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I’ve been through hard times. I’ve asked the question “why?” on many occasions. I’ve begrudgingly said goodbye to family and friends in order to say hello to strangers and scary new places. I know the matter of being shattered.
There was a season when Brad and I lived in four different homes, in four different states, within four years. From Ohio to Pennsylvania to New York to North Carolina, we made our way across the East Coast with three little ducklings in tow.
So much of what had been comfortable and familiar was stripped away. God was surely leading me to a place where I would have to trust Him and lean on Him in ways I never had before. And it was a grind.
Broken became my middle name.
In that season the only thing I could do was hunker down, spread out my mom wings, and care for the babes in my nest.
I changed diapers, chased toddlers, and cherished nap times.
Our state-to-state journey was exhausting. With each move, I experienced both bitter and sweet moments, but the aftertaste of the bitter moments seemed to linger a little longer than the sweet ones.
It was a difficult four years.
I’ve heard it said, “If the mountain was smooth, you couldn’t climb it.” There’s a lot of truth to that. Through the mountain of pain I scaled with each move, God brought me closer to Him and taught me important lessons that I surely wouldn’t have learned otherwise. Lessons about trusting God with my friendships, with goodbyes, with loneliness, with family, anger, stress, and faith. Through it all, I’ve come to know this for sure: God can be trusted in all things—even the hard things.
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters”
(Psalm 18:16 NIV).
I know from personal experience that in painful, tear-filled, exhausting days, God is still good and can still be trusted. He reaches down and takes hold of His weary children. He draws us out of deep waters. He is faithful.
I’ve witnessed His strength in my weakness.
I’ve felt His comfort in times of loss.
And though we aren’t always kept from experiencing shattered matters, we never have to endure them alone.
Dear Lord, Thank You for always being by my side and for giving me Your strength and grace when I am simply weak and broken. Please help me look to You in every shattered matter. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
What has you weary or worrying today?
Let’s pray together today. Meet us in the comments section to share your heart and pray for one another.
Thanks for doing life with me,
GWEN
Struggling to see a beautiful faith picture? Feel like giving up? Exhausted and worn? My book, Broken Into Beautiful, is filled with Scriptural truths and stories of how God brings restoration to the hearts of those wounded by painful life experiences. Explore God’s healing and hope for your life today as you read Broken Into Beautiful. To order the book, go to Amazon or for a signed copy, order from my web store. For a limited time, I’m offering a 20% OFF discount on my site when you use the coupon code: 20OFF. Click here to get yours now.
PSST! If you’re on Instagram, I would love to connect with you there! My handle is @GwenSmithMusic. Follow here.
Comments 21
Well, I made a good friend upset without knowing it and she text me and told me. I responded and apologized and asked what the second thing i had done (she said I did two things) and she never responded. We have not talked in two days. I”m not sure if I should wait for her to call or text me or if I should be the bigger person and call or text her? I’m worried that if I call her first, she may respond in an ugly way but then again she may not. What should I do? Thank you! 🙂
Author
Hi Dottie! Praying for resolution about this now. Friendships and feelings can be complicated for sure. Humility and grace go a long way on both sides. Love well. Forgive quickly. Pray for heaps of grace, strength, insight and wisdom… and do everything in your power to reconcile as far as it’s up to you!
Blessings and grace,
GWEN
I need tremendous prayer today as I am struggling to pay my rent! I am several months behind and owe over 12000 dollars! I applied for rent relief from charities and other state and local agencies but have received no help! I was turned down by Texas Rent Relief and other loans I’ve applied for! I don’t know what else to do! I’ve fasted and prayed and trying my best to hold on to what little faith I have left! Please help me, Lord! I need you!
My husband and I need prayer as his brother – who is not saved, hates God, and is so filled with hate and jealousy – is accusing us falsely and making our lives miserable. Please pray that George’s heart would melt before God, realize he needs a Savior, and be saved. Pray that me and my husband continue to experience God’s peace, and that the truth will come out. Pray for protection against both this physical enemy and THE enemy who is using George to attack us and our faith. Thank you.
My son in law is an alcoholic. Two interventions, rehab and “coaching” and he still doesn’t think he has a problem. He made a complete fool of himself at his daughter’s wedding 2 weeks ago. What he needs his divine intervention from our God who loves and cares for him.
I am also in need of prayer. Struggling with loneliness and depression. I recently had total knee replacement and finding how difficult life is doing life alone. I am constantly clinging to the promises of God. My constant friend is Jesus !
I’m praying that my brothers and my sister will turn their hearts around and we can all be loving and caring for each other. We are all senior citizens each having problems but we are lacking in expressing the love that God places in our hearts for each other. God bless you all!
In Jesus name we pray and thank you Lord. I am recovering from a severe car accident. I have to work out daily to rebuild optimum body strength and skeletal alignment, learning how to walk , paint and move again . Please help every individual in need Lord so that we can love you and build Your best heaven on earth free from evil dictators amen.
I am 75 and have never gone through such heartbreak. I have 5 daughters and a son. Two of my daughters have had cancer in the past three years and one, now, according to doctors, is terminal. One is cancer free but we are still praying for total healing for our youngest.
I also work with a NPO Called Women Giving Back in the DC area which would be a great place to hand out your books for our women! So many flee domestic abuse situations and come to us with nothing but the shirt off their backs!
Forgot to include their website
Thanks for your encouragement today Gwen
Good morning
This passage resonated with me this am as I attended our Fear 2 Freedom NPO event yesterday! Wow the testimonies of so many women talking about their sexual abuse was so heart breaking. I thought of these girls and women this am as I was reading your message. Fears 2 Freedom helps provide assistance to those who have been abused and assaulted! I was thinking that your book might be so helpful to many of our girls as a resource that they are worthy and loved and known! We filled close to 1,000 packs yesterday with resources to hand out. Would love to include your books as well.
Thank you Gwen for your Godwink today to help make a difference in our community! As a mother of two daughters this is surely terrifying and hits home♥️
I am praying for my son who recently turned 28 and announced he will be a father. I praying for son to be the best father and man of God he was created to be. I pray for preparation and provision. I’m praying for my unborn grandchild to be healthy and whole. I’m praying they both know they are surrounded by love and support!
Thank you for this. I have been battling early stage breast cancer for several months now. I’ve had two lumpectomies & just yesterday signed consent forms for a double mastectomy because the disease is more widespread than they initially thought. It has been so hard…and lonely…and easy to ask why. It was a needed reminder this morning that God is with me & loves me, even now, at this difficult time.
I am Elsa and I am praying for my grandson he is legally at the age to leave home, but he left in anger and is in a dark place, not sure where he is, but I know that God knows what he is doing and, will pull him out in due time.
Author
Oh, Elsa! So sorry to hear this about your grandson. Praying for him and your family right now!
Lord Jesus, We ask for your protection over this young man! Break every chain that is binding him to ungodly behaviors. Draw his heart to Yours, Lord. Consume him with Your Spirit for Your name’s sake! Guide this entire family with your peace that is beyond understanding… take them to deeper layers of grace and trust. Be their strength and bind them to Your love. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
I am in a new position on my job. When I think I am managing the things I think I should I am not. I am over whelm. I am a part time Pastor of two churches. I need to take a study and I can’t find it . I am leaning and depending on God. I have no desires for sexual relationship with my husband. Had to buy a new car. I am hitting and missing in spending time with GOD. I am multitasking to much.
Author
What a tough season, Joycelyn! Thank you for sharing your heart here. Praying for you now! Take some time to remember some of the trials from your past and how the LORD was powerful and brought you through them! There is power in remembering.
GWEN
Upcoming double knee surgery and my husband passed just as couple years ago. I know I’m not alone and have a wonderful intimate relationship with Jesus but I find myself really wanting my hubby here as this journey unfolds. He was my life partner. We were supposed to grow old together.
I’m praying that you will continue to be strong in the Lord and His love, May you feel His arms around you and know that you are safe in His care 🙏
Author
So sorry to hear about the loss of your husband, Pamela. Grateful for your relationship with JESUS! Praying for you now… that the Lord would go before you with His provision and strength as you have your surgeries… and that the power of His presence would bring a deep joy and hope to your heart.
Love and blessings,
GWEN
Lord thank You for waking me. Thank You for the assurance that You will never leave me, but that You are ever by my side. What a fellowship what a joy divine leaning on Your everlasting arms.
Author
Yes and amen!!!