Author

Lois Flowers

Our True Source of Hope, at Christmas and Always

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: No matter how we feel at any given moment, our ultimate hope doesn’t lie in a particular plan, product, event, outcome or circumstance. ~

When is the last time you experienced the thrill of hope?

I feel sweet anticipation surge through me when I get a bit of good news or when the fog clears and the way ahead becomes more obvious. It’s not just emotional or mental; there’s almost a physical sensation attached to it.

These days, though—as I work to savor the holidays at the end of one of the strangest years of my life—a deeper hope is serving as my anchor. The kind of hope that makes a weary world rejoice, according to the beloved Christmas hymn.

No matter how we feel at any given moment, our ultimate hope doesn’t lie in a particular plan, product, event, outcome or circumstance. I understand this intellectually, but sometimes, my heart needs to be reminded of what my head knows.

I don’t know what’s going on in your life this Christmas season, but perhaps you could use some reminding too. Using the truth of scripture as our guide, let’s break it down together.

The Strength of our Heart

Our hope doesn’t come from a clean house, a regular routine or a completed to-do list. It’s in God, the One who steadies the pillars of the earth. (Psalm 75:3)

Our hope doesn’t come from endorphin-inducing exercise, anti-aging remedies or health insurance. It’s in God, the strength of our heart and our portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)

Our hope doesn’t come from a good sermon, a worshipful song or a meaningful devotional. It’s in the God who acts on behalf of the ones who wait for Him. (Isaiah 64:4)

Our hope doesn’t lie in more Instagram followers, more Facebook friends or more blog subscribers. It’s in the God who lifts our heads and fulfills His purposes for us. (Psalm 3:3, Psalm 57:2)

Our hope doesn’t come from words of affirmation, offers of help or overtures of support. It’s in the God who goes before us and is with us, who will never leave us nor forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

The One Who Works Wonders

Our hope is not met by a political party, election results or whoever lives in the White House. It’s in the King of heaven who lives forever and rules over the kingdom of men. (Daniel 4)

Our hope isn’t in the stock market, financial freedom or a holiday bonus. It’s in the God who supplies all our needs “according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Our hope doesn’t come from perfectly fitting jeans, perfectly executed plans or perfectly behaved children. It’s in the God who works wonders and is near to all who call out to Him. (Psalm 77:14, Psalm 145:18)

Our hope isn’t in a healthy eating plan, a good night’s sleep or favorable weather. It’s in the God who is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. (Proverbs 30:5)

Finally, especially at this time of year, our hope doesn’t come from Advent candles, festive decorations or happy family celebrations. It’s found in Christ alone, the One who is and forever will be our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Friends, let’s rest in that hope—as we celebrate Christmas, and also as we turn the calendar page to a brand new year.

♥ Lois

Our hope doesn’t come from endorphin-inducing exercise, anti-aging remedies or health insurance. It’s in God, the strength of our heart and our portion forever. Share on X Our hope doesn’t lie in more Instagram followers, more Facebook friends or more newsletter subscribers. It’s in the God who lifts our heads and fulfills His purposes for us. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

14 comments
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail

Christmas Decor is Up, But November’s Lessons Still Apply

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: “Savor the moment” is life-giving encouragement that helps us focus on what truly matters, through the holidays and beyond. ~

Aside from pumpkins on the front porch, I don’t normally decorate my house for fall.

This year, I even skipped the orange gourds because I’m still ordering groceries online and didn’t want anyone else picking out pumpkins for me. Then, in early November, I remembered the Thanksgiving plates I’ve had in a box in the basement for several years.

I dug them out and we started using them at supper every night, one for me and one for Randy. I also got out my lone Thanksgiving decoration, a Pilgrim-themed candleholder I typically only think about the day before the actual holiday, and I started burning it every day too.

Daily Reminders

If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that thankfulness is the antidote to so many sour feelings. When we’re weak and worn, the joy of the Lord really is our strength, just as Nehemiah 8:10 says it is.

It may not seem like much, but for me, the plates and the candle were reminders to savor the day. To give thanks. To not rush into the next season with all its frills and fancy.

In case you were wondering, I take a very different approach to Christmas decorating. We pulled numerous plastic totes out of the same basement storage room that held the aforementioned plates, and all the decorations went up the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Several Nativity sets. A Christmas village. My Santa collection. A live tree, complete with ornaments, lights and a sparkly star at the top.

Ongoing Lessons

I love my home when it’s decorated for Christmas, and I’m so glad my girls were here to help me put everything up again. That said, now that we’re well into December, the quiet lessons of November are still working on my heart.

They remind me of my father’s favorite essay, “The Station” by Robert J. Hastings. When my dad shared first shared this with me many years ago, I printed it out and framed it. It hangs on the wall in my entry hall, with a wooden cutout of the word peace positioned directly above it.

Years ago, I tracked down the publisher and obtained permission to share “The Station” here on the blog. Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I have a feeling I’m not the only one who might need to revisit the wisdom that flows from this short piece of writing.

Read it thoughtfully. Savor the imagery. Most importantly, take the message to heart—as 2025 winds to a close and as the new year begins. Life really is too short to do otherwise.

“The Station” by Robert J. Hastings

Tucked away in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent. We’re traveling by train and, from the windows, we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures, of smoke pouring from power plants, of row upon row of cotton and corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of city skylines and village halls.

But uppermost in our minds is our final destination—for at a certain hour and on a given day, our train will finally pull into the station with bells ringing, flags waving and bands playing. And once that day comes, so many wonderful dreams will come true. So restlessly, we pace the aisles and count the miles, peering ahead, waiting, waiting, waiting for the station.

“Yes, when we reach the station, that will be it!” we promise ourselves. “When we’re 18 . . . win that promotion . . . put the last kid through college . . . buy that 450 SL Mercedes-Benz . . . pay off the mortgage . . . have a nest egg for retirement.”

From that day on, we will all live happily ever after.

Sooner or later, however, we must realize there is no station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is the joy. The station is an illusion—it constantly outdistances us. Yesterday’s a memory; tomorrow’s a dream. Yesterday belongs to history; tomorrow belongs to God. Yesterday’s a fading sunset; tomorrow’s a faint sunrise. Only today is there light enough to love and live.

So, gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather the regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow.

“Relish the moment” is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, swim more rivers, climb more mountains, kiss more babies, count more stars. Laugh more and cry less. Go barefoot oftener. Eat more ice cream. Ride more merry-go-rounds. Watch more sunsets. Life must be lived as we go along.

The station will come soon enough.

• • •

No Post Here Next Week

Next week, I’ll send out my subscriber-only, email newsletter, Courage, Dear Heart, which replaces my third blog post of each month.

If you filled out the subscription form in the last several weeks and haven’t received anything yet, the confirmation email probably went to your junk or spam folder. If you can’t find it there, please subscribe again and check those folders for the opt-in message. Be sure to add the newsletter’s email address to your safe list so you don’t miss anything else.

If you haven’t had a chance to sign up for the newsletter yet, you can do so here:

Click Here to Subscribe

As my way of saying thanks, you’ll receive a free copy of my 7-day devotional, Faith, Fear, and the God Who Goes Before Us.

♥ Lois

If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that thankfulness is the antidote to so many sour feelings. Share on X When we’re weak and worn, the joy of the Lord really is our strength, just as Nehemiah 8:10 says it is. Share on X

“The Station” appeared in the Southern Illinois University Press’s publication, A Penny’s Worth of Minced Ham: Another Look at the Great Depression by Robert J. Hastings. Copyright © 1986 by the Board of Trustees, Southern Illinois University; reprinted by permission of the publisher.

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

14 comments
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail

God is the One Who Gives Us What We Need

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: God knows what we need and provides exactly that. Even when it comes to situations and circumstances we wouldn’t have chosen for ourselves. ~

“Great is Thy Faithfulness” has been a favorite hymn since I was a little girl, but I didn’t discover its biblical roots until I was in my mid 20s and longing to become a mom.

The lyricist, Thomas Chisholm, was inspired by Lamentations 3:22-23: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

This scripture was a source of comfort as months of trying to get pregnant turned into years, and then more years of waiting to adopt our older daughter. During that second phase of waiting, a line from the chorus of the hymn I had sung my entire life took on new meaning.

“Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hath provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.”

A Subtle Shift

One day when I was typing away in my prayer journal while listening to this hymn, the phrase “all I have needed thy hand hath provided” grabbed my attention. What does that mean, really? I wondered.

As I worked it over in my mind, the order suddenly changed.

Thy hand hath provided everything I have needed. Or, said differently, Everything I need, you’ve given to me.

Do you get the subtle shift?

“God, you knew that I needed infertility, and your hand provided it,” I wrote. “You knew it was the only way you were going to get me to where you wanted me, and I thank you for providing it. In some odd way, it was a gift to me. A gift of your love and grace, a gift that you gave me because you knew what I needed to make me more like you.”

Looking Back

Reading what I wrote now, more than two decades later, a few thoughts come to mind. First, just to be clear, I would never tell another woman who was dealing with infertility that her struggle was a gift from God. Second, if I were writing about the same subject in that journal today, I would probably express my thoughts and feelings a bit differently.

That said, I still believe God sovereignly provides what we need, whether we would have chosen it for ourselves or not. He has good purposes for whatever He allows, even when we don’t understand.

This truth—as expressed in the line from “Great is Thy Faithfulness”—has come back to me often this year. I still don’t have definitive answers—or even any good guesses—about why I was hit by a car while riding my bike last March. But I do trust that God knows.

Our Portion

Which leads me to the next verse in Lamentations 3: “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” (vs. 4)

As our portion, God knows what we need and provides exactly that. Nothing less, just enough. As a result, we are able to wait for Him. Even when the wait gets long and we might not even know what we’re waiting for.

We can wait in confidence, because we know that whatever we’re going through, He has provided because He knew we needed it.

• • •

What has God allowed in your life that you may not have seen as His provision at the time? Please share in the comments.

♥ Lois

God sovereignly provides what we need, whether we would have chosen it for ourselves or not. He has good purposes for whatever He allows, even when we don’t understand. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

12 comments
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail

Share Four Somethings: Thanksgiving Edition

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: This holiday week seems like a good time to revisit this blogging tradition. But instead of focusing on the usual categories, I’m sharing four things I’m thankful for this year.~

I used to write a Share Four Somethings post every month, but last fall, I missed an installment. One month turned into two, and two somehow turned into more than a year.

To be specific, the last time I participated in Jenn’s Share Four Somethings linkup was August 2024.

I’m not even going to ask where all the time went. But the week of Thanksgiving seems like a good time to revisit this tradition, with a twist. Instead of going with the usual categories, I’m going to share four things I’m thankful for this year. Starting with …

God’s Goodness in My Life

Eight months ago today, I was hit by a car when I was riding my bike. As I’ve shared before, I have no recollection of this accident or the days immediately thereafter. I spent 19 days in the hospital after suffering a traumatic brain injury, neck fractures and a badly broken leg, among other things.

Every month, I can look back four weeks and notice ways that I am better. I can look back to the days I don’t remember and see how far I’ve come.

I think about the people around me who served as God’s hands and feet to me—my husband, daughters, neighbors, sisters, friends near and far. As well as the friends and family members around the globe who prayed for me.

My road to recovery has been long, but God has been faithful every step of the way. I’m so very grateful for His promises, protection and provision.

Online Grocery Shopping

Speaking of God’s provision, the ability to order groceries online and have them brought to my car at the store has been a huge blessing this year. I had never done this before my accident, but it’s been so convenient and helpful—for family members when I wasn’t getting around very well, and now for me.

The online shoppers aren’t as particular as I am when it comes to picking out produce, but that’s the only downside as far as I’m concerned.

I actually like shopping for food, so I don’t expect to keep ordering my groceries online forever. For this season, though, this service has been a gift.

A New Form of Exercise

After being hampered by ice, snow and freezing temperatures last winter, I was planning to get a stationary recumbent bike this fall so I could still exercise during inclement weather. Those plans came to fruition a little earlier than expected—I bought the equipment in July and have been using it in my basement ever since.

At times, I do miss riding my bike on the trail near my home. I enjoyed seeing deer and cardinals, as well as interacting with other people on the path.

Mostly, though, I appreciate the convenience of going downstairs to ride whenever I want to, rain or shine.

The Great British Baking Show

Sometime in the last year, Randy and I started watching The Great British Baking Show again. To date, we have watched (or rewatched, as the case may be) every single season, including the earliest ones before the PBS episodes.

We’ve even indulged in spinoffs like The Great American Baking Show and The Great British Baking Show: Holidays. Our favorite—hands down—is the British version with the regular home bakers from throughout the United Kingdom.

We love their accents, not to mention their ability to assemble puff pastry, create amazing scenes out of bread dough and withstand the scrutiny of the judges week after week.

One More Thing

I’m also grateful for those of you who have subscribed to my new monthly newsletter, Courage Dear Heart. If you filled out the form in the last several weeks and haven’t received anything yet, the confirmation email probably went to your junk or spam folder.

If you can’t find it there, please subscribe again and check those folders for the opt-in message. Be sure to add the newsletter’s email address to your safe list so you don’t miss anything else. Thanks for your patience; I’m so sorry for all the hassle!

If you haven’t had a chance to sign up for the newsletter yet, you can do so here:

Click Here to Subscribe

As my way of saying thanks, you’ll receive a free copy of my 7-day devotional, Faith, Fear, and the God Who Goes Before Us.

• • •

Now it’s your turn. Do you shop for groceries online or watch The Great British Baking Show? How has God revealed His goodness in your life this year? Please share in the comments. And have a very happy Thanksgiving!

♥ Lois

This year, God has been faithful every step of the way. I’m so very grateful for His promises, protection and provision. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

29 comments
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail

Thankful for an Unexpected New Routine

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: You never know when something you once hated will become a huge blessing. Here’s an ironic example from my life. ~

Around 11 a.m. every day, I open my fridge, remove a carton of SunSweet prunes, and load five of them into a pottery bowl my daughter Molly bought in Northern Ireland.

Many of my routines were disrupted after my biking accident more than seven months ago. This one, however, is new.

It’s also surprising and unexpected.

Long Story Short …

My digestive system took a hit after the accident, leg surgery and 19 days of hospitalization. Keeping things moving was an uncomfortable challenge, let’s just say.

Once home, I tried everything to rectify the situation—except prunes.

I have always hated prunes, you see. In any form. Whole, pitted, juiced, whatever. I despised the taste and couldn’t stomach the thought of eating or drinking them.

Desperate Times

But desperate times call for desperate measures. One day Randy brought some organic prune juice home from the grocery store, and I started drinking it.

I couldn’t stand the taste, but I appreciated the result.

Somewhere along the way, someone suggested I try eating prunes instead. Though I resisted initially, the cost of the fancy prune juice prompted me to buy my first carton of prunes.

Oh, the Irony

Around this time, in late May, I also started noticing my taste and smell were diminished. It wasn’t a complete loss, thank goodness, but it was a delayed response to the traumatic brain injury I suffered in the bike accident.

Ironically, I could still taste prunes, and they didn’t taste so bad after all.

Almost six months later, I’m still eating prunes every day. Oddly enough, I now actually look forward to this late-morning snack.

Taste and See

My daughter might say this is because I’m old. But I would disagree.

It seems the scorned has become the blessing. It has happened before, in other areas of my life. (Perhaps you have experienced this too?)

I used to hate prunes and prune juice. Now I’m very thankful for them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good has been a recurring theme in my life this year. And sometimes, the venue for His goodness is prunes.

• • •

Has the scorned ever become the blessing in your life? Or, on a lighter note, how do you feel about prunes? Please share in the comments.

• • •

No Post Here Next Week

Next week, I’ll be sending out the second issue of my subscriber-only, email newsletter, Courage, Dear Heart. The newsletter replaces my third blog post of each month.

If you’ve already subscribed, I’m so grateful. If you haven’t gotten around to it yet, I’d love for you to sign up today so you don’t miss anything. As my way of saying thanks, you will receive a seven-day devotional called Faith, Fear, and the God Who Goes Before Us once you sign up.

Click Here to Subscribe

♥ Lois

It seems the scorned has become the blessing in my life. Perhaps you have experienced this too? Share on X Taste and see that the Lord is good has been a recurring theme this year. And sometimes, the venue for His goodness is prunes. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

18 comments
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail

Trusting in a God Who is the Definition of Trustworthy

by Lois Flowers
by Lois Flowers

Inside: If we don’t put our confidence in God because He answers our prayers the way we want, then why do we trust Him?

Perhaps you’ve heard a popular worship song about trusting God. The one I’m thinking of has a catchy tune with a good message overall, but the bridge stops me every time I hear it.

Here’s a paraphrase: “I prayed earnestly and God answered my prayer, which is why I trust Him.”

To me, those lyrics imply cause and effect. I prayed, God answered (presumably how I wanted), so I trust Him.

Why Trust God?

But what if we pray and God doesn’t seem to answer, or the answer isn’t what we want? Why would we trust Him then?

These questions prompted me to think about my own life.

Why do I trust God? Not how, which would obviously be very imperfectly. But why?

I was raised in a solidly Christian home and wasn’t taught or given the impression that following Jesus would exempt me from hardship. In fact, now that I think about it, any trust in God that I’ve developed as an adult has come mostly through struggles and difficult seasons.

Perfectly Trustworthy

I know you’re not supposed to use the word you are defining in a definition, but when it comes to trust, God is the definition. He is perfect in every way, to paraphrase another familiar worship song, which means He is perfectly trustworthy.

This is clear when we consider other aspects of His character. For example, in an article on the Desiring God website, author Trillia Newbell explains that we can trust God because He is sovereign, wise and loving.

“God doesn’t do anything in his sovereign will that isn’t both wise and loving,” she writes. “If God is for you, who can be against you? We don’t trust God simply because someone tells us to. We trust God because he is God. He is holy and awesome and righteous in every way. We can trust God because we don’t serve a God who is only sovereign and wise. He is also infinitely loving.”

A Biblical Command

We do trust God because the Bible tells us to, of course. Isaiah 26:3-4 puts it plainly: “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 offers more guidance: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

This passage doesn’t imply everything will always go well for us if we trust God. Rather, it assures us that He will show us the path of life when we follow His ways instead of our own plans and wisdom.

Well-placed Confidence

Our confidence is in Him, not in ourselves or anything else. As Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

Psalm 91:2 adds, “I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”

My birthday is tomorrow, and in all my almost 55 years, I’d be hard pressed to think of another 12-month period when I have been more grateful that I can say this too.

• • •

What does trusting God mean to you? Please share in the comments.

♥ Lois

When it comes to trust, God is the definition. He is perfect in every way, which means He is perfectly trustworthy. Share on X The Bible doesn’t imply everything will always go well for us if we trust God. Rather, it assures us that He will show us the path of life when we follow His ways instead of our own. Share on X

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

12 comments
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail