When You Need More Than Answers

by Jennifer Slattery on April 2, 2026April 1, 2026

When I’m frightened or weighed down by sorrow, what I need most isn’t a quick solution or changed circumstances. I need God’s presence.

When I’ve reacted in ways I regret, I long to feel His love again. When others wound, reject, or betray me, I ache to know I’m not alone. And when life presses in from every side, leaving me unsure of what comes next, I need God’s immovable, personal guidance, gently whispered in my soul.

In those seasons, time with Jesus isn’t something I check off a list. It becomes my lifeline.

I imagine that’s where David found himself when he wrote Psalm 143. Scripture doesn’t tell us the exact situation behind his words, but his prayer reveals deep anguish. He speaks of enemies pursuing him, feeling crushed to the ground, and dwelling in darkness. His spirit felt faint and his heart dismayed.

He doesn’t minimize his pain or cover his hurts behind a forced hallelujah. He brings his distress directly to God, unfiltered. And while he does ask for help, he most longs for connection with the Almighty.

In the middle of his desperation, he prayed, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life” (Psalm 143:8, NIV).

We know David understood God’s love. He wrote of it often, calling it unfailing, steadfast, and something that reached to the heavens. Yet in this moment, he wanted–needed–a fresh experience of that love.

Isn’t that what we all need?

Dr. Curt Thompson, a Christian psychiatrist, speaks about our ongoing need to feel seen and soothed. He once said the human brain can endure hard things for a long time—so long as it doesn’t do them alone. That resonates deeply, because it aligns with what Scripture reveals about God’s heart. He meets us in our pain and carries us through it.

David shows us what it looks like to anchor ourselves in that truth. In the middle of his distress, he intentionally remembers. “I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works.” He looks back on God’s faithfulness—His power, provision, and care.

Presumably, he thought of how God delivered Israel from slavery, parted the Red Sea, and provided in the wilderness. Perhaps he also recalled more personal moments—like the day he faced Goliath with nothing but a sling and a quiet confidence in the Lord.

Those memory strengthened his pathway to trust.

And from that place, David reached for God again. With urgency. Like dry ground desperate for rain, he longed to sense the presence of God.

The apostle Paul recorded similar thoughts in Ephesians 3. He asked the Lord to help believers would grasp the vastness of Christ’s love and be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. His words show a progression: rooted in love, growing in understanding, filled with Christ’s presence.

That’s what I long for as well—especially in hard seasons.

Not simply answers or an immediate escape from today’s problems. But a deeper awareness of God with me.

When we experience that, truly experience it, everything changes.

We are changed. In and by His love.

Trusting God in Suffering and When Life Doesn’t Make Sense – Faith Over Fear

In seasons of deep pain, unanswered questions, and emotional exhaustion, hope can feel distant—or risky to embrace. In this powerful conversation, Jennifer Slattery sits down with author and speaker Kirby Kelly to explore what it looks like to hold onto hope when life feels overwhelming. Drawing from her personal story of loss, addiction in her family, and long-term suffering, Kirby shares how God met her in her darkest moments and gradually transformed her understanding of hope—not as a feeling or personality trait, but as a posture and daily practice rooted in Christ. Together, they discuss how to trust God when circumstances don’t change, how Scripture renews our thinking, and how God uses every season—painful or joyful—to bring redemption. If you’ve been struggling to believe God is good, or wondering how to keep going when you feel worn down, this episode will gently guide you back to the unchanging character of the God of hope. Resource referenced: The Fabric of Hope: How God Weaves Redemption into Every Season by Kirby Kelly 📖 Scripture Discussed Romans 15:13 – God as the source of hope, joy, and peace Psalm 139:5 – God’s nearness and protection (“You hem me in…”) Genesis 37–50 – Joseph’s story of suffering and redemption Job (selected passages) – Trusting God without having answers 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 – Paul’s “thorn” and God’s sustaining grace Galatians 5:22–23 – Fruit of the Spirit (joy and peace) Matthew 11:28–30 – Jesus invites the weary to find rest Reflection Questions: Where in your life does hope feel difficult—or risky—to embrace right now? Have you been placing your hope in a circumstance instead of in God’s character? What past situation can you look back on and clearly see God’s faithfulness? How might regularly reading Scripture begin to renew your thinking in this season? When you feel overwhelmed, what would it look like to pause and intentionally turn toward God’s presence? Which aspect of God—His promises, presence, patterns, or person—do you most need to anchor yourself in today? What is one action step God is inviting you to take having listened to this episode? Connect with Kirby Kelly: On her website On Instagram On Facebook On YouTube Follow her work on Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Catching Glimpses of God – guest post by Jessica Brodie

by Jennifer Slattery on March 14, 2024March 13, 2024

The night was so clear it took my breath away. The smattering of stars reminded me of tiny shards of glass dotting the sky, and gently nestled behind a silhouette of branches rested a luminous crescent moon. Its vanilla shade was an almost tangible comfort, echoing the promise of warmth the next day would eventually bring. But for now it was night, and the moon was my company.

As I peered at the crescent, I realized I could see the faintest glow of the whole circle of the moon, as well. I wouldn’t have known to look for it if I weren’t familiar with it already, if I didn’t know the moon was sometimes full and this was only a sliver before me now. That sliver was what had caught my eye, but now that I looked closely, the whole thing was unmistakably, irrepressibly clear.

My friends, in that moment I also knew: That is how it is with God’s plan, God’s purpose, God’s hand at work in this world.

Often we seek the big and the grand and the bold. We want God to talk to us audibly, to feel Jesus noticeably at our side, to have some mountaintop experience where we’re fully conscious the Holy Spirit is on the move.

But sometimes God is in the whisper, the sliver, the barely seen.

Those of us who are Christians know in our heart that God our father truly cares, that Jesus is our salvation, and that the Holy Spirit is alive within us. But sometimes life gets hard, and our faith ebbs. We might think God is far away just because we can’t feel him, assume he is distant because we haven’t heard him speak.

But God has given us holy eyes to see there is another aspect of this, an aspect we often can only glimpse or just barely sense—the spirit world. This spirit world is the eternal world, where the colossal battles are fought and where daily concerns pale in comparison to the scope of eternity.

Just like the crescent moon is a hint of the full thing, most of what we are experiencing in this life is just a hint of God’s glorious kingdom. There’s so much more we cannot see.

We pray, and we think we understand God‘s plan for our lives, and usually he only shows us part of it, if any. Perhaps we’re not ready to see the full thing, perhaps we need baby steps, or perhaps he’s waiting to surprise us with how wonderful and glorious our future will be.

Faith is trusting that God’s plan is so much bigger than we can see. It’s knowing we don’t need proof or bold gestures for it to be real and true and oh, so good.

God cannot be confined, yet we try, don’t we?

If you are in a place today where you are heartsick, where you are feeling that burden of despair, exhaustion, and desperately craving direction from God, look with your spiritual eyes, and see what God is telling you.

Sometimes it’s only the crescent, sometimes it’s no moon at all. But sometimes, if you look closely, you’ll glimpse the full picture.

Just trust.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

— EPHESIANS 3:20-21 NIV

Get to Know Jessica

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. This year, she’s released an Advent devotional for those seeking true closeness with God, which you can find at https://www.jessicabrodie.com/advent. Learn more about Jessica’s fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com. She has a weekly YouTube devotional and podcast. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

Trusting God in Suffering and When Life Doesn’t Make Sense – Faith Over Fear

Finding God in the depths – guest post by Jessica Brodie

by Jennifer Slattery on July 27, 2023August 10, 2023

This past year, I endured one of the most difficult seasons in the over two decades. I felt like I was being hit on every side. Relentlessly. During this time, someone I served with, and with whom I hadn’t shared much, texted me to tell me her husband had dreamt that evil was chasing me.

And I was like, “I so feel that!” But, I also knew that good had already won and my victory was sure because no matter how far I sank, I would always find God holding me.

If you can relate, today’s post by a sweet friend and Wholly Loved team member will encourage you.

Finding God in the Depths

by Jessica Brodie

Have you ever been in a body of water, certain you could touch the ground, only when you fumbled for footing, there was none?

Our family spent some time last week at a waterpark, where my favorite activity has always been the wave pool. In case you’re not familiar, wave pools are giant swimming pools that start out shallow and grow increasingly deep, and every so often, water courses out in giant, slow waves for about fifteen minutes while everyone gently bobs up and down in the water. After fifteen minutes, it stops, and the water is calm again.

I love the soothing, rhythmic motion of the waves. My body relaxes as the waves guide me up and down, up and down, my feet gently lifting up off the bottom and then back down again. All is safe and well.

Unlike the ocean, in the pool I can relax. I don’t have to worry about sharks or riptides. My only concern is getting a little too close to a stranger or when I need to reapply sunscreen.

But one day, as I let the waves lull my body into relaxation, I didn’t realize that with every lull I was also inching deeper and deeper into the pool. At one point I bobbed up, then came down, expecting my feet to find the bottom—only they didn’t. I was in too deep, the water now over my head.

Quickly, I swam a few feet toward the shallow end and regained my footing. My peaceful motion began once more. Everything was fine.

But in life, sometimes it’s not so easy. I find myself rolling along, not paying much attention to my surroundings, and suddenly I’ve gotten myself into deep waters—a situation a bit over my head, with all sorts of unexpected dangers. And unlike the wave pool, swimming toward swallow water isn’t so easy, nor is there always footing to find.

Sometimes I’m stuck there in those deep waters, flailing about, not sure how to extricate myself from the situation.

Perhaps you’ve been there, too—a temptation that got out of hand, a “white lie” that became deception, a health worry that turned into an all-out panic, a quarrel that evolved into the utter dissolution of a relationship.

What then? What do you do when you can’t find shallow ground, when you’re surrounded by deep water and there’s nothing you can do but scramble to stay afloat… or surrender?

For me, those are the times I’ve found God to be the closest—right there in the depths of my affliction, my pain, my struggle, or my fear.

God, who as “Word became flesh” (John 1:14) suffered a brutal, humiliating, tortuous death on the cross after the worst betrayal imaginable, understands what it means to be in deep waters. God understands what it means to want help so desperately, yet there’s nothing to do but endure the pain.

It can be incredibly difficult to seek and trust God when we are in the depths of pain and despair, when the darkness looms so powerfully we cannot even imagine light, let alone a way through.

Yet He is there, and He always has been.

He was there before creation, beyond time, the Alpha and the Omega. He is our rescuer and our redeemer, our brother and father and Maker and friend all in one.

We may have ashes, but God brings beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:2-3). We may have dry bones, but we know God can turn dry bones into life (Ezekiel 37:1-10).

Trusting God and knowing that everything will truly be all right doesn’t mean the situation will right itself in this earthly realm. We might indeed lose that relationship, succumb to that illness, get fired from our job, or wind up on the streets. We might spend a lot of time in those deep waters, suffering and begging for reprieve—maybe a reprieve that doesn’t come until we draw our last breath.

But what we can know in the depths of our soul is that we will find reprieve in eternity. Our hopes lies in Jesus.

Today, if you are floundering in the deep, take a breath and know you are not alone. God is with you.

As the apostle Paul teaches us in Philippians 4:12-13, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (NIV).

We truly can. Amen.

Get to Know Jessica Brodie:

Trusting God in Suffering and When Life Doesn’t Make Sense – Faith Over Fear

Remembering What we cannot see – guest post by Karen Wingate

by Jennifer Slattery on July 13, 2023July 12, 2023

When life feels hard or uncertain, I try to lift my gaze off of my problems and onto the One who knows me, sees me, loves me, and is always, always working on my behalf.

Today’s guest, Karen Wingate, has a unique understanding regarding what we do and do not see.

Remembering What We Cannot See

by Karen Womgate

When I was a child, my family often traveled the back roads of Arizona to my grandparents through what was then farming country between Phoenix and Tucson. That was in the day when Arizona was famous for its Pima cotton. But all I could see were smudges of white.

Born legally blind, my description of distant objects was in terms of “blurry blobs.” My family slowly got the idea that if I was to see a particular thing, they would either have to point it out to me or move me closer. Once I saw the item up close, my mind would fill in the details the next time I saw the distant blur.

During one trip, my mother drove while my step-dad monitored his ham radio. On an abandoned county road south of Phoenix, she abruptly did a hard left into a cotton field.

“What are you doing?” my stepdad sputtered, as he bent to pick up his microphone.

She calmly replied. “I’m going to show Karen a cotton boll.”

And she did. We “gleaned” a cotton boll from the edge of a field. I then spent the rest of the trip pulling it apart and marveling at the strands of cotton and the hard seeds embedded within. So that’s why Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin!

I marvel at my mother’s wisdom. She brought the world to me, but she did more. She used my poor vision that identified things as “blobs” as a launching pad for asking, “What’s out there?” I learned to squelch fear of the unknown with curiosity and perceive the unseen as an adventure, rather than a threat.

God invites us to do the same in our spiritual journey. He says in Jeremiah 33:3, “‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know (NKJV).’

But venturing past the defined detail of the familiar can be scary. We don’t know what lies beyond in space or time. What we do see or know looks much like my blurry blobs.

Instead of leaving us to retreat in fear, God invites us to move forward with curiosity. He has so much to show us. He has exciting moments waiting where we’ll see glimpses of His glory and the inner details of His work. He wants us to come boldly before His throne, walk into the center of His will, and discover just how great a God He is.

He is there in the undefined, beyond what we can see. He is here, waiting to walk into the unknown with us, so He can show us who He is and what He can do. As we venture into the new, we discover the reality of what we could not see, and the wonder will push aside the fear.

As you walk toward the ambiguity of an upcoming event or the future hours of an ordinary day, why not squelch uncertainty with curiosity? Ask, “Lord, what’s out there? Show me what You are doing.” He may show you spiritual treasure that will equip you with hope for the next time you trek into the unknown. Or He may simply ask you to trust Him and let Him guide you through what you cannot see for the moment.

If you fear what lies ahead, take a deep breath, and tell the Lord you’re ready to discover whatever He’s waiting to show you. Whatever it is will be amazing.

Get to Know Karen: Karen Wingate is author of the award-winning book, With Fresh Eyes: 60 Insights into the Miraculously Ordinary from a Woman Born Blind After she and her husband spent 35 years in local church ministry, they have returned to the desert Southwest where Karen continues to write and speak, including an appearance on the Focus on the Family broadcast. Visit her website at www.karenwingate.com.

Check out her book, With Fresh Eyes: 60 Insights Into the Miraculously Ordinary from a Woman Born Blind:

What miracles do we miss when we close our eyes to the wonder of everyday moments?

In this busy, jaded world of ours, we often take for granted what we see every day. We may set aside time to spend with God in a quiet room, but we struggle to see his hand in a traffic jam or while walking the dog. But for Karen Wingate, sight itself is something extraordinary, and what our eyes can reveal is even more astounding.

Karen lived most of her life with severely limited sight due to a cluster of disorders stemming from a genetic defect. But through the chance outcome of a surgery, she regained sight in one eye that doubled her visual acuity–and allowed her to see things she had never seen before. And as she discovered a more detailed world for the first time, she also began to see God in every new discovery–from the prosaic numbers of a bathroom scale to the glory of sunsets.

With Fresh Eyes invites readers not only to celebrate the gift of their own sight but to reawaken to the wonder of what they observe in creation–great and small–and how God is working in everyday moments. In each of her sixty meditations, Karen’s humor and whimsy draw a connection between physical sight and spiritual understanding that will leave readers with a renewed joy and delight in what is good and beautiful, and will reassure them that God still works in the lives of his people.

Grab your copy HERE.

What to Do When Nothing is Getting Better (Lamentations 3:22–23) – Your Daily Bible Verse

Today’s Bible Verse: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22–23 Lamentations 3:22–23 is a powerful reminder that God’s mercy meets us daily. Written in the middle of deep grief and devastation, these words don’t ignore pain—they rise in the middle of it. Even when everything feels uncertain, God’s compassion remains constant. Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe Meet Today’s Host: Carol Ogle McCracken 🎙️ Listen to more daily devotionals with Carol at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio Carol Ogle McCracken is a dynamic Christian speaker, author, and Bible teacher known for her warmth, humor, and transparency. She brings biblical truths to life through real-world stories and relatable experiences—whether navigating alcohol recovery, parenting a child with special needs, or walking through divorce. Today, she serves as Minister of Discipleship at her local church and shares God’s Word through women's retreats, conferences, and online devotionals. Her book, Wisdom: Where to Find It if You’ve Lost, Forgotten, or Never Had It, was released in 2020 and continues to encourage readers in their pursuit of godly wisdom. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When Life Hits Hard, Remembering the Journey and the Mission

by Jennifer Slattery on June 27, 2019November 1, 2021

About ten years ago, a major upheaval initially leveled me, but then God used it to bring about incredible healing and growth. Ultimately, He shifted my focus off of myself and onto others and His redemptive mission. He showed me He wanted to use me, right then and there, in the middle of our difficult and uncertain circumstances.

This was shortly after Katrina and Rita, which hit the south back to back. We were living in

Picture of a hurricane — Image by Sadiq Nafee on Unsplash

Louisiana at the time, and though we weren’t directly impacted by the storm, a good proportion of those we encountered were.

During this time, we went through a period of unemployment. My husband later received contract work just outside of New Braunfels, TX. To stay out of debt, we sold our home within a week, packed our minivan with everything we thought we’d need, and crammed everything else in storage. Then we moved to TX and into a 500 sq foot, rent by the month apartment, not knowing how long we’d be there, how long my husband’s contract work would last, or where we’d go once it ended.

This was a hard time for me, in part because of things I’d experienced previously.

But God used this period to bring such freedom, to show me His love and constancy, and to heal some pretty deep wounds. He also created a sense of anticipation. I felt certain we were in that place at that time (wherever He moved us and for however long we stayed) for a specific purpose. So each day I began with an expectant, “What do you have for me today, God? Why am I here at this moment?”

He answered that prayer each day and often used our exact struggle to help me encourage others. I was able to love on them with a compassion I wouldn’t have otherwise.

I thought back to this experience as I was reading through Ezra and how the previously exiled Israelites celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles or Shelters almost immediately upon their return to Jerusalem. (Ezra 3:1-6).

This feast was instituted by God when the people were at Mt. Sinai. He’d rescued them from Egypt and brought them to Himself. This was a time of liberation but also of loss. They’d given up everything to follow God (and Moses) into the unknown, into a literal desert but likely also a spiritual dessert. They lived in tents, as foreigners and travelers, and had no idea what lay ahead. All they knew was, when the cloud of God’s presence rose each morning, they followed. When it stopped they stopped. That was the extent of their knowledge.

God brought them to a place of complete dependence. They couldn’t run to the Nile River to catch fish or sneak to an Egyptian farm to snag a fig. God alone provided their food and water in the desert. As they traveled, in essence homeless, among the foreign nations, they were also to remember their mission. They were God’s chosen people, selected to reveal to every nation they encountered, who God was and how mankind was to relate to and interact with Him.

So, when they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths, generations later, they remembered their ancestors’ journey, their dependence, and God’s presence.

This festival contained two important elements: light and water. Light reminded them of God’s presence–the pillar of fire that led the people each night as they fled their slavery and journeyed to the Promised Land. Light also played an important part in God’s temple. The people were to keep a candle burning continually, also to signify God’s constant presence.

Water reminded them of God’s protection and provision, of how He’d parted the Red Sea–the seemingly insurmountable barrier between them and safety and the land God had promised. It also reminded them of when God provided water through a rock in the desert, and 1 Cor. 10:1-5 tells us that Rock was Christ.

In all of this, they reminded themselves they weren’t alone or abandoned, and that God still had a plan for them.

For those of us in the middle of hard circumstances, I wonder how many have received the call to missions right where we are, in the middle of our hard. How many of us, like the Israelites, are being, not cast off, as we may be inclined to think, but chosen to reveal the power and presence and love of Christ in the middle of difficult situations. To reveal a faith that extends beyond Sunday mornings and sunshine weekends. Because you are precious in His sight, His chosen and redeemed, His daughters, a royal priesthood, called to proclaim the One who brought you out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

Let’s talk about this! When has God called you to serve Him in the middle of a painful or uncertain period, and what was the result? In what ways is He calling you to live on mission for Him today?

Share your thoughts in the comments below, because we can all learn from and encourage one another!

And if you haven’t done so, join Wholly Loved’s Facebook group, a safe, grace-filled place where you can connect with other women seeking to grow in Christ, ask questions and share struggles and celebrations.

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Learning to Lean

by Jennifer Slattery on March 12, 2015November 1, 2021

2012 was an incredibly tough, incredibly painful year for me. That was the year everything changed, but it was also one of the most incredibly beautiful periods of my life because that was the year when, day by day by day, God revealed the depth of His love and the unshakable shelter of His abiding presence. I thought back to that painful, frightening time as I read Johnnie Alexander’s beautiful post today.

As an added bonus, she’s giving away an ecopy of her novel to one lucky reader, chosen randomly from the comments left on today’s post.

As you read her testimony, may you be reminded of God’s unchanging, ever-present, love-filled nature. I also encourage you to pray for her, and for one another, as many of you are going through some incredibly difficult situations. You don’t need to know one another’s name or struggle to pray for your sister and brother. God knows. However, if any of you would like to openly share your trials in the comments below, giving me permission to share your prayer requests with my readers next Thursday, please feel free. For the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.

The Whisper

Johnnie Alexander

It would be overly dramatic to say my world was falling apart. But morning after morning, I curled up in my comfy chair—the oversized multi-pillowed one tucked into the bay window—and wondered where I’d be a year later.

As I read both my Bible and insightful devotionals by Sarah Young and Oswald Chambers, I prayed I’d stay within God’s will for my life. But I questioned how to reconcile what I believed was going to happen with what I knew of Scripture.

God’s presence was clear during those quiet times as again and again I read the promises of His steadfast love and His provision. Whatever the future held, I was assured He held me in his arms.

During this time of insecurity, I visited a gift shop in our small town. As I walked in the door, my eyes were drawn to a ceramic bluebird perched on a shelf. I cradled it in my hand and smiled at the words on its wing:

Be brave.

I placed it back on the shelf, not intending to purchase it even though it had touched my heart. But when I set it down, I felt a clear and sweet whisper surround me.

It’s for you.

I hesitated a moment. After all, nothing like this had ever happened to me before. And yet I knew the message was real, and I knew who it was from.

More than a year has passed, and my life has taken a path I once thought impossible. I still stumble a little over the D-word, so let’s just say my marital status has changed. While I wish this wasn’t my story, and it breaks my heart that this is my children’s story, my trust in God’s promises has only gotten stronger. He had prepared the path I was to walk, with all its pits and snares, before I ever knew I’d be on it.

I left my comfy chair behind but not my treasured bluebird. When I unpacked it, I paused a moment to whisper a prayer of thanks for this reminder of God’s tangible presence.

Indeed, His love is steadfast.

“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a; NIV).

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (1 Chronicles 16:34; ESV).

***

Johnnie Alexander writes inspiring stories that linger in the heart. Where Treasure Hides, her debut novel, won the ACFW Genesis Contest (2011) and Golden Leaf Award (2014). The first of her three contemporary romances, Where She Belongs, releases from Revell in January 2016.

She also has won Best Novel and Best Writer awards (Florida Christian Writers Conferences), and Bronze Medalist (My Book Therapy Frasier Contest).

A graduate of Rollins College (Orlando) with a Master of Liberal Studies degree, Johnnie treasures family memories, classic movies, road trips, and stacks of books. She lives in the Memphis area where her morning chores include feeding dogs, cats, chickens, and a small herd of alpacas.

Connect with her online:

at her blog, on Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, Pinterest, and at her Amazon Author Page

Where Treasure Hides:

Artist Alison Schuyler spends her time working in her family’s renowned art gallery, determined to avoid the curse that has followed the Schuyler clan from the Netherlands to America and back again. She’s certain that true love will only lead to tragedy—that is, until a chance meeting at Waterloo station brings Ian Devlin into her life.

Read the first chapter here!

Buy it here:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Christian Book Distributors

Drawn to the bold and compassionate British Army captain, Alison begins to question her fear of love as World War II breaks out, separating the two and drawing each into their own battles. While Ian fights for freedom on the battlefield, Alison works with the Dutch Underground to find a safe haven for Jewish children and priceless pieces of art alike. But safety is a luxury war does not allow.

As time, war, and human will struggle to keep them apart, will Alison and Ian have the faith to fight for their love, or is it their fate to be separated forever?

Let’s talk about this! What a gift God’s presence is! I think sometimes I take His abiding, ever-present love for granted and either wallow in self-pity rather than drawing close to and leaning hard on Him, or allowing the busyness of life to steal my joy, praise and focus. But when my world crashes down, I’m reminded, He is and always has been there. When has a particularly hard, frightening or painful time reminded you of God’s constant presence and unchanging nature. Share your experience with us! And don’t forget about our ongoing Call to Praise Blog Hop! Share your thoughts here in the comments below or at Living by Grace on Facebook.

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Before you go, (wow, this is one loooooooooooooooong blog post!) I wanted to let you know my debut novel is still on sale, print and kindle version, for under $3! If you haven’t read it but have been wanting to, get it here!

And to my Nebraska friends, I’ll be in Lincoln tomorrow chatting with book lovers at the Bethany Branch library, and Saturday, I’ll be signing copies of both novels at Divine Truth Christian Bookstore in LaVista. If you can’t make it but would like a signed copy, call the store at 402-592-4866 and they’ll get ya’ hooked up! 🙂

When God Feels Distant

by Jennifer Slattery on March 21, 2013November 1, 2021

God created us to be feeling beings, and many times, our emotions can be our safeguard. A knotted stomach can signal danger, frustration or anger can stir us to pray. But our feelings can also be deceiving. There are times when we can’t feel God’s presence, but that doesn’t mean He’s left us. In fact, the opposite is true, for God Himself promises to never leave us nor forsake us.

If you are struggling to sense and receive God’s ever-present love today, I hope you find the following post, written by my dear friend and fellow ACFW writer, Deborah K. Anderson, encouraging.

Through the Eyes of Bear by Deborah K. Anderson

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

(Psalm 46:1 KJV)

Several years ago, my father-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer. At the same time, my elderly mother suffered a second mini-stroke, followed by a fall. In addition, I was going through personal trials of my own. I desperately needed a touch from God.

No matter what I said, though, or how hard I prayed, I couldn’t hear God’s voice or feel His presence. I pressed on anyway, hoping to move the heart of God.

“God, where are you? Why do all these things keep happening?” I hung my head and wept.

A few moments later, my cat Bear sashayed into the room, bellowing. I adore my cat (and all other animals for that matter), but I didn’t want to be bothered. I felt as though I was ready to snap.

I looked down at him, and as usual, the black ball of fur tugged at my heart with one glance.

“What are you crying about?” I picked him up, scratched behind his ears, and kissed the side of his face. I knew if I coddled him a bit, he’d go back about his business. Soon, he began purring, so I put him on the floor. Within seconds, he started meowing again.

“What is wrong with you?” I said. He just looked at me. I was sure the poor critter was sensing my feelings, so there would be no shutting him up any time soon.

I headed downstairs, hoping to find a quiet place to pray. As I reached the last step, Bear’s paws came padding down the stairs behind me.

Please, God, make him go lie down or something. I can’t take much more.

But the little critter persisted following me through the house, no matter where I went.

I finally ducked into the living room, thinking I had lost my private-eye kitty. Seconds later, he jumped in lickety-split behind me.

“MROW!”

I threw my hands up. “Okay. That’s enough! What are you crying about? I’m standing right here in front of you. Why do you keep howling at me?”

As I looked in my animal’s eyes, something strange happened.

I’m standing right here, in front of you, too, daughter, so why do you keep crying and asking where I am? Why do you keep wandering around looking for me?

Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Bear. He had suddenly grown quiet, his golden eyes wide in wonder. I then noticed how he’d tugged at my heart without ever making a sound—the same way I had tugged at God’s heart, only I didn’t realize it at the time.

I picked up Bear and rested him over my shoulder. I began stroking his fur. Soon, he was purring, content in my arms.

“Father, forgive me,” I said.

It still amazes me how God used my cat’s eyes to open mine. Perhaps it was because of the love I had for this beautiful creature. God knew how to get my attention. Whatever the reason, I’m so glad that He did.

When the storms of life come our way, it can be so difficult to see, especially when the rain begins pelting us. But God is always there, even when we don’t think that He is. It’s during those times we can find rest in His arms.

Deborah has written stories for Focus on the Family, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and numerous other publications. She is a member of TWV, ACFW, SCBWI, FCW, and YALITCHAT.ORG. Married 31 years, Deborah and her husband enjoy country living in the Midwest. She also spends her time rescuing cats, reading novels, and taking nature walks. Deborah recently completed a supernatural suspense novel for young adults. You can contact her at: DAnderson955@aol.com. Visit her blog at: www.deborahkanderson.com.

Let’s talk about this! Share a time when, during a time of sadness or difficulty, God made Himself real to you or let you know He was with you. We all have moments when our feelings betray what we know to be true. What do you do when God feels distant? Do you have any verses you like to remember or meditate on? One of my favorites is James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. I claim this as a promise, reminding myself that the moment I turn to God in prayer or worship, He is already taking three steps toward me, whether I feel His presence or not.

We’d love to here from you.

Let’s talk about this!

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