Dianna Buchwalter

Did you know there’s a bird famous for holding the world record for the longest nonstop flight from Alaska all the way to Australia? It traveled over 8,000 miles in just 11 days! I stumbled upon an article about the Bar-tailed Godwit while mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, and I’ll admit, I didn’t know anything about this bird before. These fascinating shorebirds escape the harsh winter for warmer climates. My first thought was, why don’t they just stop somewhere closer along the way? According to experts, stopping earlier often means landing in places with less food, more competition and predators, and poor habitats for their long bills. The Godwit’s long nonstop flight reduces these dangers. Even more impressive, these birds begin preparing for their expedition several weeks in advance. They don’t need to eat during their journey because they gorge for 1 to 2 months before departure, building up fat reserves. A few weeks before migration, their digestive organs shrink to reduce ...

  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.   Lamentations 3:22-23 As soon as my eyes opened wide, I mindlessly scrolled through my phone.  I messed up today, Lord. Priorities already misaligned.   Woke the kids up for school and spilled coffee on my shirt. Put a dirty dish in the fridge and dropped my laptop in the dirt.   No time to read my Bible this morning, so I listened through the app in the car. Slammed the brakes just in time. I didn’t see the animal from afar.     Pulled up to the school and yelled at my daughter for no reason. Tried to make myself feel better by saying: it’s only this crazy season.   Frazzled and annoyed, I sat down at my desk. While secretly wishing I had more time to rest.   Lost in work and emails and scratching off to-dos. I sighed a little loud and wondered, God, where are you?   He answered back, but I ...

I fall on my knees in defeat, tired of the fight. Why does it have to be so hard, I cry out with all my might. Two steps forward and one step back seems to be the going rate. Where are you trying to get to, He asks. Don’t you know I’ll never allow you to be late? I have things I want to accomplish, I’m ready to begin. Your not ready for the task just yet my friend. Waiting can be so painful. It fills me with such strife. I know, He said, I waited for you to come to me for half your life. I’m working behind the scenes, good things are on the way. Will you trust me not just now but every day? Will I be enough for you when the answer is no? Will you move when I say go? You see, He said, I’m molding you into the person I created you to be. The process isn’t always easy but it’s placing your dependence on me. When you think the battle has been lost, I order my angels to hold you up. Spend some time with me, I AM the living w...