About the Author

Kaitlyn is a Virtual Assistant, book launch manager, and storyteller who writes about discovering God's goodness in the ordinary and faithfulness in the difficult. She loves good books, deep conversations, and iced vanilla lattes. Kaitlyn is the author of Even If Not: Living, Loving, and Learning in the in Between.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Maybe, instead of pointing a finger, Mary was looking for fingerprints.

    This….such a game changing insight.

    Thank you, Kaitlyn. Beautiful article.

  2. Well, you get one impression of someone who heads a book launch team (splendidly, I might add), and quite another here. I’m sorry for what you have endured this year, and appreciate the victorious volta of your thoughts, that powerful turn that brings new insight and hope. “Where are you, God?” you ask, like a believing sleuth searching for His fingerprints and presence in your life, rather than accuse Him of absence. And you find Him, because He is ever-present, ever-loving, ever-working in your life! This is one reason I love to journal so much. Sometimes (ofttimes!) I forget. As I retrace my words, my cries to Him, my experiences, I trace the thread of His presence, His love, His care. He is everywhere present. May He continue to work in your life, sweet Kaitlyn, and bring you hope. May you continue to share His love and hope with others!
    Love
    Lynn

  3. This is like you have taken the thoughts from my head and shared them, for many months I have been crying out to God where are you? I don’t understand why he is doing or not doing things and yet it continues. I’ve been reminded God is love, He cares, He is with us but sometimes that is difficult to believe, thank you for these words of encouragement and hope.

    ‘He’s already here, present and good, faithful and kind in every valley and on every mountaintop and every step in between.’

    For me, the best and only place to see God is in creation, the small details in the flowers, the birds or squirrels, the changing leaves. Thank you to remind us to keep looking for him 🙂

    • It always stops me in my tracks when there’s a comment (blog post, social media comment, email, etc) saying I’ve put words to what someone was thinking. I don’t take that lightly at all and immediately have to thank Holy Spirit. That’s His doing… I’m just the conduit. What a gift! Thank you for sharing here, Jud.

  4. Kaitlyn, thank you for sharing this message. Your words have blessed my life so much this morning. I have asked this question many times this year and you have given me a new perspective, words that I will never forget. I thank God for using you and your words to bless my heart and mind. Thank you <3

  5. Thank you, Kaitlyn. This is SO beautiful! I had never thought of Mary’s question like this, and I know that will help me when I am looking for where Jesus is in the hard things and also in the joyful things in my life. It will make my love for Him grow in new and deeper ways. God bless you. Barbara

  6. I seen God in my loneliness, especially these pass 3 years of my widowhood, He wiped a lot tears, and put with my anger, He has been so faithful showing His grace and mercy moment by moment.

    • I’m sorry for your loss, Gail, and pray peace will fill your coming week. I’m not sure if you’ve read Dorina’s posts here at (in)courage or perhaps follow her on social media, but her husband passed away. She has three daughters and has since remarried, but I believe many of her posts would be an encouragement to you.

  7. In the sunrise and sunlight! It’s a presence of His smile and assurance to us as His children, “My Mercy’s are new every morning!” Be blessed today! Thanks for sharing! God is ever present.

  8. Kaitlyn,
    I believe that if you look at my life, you’ll find God’s fingerprints all over me. Hindsight is always 20/20. In the middle of our pain we don’t see clearly, but if we lean in we can tangibly feel His loving presence. I look back over the successive seasons of suffering in my life: living with anxiety and depression, a battle with cancer, infidelity and abuse in my marriage, divorce, six years of six successive surgeries, chronic pain, one prodigal and one estranged child. When I make the list, it sounds mighty “Job-esque” – all I need is a plague of locusts. But, God…I would never have the deep, tender, intimate relationship with God had I not gone through this suffering. Would I have chosen it? No. Do I regret it? Never. While in the crucible, the pain can be unbearable. I know, however, without a doubt, that God has a furious and passionate love for me. He restores the years the locusts have eaten, and He does bring beauty from ashes. Hang in there. Hold tight to His righeous right hand. He is faithful to walk us THROUGH the valleys and will not leave us stuck there. We can have inner joy even when tears of sadness are rolling down our cheeks. Your writing is beautiful and speaks the groans that we can’t put words to. Lifting you in prayer, Kaitlyn.
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

  9. What a beautiful devotion to study this morning. I, too, have asked this question of why until I am sick of it. I love your “flip” of God’s fingerprint along the way! It’s been a HUGE struggle for a couple of years now through a cross country move, illness, taking care of my dying husband, the journey of grief and being a widow and all the isolation of Covid. But as I sat here praying and letting God open my eyes, I do see God’s fingerprints in this time. But I can see SO many strangers from all areas of life that God brought into my life just as soon as I moved two years ago. I SHOULD know that it’ll all be fine. God is in it. I just need to Look for Gods evidence. Because He is there. Thank you for helping to open our eyes! Thank you for the hope!

  10. Thank you so much for this. I felt strongly impressed to send this to a mother who recently lost her 23yr old son suddenly. He was very strong in the ministry at the church that she pastors , and she is a single parent. One of her most challenging struggles is the fact that the son that passed was a mentor and friend to her 21 year old who is autistic. I’m sure she has asked God many times “where are you”. I will send this to her, thanks again for allowing the Lord to use you to bless others.

    • Praying for your friend as I hit “post” on this comment. What a gift to have a friend who will offer encouragement, point to Truth, and sit in the sorrow. Rejoicing with those who rejoicing, mourning with those who mourn…

  11. Wow! Kaitlyn, you have opened my eyes to something new and fresh. Yes! Look for God’s fingerprints on our distressing times. I’m going to do this. I’m going to look back on the past 7 months and look for the bright, sparkling moments and days. Thank you!

  12. Thank you Kaitlin. This devotion was beautiful and calm, like my morning. I appreciate that feeling because I “fully submersed” in your words. God’s footprints are everywhere in my life. I see them now. I see see them ahead and behind. Again, the calmness.
    I suppose He wants me to slow down today and see His footprints. His creation. I’m super grateful “He’s present in every valley and on every mountaintop and every step in between”
    Have a blessed calm day sisters

  13. Such a wise prayer, Kaitlyn: “Give me eyes to see the thread of Your goodness running through.” A number of years ago I endured two years of difficult circumstances. Nevertheless I filled pages in my journal-record of God’s faithfulness during that time. Had I not been watching and writing, though, I may have missed his blessings–too focused on the hurt. But God gave me eyes to see the thread of His goodness running through that time, and greatly encouraged my heart. He is so good!

  14. Kaitlyn,

    So sorry for all you’ve experienced this year. It has been a rather harsh year for many. Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” He is there always waiting for us to find Him. We just need to look back & see His fingerprints all over our lives. I dealt with my dad’s dementia & psych issues for about 5+ years with the last three being worst. We hospitalized dad twice in geriatric psych unit. Through it all I can see God’s handiwork. He allowed me to quit a good job & be available for dad. He healed dad for about 1 year-back to normal. The best part is that God was working in & through me in these times. My faith & trust muscles grew immensely. He prepared me for a better job as iCU Step Down clerical at a local hospital. I wouldn’t be the person I am today with this good job had it not been for those trials & tribulations. Praying for you to see & sense God daily.

    Blessings 🙂