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Sometimes it’s dark when I walk to the chicken coop and close them up for the night. Several times we have discovered chicken snakes or possums inside with them. I shine the flashlight around to make sure they’re safe. That alarms them, so I softly tell them it’s okay. My voice calms them, and they respond to me with gentle hen-speak. I feel peace seeping into my soul, as the song of nature sooths my cares away.

The wind in the trees, and nocturnal creatures making their presence known, have always been a “balm to my soul.” My eyes are drawn to the night sky. On clear, cold, moonless nights the stars truly do sparkle like diamonds on black velvet. I invariably search for familiar constellations, while contemplating the Creator of that vast universe. From as far back as I can remember, He has always been an enigma to me.

I’ve often wondered why He would draw me to Him. Was it because my dad was a praying man? Was it because I’m the first born? I realize my worth today is because of Who dwells within me. But initially, what did He see in me? He knew I’d be obstinate and opinionated. He knew I’d argue with Him. My nature is closer to a goat than a sheep. Why would He want me with Him in eternity?

My journey with God began when I was born two months early at home. The doctor believed I’d die without hospitalization, but my dad didn’t trust hospitals. He trusted the Lord. I thrived on love, a pillow, and my mother’s milk. As soon as I could talk, Daddy taught me to kneel and to pray. My childhood was spent watching him praying and noticing when his prayers were answered. That was a priceless education.

God knew what a rascal I was from the beginning, but He loved me anyway. That humbles me. I praise Him for grace. He answered my childish prayers and grew my faith. Folks say I have a kind heart, but God and I know the truth. The love I have for others comes straight from Him. I was surprised when He put it onto my heart to write of our connection. So many others are more qualified.

That’s what I write about in my novels. My characters are connected to God. They seek Him in all things, just like I do. We take Proverbs 3:6 to heart. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” My characters need direction and protection that can only come from Him. Their faith grows as they use it in the many tribulations of life. Just like mine.

My relationship with God used to be private. He wanted me to step out of my comfort zone and to reveal His love to others. As a flawed human, I struggle to do that on my blog, and in my life. My faith comes through in my writing, but I have times when I wonder if God is busy. That’s when I reach for my Bible. He NEVER, EVER fails to assure me. That assurance often comes like the gentle wind (whisper) in 1 Kings 19:11-13. These verses reveal that God is found in quiet reflection and expectations. He loves to comfort His children. Psalm 46:10 also comes to mind, “Be still and know that I am God.”

I feel secure in my relationship with Jesus, but sometimes I don’t feel like I’m capable for the task before me. I have considered deleting my social media and returning to a normal, private life. But I won’t. I love Him. I’ll do what I can to reveal Him for as long as He lets me. I’m even considering a return to X (formally known as Twitter).

It’s His will that I continue to write about His ways and His involvement in my daily life. He wants a relationship with anyone that sincerely seeks Him. An inquisitive person may ask a believer to prove that God is real, but a person sincerely searching for the truth will reach for a Bible, and read it carefully. When you don’t understand, tell Him. He’s watching you read. His Word is alive.

Seekers often question God, while not expecting Him to answer. Never give up. In His timing, He will respond and leave no doubt in your heart. There is nothing sweeter, or more awesome, than feeling His presence. That day will be the beginning of an amazing love story with Someone who will never leave you, nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)

The Old Testament speaks of God’s love for His people, His plans for them, His patience with them, and His punishment when He has had enough. The books of the Bible reveal those character traits. Scripture assures us that the Creator in Genesis is the very One who controls the world today. There are many verses about His unchanging nature.

Except for two priceless things, the Lord’s parenting is the same for us as it was for them. We have an Advocate in Jesus, and He prays for us as only He can. All of God’s children are given His Holy Spirt to help and to guide them. This may sound pious, but I do not care. EACH DAY I thank my heavenly Father and Jesus for those precious gifts. I praise Him for the Cross.

If you’re curious about your Creator, study His word. We see the gentle side of God in the Synoptic Gospels. The gentle Jesus, as so many call Him, gives believers insight into our mysterious Creator. Revelation is the last book of the Bible. Jesus returns with white hair, and “His eyes were as a flame of fire.” The apostle John didn’t recognize Him.

Jesus is returning to judge this world and to end the era of grace. The only gentleness I saw in Revelation was when He reached down and touched John, in verse17 of chapter 1. He told him not to be afraid. Reading verses 9-20 is frightful, so I can imagine how terrifying it must have been in person. I find comfort in knowing that God loves His own.

Jeremiah 31:3 may hold the answer to my questions of why. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me saying, ‘Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore, with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.’” It was because of love that He sought me. It was love that reached down and touched John’s shoulder. The book of Revelation is truly frightful, but not for believers. We are safe from those judgements.  

We’re living in an era that’s in rebellion against Him. Most of the people in this angry, hurting world do not know Him. From what I’ve experienced on social media, many resent those who proclaim that He exists. Their scorn should never stop us from revealing the truth. I love hearing testimonies from my brothers and sisters in Christ. We will suffer here on earth, but heaven is our reward. (Romans 8:17)

The New Testament reveals His grace and love for believers. Ephesians, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Colossians, 1 John, and Hebrews are some of my favorites. The Bible isn’t a book that you can read once and lay aside. The Lord wants you reading in it every day. The more you do, the more He discloses. He reveals Himself and His will for you.

God mostly speaks to us through Scripture. You feel His presence when a verse suddenly explains your question, or you feel your eyes being drawn to words that answer your prayers. This never fails to fill me with a wonder that’s tinged with fear. A reverent fear, that comes from not being able to truly understand who God is, or what really just happened.

Dear Readers, on the nights that I linger at the chicken coop, I feel so insignificant. But I feel loved. Cherished verses come to mind, that I have memorized. I lift my heart and words of praise to Him. Psalm 103 is a favorite of mine. In that vast, beautiful space above me, and around me, lives One who never takes His eyes off of His stars, or His children. That knowledge comforts me.  It makes me fearless. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31