AUGUST JULY
SUNDAY, AUGUST 1
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. Psalm 65:8 (NIV)
IN ADDITION TO OUR LOVE for Jesus, my daughter and I both love to travel. Since we share this passion, we steal away for a weekend together every year. Last summer we rented a private cottage on a Christian-owned vineyard a few hours south of home. Patios, walkways, and walls bore uplifting Scripture verses, and friendly llamas, goats, and cows dotted the neighboring pastures. Trumpeter swans glided silently across a large pond as we rested in the gazebo perched on its bank. Trails alongside the vines offered grand views of faraway hills and quiet valleys. Every minute we spent there proved a delight and a reminder of the infinite beauty of the Lord’s creation.
But my favorite times of the day were sunrise and sunset. As day broke, I was blessed with the reminder that His mercies are new every morning. At dusk, as the livestock returned from the pasture, they seemed to call out to each other. Birds soared and dove, feasting on airborne bugs, their flight a graceful dance, their cries unique and stirring. As I watched the sunset, I tried to burn the memory in my mind. Jesus, in His sublime generosity, had presented us with a gift of such magnificence, and we couldn’t help but smile.
Next week, we’re returning to that charming cottage, and this time we’re bringing our husbands along. We want to share with them the joy we experienced, to see their eyes light up and their spirits rise as ours did. Through nature’s wonder, we hope not only to be blessed but also to be part of the blessing by sharing creation’s song. —HEIDI GAUL
FAITH STEP: Take a hike or walk in nature at dawn or dusk and watch creation come alive. Give thanks.
MONDAY, AUGUST 2
Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Philippians 2:14 (NIV)
MY OLDEST SON WAS IN a summer baseball day camp a few miles away and also had nightly practices at our local park, along with several of his All-Star baseball buddies. Since all the boys live within a few miles of each other in our small town, we baseball moms wanted to carpool. Some of us work, some don’t, some had other kids in other activities, some live in the same neighborhood, and some only had room in our cars for two kids. It was a little hairy sorting it out.
Of course, there are apps for this kind of thing, but we settled on hand-drawn charts and admittedly confusing text threads to shuttle the kids to and from camp, after-camp hangouts, and practice later in the day. Even with our detailed spreadsheet, our plan got derailed by forgotten cleats, oversleeping, cars breaking down, or other random life happenings. But we texted our way through the logistical changes, pitching in to make sure all the kids made it to wherever they needed to be.
I used to get stressed and annoyed with all the running we moms do, but somewhere along the way, I had a revelation inspired by this verse. I don’t have to do this. I get to. This lightning-quick season of childhood and carloads of smelly raucous boys will be over before I know it. And how very wonderful that we have this supportive community of moms who work together to care for our kids and enjoy each other too. These are the moments that strung together over time make up a life well-lived. In Christ, I can do all things (Philippians 4:13) and be thankful! —ISABELLA YOSUICO
FAITH STEP: What are you grumbling about? What seems like a thankless chore? Next time you whine about something that you have to do, think of the task as something you get to do and see if it lifts your perspective.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 3
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song
I praise him. Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
BY HER SECOND TRIP TO the pool, my little granddaughter was used to wearing floaties on her arms and felt completely at ease in the water. Lilah easily paddled across the entire length of the pool. Later that afternoon, my daughter stood in the deep end holding Lilah. “Let me go! Let me go!” Lilah repeated as she struggled to wiggle out of her mother’s arms. Lilah didn’t understand that she couldn’t stay afloat on her own yet and that she needed to wear the inflatable floaties—the ones packed up in the tote bag on the deck chair.
Our culture promotes an independent, self-reliant spirit, the attitude that “If I believe in myself, I can do it on my own.” This mindset, along with our natural pride, can keep us from understanding how desperately we need to rely on the One who is our strength and shield. If we try to fight our battles in our own strength without asking for divine help, we will fail miserably.
The psalmist explained the beauty of living in dependence on Christ’s strength and power. When we ask for His help and trust Him to answer, He helps us gain victory over our difficulties and temptations. This experience fills us with joy, and we respond by praising Him. Our faith grows stronger, our Christian walk becomes more solid, and Jesus gets the glory. And it all starts with understanding how much we need His help. —DIANNE NEAL MATTHEWS
FAITH STEP: Are you trying to tackle a