October Devotional

“The danger of death was around me and the grave set its trap for me.  In my trouble I called to the Lord; I called to my God for help.  In his temple he heard my voice he listened to my cry for help.”  Psalm 18:5-6

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This scripture reminds me of how anxious and scared I was when my mother became so gravely ill.  I was afraid of her dying.  I cried out to God through faith and prayer.

God answered me.  My mother’s life was restored.  Each day with her is a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness, His mercy, and His love.  I thank God for my mother.  I thank God for His love.

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-Jeannine H.

“The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; they are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:22-23

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I am overwhelmed by the enormous amount of love that God has for me.  He knows what I am capable of; he knows my heart.  He knows what my capacity is.  He knows how much I can bear.  He is my strength, and He renews me everyday!

When I am in confusion, and doubting myself; when I have totally messed things up by saying or doing the wrong thing to a loved one and caused hurt feelings, His mercy is not exhausted.  By trusting and hoping in the Lord, He renews me and turns all to good.  Thank God!  Amen.

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-Jeannine H.

“. . . and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”  Romans 5:5

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When I first realized that the Holy Spirit was in me, I was amazed.  I still find it to be an amazing thing!  I am never alone.

That knowledge, that ah ha feeling when you know something without being told, is an amazing experience of God.  When the Holy Spirit tells us what is right, it is because of our faith and love of God.  This love of God gives us hope, and the hope is given to us through the Holy Spirit.

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-Jeannine H.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him.  And He will make your path straight.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

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I was raised in a Catholic home and attended Catholic grade school.   By world standards, I had it made.  My husband worked hard and became very successful.  We had a nice house, two cars and five children.  As he traveled a great deal, most of the responsibility for caring for the children and home were mine.  Loneliness and fear turned into anger, resentment, bitterness, and finally depression.  We were drifting apart, and I didn’t know how to stop it.

I remember calling my brother John, telling him how badly I felt.  I was missing Mass, something I never did.  I just didn’t care anymore.  I was so empty.  He told me I needed Jesus in my life and to actually know Him personally.  He spoke of Jesus like He was his best friend.  I really wanted to know Jesus just like John did.  He led me in the sinners’ prayer.  I invited Jesus into my heart to be my Lord and Savior.

Things started to change.  I had a real sense that I had a lot more to be thankful for than not.  He turned my anger and resentment into peace and love.  He melted away my bitterness.  He took my fear and loneliness away and taught me how to love and trust again through His love.  I’m forever grateful.  He brought me from death to life!

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-Dawn R.