The Connection Corner

A daily source of encouragement and inspiration to connect your heart to hope and faith.

Joy At The Door

Habakkuk 3:18 — I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

There’s nothing like when “Dada” comes home.

Most evenings, it’s just me and Lennox. The toys are scattered, dinner plates sit half-finished, and you can feel it… He’s getting tired of me. Not in a harsh way, just in a toddler kind of way.

My husband Chris works another evening job, and I’m grateful for it. I really am, but when that door unlocks at the end of the day and Lennox sees Chris, everything changes. His eyes light up. He shouts for joy, and just like that, he’s gone.

There’s no hesitation and no dragging his feet. His whole body is basically saying, “See ya Mom, I’m going to my dad.”

It’s not because anyone told him to, but because something deep inside my son knows— Dada’s arms are where I belong.

I believe we were made for that kind of response. It is God-given.

Somewhere along the way, though, we learn to hesitate. We get distracted. We carry disappointments, responsibilities, and burdens that weigh us down. Sometimes life doesn’t feel joyful at all.

And yet, the invitation hasn’t changed.

Habakkuk wrote those words during a season when everything around him seemed uncertain. Yet he made a choice: “I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.”

Not because life was easy, but because God was still good.

God is our Father, and He is near. What would it look like to turn towards Him with that same instinctive joy? To rejoice in the God of your salvation and to drop whatever you’re holding to let love—not obligation, fear, or routine—be the thing that moves you?

And maybe faith, at its core, isn’t as complicated as we’ve made it. Maybe it looks a lot like that small pair of feet hitting the floor, heart wide open, running toward the Father who just walked in the room.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

What tends to distract you from experiencing joy in God’s presence?
When was the last time you felt excited to spend time with God?
How does Lennox’s instinctive response to his father challenge your view of faith?
Are there circumstances in your life right now that make rejoicing difficult?
What would it look like today to turn toward God with trust, delight, and expectancy?

June 20, 2026/by Bri Dunn

Forgiveness Finds A Way

Brenda Price, Daily Devotional

Matthew 18:21-22 — Then Peter came to Him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”

Have you been carrying around bitterness and anger because of a falling out with someone… maybe someone in your own family?

Maybe you will relate to Michael’s story.

He hadn’t spoken to his dad for a very, very long time. A painful falling out drew a line neither of them crossed for nearly a decade. I mean, they missed holidays, birthdays, milestones—all of it. And the silence… it became normal. But even when silence feels normal, the hurt never really leaves.

One Sunday, after hearing a sermon on forgiveness, Michael sat in his car a little longer than usual. The engine was off, but his thoughts weren’t. And he prayed, “God, I don’t know how to forgive my dad. I don’t know how to do it, but I know You’ll help me. I’ll try with Your strength.”

It wasn’t polished. It wasn’t confident. But it was a step.

And then—his dad called.

There was no warning. No buildup. Just, “I don’t know why, but I felt like I had to call.”

So, they met for coffee. And what began as a tense conversation, started to shift. The edges softened. Voices cracked. Tears came. Apologies followed. Hugs were shared, and forgiveness was given. And slowly, they began rebuilding what had been broken, one small step at a time.

Michael says, “Only God could have softened these two hardened hearts and turned years of silence into a fresh start.”

And I believe him.

Because somewhere in that moment, one willing heart made room for more than just a single act of forgiveness.

When one heart turns toward God, He can begin healing wounds that once felt impossible to touch.

So, I wonder… is there someone in your life who has hurt you? Maybe more than once.

It would be easy to let bitterness settle in and let silence become your normal. But Jesus invites us to a different way.

Seven times seventy, right?

Not because the hurt wasn’t real. Not because trust is automatically restored. But because forgiveness frees your heart from carrying what God never intended you to carry alone.

Maybe today isn’t about having all the right words.

Maybe it’s simply praying the same prayer Michael prayed:

“Lord, I don’t know how to forgive, but with Your help, I’m willing to take the first step.”

And sometimes that’s where healing begins.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

Is there someone you have struggled to forgive?
What emotions surface when you think about extending forgiveness to that person?
How does Michael’s simple prayer challenge or encourage you?
What is the difference between forgiving someone and pretending they didn’t hurt you?
What would taking one small step toward forgiveness look like for you today?

CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO on YouTube

SEVEN TIMES SEVENTY TIMES by Chris August

I’ve been living in this house here
Since the day that I was born
These walls have seen me happy
But most of all they’ve seen me torn
They’ve heard the screaming matches
That made a family fall apart
They’ve had a front row seat
To the breaking of my heart

7 times, 70 times
I’ll do what it takes to make it right
I thought the pain was here to stay
But forgiveness made a way
7 times, 70 times
There’s healing in the air tonight
I’m reaching up to pull it down
Gonna wrap it all around

I remember running down the hallway
Playing hide-and-seek
I didn’t know that I was searching
For someone to notice me
I felt alone and undiscovered
And old enough to understand
Just when I’m s’posed to be learning to love you
Let me doubt again

I lost count of the ways You let me down
But no matter how many times You weren’t around
I’m all right now

God picked up my heart and helped me through
And shined a light on the one thing left to do
And that’s forgive you, I forgive you

7 times, 70 times
If that’s the cost I’ll pay the price
7 times, 70 times
I’ll do what it takes to make it right
I thought the pain was here to stay
But forgiveness made a way

7 times, 70 times
There’s healing in this house tonight
I’m reaching up to pull it down
Gonna wrap it all around
Yeah, I’m gonna wrap it all around

I’ve been living in this house here
Since the day that I was born

June 19, 2026/by Brenda Price

Faith That Falls Forward

Daily Devotional, Heart of the Artist

Psalm 57:10 — For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

I have a distinct memory of learning how to ride my bike. I was ready to race down the driveway the moment my dad removed the training wheels.

Instead of reaching the speed of a cheetah, I lost my balance and started to fall. But the moment before I hit the ground, I felt these tree trunk-sized arms catch me and lift me back onto my bike.

It was my dad. There he was, blocking the sun out of my face while looking down at me, smiling. He laughed and said, “Try again.”

In seconds, I was pedaling off, only to fall again. Each time, my dad was there, catching me at just the right moment, over and over. Of course, as a little girl I was afraid of falling, but I also trusted that when my dad was near, I would be okay.

I had faith he would catch me.

Since learning to ride my bike, I’ve fallen down a lot in life.

Growing up in church, I learned that God is a faithful Father. Even so, there are still moments when I wonder if He’ll really come through for me. What if He’s tired of picking me up? What if He’s frustrated that I keep making the same mistakes?

Thankfully, God isn’t that way.

His faithfulness isn’t based on my performance. His love doesn’t run out when I stumble. It stretches farther than I can measure—higher than the heavens and steadier than my footing has ever been.

But you and I are in good company because God’s got us.

When I find myself in a season of doubt, I often think about the story of Peter walking on water to meet Jesus. Even though Peter’s faith wavered, God was still faithful. The same God who reached for Peter in the middle of the waves is reaching for you in the middle of yours

So, when you feel unsteady, remember this:

God’s faithfulness is not fragile.

It isn’t shaken by your doubts, your questions, or your repeated falls.

Just like my dad standing behind that bicycle, God is closer than you think.

He’s steady when you’re not.

He’s faithful when your faith feels small.

And He’s still teaching you how to ride.

— LeAnna Crawford

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

When life feels uncertain, what helps you remember God’s faithfulness?
Have you ever worried that God might be frustrated or disappointed with you? Why?
How does the image of a loving father teaching a child to ride a bike change the way you view God’s relationship with you?
Where do you need to trust God’s steady presence in your life right now?
What is one way God has shown His faithfulness to you, even when your faith felt small?

Lyrics:

I try to pray but the words aren’t coming out the way they used to
Did I lose my faith God do I still trust You (mmm)
I try to worship but when I lift my hands it all just feels so empty
Is it the heavy of the world or is it just me (mmm)
Though I’ve sung a thousand times
You’re perfect and You’ll never leave leave my side

Can I be honest
I just wanna know that You still got this
When all I’m holding onto is a promise
God You promised
That You’ll never leave me
When I’m scared of the dark You’re right there with me
Your kindness never fails, it’s always reaching after me
But right now, God all I need
Is to be honest

Oh I’ve heard stories of you showing up when it was least expected
Every time you prove your timing always perfect – and the wait was worth it
Again and again and again – see your power coming through
You bring life to what is dead – no there’s nothing You can’t do
I believe you did it then – so won’t You do it now

Is Your breath when I can’t breathe
Your eyes when I can’t see
An anchor as the waves crash all around
Be my heart when I can’t feel
And show me something real
Just one taste of heaven here and now

Can I be honest
Can I be honest
I just wanna know that You still got this
When all I’m holding onto is a promise
God you promised
That you’ll never leave me
When I’m scared of the dark You’re right there with me
Your kindness never fails, it’s always reaching after me
But right now, God all I need
But right now, God all I need

June 18, 2026/by David Hall