January 14th, 2026
Wednesday, January 14th
Hidden for our Good
By Nicole Goddard
I’m realizing we have to pivot our parenting as our 6 year old son learns to read. When one of the fish in our aquarium was looking droopy recently, I told my husband in a hushed tone “I think one of the fish is S-I-C-K”. My eavesdropping son proceeded to sound out “sssiiiiiiiiiiccckk, one of the fish are SICK?!” and our efforts to shelter his heart from the impending blow fell dramatically short.
The Christian walk can feel similar, as we desperately try to piece together all the hints and clues of God’s plans for us. We wonder why he is leading us down a path of uncertainty, or how he will come through in THAT situation. If we could only know what he is thinking, what he is planning.
Luke tells us the disciples also experienced this when Jesus explained that they were going to Jerusalem to fulfill all the predictions of the prophets, and yet Luke says:
But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about. Luke 18:34 (Messiah pg. 45)
Being the good, good Father he is, God was concealing Jesus’ journey. He knew that the details were too heavy for his children and wouldn’t line up with their vision for a King conquering Rome. They thought they needed a valiant warrior, but what they really needed was a conqueror of sin.
When we can’t make sense of things and desperately want to sharpen the fuzzy areas of our lives, we can trust that our heavenly Father has our best interest in mind. His thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways not our ways. But praise be, they’ll lead us to eternal glory with him!
Hidden for our Good
By Nicole Goddard
I’m realizing we have to pivot our parenting as our 6 year old son learns to read. When one of the fish in our aquarium was looking droopy recently, I told my husband in a hushed tone “I think one of the fish is S-I-C-K”. My eavesdropping son proceeded to sound out “sssiiiiiiiiiiccckk, one of the fish are SICK?!” and our efforts to shelter his heart from the impending blow fell dramatically short.
The Christian walk can feel similar, as we desperately try to piece together all the hints and clues of God’s plans for us. We wonder why he is leading us down a path of uncertainty, or how he will come through in THAT situation. If we could only know what he is thinking, what he is planning.
Luke tells us the disciples also experienced this when Jesus explained that they were going to Jerusalem to fulfill all the predictions of the prophets, and yet Luke says:
But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about. Luke 18:34 (Messiah pg. 45)
Being the good, good Father he is, God was concealing Jesus’ journey. He knew that the details were too heavy for his children and wouldn’t line up with their vision for a King conquering Rome. They thought they needed a valiant warrior, but what they really needed was a conqueror of sin.
When we can’t make sense of things and desperately want to sharpen the fuzzy areas of our lives, we can trust that our heavenly Father has our best interest in mind. His thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways not our ways. But praise be, they’ll lead us to eternal glory with him!
Recent
Archive
2026
January
The Quiet Struggles Right Next to UsThank you... in advanceA New ThingA Personal GodNot a Moment of HesitationFaith, Family, and a Broken JarAll InThe SoapboxLord, Help Me See...Hidden for our GoodBorrowed KeysIncreasing CapacityDo You Feel It?Great BoldnessProlific SeedsChained, but not BoundRoadblocksI Can Do Hard ThingsNot the Easy WayThe OpportunistHoly Ground on the StairwellUrgent Work
February
United with PurposeGod Gives the GrowthWhat about me?A Guilty Mom, a Gracious God, and the Road HomeDiscipline over DesireWhat is your thorn?What does love require of me?Comparison is a ThiefTrying to be holy in a distracted worldReplacementThe Joyful MessengerTwo Wrongs Don't Make a RightBut How Does It End?Holy Intentions, Human DistractionsLive a Worthy LifePray for MeBut is it true?On this DayWords that Build a Better WorldFor What Is True
2025
January
Paralysis of AnalysisA Daily CommitmentChild Like FaithThe Battle of the MindGPSSTOP. THINK. ACT. REVIEW.Let. It. Go.Choosing the Path of MercyQuick to Listen, Slow to SpeakPeacemakersBe Careful What You Wish ForRunYour Old Self Vs. The NewOn Not Loving the WorldLove One AnotherTreasure ChestsWho Sets the Bar?Be the You God Made You to BeTread a PathSo Much Better
February
Trust and ObeyA Pivotal MomentOh to Be the Mama of JesusA Fresh StartVictory or DefeatThe Edge of the CliffAuthorityHis Personal TouchForged by FaithSabbath - Setting You FreeHave You Prayed About It?Don't Build Your House on Sandy LandThe Centurion's FaithDon't Be OffendedWe All Need ItLighthouseIt's a Family ThingWhere the Ministry isHolding on by a Thread - and That's EnoughTraveling Essentials
March
Better is One DayDivine Interruption3 QuestionsThe Childlike ApproachThe Ignored ParableLost in the WoodsGathering or Scattering?Hindering InfluenceWhen Faith Gets a Performance Review"More"Knock KnockA Clear Call to ReadinessSowing SeedsThe Narrow DoorAgainst the GrainDo You Want ItI Once Was LostThe Unjust Manager
Categories
Tags
no tags
No Comments