Recently I was talking with some friends and the conversation went towards what I write in the devotionals that I share. One of my friends said that the problem with them is that they are “real” and do not always make a person feel good, and first thing in the morning, when a person’s day is about to start they want to feel good. For any that feel that way, I suggest that you read them in the late afternoon, lol. Some do share that they do feel good after reading what I go through because it is my life and not their own. I had a friend say that they pray “that I have a gentle day,” but I am not sure what that would even look like today especially, it is ugly outside here causing me to have severe anxiety accompanied with some depression. This year started off with multiple storms that ruined some of our provisions that will take a while to figure out, repeated illness in our home, and a lack of therapy providers for my grandchildren. My character and abilities have been questioned to the point that I have evaluated whether or not I am worthy of serving God in any way. I understand that by writing some of the things that I do that hell is stirred up and the enemy comes against my family and I, but at times it is intense to the point of being disheartened in the battle. I realize that there are different people and families that I have been ministering to who are dealing with relationship issues, substance abuse, mental and emotional trauma, and the list goes on, you get the idea who have said they have been blessed by my presence in their lives and I have been encouraged. When I am troubled, I pray over the words written in *John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted, be filled with joy]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you. My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]* My goal in writing what I do is to inspire people not only to endure but to be victorious. I am humbled when people share with me that because of what I wrote, what I went through, and more importantly because of what Jesus did with me, in me, and through me, that they didn’t give up, that they drew closer to the Lord Jesus and endured. C.S. Lewis wrote, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” I feel that, 100. I pray that as the storms keep coming, when the winds blow and destruction is imminent, for God to let it rain, let it pour, reminding myself that I will always praise God because He is always good to me, rain or shine.