Hi friend! Welcome to today’s edition of the Nightly (Good) News!

A little background for our new NGN friends:

If you’ve been feeling worn down by the news lately, like I have been, you’re in the right place. I found that nighttime was when I was feeling especially worried and sad, and after talking to many of you, I realized I wasn’t alone.

So, I put together a brief nightly email that gives you something encouraging to read before bed. Instead of getting sucked into the spiral of terrible news, we can all focus on something positive and sleep a little better. You can click here to get these delivered to your inbox each night! I’ll also post them here on the blog the next morning.

Each letter will include a Bible verse and a few thoughts on it, plus something that’s helpful, happy, beautiful, or fun. Delivered to your inbox each weeknight!

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.”
– Psalm 62:5-8

The last few days, it’s really hit me that we’re in this for the long haul. “This” being social isolation and self-quarantining at home. The initial newness of the situation has worn off, and while I love my family (and am so very thankful we are all healthy), I’ll be honest and say that I’ve been a basket case this week simply because there’s nowhere to escape them. And as an introvert, I really need my alone time.

I need quiet.

I need rest.

I need time to think.

And this week, as I kept panicking because all the things I “need” are suddenly missing from my life, I heard the question come,

“Isn’t God enough?”

I don’t hear audible voices from God, but sometimes I’ll have a thought pop into my head that is totally different – not something I was thinking myself. For instance, as I was crying in the bathroom over all the stuff I feel like I need in order to be sane, the question above crossed my mind. And stopped me.

Isn’t God enough?

Is God enough?

He is, of course. Of course He is! But I’m realizing that there are a lot of things I’ve surrounded myself with and convinced myself I cannot live without. Quiet. Alone time. Space.

Idols, every one of them.

Can I live without them? Certainly. Have I been using them as a comfort, a crutch, a substitute for the one true God – our comforter and refuge?

I think I have.

I’m not content during this time, but I can see that I’m learning more about myself – and about the things that I really do depend on, instead of Christ. I’ll be honest and say I’ve needed to repent of those things many times this week, and I’m sure I’ll have to continue that.

But as I do, I’m learning that when the things we’re used to are stripped away, God remains an unchanging refuge. A fortress. Our source of hope.

True rest for our souls, instead of a superficial substitute.

I’m learning how to let my soul actually find rest in Him, like the Psalmist talks about. It’s a slow process – a fight, even, but one I’m grateful for.

And the best part is this – He continues to be the things He always was – our refuge and hope and resting place.

Lord, thank you for helping me recognize the things that I used to use to bring myself comfort, instead of running to you. Forgive me for acting like you aren’t enough. Help me remember that you are my fortress, my salvation, and my hope – there is no substitute for a relationship with the eternal God. Thank you for coming down to us, to make a way for us to be with you.

A little something helpful…

One thing my kids have really loved during this time at home is the YouTube channel called Art For Kids Hub. On it, a dad teaches his kids how to draw, and teaches your kids at the same time! We like to watch it on the iPad so we can pause it when we need to. Overall, it’s been a really fun way for the kids to learn how to draw!

(And it takes up a good chunk of time, if you let it!)

You can find their YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/user/ArtforKidsHub

(We don’t let our kids watch YouTube normally, but we’ve made an exception for this. Just make sure you pay attention to the ads between videos – since it’s a kids channel, most of them have been okay, but there have been a couple we muted.)

I hope this email has been helpful and encouraging, friends! If there’s anything you’d specifically like to see in these emails, please comment below and let me know.