With Praise

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, …for the Mighty One has done great things for me – Holy is His Name.” – (Luke 1:46-47, 49, NIV)

Then Mary said, “I praise the Lord with all my heart. I am very happy because God is my Savior… Yes, the Powerful One has done great things for me. His Name is very holy.” – (Luke 1:46-47,49, ERV)

Mary: My soul lifts up the Lord! My spirit celebrates God, my Liberator! For the Mighty One has done great things for me; holy is God’s Name! – (Luke 1:46-47,49, VOICE)

A teenage girl, more than 2,000 years ago, sang these words in celebration of being chosen to bear the Savior of the world. Not only did she recognize who God is, but she also celebrated all that He has done. This is the space that I need to soak in for a while. The challenge of the last few weeks has been exhausting, yet God has been with me. He is near, and He grants me tangible reminders of who He is and how He loves. As we finish out our final school day of 2022, I want to stand in a sweet space of gratitude, for God has been good through it all. May we ever praise the Lord because He is our Savior, and give Him thanks for all that He has done and continues to do.

Lord, help me to stand,

In a grateful space;

May thankfulness reign,

As I think of Your grace.

God, You’re always good,

Even through hard times;

Ever You show us,

Your mercy and grace.

Lead us, Lord Jesus,

To give You all praise;

No matter what comes,

You’re faithful always.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are so good. Thank You for who You are and how You love and bless us all. Forgive us for the times that we have forgotten the countless blessings You have poured out upon us, or how generously You love. Teach us to ever praise You for who You are and how You love, and to count our blessings on a daily basis, for You alone deserve our praise. Lead us to love those around us like You do. Help us to show goodness, kindness, and love in tangible ways. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we recognize the power of who You are and the goodness found in Your incredible 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. – 1 Chronicles 16:34

Each A Part

For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body – so also in Christ. – (1 Corinthians 12:12, HCSB)

A person has only one body, but it has many parts. Yes, there are many parts, but all those parts are still just one body. Christ is like that too. – (1 Corinthians 12:12, ERV)

Just as a body is one whole made up of many different parts, and all the different parts comprise the one body, so it is with the Anointed One. – (1 Corinthians 12:12, VOICE)

People in a community are created with the same intention as the parts of the body. Each one of us has been created with a unique purpose, passions and strengths. When we come together, we can accomplish far more than we can on our own; we need each other to function in a way that is whole and complete. Though some strengths are seen and obvious, others are behind the scenes, each helps contribute to keeping the body running. When I consider the different communities to which I belong, this truth is evident. Since my current reality is school, it is an easy comparison to this passage. It takes every staff member to make each day run smoothly, and each of us contribute differently. Additionally, because we have different strengths, talents, personalities and the like, we are able to reach different kids. May we ever seek the Lord to show us how to do our part and operate in the strengths He has given, and work together with those around us to contribute to the whole group, functioning as we were intended. 

We all are a part,

Of a greater whole;

Made to contribute,

To each fill a role.

Working together,

Our strengths are made known;

Each with a purpose,

Where goodness is shown.

Lead us together,

In kindness and grace;

To work together,

Build a safe, sweet space.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You create each of us with purpose and strengths that make a community complete. Thank You that each person is needed to function as the group was intended. Forgive us for the times that we have stood back or stayed stuck when we were meant to press on. Teach us to trust You more so that we would work together in the communities to which we have been called. Show us how to love, encourage and support those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the ways in which we all have been uniquely designed and how You place us together in communities. Amen.

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

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keep(ing) the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.

– Ephesians 4:2-3

Water in Our Weariness

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You; I thirst for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. – (Psalm 63:1, NIV) 

God, You are my God. I am searching so hard to find You. Body and soul, I thirst for You in this dry and weary land without water. – (Psalm 63:1, ERV) 

O True God, You are my God, the One whom I trust. I seek You with every fiber of my being. In this dry and weary land with no water in sight, my soul is dry and longs for You. My body aches for You, for Your presence. – (Psalm 63:1, VOICE) 

Much like the way my puppy goes off and does his own thing, ever seeking new ways to entertain himself, what he seems to come back to in the still silent moments of the morning, is his snuggle spot with his torso and head on my lap. Even though he no longer fully fits in this space, he knows there is love and comfort ever waiting for him here. I know I am much the same way with God, and thankfully, I can never outgrow the safe, sweet space in His hands. His love fills where we are empty, and His peace permeates the places that are unsettled. Even on my most exhausting days, God is there, waiting to pick me up, encourage me, and give me the grace and strength that I need to press on. May we ever seek that sweet space with the Lord, where we are refreshed as we rest in Him. 

Lord in the morning, 

I choose seek Your face; 

Faithful and present, 

You show me Your grace. 

As my heart’s longing, 

You make Your love clear; 

Encouraged and held, 

I find You are near. 

When the day is done, 

And I’m weary, worn; 

Your strong arms hold me, 

And hope is reborn. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though we may feel depleted and thirsty, You are faithful to meet us and refresh us as we seek You. Forgive us for the times that we try to keep powering through in our own strength, rather than leaning into You. Teach us to turn to You, as You are every ready and willing to have us come snuggle in the safety of Your presence. Show us how to love those around us in ways that bless and refresh and strengthen weariness. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to quench our thirst and bring refreshment when we are weary and worn. Amen. 

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

Yes, my soul finds rest in God; my hope comes from Him. – Psalm 62:5

Ready for Rest

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. – (Matthew 11:28, NIV)

Come to Me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. – (Matthew 11:28, ERV)

Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. – (Matthew 11:28, TPT)

 

Weariness is worn on the faces of myself and my colleagues, as we press in and power through this final week prior to spring break. Though there were a few snow days sprinkled in, the stretch between winter break and this well-timed rest in the spring, feels like a marathon. Between escalating behaviors, time commitments that extend the already busy hours of each day, and the plague of viruses that have made their way around, finally arriving at today, the last day prior to break, feels miraculous. God knows what we need. Next week is a provided opportunity to lay down burdens and be refreshed. I love The Passions Translation, as the imagery of God being our oasis is outstanding. An oasis in the desert of exhaustion is exactly where I am ready to go. May we all run to our Redeemer, who is ready to receive our burdens and exchange them for real rest and refreshment.

 

When heavy burdens,

Overwhelm our hearts;

We need seek the Lord,

In Whom rest shall start.

God is our sweet space,

Where true rest is found;

Strength when we’re weary,

And grace to slow down.

Slow in His presence,

Renewal shall come;

Our Great Provider,

Where true peace is from.

Rest for the body,

And peace for our minds;

The love of Jesus,

Is gracious and kind.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You invite us to bring You our heavy burdens. Thank You that as we give all to You, You grant us rest in Your love. Thank You that You are our oasis in the desert of weariness. Forgive us for allowing the weight of the world to remain on our shoulders when You did not design us to carry so much. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would bring our burdens before You, allowing You room to grant us reprieve and true rest. Show us how to lay all things down and find rest in You. Help us to love those around us in such a way, that they too, may know real rest in Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we run to You for rest and lay our burdens before You. Amen.

 

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

 

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. – Deuteronomy 4:29

My Quiet Place of Retreat

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your word. – (Psalm 119:114, NIV) 

Hide me and protect me. I trust what You say. – (Psalm 119:114, ERV) 

You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for Your Word to renew me. – (Psalm 119:114, MSG) 

 

Quiet retreat, a refuge, is the very space I seek each morning as I wake to prepare for the day. It is in this silent span of the early hours, before daylight, that I invest time in His Word and find my hope renewed. Each day unfolds as it may, but every morning, I know is new, as I find rest and renewal through intentional time seeking the Lord and investing in His Word. May we remember where to find quiet retreat, and be refreshed in hope as we trust in the truth of God’s Word. 

 

May we find retreat,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Place of peace in God; 

Where hope is held fast, 

And fears become calmed. 

Our refuge of rest, 

The God of all hope; 

Always, He is near, 

To thrive, not just cope. 

So, let us seek God, 

Our sweet space of rest; 

Where minds are renewed, 

And hearts are refreshed. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our place of quiet retreat and that we are renewed in Your Word. Forgive us for not seeking You in our need. Teach us to trust You more, as You are the God of all hope who is faithful forever, and You bless those who seek You with Your rest. Show us how to love those around us in a way that brings rest, refreshment and hope to spaces where it is needed most. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we come to You as our quiet retreat, and place our hope and trust in Your Word. Amen.

 

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

 

Yes, my soul find rest in God; my hope comes from Him – Psalm 62:5

Clothed From Within

You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. – (1 Peter 3:4, NLT)

No, your beauty should come from inside you – the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. That beauty will never disappear. It is worth very much to God. – (1 Peter 3:4, ERV)

Let your adornment be what’s inside – the real you, the lasting beauty of a gracious and quiet spirit, in which God delights. – (1 Peter 3:4, VOICE)

 

I am noticing that the older I get, the more I recognize the people I view as most “beautiful” are those from whom a gentle and quiet spirit radiates the loving kindness of our Heavenly Father. The heart adorns the external and directly influences how my eyes perceive the person before me. Beauty begins on the inside. May we ever focus on that which comes from within – the spirit placed within us that is called to be gentle and still before Him, so that we may go forth and love as we are loved by Him.

 

Let our focus be,

On beauty within;

The quiet, sweet space,

That keeps us from sin. 

The Lord God, Himself,

Delights when we’re still;

He refines in love,

By grace, shows His will.

In calm gentleness,

Let’s fix eyes on Him;

Love cleanses each heart,

And brings beauty in.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You see a quiet and gentle spirit as beautiful. Thank You that Your view of beauty is from the inside out. Thank You that You make beautiful things out of us as we choose to follow You. Forgive us for the ugliness of our selfishness and twisted perception of what truly matters. Teach us to trust You more as we quiet our hearts in stillness before You. Show us how to love those around us in a way that helps them recognize the beauty that You have created within them. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we aspire to be people that possess beautiful hearts, bearing gentle and quiet spirits toward all. Amen.

 

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

 

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. – Philippians 4:5

 

 

 

 

The Force of Faithful Fathers

Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies. – (Proverbs 20:15, NLT)

Much gold and many pearls exist, but wise speech is the most precious jewel. – (Proverbs 20:15, CEB)

You may have an abundance of wealth, piles of gold and jewels, but there is something of far greater worth: speaking revelation words of knowledge. – (Proverbs 20:15, TPT)

 

When I think of fathers, be it those on earth or our Heavenly Father, thoughts of wise words come to mind. Fathers are great sources of advice, and good fathers direct the path of their children as they grow. In the places where a human father is absent, falls short, or simply has no answer, God, who is the ultimate Father, always does. No matter where we are or what is going on, we may seek Him for answers in prayer and in His word. Last evening, I had the joy of watching the wisdom of a good father’s words come to fruition. My bonus son-to-be graduated from high school. He is a wonderful young man who has not been the biggest fan of school. His father, who loves him fiercely, with all of his giant, Viking being, passed on many wise words, often, that ultimately led to his son’s successful completion of public education. It is such a sweet space to watch the pride a father has in his son, as it grants a glimpse of how our Heavenly Father views us as His children. Though it often takes His coaxing, pulling, lifting, loving, redirecting, and many wise words conveyed to us, He is proud of us too, as we reach the various milestones set before us. May we ever seek the best Father of all and celebrate and give thanks for the good fathers that God has granted all around us to show us His heart.

 

Great wisdom in words,

Are precious in worth;

Far greater than gold,

The way, they unearth.

Just as the wise words,

That good dads choose bring;

Show us where to go,

And how to do things.

May we choose give thanks,

Seek words that are wise;

All praise for fathers,

Who see through love’s eyes.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of good fathers. Thank You that You are the ultimate good Father to us. Thank You that You grant us wise words to live by that lead us on the path You have placed before us. Forgive us for not valuing the wisdom found in the words that You intended for our hearts to hear. Teach us to have ears to listen and hearts to understand. Show us how to love others well, so that we would speak wise words that You place in our mouths. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in the wisdom of Your Holy Word and learn to value it above things that come and go. Amen.

 

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

 

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. – Psalm 145:8

Choosing the Way of Faithfulness

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on Your laws. – (Psalm 119:30, NIV)

 

As one season comes to a close, and another begins anew, I must choose again to set my heart on pursuing the path that the Lord has placed before me. Though I am uncertain of all that includes, I know that my part is to choose to obey that which He asks, and to keep Him as my priority in all things. Whatever I do, I must ask myself if it is pleasing to Him, and if there is a way to give Him glory through it. I don’t mean this in a hyper-spiritual sense, but rather am I doing what I was created to do? For example, when I am outdoors and moving, I see and know the glory of His creation, and feel His pleasure in the freedom I have to challenge my body, physically. When I teach, I know that to be faithful to Him, I must be kind and compassionate, and love each student, no matter how they come through my classroom door. In newer arenas, there is a learning curve for what His way looks like, but I know that if I choose to seek Him, He will show me the way to walk in His truth. May we each choose the way of faithfulness to our Heavenly Father, and set our hearts on His laws. As we are faithful to follow the Lord, we come to know His pleasure in our pursuit of Him.

 

May we choose the way,

Of true faithfulness;

With hearts set on Christ,

Light of righteousness.

Let our eyes be set,

On doing what’s right;

According to God,

Let us live in His light.

For in the sweet space,

Of obedience;

We remain faithful,

To all that He asks.

Help our hearts, dear Lord,

To do as You say;

To go where You lead,

And walk in Your way.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we choose to faithfully seek You, You grant us the strength and help that we need to walk in Your ways. Thank You that You write Your laws upon our hearts when we invest our time in being in Your presence. Forgive us for neglecting to seek You in all things, or for setting aside what we know to be true for temporary gain. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times, so that we would choose faithfulness in ALL things. Show us how to walk in Your truth at all times, and how to love others in such a way, that they can see You through us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose the way of faithfulness and set our hearts on Your laws. Amen.

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

Because of the tender mercy of our God, …the rising sun will come to us from heaven. – Luke 1:78

 

 

Encouragement Through Community

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. – (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NLT)

 

I am continually in awe of how God provides what I need, when I need it most. Yesterday was a day overflowing with time together with treasured friends, doing things I enjoy most, and unexpected words of encouragement came my way throughout the day from friends near and far. Despite one unfortunate exchange, my day ended well and my heart was full as I reflected upon the incredible gifts that God has blessed me with through community. We are called to be in community for a purpose. Yes, great things can be accomplished when people come together with a common goal, but I also think that God intends for us to come together so that each part of the whole is made stronger through the encouragement and strengthening of one another. May we each choose to invest well in the community in which we are placed. Let our words be full of encouragement, so that we build each other up, just as Christ does for us.

 

All thanks be to God,

As He sees each need;

He loves us to life,

And sets our hearts free.

Free from the burdens,

That wear our hearts down;

Free from the heartache,

That seeks steal our crown.

He places us each,

In community;

It’s in this sweet space,

We find how to be.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the communities in which You have planted me. I am in awe of how You use those around me to build up and encourage my heart. Thank You for loving me so well. Forgive me for not acting on every opportunity that You present to encourage or build up another. Teach me to trust You more, so that I would be willing to take risks and be vulnerable, if it is for the benefit of another. Show me how to encourage and build others up in Your love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we encourage and build each other up in You. Amen.

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

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. – Job 8:21

He Hears Our Cry

“O Lord, I say to You, ‘You are my God.’ Hear, O Lord, My cry for mercy.” – (Psalm 140:6)

Yesterday afternoon, just prior to setting out for a gathering with dear friends, I learned that a gal whom I had grown up with, had lost her seventeen-year-old son. My heart filled with heaviness on her behalf, and all I could do was cry out to God, to cover she and her family with His peace and His presence in this horrific time of grief.
Too often, young lives end long before they seemingly should. These treasures that we are given from God, are cut short, leaving so many to grieve and wonder why. There is hope, despite the desperate tragedy. When we raise and instruct them in the ways that they are meant to go, the truth will be hidden in their hearts. Our ultimate hope is held in our eternal reunion. Though there is a seemingly agonizing season of separation on earth, imagine an eternity together…

When precious lives lost,

young taken too soon;

hearts torn and broken,

with Christ, come commune.

He is the sweet space,

where healing begins;

He is the hope held,

as anguish extends.

Every cry heard,

that we offer up;

He’ll hold heart and hand,

and carry our cup.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our God, and that You hear our every cry. Thank You that You are merciful and kind, and that You are able to bring beauty from ashes and hope from despair. Forgive us for our fearfulness, and help us to place all into Your hands. Please provide Your peace and comfort to those who are in desperate spaces of despair, and move hearts and minds to surround the hurting to extend Your comfort and calm, simply by being present. May we love as You love us, and may many come to know the security and safety found in salvation in You. Be exalted in everything that we say and do. Amen.

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

May God Almighty grant you mercy. – Genesis 43:14