Lamentations 3:22-23 - Jeannie Waters, Writer & Speaker

How to Find God’s Blessings in New Seasons of Life

April 24, 2024Jeannie Waters28 Comments

Weeks ago, I noticed tight flower buds had popped out to decorate the bare limbs on my Bradford pear tree. A glance out my kitchen window days later revealed one cluster of newborn blossoms bouncing in the breeze.

Like God’s blessings in the Bible, the tiny flowers offered hope of more than I could see—more growth and beauty to come. More of God’s blessings. More opportunities to honor my Lord and serve others.

Around town I noticed purple flowers on Japanese magnolias and clumps of sunny daffodils. But I enjoyed the signs of spring in my yard and neighborhood the most. I thought of them as personalized gifts from God to my neighbors and me.

Examples of God’s gifts fill the pages of the Bible and offer hope for the ever-changing seasons of our lives.

Every season.

Hard ones and easy ones.

Those we choose and those that surprise us.

Examples of God’s gifts fill the pages of the Bible and offer hope for the ever-changing seasons of our lives. Share on X

Whatever our challenges in this current season, God’s presence and His gifts assure us of His help and guidance and His promise to meet our needs. They also speak of spiritual growth and opportunities to serve in His kingdom’s work.

As buds and flowers decorate your yard and neighborhood with the hope of spring, notice God’s blessings in your life. When you study your Bible and pray, list His gifts you find especially dear in your current season. Ask God to let them blossom in your heart and offer the hope and help you need as you determine to honor Him each new morning.

That view from my kitchen window prompted me to stare in wonder. My Bradford pear stood covered in white, lacy blossoms like a bride anticipating her walk down the aisle.

In this season of my life, the tree’s beauty represents to me the assurance of God’s presence and the promise He will meet my needs as I seek Him first (Matthew 6:33). When we behold bouquets of His blessings in nature, let’s embrace the gifts in His Word as we walk into each new day with praise and service.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

Your Turn

Please share a dear-to-you verse or blessing in your current season or an encouraging one you held close during past challenges. Let’s encourage each other.

How Winter Frost and Manna Remind Us of God’s Love and Faithfulness

January 31, 2023Jeannie Waters24 Comments

Winter frost sparkles on our lawn like diamonds and reminds me of God’s provision. The higher the sun rises, the more reflections shine from the tiny ice crystals on the tips of the grass blades.

Bread from Heaven

This morning when I looked at the frost from the kitchen window, I thought of the manna I’d recently read about in chapter 16 of Exodus. God had promised Moses He would “rain bread from heaven” for the Israelites who were traveling through the wilderness after God had delivered them from enslavement in Egypt (v. 4) *.

As Moses witnessed, after the dew had evaporated each morning in the desert, “there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground” (v. 14). The Bible compares the manna to frost, so maybe it sparkled in the sunlight.

When the Israelites saw the white flakes, they said, “manna” (v. 15) which means “What is it?” They’d never seen this “bread from heaven” which was a new creation designed by God to feed His people.

For forty years, He sent the exact amount they needed for each day until they reached Canaan, the promised land (v. 35). Like the Israelites, we may not understand all our blessings, but our heavenly Father provides them.

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9

Reminders

The manna not only fed the Hebrew people, but it later served as a reminder of God’s provision. He instructed Moses to keep a jar of it in the ark of the covenant along with the stone tablets of commandments (v. 32).

Our Father knows we need reminders—to praise Him for blessings and trust Him in hard times when we don’t see or understand His provision.

Bill, one of our Sunday school teachers often says to the class, “Why are we here today? We are here to remember.” His lessons remind us of God’s promises and how He fulfills them.

Of His love and care for His children.

Of the mission He gives to each believer.

When I read the laws of the Old Testament, I wonder how the Hebrew people remembered all of God’s commands once the prophets conveyed them. They didn’t have the written Word and the Holy Spirit like we do, but they had manna and other provisions to remind them of His goodness.

Like the pillar of cloud guided the Israelites, the Bible guides us and reminds us of God’s faithfulness.

From Heavenly Bread to the Bread of Heaven

God no longer creates manna, the heavenly bread, but what blessings are ours as believers today.

We have the Bread of Life, the Lord Jesus Christ, living within us. He came to feed us Truth and to create a path to relationship with Him by grace—an exciting life of daily adventure.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 1:17

Every winter morning, I peer through the blinds to look for frost. When the sun rises higher, I notice the sparkle and wonder what “manna” God has provided for me this day.

The frost reminds me to thank Him. What will happen on warmer days when there is no frost?

Will I remember His past blessings and thank Him for today’s? Will I complain as the Israelites did when they faced challenges, tired of the consistent diet, or doubted God’s love and faithfulness?

We don’t know what His blessings will be, and we may not see provision for every need right away, but as surely as manna dotted the desert landscape and as surely as frost forms on freezing days, we can trust our faithful God to provide for us.

We don’t know what His blessings will be, and we may not see provision for every need right away, but as surely as manna dotted the desert landscape and as surely as frost forms on freezing days, we can trust our faithful God to… Share on X

When we pray each morning and seek the Bread of Life in the Word, we can remember and praise our God for blessings seen and unseen and for His constant love and care.

A Promise and a Praise to Brighten Your Day

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

*Verses are taken from the ESV Bible.

Your Turn to Share

How do you remember God’s blessings? What reminds you of His faithfulness? How does His faithfulness comfort you in hard times?

Here’s a link to my last post: Three Ways to Navigate Difficult Days

https://jeanniewaters.com/blog/three-ways-to-navigate-difficult-days/

365 New Year’s Gifts for You

December 29, 2021Jeannie Waters22 Comments

When we exchange the sweaters that don’t fit and donate duplicate items we received for Christmas, we still have more gifts to open. Yes, after the fireworks fizzle, we will awaken to God’s gift of a new year, a set of 365 days (Lord willing).

Like a holiday jigsaw puzzle, the days will fit together nicely with the last piece inserted next New Year’s Eve. How shall we begin our conversation about the new year? (If you don’t mind, let’s postpone a discussion of New Year’s resolutions like losing weight and exercising, although they’re worthy goals.)

Let’s begin with thoughts of new beginnings.

If you’re a planner, new goals and a refreshed schedule will energize you.
If you love cooking, a new winter soup recipe will excite you.
If you enjoy Bible study, the first few pages of a new book will encourage you.

Although the new year arrives wrapped with shiny anticipation of these and other opportunities and joys, our challenges won’t disappear when we purchase a new paper calendar or download a digital one. Some of the old dilemmas linger, and additional ones emerge.

Concerns about our family, health, jobs, finances, relationships, and a world teeming with problems can urge us to pull the cover over our heads instead of greeting each day with a smile.

Let’s unwrap a verse that encourages us to put on our slippers and dance into each new day—at least in our hearts.

The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, for His compassions do not fail.
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NASB

These verses and others assure us that the lovingkindness of God is unhindered, unfailing, and unending. We face trials and suffer for sinful choices requiring repentance, but His mercies continue to beam from heaven with each sunrise.

God’s mercies are new on January first, July fourth, and next New Year’s Eve. Every year His blessings are new for each of 365 days.

God's mercies are new on January first, July fourth, and next New Year’s Eve. Every year His blessings are new for each of 365 days. Share on X

The Bible doesn’t promise easy days filled with our favorite things. In fact, every day that ends in “y” holds challenges and temptations. But if we meditate on the verses above, our hearts can sing out in praise to our heavenly Father, “Great is Your faithfulness.”

As we replace last year’s calendar with a new one—despite the challenges—we can embrace the new year with joy. For in it reside 365 gifts—days filled with the adventure of walking with Jesus, learning more about Him, and sharing His love with others.

Among His new morning mercies are the gifts of joy, hope, love, and wisdom, as well as conviction, correction, and lessons we need to learn. God is a good Father who knows what we need and leads us to obey Scripture’s commands for His glory and our good.

Are you asking God to give you specific gifts this year? Perhaps we’ll request a deeper knowledge of Him, more commitment to pray for others, and new opportunities to serve others and share the good news of salvation in Christ.

If you haven’t accepted God’s greatest gift, salvation in Christ, surrender to His Lordship today and begin the new year marveling at His mercies.

I’m praying you’ll enjoy this new year of adventure with God as we open His gifts and “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity” (2 Peter 3:18 NASB).

Please share with all of us: What verse or truth about God makes you eager to open the next gift of a new day? Which of His gifts are you most thankful for?

If you have friends who would enjoy my posts, please share the link. New subscribers will automatically receive a welcome gift–“10 Easy Appetizer Ideas & Recipes.” Perfect for New Year’s Eve and other times.

Fresh New Mornings

May 2, 2019Jeannie Waters6 Comments

Ah! The freshness of a brand new day. The smells of spring and the sound of bird choruses are as bright and new as the dew glistening on the grass. Patterns of sunlight stream through the trees creating patterns on the ground. Yesterday is a memory; tomorrow is yet to come. But today is just beginning.

God creates a new day each time the sun brightens the eastern skies. Would you agree that our focus when we awaken can influence the way we walk through the day? Would our morning sighs turn into deep breaths of gratitude if we viewed each new day as a cup filled with God’s mercies? The following passage provides a source of hope: