(in)courage - A Moment to Breathe

Copyright 2017 by DaySpring Cards Inc.

All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

978-1-4627-6706-9

Published by B&H Publishing Group

Nashville, Tennessee

Dewey Decimal Classification: 242.643

Subject Heading: DEVOTIONAL LITERATURE \ WOMEN \ MEDITATIONS

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible and CSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

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Introduction

Oh, friend, we are so glad youre here. Come on in. Yes you. Even if youre still in your pajamas. And especially if youre still wearing yesterdays makeup. We like you just the way you are. Because here at (in)courage were all about being real. Real about our struggles. Real about our messes. And real about Jesus, who welcomes us all with arms as wide as the heavens He made.

We may come from different places, but when we come together, we find one thing to be very true: Our heartaches may be different, but our hearts are the same. And thats what youll find in these pagesstories from women in every season of life, women who have been there, women who understand.

Were so honored to include the beautiful voices of eighty writers, and you can find out more about each woman in the Author Bios in the back (p. 369).

As you turn each page, imagine a friend opening her door, welcoming you into her story.

This collection of everyday stories is where you can find yourself among friendsfriends wholl lean in close and say, Me too! Through our stories the bonds of friendship deepen as we listen to each other, laugh with each other, and learn from each other. Because were better when were living this one beautiful life together.

We know life can be wonderful and wonderfully messy all at the same time. We also know that God often moves in unseen ways through our most ordinary days. Which is why we see each story as an offering of hope, from one heart to another. Sister to sister. Friend to friend.

With 365 readings, each day begins with a passage of Scripture, tells a story of everyday faith, and encourages you to take a moment to breathe with a simple but fun way to complete your day.

Start with Day 1 and read through the devotions daily for a whole year or go at your own pace. Weve also included a Scripture Index (p. 377) so you can easily find a devotional by verse. Feel free to mark these pages with your own words too. Share them with friends. And let us know how God uses these words to bring hope and encouragement to your everyday.

So kick off your shoes and join us for a relaxing but special time, where friends come together and share the real stuff of everyday faith.

May the stories on these pages become the very place your soul can exhale... where you know that you know... you have a place here... a place with many voices, one heart.

Day 1

Were All Worth a Second Look

by Holley Gerth

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

We wander over to our favorite fruit stand, to a table laden with discounted fruit labeled seconds. A wiry woman says, These are here because they have some kind of trouble.

I look at her and say with a half-grin, Dont we all?

My husband and I have bought these peaches before and we know what she means. There might be a bruise from a hard landing on unrelenting ground. There could be a tiny hole where a bug helped itself to dinner. I glance at the cousins of these peaches sitting on other tables inside the little stand. Theyre beautiful and unblemished as they sit proudly in their buckets waiting to be taken home by folks who will not settle for anything less. I think if I were a peach Id rather be on the seconds table where the messy is allowed.

We choose our imperfect peaches and cart them home with anticipation. I set one on a small cream-colored plate and split it right down the side with a silver knife. I bring the piece to my mouth and take a bite. Its an explosion of sweet and tart and summer.

I look at it and whisper right to its skin, Who would have thought you had that in you? Then I think about how this rings true to life. Because we all have parts of our hearts or stories that we think dont measure up. We call them unworthy and less than and we put them to the side. But the longer Ive walked this spinning earth, the more I find those are the places where the glory and the beauty are likely to show up and shout, Surprise! I had assumed seconds meant not first, not best. Maybe it really just means worth a second look.

A Moment to Breathe...

As you go through your day, look into the eyes of the cashier or the barista or the mailman and say hi. Learn their name. Give them a second look and a smile that says, You matter.

day 2

Praying for Rain

by Lisa-Jo Baker

Ask the L ord for rain in the season of spring rain. The L ord makes the rain clouds, and he will give them showers of rain and crops in the field for everyone. Zechariah 10:1

At the kitchen sink there are only dishes and soap suds and my thoughts. So late at night while the household sleeps, I straggle into the kitchen to find peace in a sink full of waiting dishes. As I rinse my bright red frying pan, I find myself praying desperate dreams for the future. I pray for what I want but rarely for what I have.

But recently, I was reminded of the verse in Zechariah that says: In the season of rain, pray for rain . And suddenly Im back in South Africa on a dry game farm surrounded by farmers who havent seen rain in months. These sun-weathered men sit in their rough clothes at a long table outside. The first course is cucumber soup. But with first bites come cold, hard drops. Rain. I prepare to make a dash for the inside of the lodge, but Im the only one to move.

The men carry on with their meal as the rain falls down and the soup splashes up. But their actions speak louder than words and my father interprets them for me, They wont leave the rain, because they dont want it to leave them. In the season of rain, they want more rain.

With soap suds up to my elbows, I lean on the sink, remembering. What I have now is once what I wanted so desperately: healed marriage, healthy children, the beginnings of meaningful work. I dont want to lose sight of these in the chase after my next prayer request. In the season of rain, still pray for rain. Because, once the rain begins, its tempting to walk away from the answered prayer and move on to the next thing. But I do not want to do that. I want to sit and revel in what God has given me here and now. Daily, between soap suds and dirty dishes, I want to pray for what I have.

A Moment to Breathe...

Pray for the rain thats already falling, giving thanks for the abundance Hes already shown.

day 3

Dear John

by Aliza Latta

Therefore accept one another, just as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God. Romans 15:7

The plane had just started to climb into the air when the man sitting next to me knocked his elbow against mine. I turned to him and smiled. (I always smile when I feel awkward.) My name is John. He said each word painfully slow, his hand sort of flapping while pointing to his chest.