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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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Daughters of the Day

Once upon a Saturday morning, the house chores held a conference and elected me their leader.

While rushing through chores, I noticed a theme unfolding in my living room. All day, our napping kitten, Noelle, scooted herself around, warmly snuggled in the patch of sunlight beaming through the window. As the sun moved across the sky, so Noelle moved across the floor.

The more I watched her, the more I realized I was being schooled by a kitten.

Every morning, before my feet hit the floor, I ask the Lord to order my day. Yet, I often allow the bustle of life to drive my focus, leaving me crippled in the shadows, rather than cradled in His light.

Can you relate? Do you sometimes wake with praise on your lips, offering God your day, then become distracted by all the things  before realizing you’re out of sync with the Light?

Sitting in the “classroom” of a kitten, I’m reminded our purpose is not for God to chase us through our days, but for us to abide within His light.

I think about Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonian believers, reminding them not to stress about when they’d see Jesus again, for they were “children of the light and of the day” (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Paul reassured them that, as eager followers of Christ, they weren’t in the dark but were already centered on the Light as they waited for Jesus to appear again.

Paul didn’t discount their concerns or impose a bunch of extraneous rules as some false teachers did. He simply reminded them who they were. They were children of the Day.

Life’s distractions can leave us needing this reminder too, for many are the cares of a woman’s heart:

How will I pay that bill? Did I put the clothes in the dryer? Will my child be OK? Did I ever reply to that email? Does my boss see my effort? How can I create community when I’m too weary to reach out?

The struggle is real, my friend—but hope invades the shadows when we remember who we are. We are Daughters of the Day.

In John 8:12, Jesus says, “… I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (NLT).

Our God doesn’t simply dispense the light — He is the light. Tweet This

So, how can we stay centered in the light that leads to life? A few ideas to consider:

  • Praise, worship, and adore Christ. Rejoice in His glory, goodness, and grace.
  • Move burdens from your hands into His. Repeat as necessary. He will guard them well.
  • Start the day planting Scripture in your spirit. Write a verse for reflection, allowing its truth to become written on your heart.
  • Expect the enemy to press the dislike button. Be on guard, prepared to recognize when you’ve followed stress back into the shadows. Re-center through prayer and worship.
  • Write a short list before bed, returning to God what you’ve taken back into your hands today. Rest in His comfort, ready to begin anew tomorrow.

All we need is found in the life-giving light of our Savior, for we are Daughters of the Day.

How could centering your heart & mind on the light of God’s presence bring you comfort today?
We’d love for you to join the conversation over at Proverbs 31 Ministries, friend! ♥

 

 

8 Comments

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Comments

  1. Janice Lawrence says

    July 22, 2020 at 12:43 pm

    So good Brenda! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      July 22, 2020 at 1:51 pm

      Bless you, sweet friend. ♥

      Reply
  2. Suzette K. says

    July 27, 2020 at 9:09 pm

    Brenda, I found you over at Proverbs 31. I so enjoyed your post that I featured it on my Instagram, and that’s a first for me. Your tips on staying centered are meaningful. Thanks for sharing them.
    @myconcretedove

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      July 28, 2020 at 10:24 am

      Hi, Suzette. ♥ I’m so thankful you were encouraged, sister. Thank you for reaching out and sharing. I pray the warmth of His presence shines brightly upon you today, my friend. ♥

      Reply
  3. Bethany Ruth says

    September 18, 2020 at 10:11 am

    So encouraged by your straight-forward pointing to God. I read your devotion about motherhood on Proverbs 31 Ministries Devotions this morning and was very blessed. “And I’ve come to realize that motherhood is one long prayer of crying out to God for help to meet all they need with all we lack.” Praise God. May God bless you in your ministry to family and others.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      September 18, 2020 at 11:15 am

      So thankful God met you in the devotion this morning, Bethany. Praying God’s blessings over your and yours today, sister. ♥

      Reply
  4. Linda R Zimmerman says

    January 8, 2021 at 12:15 pm

    Brenda, I too found you on Proverbs 15. Your writing on When you Wonder Who You Would Have Been spoke to me today. I have copied some of it in big bold print and am going to put it on my mirror to read every morning!
    Thanks so much for sharing your Godly insights. Truly a blessing and a gift.
    Praying for your continued success in reaching others.
    Linda Z

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 8, 2021 at 3:01 pm

      This makes my heart smile, Linda. Thank you for sharing how the Lord met you in the devotion today; your words encourage my spirit. I pray blessings over your household in 2021, dear sister. ♥

      Reply

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Friend, if you’re feeling passed over lately, un Friend, if you’re feeling passed over lately, unacknowledged, overlooked…you might just be in a beautiful position to be used by God.
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Young King David knew what it was to be overlooked, left in the fields to tend the sheep while his brothers were brought before Samuel & considered for kingship.
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Yet, in the end, it was the overlooked & under-acknowledged David who was anointed King and called a man after the LORD’s own heart, by God Himself.
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Oh, friend, even when it feels like no one notices—keep showing up!
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The Lord sees your humble acts of service all wrapped up in the crumpled gift wrap & raveled ribbon of a living sacrifice.
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It’s worthy work, dear friend—witnessed in the secret places by the Almighty Himself. 💗
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Happy Fri-Yay, friend! 💛
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I’d love to hear…have you ever seen an upside-down rainbow?

The 2nd pic is a photo I took of the upside-down rainbow I share about in today’s P31 Devotion, Peace by Piece.
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If you’re like me, so much of life can feel upside-down, too, at times. Can I get a witness?!
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Yet, more and more, I’m realizing the legacy of those upside-down pieces of our stories—for the God who shaped our souls for purpose understands every part of our lives from the eternal perspective of completion.
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I’m praying for you today, friend, that you sense the ever-present God of Peace surrounding you…holding you.💗
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Would love for you to pop over to Proverbs 31 Ministries to read the full article and share in the conversation today, my friend! 💗
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Oh, that our souls would bathe in the quiet, unrus Oh, that our souls would bathe in the quiet, unrushed rhythms of summer.
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These glory days where rest seeps into the parched landscape of our busy lives and revives us from within.
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For there is beauty here in this sabbath of calm.
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Nothing quite like getting with people who get you Nothing quite like getting with people who get you. 💗
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I forgot to take pics most of the week, but loved seeing every new and familiar face. 😍
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Thanks for the memories, friends. 🥰
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#shespeaks22 #writerslife #writersofinstsgram #ministry #influence #grow #create #forthegloryofgod
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