The Connection Corner

Preparing for Miracles

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1

It is hard to believe he is finally here. As I rock baby Dunn in my arms, I cannot help but think back to the chaos of those days before he arrived.

Weekends working on his nursery were filled with paint-splattered clothes, late night Johnny’s pizza, and endless stacks of diapers waiting to be organized. Our house was a mess, but our hearts were full.

Years before, when we faced the painful reality of infertility, my husband and I could have let fear stop us. But deep in our hearts, we knew God had a different plan. So we prayed. We did not stop there—we acted as though God’s answer was already on the way.

We began filling drawers with wipes and baby clothes long before there was any sign our prayers would be answered. To anyone else, it might have looked ridiculous, but to us those small steps were a way of saying, “We believe.”

I will not pretend any of it was easy. But the moment his tiny hand wrapped around my finger, I knew every late night and tear-filled prayer was worth it. I see now how those small acts of preparation strengthened me. They gave me something tangible to lean on when uncertainty felt overwhelming.

If the Lord has placed a dream on your heart, go ahead and begin preparing for it. One day, you will look back and realize every step of faith you take, even if it feels hard or impossible, has a purpose.

January 10, 2025/by Bri Dunn

Discover Lasting Confidence

Daily Devotional

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Psalms 139:14

When I was in Junior High, I thought a new outfit could fix everything. I remember trying on the outfits I got for Christmas, feeling like I could finally step into a new version of myself when I went back to school.

That excitement lasted for about a day until I realized my confidence was not as lasting as I thought. As time went by, I realized that no matter what I wore, I still struggled with self-doubt and comparison.

It took years of facing those feelings for me to understand that what I was searching for could not be found in how I looked or what others thought of me. Slowly, God began showing me that my identity was found in how He sees me.

Now, I know that I am valued and loved by God simply because I belong to Him.

So today, if you have ever felt like you are not enough, I want you to hear this: you were made with care, with purpose, and with love. There is a confidence you can hold onto that will not fail or fade. It is found in the One who sees you and loves you unconditionally.

January 9, 2025/by Sarah Hall

Transforming Tragedy into Love

Daily Devotional, Lisa Williams

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Hebrews 13:16

Have your plans ever turned completely upside down in the best way possible? That is exactly what happened to a youth leader I recently talked to.

It started with a simple announcement in the church bulletin: the first fifty students to sign up could attend a Christian concert for $25 each. But two days later, everything changed with one phone call.

“Hi,” said the woman on the other end, “would it be too much trouble if my husband and I paid for all fifty tickets?”

The youth leader’s jaw hit the floor.

“It’s ok. Breathe.” said the woman.

Then, she shared her heart. She and her husband had lost their son in a car accident, but instead of letting the pain define them, they decided to make something good come out of it. They wanted to invest in the faith of teenagers, to give them opportunities to grow in ways her son would have loved. And with that, she wrote a check for $1,250.

Sometimes, love shows up in the most surprising ways—often through people who have walked through unimaginable pain. It leaves me wondering: what could you do today that might spark hope for someone else?

January 8, 2025/by Lisa Williams