In the Book of Psalm, verse 46:10, it says, “Be still and know that I am God.” I cherish those words. They mean so much to me. In all honesty, it’s hard for me to be still. I’m a doer, and since there is always so much to be done, I’m normally on the go. Even so, I am aware of the importance of spending some quiet time each day, and being in the presence of God makes it even more special. When I find a place to sit and be still, it’s often outdoors, weather permitting. If the weather is not cooperating, then I like to sit near a window where I can look out and see what things are growing in our yard.

While being still and focusing on God and His beautiful creation, I will often read from my daily devotional or a passage from the God’s Word.

Do you take time regularly to be still and think about God and all that He’s done for you? If so, where do you like to be during this time of renewal?

When my husband was hospitalized a few weeks ago, he gave me his watch for safe-keeping. Somehow, I guess in my shock from learning of his heart condition, my mind went blank and I couldn’t remember where I had put the watch. I looked in my purse, my coat pockets, and in every bag we had taken on our overnight journey to the hospital that is three hours from where we live. Nothing. No sign of the watch anywhere, and no memory of where I’d put it. All I could think to do at that point was to promise that I would buy him a new watch.

After searching for two weeks, I finally I did what I should have done in the first place. I prayed about it. A few more days went by, and I continued to pray. Then, the other day, upon entering our bathroom, I spotted my cosmetic bag lying on a bench. I was sure I had looked in there before, but figured it wouldn’t hurt to look again. The small front pocket of the quilted bag has always been reserved for things like cotton swabs, shower caps, and smaller items that need less room. What I found inside that small pocket was my husband’s watch. What a pleasant surprise! I was almost certain that I had looked in there before. If I had, then I’m guessing I must have only searched in the larger portion of the cosmetic bag and hadn’t bothered looking in the smaller section.

How about you? Have you ever lost an item and prayed for guidance to finding it? Did it stay lost, or did you eventually find what had been missing?

My topic this month is about how we can stay afloat when our boat seems to be sinking.

Ever since our daughter suffered a stroke nearly two years ago, things have often felt like we’ve been riding on a boat in rough waters. Many prayers went up for our daughter, and I’m happy to say that she’s made a lot of progress and is back teaching music to elementary school children.

About a year after our daughter’s stroke, her oldest daughter had complications and nearly lost her life while giving birth to her baby girl, who was born seven weeks early. Now, almost a year later, our granddaughter and her little girl are both doing well.

Last summer, it was my turn to rock the boat. While at a family reunion in Pennsylvania, I fell and broke my left arm. I was fitted for a brace and had to wear it for ten weeks. Even after I was allowed to take the brace off, the broken bone had only partially healed. Now, 6 months from returning home with a broken arm, I’m still seeing a physical therapist to hopefully regain my range of motion and lessen the pain and swelling. How thankful I am that I can still type and continue to write novels.

More recently, my husband was hospitalized with some heart issues. It’s been a physical and emotional journey for us, and there have been times when I’ve felt like our boat that had been rocking for two years, was beginning to sink. But with the support of family and friends, along with lots of prayer and time spent in God’s Word, we have managed to stay afloat. Several Scriptures have helped us rise above the turbulent waters. One in particular spoke to my heart recently. It’s found in Galatians 6:9 (KJV): “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

How about you? Do you have a favorite Bible verse that’s helped you stay afloat during difficult times? If so, please feel free to share it with your comments.