We may be familiar with the phrase, "If you pray for flowers, be prepared to deal with a little mud." But, what if we're looking at the mud all wrong? What if it's not the necessary evil this phrase implies but actually what can awaken our souls to a rebirth and a deeper promise before us?

I think that's what childhood faith is all about. As adults, we're tempted to dismiss it as icky mud, but children see puddles waiting to be jumped in! So today, put on your rainboots because we're jumping in the puddles together as my friend, Deidre Braley, shares her reflection of Psalm 96 with us and reminds us of where our peace and our joy come from and how we can experience this in a deeper way today.

Deidre is a freelance writer and editor. She lives in Maine with her husband and three children, and most days can be found savoring an overly cheesy bagel or drinking a second cup of coffee while working on her weekly column & podcast, The Second Cup. Her debut poetry chapbook, The Shape I Take, was recently published by Bottlecap Press, and her award-winning poetry has been featured in The Way Back To Ourselves literary journal and Maine Women Magazine. Deidre's essays have appeared in Aletheia Today, The Joyful Life, and The Truly Co., where she also serves as the editorial content director. Deidre is a strong believer in the power of poetry, picking roadside flowers, and skipping the small talk. 

Many ways you can connect with her including her website

and on Apple Podcasts at The Second Cup Show. You can find her book, The Shape I Take, here. 

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Nichole Suvar is helping us apply God's word to the current setbacks and disappointments we're facing as she shares her reflection of Psalm 89 with us.

Nichole is a recovering perfectionist and intentional living strategist who lives in the Midwest US, with her husband and their three teenage children. She seeks to encourage others to take small moments of each day to intentionally seek after Jesus in every area of their life. Nichole has been published in Proverbs 31 devotionals, several online magazines, and her newest book, Numbering Our Days: Combating Anxiety in the Power of Small Intentional Moments. You can access the weekly Intentional Living email series, her Peace and Purpose course, and additional resources on her website, livewithintent.org, and on Facebook and Instagram @mrs_nichole_suvar.

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My friend, Susan Davidson, is sharing her reflection of Psalm 82 with us. As she does, I pray John's words become the cry of our hearts together. When we face injustice, may we learn to steward our suffering well by praying fervently, "Come, Lord Jesus, come!"

Susan Davidson, in her own words, is a simple country girl at heart. She spends a big chunk of her days in a pair of jeans and sneakers, walking her dog and watching for woodpeckers and squirrels. She draws strength from her Jesus and the mountains she calls home. She is a blogger, devotion writer, a Compel Training volunteer and challenge winner featured in the Proverbs 31 Ministry publications entitled Hope When Your Heart is Heavy and Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart, the latter of which was released Thomas Nelson Publishing and will include ten new devotions written by Lysa TerKeurst. When not busy serving from the home front, you can find her sharing her words and heart on her blog and on FB and IG.

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Mary Beth Powers, is sharing her reflection of Psalm 75 with us and addressing those times when anxiety, fear and depression tag along. What can we do?

Mary Beth is passionate about seeing women experience Jesus in a life-changing way. She is a certified speaker and long-time Bible teacher. She currently serves as a connection Pastor at her church and is known for her infectious personality and care for others. You can connect with her at marybethpowers.com

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In these times when life is more than we can handle, we need a safe place to dwell. We need to be held. My friend, Ashanti Hoskins, is sharing her powerful testimony - how the words of Psalm 68 became reality for her. I have been so inspired by her faithfulness and how she turned to God in one of her most desperate times, and I believe you will be too.

Ashanti has been married to her college sweetheart for 27 years and they live in Batesville, Mississippi. She is the mother of a college sophomore and a high school junior as well as the Assistant Child Nutrition Director for her local school district. Ashanti is aspiring to become a Christian writer, as it has been a push in her spirit for quite some time. She is a true "Jesus girl" who is striving to live her life on purpose for His purpose.

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My friend, Marlene Houk, is sharing her reflection of Psalm 61 with us and beautifully tying in the gift her name has been in her adult life and the promise it represents for all of us.

Marlene Houk opens doors of truth through her passion to resurrect the stories of women in the Bible. She reveals patterns that lead to biblical thinking and empower emotional healing. Determined to find and apply truth, she connects the Bible’s wisdom to everyday living through thought-provoking questions that help others to embrace wholeness and freedom. Leading women’s Bible studies for ten years has increased her passion to share profound and life-changing truths with others. After work, you might catch a glimpse of her at the lake, watching the sun on the water or staring at an old-style Challenger charging down the road. Find out more at https://www.MarleneHouk.com

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My friend, Theresa Miller, is helping us work through the times when we feel betrayed. Betrayal and the emotions which come is not something we must process alone. Jesus Himself was well acquainted with this same suffering, and He's offering us His peace as balm for our wounds today. Let's lean in together to Psalm 54.

Theresa is a transport from the wooded East to the wide open spaces of Wyoming in the West, where she now calls home. Nestled near the Big Horn Mountains, she first enjoys being a wife to Rob and a mom to four wonderful teenagers. Weaving words has been the creative outlet she has explored since childhood, bringing clarity to life’s complexities. Theresa currently serves in women’s ministries in her community as a Bible teacher and MOPS Mentor. In addition, she is a COMPEL Bible Study Writing Focus Group Leader. She authors a personal blog and her sisters blog, Dandelions, Potholes, & Wrinkles. You can find Theresa encouraging women to dig deeper to reach higher in their faith and calling on Instagram, Facebook, Substack, and at theresammiller.com.

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My friend, Yvette Walker is joining us today and through her reflection of Psalm 47, she's reminding us of the power of praise not just after we endure the various potholes of life but in the midst of them - in the middle of the confusion and change.

Yvette Walker is an award-winning journalist and educator who has been fully awakened in her faith. In living a true, authentic self, she has discovered her purpose - to share practical insights on receiving God's joy with all women, and leaving them feeling recognized, empowered, open, and understood! She has published a book of devotions, titled Whispering in His Ear"and a companion study guide, God's Voice and How to Listen. Find out more about her and her podcast, Positively Joy and at yvettebabswalker.com or on Facebook or Instagram.

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My friend, Minnie Lee, is sharing her reflection of Psalm 40 with us and pointing us back to truth in those times when we feel stuck in life's mud and mire, pedaling endlessly but going nowhere.

Minnie is a speaker, business advisor, and health & personal finance coach. Her vocational call is to help individuals and organizations take their next step toward healing, growth and sustainability/wholeness. Her work includes advising individuals and organizations on thriving financially toward growth and sustainability; offer affordable healing programs for those who suffer from chronic pain; and preaching/teaching. These are largely based on her career experience and her personal experiences with trauma, chronic pain, singleness, faith and stewardship.

Minnie is Korean by birth, and American by citizenship. She currently resides in San Francisco, her home since 2011.

You can find her on instagram @minnieandtani_sf, Linkedin  https://www.linkedin.com/in/minnielee/ and her website www.thiscuriouslife.com

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It's Summer and around here - if you've been here for long, you know, that means it's time to be refreshed as we spend a Summer in the Psalms together. I encourage you to start with us today and read Psalm 33, then read one psalm a day. Each week, check back in with us and a friend of mine will join to offer a reflection from their own personal walk with God. Our faith is deeply personal but God intended for us to live it out in community. I'm so honored you're here with us and part of The Good Day community! Psalm 33, it's a love song. What a way for us to begin!

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