The Unexpected Blessing of A Lost Coat
I wanted to update you on Unexpected Blessings: 40 Days of Discovering God's Best, which is officially out in the world! We received the unexpected blessing of the book reaching Amazon's Number One Release category. Readers are also including the book in their Lenten Season readings and Summer Book Clubs. If you are interested in a book club, let me know how we can bring one to your community.Why 40 days? Unexpected Blessings: 40 Days of Discovering God's Best provides a framework for spiritual growth through devotions, prayer, reflection, and journaling. We believe Lent is the perfect season for this book as we prepare for Easter. As we reflect on Jesus' sacrifice, we recognize He is the greatest blessing that God has given us.Over the next month, on my podcast, Behold-Her Beauty, we will have readings from the book and an opportunity to communicate with us. You can read or listen and then let us know your thoughts, reflections, and what's on your mind. We will also have a book giveaway, including a copy of Unexpected Blessings and one of my favorite books. First up is author Nichole Suvar with her devotional "The Unexpected Blessing of A Lost Coat." If you want to enter the giveaway, please listen to or read Nichole's devotion and comment below.Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?—MATTHEW 6:26-27 ESVHe holds the whole world in His hands and commands the universe, but He also cares about a stressed-out mom who wonders how it will all get done and just wishes her kids would keep track of their coats.“Where’s your coat?”After arriving home from track practice, I hugged my 11-year-old daughter as she entered the house. I immediately noticed she didn’t have the coat she was wearing when she walked out the door this morning.“Oh no! I think I left it at the track.”My daughter’s track team practices at a local college, where several other schools train.The track area is busy with foot traffic, so the chances of seeing that coat again were pretty slim.We checked with the coaches with no luck. No one had seen it or picked it up. I was bummed. Though we were at the end of winter, we still had another season of wear we could get out of it. Plus, it was a really nice coat.I felt a bit silly, but I started praying for that coat.“God, please let that coat be there. Please don’t let anyone take it.”As I prayed, the Lord reminded me of Matthew 6:26-27 (ESV) “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”The next day, I was driving by the college campus on my way to an appointment. The Lord prompted me: go check. There, in the middle of a track field all by itself, a child's coat.Some may call it luck. But I call it a little love note from the Father telling me He cares even about the little things. He holds the whole world in his hands and commands the universe, but he also cares about a stressed-out mom who wonders how it will all get done and just wishes her kids would keep track of their coats.This unexpected blessing of the lost and found coat reminded me that God cares about the small things in our lives, just like He promised in Matthew 6.Father, give me eyes to see your little reminders of your love even amid inconveniences like a lost coat. I know you promise to always care for me. Help me trust you in that promise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.Think of a time when something small but important to you seemed lost or out of reach. How did you feel during that situation?Did you experience a sense of God's care or provision in resolving it?How does knowing that God cares about the little things in your life change how you approach daily challenges or moments of anxiety?We'd love to hear in the comments below.ABOUT NICHOLE SUVAR:Nichole Suvar is a recovering perfectionist, anxiety and depression survivor, and Intentional Living Strategist. With over 30 years of lived experience, she writes, coaches, and speaks on the topic of mental health and how we can quiet thedistraction of anxiety to live with purpose.Nichole has contributed to several devotionals, including Freedom from Worry, through Proverbs 31 Ministries. She has written four devotionals, including her best-selling book, Numbering Our Days: Combating Anxiety in the Power of SmallIntentional Moments. Nichole is a writer for RemedyLive, a mental health non-profit focusing on Soul Care and wellness with mental health. She has also been a guest on numerous podcasts and blogs and a speaker on empathy for Great Kids Make Great Communities, an initiative in Fort Wayne, IN.Nichole lives in the Midwest with her high school sweetheart husband Paul, and their three teen children. When she’s not speaking or writing, she can be found discovering new hiking paths, curling up with a good mystery novel, collecting cozy cardigans, and snacking on pickles with sharp cheddar cheese. She writes about living an overcoming life for Jesus, one intentional moment at a time, on her website livewithintent.org, Instagram @mrs_nichole_suvar, and Nichole Suvar.SCHEDULE: Unexpected Blessings: 40 Days of Discovering God's Best with* March 6: Nichole Suvar* March 13: Theresa M. Miller* March 20: Susan Davidson* March 27: Traci Shnider* April 2: Deborah Rutherford.Our prayer is that in these 40 days, you will shift your perspective, trust God's timing, lean into Jesus, and recognize His blessings in unexpected ways. So join us on the podcast here and grab your copy of the book today on Amazon! Could you help us spread the word? Share this newsletter, text a friend, or leave a review!Our Author Series starts on March 18 with Rosann Coulon plus upcoming guests Mikala Albertson, MD, Theresa M. Miller, Katie Sampias, and Lori Ann Wood.My guests and I talk candidly about faith, beauty, writing and poetry, and difficult things in life like suffering, grief, and comparison, yet we point to God's hope in it all. The message is that you are not alone in this big, crazy world. What's lovely is that you can join in the conversation, and together, we stir up good works for God's Kingdom.Poetry book news: I would love to know if you like to read poetry. I will soon share my title and exciting information about my book and its publishing journey. Oh, it is so good, and I am so grateful to Jesus, the Author of my story, and my creative editor , Kimberly Phinney.A SPECIAL LIST OF GOODNESS CURATED FOR YOU:BEHOLDING THE LAMB: Pick up my dear friend Donna Bucher's "Beholding the Lamb" Lenten Resource.CULTIVATE 2025 EXCLUSIVE VIRTUAL RETREAT with the Way Back to Ourselves Community.I am so excited to attend my friend Kimberly Phinney and the The Way Back To Ourselves for the Cultivate Retreat again this year. Come join faithful creative and leaders from all over the world in this exclusive virtual even taking place June 20-21. ON SALE TIX.NEW BOOKS TO READ:40 Days to God, My Father: Finding Shelter in the Heart of God by my friend Rosann Coulon. Take comfort in the perfect Fatherhood of God in this forty-day devotional.Purchase 40 Days to God, My FatherYou're Not Too Late by my friend Rebecca George. When you buy the book you will receive access to a FREE 50-day digital devotional called God's Timing in Your Story (written by 50 authors, including me!). Simply purchase the book HERE, then sign up below to claim your gift.Sign up here!May your days be full of God's goodness and love! Much love and God's blessings to all of you.From my heart to yours,Deborah Sign up for the Behold-Her Beauty Podcast- Don't miss an episode.LINKS TO VISIT:Deborah's Amazon Book StoreDeborah's Clean Beauty ShopDeborah's Creative ServicesVISIT MY CREATIVE SERVICES PAGEif you would like to work with me on your book launch, creative development on your projects, book marketing, podcasting, graphic design, and content creation and editing.Deborah Rutherford's Behold-Her Beauty is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thank you for being here. Doing a podcast is fun but a lot of work. Please consider being a paid subscriber, signing up for my newsletter, and buying a copy of Unexpected Blessings: 40 Days of Discovering God’s Best. Get full access to Deborah Rutherford's Behold-Her Beauty at deborahrutherford.substack.com/subscribe
