The Quill and Me

 The Quill and Me Rest for the Soul Psalm 23 Psalm 23 is one of the most cherished passages in Scripture. Its words have comforted countless hearts through seasons of joy and sorrow. In these verses, David paints a picture of the Lord as our Shepherd—guiding, protecting, and providing for us. As we walk through this psalm together, may its truth remind us that God’s care is both personal and eternal. Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. This opening verse sets the tone of trust and assurance. Just as a shepherd provides for his sheep, the Lord provides for His people. To “not want” means we will lack nothing essential for our spiritual journey. It is a declaration of complete dependence on God’s care. Psalm 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Here we see God’s provision of rest and peace. Green pastures symbolize nourishment and abundance, while still waters represent calm and refreshment. The Lord leads us into p...

 The Quill and Me Daily Prayer and Bible Verse December 12 Bible Verse for December 12 Isaiah 41:10 " So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Reflection  This verse is a powerful reminder that God's presence is constant. Fear and anxiety lose their grip when we remember that the Lord Himself promises strength and help. His righteous right hand is not only protective but sustaining - holding us steady when our own strength falters. Daily Prayer for December 12 Father, thank You for being my strength when I feel weak.  Hold me up in Your righteous hand,  and teach me to rest in Your presence without fear.  In Jesus' name, Amen. Are you resting in his peace and love today? He is inviting you to enter into his presence and find your peace. With gratitude, Quil

The Quill and Me My Journey to Obedience Psalm 46:10 (KJV) “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Deuteronomy 31:8  "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor forsake you." My Path to This Blog My path to this blog has been a long one. I am 67 years old. I was saved at the age of 9. Yet I strayed, wandered off the path, and made many mistakes along the way. And  I looked for love in all the wrong places. Early Marriages At 16, I married an alcoholic and was divorced by 17.  I had a son out of wedlock. I left my mother's house.  At 21, I entered another marriage, but betrayal marked that union. He sought access to my son, and I came to understand he was dangerous. By 22, I was divorced again. The Loss of My Son During that time, I worked as a bartender for 11 months. My family judged me unfit to raise my son. What beg...

 The Quill and Me Short Prayer and Verse December 11 Daily Bible Verse for December 11 Philippians 4:6-7 "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (NLT) Reflection: Philippians 4:6–7 is a gentle reminder that prayer is the pathway to peace. Worry often presses in, but God invites us to bring every concern to Him with thanksgiving. When we release our burdens in prayer, His peace surrounds us — a peace that goes beyond human understanding and steadies both heart and mind. The image of the kneeling child angel under dramatic clouds reflects the posture of surrender, while the sunset over calm water mirrors the quiet assurance that follows prayer. Just as the sky shifts from storm to stillness, so does the soul ...

 The Quill and Me Self-Love Devotional Series Quiet Grace Notes This entry is part of my Self-Love Devotional Series, a gentle collection of reflections and practices I'm trying as I heal. Quiet Grace Notes is where I share small, honest moments of surrender, prayer, and the little practices that help me breathe again. Morning Invitations I stumbled on a practice that promised to change a life: positive thinking, daily affirmations, and a short prayer to begin the day. The name that kept coming up was Louise Hay, author of You Can Heal Your Life — a woman who taught that our words and thoughts shape our experience. I watched a short clip of her speaking and learned she was inspired by others to explore how language and belief can transform a life. All Is Well With My Soul A Morning Prayer I’m Trying When I wake, I close my eyes and whisper a prayer. I add my own lines because my faith is the lens through which I receive this practice: Lord I give You praise. “All is well....

 The Quill and Me Short Daily Prayer & Daily Bible Verse for Today - December 10 Daily Bible Verse - December 10 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 NLT Reflection: Proverbs 3:5 is a call to surrender. Trusting the Lord with all our heart means letting go of the need to control or explain everything ourselves. Our understanding is limited, but His wisdom is infinite. When we lean on Him, we find peace even in uncertainty. The soft sage background with blooms and leaves reflects the gentleness of trust — a reminder that God’s guidance is steady and beautiful. Just as flowers rest in the care of the seasons, we too can rest in the care of the Lord. Today, let us choose to trust Him fully, believing that His path is greater than our own. Daily Prayer - December 10 Father, help me trust You fully. Guide my steps and remind me that Your wisdom is greater than mine. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Quil

 The Quill and Me Short Prayer and Bible Verse - December 6 Daily Prayer and Bible Verse  Begins with a quote from the Holy Bible Scripture: " The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1 KJV Scripture: " The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need." Psalm 23:1 NLT Reflection: Psalm 23:1 is a verse of deep assurance. To call the Lord our Shepherd is to acknowledge His care, His guidance, and His provision. Just as a shepherd watches over every sheep, the Lord watches over us with unfailing love. We may feel lacking at times, but in His presence we discover that we truly have everything we need. The lavender sky over the lavender field is a picture of peace and abundance. It reminds us that God’s provision is not only practical but also beautiful — He gives us rest for our souls and joy for our hearts. Today, let us walk in quiet trust, knowing that the Shepherd of our lives will lead us gently and faithfully.  Daily Prayer for Today Jesus, you are th...

The Quill and Me Stepping Stones of Faith and Art Preface This is the first time I’ve spoken here about my Etsy shop, Creations by Quil . It began as a place to gather the pieces of my creative journey — coloring book attempts, charts, and art that grew out of seasons of trial and discovery. My shop is not the center of my ministry, but it has been part of the road that led me here. I mention it now only as part of my testimony, because the art I share there has carried stories of faith, remembrance, and resilience. My Journey This past year has been a tapestry woven with threads of creativity, challenge, and grace. My Etsy shop has been a small stepping stone — a place where I continue to share art and practical helps like chore charts and devotional printables. It is not my primary concern right now, but it remains part of my journey, and I am grateful for the lessons it has taught me about patience, stewardship, and the quiet courage of beginning again. Through Etsy, I’ve shared pi...

 The Quill and Me Self-Love Devotional Series Self-love and Self compassion continued... Voice-Changer Hack When you’re feeling low or can’t summon self‑compassion, try a voice‑changer app. Record a simple, kind statement to yourself and play it back in a silly voice — a robot, a cartoon, or anything that makes you smile. Laughter loosens tension and makes it harder to stay stuck in harsh self‑judgment; a small laugh can open the door to gentleness and perspective. Mindfulness  Mindfulness helps us cultivate self‑compassion by teaching us to observe the present moment without judgment. Judgment labels feelings as right or wrong, good or bad; mindfulness simply notices what’s happening in the body and mind. Practice by naming sensations when emotions arise — where you feel tightness, warmth, or breath changes — and remember that feelings are like ocean waves: they come, crest, and pass. Try listing recent emotions on paper and note how each one arrived and faded; this builds tr...

 The Quill and Me Short Daily Prayer and Verse December 9 Daily Bible Verse for Today - December 9 Scripture: Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 NLT Reflection: Matthew 11:28 is one of the most tender invitations from Jesus. He doesn’t ask us to be strong before coming to Him — He welcomes us in our weariness, carrying our burdens just as we are. Rest in His presence is not simply physical relief, but a deep peace that quiets the soul. The wooden cross necklace and paper flowers beside the journal remind us that surrender is both a symbol and a practice. Writing down our burdens, naming them, and placing them before the Lord is a way of releasing what we cannot carry alone. Today, let us accept His invitation to rest, trusting that His mercy is greater than our weariness. Daily Prayer for Today - December 9 Lord, I bring you my weariness. Refresh my spirit and give me strength to carry toda...

 The Quill and Me Short Daily Prayer and Verse for December 8 Begins with a quote from the Holy Bible Daily Bible Verse for Today - December 8 Scripture: " The Lord is my light and my salvation - so why should I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1 Reflection: Psalm 27:1 is a declaration of confidence in God’s presence. Light dispels darkness, and salvation removes fear — together they remind us that the Lord is both our guide and our protector. Fear may whisper in the quiet moments, but courage rises when we remember who walks beside us. The napkin words, “Inhale courage. Exhale fear,” echo the truth of this verse. Each breath can become a prayer: courage in, fear out. As we invite God’s light into our day, we discover that His presence is stronger than any shadow. Today, let us choose faith over fear, trusting that His salvation is steady and His love unshakable. Short Daily Prayer for Today - December 8 Lord, shine Your light into my day.  Remove fear from my heart and give me coura...

 The Quill and Me Short Prayer and Bible Verse for Today - December 7 Begins with a quote from the Holy Bible Scripture: " Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus"   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT Reflection: Gratitude is a posture of the heart that transforms how we see the world. Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians remind us that joy, prayer, and thankfulness are not occasional acts but daily rhythms of faith. Even when circumstances shift, God’s will for us remains steady: to rejoice in His presence, to seek Him continually, and to give thanks in all things. The plaque of gratitude affirmations is a reminder that thankfulness is both spoken and lived. Each word of thanks becomes a seed of joy, and each prayer becomes a step closer to God’s heart. Today, let us practice gratitude not only for blessings we see but also for the unseen ways God is working in our lives. Daily Prayer fo...

 The Quill and Me Self-Love Devotional Series Prayer of Release Laying down years of self-hatred at his feet Before I could move forward in this workbook, I needed to pray: Lord, forgive me, and help me forgive myself for years of self-hatred. I lay it at your feet—the pain and the reasons behind it. I carried it so long I don’t know how to walk without it. For years I kept the door shut, afraid of the hurt inside. With your help, I finally opened it and faced the pain. You have been patient, your love enduring. I don’t know why you ask me to share this, Lord—I don’t want to be this vulnerable. Yet I submit, because my thoughts about myself hinder my usefulness to you. I trust you to protect me. I am weak, but you are strong. Be my refuge, my courage. Help me stay faithful on this journey. Continue breaking the chains and walls around my heart—you’ve already been doing this, as my tears have prepared me for today. Father, guide my mind, my prayers, my words, so all I do glorifies y...

 The Quill and Me Your Daily Bible Verse and Prayer December 5 Daily Bible Verse "For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need." Philippians 4:13 NLT Reflection: Philippians 4:13 is a reminder that our strength is not found in ourselves but in Christ. Life often places tasks before us that feel too heavy, yet this verse assures us that we are never alone in carrying them. His power is made perfect in our weakness, and His presence gives us courage to keep moving forward. The image of God’s hand reaching down is a picture of His constant help. Just as a loving parent steadies a child, the Lord steadies us in every step. Today, let us lean fully on His strength, trusting that He equips us for both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life. Daily Prayer Father, I praise you and give you the glory in all things.  Forgive me of my sins.  Thank you for this day and the blessings you have given me.  Father, continue to grant me stre...