Jan 24, 2026 – Detours
Being discerning can be difficult sometimes. The weather predicters say one thing (don’t travel north), but the heart says we gotta go to the wedding a couple of hours north. So, we went, carefully, ready to turn around if the situation dictated; but, it didn’t. It threatened but thankfully for the bride and groom (and their families) the temperatures gave us rain rather than snow and they had a beautiful ceremony and fun reception. Despite having to take a detour around the closed interstate leading into town, we arrived hours ahead of the wedding which gave us time to sit in a coffee shop/bar next to the church (yes, next door), Green Bus Brewing, having delicious chicken salad sandwiches (the owner’s mother’s recipe), salted hazelnut coffee, and tiramisu stout beer while we played Rummikub. Some little surprises from God that we didn’t expect, but very much appreciated.
JA – “I AM YOUR STRENGTH! When you begin a day feeling weak and weary, it’s all right. Your weakness can be a reminder of your need for Me. [We definitely gave the day to God and asked for wisdom and discernment.] Remember that I am with you continually – ready to help you as you go along your way…. Refuse to be discouraged by delays or detours…. Perseverance and trust in Me make a potent combination!”
Max – Ephesians 1:11 – “[God] chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.” Max’s devotion is entitled “Providential Hope” which was timely as we hoped for the weather to not ruin this special day for the couple and their families. Max asked, “Why does God permit challenges to come our way? Wouldn’t an almighty God prevent them? Not if they serve his higher purpose.” Max reminds us of Joseph’s story (from Genesis 37 to 50) and concludes, “What was intended as harm became good. Why? Because Joseph viewed the sufferings of his life through the lens of divine providence.”
Power – The title of Joyce’s devotion is timely as well, “Setting the Tone for Your Day,” as she reminds us that what we say as we start our day really can affect how we feel as the day unfolds. The weather concerns could have made for some uncomfortable relationship frustrations, but the father of the bride (and all involved really) had such a positive attitude about dealing with the weather concerns all the days and hours before the wedding as he pointed out that it all made the experience even more memorable. His attitude set the tone for our day as we decided to carefully make our way to the celebration, not having any guarantees about what was ahead for us.
Streams – Cowman shares Charles Gallaudet Trumbull’s words, “God knows exactly when to withhold or to grant us any visible sign of encouragement. How wonderful it is when we will trust Him in either case!”
Utmost – Chambers writes, “When we are born again we will all have visions, if we are spiritual at all, of what Jesus wants us to be, and the great thing is to learn not to be disobedient to the vision, not to say that it cannot be attained…. Paul was not given a message or a doctrine to proclaim, he was brought into a vivid, personal, overmastering relationship to Jesus Christ…. Paul was devoted to a person not a cause.”
JC – “My Peace is the treasure of treasures: the pearl of great price…. You receive this gift by trusting Me in the midst of life’s storms. If you have the world’s peace – everything going your way – you don’t seek My unfathomable Peace. Thank Me when things do not go your way, because spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials.”
