Day 9: Debbie Ericksen
Psalm 94: 17-19 “If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, ‘My foot slips,’ your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many Your consolations cheer my soul.”
This year has been a challenging one on multiple levels. Some contributing factors are behind me and some are not. Walking alongside my aging mom who has endured multiple health issues this year will continue into 2026. What started as a stress filled journey that felt like it would break me, has become one that includes the peace and renewal that only the love of God can provide. I am also learning so much about who God is and who I am through Him.
These three verses are written in both past and present tense. That’s important. The writer (David) reflects on God’s faithfulness and love in past situations in his life. After he reflects, David moves to present tense and acknowledges that God’s faithfulness and love are and ever will be unshakeable.
When the “cares of my heart” were many this year (and sometimes still are), I see God’s faithfulness and love providing for me. When I am physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted, He provides moments of rest. He has surrounded me with believers who breathe truth and love into me. When I can’t reach out for help, He has placed me on the hearts of brothers and sisters in Christ who pray for me and my family. He settles my spirit and breathes His word into my heart. I find great comfort and peace in all of that.
I’ve also seen God’s transforming power in my mom, my sister, and me. My mom has been a believer as far back as she can remember. She is the one who introduced us to Christ and made sure we were raised in the Truth. God has used the events of this year to search each of our hearts, convict us, forgive us, and, subsequently, mend the pieces of our relationship that were not the best.
We are leaning even closer into our Lord and Savior than we were before. We have been blessed with precious moments that we would not have had without this journey. My most favorite memory this year was sitting next to my mom with my arm around her, listening to worship music and singing together as the tears just rolled down our faces.
God has given me different eyes through which to experience this journey. He has replaced my expectations, hurts, and frustrations with renewed compassion, wisdom, and insight. His timing and provisions have been miraculous and, of course, perfectly timed. I don’t’ know what 2026 will bring but I know that my God is faithful and goes before and behind me. He hems me in on all sides.
There’s no safer place to be than walking obediently with our Lord and Savior.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You told us we would have trouble in this world, but to take heart because You have overcome it. I am so grateful that my well-being and survival do not begin and end with me. Help me remember that You are my rock and my safe harbor in all situations. I find rest in You. Use my circumstances to search my heart and reveal any offensive way in me. I ask Your forgiveness, and want only to be obedient to Your will. Thank you for the healing and peace that only Your love can provide. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
This year has been a challenging one on multiple levels. Some contributing factors are behind me and some are not. Walking alongside my aging mom who has endured multiple health issues this year will continue into 2026. What started as a stress filled journey that felt like it would break me, has become one that includes the peace and renewal that only the love of God can provide. I am also learning so much about who God is and who I am through Him.
These three verses are written in both past and present tense. That’s important. The writer (David) reflects on God’s faithfulness and love in past situations in his life. After he reflects, David moves to present tense and acknowledges that God’s faithfulness and love are and ever will be unshakeable.
When the “cares of my heart” were many this year (and sometimes still are), I see God’s faithfulness and love providing for me. When I am physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted, He provides moments of rest. He has surrounded me with believers who breathe truth and love into me. When I can’t reach out for help, He has placed me on the hearts of brothers and sisters in Christ who pray for me and my family. He settles my spirit and breathes His word into my heart. I find great comfort and peace in all of that.
I’ve also seen God’s transforming power in my mom, my sister, and me. My mom has been a believer as far back as she can remember. She is the one who introduced us to Christ and made sure we were raised in the Truth. God has used the events of this year to search each of our hearts, convict us, forgive us, and, subsequently, mend the pieces of our relationship that were not the best.
We are leaning even closer into our Lord and Savior than we were before. We have been blessed with precious moments that we would not have had without this journey. My most favorite memory this year was sitting next to my mom with my arm around her, listening to worship music and singing together as the tears just rolled down our faces.
God has given me different eyes through which to experience this journey. He has replaced my expectations, hurts, and frustrations with renewed compassion, wisdom, and insight. His timing and provisions have been miraculous and, of course, perfectly timed. I don’t’ know what 2026 will bring but I know that my God is faithful and goes before and behind me. He hems me in on all sides.
There’s no safer place to be than walking obediently with our Lord and Savior.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You told us we would have trouble in this world, but to take heart because You have overcome it. I am so grateful that my well-being and survival do not begin and end with me. Help me remember that You are my rock and my safe harbor in all situations. I find rest in You. Use my circumstances to search my heart and reveal any offensive way in me. I ask Your forgiveness, and want only to be obedient to Your will. Thank you for the healing and peace that only Your love can provide. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Posted in Boast in the Lord 2026
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