Even When: Experiencing God's Presence During Difficult Days

By Sara Cormany and Mary Southerland

From award-winning author Sara Cormany, Even When is a raw and reflective devotional that ushers readers into God's presence during difficult times and reminds us that even our hardest stories are written by the hand of a good God. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dexterity
• Release date: Feb 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9781947297777

Book preview

Devotion 1

EVEN WHEN WE WANT TO HOLD ON, HE HELPS US TO LET GO

Verse: You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5

My husband’s arms carried me up the stairs to my classroom one last time. After he set me down, I steadied my gait and made my way to the chalkboard with hands shaking, heart pounding.

It seemed like an impossible ending: walking away from my dream, my students, my classroom, surrendering to an illness no one understood, leaving it all behind, unfinished and undone at barely twenty-six.

Forcing me to say goodbye to a place where I had learned about life and love. A place where I had seen His goodness poured out. A place where my heart felt at home.

I could stay. I should stay. I would stay, I told myself.

But then she appeared in the doorway—our tiny, tough-as-nails building secretary. Without a word, she took my hand. Her eyes saw every bit of weakness, every piece of struggle. And her hands gently led me to a place where we could sit eye-to-eye.

Baby girl, it’s time to let go.

I choked back through my tears, But this is breaking my heart . . .

I know, baby girl. That’s why I’m here to help you.

Her strength steadied my hands just enough so my heart could follow. I turned back to the chalkboard, scribbled out what remained to be said to my students, gathered all the little things I called mine, and readied myself to say goodbye.

She then took my hand and prayed truth and grace over my weary heart, giving me just enough courage to hobble out the door and into the arms of the man who would carry me