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The Arch of God’s Love

Life is more than a cycle.

So often, life can just feel like a cycle.

Brush, rinse, wash, repeat. Meet-cute, fall in love, break up, repeat. Feel lonely, make friends, get heartbroken, repeat.

Even life itself: Born, struggle, succeed, decline, die, onto the next.

But is that really life?

For the past few years, I’ve been caught up seeing life as a cycle. It’s more draining making friends after knowing how quickly you can lose them. It’s harder to take initiative after being rejected.

Perhaps you can relate. The worst is when you pray, God answers the prayer, and then the thing you feared happens anyway. False hope cuts deeper than no hope at all.

But maybe what we’re feeling isn’t false hope. Maybe we have our hope placed in the outcome more than in who gives us hope.

This week, I was reminded of the story of Elijah and the widow. He meets the widow and her son during a drought when they are preparing their last meal in anticipation of their greatest fear: death. But miraculously, God provides them with enough food to survive!

But then…her son dies anyway.

Arguably, the widow is distressed. Why would God save them just to have her son die shortly after? He’s all she has, or so she thinks. What good is life without him? And what kind of God would allow this?

When we have a pressing need, it’s easy to become obsessed with it. Perhaps it’s a person in our lives who seems like a miracle, just to be taken away from us. Or maybe it’s an opportunity that would bring so much joy, only to fall through. It could even be a physical need, such as a place to live, food on the table, or enough money to make it through the month.

All these things that feel like necessities. That are necessities when living in this world.

When the woman cries out to God, He hears her. Through Elijah, God is able to bring her son back to life. And through this heart-wrenching experience, she can finally proclaim, “Now I know that you (Elijah) are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth” (1 Kings 17:24).

Now. Now I can see. Now I know that You hear me.

It took not a cycle of God’s love coming and going. It took an arch of belief. Starting off helpless, going on a journey towards trusting God fully, and ending with the knowledge that God loves without fail.

Maybe the “son” in your story has already died. Maybe it feels like God was too late.

But I promise that God is using everything in your life to bring you back to His love. Through hardship and heartache, God is right there, protecting you from things you couldn’t even imagine.

God wants you to turn to Him when you feel yourself sinking in despair, loneliness, or confusion. He doesn’t want you to be alone. Through it all, you will never be alone. ❤

For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Romans 14:7-8

To the Wanderer

Not all who wander are lost, and perhaps those are who God enjoys using.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Printed on mugs and plaques, recited in every Sunday School class, and written in the most encouraging of cards, this Proverb is unforgettable.

And yet, so many times I’ve collapsed at my desk, head in my hands, racking my brain as to why I’ve trusted and trusted and trusted…and yet I’m still wandering.

Last night, I told a group of kids at my church the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the blazing furnace, when they trusted God even though they were on the brink of losing their lives. Kids being, well, kids, immediately raced through their own version of the story faster than you could say “Nebuchadnezzer” and were ready to jump up and play games.

But holding them in the moment, I asked, “How do you think they felt when they were about to be sent into the furnace?”

I anticipated reactions such as “scared”, “terrified”, and “worried”.

Instead, I got: “They were okay! They were happy!”

So then I went off-script and asked, “How would you feel if you were in this situation?”

Again, the answers were instantaneous: “Scared! Horrified! Soooo nervous!”

This group of kids have been through a pandemic, breathed in smoke fumes every summer they can remember, and have had their share of personal battles, all before the age of ten. Each one has their own furnace.

And yet, as we later bowed our heads and prayed to the same God who Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted, none of us could confidently say we wouldn’t be shaking in our bones standing in front of the pipping hot flames awaiting our potential doom.

Here’s the thing: the Bible never says these men weren’t nervous. They outright admit that God may not “save” them (in the physical sense) from this fire. But they trusted that no matter what would happen, they knew God would take care of them.

Ironically, or possibly not, earlier yesterday one of my professors told us something my mind is still trying to grasp: “We are best used by God when we are wandering. Not lost, but not with a clear path ahead of us.”

When I picture that promised “straight path”, I must confess that I envision a life of smooth relationships, clear calling, and free from doubt. But that’s not what God is promising at all.

Trusting God is less about getting your life put together perfectly and more about feeling God’s presence. Throughout the Bible, God makes many promises to His chosen people, but the biggest one is the promise of His presence in their lives. And through that presence, they are secured the chance to be a “blessing to all nations” (Genesis 12:3).

Anyone who trusts God and wants to do His will can also be part of this covenant. God chose you before you were born to live out an incredible purpose. To be a blessing to everyone put in your life.

That ache in your heart for the neglected, that strange surge of care for a stranger, that desire to make things right–those are all passions given to you by the Holy Spirit. Yet knowing how to respond to the needs of the world in a Christlike manner can only happen after getting to know Christ for yourself.

Don’t worry about trusting God “enough”. Just focus on the ways you can hand God each detail of your life, one day at a time, until it becomes so natural that you can’t think of life the same way again.

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 9:10

You Are Worth The Cost

You matter to God ❤

It’s just a paper plate.

I kept trying to convince myself of that as I walked in the door last night after a long evening of leading children’s programming at church. Still recovering from jet lag and a full day of classes, I funneled the remnants of my energy into spending time with the kids. Yet, of course, it was completely worth it after reflecting on their thoughtful answers, seeing their smiling faces, and most all, hearing their laughter!

Though the highlight of the night came at the end, when a sweet little girl came up and handed me a plate. It wasn’t just an old plate–it was adorned with multicolored paint splatters surrounding the words: “I ❤ you”.

A smile immediately illuminated my face as I gave her a quick squeeze and a “thank you” that couldn’t have possibly conveyed how much it meant to me.

And then in the hubbub of parents picking up their children and cleaning the giant mess of paint, the plate was somehow lost in the mix. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized my special gift was missing.

I tore apart my bags, just to make sure, though I knew deep down that it was somewhere in the locked up building.

It’s not worth driving all the way back and setting off the alarms, I reminded myself. But somehow, it almost felt worth it.

How funny it is that something as simple as a paper plate can have so much value once personalized. You might have something similar at home: what was once a piece of scratch paper is now a treasured love note; an old receipt is the reminder of easier days; a dusty photo is the last memory of a beloved person.

And to God, we were once just dust particles, and now we are worth the ultimate sacrifice. God would give up everything–in fact, He did!–just to be with us. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus would go searching high and low to make sure each of us are still with Him. He would go back for that one paper plate, no matter the cost or humiliation or time. We are worth it to Him.

Today, I hope you can allow yourself to believe that you are a valuable, beloved creation that has an extraordinary purpose. When God made you, He knew exactly what He was doing. You can’t mess up God’s plan for you. And even when things feel all out of alignment, God’s love for you will never fail. ❤

“I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

John 10:10-11

Making Room for Rest

What does rest look like for you in this stage of life?

I have just returned from my time abroad! I am thankful for your patience as this site took a break, and I look forward to sharing all that God taught me during my trip over the next few weeks!

Heading into this trip, I distracted myself with many things. I was working multiple jobs, starting various creative projects, and never letting myself take a moment to realize what was happening.

Forcing myself to feel productive and purposeful left me feeling drained and overwhelmed. Actions meant to prevent me from harm ended up postponing the deeper healing I needed.

But thankfully God gave me the opportunity to step out of my current reality and objectively look at my life. Through the four weeks I was away, rest had to take a different form.

Often it was simply a necessity after running around a Tube station in search of the right train or a particularly intense class session. There was no other way to move forward without taking a breather first.

Ultimately, I realized more deeply than I ever had before that rest needs to be a priority. It may feel like laziness or procrastination, but making room for rest in life is the only way to do things well. To live fully into the purpose God has created us for.

And then, of course, the day after I get home the one thing I haven’t checked off on my to-do list is “rest”.

But rest can’t be checked off. Rather, it needs to be a practice. Pausing before reaching for our devices to soak in the moment and regroup. Praying and reading the Bible before starting or ending the day. Taking a walk before starting a task.

Rest looks different in each season, but it’s vital no matter where you are in life. I hope you can love yourself enough to give yourself the chance to rest and bring your best self to the table. You are worth it. ❤


Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, Jesus said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 6:31

Faith is Strength

Encouragement when faith feels like a weakness.

We’re taught from an early age that belief in the impossible, in the supernatural, is a sign of childishness–a weakness. We’re told to put away childish things, yes, but faith and hope in a brighter future are not foolish passions.

When the world is dark, as it so often is, faith is what we have to cling onto. It’s what keeps us going. Without faith…what good is life?

While the world says faith is weak, faith can be your strategy for staying strong amid the uncertainties and chaos of life.

You can trust that while we don’t know what tomorrow, or next year, or fifty years from now will bring, God remains the same. He promises to take care of you, to show you a perfect world once this one falls completely apart.

It’s scary, yes. But it’s also a source of hope.

No matter what, you are destined for a greater place. Holding onto hope is what makes you brave.

Even when the flames of your faith flicker, God is right there, ready to scoop you back into His arms and remind you of the unfailing love and peace He offers. Call out to Him today–He hears you and cares about what’s burdening your heart.

No matter what, we have a reason to keep on believing ❤ God has the best plan in store, no matter what happens here.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Hebrews 11:1-3

(As a side note, I will be traveling for the next few weeks, so this blog will take a short hiatus, but will return in mid-September! I will be praying for you all ❤ )

Reminders of His Love

God’s love isn’t far–it’s right here, in every detail of your life.

God’s love shows up in mysterious ways. Yesterday, it came in a lost receipt.

Recently, I’ve been struggling to figure out a lot of things, including where God is during this stage of my life. I know He’s always there, but it’s hard to remember that during the seasons when life feels directionless. An additional concern is my health, which has taken some unexpected turns over the summer.

Last evening, after a day of asking God for strength and answers, I was running around the house in search of a receipt I needed to turn in for reimbursement for my job. I turned over objects, reshuffled the dining room table (which is always too cluttered to eat on anyway), and poked through every possible location it could be in.

As I headed up the stairs, I silently asked God for help. Literally less than a minute later, in the one place I didn’t think to check, there was the receipt.

Honestly, most of my “big” questions weren’t resolved last night. Yet God was still showing up, reminding me that even the small things matter to Him. When we pay attention to how God is within every detail of our lives, we can have peace even in uncertainty.

Today, no matter what you are going through, I hope you can give God the things that are burdening your heart. Everything feels so ginormous when we’re caught up in them, yet God has a plan to use it all for good, even when it doesn’t feel good right now.

God has an extraordinary plan for you.

You may not feel like it when the days begin to take their toll on you, or when you aren’t at the point you thought you’d be at by now. Yet God is in control, and that promise will never fail. ❤

A Letter to the Longing

A letter to those ready to give up on love ❤

Dear Chaser of Love,

Another meal alone. Another day without answers. Another broken promise.

You hear of beautiful love stories and wonder when yours will be spun. Or if it’s all just a pipe-dream.

You cling onto hope, desperate to finally feel desired. Telling yourself each day that God has someone out there for you, even when you aren’t really sure.

And perhaps that’s true, though you don’t need to wait for the perfect partner to come along before you can find real love.

You are hopelessly, fanatically, passionately chasing after love. But what if Love is findable, just not in the places you have been looking.

If you seek God with all your heart, you will find Him. God is Love, thus you will discover love when you seek God with everything inside of you.

Yes, you may still feel loneliness and disappointment. People will come and go, and it’s important to take the time to grieve those losses. But with each storm, you will have Someone guiding your path. Bringing you the hope and joy you once thought was lost forever.

I pray that today is the day you can begin to hope again. Not in empty dreams, no matter how wonderful they could have been, but in a very real God who loves you and wants you to reach out to Him. He will give you all you need and more.

Love,

Hannah

Time

A poem for the weary.

Time is a gift we all share.

Never enough, yet somehow overflowing.

We weave in and out of each other’s lives.

Held back, pushed forward, taking the plunge–

All thanks to Time.

We mark our lives by it, yet it flows loosely through our fingers.

No one knows when it will

Suddenly

Just

Stop.

The Maker of Time must laugh

And cry

When He watches us make foolish predictions.

The ache in our hearts when we’re just

One step behind.

Too late.

Too early.

Too much.

Too soon.

Yet nothing feels that way for Him.

Breathe.

All rests in His hands.

And somehow

It will all be fine.

One step at a time.

Audio: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/ukaqGo9Kesb

Worth the Wait

Where is God amidst tragedy, heartbreak, and most of all, waiting?

You don’t have to wait for God’s plan.

Yep, you heard me right. Why? Because God’s plan isn’t something you have to wait around aimlessly for–it’s already happening right now.

There are many beautiful quotes about waiting on God and how we can’t waste the waiting. I’ve even posted about not being unproductive or inattentive to God’s leading during seasons that feel slow or mundane. But here’s the thing–we aren’t waiting on God’s plan to start, each day is proof that God is weaving His story in every season of our lives.

It may feel like waiting as you sit in a hospital room, anticipating your results. When you watch everyone else achieve their dreams, feeling one step behind. When you wonder how your life could possibly end up purposeful and beautiful amidst tragedy or heartbreak. When the world is dark and no light seems to be shining through.

Where is God in all this?

God is right here, my friend. He is within every single detail. That chance encounter with a person who needs your encouraging smile. That unexpected opportunity that leads you down a road towards healing. That wrong turn that ends up bringing you to all the right places.

God’s plan is worth trusting. We could never comprehend all the knowledge He has about us, the world, and the future. It’s a gift to be able to leave it all in His hands.

But we don’t have to wait to begin living. Even when things aren’t going in the direction that feels “successful” or “purposeful”, you are still becoming the person you have been made to be, one step at a time. You are still learning and growing, especially once you look for the ways God is speaking to you.

On the days when it feels like nothing is happening and you are impatient about understanding where your life with lead, remember that each moment is an opportunity to bring light into the world. One thoughtful message, one act of kindness, one comforting Bible verse at a time. They all matter.

Most of all, you matter. God knows that better than anyone.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

Ephesians 4:1

Grace Through It All

Encouragement for your heart today ❤

There is grace in the waiting, the wishing, the wanting. Even when it feels like you have hoped for too long with no results, even when it feels selfish to persist.

There is grace in the mistakes, the ones that feel countless and the ones teaching you new things. Even when others make it seem like a flaw counts against your humanity, remember that pride steals our joy, and when we can laugh and learn, we are best headed towards becoming our full selves.

There is grace in the loyal, the faithful, the true. The times when you feel as though your heart can’t hold much more, yet there’s still much to do.

There is grace for the humble, the overlooked, the neglected. When you feel behind others after overcoming more obstacles to get to where you are today.

There is grace for the doubtful, the skeptical, the tired. The ones who wonder if God really exists, or worry that He doesn’t care. Even through the questions, God is right there.

There is grace for the arrogant, the prideful, the hard-hearted. One doesn’t create such a shell without wounds to hide and unfinished healing to repair.

There is grace for the soft-spoken, the lonely, the spoken-over. Though you may have felt like your words don’t matter, they are what will bring needed change to this world.

There is grace for the loud, the chaotic, the energetic. You may have been led to feel like “too much”, when really our world wouldn’t function without your constant motion.

There is grace for the creative, the thoughtful, the dreamer. Though you have often been told that your imagination isn’t practical, hold onto your dreams and know that someday you will find yourself in a place greater than you can comprehend.

There is grace for you, whoever you are, wherever you are. Whether today was the best day of your life or left you in tears. Whether you have found yourself at the end of your rope, continuing a cycle you thought you had broken. Whether you are wishing to hold this day in your heart forever, never wanting to let go of the comfort it brings you.

We need grace because we are all of these things at points in our lives, whether in the past or yet to come. We are only human, and yet we are wonderfully human. God holds us close and sets us free to grow, guiding us through with each heartbeat, with every step.

These steps, these rhythms are bringing you closer and closer to the person you are meant to be. And that, my friend, is a beautiful thing indeed. ❤

You will go out in joy

    and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

    will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

    will clap their hands.

Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,

    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be for the Lord’s renown,

    for an everlasting sign,

    that will endure forever.

Isaiah 55:12-13