“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
Our weekly Christian devotional
Donna huffed as she trudged up the short flight of stairs, how easily she had forgotten the torture of the third trimester! It had been eight years since she gave birth to her precious Emilia.
This muggy Chicago morning was a sweltering eighty-five degrees. Even with the air conditioner on full blast, Donna still couldn’t find comfort. Grabbing an empty cereal box, she propped up her swollen feet while fanning her neck. Her iced tea was sweating more than she was and no longer could be considered iced.
“I need you.” She rubbed her swollen belly as if it would somehow beckon the little one inside to pop out a bit sooner.
Although this pregnancy wasn’t exactly planned, the timing was perfect. Her little Emilia was getting older. Soon, summer would be over and Emilia’s days would be spent in school, leaving Donna alone and restless.
Donna also had a thirteen-year-old son named Tommy. She gave her amazing children the credit from saving Donna from her reckless self.
Although each child came at the height of angst in her life, the responsibility of being a mother seemed to ground this former ‘wild child’ in ways she never dreamed possible. It shocked Donna how the simple joys of motherhood could be so fulfilling and life changing–on every level.
Facing the future alone was an unbearable thought for the single mother. So, as soon as her youngest reached school age, Donna would get pregnant—again. It was a cycle she couldn’t seem to stop herself from breaking.
But, Donna could no longer avoid the truth: Her pattern of behavior felt good for a time, but it wasn’t helping her or her children. The mother of three twirled her hair in nervous wonder.
“Could God really help me now?”
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I have so much pain in my heart and so much love I want to express. Those two things are making my life complicated.
The fact of the mater is– my life isn’t just about me. I have a family to take care of and my choices are affecting the ones I love.
Lord, I am desperate for love—to be loved and to give love. Show me how I can express this in a way that doesn’t hurt other people.
I have always just done what I wanted in the moment I wanted it. I’ve never known any another way of dealing with life.
You promised that you would never leave me or forsake me. My children will grow. It’s a healthy for them to one day leave the home and make one for themselves.
Please teach me how tp turn to you, instead of any other person for my comfort and security.
I have been making unhealthy choices to cover the pain in my broken and lonely heart. Bind up my wounds, so I can start thinking from a healed and whole place. In Jesus’ name, I trust you. Amen.”
Thank you for reading our weekly Christian devotional on verses: Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 147:3
Please check back and see what we have for you next week!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan