For more than three decades, I worked as a paralegal — writing, researching, and helping others through challenging seasons. That career taught me the power of words, persistence, and compassion.
Now, in this fourth quarter of life, I feel called to write in a different way — through faith-based devotionals that encourage and uplift.
Under the Palm Tree – Jesus Found Me is a space where scripture meets daily life. My morning walks inspire reflections of gratitude, renewal, and hope. Whether you walk half a mile or five, these devotionals are reminders that each step brings us closer to God’s peace and presence.
I’d love for you to join me on this journey — one step, one prayer, one story at a time.
Stress rarely feels like a gift. Most of us try to escape it, manage it, or pray it away. Yet both Scripture and experience quietly reveal a deeper truth: stress itself is neutral. It is our response to it that determines whether it weakens us—or strengthens us.
The book of James invites us to see trials differently:
“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” — James 1:3–4 (KJV)
Job understood this long before stress had a name:
“But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” — Job 23:10 (KJV)
Gold is refined by heat, not ruined by it. In the same way, God often uses seasons of stress to shape something lasting within us. When trials end, the gold is not simply relief—it is who we have become through trusting Him.
This is the quiet confidence believers carry—the “family secret” the world does not know:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28 (KJV)
To the unbeliever, stress feels random and meaningless. But to the child of God, even pressure has purpose.
The apostle Paul reminds us:
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.” — 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 (KJV)
Stress does not mean God has left you. Sometimes, it means He is working more closely than ever—refining, strengthening, and preparing you to come forth as gold.
Stress Immunization — A Gentle Perspective
Recognize: Stress is neutral; fear determines its impact
Reframe: Trials are tools, not punishments
Respond: Choose trust over resistance
Rest: Prayer, Scripture, and stillness restore clarity
Remember: God knows the way you take—and He wastes nothing
Closing Thought
If stress has found you today, take heart. God is not surprised by the pressure you feel, nor is He distant from it. What feels heavy now is doing a quiet, holy work beneath the surface. The trial may pass—but the gold remains. And the God who knows the way you take is faithfully shaping something beautiful in you, even now.
Prayer
Lord, Help me to trust You in the pressure and not fear what You are refining. When stress feels heavy, remind me that You are near—and that You are working all things for good. Teach me to rest in what I cannot yet see, knowing You know the way I take. Amen.
Under the Palm Tree 🌴 Faith for the everyday walk Stephanie
Hebrews 11:13 (KJV) “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
Devotional
On a bitter cold morning, the sun still found a way through the clouds. It wasn’t the full warmth of summer—just a steady light in the distance. But it was enough to keep moving. Something about cold air and sunshine makes you more alert. You breathe deeper without trying. Your senses wake up. And for a moment, you remember: you don’t need the whole season to change to take the next step.
That’s what faith looks like too—steady, forward, and sometimes built on what we can only see from afar.
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off…”
— Hebrews 11:13 (KJV)
Focus (Faith in Motion)
Faith is not just something we believe—it’s something we live. Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith often starts before we feel ready, and it keeps going even when the outcome isn’t visible yet.
That’s why focus matters. Merriam-Webster calls focus “directed attention,” and that’s exactly what prayer helps us do: it gently redirects our attention back to God when life pulls us in every direction.
Sometimes the quickest way to refocus is to start with your breath.
A 45-Second Stress-Relief Breath
Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds
Hold for 2 seconds
Exhale slowly for 6 seconds
Repeat 3 rounds and let your shoulders drop.
A Small Walking Tip That Adds Up
When you park your car today, park a little farther from the entrance. It’s a simple way to add extra steps without extra time—and those small choices build consistency.
Closing Thought
If today feels heavy, you don’t have to carry it alone. Jesus is near, and He welcomes you—exactly as you are.
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9
And for those who already believe, this is a comfort on the days you don’t have the words:
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit Himself intercedes for us…” — Romans 8:26–27
A Short Prayer
Lord, strengthen my faith, steady my focus, and teach me to pray with trust—one step at a time. Amen.
Amen—one breath, one step, and one quiet surrender at a time. — Stephanie | Under the Palm Tree™
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16 kjv
Devotional
This morning’s walk reminded me that light doesn’t have to be loud to be real.
It was cold when I stepped outside—one of those winter mornings where you feel the chill before you even move. But then the sun found its way through, and within minutes it warmed my face in the softest, most comforting way. Wrapped in winter layers, I felt protected… and somehow lighter.
The trails were quiet and bare. The leaves had already fallen, and the woods stood bare-boned—still, open, and waiting. The branches reached upward like gentle hands, holding space for what hasn’t bloomed yet. With the green gone, you could see straight through the trees all the way to the river, as if winter had cleared the view on purpose.
And that’s when it hit me: the light matters most in seasons like this. The sun doesn’t just warm—it lifts, it softens, it makes growth possible. In the same way, the light we share with others doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes it’s warmth. Sometimes it’s hope. Sometimes it’s simply showing up with something steady and kind.
Everything felt quiet. Honest. Uncluttered.
And maybe that’s what winter does best—it strips away the noise and reminds us what matters most.
A Gentle Reminder for Today
We don’t have to force our light. We don’t have to perform it.
Sometimes “letting it shine” looks like:
showing up anyway
choosing kindness when no one sees
staying steady when life feels uncertain
taking care of the body God gave you
being present right where you are
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…” — Ephesians 2:10
Even our small steps count. Even our quiet choices matter. You were created with purpose—on the easy days and the hard ones.
Before Your Walk: A 45-Second Breathing Reset
Stand tall. Let your shoulders drop.
Inhale slowly for 4 seconds
Hold for 2 seconds
Exhale for 6 seconds
Repeat 3 rounds and whisper: “Lord, let my light be gentle and bright.”
Today’s Walking Challenge:
A cool-weather walk can be a simple reset. Many people find crisp air helps lift mood, clear the mind, and boost energy—especially when you keep the pace gentle.
✅ Walk 15–20 minutes ✅ Keep it comfortable ✅ Notice something peaceful as you go
Gentle note: This is for encouragement only, not medical advice—always listen to your body and check with your physician if needed.
Closing Thought
If today feels heavy, you don’t have to carry it alone. Jesus is near, and He welcomes you—exactly as you are.
If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9
And for those who already believe, this is such a comfort on the days you don’t have the words:
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit Himself intercedes for us…” — Romans 8:26–27
Amen—one breath, one step, and one quiet surrender at a time. — Stephanie | Under the Palm Tree™
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”— Matthew 11:28
Devotional
In today’s world, the burdens can feel immense. Social media, news, and nonstop noise can quietly train our minds to stay on high alert. Mental health struggles are rising for both children and adults, and it’s not hard to understand why—what we consistently feed our minds eventually shapes how we feel.
The truth is, our hearts are sacred places. They should be protected.
There’s a song I learned as a child: “Jesus loves the little children… we are precious in His sight.” And even now, as adults, that reminder still matters—because we’re still His children. Still precious. Still worth protecting.
That doesn’t mean pretending the world isn’t happening. It means learning how to digest what we’re being fed, and redirect our focus back toward what is healthy, steady, and life-giving.
Even research supports what we already sense in our spirit: stress-management practices like mindfulness and relaxation may help support a healthier stress response—often linked with lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol.
And here’s something I love—the word “peace” appears hundreds of times in Scripture (one commonly cited count is about 429 times in the KJV, depending on how it’s measured). That alone tells us peace isn’t a luxury. It matters to God.
Before Your Walk Today: A 60-Second Breathing Reset
Sit or stand comfortably. Let your shoulders drop.
Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds
Hold gently for 2 seconds
Exhale slowly for 6 seconds
Repeat 3 times and whisper: “Lord, I receive Your rest.”
Today’s Walk (Simple + Gentle)
Keep it easy today—this isn’t about pushing. It’s about returning.
Walk for 15–20 minutes
Choose a calm route if possible (a park, quiet street, or familiar loop)
If your mind starts racing, come back to one simple phrase: “One step at a time.”
After Your Walk: A Closing Breath
Before you go inside, pause for just a moment.
Inhale: “Thank You, Lord.”
Exhale: “I’m safe with You.”
Closing Thought
If today feels heavy, you don’t have to carry it alone. Jesus is near, and He welcomes you—exactly as you are.
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9
And for those who already believe, this is such a comfort on the days you don’t have the words:
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit Himself intercedes for us…” — Romans 8:26–27
Amen—one breath, one step, and one quiet surrender at a time.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart… In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6
That verse doesn’t mean life will be perfect. It means we are not walking alone.
It means God can guide us through roads we never wanted to travel. And even when the path bends, dips, or feels uncertain—He can still steady our steps.
A Walking Reflection for Real Life
On the hardest days, walking has become one of my simplest acts of faith.
Not because it fixes everything. But because it reminds me:
I can still move forward
I can still breathe fresh air
I can still show up
I can still take the next step—even if the bigger questions remain
Some days I walk with strength. Some days I walk with tears.
Some days I walk with quiet anger that I’m still dealing with the same thing.
But I walk.
And sometimes that is the most honest prayer of all.
Gentle Walking Pointers
1) Walk for 10 minutes only
Don’t punish yourself. Just move. Ten minutes counts.
2) Choose a comforting route
A familiar trail, a quiet street, a park loop—simple is best.
3) Let your walk be your “reset”
You don’t have to solve life today. Just let your body and mind soften a little.
4) Repeat one sentence
Try this during your walk:
“Lord, I trust You with this step.”
Closing Thought
If today feels heavy, you don’t have to carry it alone. Jesus is near, and He welcomes you—exactly as you are.
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9
🌴Amen—one breath, one step, and one quiet surrender at a time. — Stephanie | Under the Palm Tree™
1 Thessalonians 5:5 “You are all children of the light and children of the day.”
Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Devotional
Light often begins its work long before belief takes shape.
Two Boys. Two Power Rangers. One Very Over-It Morning.
When my son was little, he was always the tallest one in the room. Older kids thought nothing of it — but at seven, being different is its own kind of burden.
That Christmas morning, he and the little boy down the street opened identical Power Ranger toys. For about six glorious minutes, everything was perfect.
Then words were used.
Not thoughtful words. Not kind words. The kind that sting — especially when you already feel different.
My son didn’t yet have the language to say, “That hurt me.” So he said it the only way his seven-year-old body knew how.
He took that brand-new Power Ranger… marched to the street… and threw it straight into the gutter.
Not the “we can retrieve it with a stick” gutter. The “it’s gone forever” gutter.
Moments later, his friend’s mother appeared at my door with two upset boys and one Christmas tragedy. She was angry. Her son was sobbing. My son stood there — tall, red-faced, and oddly convinced he had restored justice.
And honestly? Both of us mothers were done for the day before noon.
What Children Are Really Learning
At that age, children are not choosing faith —
What Children Are Really Learning
At that age, children are not choosing faith — they are learning how to exist in the world.
They are learning:
how words land
how difference feels
how power works
how pain comes out sideways
My son wasn’t being cruel. He was overwhelmed.
His friend wasn’t being evil. Like so many children, he was learning — imperfectly — the weight words can carry.
Scripture gives us language for this long before children do:
“You are all children of the light and children of the day.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:5
Light, here, isn’t belief yet. It’s guidance. It’s formation. It’s learning how to walk — slowly, imperfectly — toward kindness.
🚶♀️ Walking Prompt — Children of the Light
(For children reading with a parent)
As you walk together, look for the light around you. Notice the sun, the lamps, or the way light helps you see where to step.
With each step, you can say softly: “I am a child of the light.”
Walk slowly. Let the light show you the way, one step at a time.
🙏 Prayer — A Simple Prayer for Little Hearts
Dear God, Thank You for loving us and calling us children of the light. Help us use kind words, make good choices, and follow You wherever we go. When things feel confusing or hard, shine Your light to show us the right path. Amen.
✨ Reflection
God’s light helps us choose kindness, one step at a time.
Simple Eggnog Latte
Soft, cozy, and not overcomplicated —
You’ll need:
¾ cup eggnog
¼ cup milk (or almond/oat milk)
1 shot espresso or ½ cup strong coffee
Pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon
Optional: splash of vanilla
How:
Warm the eggnog and milk gently (don’t boil).
Brew coffee or espresso.
Combine, stir, and top with nutmeg or cinnamon
✨ Nourishment Note
There’s something beautifully simple about a warm cup of eggnog in December. It’s a drink meant for this season alone — one that slows the pace, softens the breath, and invites a moment of rest amid the holiday rush.
As Mary received the angel’s message, she did not hurry or strive. She paused. She pondered. She received.
Holding a warm mug can echo that same posture — a gentle reminder to stop, and to breath.
🌿 Stay Connected
As we move from the holiday season into the new year, we’d love to keep walking together. Subscribe to receive our January digital magazine, filled with thoughtful reflections, family-centered wisdom, and moments of calm for the season ahead.
— Luke 1:31-33 “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever. His kingdom will never end.”
Devotional
This is the divine conception of Jesus— the miracle born from God’s overwhelming love for humanity. Before we ever reached for Him, He came to us.
The eternal Word becoming flesh inside the womb of a young girl named Mary was not an act of human effort, strategy, or strength. It was pure, initiating love— love that stepped toward a world unable to save itself.
He has many names, each revealing His heart toward us:
Emmanuel — “God with us.” He does not wait for us to rise toward Him; He enters our world and meets us where we are.
Jesus — “The Lord saves.” And here, the angel’s words become the anchor of our hope:
“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus…” — Luke 1:31–33
His very name declares His mission: God saves us. Not because we climbed high enough, but because His love came low enough to reach us.
Christ — “The Anointed One.” The One set apart to break the chains of sin and restore hope to the world.
Some will reject this love— but rejection does not lessen its truth or the lengths God went to make Himself known.
The miracle came through the Holy Spirit— gentle, powerful, holy— overshadowing Mary with a purpose that would open the way of redemption for all people.
And the same Spirit still speaks today. He speaks through His Word. He whispers through moments of quiet. He nudges our hearts in the middle of ordinary days. He draws near through our surroundings— even in the fog, even in the cold, even when we feel unsure or unseen.
He saves us— not because we pursued Him first, but because His love pursued us.
Walking Prompt
Step outside today—into the cold, into the fog if it’s there. Feel how the air settles around you, how your breath hangs visible in the quiet morning.
Let every step become a reminder: God draws near even when visibility is low. Even when your soul feels tired. Even when you can’t see what’s ahead.
Walk slowly. Breathe deeply. Let the Spirit meet you in the stillness just as He met Mary—unexpected, unannounced, yet entirely full of love.
A Final Word for Your Heart
Mary did not understand everything she was being asked to carry. She didn’t have the full picture, the timeline, or the answers.
But she offered something God still receives with joy: a willing heart.
Her obedience wasn’t born of certainty— it was born of trust.
And that’s where your story meets hers.
You don’t need to see the whole path. You don’t need to feel brave. You don’t need to understand the miracle God is forming in you.
You simply need to say, “Let it be to me according to Your word.”
And the God who came near to Mary will come near to you, right where you are, in the quiet of your own waiting.
Closing Prayer
“Lord, meet me in the places where I feel unsure or unable to see clearly. Settle my heart, steady my steps, and remind me that Your presence is enough— even in the fog, even in the cold, even in the waiting. Amen.”
Gospel Thread
Every ordinary day of Advent whispers the same truth: The God who came near to Mary still comes near to us— with saving love, with steady hope, and with a kingdom that will never end.
And He extends a simple, life-changing invitation:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” — John 3:16
If you have never received His love, or if you long to return to Him, today is a beautiful place to begin.
Just whisper, “Lord, I believe. Come near to me.” He always responds to those who call.
✨ WARM SPICED EGGNOG STEAMER
Ingredients
1 cup traditional eggnog
½ cup whole milk (or half-and-half for richer texture)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
⅛ tsp nutmeg, plus more for garnish
¼ tsp cinnamon
1 cinnamon stick (optional, for stirring)
Whipped cream (optional but dreamy)
Instructions
Warm the eggnog + milk in a small saucepan over low heat. (Do not boil — eggnog is delicate.)
Add the vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Whisk gently until warm, silky, and fragrant.
Pour into your favorite mug — a Southern porch mug if you have one.
Top with whipped cream, a dusting of nutmeg, and a cinnamon stick for that Southern candlelight touch.
Sip slowly… preferably on a porch with lantern light.
✨ Nourishment Note
There’s something beautifully simple about warming a cup of eggnog — it slows your pace, softens your breathing, and creates a moment of rest.
As Mary received the Holy Spirit’s declaration, she did not run or rush. She pondered. She considered. She received.
A warm cup in your hands can become a small echo of that posture — a reminder to pause, to receive what God is speaking, and to let His peace settle over you like candlelight on a quiet Southern evening.
With gratitude and grace, Stephanie Under the Palm Tree™ — Jesus Found Me
Before Jesus spoke of abiding, He first spoke peace.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you… Let not your heart be troubled.” (John 14:27)
And then, as if He knew how easily our peace slips through our hands, He gently said:
“Abide in Me… for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4–5)
It’s a beautiful progression — Jesus settles our hearts before He shapes them.
We are now just two weeks away from the Christmas story — the moment heaven stepped into our chaos. These verses prepare us to make room.
Peace opens the door. Abiding keeps the door open. Pruning clears the space where His presence can grow.
I will never forget one December afternoon in a shopping mall in South Florida. My son was about three years old — full of curiosity, energy, and mischief. A sweet, stubborn little handful.
Christmas shopping with a toddler was the last thing I wanted to do, but my mother said what every grandmother says:
“Oh, he’ll be fine.”
Until he wasn’t.
One moment he was right beside us, and the next he disappeared into a forest of clothing racks — gone. My heart dropped. Fear rushed in before I could catch my breath.
Then I heard it — the soft whoosh of the automatic sliding doors. A crowd stepped out with their bags… and there he was, darting out with them like a little bullet heading straight toward the busy parking lot.
Terror washed over me so completely I still feel it if I think too long.
By the grace of God, I reached him in time. Still giggling. Still unaware of danger. My mother stood behind the glass door shaking her head, shopping bags swinging from her wrists.
And my little boy — now suddenly serious — looked up and whispered, “I’m sorry, Mommy… I’m sorry.”
What could I do but pull him close and thank God he was in one piece?
Even now, I sometimes wonder…
If I had just said, “Mom, let’s go see Santa,” would he have popped his little head out from behind those clothes?
Maybe.
But here is what I didn’t understand at the time:
I was looking for control, not peace. I thought if I said the right thing, or moved to the right place, or reacted fast enough, I could keep everything from falling apart.
For most of my life, I believed control would save me. Now I’m learning that peace saves me far more than control ever did.
Peace is what steadies us when life slips out of our hands. Peace is what meets us when the sliding doors of fear open too quickly. Peace is the presence that catches us when control cannot.
And this truth continues to unfold in me:
We were never meant to walk this journey alone.
Not motherhood. Not fear. Not the moments that shake us to our core. Not even the quiet days leading us toward Christmas.
Jesus says, “Abide in Me,” because He knows peace isn’t something we manufacture — it’s something we receive when we stay close.
✨ Reflection Questions
1️⃣ Where is Jesus inviting you to receive peace instead of producing it? 2️⃣ What is one “branch” He may be gently pruning in this season? 3️⃣ What helps you personally abide with God during December’s busyness?
🚶♀️ Walking Prompt
As you walk today, breathe slowly and imagine each inhale as receiving His peace… and each exhale as releasing what you were never meant to carry alone. Let your steps become a small act of abiding — steady, unhurried, near to Him.
🙏 Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for the peace You speak over my heart. Thank You for catching me in the moments when fear runs ahead of me and for staying near when life slips out of my hands. Teach me to abide in You — to rest, to release, to trust. Prepare my heart for the beauty of Christmas. Prune what no longer bears fruit and make room for Your presence to grow. Amen.
Optional Additions
A tiny pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth
A scoop of collagen or protein powder for nourishment
A swirl of honey on top
❄️ Nourishment Note
Snowball Dream Smoothie
A soft, winter-white blend of vanilla, coconut, and almond — light, dreamy, and calming, like a quiet snowfall.
Sip slowly. Let the morning soften. Let His peace settle in.
With gratitude and grace, Stephanie Under the Palm Tree™ — Jesus Found Me
John 15:2–5 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit… Abide in Me, and I in you… for without Me you can do nothing.”
💛 Devotional
Winter has a way of stripping everything down to what is essential. Bare branches. Quiet air. A stillness that feels like God is holding His breath.
Sometimes, my soul feels the same — exposed, tender, waiting.
Christmas, for all its beauty, can also be an incredibly empty and lonely time if my heart and mind aren’t anchored in the right place. I can decorate the tree, light candles, wrap gifts, bake something sweet… and still feel a quiet ache inside, a hollowness I can’t explain.
And here’s the truth I cannot outrun:
Without being bare of the dead branches before a holy God, I don’t see any other way forward.
Jesus says the Father — the Husbandman, the Gardener — removes what does not bear fruit. Not because He is harsh. Not because He is disappointed. But because He knows what is choking the life out of us.
Those dead branches may look like:
old expectations
loneliness we pretend isn’t there
exhaustion from trying to hold everything together
pressure to create the “perfect” holiday
sorrow we’ve never spoken aloud
the quiet fear that we’re not doing enough
And this is where I have to tell the truth:
I am human — I want the Norman Rockwell Christmas. I want the glowing windows, the warm smiles, the effortless peace. But that’s not real.
What is real is Jesus — the True Vine.
And in His mercy, He prunes so that I don’t wither. He gently removes what I was never meant to carry. He brings me back to the only place where fruit grows:
Abiding. Total dependence. Resting in His life, not mine.
Fruit doesn’t come from striving. It doesn’t come from pushing through December on empty. It doesn’t come from performing holiness or perfection.
It comes from staying connected.
Apart from Him, I can do nothing. But with Him, even my winter can bloom.
Maybe this season isn’t punishment. Maybe this is preparation. Maybe this is the exact stillness my soul needs so that when spring comes… I will recognize the fruit He was cultivating all along.
🚶♀️ Walking Prompt
Take a slow winter walk today. As your feet move, whisper this simple prayer:
“Lord, show me the branches You are gently pruning… and help me let go.”
Notice every bare tree you pass. Imagine your soul in the same quiet season — not empty, but ready.
🪞 Reflection Questions
What “dead branches” might God be inviting me to release this December?
Where have I been striving instead of abiding?
What fruit do I long to see in my life — and am I willing to let Him prepare me for it?
🙏 Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the True Vine, and I am the branch. Teach me to abide. Prune what harms me. Cleanse what blocks Your life within me. Make room in me for the fruit only You can grow. When I feel empty this season, fill me with Your peace. When I feel lonely, draw me close. When I’m tired, lift me. Let my winter rest in Your hands. Amen.
✨ Cozy Cinnamon Peppermint Steamer
🥤 Nourishment of the Week
A warm, soothing holiday drink for evening reflection.
There’s something sacred about ending the day with a warm mug between your hands. This simple peppermint steamer is peaceful, comforting, and gentle — the perfect companion for a quiet December night as you anchor your heart in Christ.
Not overly sweet. Not heavy. Just warmth, rest, and calm — a reminder that even in winter, God is tending your roots.
Ingredients
1 cup warm milk (dairy or almond)
1 tsp vanilla
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp peppermint extract
1 tsp maple syrup (or honey)
Cinnamon stick for serving
Instructions
Warm the milk gently over the stove — just until steaming.
📬 Subscribe Invitation
Join me each week as we walk with Jesus — one step, one verse, one breath at a time.
🌴
With gratitude and grace, Stephanie Under the Palm Tree™ — Jesus Found Me
Ruth 3:11 “All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.”
Renewal
There’s something sacred about reaching Day 30. Not because the journey is ending… but because something inside you has shifted.
Thirty days of walking. Thirty days of reflection. Thirty days of honesty, Scripture, refinement, and small courage.
You may not feel different. But Heaven sees it.
God does not measure growth the way we do. He measures:
🌿 the steps you took when you were tired 🌿 the prayers whispered in passing 🌿 the quiet repentance 🌿 the softened heart 🌿 the moments you chose grace 🌿 the days you showed up anyway
This is transformation — slow, sacred, and lasting.
Just like Ruth.
Her story was not sudden. Her healing was not instant. Her restoration unfolded in layers, through decisions that felt ordinary:
walking into the fields
obeying Naomi
choosing courage instead of fear
showing up faithfully in small things
Yet Scripture honors her as a woman of noble character (Ruth 3:11).
Not because she was perfect. But because she was consistent.
🌿 A Place for Your Holiday Memory
Some of my favorite Christmas memories are the simplest ones — driving slowly through quiet neighborhoods, the car heater humming while the cold fogged the windows. Houses glowed with strings of red and green lights, and there was always that one street where every home tried to outshine the one before it. As a little girl, those lights felt magical. As a young mother, they felt comforting — tiny promises shining in the dark.
Later, I remember visiting Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens, wrapped in a scarf, the air cold enough to sting my cheeks. Miles of glowing displays lit up the night sky, every color reflecting off the water and the pine trees. Even now, that memory sits in my heart like a warm ember. Maybe that’s why the words, “The Lord is my light,” have always meant so much to me — light has a way of making the soul feel safe.
Decorating the Christmas tree was its own kind of holy. Each ornament held a story — a baby’s first Christmas, a handmade treasure from tiny fingers, a gift from someone we loved. Opening those boxes felt like opening a treasure chest of years gone by. Reading the Christmas story with a child beside me, little hands touching the pages, felt like worship in its purest form. Jesus, the Light of the World, born into our dark places… that truth shaped me more than I ever realized.
🌿 A Personal Truth for This Day
There were seasons of my life when I tried things… but didn’t continue them.
I didn’t understand yet that the life God calls us into is not something we sample. It’s something we surrender to.
Ruth didn’t “try” faithfulness — she lived it. Elisha didn’t “try” loyalty — he embodied it. Samuel didn’t “try” obedience — he committed to it.
Their lives changed because they stayed.
This is your invitation too:
Don’t try this lifestyle. Live it. Let it become who you are.
🌿 A Word for the Woman Who Finished All 30 Days
You didn’t quit. Even on hard days. Even when your heart was tired. Even when life was loud.
Heaven celebrates your steps.
🌿 A Word for the Woman Who Arrived Today
If you found this devotional on Day 30 — you didn’t miss anything.
Today can be your Day 1.
Begin the 21-Day Walking Challenge right here, right now. There is no pressure. No deadlines. No catching up.
Just you… your next step… and God meeting you where you are.
Start at your pace. Start with one walk. Start with one verse. Start with one quiet breath:
“Lord, walk with me.”
🌿 This Is a Lifestyle, Not a Task
The walking. The breathing. The Scripture. The slowing down. The quiet conversations with God during your errands. The gentle resetting of your heart.
This isn’t something you try. This is who you’re becoming:
✨ a woman of noble character ✨ a woman refined ✨ a woman who walks with God ✨ a woman who cultivates peace ✨ a woman who chooses faithfulness over perfection ✨ a woman becoming stronger in the unseen places
Just like Ruth.
🌿 Walking Prompt for Today
Take a gratitude walk.
With every step, say:
“Thank You for where You’ve brought me. Prepare me for where I’m going.”
Let your breath release the old year. Let your steps welcome the new.
🌿 Reflection
What part of this journey surprised you? What did God reveal? Where do you sense refinement still happening? What rhythm do you want to carry into January?
🌿 Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for these 30 days — for every step, every whisper, every moment You carried me. Refine me gently in the year ahead. Lead me like You led Ruth: one faithful decision at a time. Strengthen my feet to walk with You, not just in a challenge, but in a lifestyle of devotion. Bless every woman beginning today, and every woman continuing. Make us women of noble character — refined, renewed, and rooted in You. Amen.
🍈 Winter Key Lime Glow Smoothie
A little Florida sunshine for the season.
Ingredients:
1 cup coconut or almond milk
1 frozen banana
Juice of 2–3 fresh key limes
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
½ tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup vanilla Greek yogurt (optional)
Handful of ice
Key lime zest for brightness
Instructions: Blend until smooth. Sip slowly. Let it brighten your winter day.
The holidays have a special way of turning every mother — young or seasoned — into a survival-mode saint.
Kids are bouncing off the walls from sugar highs, running on a diet consisting mostly of candy canes and “just one more cookie.” By mid-December, I’m convinced gingerbread should come with a warning label.
Meanwhile, the grownups aren’t much better. We’ve traded sugar highs for Amazon-tracking highs. We whisper prayers like, “Lord, help that delivery driver turn into my driveway today…”
Someone’s child is crying in Target because the ornament they wanted is “too sparkly,” and somewhere across the store another mom is pushing a cart like it’s the Indy 500, and she is Mario Andretti muttering, “We are not doing this again next year.”
We stand in grocery store lines that feel like the parting of the Red Sea, only without the miracle. Half the cart is ingredients for Christmas dinner, and the other half is snacks to bribe the children so we can get through Christmas dinner.
And just when we think the chaos has peaked, someone spills hot chocolate, the dog eats a bow, and the tree starts leaning like it’s had a long year too.
But here’s the part I love:
Right in the middle of the meltdown, the mess, the sugar crashes, and the Target tears…
Something holy still breaks through.
A quiet moment in the car when the kids finally fall asleep. A soft Christmas hymn that catches your heart off guard. A tiny ornament made by tiny hands that reminds you why you do all of this in the first place.
And in that gentle pause — in that breath between exhaustion and wonder — God whispers, “I’m here. I always have been.”
Not in your perfection. Not in your perfect holiday plan. But right in the middle of your beautiful, sticky-fingered, Christmas-colored mom-life.
And somehow… that reminder makes even the chaos feel a little like grace.
✨ A Poem for Your Heart
“Light for the Journey”
When Christmas lights glow soft and bright, And winter hums its quiet night, I’m reminded once again to see How God still walks this road with me.
Through crowded days and hurried ways, Through tears that fall and prayers we raise, His gentle light still leads us through— The dark can’t dim what’s always true.
So here I stand at Day Thirty, A little tired, a little worthy, Still learning how to walk His way, Still held by mercy every day.
The journey’s long, the road is slow, But step by step, His light will show— Not just the path, but who we are:
