“Christ Being Formed” (Day 13)

Verse of the Day
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5
 
I grew up on a farm. When I look back, I remember the simple rhythm of life—the early mornings, the smell of the earth, and the quiet satisfaction of a hard day’s work. The farm shaped me. It taught me responsibility, patience, and gratitude. I learned that growth takes time. You plant, you wait, you trust.

Those lessons carried me through many seasons. Working side by side with my family taught me that we belong to one another. We depend on each other, just as we depend on the seasons. Even as the world changed, those values stayed steady.

My greatest joy has been my children. Nothing compares to watching them grow. My proudest moments are not awards or achievements. They are the quiet, sacred moments of seeing my children become who they are meant to be.
 
But there have also been deep challenges. My son’s ongoing health condition has been the hardest journey of my life. As a mother, nothing prepares you for that kind of heartache. There have been many prayers—sometimes with words, sometimes only tears. I do not always understand why this is our path. But I know God walks with us. That trust has carried me.
 
Through every season, my church community, my marriage, and faithful friendships have been gifts of grace. I have learned that relationships are everything. In the end, it is not about accomplishments. It is about loving well. – Susan Boyd
 
Thought for the Day
In the seasons of suffering you have faced, how have you seen God grow endurance in you, shape your character, and deepen your hope? How is God shaping and transforming your heart in this Lenten season? 

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