As we near the end of the first month of our Bible in One Year journey, I feel truly blessed to share this experience with my dad and husband. Yet, despite the excitement, the close of each month has felt somewhat heavy. Whether due to postpartum hormonal changes, the long, gray winters of Germany, or the challenge of adjusting to life in a new country, I’ve had to make a conscious effort to find gratitude in the small moments—baking with the kids, quiet moments with my husband, and creating a cozy home inspired by the Hygge style.

Adapting to a New Season
Living in a picturesque village near the French border, surrounded by diverse languages and cultures, has been an enriching experience. However, this season has been about more than just adapting to a new place. It’s been a time of learning to balance rest, relationships, and faith. I’ve come to cherish my morning devotionals, slow family rhythms, and the simple joys of home life. Even something as ordinary as watching 1883 with my husband has become an opportunity to reflect on history and resilience—reminders that comfort can sometimes make us weak, and hardship often strengthens our character.

Lessons from the Wilderness
This season of transition has led me to reflect on the metaphor of the wilderness. I used to struggle to understand my husband’s deep love for Wyoming, a land of rugged beauty and harsh conditions. Yet, after experiencing its vastness, I realized that the wilderness holds profound spiritual lessons. Just as the Israelites wandered through the desert, longing for the Promised Land, we, too, face seasons of spiritual dryness where we must depend on God’s provision.

The wilderness teaches us to seek joy beyond our circumstances. It strips away distractions and reveals the true desires of our hearts. It is a place of testing, but also of transformation—a reminder that our satisfaction is found in God alone (Psalm 37:4).

Choosing Worship Over Circumstance
Finding beauty and joy in difficult seasons is never easy. A moment of shared tears with a woman at church reminded me that, despite our struggles, we can choose gratitude. While surrendering my worries to God, I found joy in the smallest act—a piece of gum from my husband—that lightened my heart and reminded me that God’s presence is always near.

Too often, we focus on what we lack instead of who God is. Yet, the underground churches around the world inspire me with their unwavering joy, despite their suffering. True worship isn’t about comfort—it’s about delighting in God Himself. Wyoming, like life’s storms, once felt unfamiliar and harsh, yet I now miss its lessons. The wilderness reminds us to worship, not for blessings, but for the sheer joy of knowing Him.

Trusting God in Every Season
Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. Even when we feel weary, lost, or unworthy, God is with us. The wilderness is not a punishment but a place where He humbles and refines us (Deuteronomy 8:15-16).

As I reflect on this journey, I am learning to embrace God’s presence in every season—whether in the German winter, the vast Wyoming plains, or the unknowns of life. May we learn to worship not just in times of abundance but in the wilderness, trusting that He is always working, always faithful.

Final Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your patience, love, and unwavering presence. Even when we feel unworthy, You never abandon us. May our hearts find joy in worshiping You, not just for blessings, but for the beauty of who You are. Let us trust in Your work in our lives, and may our gratitude be a testimony to those around us—especially our children.

“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).