About the Author

Kaitlyn is a Virtual Assistant, book launch manager, and storyteller who writes about discovering God's goodness in the ordinary and faithfulness in the difficult. She loves good books, deep conversations, and iced vanilla lattes. Kaitlyn is the author of Even If Not: Living, Loving, and Learning in the in Between.

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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Kaitlyn,
    I never knew what “raising your Ebenezer” meant until I had gone through years of suffering. When God faithfully brought His people through a valley of pain and suffering, they would raise a pillar of stones – an altar to commemorate God’s faithfulness and goodness (an Ebenezer). When I am faced with a new trial, I look to the past to propel me forward. Looking back to see just what all God has brought me through gives me courage to face the day and hope that He will bring me out on the other side. I love the Message version of Matthew 6:34. “Give your entire attention to what God is doing RIGHT NOW…and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.” When I read this, I reach over and grab my dear husband’s hand who is beside me right now. He is here with me. He stays when others have left. I glance over at our dozing beagle. The vet called yesterday and he has cancer. I don’t know how much more time we’ll have with him. But, here in this moment, God is good. I don’t know what will happen with our country, but right now in this moment in time. God is good. Awesome post Kaitlyn to yank me back from my fruitless future wondering….
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • The past few months, I’ve read through Joshua with one of my Bible studies. Over and over, they’re told to remember. Like the Ebenezer you mentioned, they build an altar of remembrance that, for generations to come, is meant to point to the Lord and tell the story of what God has done.

      Maybe today will be another stone added to the pile. xo

      • Bev,

        Praying for you now. I know first hand what it’s like to lose a pet. The pain of loss is still there you treat them like family. Praying your beagle doesn’t have to suffer much. Asking God to come along side you & your family & change some things.

        Blessings 🙂

  2. Kaitlyn,
    Thank you for your reminder that God has this. I needed to hear these words today. Caring for elderly parents, sending daughters off to college, preparing for teaching only online classes- all of it keeps me worrying about the future in these uncertain times. I need to trust God and focus on Him. He is enough!

    • You DO have an awful lot on your plate, Melody. May God intervene with Ephesians 3:20 blessings to see you through this difficult season!

    • Melody,

      Sweet sister you have a lot on you now. I understand caring for aging parents. Did that for 10 years. Praying for strength & courage as you care for your parents & handle all of life’s trials. Asking God to comfort you & send a peace to your weary soul. Praying your daughters as they head off to college. May they be safe & healthy. Asking God for protection for the family. Sending ((((((((((Hugs)))))))))) your way!!

      Blessings 🙂

  3. WOW- God’s timing! You wrote this back some time; but it just came in because God wanted me to hear His message through you at this time. Thanks, Kaitlyn. I was told on Mon that I have a cancer tumor on my spine on a nerve so now the doc wants to do a Pet scan to see if there is more. I had breast cancer eight years ago so was not expecting to hear those words again. I needed the reminder in your message & mighty glad God has brought you through these years.

    • Frances,
      Lifting you in prayer, Frances, right now. When I read Kaitlyn’s post I immediately thought of you. Praying you can stay right here in the moment and not get caught up in what’s ahead.
      Love and hugs,
      Bev xoxo

    • Praying for you now, Frances. My own health journey was, in many ways, what began the story of saying “even if not.” Long before it was a book, it was a knowing in a doctor’s office. I’m grateful this post came at just the right time for you, and am praying for you as I send this message.

    • Frances,

      Sweet sister praying for you in the middle of all this. May God send His healing hand to you soon. Asking God to give you a peace & comfort for whatever comes your way. Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.” “Plans to prosper you & not to harm. To give you a hope & a future.” I pray you feel His presence with you every step of the way. Hold tightly to the thought that no matter what God is with you & will see you through the valley. Psalm 23:5 Yea thou I walk through the valley of shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Thy rod & staff they comfort me. God’s got this!
      Sending (((((((hugs))))))) your way!

      Blessings 🙂

      • Thank you so much Beth.. That is very sweet! Sometime back Jennifer Dukes Lee wrote a devotion called God’s Got It, which I love. Just as lives are topsy turvey from that nasty virus, my life might get topsy turvey but I know our Big C is more powerful than the little c. I appreciate your loving concern & prayers.

  4. Frances,

    When our bodies give out HIS Holy Spirit moves in…I would encourage you to pray and study Psalm 91 and ask those around you to pray it over you; God is all…

  5. Thank you so much! Last night I collapsed in bed just exhausted from worrying about finances. Thank you!

  6. “Remembering God’s past faithfulness helps us hold tightly to joy in the present and hope for the future.” Couldn’t say AMEN too strongly for that statement! Back in 1983 I started a looseleaf journal to record God’s faithfulness to our family. Now there are well over 1300 entries. Praise God he is more than enough to see us through every challenge! Thank you for your uplifting post, Kaitlyn!

  7. This is beautiful and so true. Need to stop and just breath out thank yous to our loving God.

  8. During this Pandemic God has taught me so much. Even though before it all I still trust God for everything. As it God who made us. It God who loves us. I stand on his word the Bible the Promises in it and Prayer. I still do today. God taught me through the story of Jesus feeding the Five thousand people on five loaves and and two fish. What God showed was that the people in those days. Didn’t care about Germs. Or if the people there that day had washed their hands or about the insects in the grass. When the loaves and fishes were given out. As they knew there to here the King of world and the King of the world wouldn’t let any thing happened to them. God said to me. People today saved and unsaved who are they putting their trust in. They most of them are panicking will I will I not catch Covid 19. Or will this or this happen to me. Who are they trusting. If you look at the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 people that day. They didn’t worry about Germs. What they catch. They were trusting Jesus as they knew he take care of them. I know he holds the future. For he hold tomorrow. So I don’t worry. I take one day at time. Like the song. You get it one YouTube. “It is one day at at time”. Words of so beautiful. Thank you for a lovely reading. Will keep you in prayer. Keep you all incourage in prayer Love Dawn xxx

  9. Your post spurred me to ask my college circle of friends GroupMe to share their stones of remembrances. What a great way to encourage each other & praise God together! Thanks for the spur!

  10. Kaitlyn,

    Great encouraging post. We are living in tumultuous times. It is so easy to get on the worry band wagon. My hubby was there for a while earlier this year. He fretted about not being called back to work, etc. I simply told him “Don’t worry about anything but pray about everything.” Ask God what His plans for you are. Prayer & praise release the feeling of worry. You know in your heart that God’s got this. Sure enough six weeks later he was called back. I often keep a thankful or grateful journal. Listing all things big & small that God has blessed me with. It helps me in down times. I look back & see all the times God saw me through valleys. Psalm 23:5 Yea though I walk through the valley of shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Thy rod & staff they comfort me. Has been a blessing during these long trying times.

    Blessings 🙂