• Home
  • Welcome
  • Blog

Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

in Uncategorized

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

Thanks for the Company!

Subscribe to receive updates and 15 lovely printables created just for YOU!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

« Hope for the Hard Days
The Long Prayer of Motherhood »

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

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Thanks for the company!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Tags

(In)Courage But God Callings Children Control Faithfulness Family Fear Fill in the Blank Freedom Friendship Giveaway God Graceful Guest Posts Home Hope If My People Inclusion Marriage Motherhood Nature P31 Pain Prayer Proverbs31Ministries Purpose Quotes Racism Rejection Rest Seasons Sisterhood Surrender Teens
  • Home
  • Welcome
  • Blog

From the Author

I am a member of COMPEL Training Encouragement for Today Badge She Speaks

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Thanks for the company!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

A few projects I worked on this winter. (With a fe A few projects I worked on this winter. (With a few Easter shenanigans for good measure. 😊)
.
What projects are you working on these days?
.
.
.
#crochet #homemade #yarn #blankets #rest #craft #crafting #relax #unwind #handmade #maker #easter #bunnies #learnnewthings #shine #beyou #createdtocreate #amcrafting #amcrocheting #amwriting #amliving #creator #create
Friend, are you like me & feeling a little disconn Friend, are you like me & feeling a little disconnected after these last two years of social distancing. If so, I understand. 💗
.
In today’s devotion over at Proverbs 31 Ministries, I share of a time when I felt unknown by the community around me, as well as a current feeling of disconnection the last couple of socially-distanced years have brought.
.
So thankful we have a God who knows us through-and-through, and who walks with us in every season of our lives. 🙌
.
As we all begin to take awkward steps toward re-establishing in-person connections this year, May we never forget how very *known,* and *loved* by God we are.
.
Oh, that we would find our greatest comfort & community in Him. 💗
.
Head over to proverbs31.org to read the & join in on the conversation today. ✨
.
.
.
#community #seen #known #loved #heknowsmyname #disconnected #lonely #newbie #seasons #bible #jesus #risensavior #savior #faithful #butgod #friendship #god #ministry #influence #leadership #hope #inclusion #proverbs31ministries #rejection #amwriting #freedom #confidence #comfort
In times of joy, times of grief, and every time be In times of joy, times of grief, and every time between—Oh, how we’ve lived in the goodness of God.
.
Thank you, Lord, for surrounding our lives with Yourself.
.
“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forever.” Psalm 125:2 🙌
.
.
.
#goodnessofgod #faithfulgod #life #faith #trust #thankful #godisnear #surroundedbygod #helives #hesatwork #worship #bible #writersofinstagram #writerslife #anwriting #praise #worthygod #ministry #influence #service #hanginthere #rest #weary #seek #belong #remember
Friend,I wonder if you’re like me in that, so of Friend,I wonder if you’re like me in that, so often I’d rather show up on the scene of everyday life after I have things figured out…after I have my stuff together.
.
But, I’m learning that the Figuring-Out comes with the Showing-Up.
.
For when we come as we are to the table of life, our place finds us.
.
We need not concern ourselves with what others might say, nor worry about who seems more qualified than us.
.
For we aren’t defined by anyone else’s standard of being. We are beautifully made for purpose—just as we are.
.
Everyday, every year, every decade of life, we’ll grow. But may we not wait till we feel comfortable or confident or have it all figured out (as if) to step into the things God places on our hearts.
.
For the beauty is in showing up & making much of Him.
.
Good news, it’s not about us! 🙌
.
Simply come as you are. 💗
.
.
.
#comeasyouare #showup #glorifygod #confidence #calledforpurpose #youdoyou #shine #beyourself #createdforpurpose #forsuchatimeasthis #trust #serve #influence #ministry #amwriting #writerslife #service #faithful #faithfulgod #called #purpose #riseup #witness #bethechurch #writeon #uncomfortable #serve #letyourlightshine #writersofinstagram
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · Market theme by Restored 316

Copyright 2020 Brenda Bradford Ottinger · Log in