About the Author

A writer of faith by day and mystery by night, Patricia Raybon is an award-winning Colorado author, essayist, and novelist who writes top-rated books and stories at the daring intersection of faith and race. More at patriciaraybon.com

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
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  1. Patricia,
    This is just beautiful. As I read your post, I let out a huge sigh. This world could always turn on a dime and be okay. Or, it could turn on a dime and be worse yet. The only and best thing I can do is walk with my Savior. I keep putting one foot in front of the other making sure I’m in His Word each day. Doing that is doing the next best thing. Pray, walk, be. Maybe Jesus has been calling us to do this all along and we needed a shove in the right direction?
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • I so agree, Bev. With so much rushing around and confusion in the world, a slow walk with Christ puts us back on track. his beautiful blessings today as you journey with Him. Walking with you. xoxo

  2. I loved today’s devotional. It spoke personally to me. At times I feel I’m walking to fast, sometimes too slow, but never at a comfortable pace. I realize it’s not my own pace I should be seeking but God’s. His is my perfect pace. I pray that I allow nothing to throw me off course, so that I can walk alongside Jesus as it is meant to be.

  3. Thank you, Patricia. I love this and I needed it so much. We all need that reminder from time to time to ‘Watch how (He) does it’ (Matt.11:28-30, MSG). God bless you. Barbara

  4. Thank you! Now let me stop here, relax, and take a walk with Jesus. Thank you for the reintroductions. I’ve met this Jesus. I know Him well, but for some reason I’ve stumbled, run along ahead, wandered off, or lost sight. Thank you, now we are going for a stroll. Jesus walking by my side and me keeping stride. Amen! Bless his holy name.

  5. Patricia, you’ve done it again! You’ve pulled me from my doom scrolling morning into the arms of our Father. You help me see that, yes, this is a bad place, but we are never alone. What’s more, God has a plan to help us escape from our self inflicted misery. He’s holding my hand and guiding me through this minefield. All I have to do is clear my mind of rubbish and focus on Him. Thank you, friend!

  6. Patricia, you always give hope and encouragement and a good word from God. Thank you! I can’t begin to tell you how distressed I am about all the noise and political rancor (especially among Christians), over what seems to me to be more trust expressed in politics, parties, and preferences, more than in the Lord. It’s a good word to be still and know that He is God, but also to get up and simply walk with Him, one step at a time, following Him, yet knowing He simultaneously walks beside us. I wrote a blog post called “Walking with God is Good for You.” The closing line was this: “Walking with God, my companion, is good for me because when I do, He never fails to increase my hope, renew my strength, and intensify my love.” I quoted this Bible verse at the outset of the piece: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.…They will walk and not be faint.” —Is. 40:31

    I’m weary, Patricia . . . weary over political rancor and the inability for Christians to unite over their views of God in all of this, over not having a COVID vaccine (w/ new and more virulent strains spreading), and over my personal illness which slammed me with vertigo on June 22 last year and has never left. Walking is an effort. (Yeah, I know I’m sounding like I’m attending a pity party of one, though usually I’ve tried to remain cheerful). In my weariness yesterday, I sought comfort from God, and He led me to that passage in Isaiah 40, part of which I quoted. Frankly, I need Him to carry me and for Him to renew my hope and strength. I am resting there, with the promise that when God Himself renews me, I won’t grow so “tired and weary,” won’t “stumble and fall,” and that just maybe one future day I will soar on wings like eagles; . . . will run and not grow weary, . . . will walk and not be faint.”

    Thank you for all you do and for writing words that always “soar” us straight to the heart of the Lord! Happy 2021.
    Love,
    Lynn

    • Beautiful Lynn, I appreciate your comment so much. You remind me that walking–physical walking, that is–isn’t possible for everyone. So, “walking” with the Lord is a spiritual choice. Your thoughts here today put that in better (and beautiful) perspective. Thank you for sharing and may your vertigo get fully resolved, step by step, and day by day. Meantime, keep soaring with Him! Much love!

    • Lynn,

      Prayers that God would send His healing touch to your body. May you feel better soon. Asking God to bless you & your family & give you the strength to endure each & every day.

      Blessings 🙂

  7. Soooo much AMEN is literally tumbling from my heart right now… THANK YOU, and God bless you!

  8. I have been accused of having 2 speeds- full and stop. Even though these days when there isn’t much to do except keeping distance from others and avoiding activities other than my walks so as not to catch the virus, I still find myself racing to get what little I have to do get done. I now live in Colorado but spent many years (25) in Maine and whenever we had one of those New England snowstorms that shut everything down, and it happened often, my dear friend would remind me that it was God’s way of telling us to stop, slow down and rest. SO, thank you, Patricia, for reminding me of this.

    • I can so relate, Madeline. God’s pace always feels so much healthier than my own. (Also, I live in Colorado, too, and a good snowfall so often feels like the Lord’s invitation to go sit by a fire and be still!) May we apply that wisdom at some point every day. (From another “full and stop” friend!) With His love.

  9. Thank you Patricia. It is nice when someone just says “hi”. They’re not hurrying to get out of our way…they are just saying hi.
    I love what you wrote: “setting our pace to His, keeping our eyes on Him, reflecting His stride and not our own”
    It’s easy for me to “keep the pace of the world” and get “caught up” in that pace and the rewards of that pace from the world.
    If I’m still His pace will fill me.
    Blessings sisters

  10. Patricia I love your teaching and reading what you say in all your reading. Our God is a God that stick by us and love us so much. We can be assured we can go God in prayer. He will help us because God likes us to come him in prayer. To ask him for help. God is that Father that loves us. Like that kids song I was taught at Sunday School when small. HE GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS AND IN HIS HANDS HE GOT ME AND YOU BROTHER. you get that on YouTube. Instant that so good to know He got the whole world in his hands and He got me and you Brother in his hands. So we need not worry. Just go God in prayer. I still keep you and your beautiful Daughter and her family in prayer. Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co Fermanagh. Xxx

  11. Patricia,

    You hit the nail right on the head with this post. Our country has been tension riddled for a while now. People are out there screaming loudly on FB, & other social media platforms. The many loud voices make me want to close my ears & say quiet! That’s what this country needs a bit of quiet introspective thinking. We need to get away from the noise & din of everyday life & spend some time with Jesus. Take a leisurely stroll with Him telling Him of all our troubles. He can calm our souls & guide our paths. We need to set our stride to His not running behind or ahead. Just slowly meandering along talking with Him & gleaning useful information & advice.

    Blessings 🙂

    • Wonderful Beth, I so agree. We’ve all heard more than enough shouting and screaming. Many of us, including myself, have even been part of the problem. It’s far past time to repent, turning ourselves over to God’s healing pace and peace. May He lead us with us love–first back to Him. Thank you for affirming that journey. With His love!

  12. You put the whole thing in a brand new perspective of walking with the Lord. How lovely! It seems to be the right thing to do. Thanks for sharing.

  13. A good reminder Jesus came when the mode of transport was 2 feet, not an intercity train, jet or fast car. Thank you for reminding me to slow down and not rush from one thing to another.

  14. Exactly what my heart, mind, and soul needs!!!! Thank You so very much, Patricia!!!! ♥️ God’s Spirit has deeply touched and encouraged me through you!!

  15. Thanks for this….. Ive been so lost lately since losing my daughter but this really hit home…..

    • Oh, dear Theresa. I’m so sorry about you losing your precious daughter. What a trial and sad ordeal. Indeed, my sincere apologies for my delayed response. I hear your dismay and, like so many here, I can relate to your struggle through grief. It is not an easy path or journey. So, I pause now to lift you in prayer to the Lord–asking His mercy, love and grace for your care, assurance and peace at such a difficult and trying time.

      May you feel the Lord’s sweet embrace, letting you know that you are not alone and that your tears, confusion or anxiety are known and seen by God and He is holding you close and with grace.

      As Psalm 56:8 declares of God: “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” May you continue to feel the Lord’s reliable, caring love — and also the love of this community. In Christ, with love, you are not alone. With God’s great love, Patricia