It’s happening right now. 

For the rest of February and into March, Echoes of Grace will not be available as I (we … thank you to my husband) update and make some needed changes. 

You will be glad we did!

I’ll be back in touch!

Thank you for your patience!

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”
Jeremiah 31:3

I wonder, might February feel like this to you? I so appreciate Ros’s words. Her very real story might just speak to your soul as well.

It is dark outside as I write, February a hard month for the soul. Why are you downcast, O my soul?

The ceiling lights are on in this loft room, not the lamps.

Why are you downcast?

I am downcast. I am trapped, in a windowless winter.

How long O Lord?

I do not find myself in mental torment, nor in great despair. But lifeless somehow, washed-out.

I have been away for a few days, to a vibrant city full of art and history and beauty. I spent time there with a newly-adult daughter. We laughed. We walked. We ate; we thought of nothing but joy.

The return home has been stark. Perhaps to be expected after an enlivening trip, but it cuts deep. I liked myself in a city full of vitality. I enjoyed the liveliness I saw. I didn’t need to generate or contrive anything just respond, effortlessly, to all the vivacity.

Here, in this house, with the circumstances we find ourselves in, I feel the burden of being a life-bringer. Someone who brings animation. Hope. Fun.

I see the little one, so limited, so small. Do I fear for what her life will become? I fear for what her life will become. I fear that she will never be well. That her life, and mine, will remain small, controlled, deliberate. Not wild, free and alive.

As I sit with these thoughts on this windowless night, I wonder where the chink of light will come in. What consolation will I find in a landscape that seems so desolate? I don’t want to have to squint for glitter. I don’t want to have to purse my eyes and scan the horizon for a dot of hope to cling to. I want this windowless winter to be over, for spring to come, new life..

The Psalmist, finding himself similarly in distress, asks his own soul a question Why are you downcast?
In doing so, he models to us someone prepared to steward their own soul. Someone, who, in finding themselves in mental turmoil, doesn’t slap on a smile and pretend their sorrow doesn’t exist (suppress), nor give in to the anguish and allow it precedence over everything else (sink). No, what we see the Psalmist doing is stewarding. He doesn’t suppress his emotions, he doesn’t sink into them, he stewards them.

To steward an emotion is to recognise that however big it feels, however overwhelming, there is an edge to it, a perimeter. And beyond that perimeter is something far greater. And that thing that is far greater is something of God. It is love, it is hope, it is constellations and wisdom unending. God is, and always will be, bigger than the very depths of our sorrow and despair.

The Psalmist, in questioning his own soul, wasn’t saying Wind your neck in, stop being ridiculous. He wasn’t saying Your pain is insignificant. He was saying However terrible you feel, however stuck your life is, however deep the pain, or the fear, or the regret. However ‘big’ whatever it is you’re feeling is……God.

God.

Don’t you remember, O my soul, who God is? .

I wonder to myself why I am struggling to reconcile to the ongoing difficulties and limitations of this season. It’s been two and a half years, it’s no longer a surprise. Why do I sense such a resistance inside? Such frustration, as though my wings are clipped.

It was Pascal who wrote Events are not a structure within which God encloses us.

Yet so often we see the constraints of our circumstances as some kind of prison, trapping us. But God invites to view our limitations differently. He invites us to see our lives entirely differently to what is often our instinct. For in the Kingdom of God, no pain is wasted. No sorrow is meaningless.

The chief aim of man is not to enjoy a life with ease and comfort and success.
No, it is to glorify God and enjoy him forever!

I am telling this to my own soul as I write. I am telling my own soul that God is bigger. That my enjoyment of him is not limited by the difficulties of this season. I am telling myself that it is possible to be wild, free and alive, without ever being able to leave the house..

Even as I write, I am aware of the fragility of my grasp on this hope-filled perspective. I may well be clinging onto this truth now as I write, but I don’t feel at all confident that I can stride into whatever tomorrow will bring with a resolve to look upwards rather than inwards.
And so, in this dark evening moment, I take comfort that the Psalmist does not instruct his soul to have hope in himself, but in God. I’m entirely dependent on God, even for the capacity to steward my own soul.

For the heart of stewarding, first and foremost, is submission. Over and over again we submit ourselves, with all our emotional inelegance, into the arms of the One who knows all things. The One whose chest is big enough for us to beat against. The One who frames our suffering so tenderly with his love. Only when we allow ourselves to release these weights unto him, do we realise that this ‘framing’ is actually an embrace. For underneath are his everlasting arms.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God. Psalm 42:5

There is an encouraging, amazing narrative recorded for us in I Kings 17:1-16. Elijah predicts a drought, “there shall be neither dew nor rain these years,” (v 1).

 

“And the word of the LORD came to him:” (v 2) with a plan for his provision, drinking water from a brook and ravens to feed him. Those birds brought him bread and meat morning and evening.

 

 

Elijah trusted God’s provision. “So he went and did according to the word of the LORD.” (v 5)

Eventually that provision dried up; and the word of the LORD came to him again directing him to Zarephath where a widow would feed him. (v 8&9) Elijah went.

Little and its synonyms appear six times in verses 10 through 13: a morsel, a handful, a couple, and little 3 times.

Elijah asks for a little water and a morsel of bread.
The widow responds, “I have only a handful of flour … and a little oil. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks…” (v 10-12)

Elijah knew the trustworthiness of God and was able to minister to and encourage the widow. “Do not fear …” God will provide. And he shares the words of the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty,” (v14)

The little, the morsel, the handful, the couple was more than enough for Elijah, the widow, and her son.

Can I trust that the little God provides for me is enough?

Matthew 17:19-21 records the incident when the disciples were unsuccessful in healing the man with a demon.
The father of the man goes to Jesus who “rebuked the demon … and the boy was healed instantly.” (v18)

The embarrassed disciples came to Jesus privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” (v 19)
Kudos to the disciples, they came to Jesus. They wanted to understand, to grow in their faith.

“Because of your little faith … If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed … you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ … nothing will be impossible for you.'” (v 20) Their little faith was not a descriptor; it was the reason for their un-success.

Moving mountains was a common metaphor in Jewish literature for doing what seems impossible. It communicated truth to the disciples. They might have remembered Isaiah 40:4.

Am I willing to trust that the little faith God gives me
can move the mountains in my life?

As I’ve been meditating these past several weeks on the phrase, O you of little faith, God has led me to these applications:

RECOGNIZE where I am in my story. What is challenging my faith. Why am I tempted to name it little faith?
REHEARSE God’s character. He is omnipresent, omniscience, and omnipotent.
REMIND myself of His promises.
REQUEST – pray like the disciples, “God please increase my faith.” Luke 17:5

“Fear not, little flock,
for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Luke 12:32

What do you hear from God as you meditate on these little faith passages?
Matthew 6:25-34
Matthew 8:23-27
Matthew 14:28-33
Matthew 16:5-12
Matthew 17: 19-21

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, January 2026

 

Anxiety, a current tidal wave crashing all around.

“I’ve been thinking about why I’m afraid to go to church.”

These were my friend’s words, my friend who for years has not only gone to church but has been very active in leadership in the women’s ministry at her church.

I was honored that she trusted me with her story.
I was encouraged that she was pondering her fear.

But was she really experiencing fear or was it anxiety?

Fear – the response to an awareness of real danger.
Anxiety – the anticipation of a possible future danger.
Merriam-Webster dictionary

 

Matthew 5, 6, and 7 could be thought of as one of Jesus’s manuals on discipleship.

Matthew 6:25-34 is all about anxiety. 

Anxious, anxiety’s verb appears 6 times in these 10 verses. Three times in an invitation, do not be anxious; two times in a question, why are you anxious; and one truth statement, tomorrow will be anxious for itself.

 

 

Each of the invitations starts with a “therefore”. Because of what was just said, therefore …

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life …” (verse 34). That invitation comes after the exhortation to lay up treasure in heaven (verse 20). Money is needed to buy food and clothing, and God provides. The comparison with the birds teaches about God’s provision (verse 26). Do not be anxious.

 

And our need for clothing is compared with Solomon (verse 29) and the lilies of the field (verse 28). “Will he [God] not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (verse 30). “Therefore do not be anxious saying, … ‘What shall we wear?’ … your heavenly Father knows …” (verses 31 and 32).

 

 

My anxiety is related to my faith, my little faith. OUCH!

God knows my needs. It may be food and clothing. It may be understanding how much God loves me. Perhaps it is knowing that God has a purpose for my life. Maybe it’s trusting that God is sovereign in my current hards: my friends struggling with physical issues, or uncertain futures.

Because He knows, His discipleship offers this invitation and this promise:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33

Therefore, I do not even need to be anxious about tomorrow.
I needed to memorize this verse. I need to review this promise. I need to trust its offer.

And I ask:

God, what would it look like to trust you today with my basic needs?
God, what would it look like for me to seek your kingdom today?
God, I’m feeling anxious about meeting up with my friend for lunch. Can you encourage                               me?
God, I’m feeling anxious about returning to church. What is really going on?
God, what about our future? What are Your plans?

God also knows my level of faith. “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Romans 12:3 (underline mine).

With the faith God has given me, I can walk confidently, even in my very real anxieties.

God is with me!

“The Lord is at hand (near);
do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:5-7 (parentheses & underlining are mine)

God knows my realities … those things that cause anxiety.
God knows my level of faith … what He is trusting me with.
God is with me!
God gives promises, promises that surpass my human understanding.

Matthew passages speaking of “O you of little faith”:
Matthew 6:25-34
Matthew 8:23-27
Matthew 14:28-33
Matthew 16:5-12
Matthew 17:19-21

Copyright: Sue Tell, January 2026

 

 

 

 

 

“O you of little faith …”
Matthew 14:31.

That’s me!

Or should I say, that’s how I sometimes describe me. It’s not my identity.

Luke 16:10, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, …”,
My scripture for 2026, set me on a journey
looking at the word little in the gospel of Matthew.***

Matthew 14:22-33 is the account of Jesus walking on the water toward the terrified disciples in the middle of a storm. Jesus knows that in the midst of this storm, the disciples might not remember his authority over the wind and the waves that they personally experienced when Jesus was in the boat with them, asleep. (Matthew 8:23-27) This time Jesus is not in the boat with them; however he saw their predicament and came toward them walking on the water.

The last few verses record Peter’s reaction. “Lord, IF it is you, command me to come to you on the water. (Matthew 14:28, capitalization is mine.)

Peter wants more proof than Jesus’s words. Jesus had initiated toward the boat full of disciples, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27) But Peter …

Jesus is an initiator. He initiated toward the entire group of fearful disciples. The Bible does not record the disciples calling first to Jesus. Perhaps they thought it was worthless. After all they were a long way from shore. (Matthew 14:24) Distance does not affect Jesus. He is a responder.

Jesus recognized their fear and his rescue mission was immediate.

At Peter’s lack of trust, Jesus invites, “Come.” (Matthew 14:29) Jesus met Peter where he was. He didn’t scold for his unbelief. He invites. And when Peter’s trust waivers, he is close enough to Jesus to grab his hand. “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him.” (Matthew 14:31)

 

Jesus immediately rescued. He met Peter at his point of need.

And then he commented and asked, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)

I find encouragement in this narrative. I’m in good company. O you of little faith were Jesus’s words to Peter as he began to sink walking on the water.

Sinking … that’s part of my story too.

Don’t they know what I have to offer? Those words float through my brain far to often.
Why wasn’t I asked to minister to that group?
Why wasn’t I invited to that training?
Sinking questions.

As I remember the stories that fit with those questions, I’m not sure I felt as though my rescue was immediate. It sometimes seemed a long time in coming.

But God.

But then God in His GENEROUS GENTLENESS and perfect timing reminds me,

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”
Jeremiah 31:3

I reach for Jesus’s hand and trust once again.

 

Copyright:  Sue Tell, January 2026

*** “O you of little faith” appears in several Matthew narratives:
Matthew 6:25-34
Matthew 8:23-27
Matthew 14:28-33
Matthew 16:5-12
Matthew 17:19-21

Or … “One who is faithful in very little, is also faithful in much …” Luke 16:10a, ESV.

I just finished re-reading the gospel of Luke in my quiet times during December. I said to Bill one morning, This is so good. I should read the gospels more often! I guess I naturally lean into the epistles.

God used His megaphone to remind me of three important truths!

First, Luke 16:10 has long been a scripture that God has used to speak His desires, His truth to me. Sue, be faithful in what I’ve entrusted you with. Receive instead of initiating. And it stood out again.

I was excited about initiating and inviting a small group of friends to walk with me through a book and it’s accompanying study in the new year. I knew it would minister deeply! I was also considering taking advantage of a series of free coaching times. I wanted to learn the difference between coaching and discipling, or being a cross-generational friend? 

Then I listed my current commitments, including things I do with Bill. I listed other desires, like hospitality and coffee with friends. And I made room for the unexpected.

“Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to be old.”
Thank you Bill! (Well, maybe)

I’ve heard my husband say this more than once. And really, am I in that “old” category?

And then other words slipped into my thinking: extrovert, stewardship, capacity, reality. What was God whispering to me?

Secondly,  When Luke 16:10 came to mind so did Psalm 92:14,

“They (the righteous) still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green.”

Age does not equate to spiritual fruit-bearing! I needed to hear that.

Thirdly, Jeremiah 31:3 is still true.

“I have love you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”

God and I had a conversation. I asked,

What would it look like to experience Your faithfulness in the new year?

Three things immediately came to mind.
* God’s faithfulness is a by-product of His love that doesn’t change.
* I needed to trust His wisdom and His care.
* God says He has continued His faithfulness. I needed to turn around, look back, and remember how I’ve already experienced it.

Faithful is my word for 2026.

My heart is to be faithful to the ministry God has entrusted me with while remembering that faithfulness is one of God’s best qualities. God is continually faithful to me. So for me to grow in Godliness (God-like-ness) is to grow in faithfulness.

“Little is much when God is in it.”
William Carey, the father of modern missions

 

“God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling,
not because of our works
but because of His own purpose and grace,
which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,”
II Timothy 1:9

 

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, December 2025

 

 

Yes, it’s January 1, 2026.
Yes, it’s winter in Colorado.
Yes, this morning I sat outside on our deck. 
Yes, our new fire pit was lit and my weighted blanket covered my lap.
Yes, and of course my morning coffee.
It was delightful!

“Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”
from Matthew 11:28-30, The Message

Those were the words on the sticker on the side of my mug. It was God’s message for me … and may it be for you as well as we start the new year!

Next Thursday, January 8, 2026, Echoes returns with its first post of the new year.
See ya’ then.

 

 

 

Christmas morning may be history, but this is a wonderful prayer for every morning.

Merry Christmas, my Friends!

Reminder: Echoes of Grace returns on Thursdays in the New Year.
First post, January 8, 2026!

 

 

“And Mary said,
“‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,'”
Luke 1:46, 47

Elizabeth’s affirmation led to Mary’s worship, her song, The Magnificat.

A quick review of where we are in the story …

Mary’s first response to Gabriel was a question, Luke 1:34 … How will this be?
Mary’s second response was submission, Luke 1:38 … let it be to me according to your word.
Mary’s third response was, Luke 1:39 … running to visit her older cousin Elizabeth.

Who would you have run to with similar news? It’s interesting the scripture doesn’t record for us that she ran to Joseph, the one she was pledged to be married to, or to her mother, but to Elizabeth who herself was living with a miracle pregnancy. Elizabeth, possibly the only one who would understand.

I remember like it was yesterday hearing the voice of God in my quiet time that morning during my senior year of college as I read Romans 15:5 and 6. It spoke to my friendship with Bill. I closed my Bible and ran to the next dorm. I just had to share my news with my friend. It was a couple of weeks later when the time was right to share with Bill. I understand Mary.

Some thoughts to ponder:

1. Elizabeth’s affirmation reminded Mary that the source of her new was God. What would it look like for you to remind others that the source of their blessings was God?
2. What words have you heard from God that have been a blessing, a wonder to you during Advent this year?
3. In the midst of your Christmas celebration, what will it look like for you to pause and listen for God’s words to you?

Merry, Merry Christmas!
Emanuel, God is With Us!

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, December 2025

 

The first week of Advent, I presented some questions relating to Mary. Last week, the second week of Advent I traveled to a piece of Elizabeth’s story. This week, Mary and Elizabeth are together.

Gabriel has visited Mary and left her as Mary communicated to the angel her trust, “let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38.

The very next thing the scriptures record for us is Mary quickly going to visit her much older cousin, Elizabeth, who also is experiencing a miraculous pregnancy. “In those days Mary arose and went with haste …” Luke 1:39 (italics mine).

Elizabeth’s welcome tutors us.

Elizabeth blesses Mary.
Elizabeth affirms Mary’s faith.
Elizabeth acknowledges and reminds Mary of the source of her blessing.

What can we also learn from Mary and Elizabeth at this point of their journeys? For you to think about …

1. Who are your people, the people you hasten to in the midst of your reality?

2. Who are the older women, possibly by age, maybe older in the faith who have walked ahead of you?

3. Who might God bring into your life this week that you can bless and affirm? Affirmations are more than compliments, they are acknowledging what God has created in the life of another.

Questions 1 and 2 remind me of a very significant piece (not involving pregnancy) of my journey. I’ll add an addendum in the comments later today. 

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, December 2025