Daily Guideposts 2016: 14-Day Reading PlanSample

One year ago, I was blessed with my darling, curious, whirling dervish of a child, Olivia. From her first days, you could see her desire and frustration, even as her tiny hands flailed about, desperate to get out of her swaddle blanket.

As she grew, so did her passion for movement. No snuggle baby here! If Olivia was awake, she was moving, crawling, rolling, climbing, and navigating the stairs over and over again.

Family members and babysitters loved to tell us that she didn’t look tired or that she’d never be ready for bed. But her daddy and I knew better. The more Olivia partied and played, the closer we knew she was to surrendering to sleep.

When she hit a frantic pace, waving her arms, standing up and dropping down, or flinging books over her shoulders, I’d take her to the nursery, rock her, and read her a story. It was only then that she’d sigh and relax into my arms.

As I’d sit rocking her, I’d think, How often does my heavenly Father watch me as I bustle around, tackling my never-ending to-do list and hardly stopping for a minute to eat, much less pray? It is in that wonderful chaos that He calls me to climb into His arms and simply be.

In my special chair with my favorite blanket, I feel Your presence, Lord. I’m so glad I can rest in You.

—Ashley Kappel

Digging Deeper: Exodus 33:14, Matthew 11:27–30