You’re never,ever alone.
Nothing takes Him by surprise.
When you’re weak, HE is STRONG.
He’s the God of new beginnings.
His love never gives up on us.
I will be your God throughout your lifetime…I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. ~ Isaiah 46:4
When kids go through hard things, they don’t always have the words to explain what they’re feeling— Two books I often use in the counseling room are Something Sad Happened and Something Scary Happened. These are part of the “What to Do When…” series, and they gently help children begin to make sense of big emotions that can feel overwhelming. One of the reasons I love these books is because they center choice and consent. As we read, children are invited—not forced—to connect with the story. They get to decide: This matters so much. In counseling, consent isn’t just about permission—it’s about giving children a sense of safety and control over their own story. And when kids feel safe, they begin to open up. These books create a gentle doorway for children to:
✨ Identify experiences that felt sad or scary ✨ Put words to feelings they may not fully…
In our home, instead of Elf on the Shelf, we “hide Jesus “ from Dec 1–24. Each evening our grandson excitedly searches for Him. And some days, Jesus is right in front of his eyes—but he still can’t see Him.
And it hits me every time:
We’re just like that.
Jesus is near, present, and right in front of us… yet in the rush and noise, we often overlook Him too.
This simple tradition reminds me to Seek Him—because He’s always closer than we think.
