The sun rose soft on Vatican stone, Where faithful gathered, hearts full-blown. Palm branches waved through morning light, A sacred sign, a hopeful sight.
Then came a hush—a breath held tight, As robes appeared in gleaming white. A figure known, with steps still slow, But eyes alight with Heaven’s glow.
Pope Francis came through trial and flame, From breathless dark, he rose again. With double storm within his chest, He leaned on God, found strength and rest.
No screen today, no distant call But soul standing tall before them all. A shepherd brave, a soul restored, He blessed the crowd and praised the Lord.
A Palm Sunday no one foresaw A glimpse of grace, a breath of awe. For in his smile, the faithful see God’s mercy meet with victory.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Isaiah 43:16-19
“This is what the LORD says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
There are times when we become so focused on the past that we miss what God is doing in the present. We may cling to past victories or failures, afraid to move forward or uncertain of what lies ahead. Yet, in Isaiah 43, God reminds us that He is always at work, creating new paths and opportunities, even in the wilderness of our lives.
Just as He parted the Red Sea and led His people to safety, God knows what is best for us. He asks us to trust Him, to look forward rather than backward, and to believe that He is making a way where there seems to be no way.
No matter how desolate or uncertain your situation feels, God is preparing streams in the wasteland, a fresh source of hope, peace, and provision. He’s asking us to let go of what’s behind and embrace the new things He’s doing.
Today, trust that our Father knows best. He sees the bigger picture, and He is leading us into His perfect plan. Let us move forward with faith, trusting that He will provide every step of the way.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for knowing what is best for me even when I cannot see the way ahead. Help me to let go of the past and trust in the new things You are doing in my life. Guide my steps and strengthen my faith, knowing that You are always with me, making a way in the wilderness. Amen.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Ephesians 2:19 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”
As believers, we often face challenges that test our faith. We may feel lost or uncertain about our path in life, wondering if we're truly understood or if we belong. Yet, in moments like these, we must remind ourselves that we are no longer strangers, no longer foreigners in a distant land. We are members of God’s household—a family chosen and loved by Him.
When we accept Christ, we step into a family where our Father knows us intimately and perfectly. He sees the full picture of our lives, both the past and the future. Even when our circumstances seem confusing or hard to navigate, we can trust that our Father knows what is best for us. His wisdom surpasses our understanding, and His plans are always good.
Like a loving parent, God knows our strengths and weaknesses. He knows the trials we face and the growth we need. And just as a parent disciplines out of love and leads out of care, our Father guides us in ways that may not always make sense at the moment but are designed for our ultimate good.
No matter what you're going through today, rest in the assurance that you belong to God's household. You are His child, part of a heavenly family where you are known and loved. Trust that He knows best, and let His wisdom and care guide you through every season of life.
Prayer: Father, thank You for welcoming me into Your family. Help me to trust in Your wisdom, especially when I do not understand the way forward. I believe that You know what’s best for me and that Your love will guide me through all things. Amen.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Proverbs 15:16 "Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil."
In a world that constantly pushes us to strive for more—more money, more success, more possessions—this verse from Proverbs reminds us of a profound truth: peace with God is far more valuable than anything material wealth can offer. When we live with reverence and trust in the Lord, even if we have little by worldly standards, we possess something far greater—true contentment and peace of heart.
Our Father knows best what we need, and He understands the dangers of chasing after wealth at the expense of our relationship with Him. Great wealth, when gained without the foundation of godly wisdom and fear of the Lord, can bring anxiety, greed, and endless turmoil. But living with trust in God's provision and placing Him first brings peace that surpasses all understanding.
Today, consider where your focus lies. Are you striving for earthly success, or are you seeking to live in alignment with God's will, trusting that He will meet your needs? Remember, it is far better to have little with God’s peace than to have much with the chaos of an unsettled soul.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me of what truly matters in life. Help me to trust in Your provision and not chase after things that bring turmoil. May I live with a heart that reveres You, knowing that peace with You is more valuable than any wealth this world could offer. Amen.
A lover may give you a fleeting kiss, Soft as the breeze, a moment of bliss. A friend may offer a warm embrace, Comforting arms, a kind, familiar face.
But a dog—ah, a dog gives something more, No need for words, no keeping score. He lays his soul at your weary feet, In every wag, his heartbeat sweet.
He asks no promise, expects no part, Only to gift you his loyal heart. Through storm and sun, in joy or pain, He’ll stand by you in loss or gain.
No truer love you’ll ever find, So pure, so patient, so unconfined. For in his eyes, you’ll see the start— Of a bond unbreakable, heart to heart.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: John 13:13-14 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet."
Jesus, our Teacher and Lord, gave us an extraordinary example of humility and service. In the upper room, He did something that shocked His disciples: He knelt and washed their feet. In doing so, He turned their understanding of greatness upside down. He, the very Son of God, took on the role of a servant to demonstrate what true love and leadership look like.
Our Father knows best how we can grow in our faith and live in a way that honors Him. He knows that real greatness is not found in power or status, but in serving others. As Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He showed us that no act of service is beneath us if it is done in love.
We are called to follow in His footsteps, serving one another with the same spirit of humility. When we serve others, we reflect the heart of Jesus, showing the world that love is more than words—it is action. Our Father, in His wisdom, teaches us that in serving others, we are ultimately serving Him.
Today, ask yourself: How can I serve those around me as Christ served His disciples? How can I show love through humble service, following the example of my Lord and Teacher?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me the true meaning of love through Your example of humble service. Help me to follow Your lead, serving others with a heart of humility and grace. Teach me to see every opportunity to serve as a way to honor You and reflect Your love to the world. Amen.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Romans 15:7 "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
In a world where differences often divide, it’s easy to lose sight of the beauty in diversity. But the Word calls us to a higher standard of acceptance, reminding us that, just as Christ has welcomed us, we are to welcome one another. This isn’t a passive acceptance but an active embrace of each person as a reflection of God’s creation.
Our Heavenly Father knows each of us intimately—our strengths, our struggles, and our stories. And in His infinite wisdom, He brings us together, not by accident, but by design. Just as Christ’s love made room for us, despite our flaws and failures, we are called to extend that same grace to others.
God’s plan is perfect, and though we may not always understand the path He leads us on or the people He places in our lives, we can trust that His ways are best. By accepting one another, we reflect Christ’s love and glorify our Father in Heaven.
As you go through today, consider how you can better accept those around you. In what ways can you extend grace, understanding, and love to bring praise to God?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for accepting me with all my imperfections. Help me to embrace others with the same love and grace that You have shown me. Guide me to see the beauty in the people around me and to honor You in the way I accept and love them. Amen.
The Sound of the Bucket (for the woman at the well)
At four each day, when shadows bend, She takes the path the trees defend. A pail in hand, her pace is slow— She knows each stone the roots outgrow.
No bell, no clock commands her feet, Just silence folding down the street. She walks as though the world is still, Drawn by thirst, by need, by will.
The well is worn, the stones are slick, The rope is frayed, the air is thick. But with a grace that time can’t steal, She drops the bucket, wood and steel.
It sings—a soft, descending song, Of days endured, of years so long. And when it strikes the surface deep, The sound is sharp enough to weep.
She waits. The stillness fills her eyes, Like prayers that never ask the skies. Then hand on crank, she brings it home, The water caught in frothy foam.
No one sees, but still she goes, With aching joints and wintered toes. For memory’s weight is hard to bear, And he once met her daily there.
The bucket groans, the handle turns, The soul beneath the silence yearns. And though the well grows dark and wide, She finds him in the quiet tide.
At four each day, she walks again, Through light and wind, through sun and rain. Not just for water, not for thirst— But for the sound. For what came first.
For His Honor and Glory MarkWaldrop
Jhn 4:11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
