About the Author

Kayla Craig is the author of “To Light Their Way" and "Every Season Sacred" and creator of Liturgies for Parents. A former journalist, she’s adamant about paying attention and staying curious. She writes the popular "Year of Breath" devotional newsletter and lives in Iowa with her husband and four wild,...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Kayla, this is written so beautifully, pointing us to the most important things…the depths of God himself.

    But I have to say this line —

    “Spotless homes and impeccable prayer records aren’t fruits of the Spirit”

    is something millions of tired mamas need to hear!

    xo

    • Aw, thanks for reading, Robin! And yes…preaching to myself that reminder today as my house is in complete chaos over spring break. 😉 Can’t wait to see you soon!

  2. What a beautiful devotional! For years I’ve been encouraging my husband, who is a worship leader and songwriter, to record a full length CD of his own songs. In 2009 my husband recorded a little 2 song CD, and my sister encouraged him to send a copy of his CD to an Albany NY Christian radio station. They were looking for local artists to submit music. We did this and they chose my husband’s music to feature on their radio station for one week. That was about 15 years ago. We were overjoyed that God was using his beautiful music to bless people. I long for my husband to record a full length CD, to see how God might want to use it. He thinks he’s too old. I’m thankful God uses his music to bless the homeless at shelters as he goes to shelters each month to share worship music and the Gospel. God truly loves the poor. For now I will just keep praying, keep seeking the Lord daily and wait, and work on growing in the Lord.

    • Thank you for sharing this beautiful story! What a gift that your husband’s music has already touched so many lives—what a testament to God’s faithfulness. I love that he continues to use his gifts to bring worship and encouragement to others. And I love your faithfulness, too—praying, waiting, and trusting. Nothing is wasted in God’s hands! Thank you again for taking the time to share, Amber!

  3. Dear Kayla……I always love when I see that you have written the devotion for the day. Your words always make me think deeply about what your words mean. This season has seemed especially long for me. I know that a am loved by The Lord and I know that often we must be patient and wait, but this season, I am really having a difficult time and at my age ( 77), I wonder whether I have enough time left for these very serious situations to resolve in whatever way God has planned. I pray so often during the day and longer at night before I try and get some sleep. I have cast my burdens to Jesus and God’s feet to take care of, but I just finish doing that and find some more peace and love, when the next problem drops on me. I think, I can’t do one more thing as I am weary and feel beaten down. At 35, I would have been able to handle such things, but as I grow older, it seems so much harder. I live in a facility with over 100 people who are 80 years up to over 100 years old. They do not know what I have been through and I know they would not understand as almost all of them have some level of dementia and loss of hearing. I have been the one to go to them to try and help them. I slip encouraging cards under their apartment doors and I have even given some money as they keep raising our rent and they are out of money. I have always down this from the time as a teenager. Some of the managers that I worked for have told me very kind that they think that I can be generous to a fault as I never think of myself. I live in a 1 bedroom apartment, alone. I have no one but you women in the (incourage) community to tell my stories. I lean on you as well as God, but you are human beings and though I know and trust God, Jesus and my wonderful Holy Spirit who is with me always and guides me when I am overwhelmed. I truly love the paragraph where you say about in this season of Lent, we wait and trust that what is going on behind the scene that it will become something beautiful. This gives me hope that a am so in need of looking at the piles of papers laying in my apartment. So Kayla, I thank you of the story about the trees ( very relatable ) and the whole story about them. The Breath suggestion is perfect and years ago, that is just what I did and now I will start to do that again. I wish you a blessed rest of the week and thank you for “listening to me”. There is so much more, but I have held you up too long already. My prayers will include you and your family. I have no family. They have abandoned me and it hurts, down deep in my heart and soul. Kayla, you have given all of us to read and think about. I will read it again after lunch when I can really think about it……….Betsy Basile

    • Betsy, thank you for sharing your heart. I’m holding your words with care today. You have been carrying so much, and I can only imagine how exhausting this season must feel. I just want to say—you are not forgotten. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, you are seen and loved, both by our God and by this in(courage) community. We are grateful you are here, and I’m honored that my words connected with you. It means so much that you took the time to share your heart, and please know we hold it with care.

      The way you care for those around you—slipping notes under doors, giving what you can, offering kindness even when you feel unseen—says so much about your heart. What a gift you are to the people around you. But I hear the ache, too. Sending you so much love today.

      I pray you feel God’s love pouring back into you, just as you pour it out for others.

      Lifting you in prayer, Betsy. You are loved.

      With love,
      Kayla

  4. Betsy, may you know that you are heard and seen in this community. What a blessing you are to the others in your facility.

  5. I am in another season of depression and anxiety plus I have a debilitating back condition. God bless my wonderful husband who has to do most everything for me. I am 78 and very lonely and miss my friends, but Jesus is my best friend and companion. I look to Him for everything. God bless all of you today and forever with His love, healing and Peace!

    • Donna, thank you for sharing your heart here. I’m so sorry for the heaviness you’re carrying, and I’m praying that you feel God’s deep love and comfort in the midst of it. What a gift that your husband is by your side, and what a beautiful testimony that even in loneliness, you are leaning on Jesus as your constant companion. You are not forgotten—you are seen, loved, and held by the One who never lets go. May that peace surround you today and always. Sending you love and prayers.

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