Month: December 2025

Painted Rocks

This was a retelling I documented in 2016. As we begin our New Year, today and tomorrow I want us to think about these simple things.

I teach kindergarten. I love children. They are honest and forthcoming, they love freely without agenda. They judge without malice. There is no better life than to dwell among the inculpable chatter and laughter of little voices of limited vocabulary.

Last spring a beautiful smile greeted me and said, “I brought you something teacher.” The child opened her hand and presented a small smooth river stone with a rainbow painted on its surface. It was an instant treasure. I mentioned the rock to the child’s aunt and she said, “She loves to doodle and I ran out of things for her to mess with so she turned to the rocks.” It laid on my desk until the school year ended. When I packed my room for summer cleaning the rock came home to my kitchen and now graces a crystal platter on my counter.

Months passed and a new year began. Classmates met and began to bond, some bashful, others outgoing, some fearful, others ready to conquer the world, but one common characteristic existed. They all sought “Peace on earth, good will toward men,” and they began bestowing glad tidings on each other anyway they could find.

A new and beautiful smile came to my desk one morning and opened a small felt purse. Inside were many colorfully painted rocks. Bashful brown eyes asked if she could give them to her friends. By friends she meant each classmate. The stones were received with eager enthusiasm. Miniature fingers and eyes examined them closely, compared them and assessed them a great value.

Then, tragedy struck our little group when a parent lost his valiant battle with cancer. How do you explain death to a small child? You don’t. You love and comfort. So as a class we began to gather and paint. Soon we had a basket full of rocks. We wrote our words of condolence and tied them to a wicker handle with a green bow. The basket sat next to a sad little boy as he bid farewell to his dad. Those silly little rocks made their way to the cemetery where devastated adults grieved a life cut short, but a dimpled little hand clung to the comfort sent by his friends.

What is so special about these stones? Absolutely nothing except, something worthless became priceless when it was covered in love.

If you visit our little town, you may find a painted rock along the wayside. Take it and let it remind you that while you were once a worthless sinner, through Jesus’ blood you are forgiven, covered in love and uniquely priceless.

Humbly,

Gretchen

Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my bother to divide the inheritance with me.” Luke 12:13

This interruption came while Jesus was speaking to the multitudes concerning boldness through the Holy Spirit when faced with temptation and hardship. This nameless gentleman recognized the worth of what Jesus was saying but only as it applied to someone else, in this instance a brother’s alleged treachery.

Is it right that this man’s brother withheld his inheritance? No, but that’s not the point. Man’s behavior will never be fair. Humans err, perspective is distorted, some are downright selfish! God didn’t send His only Son to die so that we could keep score. He gave His Son so that we could overcome.

Jesus was flawless, sinless. Yet He battled Satan for our souls and won. God’s grace provides a means to withstand disappointment and live in victory in spite of the world’s cruel behaviors. It is my testimony that your needs will be met in the fullness of God’s Glory. Let this world have their treasure. It will soon turn to dust. Trade it in for joy and peace and know that you are the child of THE KING.

Love,

Gretchen

P.S. I’ve heard that gold is so abundant in Heaven that they use it to pave the streets! 

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work. John 4:46

This verse is wedged between the story of the woman at the well who’s spiritual thirst was quenched for a lifetime, and Jesus’ call to fields ripe for harvest.

While passing through Samaria Jesus ministered to a lone woman while the disciples went into town to buy food. A great deal occurred while they were gone. (Read John 4:1-26) The disciples returned with dinner but the woman who found Jesus had also returned with everyone she could find. (Evangelism can be that easy!) Jesus’ friends encouraged Him to eat but His response is the verse you read above.

If we want to be like Jesus, our true satisfaction should be drawn from arising daily and serving the LORD in any opportunity granted.

Have a great week,

Gretchen

And giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His people in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:12

The word qualified has its root in the word quality. The qualified person possesses and uses designated esteemed qualities. It is our instinct to seek quality, yet being spiritually qualified is a gift given, not a status accomplished.

A resume is a document declaring qualification that only guarantees a comparative rank and respective monetary compensation. However, the qualification bestowed by God through the blood of Jesus assures the inheritance of eternal life that begins at the moment of salvation.

The inheritance we receive in the kingdom is not divided among us, getting smaller as the family grows. By the miracle of the Creator of all things, from nothing, we each receive everything.

Love,

Gretchen

Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8

I add this verse to yesterday’s devotional (Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12) to call attention to the next five words in verse 9, “Go and tell this people:” THIS people, not ‘those’ people, or ‘some’ people, or ‘other’ people, THIS people.

‘This’ is a very specific word. Isaiah was sent to a very particular people right in front of him. He could touch them, hear them, smell them. They were known to be hard hearted, deaf and blind to God’s love but God said, “THIS PEOPLE!” Isaiah asked, “For how long LORD?” God’s response, “Until there is nothing left.”

God is not ‘a giving up’ kind of God. He won’t throw in the towel on you and He won’t call it a game on those you are praying for. “Whom shall He send?” Me and you, until there is nothing left.

Love,

Gretchen

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12

In chapters 13-17 John recounts the last day of Jesus as our neighbor and mortal friend, or if you’d rather, the last hours before his human death/sacrifice. If you can’t tell, I struggle to define this moment of greatest love. John tells of Jesus washing his, and all the disciples, feet. In pointing out Judas the betrayer, He reminds His followers there are no real secrets, He knows the heart of every man. He speaks of what is to come, a home of eternal existence where peace, love and perfect justice will reign forever.

In Jesus’ last opportunity to speak His heart and mind, He chose words of love, for He alone knew what pure love looked like and the blessings it would bring. It was important enough for Him to die for. There really is no commentary needed, I know….. Just ears that will listen, eyes that will see and hands and feet that will do……

Merry Christmas, 

Gretchen

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalms 40:3

The entire Fortieth Psalm is the story of Salvation and the journey of faithfulness. While salvation is a single act of faith and repentance, the journey is just beginning. Each day brings a deeper understanding of God’s sovereign love and grace, therefore, our old songs of praise just won’t do! This is not about traditional versus contemporary, but a fresh revelation of all that God has done and is willing to do in your life.

Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Your praise matters! Many walked through the valley looking at a mountain top fearing it was forever beyond reach, but they found God faithful. Their songs of praise give testimony of hope and victory.

When I was a very young adult, finding my way, I broke down in front of a coworker. I didn’t even know she was a believer. She quoted scripture about the order and steadfast nature of God. It was a new song of praise I had never heard, a sustaining food for my soul. Praise matters!

Tuning Up!

Gretchen

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

Imagine you are warming up for the race of your life. You look up into the stadium, and in amazement, recognize many people that have stood in your starting position, run the same race and crossed the finish line in victory. They are now cheering for you, sending encouragement and screaming, “God’s got this, you can do it!” You are pumped and able to get in your zone where nothing distracts or inhibits.

When you need an extra portion of faith, borrow from those who have triumphantly gone before you. Stand in the power of your redemption and stay the course with your eye on the cross where indisputable victory was won!

And if you’re feeling strong today, stand in someone’s cheering section or run beside them, take their baton and run a lap on their behalf. It’s the legacy of the faithful, it’s what we do.

Go Get Em’!

Gretchen

Monday, December 22, 2025 He humbles you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that people do not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:3

Manna was an original food created for the sole purpose of satisfying the newly freed Hebrew children’s palette and nourishment needs. That’s pretty awesome!

It was not God’s design that His people stay in one place long enough to cultivate fields for food, nor were they to spend their time hunting and gathering. They were on their final journey to the Promised Land. God’s plan was to love and restore a faithful people by providing all their needs.

God’s NOT out of the manna business. With humble heart, look to Him to supply all your needs, and with the greatest glories of the universe He will design a fulfilling, sustaining and unending manna new and specific to you. Growing strong and faithful in the wilderness leads to rest in the Promised Land.

Feasting,

Gretchen

 I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

All of Paul’s letters begin with some variation of this beautiful salutation.

When I finally finished college and secured a teaching job I posted these words above my desk so that I would never forget the gift of students and the people that invested in who I became. As the years have come and gone, my gift list has grown considerably.

Today, I encourage you to consider those you share life’s intimate moments with. Reflect on the miracle that God has woven together, tailored for you, and them, in moments we experience as time and space.

You can’t help but smile and feel all big inside.

Have a great weekend!

Gretchen