Dwelling in Psalm 46 (part 1)

 

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Dear Lovely Readers,

As I mentioned in my Psalm 8 post (link), I’ve been sharing some of my reflections on the Psalms. Recently, I’ve completed a couple of these studies, but wanting to pace myself, I revisited some old journals to see if I had any past material. That’s when I found a study on Psalm 46 from last year. Interestingly, I had just worked on Psalm 46 again about a month ago. It seems I’ve been spending quite some time with this particular Psalm, especially the phrase: “Be still and know I am God…”

In this series, I’ll compare and contrast these two reflections on Psalm 46. I hope you’ll join me as I explore what new insights have emerged over time. 

💖 What Does It Say About God?

God is our refuge and strength — not occasionally, but abundantly (v.1). The cross-references here are rich. Psalm 62:7–8 says: "In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge." And Deuteronomy 4:7 asks the rhetorical question that answers itself: "For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?" The nearness of God is not incidental — it is definitional. He is not a God who shows up when it's convenient. He is abundantly available for help.

God is in the midst of His people (v.5). This one stopped me. The cross-references pile up like a chorus — Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Zephaniah, Zechariah. The thread running through all of them is the same: I am here. I am with you. I dwell in your midst. "The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall see disaster no more" (Zeph. 3:15). The city does not move — not because of her own strength, but because He who lives with His people is her defense. His protection can be counted on because He is consistently present.

God is the LORD of Hosts — and He is covenantally committed (v.7). "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." That title — the God of Jacob — carries weight. Jacob was not the most impressive patriarch. He wrestled, he schemed, he doubted. And yet God tied His name to him. The title underscores faithfulness, power, and enduring commitment. 2 Chronicles 13:12 echoes it plainly: "God Himself is with us as our head." He doesn't just observe from a distance. He leads. (Gen. 32, 2 Chron. 13:12)

God is the one who makes wars cease (v.9). He breaks the bow. He cuts the spear. He burns the chariot. This is not a God who merely comforts — He is the one who acts, who intervenes, who dismantles the very instruments of destruction. The peace He brings is not fragile or negotiated. It is won. (Ps. 76:3, Isaiah 2:4)

God will be exalted (v.10). "I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Isaiah 2:11 and 17 both anchor this: the loftiness of man will be brought low, and the LORD alone will be lifted up. The command to be still is not just an invitation to rest — your study note caught something important here. That call to stillness is set against the backdrop of impending judgment. It is a declaration before the nations, before enemies, before every power that thought itself great: Know that I am God.

That changes the verse, doesn't it? It's not only a mild whisper  for the weary. It's a command to every opposing force — stop. He is God.

👩What Does It Say About Me?

Because of who God is — refuge, strength, abundantly present, dwelling in the midst of His people — I do not need to fear. That's not a feeling I have to manufacture. It's a conclusion I get to rest in.

And that word rest feels right. When I know that the LORD of Hosts is with me, that the God of Jacob — the God who is faithful to the unpolished and the doubting — is my refuge, stillness becomes possible. Not because the trouble is gone. But because He is here, and He is God, and that is enough.

I want to be found praising Him in that. Whatever I face, I want to be found there.

🙏 A Prayer to Close

Lord, as I am to be judged, may I have peace, hope, and grace in Your eyes. Lord, I know we will all face judgment, but I rely on the words that say You step in our place. I am surrendering that to You. But Lord, I want to be found praising You. In all that is honorable — I want to be found praising You.

Amen.

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Still Asking. Still Trusting: A Mid-Year Prayer Update

Dear Lovely Reader, 

I have had two blog posts on my mind for weeks. One being my Psalm 8 (part 2), and now this follow-up to my 40 random facts about me. I ended the last post of that series with the words of my friend, "What is one of your favorite things about last year?" And "What is one thing you want to accomplish in the next year?"

I had every plan to answer that, but as I began to write my post (because, yes, most times I write it out by hand before typing it up), I realized I didn't really do that. Loosely but not really.

At the beginning of the year, I wrote out my prayers for 2026, and I have been blessed to see how God is answering them. The year is only halfway done, and I am blessed to see how God will answer the others. 

📌Yellow note card — "Prayers for 2026."

• God's healing power in my life, enabling me to experience His peace, hope, and joy.
• Rely more on His facts than my feelings
• Being fully funded
• Pray for my heart to be restored in Him so I'm open to another relationship (in His timing)
• Movement of the Holy Spirit, so there is revival for God throughout Sharpstown
• Embrace what God desires?
• That I may hear Him clearly

Praise:

• My job is support-raised, and if you would like to learn more, please sign up for my mailing list (link). I am truly grateful to share that, while I am not yet fully funded, I have reached a strong percentage — something that has been a significant challenge for me over the years. This progress is an incredible answer to prayer, and I am deeply encouraged by how far God has brought me.
  
  
• My heart is being actively restored, and I am in a relationship with a wonderful man who is pointing me more and more to Jesus. Last week, I shared a prayer request, and he said he was praying and thinking about it too. I thought it was awesome God has us on the same path, even if we don't talk about it.

Prayers:

• I continue to pray for revival in Sharpstown, because I see so many nations represented in this part of Houston. I truly believe if revival were to happen here, it could transform not only Houston but also nations around the world.
• Still truly trying to embrace who God desires me to be (that will probably be a lifetime prayer).

🙏 Back to praises and a little bit of prayers:

• God's healing in my life… The end of 2024 and a lot of 2025 were hard for me. I sat in a lot of grief, shame, and regret, so I prayed for restoration. I can't say I have reached the pinnacle of His peace, hope, and joy. I think there are still things I am working through with God, but there is a lot more light than darkness.

I don't know when I wrote the blue card, probably later in January or early February, but as much as I can proclaim things over myself* I prayed:

• Tears and pain would turn to rejoicing
• Doubts and fears would turn to certainty
• Longings would turn to trust
• Hurt would turn to hope
• Unforgiveness would turn to restoration
• Lack would turn to abundance
• Lack would turn to wisdom

God is graciously blessing me in many of these prayers, but looking over this list, I can still see some areas of struggle I need to actively turn over to the Lord. But as I said in my Psalm 8 (part 2) post, I am still crying out to God, "I trust, but help my untrusting."

I don't have a neat bow to tie on any of this — and honestly, I don't think I'm supposed to. Faith is a daily return. And so I'll keep returning, keep writing my prayers on little note cards, keep pinning them where I can see them. Because the card on my board is a constant reminder — "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (1 John 5:14). He heard me when I wrote those prayers in January, and He is still hearing me now. 

💖 Lovely reader, He hears you too. So keep asking. Keep returning. Nothing you lay before Him is ever forgotten.

Thanks for reading and joining me in this journey. 

This is usually what it looks like when I am getting blogging done

* I often wrestle with how to approach proclaiming things—I don’t want to fall into a “name it and claim it” mindset. Still, I believe there is genuine value in trusting God with our lives and honestly expressing our desires to Him. I am thinking of verses- Psalm 37:4, 62:8, Philippians 4:6-7, and Romans 8:26-27, and I hope that if I am misunderstanding these verses or taking them out of context, you will graciously correct me. 

📖 Psalm 8: How Excellent Is Your Name... Do I believe (Part 2).

Dear Lovely Reader,

I wrote out my study of Psalm 8 (link), but I keep coming back to it. It was a good start, and I loved sharing what I learned, but I don't want my blog post to be just intellectual; I want to share life and start discussions (if possible on a blog). So I came up with some thought-provoking questions I will answer, and maybe you can answer in your journal or in the comments below.

1. Do you actually believe you were made in God's image? How would your daily life look different if you truly did?

I know the verse "Let us make man (man and woman) in Our image according to Our likeness…" (Genesis 1:26), and while I used to think it meant we were made like how God looks. But a few years ago, I heard when it says "according to Our image," it really means we were called to bear His image, to carry out His image and ways. I think it changes my idea on the question… Do I believe I was made in God's image?

Yes! Absolutely.

Do I live it out daily? Probably not.

How would my daily life look different if I truly did?

One, I think I would have more confidence, not just in myself, but in showing love to others (not being prideful or selfish). I think I would have more trust. I frequently pray, saying, "I trust God, He is the maker of the universe. He stepped down from heaven, walked among us, dwelt with us, died on the cross for us, and rose again." So I do not struggle to trust Him as God. But sometimes I feel like the man who said: "I believe, but help me in my unbelief" (Mark 9:24). I say, "I trust, but help my untrusting."

Something I love about my boyfriend is that he is so trusting that God will work things out, and he is absolutely certain that God's got all this. I'm certain too, but there is a difference in our attitude. I have to start off with things going nuclear and then work my way back from there. I feel conditioned to start with the worst-case scenario and make plans A, B, C, and sometimes D, just in case. My boyfriend is conditioned (though he might correct me on the wording) to believe that everything will go all right and that God's got this (Matthew 6:34).

If I truly lived out carrying God's image more, I think I would just truly have deep certainty, a hope or peace surpassing all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

2. Where have you been looking for worth God has already given freely?

Not lately, but in the past, I have struggled with just the idea of being good enough — I know I am only good enough by God's grace, love, mercy, and salvation, not by my own efforts. But I struggle with this. There are moments when I feel completely inadequate in my job, in a relationship, and at low times, just walking on the face of this earth. I have to consistently remind myself of God's truth. He created me, He loves me, He chose me, delights in me, and saved me, and there is nothing I can do to change it. My sister frequently tells me to rely on His facts, not my feelings, and I hope I will eventually live it out.

I think this leads to answering another question:

3. What is one thing about God — His greatness, His gentleness, His attention — you have taken for granted lately?

I couldn't think of just one, so here are three:

1. His acceptance. God accepts me for who I am. I am not saying He won't transform me; I want to be renewed, refined, and restored in His holiness, but He will never abandon or forsake me when I mess up. He accepts me and loves me because I'm His cherished daughter; I am His beloved. And I need to lean on His acceptance, His grace, and mercy in my life.
2. His forgiveness. I spent a lot of time beating myself up for things He has already forgiven me for (1 John 1:9). I'm still figuring out what this genuinely looks like and what it means moving forward.
3. His faithfulness. He always provides. He doesn't hold back. He holds me, and I need to walk in security and confidence.

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Bonus questions for you to ponder:

1. When you look at creation (the sky, the stars, the sunset, or maybe if you can see mountains (we don't have mountains in Houston)), does it make you feel small in a scary way or small in a safe way?
   For me: safe.
   
   
2. Who in your life points you back to God when you're falling apart? Have you told them what it means to you?
   For me: my dad, my sisters, my boyfriend, and my friends.
   

I hope to do more Psalm studies, so stay tuned, and please let me know your honest thoughts. 

Thanks for joining me on this journey. 

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Turning 40: 40 fun facts about me (part 5)

Now that it is the final facts, I will say this has been a fun and interesting reflection on my life. 

33. First country I ever visited outside the U.S.? France, well, technically Spain, but all I did was get off the plane, get in a car, and drive on the highway to the cruise boat. So I am sticking with France. 

In a town where I got to see Roman ruins outside of Marseille
(Sorry, can't remember name)

34. Most random anecdote: I have been licked by a giraffe... my best friend in high school, Karen, and I were visiting Six Flags Marine World, and they had this opportunity to take a picture with a giraffe. Well, from what I remember, my friend held the salt stick to get the giraffe to come over to us, but she held it closer to me, and it licked me. Not sure why, but I freaked out, and somehow their telling me it was good luck to be licked by a giraffe calmed me down (I wasn't a Christian yet, so maybe that really did calm me down).

35. Favorite Boston memory: Going to John Lester’s no-hitter on my 23rd birthday or doing the Freedom Trail with visitors and stopping for some cannoli. 

At John Lester's no-hitter

But in all honesty, I mostly just hung out with my friends and watched movies at their apartments.  It was here I lived life, grew in my faith, and found a support system. 

36. Favorite Houston memory (not family related): Seeing Reba McEntire at the Houston Rodeo

But I would not have gone to the Rodeo if it weren't for the wonderful friends I have made at PLI... so I should give them a little shout-out. 

37. Favorite comfort food on a bad day: This is going to sound random, but when I am feeling really crummy, I like to make rice and eat it with butter and sugar. We ate a lot of rice when I was growing up because it was cheap and easy to make. 

38. What has been the hardest season of your life, and what did it teach you? I have struggled with depression on and off since my junior year of high school. The time that stands out most was after grad school, when I searched for a job, and nothing happened. Whenever friends asked about it, I wanted to cry or shout—I felt useless, disappointed, discouraged. Other friends seemed to get job offers right away. I cried out to God, “Why?” My quiet time became a checklist. I remember walking home from the train and wishing a bus would hit me and end it all.

I felt like dirt—worse than dirt.

Moving to Houston didn’t magically fix things; my problems followed me. I still scrambled and called out to God. One day, driving to a babysitting job, I thought a pickup truck would merge into me. I swerved into an 18-wheeler. Somehow, I only damaged my bumper and had a headache. I walked away knowing God must have a purpose for me. I’m still living in that truth.

39. Do you have any irrational fears or phobias? Yes, ants, and my roommate thinks it is hilarious that I love Ant-Man. 

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And falling out of a roller coaster. 

40. Favorite role in life (thus far): Being "Aunt Blaire," if you spend any time around me in real life, you will know my niece and nephews are my favorite subject to speak about (after Jesus). I'm always so proud of them; they hold my heart, and watching them grow up has been one of the biggest blessings in my life.

After putting all of this together, I'm already thinking about what comes next. A friend in Boston had a beautiful birthday tradition... every year, she would ask two questions: What was your favorite thing about the last year? And what is one thing you want to accomplish in the next year? I love that. Simple, intentional, and worth sitting with.

I think that deserves its own post... Stay tuned. 🎂

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Turning 40: 40 fun facts about me (part 4)

The big day has come and gone — and honestly? I wouldn't change a thing. I was busy visiting my boy in Tennessee, soaking up the good stuff, and I decided that working on a blog post could wait.

24. Ever since I was a child, I have always had a close friend with a "K" in her name. It started with Katie, my very first friend. Then came Karen in high school, two different Kates in college, and in adulthood — the Kates are still going strong, plus my last roommate in Boston was named Kyra. (I also had wonderful friends named Caroline, Liz, and Sarah along the way, but the K's are clearly a pattern.) Maybe "B" and "K" just go well together. I'm not questioning it — I'm just collecting them.

The Kates and I 

25. One truly stupid thing I did as a kid was staple my own thumb. In my defense, I had just received the most adorable Noah's Ark desk set, and the stapler was shaped like a hippopotamus. Naturally, the only logical way to test whether it had staples in it was to press my thumb down on it. It did. I pulled it out myself — without crying, I might add — because I didn't want to frighten my younger sister. I then went to find my parents via my older sister, who, unfortunately, cannot stand the sight of blood. Let's just say her reaction was... dramatic. (Or at least, that's how I remember it. 😄)

26. The first book I remember loving: Ella Enchanted... it is a retelling of Cinderella, but don't judge a book by its movie because the book is so much better. 

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27. Continuing my book theme- Favorite author (besides God), Kate Morton, Jane Austen. I have liked Susanna Kearsley, Fredrik Backman, Ann Vosscamp, and others. 

28. If I could meet a fictional character: Emma M. Lion, Katniss Everdeen (though she would probably think I was weak), Mr. Knightley. 

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29. Submitted by a friend: What is your favorite book from the last 10 years? This is hard to answer... 1) because I can't remember every book I have read over the last 10 years, and 2) it is hard for me to choose a favorite. 

Audio Book: Homecoming by Kate Morton, because it is narrated by Claire Foy, and she has a really great voice.  

Christian non-fiction: Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund, The Broken Way by Ann Vosskamp, Seeking Allah Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi. 

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Fiction: hmmm? That is hard. 

30. Favorite books of the Bible (if you are allowed to have favorites): John, Ephesians, Deuteronomy, Psalms (I mean, it just covers the wide range of emotions). 

31. What Bible verse has shaped your life most? Can I list a few? 

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. -Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:10 (NJKV)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. -2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

And what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8b 

For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. -Psalm 26:3 (ESV)

32. A favorite line from a TV show that I quote a lot:  "Life's tough. Get a helmet." - Boy Meets World. 

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Turing 40: 40 fun facts about me (part 3)

21. Submitted by my aunt: "Have you ever daydreamed about moving to Kansas?"

Sorry, I can't say that I have. Okay, maybe when I was a kid, and my cousin and I would play dress up and act out stories together — maybe then. In high school, I dreamt of becoming a writer in New York City, but I fell in love with Boston instead. And for a while, I dreamt about working at the Library of Congress, because the main building is so beautiful. But dreams have shifted. I am now fulfilling my dream of being used in God's kingdom, working with immigrants and refugees, and fulfilling a heart's desire to love on kids so they know they are loved — not only by me, but by God.

22. Submitted by my cousin: "Did you know about PLI before you moved to Houston?" 

Simple answer: "No."

Long answer: I moved to Houston to be closer to my family. I loved Boston, but every time I visited my sister and her family, it was getting harder to get back on the plane and leave them (my niece and nephews have me wrapped around their little fingers — and they know it). Also, at the time, I had a roommate who was taking amazing trips by herself and with her best friend, and I was getting a little envious — okay, a lot envious — because she lived so close to family that she spent her vacation time and money traveling. And I would love to travel.* So I moved to Houston.

The kids and I, the fall after I moved here

In the winter/early spring of 2020 (before the world fell apart), I joined a Bible study focused on sharing your faith — something I really struggle with. I had done some campus ministry in college, but most of my grad school and adult years were spent with people simply knowing I was a Christian and hoping that if they had questions, they would ask. I especially struggle to share my faith with those closest to me without getting on a soapbox, so I felt convicted to join. Through that Bible study, I heard about the nations in Houston. Did you know Houston is one of the most diverse cities in America? "Houston is the 2nd most diverse major American city in 2025"

After the Bible study ended, one of the group's leaders and I went for a walk. She was trying to pull me into another Bible study, gearing people up for overseas missions. I couldn't imagine doing that. 1) In my head, I thought overseas missions were for the "Super Christians." 2) I didn't have a specific people group my heart yearned to reach — I had a heart for children and vulnerable populations, but I hadn't found a people group I wanted to invest in. 3) And probably most importantly at the time: I had just moved to Houston to be close to my family. I told her as much, so she pivoted and told me about PLI. After about the third mention, I had to stop her and ask what those letters stood for — Prestige Learning Institute.

It was COVID, and I wasn't quite ready to leave my house, but by January 2021, I was done with my life being just working from home, going for walks, and watching TV. I needed to do something. I looked up PLI again, applied to volunteer, and got completely sucked into the After-School Program 😃.

When the world opened up a little more, I started looking for full-time work — but I didn't want a full-time job that would take me away from the kids I had come to love. Around that time, one of the women I'd connected with noticed that PLI had an admin position open. I applied, and my now-friend in HR pointed me toward a communications position in development — but it required support raising. As an introvert who wrestles with insecurity, that gave me serious pause. I brought it up with my therapist, and she asked, "Would you do it if it wasn't for the support raising?" I said yes. And I think that was my answer. So I applied — and that's what brought me to PLI. I'm sure there are more details I'm leaving out.

*If I could do anything (other than what I'm doing right now), I would turn this blog into a travel/Bible study/lifestyle blog and somehow make enough money from it to live, save, and get by. Not that money is a driving factor — but enough is enough.

23.  If I had a superpower, it would be: teleporting or speaking any language. 

24. TV series I have watched all the way through more than once: Gilmore Girls, MASH, The West Wing, Ugly Betty, Downton Abbey, The Office, Parks & Rec, Crash Landing on You.

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📖 Psalm 8: How Excellent Is Your Name

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Dear Lovely Readers,

I don't know how many times I have said it on here, but one of my dreams is to use this blog as a Bible study that maybe one day will become a book (dream upon dream) — but if I don't start somewhere, I will probably never start. So here I go.

First, let me explain that I go through something like a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) (to learn more, click here). In this, I go through questions:

1. What does it say? Or what happened? Who, when, where?
2. What does it say about God? His character or His promises?
3. What stood out or made me question something?
4. What does it say about people/me?

I write out the verse, and if it's cross-referenced, I look it up. So it can take me days to go through a section, or weeks to go through a chapter… but I don't mind. I had a friend tell me once that it took her 10 years to do an inductive study of the whole Bible. And I figure the time is going to pass anyway, so I might as well use it to get deeper into the Word.

This post is dedicated to my boyfriend. A few days ago, I was really struggling, and I couldn't stop crying, so I called him and asked him to read a Psalm to me. He pulled out his favorite — Psalm 8 — and read it over me.

📖 The Passage: Psalm 8

v.1 — "O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who has set Your glory above the heavens."

v.2 — "Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger."

v.3 — "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained..."

v.4–5 — "What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor."

v.6 — "You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet."

v.9 — "O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!"

What Does It Say? (Observation)

Psalm 8 is a song of praise — a bookend psalm, opening and closing with the same declaration: "O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth." It begins and ends in worship, and everything in between is wonder. 

A quick note on the very first verse that stood out in my study: the first word is the divine name Yahweh. The second Hebrew word, translated "our Lord," carries the meaning of "Our Sovereign." So right from the start, David is not just praising a faraway deity — he is crying out to the God who is both transcendent (above all the heavens) and intimately personal (our Lord, our Sovereign).

Does it stop you, too — that He is both the God of the universe and somehow, personally, yours?

💖 What Does It Say About God?

God's glory surpasses the heavens (v.1). Cross-referencing with Psalm 148:13: "Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above all the earth and heavens." And Psalm 113:4: "The LORD is high above all nations, His glory is above the heavens." His name and His glory are inseparable — and both are incomprehensibly vast. 

God uses the weak to silence the proud (v.2). The cross-references here are fascinating. In Matthew 21:16, Jesus quotes this very verse when the children are crying out "Hosanna" in the temple courts and the religious leaders are indignant. Jesus essentially says: Yes. This is exactly what this psalm is about. And 1 Corinthians 1:27 echoes it: "But God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things that are mighty." God doesn't need the powerful or the polished. He ordains praise from the mouths of babies. That's the kind of God He is.

And honestly, doesn't that just take the pressure off?

God is intimately attentive to human beings (v.4–5). This is perhaps the most stunning part of the psalm. David looks up at the stars — at the immeasurable expanse of creation — and asks: What is man, that You are mindful of him? The rhetorical question is meant to stun us. And it should. God created all of this, and yet He is mindful of us. He visits us. The Hebrew text of verse 5 reads: "You have made him to lack little of God" — human beings are made in His image, just a little less than the angels, and crowned with glory and honor. When is the last time you actually let yourself believe that about yourself?

What Stood Out or Made Me Question Something?

The note I wrote in my journal says it best: "The response to this rhetorical question creates stunned awe."

Man — made of the earth — starts out at the summit of God's creation. That's not arrogance; that's the biblical vision of human dignity. We were made for something. We were made like Someone.

And then there's verse 6, which pulled me into a cross-reference rabbit hole (the best kind): "You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet." (See also: Genesis 1:26, 28; 1 Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 2:8.)

This is where Psalm 8 connects directly to something much bigger — to the story of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:27, Paul quotes this psalm and applies it to Jesus. Hebrews 2 does the same. The dominion given to humanity in Genesis, echoed in Psalm 8, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Son of Man. Jesus is the one in whom all things are truly put under His feet. 

That thread — from Genesis to the Psalms to Paul — makes me sit on my bed with a cup of tea and just... wonder.

What Does It Say About Me?

I am seen. I am visited. I am crowned.

Not because I earned it. Not because I am impressive. But because He is, and He chose to make me in His image, to give me dignity, to set His attention on me.

On the day I called my boyfriend crying, I didn't feel crowned. I felt like the dust I'm made of. And he read me this psalm. And somewhere in "O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name" — I remembered that the God whose glory is above the heavens also bends down to be our Lord. My Lord.

That's the whole psalm in a breath: He is infinitely great, and He is intimately ours.

🙏 A Prayer to Close

Thank You, Lord, for Your authority, and for the authority You have given me. Lord, I am sorry if I have ever abused or misused it. You are holy, righteous, and good. You love wholeheartedly. You are my God, and I don't want dominion if You are not leading.

Amen.

🔎 Cross-references used in this study: Psalm 148:13; Psalm 113:4; Psalm 111:2; Psalm 44:16; Genesis 1:26, 28; Matthew 21:16; 1 Corinthians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 2:6–8; Job 7:17–18; Job 10:12

Can you sit with that for a second — that the God who made the stars is mindful of you, specifically?

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Turning 40: 40 Fun and Personal Facts About Me (part 1)

Dear Lovely Reader, 

It is now May... which is my birthday month. And as I am turning 40, I thought I would share 40 random facts/stories about me!

1. Born in Oklahoma City

One of my favorites from childhood 

2. Favorite drinks: tea, vanilla latte, Dr. Pepper

3. Favorite foods: Chinese, Italian, Pizza (though my doctor told me with some liver issues I have to go Gluten light -- not sure exactly what that means). 

4. Least favorite foods: eggs, seafood, cilantro (yes, I am one of those people that it tastes like soap) 

5. I have lived in 3 out of the 4 continental U.S. time zones, and have yet to live in the Mountain Time Zone. At one point, I thought about retiring to New Mexico (and while that still might happen... God can do mysterious things), but I think right now I want to retire in one of the Carolinas. Also, I have thoughts about getting a property (currently have no idea how to buy one), building a tiny home, another tiny home for a library and writing work area, and a third or fourth for ministry workers to come and rest. 

I don't know if this truly counts as a tiny home, but it is cute
Though not sure about the salmon color
Link

I currently reside in Houston. But I was born in Oklahoma City, then when I was 10 going on 11, my mom and I moved to the west coast, first living outside of Seattle for 2 years, then we (with my stepdad) moved to outside San Francisco, and for college I moved to Boston. I attended Suffolk University for undergrad and Simmons College (now Simmons University) for grad school. 

From my prom... I still love that dress

6. First concert saw (without parents): *NSYNC. Can't remember the first concert I saw. My mom worked at a college when I was growing up, and we frequently went to jazz performances, but when we lived in Seattle, we saw Bette Midler and Billy Joel, just not sure which one was first.  

7. First CD owned: Spice World, my Grandma PJ accidentally bought me the Spice Girls' second album. 

8. First Broadway Musical (On Broadway): Annie Get Your Gun with Bernadette Peters. I grew up watching musicals from Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Gigi, White Christmas, and others. But seeing a musical on stage was very cool, but I remember thinking how small the theaters were in New York compared to those I had been to on the West Coast. First live musical (Off-Broadway) — my mom might have to correct me, but I believe it was The King and I. But I do remember once in one of the college plays we saw Our Town. 

9. Favorite childhood memory: playing dress up with a friend or cousins and sister

See, this is the level of dress-up I am talking about.
Yep, this is my grandparents' (probably) 1960's kitchen

More to come... 

If God is with you... (part 2)

Hello faithful readers,

In the first part of this reflection, I lingered in Gideon’s encounter with God, the questions, the hesitation, and the quiet reassurance of God’s presence. But as I sat with the story longer, I began to realize something: Gideon’s questions sound a lot like my own. 

For part one, click here. 

Part one

From this study, I noticed twice that God promised to be with Gideon. And this is not a promise limited to Gideon. God makes this promise in Exodus, Joshua, it is the last verse in Matthew... “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (28:20), Jesus is also called Emmanuel, which means “God with us,” and “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us...” (John 1:4).

Also, I noticed how much I am like Gideon:

1) In asking God, why has all this happened? And yet I know (sometimes) the mess I am walking through is because of the mistakes, the sins I have done—I know God forgives and redeems, like God pulled the Israelites out of the hands of the Midianites, but also you have to deal with the mess (the consequences of sin). Gideon asks the Angel, “Where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about...” And I feel kind of blatantly put God on trial, saying “But now the LORD has forsaken us...” (v.13) And maybe it is not an accusation but a cry of his heart?

How many times have I felt forsaken? And I just have to cling to the promise that God does not abandon or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5; 1 Chronicles 28:20; and Hebrews 13:5). But then sit there and wonder if those words are true, and cry out again.

2) Gideon saying, “If I have now found favor in your sight, then show me a sign...” How many times have I wondered if I have favor with God? Am I worthy of asking for anything when I’m sure I fail a thousand times (a day)?  

But even in that, I have God’s assurances, “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13,14). I am not a name-and-claim-it kind of person, because there are passages that speak of asking according to His will. But in time of wondering, my dad sent me a card with the verse 1 John 5:14 written on it.

-Now this is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  

3)Do I ask for signs? And am I confident that He will do the signs (if necessary)? If He does sign, do I recognize them, or like Gideon, do I ask for one more sign?

Wrapping this up, I will say in verse 34 it says, “But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon...” Even in Gideon's flaws, God still gives him His presence.

I am reassured by verses like this and others that God grants me His presence.

-I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

-in whom you are also being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)

-But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:21)

As I close this reflection, these are the questions I’m still sitting with:

• Where am I asking God for reassurance, even after He has already spoken?

• What promises of God am I struggling to believe right now?

• And maybe the question isn’t whether God is present, but whether I am willing to trust Him when He is? 

• Curious if you are brave enough to answer, where do you see yourself in Gideon’s story?

A terebinth tree

I guess this is how I imagine a terebinth tree in Israel, being this shady place to rest in the cool of the day, and since God would know where to meet us in the shade and in the cool places, and as God is to be our rest maybe this is why He hangs out in the terebinth trees to reveal Himself in the Old Testament.

If God Is With You… Why Does It Feel Like This?

Hello faithful readers, 

As I have said, one of my goals in life and with this blog is to write a Bible study... for this perfectionist, that is a big undertaking. Like, who am I to write a study? Where would I start? Am I even qualified? Well, after thinking, overthinking, and rethinking about it (a common habit of mine), I finally sat down and wrote one (well 2 blog posts), but I hope to write more.

Thanks for your support! 

Gideon with an angel... I'm assuming consuming the rock with fire

I have been going through a time of questions, and late in 2025 and earlier this year, I felt my prayers were going no further than the pages of my journal. I was left wondering, “Where is God?” “What does He desire?” And “Does He actually hear me?” This brings me to the story of Gideon (Judges 6).

The Angel of the Lord comes and sits down under the terebinth tree (v.11).* And the Angel says to Gideon, “The Lord is with you, mighty man of valor.” I highlighted that in green because it is a promise, and I wrote a “W” next to it, to remind me when God says He is with us. And Gideon asks if the Lord is with us, then why has all this happened?

The “all” he is referring to is that the Midianites have attacked and oppressed the people. It seems kind of a funny question because in verse 1, it is stated, “Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD delivered them into the hands of Midian. But God promised the Israelites in Deuteronomy 28:

-The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand...And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them (v.12,13).

-But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you (v.15)

Now I am going to go out on a limb and say that with the Israelites doing evil in the sight of the Lord, they were not doing as God commanded. So God was punishing them — or, as I like to think of it, correcting them so they would turn back to God.

In verse 14, the NKJV states, “The LORD turned to him,” (not the angel but the LORD) and says, “Go in the might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” I highlighted that in green too.

Then Gideon says, “If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign it is You who talk to me.” (v. 17). If you know the story of Gideon, he is famous or infamous for asking God three times about the fleece, whether it would be wet or dry (v.36-40). This is not that part of the story. Here, Gideon prepares a young goat and unleavened bread, puts the broth in a pot, and sets them under the terebinth trees. The Angel of God tells him to take the food, put it on a rock, and from the Angel’s staff he touched the meat and the bread, and fire rises out and consumes it, then the Angel departs (v. 19-21). Now Gideon realizes he has seen an Angel of the LORD face to face (v.22). Then the LORD said to Him, “Peace be to you; do not fear, you shall not die.” (And yes, I highlighted that in green too). And Gideon builds an altar and calls it THE-LORD-IS-Peace. (YHWH Shalom)” (v.23,24). 

Gideon’s story doesn’t end with answers; it begins with a question: Is God really with me?

In Part 2, I want to explore why I see myself so clearly in Gideon, and how God meets us when our faith wavers, our confidence is thin, and our questions feel unanswered.

*Side note: Someone could probably write a whole Old Testament study on terebinth trees; they seem to be very important. The Lord appears to Abram by the terebinth tree in his tent (Genesis 18). And Isaiah compares Israel to a terebinth, as from Israel’s stump, God would produce a holy seed (6:13). 

A terebinth tree 

As I was looking for the above picture found a quick YouTube video about terebinth trees

... then the sun came out

 Hello faithful readers,

In my last post (click here to read), I shared a glimpse of my struggle, how disconnected from life I’ve been feeling. I’ve also shared more with some of the prayerful women in my life (I’m sure I have prayerful men too; I’m just usually better at sharing my heart with women). Along with the disconnect, I’ve been wrestling with familiar fears: that I am unworthy of love, unlovable, a burden, or that I will always be alone. These are lies I’ve battled on and off for years. Most of the time, I can keep them at bay, but lately they’ve been loud.

I’ve also felt as though my prayers only reach as far as the journal page on which I write them.

And yet, I’ve actively tried to remind myself of the gospel: God who created the whole universe, wants a relationship with me, not because I am great, but because He created me and loved me, and proved His love by sending His Son (Hello Christmas!) who lived perfectly and on mision to restore people to His kingdom, died as the innocent lamb of God in my place, conquering death for me, and covering me by His blood, for me to have a relationship with Him, and rose from the dead so I no longer have face eternal death.*

I’ve prayed through the Psalms of Lament (Psalm 5) and the Psalms of Praise (Psalm 16). Still, my prayers felt as though they had little impact, and I continued to feel blocked.

If you’re an imagery person, it feels like I’m surrounded by ghostly figures. I can see through them, but they block my vision from truly reaching God or seeing what God desires for me.

One of my prayerful friends sent me a clip of Josh Howerton from Lake Pointe Church, sharing the story of Corrie ten Boom and her sister thanking God for the fleas. Yesterday (12/15), I tried that—thanking God for the “fleas” in my own life.

"Thank you for this low, distant feeling that keeps pressing me deeper into You.

Thank you for Your glory, hope, and strength.

…

Holy Spirit, search my heart.

Give my heart a new song of praise.

Lord, I know You hear my prayers, and that they are not stopping at the pages of this journal. You have me. You know my life. You love me, and You are faithful.

You are glorious, righteous, and secure.

…

You hold my heart.

Thank You, O God, that You hold my heart.

Thank You, O Lord, that my life is in Your hands— my future, anything romantic, finances, any mountains that come my way, any valleys that seek to hold me down, any work, all work for Your kingdom.

…

Thank You, Lord, that this moment, this season, and this earth are not the end-all, be-all of life. I have a home in heaven. One day, I will honestly sit on Your lap, hear Your whispers of love, and worship You face-to-face. While I long for that day, let me be of use. May I keep saying, “Here I am, Lord. Use me.”

Now to the moment that inspired the title of this post.

On Sunday, as part of my job, we hosted a large outing for our clients at a Christmas tree farm. It was a cold and windy day (in New England, it would’ve felt like a great December day). Sometimes our clients won’t attend ESL class if it’s cold, so I prayed that the sun would come out—that they would have a good day and hear loving truth.

About 10–20 minutes later, I was talking with a volunteer when my boss came up to me and said, “God heard your prayer.” Honestly, I had forgotten what I had prayed and asked, “What?” He reminded me that I had asked for the sun, and it came.

I’m not saying that everything suddenly feels better, or that I’m no longer struggling. But I wanted to share the renewed confidence I have in God. He is my hope, my anchor, and most days my sanity.

What “small answered prayer” might God be using to remind you today that He is near?

*I know that was one long run-on sentence. If you have questions, let me know. 

Searching for Joy in a Season That Should Be Bright

Hello faithful readers, 

The “cold” has finally reached Houston, and honestly, I’m delighted. I’d be happy if it stuck around for three more months! Of course, in true Houston fashion, by the time I finished typing this newsletter, we were already back in the 70s, which I suppose is still better than the 80s in December.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are feeling the joy and anticipation of Christmas drawing near.

Over Thanksgiving break, I loved the extra sleep and slower pace, and I’m hoping Christmas brings more moments of rest and time with family. But I’ll be honest—lately my heart has felt a bit distant from the thankfulness and joy that usually come so easily this time of year. It feels like I’ve misplaced some of the “magic” I used to sense as a child. More deeply, I’ve felt somewhat disconnected from life, though I can’t quite pinpoint why.

This morning (12/5), during my quiet time, I wrote:

“I want to feel connected to life. I want to be done with this half-life. I long for joy, hope, security, peace, completeness… not out of doubt, but because something feels missing.

I am struggling.

What is it?

Lord, is it You I’m missing?

Lord, I have You—You are my Savior. How much I need You. You are my hope, my security, my sanity. I’d be nothing without You. You created the heavens and the earth… and somehow decided the world needed me, too. You sent Your Son to live, die, and rise again so that all who call You Lord would have life in You.

Thank You—though these words barely feel adequate.

Lord, You are gracious, loving, trustworthy, and complete. You go before me and behind me.

I have You, but I need You more. I’m asking for Your wisdom, Your joy, and everything You desire to give me on this side of heaven.

Lord, capture my heart.

What do You desire from me, in me, and through me?
What do You want to teach me?”*

As I wrote, the lyrics of “In Christ Alone my hope is found” came to mind, and I prayed that those words would be more deeply true of my life.

I’m not entirely sure how to wrap up this blog post except to say: would you join me in that prayer?

Thank you, truly. And here’s to the cold weather lingering a little longer… and to the hope that God is already warming the places in my heart that feel a bit chilled.

Holding onto grace. *

*I feel the need to say the em dashes were not Chat GPT but how I actually wrote my prayers