Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, Isaiah 48:17

Walk by faith, and not by sight…

I am so excited to be able to connect with you this coming week. Together, we will dream, hope, and find peace in our miracle-working God! 

Over the next week, I would love to introduce you to the most inspiring person I have ever known. This person is funny, joyful, refreshingly honest, courageous, passionate, and DEEPLY connected to Jesus. When I tell you who this person is, you may accuse me of necessary bias, but the truth is, I have learned more from this person about walking with Jesus than any other human being. 

My wife, Laurel, is everything that I have said and more! She would deflect everything I assign her as character traits, but they are all true! Laurel is the heart and soul of our family, a consistent and sacrificial friend, a sought-out source of wisdom, and a fierce defender of the truth of God. 

Laurel is also someone who faces challenges every day. Laurel was diagnosed three decades ago with Biette’s Crystalline Dystrophy. She also has another condition called Cystoid Macular Edema, which means Laurel is visually challenged. She struggles to see what you and I may take for granted. 

Every day, we have prayed for a miracle healing for Laurel for more than 30 years. Along the way, Laurel has taught me SO many lessons about faith, courage, and hope. I want to share just a few of these lessons with you, and I know you will be encouraged as we walk this journey together. 

That little word “walk” is a powerful one. I have the privilege of watching Laurel “walk by faith, and not by sight” literally and spiritually. 

The Bible says: 

“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-10, NIV) 

When Laurel and I walk together, we share communication. I can point out trip hazards or obstacles in the way, but Laurel is the only one who can confidently step out and move forward. Similarly, Laurel trusts God with every step. 

She steps out because she wants to make the most of every single day! Sometimes, I have a hard time keeping up with her because of her passion and zeal for life. 

I want to encourage you to live like Laurel today and boldly walk with Jesus. What step do you need to take that will make today count? How can you confidently trust that God will measure your steps and, in your heart, “Make it your goal to please Him”? Whatever God has asked you to do, He will be faithful in making your steps secure…IF you are willing to take that first step.

As you consider taking a bold step in faith today, hold on to this promise! 

“I am God, your God, who teaches you how to live right and well.

I show you what to do, where to go.” 

(Isaiah 48:17, NIV) 

Maybe your step of faith is to open the door to repairing a broken relationship. Maybe the step is one of offering forgiveness to someone who hasn’t even asked. Whatever the step, let’s be bold and move forward with confidence. 

I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us! 

You are a miracle! 

Scriptures: Psalms 37:23-24, Isaiah 41:10

Hold onto Jesus…

Yesterday, I introduced you to the most inspiring person I know, other than Jesus, of course! My wife Laurel battles a visual impairment but chooses to face that battle with grace and faith! 

Laurel and I love to walk together. We enjoy getting outside, moving our feet, breathing in the fresh air, laughing at the antics of our dogs, and just talking while we cover some ground. The whole experience brings us both great joy! 

A part of our experience in living with Laurel’s eye condition is that we have to hold hands. This is GREAT because even if we may be frustrated with each other, we still have to stay connected. 

One of the reasons we have to hold hands is so that I can guide her around obstacles and trip hazards. We use our physical connection and our words to keep from falling! Another reason is that I just love holding my wife’s hand! 

I want you to think about walking with Jesus. Right now, He is with you, guiding you and making your way firm and sure. Listen to these beautiful words from Psalm 37: 

“The Lord makes firm the steps

of the one who delights in him;

though he may stumble, he will not fall,

for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

(Psalm 37:23-24, NIV) 

Today, the God of the Universe makes your path straight and firm. This gives you incredible confidence and boldly move forward in your daily walk with Jesus. And we have a promise! We may stumble, but God says we will never fall when we are holding on to Him. Why? Because God’s hand is always there to uphold us, restore our balance, and assure us of His miraculous presence. 

I wish I could say that Laurel could count on me in the same way we can count on Jesus. Sometimes I miss pointing out an obstacle, and we come close to not landing on our feet. Even when that happens, Laurel does what she always does…she just takes it all in stride. 

What a joy to know that Jesus is never distracted, preoccupied, or misses anything! Today, I pray that you understand that Jesus is holding your hand- You can do ALL things and accomplish GREAT THINGS as He walks with you every step of the way. 

Laurel and Jesus are teaching me so much about walking in faith. Let’s take a moment today and delight or celebrate the fact that you never walk alone! 

“So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

(Isaiah 41:10, NIV) 

Let’s pray together: 

“Jesus, thank you for walking with us, guiding us, encouraging us, and building confidence that you are doing a miracle in our lives every day. We give you all our steps and delight in the truth that you are holding our hands. Amen.”

Let us walk in faith and confidence today because He is with us! 

You are a miracle! 

Scripture: Psalms 34:4-8

Taste and see that the Lord is GOOD!

I am so excited to see what Jesus has for us today! 

Another one of the great lessons that I have learned from Laurel is the ability to slow down and savor many of life’s small miracles. 

One of the outcomes of Laurel’s eye disease is that life just takes a little more time. We have had to learn to change our pace, build in more time, and enjoy every moment as a sacred gift from God. This is a challenge for me as someone who often moves through life too quickly. But I have learned that strategic pauses just make life so much more miraculous. 

The other day, I watched Laurel enjoy a meal at our favorite restaurant. We often joke that we eat too fast, and Laurel had already commented on the speed at which I was devouring my food! So, she invited me to slow down and savor everything. 

When I slowed down enough to taste my food, I enjoyed it much more. My food enjoyment grew into a great appreciation for the company I was in, the atmosphere and beauty of my surroundings, the wonderful conversation and laughter that was occurring, and increasing gratitude for a moment of peace, enjoyment, and love. 

Laurel has taught me so much about “savoring” those small and miraculous life moments. She has modeled what life looks like when we rest in Him and His gift of time together. Interestingly, the word “Sabbath” literally means to savor and rest. 

King David, in Psalm 34:4-8, says: 

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant;

their faces are never covered with shame.

This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

he saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;

blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (NIV) 

Did you see that invitation? Taste and see that the Lord is good. 

I want to challenge you today to taste and savor the goodness of God. Slow down, pause, and reflect on ALL that God has done for you, including the blessings He has given you! When we pause and reflect, we immediately see that the Lord is Good! 

I have been meditating on Psalm 34. This means I am intentionally slowing down my mind, putting aside the “to-do” list, and engaging deeply with my Savior. I am using the senses God gave me to step into a miraculous invitation to experience Him at a whole new level. 

As King David said above, “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all of his troubles.” As I sat enjoying the engagement with Laurel, watching her joy in the small moments, I could not help but think how rich I am to be able to share life with Jesus and his precious daughter, Laurel. 

Stop and savor. Taste and see. What you experience doing that with Jesus is nothing short of a miracle… 

You are a miracle too!

Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:6-9, Zechariah 13:9, Romans 8:28

You can go from ‘defined’ to ‘refined’ with Jesus!

Let’s pray before we start today. 

“Dear Jesus, every one of us is facing a challenge today. You know the deepest part of our hearts, so I am grateful that this is not surprising to you. You already know every challenge I am facing. Thank you for the confidence that comes when we face these obstacles TOGETHER with our God, who is greater and more powerful than anything that comes against us. We claim your victory today! In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

As Laurel faces her visual challenges daily, I am amazed at the spiritual lessons I have heard her speak out into reality. She has said, on more than one occasion: This eye disease has not defined me; it has refined me.

Laurel taught me courage and perspective at that moment! What a courageous statement for all of us! Whatever we face today, we should not allow the challenge to define us; instead, we should allow it to refine us because we know that every challenge, obstacle, or trial is an opportunity to make us more like Jesus. 

I want to challenge you to open your heart today to God’s refining work in your life. When we choose refinement, we recognize that God shapes our character, builds our faith, and positions us for a miracle. 

I love the words of Peter, a man who was refined in so many ways: 

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

(1 Peter 1:6-9, NIV) 

The end goal for every believer is to allow our refinement to put the glory of Jesus on display. He is with YOU today in the challenge. Here is His promise: 

“And I will bring the third part through the fire,

Refine them as silver is refined,

And test them as gold is tested.

They will call on My name,

And I will answer them;

I will say, ‘They are My people,’

And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”

(Zechariah 13:9, NIV) 

What an amazing opportunity we have! No matter what emotion our challenges invoke, we can cry out to God and know we are heard. No matter how painful the situation may be, God is greater, God is stronger, and God promises that “all things work together for good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NIV) 

Let’s pause and thank God for His presence. Acknowledge that He is with you and for you. Celebrate that the refining process is making you more and more like Jesus! 

You are a miracle! 

Scripture: Psalms 46:1-7

Asking for help…

I hope that this email finds you well and flourishing! If that is not the case, it’s okay, and I hope the time we spend together will encourage you. 

Every time I sit down to write for A Miracle Every Day, my prayer is –“Jesus, help me to encourage and help those who are reading or listening. May my words bring hope to those who are struggling, comfort to those who are hurting, and celebrate with those who are thriving!”

No matter what you face today, I have miraculous news that will move your heart toward Heaven. 

Over the past few days, I have been sharing my wife’s inspiring faith journey with you. I have learned more about Jesus from Laurel than I have from anyone else. I have learned spiritual lessons in courage, joy, and also deep revelation lessons from her understanding of scripture. 

A while ago, Laurel and I turned to this beautiful promise of scripture. Psalm 46 says: 

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. “ (Psalm 46:1-7, NIV) https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.46.1-7.NIV

Would you take a moment and say that first verse out loud with me? “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

When I read those words, Laurel said, “We need to learn how to ask for help.” 

I wrote that down because I don’t know about you, but I struggle to ask for help. I struggle because I somehow believe that if I ask for help, the person I am asking will see me as weak or unknowledgeable. I believe that I should be able to do all things on my own and that asking for help is a sign of weakness. 

Truthfully, asking for help is a sign of strength because only a strong person is truly comfortable acknowledging their human limitations! Especially when we are coming to God for help, knowing He has an inexhaustible ability to HELP us! 

I have seen Laurel ask for help with transportation, advice on her outfits, and so many other moments. Every time she graciously asks for assistance, I learn more about how much I need God’s help. 

In what ways do you need God’s help? Take a moment and share your need for help with God. He is near. He hears you and wants nothing more than to be your shelter and refuge. Whatever you need, He can provide His loving help to all those with the wisdom and courage to ASK! 

You are a miracle! 

Scriptures: Psalms 27:7-8, Numbers 6:24-26, 1 Corinthians 13:12-13

Spending intentional ‘facetime’ with God…

Thank you for taking the time to join me on A Miracle Every Day! 

Do you have someone in your life who just makes you better? That person for me is my wife, Laurel. She wants me to be everything that God created me to be, so at times, in love, she points out areas where I can do better. 

In the spirit of total honesty, one of the areas she is helping me with is eye contact. I struggle with eye contact and focusing on a person’s face. I don’t know why I have difficulty with this connection, but I know it matters. 

Because of Laurel’s visual challenges, she has to work harder than most to “find the face.” Laurel cares deeply about people, so making this connection is very important to her. She often has to “scan” your face to find some reference points, but once she has you dialed in, her eye contact makes you feel seen and understood. I wish I could describe it better, but Laurel’s connection with every person she meets makes them feel like they are the most important person in the room. 

When was the last time you found the face of God? 

Psalm 27 says: 

Hear my voice when I call, Lord;

be merciful to me and answer me.

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”

Your face, Lord, I will seek.

(Psalm 27:7-8, NIV) 

In this verse, King David shares the most incredible connection a human being can make- a connection with God Himself. He is also sharing with us the key to a deep spiritual connection, intentionally seeking the face of God. Why is it important to seek God’s face? Because when we seek God’s face, we also find His heart. 

Listen to the blessing of Numbers 6: 

“The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26, NIV) 

Do you see those amazing responses from God when we make eye contact with Him? He makes His face SHINE on us, and with gracious love, He turns His face towards us so we can experience His peace! 

Have you ever experienced love through a simple glance? Maybe it came from a parent, a spouse, a child, a pet (I love how my pets look at me!), or just a random person who communicated care through a heartfelt look. 

When we turn our faces towards God and each other, we find that this opens the door to a deeper relationship. The kind of relationship where we feel seen, heard, and safe. 

I know that this idea of connecting with God can be challenging. But what a difference would it make if we would give everything we had to find the face of Jesus. God is looking at you right now, and His eyes communicate His great love for you.

One day, it IS going to happen physically, and it won’t be a dream or a hope. God promises in 1 Corinthians 13: 

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

(1 Corinthians 13:12-13, NIV) 

God loves you, and one day you will see Him face to face. Why not start early and experience His love today? In finding His face, you will also encounter faith, hope and love; those three gifts are always miraculous! 

You are a miracle!

Scriptures: Nehemiah 8:10

Are you ready to find hope in the middle of trouble?

One day, I sincerely hope that you get to meet Laurel because your life will be richer the instant you connect. I am not just saying this because we are married but because it is true. Laurel makes everyone’s life richer! 

One of the first things you will notice about Laurel is her intentional choice of joy! Laurel not only loves to laugh with people, but she also pushes deeper into God’s joy as He walks with her through both victories and challenges. 

Laurel has taught me how to laugh in the face of many trying moments. We actually have a saying for it in our family. We call the grand adventure of every day, the LOL – the Life of Laurel! 

I remember a learning moment for me that happened in the earthquake zone in Italy. Laurel and I traveled to a small town devastated by an earthquake. There was no one present in the town because of all the damage. As we walked around in the rubble, I saw a transformation occur. Laurel was no longer focused on the devastation; she was fully immersed in the opportunity that God had laid in front of us- She was overwhelmed by the presence of God and the potential of many people coming to Jesus in the face of deep challenge. 

Laurel was actually skipping from rock to rock, carried along by the presence of God… I was scared that she was going to fall and hurt herself! Our guide Mario recognized my fear and calmed them, saying, “She’s OK. She is in good hands.” Laurel taught me about joy, and Mario taught me about trust! 

Where can you find hope today amid the rubble of broken dreams and hurts? I promise that if you look for the hope of Jesus, no matter the situation, you will find it! 

Nehemiah was in the middle of the devastation of the physical walls of Jerusalem and the spiritual devastation of the sin of Israel when he wrote: 

“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

(Nehemiah 8:10, NIV) 

The joy of the Lord is OUR strength today! His miraculous power will allow rubble to become rejoicing. 

Just so you know, many people in that little Italian village had begun to turn to Jesus during the earthquake aftermath! We even met some believers in Jesus who chose to trust Him when life was hard. 

No matter the challenge, the presence and power of Jesus are greater! 

Find hope. Enjoy today. Embrace the joy! 

You are a miracle!