I need to navigate my days. Forgive me for the times that I lose sight of the power You hold as my Savior. Remind me anew of Your power and presence as I begin each new day. Show me how to love those around me in ways that demonstrate Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified, O God, my Savior, for You are the One who saves. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior. – Psalm 38:22

Not Yet Seen

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV)

So we think about what we cannot see, not what we see. What we see lasts only a short time, and what we cannot see will last forever. – (2 Corinthians 4:18, ERV)

So we do not set our sights on the things we can see with our eyes. All of that is fleeting; it will eventually fade away. Instead, we focus on the things we cannot see, which live on and on. – (2 Corinthians 4:18, VOICE)

What our eyes can see is limited, yet what we cannot see is infinite. Hope anticipates what is not yet, for it has not yet come into view. Though we cannot see the Eternal, we can imagine a glimpse of the good that will be. God’s word tells us that “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ – the things God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) I have seen some incredibly beautiful places on earth, have heard singing that sounds like the voices of angels, and I can imagine goodness, kindness, joy and peace, yet my limited experiences and imagination do not have the capacity to grasp the glory of God and the place He has prepared for us. Knowing how good God is gives us reason to set our sights on that which is not yet seen. May we ever seek the Lord, who is unseen, to reveal more and more of Himself to us as He leads and guides us in all that is good.

The glory of God,

our eyes can’t yet see;

the work of His hands,

are glimpses to me.

The moon and the stars,

the land and the sea;

glorious preview,

of eternity.

The hands that crafted,

such endless beauty;

in love, uphold us,

leads us patiently.

All thanks to the Lord,

who cares endlessly;

grants hope forever,

through what’s yet to be.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good and loving and forgiving. Thank You that You are preparing a place for us that is beyond what we could hope or imagine. Thank You that as we focus on what we cannot yet see, You show us more and more of who You are and how You love. Forgive us for our lack of eternal perspective when challenges come our way. Teach us to trust You more, so that we might recognize how fleeting the here and now is in comparison to forever with You. Show us how to love those around us in ways that point hearts and minds to that which is eternal. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to know You more each day and praise You for the eternal hope that You deposit in our hearts. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

I lift my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:1-2

All Hope, Joy, and Peace

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – (Romans 15:13, NIV)

I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in Him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit. – (Romans 15:13, ERV)

I pray that God, the source of all hope, will infuse your lives with an abundance of joy and peace in the midst of your faith so that your hope will overflow through the power of the Holy Spirit. – (Romans 15:13, VOICE)

God is the God of all hope, joy, and peace, as we choose to trust in Him. Incredibly, the more we trust, the more hope grows to overflowing, for His Spirit dwells within us and grants us these things in abundance. Hope, joy, and peace are not circumstantial, but rather are present in spite of our circumstances when we trust in the Lord. I cannot count how many times that I have been in the midst of difficult circumstances and have felt and known hope in Him, peace in His presence, and joy through knowing that He was holding me in the hollow of His hands. It is my prayer that all would come to know and understand who He is and how He loves, for in knowing Him, we discover hope, joy, and peace in abundance.

The Lord is our God,

PNW beauty… (Ruston Way, Tacoma)

King of hope and peace;

joy overwhelming,

by grace we know these.

For God is the One,

who comforts our soul;

the Lifter of heads,

as He makes us whole.

The more that we trust,

the more that we know;

the glory of God,

as our faith does grow.

So seek the Savior,

Who graciously gives;

His hope, joy, and peace,

each day that we live.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are so good, loving, and kind. Thank You that You grow in us, Your hope, joy, and peace, as we trust and seek You. Forgive us for allowing circumstances to distract us from who You are and how You love. Lead us to trust You more, so that we would be acutely aware of Your loving kindness and faithfulness that flood our hearts to overflowing with Your hope, joy, and peace. Show us how to love those around us from the overflow of all the good You give. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your presence that provides hope, joy, and peace in abundance. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13