He will renew your heart.

 If you know me, or you have been reading my blogs for any length of time, you know that I often find God out in nature.  I know that He is always with me, but when I am in the thick of things-when I am planning the school schedule, the meals for the week, the cleaning that needs to be done in our home, working through American Heritage Girls and Trail Life activities-hearing that still, small voice is a lot harder than it is when I am in the woods.

So I am sure it is no surprise to you that when I begin to feel like I am drifting I make sure to schedule in some nature time for myself.  And God never fails to reveal Himself to me there.  There was the month He used dandelions to teach me about how we are each unique, how we can be transformed, how we can impact the world, and to be aware of imitators. (That's a lot for a little garden weed!)  Or the time He used growing garlic for the first time to teach me that sometimes being the one who is "seen" by the world can cost us the growth we need to serve the world. And there is the time he used a garden mushroom to teach me about overcoming temptation.

But my time in nature walking with Him isn't always about a lesson.  Sometimes I just need to feel His presence.  It's hard to live in this world I don't care who you are.  I feel safe to say that at some point you have felt alone, or unloved, or unseen, or unappreciated. We are all fallen humans who have a tendency to get wrapped up in our own lives at times, which means that we aren't looking around us to do good (Galatians 6:10) or to notice others burdens, much less help carry them (Galatians 6:2). But God always sees us (Genesis 6:13), is always with us (Deuteronomy 31:8) and is always working things for our good (Romans 8:28).  

And on those days that I just need a hug from Him, a reminder that I am loved by Him, He always comes through.  For example, on a recent walk through the woods I was feeling especially down, so I started praying for God to just let me know He was there.  So He slowed me down with an adorable squirrel that stayed right by the creek I was crossing, playing.  I couldn't resist stopping to watch.  My heart settled, I even laughed a bit with a young squirrel joined the first and began emitting his warning sound once I saw me-quite a while after he made his appearance.

I moved on feeling a bit lighter, but still wanting a bit more. So I continued praying as I walked.  At the next creek crossing I glanced to my left and back to the front.  I felt a nudge to look a bit closer to the scenery on my left.  

 There on a solitary tree in the bleak winter landscape was a heart.  It wasn't carved into the tree.  It wasn't a stray leaf caught on the bark. I ventured closer to discover that as I changed my vantage point it looked less like a heart and more like what it was, a strange lichen growing on the bark.  But I knew.  

This was God showing me that He was with me. That He was listening. That He loves me.  Now, I know it is just some lichen on a tree.  But I also know who put it there, and that He is personal, relational God who has often taken the time to show Himself to His children to further that relationship.  

I share this to remind you that if you too feel alone sometimes, ask Him to reveal Himself to you in a special way.  He will renew your heart.  

Finding Strength in Scripture

I have to be honest: finding time for a daily devotional feels impossible some mornings. Between getting everyone up and moving, checking emails before my feet hit the floor, drowning in my mental to-do list, and homeschooling my children, quiet time with God often becomes an afterthought. I know that when I skip those morning moments in Scripture, my entire day shifts, and not in a good way. I'm more reactive, less patient, and spiritually running on empty. Daily quiet time actually changes the outlook of my day, makes it better. It makes ME better. A consistent devotional practice isn't about checking off a religious duty. It's about anchoring ourselves in God's truth before the chaos begins, finding the strength we desperately need from His Word.

Why Morning Devotionals Matter for Women

Our minds control more than we realize. Thoughts shape decisions, emotions, and behaviors. When I start my day without grounding myself in Scripture, my mind defaults to worldly patterns—stress, comparison, fear-driven choices. Romans 8:5-6 makes this clear: minds governed by the flesh lead to death, but minds governed by the Spirit bring life and peace.

This isn't about religious obligation. Motives matter just as much as actions. Prayer never puts God in our debt. Bible reading doesn't earn His approval. We set aside time devoted to God each day because God already loves us in Christ.

What changes when we prioritize morning time with God? Everything. Starting our day focused on the Problem Solver rather than our problems shifts our entire perspective. When I focus on my worries, they grow. When I focus on God, I remember who's actually in control, and it sure isn’t me!

God's Word serves two critical functions. First, it reveals His will—Psalm 119:105 calls it a lamp to our feet and light to our path. Second, it revives our hearts in ways nothing else can. Coffee revives my mind. Sleep revives my body. But only Scripture, powered by the Spirit, reaches my soul.

Jesus modeled this pattern throughout His ministry, rising early to pray before the day's demands began. Now I am not a fan of being up before the sun rises. But, if He needed that time with the Father, how much more do we?

Creating Your Daily Women Devotional Routine

Building a devotional routine starts with three simple decisions: when, where, and what. The time matters less than consistency. Mornings work for many because we control when we wake up and to some extent, when our kids wake up. But your lunch break or evening works equally well if that fits your life better.

Pick a specific spot and return there each time. Your kitchen table, a cozy chair, that corner of the couch—designate it as your devotional space. The familiar setting becomes a cue for your mind and heart. I have a chair set aside with one of those storage seats beside it. More on that in a minute. .

Start with just five to ten minutes. Seriously. Don't set impossible goals like reading three chapters daily when you're building a new habit. Short and consistent beats long and sporadic every time.

Link your devotional time to an existing habit rather than a clock time. Before your morning coffee. After you drop the kids at school. Right before bed. This "habit stacking" makes the routine stick.

Prepare your materials the night before. Set out your Bible, a notebook, and a pen. When the decision's already made, execution becomes easier. Remember that storage seat I mentioned a minute ago? I keep my Bible, a few devotionals, my journal and pens in the storage seat. When things are easily accessible, they are easy to do.

Structure your time simply: begin with a brief prayer, read a short Scripture passage, reflect on what it means for your life, then close in prayer. Consider using a Bible reading plan to guide your Scripture choices and remove decision fatigue. I love using Through the Word. It is a 10 minute audio on the days reading and if you use the free app it keeps track of your progress for you.

Give yourself grace. Missing a day doesn't derail everything. Progress matters more than perfection.

Finding Strength Through Scripture: Key Passages for Women

Certain passages speak directly to what we face as women. Isaiah 40:31 promises that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, mounting up with wings like eagles. Waiting isn't passive—it means sitting in His presence, letting Him refill what life has drained.

Philippians 4:6-7 addresses the anxiety many of us carry: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God". The peace that follows surpasses understanding, guarding our hearts and minds.

For instance, when fear creeps in, Isaiah 41:10 reminds us God will strengthen, help, and uphold us with His righteous right hand. Proverbs 31:25 describes a woman "clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come". That's not natural confidence—it's God-given boldness.

Our strength comes from understanding we're fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) God has plans for our welfare, not harm, to give us a future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11). When we trust Him instead of leaning on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) He makes our paths straight.

Philippians 4:13 settles it: "I can do all things through him who strengthens me". Not through willpower. Through Christ alone.

Conclusion

Your daily devotional practice doesn't need to be perfect to be powerful. What matters is showing up consistently, even for just five minutes, and letting Scripture anchor you before the day begins. Undoubtedly, some mornings will be rushed and chaotic. Give yourself grace on those days, then return to God's Word the next morning. When you prioritize this time with Him, you'll find the strength you need flows directly from His presence.