 Photo by RDNE Stock project at Pexels 2022 was a very hard year for my family. Not only did my family lose my mom but a couple months after that we found out my father-in-law had advanced brain and lung cancer. He tried treatment and fought valiantly but the cancer was very aggressive. We were very blessed to get a bed for him in hospice, where he received excellent care just ahead of the Christmas season. Every day, I would go into work, work a full day and then go see him every night. As I was fearful each and every day was the day he would pass, I dared not to miss a day for one more goodbye or hug. Dealing with impending loss of this magnitude day after really takes its toll.  This is me all tucked in at my dad's house. I remember one particular day, I just couldn't take it any more. I was at work and realized that I needed to leave as soon as possible. I just couldn't be there. I was at the end of myself, emotionally, mentally and physically and I needed to be anywhere but at school. I called in a supply teacher and as I was leaving the building, I realized I did not have a car that day. What was I to do? The answer was simple. Call my dad. Dad answered with his faithful "Hi Babe, What's up?" I was a mess and told Dad he needed to "come get me immediately and take me home. I had had it." Dad replied as he ALWAYS does "Be RIGHT there." Dad was very concerned and decided to take me to his house. He followed my lead and felt that what I needed more was rest than to chat. You see that is what a good father does. He never lets his kids down. He knows what they need. Dad had a brand new comfy recliner chair and he suggested that would be a perfect spot for me to find respite. He tucked me in with warm blankets and told me to simply rest as long as I needed and enjoy the peace and quiet. I cried and thanked him for everything as he was so intuitive and empathetic. I felt so loved. He knew exactly what I needed at that moment. It is a very special memory for me of what a loving dad does when his kid is hurting.  In Proverbs 18:10 is says The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and they are safe. (MEV) Just like the way my dad came to my rescue, our Heavenly Father is ready and waiting to come to us when we need Him. We just have to take that first step like I did with my earthly father. I reached out to him and asked for his help. Our God is never too busy to lend a hand, hear us out, provide us with a safe space to unwind or a soft place to land and just feel protected by his incredible love. Jesus is a friend that I would truly be lost without. He has rescued me time and time again. I find solace in His presence, rest when I am weary and unconditional love whenever I need it. It is a very sweet arrangement that He has offered to me and all of us who are Christ followers. When we come to the end of ourselves, His Holy Spirit gently encourages us and gives us the strength we need to carry on and face another day. Perhaps you are at the end of yourself today. Life has hit you hard. I know how that feels. It is a scary and lonely place to be. You can't breathe and you need an escape. Please know that you have a Heavenly Father who is waiting in the wings for you. He is concerned about you and loves you so, so much. Won't you run to Him? He will welcome you with open arms and He is ready to make your life so much better than you ever thought possible. Tuck that in your heart today ❤️and repeat this prayer below if you would like to become a follower of Jesus and know the feeling of resting in His presence when life just becomes too much. Dear Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I believe that you are God and are able to forgive me of my sins. I ask you to forgive me of my sins and become my personal saviour. Come into my heart and change me into the person I am meant to be. Help me to live for you from this day forward. Thank you for coming into my life. In Jesus's name, Amen Sending you a virtual hug, Dana
Tags: Father's love, fathers, dads, parenting, God's forgiveness, forgiveness, forgiveness of sins, salvation in Christ, sinner's prayerCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi)
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 Photo by Tara Winstead at Pexels I remember as a child being completely fascinated with my mom's make up even though she wore very little. Her daily makeup routine consisted of Oil of Olay facial moisturizer (I recall the smell, so well!) under eye concealer and blush. It was the under eye concealer however that really piqued my interest. The reason why I was so intrigued by this product is because it rolled up like a lipstick. I used to love to sneak it out of the cabinet and pretend I was putting on lipstick in the mirror, like some famous movie star. Well all was well until one dreadful day, when I rolled up my imaginary lipstick (concealer) and to my horror it cracked. right. off. This was not part of my routine! I was completely mortified and unsure of what to do next. I was so afraid to tell Mom that I had not only been into her makeup but damaged something. The only thing to do in my mind was to pay her for the broken concealer, yet I had very little money at that age. Desperate, I went to my piggy bank and rounded up all the change I could find and left it with a handwritten apology note (which my mom kept for years). I was so nervous about what Mom would say or do when she found the note. Mom, true to form, came and quickly found me. At the sight of Mom I started crying like I lost my best friend. She lovingly scooped me up and dried my tears. She then smiled, returned my loose change and said with a twinkle in her eye ~ she "accepted my apology, and accidents happen." The most profound thing she said when I argued through my sobs with her that I should pay for the concealer, was when she said "Don't be silly. I cancel that debt."  On so many occasions, my amazing parents modeled for me what our loving Heavenly Father does for us time and time again. We sin. God forgives us. No questions asked and He cancels our debt every time even when we feel so undeserving. He cancels our debt even when we argue with Him that we need to pay Him back somehow. It is not necessary because when He died on the cross He paid in full for our sins. Not only that but in Micah 7:19 it says He also forgets our sins. Forgives and forgets? It doesn't get any better than that my friends!  I remember a little song in church we used to sing that says: He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay I needed SOMEONE to wash my sins away And now I sing a brand new song, Amazing Grace, Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay It is so true that the wonder of the cross is that it literally crosses out ALL our sin. If you do not know this type of forgiveness it is available for you TODAY. My Grampa Sudds used to say "There are only two types of people in this world, Dana. Sinners and sinners saved by grace." So true! Please know that means that forgiveness from your sins by Jesus is for YOU. Don't give it a second thought and remember... Don't be silly. That debt is canceled as it was PAID IN FULL! Tuck that in your heart today ❤️and repeat this prayer below if you would like to become a follower of Jesus and have ALL your debt paid in full. Dear Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I believe that you are God and are able to forgive me of my sins. I ask you to forgive me of my sins and become my personal saviour. Come into my heart and change me into the person I am meant to be. Help me to live for you from this day forward. Amen Sending you a virtual hug, Dana
Tags: God's forgiveness, forgiveness, forgiveness of sins, salvation in Christ, sinner's prayerCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi)
 Photo by Ketut Subiyanto In Lamentations 3: 22 - 23 it says: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. It is such an incredible thought to ponder that God's mercies are new EVERY morning. With each new day, God gives us a fresh dose of his grace to face whatever the day may hold. He never grows weary of us, or tired of offering his grace on a continual basis. In this verse it speaks of the never changing nature of God's love as well. It is described as steadfast. You can count on it and put your trust in it. God's love is so different than anything we are used to here on earth. It is so refreshing. He loves us unconditionally. NOTHING we could ever do would make God loves us any less or more than he does right now. Some days are very difficult. It is so reassuring to know that with each new sunrise, we have a chance to make a fresh start in Christ. God can give us a fresh start at any time, but truly every day we have on this earth is a gift. Knowing that God is faithful and stays by our side reminds us that together with God, no matter what the day may bring, we will face it head on, hand in hand together. Tuck that in your heart today! Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of each new day. Each new day has such potential. Help us to never take for granted the wonderful life you have given us. May we not count the days, but make the days count for the cause of Christ and the furtherance of your kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen Until next time, Dana AuthorDana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, author, social worker, blogger and speaker. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or writing, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books. Tag: God's faithfulness, God's mercy, gift of a new dayCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
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