Open Old Gifts

After getting home yesterday, I slept for 14 hours straight and woke up feeling refreshed. Looking back on all the challenges we faced and how fearlessly we pushed forward, I feel so proud of us. The trip was scary at times, and we both lost our tempers a few times, but I see it as God teaching us how to work together under extreme conditions. It was incredibly hard, but I wouldn’t trade it for any other way of building and experiencing life together. I feel like Riley and I have grown so much stronger as a team because of this journey.

Today, I spent a lot of time unpacking everything we hauled back. It was so exciting to open the boxes and rediscover all the old things I had saved for myself. It felt like opening gifts, each one filled with little surprises.

Devotional Reflection

“Then he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.’” —‭‭Daniel‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬

“He replied, ‘Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece will come. Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince.’” —‭‭Daniel‬ ‭10‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬

These verses remind me that when we’re in a season of waiting, we often don’t see what’s happening behind the scenes. Fulfilling God’s promises to us isn’t always straightforward, there are spiritual forces that can create obstacles. Yet God, along with His angels, fights on our behalf to deliver His blessings. This reflection inspires me to approach my own waiting with gratitude, knowing that God is working tirelessly, even when I can’t see it.