BONUS DEVOTION! I’m writing over at Proverbs 31 Ministries today and thought you might enjoy it too. Enjoy your bonus devotion!
The phone rang. It was my ninth-grade son calling in the middle of the day…never a good sign. “Mom, I’m in the principal’s office. You need to come to school.”
I drove to school and found a stranger sitting in the office wearing my son’s clothes. He was facing a week of in school suspension. It was not a good week in the Jaynes’ household.
As moms, wives, and friends, we’re going to face some difficult times—that’s just part of the job description. We will experience disappointment, disillusionment, and discouragement when what we expected and what we experienced don’t line up. During those times we might wonder, God, where are You? I need a little help here. Now would be a good time for a miracle.
After Jesus’ resurrection, two of his old friends felt the same way. They were walking on the Road to Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, forlorn and forsaken. Jesus had been arrested and crucified a few days before. The guys had pinned all their hopes and dreams on the Messiah, and now He was gone. As they walked and talked, another man joined them.
“What are you talking about?” the man asked.
“Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know about what happened over the past few days?
“What things?” the man asked.
Then the two disciples gave a blow-by-blow account of Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, and disappearance from the tomb. When they reached the village where they were going, they invited the stranger to join them for dinner. While at the table, Jesus assumed the role of host—gave thanks for the bead, broke it, and passed it to the men.
At that point, a flood of memories washed over the men…memories of another meal where Jesus broke bread and passed it to them. But perhaps what opened their eyes to this man’s identity were the nail-scarred hands that held the bread. The Bible says, “Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight” (Luke 24:31).
Jesus had been walking with the men all along, but they didn’t recognize him. Perhaps you’ve traveled down your own dusty road to Emmaus, with circumstances leaving you disillusioned, disappointed, and discouraged. If so, remember this my friend: just because we can’t see Jesus or sense His presence doesn’t mean He’s not there.
Just as surely as He was walking right beside his friends on their journey, He’s walking right beside us on ours. “Be sure of this:” He promises, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 nlt)
Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us, “The Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” He gave His word. Jesus gave His life.
Jesus, thank You for walking beside me on my own dusty trail of disappointment. Just as you promised in John 14:20, I am in You and You are in me. I am so thankful there is no place I can go that is away from Your presence. In Your name I pray, amen.
We know being a mom in today’s culture is trying, tiring, and tremendously rewarding all at the same time. Discouragement weighs heavy. Loneliness looms large. Frustration tangles emotions. That’s why we need Christian sisters to lock arms with us on the journey—cheerleaders who shout you can do it, keep going, don’t give up! That’s why we need our Heavenly Father who says, I see what you’re going through, I’m right here with you, and I am so proud of you.
My new hardcover book, Momma Moments with God, is for moms in the thick of raising their kids. From birth all the way to the empty nest, these 90 devotions will feel like a warm hug.
If you’re a grandmother, you know someone who would love to have a copy!
Order before July 2, you can also receive a FREE Audio book narrative by moi. Click here for details.
© 2024 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.
Comments 13
Needed this today- thank you for the bonus devotion!!
Thank you for this message. It is so comforting to know that Our Lord and Savior is with us as we walk through our daily lives!!
Thank you for this message. I am so grateful for my Lord walking by my side. I ask for my faith to be strengthened as I trust his timing for my future plans. I am weak but he is strong! Thank you God for always being by my side when I am unaware. Blessings to all!
Thank you for this devotion Sharon! You are such a blessing!!God bless you sweet lady of God!!
Thank you for this lovely devotion. I’ve been walking around in disappointments and discouraged. Clinging to the promises of my Savior. I have so many health problems however God showed up and with his strength I got through this recent test. I was praying during the night and my Momma came to me in my dream. Singing blessed assurance Jesus is mine reminding me that I’m born of his spirit and washed in his blood. My Mom died 2 years ago and was 93 years old. Wonderful Christian Mother, our families prayer warrior. She never refused any opportunity to pray for us and others. I can only imagine how glorious heaven will be and to reunite with loved ones already gone before us. Blessings to each and everyone.
Thank you Sharon for this bonus devotion. I needed to read as well.
Your are our spiritual encouragement each and every week. We are blessed.
Thank you again. Look forward to Tuesday morning 🙌😊
God Bless you all!
This is so encouraging to me. I have read this story in the Bible so many times and I’ve never seen where Jesus brake bread and then gave to his disciples. I never focused on Jesus hands when he gave bread to the disciples. Thank you for sharing this with your readers. This reader appreciates you so very much.
I get being in the thick of it. Thank you for this today!
Thank you sister for such a wonderful message. On my road of disappointment and discouragement which is looking dusky and unclear in my life after losing my beloved husband, God showed forth his light by this message and assured me of his presence by his mail pierced hands; which I never noticed. May God bless you dear.
Thank you Sharon! We (the readers) love you. May God walk with us all the way🙏
Thank you for sending the “Bonus” devotion!💕
Hello Sharon,
Hope is so reassuring and motivates our perspective from any lurking doubt. I really enjoyed this message; we have a friend walking side by side encouraging our joyful life path. We are so Blessed!!
Thank you for the bonus devotion!