“Just because you don’t see a way doesn’t mean God doesn’t have a way.”
That saying frequently appears as I’m scrolling through the 1,756 photos on my phone. Its cousins – other spiritually centered, uplifting messages – often join in the symphony of encouragement and hope as I peruse my phone’s albums.
Actually, I saved that particular message on July 10, 2021, just a few months after the world had begun to return to some semblance of normalcy following the horrors of Covid and 2020. When I came across it the other day, I decided to see what additional beacons of reassurance would appear if I intentionally browsed my iPhone’s offerings.
As I took time to focus on them, I was immediately uplifted. And I decided I would share some of them with you so you could be bolstered, too. You may recall that last year, I gathered a significant number of compelling Christian posts in just one month, which led me to share at that time as well.
I’m not sure how far we’ll get through the remaining almost three years of photos – we may have to save a lot for later – but here goes:
July 13, 2021: “God never sends you into a situation alone. God goes before you. He stands beside you. He walks behind you. Whatever situation you have right now, be confident. God Is With You.”
And that same day: “Christians don’t know all the answers to why life hurts, but we do know that looking at the Cross we can’t say, ‘God doesn’t understand hurt.'”
Dec. 4, 2021: “You cannot see your reflection in boiling water. Similarly, you cannot see the truth in a state of anger. When the waters calm, clarity comes.”
Jan. 22, 2022: “A positive attitude brings much gratitude! Think positive. Be positive. Speak positive. And stay positive. Do it every day, and do it big.”
March 21, 2022: “When you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine.”
Also that day: “God is down in the front. He is in the tomorrows. It is tomorrow that fills men with dread. God is there already. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass him before they can get to us.”
April 9, 2022: “Those who love you don’t clip your wings. They add another feather so you can fly higher.”
And later that day: “When I interviewed Maya Angelou, she told me to write this sentence on my notepad and to never forget it: ‘Every storm runs out of rain.’ I still think of that line to this day” – Alex Banayan.
April 14, 2022: “Love is when a Man wipes your tears, even after you left him hanging on the cross for your sins.”
Aug. 11, 2022: “Be careful about rushing God’s timing. You never know who or what he is protecting you from.”
Aug. 16, 2022: “Today will never come again. Be a blessing. Be a friend. Encourage someone. Take time to care. Let your words heal and not wound.”
Oct. 28, 2022: “Mosaics are made from broken pieces, but they’re still a work of art. And so are you.”
Jan. 21, 2023: “The brook would lose its song if the rocks were removed.”
June 21, 2023: “Being a work in progress is progress.”
Aug. 21, 2023: “Have you heard of ‘glimmers’? They are the opposite of triggers. A glimmer is a tiny micro-moment of happiness – a sign of hope. Once you begin to look for them, they will start to appear everywhere.
And for this go-round, a good place to pause is the image from Sept. 15, 2023, which centers on my favorite parable:
“The difference between mercy and grace? Mercy gave the Prodigal Son a second chance. Grace gave him a feast” – Max Lucado.
