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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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Relentless Faithfulness

swingset
Creeeak, creeeak, back and forth the rusty swing-set moaned as we listened to his unusual words. He’d gotten a new job. He’d be around more. Things would be different.

The crescent-moon stood witness, as a father spoke promise to his children in the faded backyard of yesteryear.

I’m certain he meant well at the time. I believe his promise was his wish. Sadly, it’s a promise that remains locked in the hazy summer air of that 1970-something night. Unfulfilled.

Fact is, this world with all its imperfect humans (us included) is sometimes a place of disappointment. Such is the nature of life this side of heaven. While often well-meaning, we can’t always count on one another to follow through, to wholeheartedly commit, to keep a word.

Oh, but there is One who never disappoints. One who is ever-true to generations of the faith.

there is One who never disappoints. One who is ever-true to generations of the faith.
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Never leaving us empty or wanting, this tender-loving God we serve satisfies every good promise His grace affords us.

Sweet Father, may we seek out your footprints, following the example you set for us. Oh, how we thank you for your wild and aggressive faithfulness to every word spoken over us—from generations of old. flower

“Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true.” Joshua 21:45, NLT

View this guest devotional as it first appeared at Mustard Seed Ministries

Thank you, Jesus, for your wild and aggressive faithfulness to every word spoken over us.
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~ Blessed to link up this week with these lovely sites: Dance with Jesus , Faith Filled Friday , Faith ‘n Friends Blog Hop , Let Us Grow , Open-Mic Monday , Intentional Tuesday , #RaRa Linkup , Testimony Tuesday , Us, Coffee and Jesus , #TellHisStory , Coffee for Your Heart , Sitting Among Friends , Thought-Provoking Thursday , Tea and Word Tuesdays , #DanceWithJesus ,  Faith ‘n Friends Blog Hop  ~ 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Barbie says

    April 23, 2016 at 10:44 am

    I’m sitting here with my coffee this morning, drinking deeply of this, “Never leaving us empty or wanting, this tender-loving God we serve satisfies every good promise His grace affords us.” He is so good, always faithful!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 24, 2016 at 9:31 am

      Good and faithful…beautiful adjectives for a worthy God. 🙂 Thanks for reading, Barbie, good to see you. <3

      Reply
  2. Carrie says

    April 23, 2016 at 11:32 am

    Oh, yes, people disappoint…and it’s especially hard to accept and move on as an adult, much less a child! I’m thankful every day that I can depend on The Lord, no matter what. He is faithful! Thank you for being a part of our link up community!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 24, 2016 at 9:35 am

      Thank you, Carrie, love the weekend community, and your and Barbie’s new site is beautiful. Thankful with you, this morning, for a faithful God. ((sweet blessings))

      Reply
  3. Joy Lenton says

    April 23, 2016 at 11:35 am

    These words sing hope into my soul: “how we thank you for your wild and aggressive faithfulness to every word spoken over us” as I remember afresh how very tender-loving and faithful our Abba-Father God is. The challenge is replacing the hissed lies of the enemy with the loving, promise-filled words spoken over us. I needed this reminder as I seek to know more of my worth in Christ alone. Thank you, Brenda! Blessings. <3
    Joy Lenton recently posted…Unite: because we are stronger togetherMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 24, 2016 at 9:39 am

      I hear ya, Joy. I, too, have had to learn my worth in Christ…and, sometimes need a refresher course. “Hissed lies,” I like that. The evil one is in the business of confusion, but thankfully, the Spirit lives within reminding us to claim the promises. Great to see you, Joy. 🙂 ((xoxo))

      Reply
  4. Jeralyn says

    April 24, 2016 at 9:05 am

    Brenda.. I love your description of His faithfulness to His Word over us … “wild and aggressive”. It is so descriptive of how He pursues us.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 24, 2016 at 9:49 am

      Hey, friend. <3 Great to see you. Oh, the wild pursuit of the One who knit us together, how do we begin to fathom? He's the best. 🙂 Thanks for your sweet encouragement. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  5. Kelsey Remmelts says

    April 25, 2016 at 8:21 am

    Beautiful words for Monday morning! He is our true constant in this fallen world. Amen sista! Thank you for the reminder and have a blessed week!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 26, 2016 at 9:30 am

      Hey, Kelsey, thanks for the sweet encouragement. So sorry to hear about the recent losses in your community. ((hug)) Prayers for y’all. ((grace upon grace))

      Reply
  6. Linda Stoll says

    April 25, 2016 at 3:51 pm

    Grateful with you, Brenda, that He never changes like shifting shadows. Follow in His footsteps, yes yes yes!
    Linda Stoll recently posted…Dear Church * Part 3 ~ Now What?My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 26, 2016 at 9:41 am

      Hey, Linda. Thanks for reading, friend. Walking alongside you as we follow those footsteps together. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  7. Carolina Hinojosa-Cisneros says

    April 26, 2016 at 10:28 am

    “Oh, how we thank you for your wild and aggressive faithfulness to every word spoken over us—from generations of old.” Hallelujah! What a beautiful word this morning as I ease into the work day. What a light. I needed this. Have a beautiful week, my friend and thank you for linking up to Open Mic Monday at Cisneros Cafe. Xoxo

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 27, 2016 at 7:55 am

      What a sweet encouragement you are, Carolina. Thank you, friend. ((hug))

      Reply
  8. Crystal Storms says

    April 26, 2016 at 3:46 pm

    Brenda, what a beautiful picture your words paint in my mind … “Sweet Father, may we seek out your footprints, following the example you set for us.” Amen!
    ((Hugs)) to you sweet friend. : )
    Crystal Storms recently posted…Intentional Tuesday Linkup {Week 60}My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 27, 2016 at 7:57 am

      Hey there, friend. Thanks for always being the encouragement you are. <3 ((xoxo))

      Reply
  9. Anita Ojeda says

    April 26, 2016 at 5:23 pm

    Ah, yes, our always faithful heavenly Father steps in when our earthly fathers prove that they’re human. We all need to make the transition and extend grace to our fellow humans.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 27, 2016 at 8:09 am

      Hey, Anita, nice to meet you. 🙂 Happy almost 50th to you! Thanks for coming by and sharing. ((grace upon grace))

      Reply
  10. Michele Morin says

    April 26, 2016 at 5:28 pm

    Brenda, somehow I am just today finding your space and your words. So beautiful. Relentless faithfulness. You’ve got a way of putting the strong with the vulnerable that is so helpful!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 27, 2016 at 8:10 am

      Dear Michele, so glad you found my little corner of the web. Lovely to see you. Thanks so much for your encouraging words, they bless me. ((hug))

      Reply
  11. Mary Geisen says

    April 26, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    Your words are beautiful! Our humanness gets in the way of ourselves over and over. We mean well but we are imperfect. As hard as we try at times, we fail at simple relationships because we get in the way and our promises become empty. You encourage us with the beautiful truth that we can always rely on God. It fills me with such hope today.
    Mary Geisen recently posted…What Will Be Will Be ~ PotentialMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 27, 2016 at 8:15 am

      Hey, Mary. 🙂 Hope…that’s a good word. I’ve mostly considered it grace, but…hope…hmm, I like that. Ever-grateful for the One whose promises are overflowing, never empty. Thanks for coming by and being an encouragement, Mary. ((hug))

      Reply
  12. liz says

    April 27, 2016 at 7:26 am

    Oh, Father, may I always chase after Your faithfulness relentlessly! Beautiful and challenging words for sure! Blessings, liz

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 27, 2016 at 8:26 am

      Hey, Liz, great to see you. 🙂 Thanks for stopping in and being a blessing today. ((hug))

      Reply
  13. Kristina says

    April 27, 2016 at 2:48 pm

    Needed this reminder today. the hubbie just started a new job today and there is going to be more hours. full satisfaction in God is my heart’s desire. Thanks so much. visiting from history #30

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 28, 2016 at 12:09 pm

      Hi, Kristina, nice to meet you. 🙂 I share your heart’s desire…He is enough; everything else falls into place when our focus is on Him, doesn’t it? Thanks for visiting, Kristina. ((grace upon grace))

      Reply
  14. Meghan says

    April 29, 2016 at 7:58 am

    Brenda, your words are so poetic and inspiring here. I love it all and am so thankful for the Hope this gives us, that no matter what happens this side of Heaven, we can trust the Lord to keep His Word! Thank you for sharing with me @ Tea&Word Tuesday!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 30, 2016 at 9:14 am

      Welcome, Meghan. 🙂 Thankful with you that His word remains true. He’s the best. 🙂 Great to meet you! ((grace upon grace))

      Reply
  15. Alisa says

    April 29, 2016 at 10:11 am

    Brenda, what a beautiful reminder of the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father! It reminds me of the scripture in Psalm 27:10 “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.” He is a good Father, isn’t He? Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 30, 2016 at 9:18 am

      Hey, Alisa. 🙂 Thanks for sharing that scripture; it’s one that is near to my heart. The Father of the fatherless never disappoints. Love Him. Thanks for visiting, great to see you. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  16. Betty Draper says

    April 29, 2016 at 12:27 pm

    Brenda..good reminders of God’s faithfulness. My mother recently passed away and through the whole ordeal His timing was perfect and so faithful to be there for me and the rest of our family. And I trust His faithfullness that my mother is with Him for she belong to Him. It makes the grief of losing her here on earth easier to bear. Missing someone you love is not sin, grieving is a gift from our faithful Lord for He grieves over us when we do not walk close to Him. Great post.
    Betty Draper recently posted…God Loves SeekersMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 30, 2016 at 9:30 am

      (((Betty))) So sorry to hear about your loss. So thankful that, for those in the family of God, this is not the end. Prayers for y’all. Thanks for coming by and sharing, Betty. ((grace upon grace))

      Reply
  17. Julie Lefebure says

    April 29, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    God is faithful, even when we are not. So thankful for this truth in our lives, and in the lives of those we love. Beautiful words to encourage and uplift! Thank you. Following you at Crystal’s this week. Blessings!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 30, 2016 at 9:43 am

      Right there with ya, Julie–so thankful for the truth of a faithful God in our lives, as well. There is none like Him… <3 Thanks for visiting and sharing, Julie. 🙂 ((sweet blessings))

      Reply
  18. Debbie says

    October 4, 2016 at 4:50 pm

    Hi Brenda, your new site looks great. Love the overhaul. Just perfect, warm and inviting. And your words speak comfort to my heart, like a balm on an open wound. Relationships have been tough and I am having a hard time not clinging to the past, and it is dragging me down. Thank you for the reminder that His grace is sufficient, and He will fill me with hope for my future. Blessings and hugs.

    Reply

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