Years ago in October, when my grandson Braden was nine, he taught me a new color and a new word. “Come on Meema, you gotta see this! But hurry or we’re gonna miss it!” Grabbing my hand, he led me around a row of pine trees and pointed to the sky beyond the cornfields. The sunset was spectacular. Unlike any I’d ever seen. The sun was huge at the center of abundant color that spanned the whole western sky.  So, we spoke in whispers into the sacred silence.  “Braden, what color is that? “Oh, that’s porange. You know, pink and orange.”    We were quiet. And the world was quiet.   And the huge, fluorescent porange ball floated down through gray-blue sky until it finally sank into the black tree-lined horizon. This  holy moment reminded me of sabbath rest, real soul rest.   Did  you know the Jewish Sabbath begins at sunset Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday? Jesus grew up observing this invitation to slow down, stop, and enter God’s rest. What if our daily rhythm is backwards? What if tomorrow started tonight? What if, instead of going to bed with a head full of worry, we start a new day? This bedtime routine helps me. An hour or so before bedtime, I disconnect from screens. I find a quiet space away from phone, TV, computer, and  people. Separated from noise, I center in. I slow my brain and breathe deep. Sometimes I read. Sometimes I pray. Sometimes all I can do is whisper Jesus’ name. This nightly rhythm of rest is good for mind, spirit, and body.  When we’re exhausted, it’s easy for worry or stress to overwhelm us. So, we intentionally interrupt our thoughts and center them on our truest source of peace. When noise, demands, and distractions are gone ~ there’s just you and Jesus. Wrapped in His compassion, you have courage to review the day ~ to see where you rocked it and where it rocked you.  Soaking in grace, God reminds you that you’re doing better than you think. You are human. You are held. You are forgiven. And it’s a brand new day. So then when the sun rises, before our heads even leave the pillow, we hold on to this Rest. Even though the world didn’t stop its frantic pace. And all our problems aren’t erased. But staying in God’s presence, we rise above it all. Because we know that when the world is loud, our God is not silent.  From sunset to sunset, our Creator invites us to watch and listen for the sacred to descend. And we stand in awe. Hushed in holy moments. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace … Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” ~ Jesus, in Matthew 11:28-30  ☮💗 Book News:  📚 My book, Uncover Your Divine Design is reaching hearts far & wide!! From Alaska to Canada to Florida & everywhere in between! Do you know someone who wants to heal unhealthy mindsets and thrive in his or her divine design?  On my publisher’s site, you can still read the 1st chapter of my book for free! How cool is that? 😎 Read the 1st chapter here! Find it Here on Amazon

 

MY BOOK BABY IS FINALLY HERE!!

 

Three times in three days, I heard about David. You know, the dude who killed Goliath. When we hear things  repeat like that, it’s good to slow down and give  it extra attention. Okay God, I’m listening. 😁

In David’s story, we see his Faith in action.

💥Confidence in God. David trusts God to help him kill his giant enemy. It’s not the first time they slayed a gnarly beast together. David relies fully on God, his ever-present help in times of trouble.

💥Confidence in Victory. David knows he will not lose to this enemy who defies God and taunts Israel’s army.

💥Confidence in Authority. Though Israel’s army flees, David runs full-on toward the nasty giant with a sling and a stone. He is confident in the authority of the Lord’s powerful Spirit in him. (1 Sam. 16:13)

Lately, the giant I’m slaying is fear. Learning how to market my book’s message is straight up daunting. When I focus on the giant to-do list, I’m overwhelmed.

But our giants give us the opportunity to put our Faith into action. To trust a little more. To flip our focus away from what we see and remember what we know and Who we know. The Creator of the universe is on our side. He is our defender, our “refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.” ~ Psalm 46:1

Fear makes our giants freakishly huge. But “the size of our God determines the size of our giant.” *

What overwhelms you? That is your giant.

I pray it shrinks in the shadow of Almighty God. Like David, run straight at it, confident in knowing Who fights for you.

 

Grace and Peace for you journey ☮

Check out Uncover Your Divine Design. Try before you buy it!! Read the 1st Chapter FREE click –> CrossRiver Media 

Also find it on Amazon Click Here for Amazon

*Erwin Luetzer, Moody Radio

 

I AM SO STOKED!!

📘It’s Launch Day!! My book baby is finally Here!! 🥳

Wanna Try It Before You Buy It? You can read the First Chapter FREE!

 Read the 1st Chapter Free & Order at CrossRiver Media!

Read 1st 26 Pages Free on Amazon 😁

Order on Amazon

 

⏬⏬Check out what Men & Women are saying about Uncover Your Divine Design:

 

If the Purpose Driven Life and Battlefield of the Mind had a baby, this book might be that offspring. It’s that valuable! As a child of an alcoholic, and as a leader of a local Celebrate Recovery, I can’t recommend this book enough.” ~ John Lewis, leader of Celebrate Recovery

“I highly recommend Uncover Your Divine Design to any woman who doubts her value in the eyes of God the Father.” ~ Patti Shene Podcaster, “Step Into the Light” Radio Show

“I connected with this book immediately. Robin shares personal memories that will inspire you to heal and grow in your relationship with God and yourself. My heart and soul were touched as this former child of an alcoholic speaks the truth of God’s power and grace. I highly recommend this book to be part of every woman’s personal library!” ~ Cathy Powell, ministry leader for Celebrate Recovery

“Have you lost your truest self in your roles and responsibilities? This inspirational book is infused with hard-won wisdom. Robin Melvin reminds us that we have infinite and intrinsic value. She invites us to find God’s plan and purpose, no matter how messy our life gets. I held this profound and courageous book close to my heart as I turned each page. Uncover Your Divine Design is a must-read!” ~ Joan Onwiler, award-winning educator & women’s ministries leader

 

☮💗📚

 

Maybe 2026 has already been crazy difficult. It’s been a hard year for me. And we’re only a few weeks in. 

I know we’re not quite done with winter, but I hope you get out in the sun and soak up some Vitamin D. Even just 15 minutes, a couple times a week. It’s so good for our bones, our immunity, and our emotional wellness.

Find a sunny spot, even if it’s inside, in front of a window. Pull up a chair. Leave your phone in the kitchen as if it’s still attached to the wall, like many moons ago. And maybe even be away from your people too. Remember, even Jesus needed a break. Because life can get really hard.

And it’s not just our minds that feel the stress. Our bodies hold on to it too.

 

You might be internalizing the chaos around you if:

• You struggle to fall asleep. Or you sleep too much.
• You wake up over-thinking every little (& big) thing.
• An undercurrent of stress and anxiety ramps up your heart rate.
• Hungry or not, you stress eat. Or you don’t eat.

Stress has disrupted your nervous system. In your brain, your gut, everywhere. So, be aware of  how you breathe. Maybe you hold your breath more than you realize. Or you might be breathing too shallow. Taking some intentional, deep breaths helps reset your nervous system.

 

And of course, God’s Word is a balm for your mind, body, and spirit. Here are some go-to promises that help me a lot.

“Don’t worry [or be anxious] about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” ~ Phil. 4:6-7

Stop. Pray. Tell. Thank.

” … Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” ~ Philippians 4:6-8 NLT

Trust. Release. Reclaim Your Peace.

And don’t forget to breathe in and out … some good, soul-cleansing breaths.

I am grateful to walk alongside you. You are not alone.

 Tell me: What gives you peace in the midst of chaos?

☮💗🙏

 

Photo: Pixabay