John 15:4 says 'Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.'

There is only one who can satisfy. When I redirect my attention to my children, my friends, my family, my husband, and away from the God that knows me, made me, and delights in me, I will put undue stress on the other relationships.

We have seen so many hard things in the last couple of years and the weight on our shoulders can become heavy and tiresome. We grieve, we delight, we ache, we are full of gratitude. The only source of sustainable joy in my heart is that the God who made the mountains around us also thought it necessary to be near to us, equip us to do hard things, and never leaves us. Sometimes we can each feel like he's far away, but always is he there. Always is he waiting. Always is he good. Even when the circumstances aren't.

I want to be able to skip in the rain. Not out of ignorance, but out of trust. That though it be raining outside, and in the world around, my God is still faithful. My God is good. My God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than what we can hope or dream for (Eph 3:20).

Lord help me to be fruitful, engaged in your work, and full of your joy! I pray that over each of you as well.