When I saw this mural being painted downtown a few months ago, I knew I wanted to capture my family in front of it. This precious community has been our home for the past five years this month. It is where we have planted new roots that have shaped and restored our family in ways I never thought would be possible.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself RESTORE you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:10

This is my verse for 2019. I came upon it one morning in my quiet time. I felt as if The Lord led me to it after months of crying out to him in the wilderness. I desired reprieve from the aches of this broken world, and a taste of wholeness and an anointing from our faithful God. Our last five years have not been easy. In fact, I would say they have been some of the hardest yet most beautiful roads we have ever traveled.

RESTORE stood out to me. It was what I deeply desired for my family. I felt as though The Lord was whispering, “I have seen your suffering and I’m getting ready to restore you, make you strong and steadfast for my name’s sake.” When you hear a whisper like that, it overwhelms you to tears and leaves you hopeful for what is in store.

It wasn’t long after this whisper when our family went to church one Sunday and learned the book we would be studying in the Spring would be 1 Peter. You guys, seriously, I can’t make this up if I tried. I call them God winks from Heaven. One of our greatest joys of this community has come through belonging to Currey Creek. It’s a family of deep rooted followers who are committed to studying His word and living it out loud, so all can come to know him. I remember nudging Ryan and writing him a note on our bulletin reminding him of my verse of the year. He squeezed my hand in affirmation.

Over the next few months, we dug in deep and learned so much about the book of 1 Peter. Did you know that Peter wrote the book as an exhortation, an encouragement for each one of us?  Peter, one of Jesus’s disciples and best friend’s who walked with him, wanted us to have an end time mentality to suffering. It will end! Until that sweet day comes, our call as His followers is to STAND FIRM and hold fast. “Glory is the result of perseverance of the faith. It’s the same road Jesus walked…to the cross,” states Pastor John Free. Better days are coming, friends! Our God WILL RESTORE and make all things new.

Meanwhile, our job while we wait is to make sure the gospel goes forth and transforms hearts. It’s not how we start our Christian walk, it’s how we finish! Through His faithfulness, we will finish strong! How are you reaching many with the good news of Jesus Christ?

I started this blog five years ago. I love that there have been 23,479 views to this sight. I love that each story I have shared points to the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him. (John 14:6)

2019 has been a year of favor and true delight for The Coe’s. It’s been a year of great JOY and celebration as we have tasted and seen His goodness to our family. I will never forget His whisper to me and then experiencing His RESTORING of some of the things that have been broken in us. He’s not finished with us yet. There’s still work to be done in and through all of us, but I promise if you look for His faithfulness you will see it. He is everywhere moving in ways that take my breath away. In the Lord’s prayer we say, “let your Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven.” We get beautiful glimpses of the Kingdom coming. I’m so grateful He has let me see some of His beauty right here and now in Boerne, TX in 2019.

Have you seen His goodness? Look for Him today! Worship Him! Rejoice! Better days are coming!

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-17

This is one of my new favorite worship songs…take a listen. Turn it up! Sing it loud!