Just a CLASSic

  Earlier this year, my church asked me to write a devotional for their Christmas booklet, and I wanted to share it with you. While it was an honor to write, God used it to speak to me in so many ways about trusting Him with my heart's biggest desires.  Luke 1:76-79 As Luke wraps up his first chapter, we as readers already have witnessed several miracles. First, God has been silent for over 400 years, and yet, in this first chapter we see God speaking through Gabriel to Elizabeth, Mary, and now Zacharias all in relation to Jesus, the Messiah. The first chapter announces how Mary will miraculously conceive a child (whom Elizabeth recognized as the Messiah), but Zacarias and Elizabeth also have a miraculous birth. The Bible says in verse six that “They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” What an honor to be remembered in such a way! And yet the next verse states that “Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well-

Happy New Year, everyone!  For the past two years, I made the personal goal to read 100 books. In 2020, I made it by the skin of my teeth as I frantically finished reading my 100th book on New Year's Eve. This year in 2021, I had a bit of a buffer as I finished the year with 104 books. Now let me clarify, I am perfectly okay with counting audiobooks and picture books (especially because I am a teacher).  As I thought about my books of 2021, I wanted to share with you my ten favorite books of this year.  Nonfiction Outdated: Find Love that Lasts When Dating Has Changed by J.P. Pokluda This was by far one of my favorite books. I loved it so much that I reread it, and I am thinking about rereading it again (I really should just buy my own copy). As a Christian single, I have read books about what a God-centered marriage looks like. Realistically though, that is not the stage that I am in. There are very few books about what being single looks like as a Christian, which is why this boo