For Codi

Codi,

I’m so grateful to celebrate another year of your life. You are one of my best friends. A big part of that is how You point me towards Jesus. Your influence on my life is so positive. Because of what God has done in your life and character it can be easy to assume that a sibling relationship is automatically this rich but I know that having a sister like you isn’t a given. Who you are in my life—a source of encouragement, challenge, attentiveness, affirmation, empowerment, joy, and yes, an elite co-processor—are all fruit of your abiding in Jesus. Even what you have recently shared about your progression in obeying our king even when it goes against what You think and feel is a testament to Jesus’s work in Your heart through the Spirit.

I know this season has been a difficult one and that You have found it difficult to lean in to spending time with God lately. I just wanted to encourage you that, as we talked about the other day, God is your safe refuge specifically for times like this. And running into that refuge not only helps in the time of trouble but is the active source making you the best version of you which impacts everyone around you.

It is for such a time as this that I’m finally sending over a custom devotional (lol). Here’s a 7-day devo that is specifically focused on God as a refuge, the impact of abiding in Jesus, and the fruit of the Spirit. I hope it inspires You to push through the remainder of this season and get everything You need to move forward in the contentment that is always available in Him.

Happy Birthday! I LOVE YOU!!!