VARIABLE FAITH 31 DAYS OF GRACE AND GROWTH

DAY 9 – READ ISAIAH 43:18–19: WHAT “NEW THING” IS SPRINGING UP?

THEME: NEW PATHS IN FAMILIAR PLACES

FOCUS: SPIRITUAL RENEWAL, HOPE, AND NOTICING GOD’S UNFOLDING WORK

PRACTICE:

Find a quiet space to slowly read this passage—out loud if possible:

“Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18–19 (NRSV)

Sit with those words for a few minutes. Read them again, this time pausing after each line.

What line speaks to you most right now?

What “wilderness” are you in?

Where might God be creating a river?

REFLECTION:

God doesn’t ask us to forget our past—God asks us not to be stuck there. Isaiah reminds us

that even in the driest seasons, God is already at work creating something new, even if we

can’t yet see it fully.

Is there a place in your life where you’ve felt stuck, discouraged, or dry?

Could that place be the very soil where something new is beginning to grow?

Sometimes the “new thing” is subtle—an idea, a shift in attitude, a sense of peace.

Sometimes it’s bold—a change, a step, a return. What might be springing up in you?

SCRIPTURE:

“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” — Isaiah 43:19 (NRSV)

This passage is not just about hope—it’s about attention. God is always at work renewing, rebuilding, restoring. The question is: are we paying attention?

PRAYER:

God of New Beginnings,

Open my eyes to the ways You are working

in my life.

Even when I feel tired or unsure, plant new

seeds of hope in me.

Help me release the old stories that no

longer serve me,

and trust the “new thing” You are doing.

Make rivers in my dry places,

and paths where I cannot yet see a way.

Amen.

VARIABLE FAITH 31 DAYS OF GRACE AND GROWTH

DAY 8 – FORGIVE YOURSELF FOR SOMETHING SMALL

THEME: SECOND CHANCES BEGIN SMALL

FOCUS: FORGIVENESS, GENTLE SELF-COMPASSION, AND HEALING GRACE

PRACTICE:

Think of something small you’ve been holding against yourself—something that may

not seem like a big deal to others, but weighs on you. Maybe you forgot a task,

snapped at someone, didn’t keep a goal, or just felt “off.”

Today, offer yourself the kind

of grace you would extend to a friend.

Take a deep breath and speak this truth over yourself:

“I am allowed to be human. I am growing. I am forgiven.”

If it helps, write the moment down on a piece of paper, then rip it up, recycle it, or

release it in another tangible way. Let it go—not because it didn’t matter, but because

grace matters more.

REFLECTION:

Why is it sometimes easier to offer grace to others than to ourselves?

What small moment of “failure” or imperfection have you been holding onto?

What would it look like to let go of that moment today—not by pretending it didn’t happen,

but by releasing the shame attached to it?

When we forgive ourselves, we open the door for healing and deeper freedom. Forgiveness

isn’t weakness—it’s spiritual strength.

SCRIPTURE:

“As far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 (NRSV)

God doesn’t measure us by our worst moments. This verse reminds us that divine forgiveness is not partial—it is complete, stretching farther than we can imagine. If God can separate us from our sins, surely we can begin learning to release ourselves, too.

PRAYER:

You see every part of me—and love me still.

Help me forgive myself, even for the small

things I hold too tightly.

Teach me that Your mercy is new every

morning,

and that I don’t need to earn Your love.

Let me walk lighter today, held by grace.

Amen.

VARIABLE FAITH 31 DAYS OF GRACE AND GROWTH

DAY 7 – REFLECT ON THE WEEK

THEME: LOOKING BACK WITH GRACE

FOCUS: REFLECTION AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE THAT FOSTERS GROWTH AND GRATITUDE

PRACTICE:

Find a quiet moment today to pause and look back over the past week. This could be through journaling, prayer, or silent reflection. Ask yourself:

• What did I notice this week?

• Where did I feel most connected to God?

• When did I feel most like myself?

• What challenged me?

• What small wins or sacred moments surprised me?

You don’t need to write long answers—just honest ones. Let your reflection be gentle, not judgmental. This isn’t about evaluating your performance; it’s about honoring your experience and paying attention to how God has been present.

REFLECTION:

What moment or habit from this past week brought you a sense of peace or presence? What would you like to carry forward into the coming days? Is there something you’d like to let go of or release?

Remember: growth doesn’t always look dramatic. It often comes quietly—through a breath, a small decision, a moment of awareness.

SCRIPTURE:

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

– Matthew 11:28 (NRSV)

Jesus doesn’t say, Come to me when you have it all figured out. He simply invites us as we are—tired, burdened, imperfect, growing. This verse is a reminder that we are welcomed not just in our strength, but especially in our weariness.

PRAYER:

God of presence, thank You for walking with me this week. In moments of quiet and chaos, You were near. Help me carry forward what nourished me and gently release what I no longer need. Root me in Your grace as I continue this journey. Amen.

VARIABLE FAITH 31 DAYS OF GRACE AND GROWTH

DAY 6 – DO ONE THING SLOWLY

THEME: SAVORING THE SACRED

FOCUS: DISCOVERING THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN THE UNHURRIED PACE OF LIFE

PRACTICE:

Today, choose one simple, everyday activity and give it your full attention. It could be brushing your teeth, folding laundry, watering your plants, or drinking your morning coffee. Let this ordinary task become your spiritual practice.

• No multitasking.

• No background noise or distractions.

• Just this one thing.

Notice how your hands move, the sounds around you, the sensations, the pace. Allow it to be slow. Sacred. Unrushed. Let it become a quiet offering of mindfulness and presence.

REFLECTION:

What did you notice in the slowness that you usually miss?

Was it hard to resist the pull of busyness or distraction?

Did your mind rest—or resist?

How did it feel to simply be with what was right in front of you?

This practice isn’t about productivity—it’s about presence. In the slowing down, we are reminded that God isn’t only in the big, loud moments but also in the soft hum of daily life.

SCRIPTURE:

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

– Isaiah 30:15 (NRSV)

This gentle reminder from Isaiah speaks to the holy paradox of faith: sometimes strength is found not in doing more, but in resting more deeply in God’s presence. Slowness, stillness, and trust are sacred rhythms in a world that values hustle.

PRAYER:

Jesus, slow my pace.

Teach me to be present in the ordinary.

Help me to see Your hand in quiet routines,

to savor the moment instead of rushing past it.

Let me trust that there is holiness in stillness

and grace in slowing down.

Amen.

VARIABLE FAITH 31 DAYS OF GRACE AND GROWTH

DAY 5 – LIGHT A CANDLE AND SIT WITH GOD

THEME: PRESENCE AND STILLNESS

FOCUS: SYMBOLIC PRACTICE, SACRED AWARENESS, COMPANIONSHIP WITH GOD

PRACTICE:

Find a quiet space and light a single candle.

Let this small flame be more than decoration—let it be a sacred symbol.

As it flickers gently, imagine it representing the presence of God: steady, quiet, unwavering. You don’t need to speak or strive. Simply sit with the light. Let it be your prayer. Let it remind you that even in stillness, even without words, you are with God—and that is enough.

Let your breathing slow.

Let your shoulders relax.

Let the warmth of the candle draw your attention back when your thoughts begin to drift.

This is not about doing something—this is about being with Someone.

REFLECTION:

There’s something ancient about light. From the first words of creation—“Let there be light”—to Jesus being called the Light of the World, fire has symbolized warmth, purity, guidance, and divine presence.

Sitting with a candle is a gentle spiritual act, practiced by saints and seekers for generations.

What surfaced for you in the silence?

Did you feel calm or restless?

Did you want to fill the silence—or were you able to settle into it?

Was it difficult to believe that your simple presence was enough for God?

Sometimes the holiest moments are not packed with action, insight, or requests—but are instead made sacred by surrender. God honors your being here, now.

SCRIPTURE:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

– Psalm 119:105 (NRSV)

God’s guidance doesn’t always come like a spotlight. Sometimes it comes like a small flame—just enough to show the next step. In a world that wants to race ahead, God meets us in the glow of what’s here. You don’t need to see the whole path. You only need to know the Light walks with you.

PRAYER:

Light of the World,

Thank You for being near.

In the glow of this simple flame,

remind me that I am never alone.

Help me rest in Your presence without striving.

Let this quiet moment draw me deeper into Your love

and restore my soul with Your steady peace.

Amen.

VARIABLE FAITH 31 DAYS OF GRACE AND GROWTH

DAY 4 – GO OUTSIDE

THEME: RECONNECTION THROUGH CREATION

FOCUS: RESTORATION, GROUNDING, AND SPIRITUAL RECALIBRATION

PRACTICE:

Step outdoors today—just as you are. It doesn’t need to be a grand hike or an hours-long adventure. Simply take a walk down your street, sit on your porch or balcony, or pause in a patch of sunlight between tasks.

Let the outside world interrupt your routine.

Feel the breeze on your skin.

Listen for birdsong, the buzz of bees, or the rustle of leaves.

Watch how the trees sway.

Notice how the light shifts across the ground.

Let creation minister to you in its quiet, sacred way.

You don’t need to analyze or interpret—just be present.

The earth is telling God’s story. Let it speak.

REFLECTION:

What did you notice today that you would have missed if you’d stayed inside?

Was there a moment that brought you comfort, joy, or awe?

Did being in nature slow your thoughts, ease your breath, or realign your heart?

Scripture tells us that creation declares the glory of God—not just through grandeur, but in the gentle repetition of sunrise, the constancy of the wind, the resilience of flowers pushing through soil.

Sometimes, the ground beneath your feet can steady your spirit. Sometimes, the sky preaches peace louder than words.

SCRIPTURE:

“He makes me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside still waters;

he restores my soul.”

– Psalm 23:2–3 (NRSV)

This psalm reminds us that the stillness of nature is not accidental—it is divine. Green pastures and still waters are not just poetic—they are part of how God cares for us, quiets us, and restores us.

When we step outside, we step into God’s original sanctuary.

It’s not about escaping life—it’s about remembering we’re part of something holy and alive.

PRAYER:

Spirit of Life,

Draw me outside of my distractions and into Your creation.

Help me notice the holiness in each leaf and breeze.

Let me hear You in birdsong, feel You in sunlight,

and know You through the stillness of the earth.

Restore my soul through the beauty around me.

Reconnect me with the peace You so freely give.

Amen.

VARIABLE FAITH 31 DAYS OF GRACE AND GROWTH

DAY 3 – BREATHE INTENTIONALLY

THEME: THE BREATH OF GOD

FOCUS: GROUNDING YOUR BODY AND SOUL IN THE STEADY RHYTHM OF DIVINE LIFE

PRACTICE:

Find a quiet place—your bedroom, a favorite chair, a spot in the sun, or even your parked car. Sit or stand comfortably, and gently close your eyes if it helps you focus.

Begin by breathing in this gentle rhythm:

• Inhale slowly for four counts

• Hold your breath for four counts

• Exhale slowly for four counts

Repeat this breath cycle for 3–5 minutes, letting your body settle into the cadence. As you inhale, imagine drawing in God’s peace, love, and grounding presence. As you exhale, release the weight you’ve been carrying—worry, tension, distraction, or stress.

Let your breath become a silent prayer. You don’t need words—your body, created by God, already knows how to commune with the divine.

REFLECTION:

How did your body respond to this breathing practice?

Did your shoulders drop? Did your thoughts quiet? Did your breath deepen or slow?

Breath is often the first thing we lose connection with in times of stress—but it is also the first thing God gave us. This quiet act of breathing intentionally reminds us that we are alive, held, and sustained by something (Someone) greater.

Think about this: You don’t have to earn your next breath—it is simply given.

What does that say about grace?

SCRIPTURE:

The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”

– Job 33:4 (NRSV)

This verse brings us back to the heart of our existence: God’s breath animates us. From the creation of Adam to your very next inhale, breath has always been a sign of divine nearness.

Breathing is sacred. It is how God first awakened life in humanity—and how God continues to meet us, moment by moment.

PRAYER:

Creator of Life,

Thank You for the breath that sustains me.

Let each inhale fill me with Your peace,

and each exhale release the burdens I cannot carry.

Still my racing thoughts.

Calm my weary body.

Let my breath become a quiet song of trust—

an offering of presence back to You.

Amen.

VARIABLE FAITH 31 DAYS OF GRACE AND GROWTH

DAY 2 – NOTICE WHAT YOU’RE NOTICING

THEME: HOLY AWARENESS

FOCUS: LEARNING TO OBSERVE YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND SPIRIT WITH GENTLE CURIOSITY

PRACTICE:

Today, move just a little more slowly. Don’t rush from one task to the next. Instead, pause in the midst of ordinary moments—while brushing your teeth, walking through a doorway, stirring your coffee, or waiting at a red light.

As you pause, gently ask:

• What do I see? • What do I hear? • What do I smell? • What do I feel in my body? • What’s happening in my spirit?

Look for the extraordinary in the ordinary. Notice the warmth of a mug, the sparkle of sunlight on your floor, the rustle of wind through trees, or the kindness in a stranger’s voice. Let your attention be an act of worship—a gentle offering back to the One who made all things.

You don’t need to fix anything or force meaning. Just notice.

REFLECTION:

What did you notice today that you usually overlook?

Did anything surprise you, comfort you, or stir your curiosity?

How did your body feel as you paid attention to your surroundings—more relaxed or more alert?

Did your heart feel more open to gratitude? Or did you encounter resistance?

Noticing is not about doing—it’s about being present. When we slow down and pay attention, we begin to see how God fills the gaps between the busy moments. The sacred shows up in subtle ways.

SCRIPTURE:

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,

the world, and those who live in it.”

— Psalm 24:1 (NRSV)

This verse reminds us that nothing is too small or mundane to be holy. Every street corner, every tree, every interaction belongs to God. Creation is not just the backdrop to our lives—it’s God’s living, breathing canvas.

What would it mean to live like everything you encounter is part of God’s sacred world?

PRAYER:

God of Wonder,

Slow me down enough to see what I’ve been missing.

Help me move through the world with open eyes and a soft heart.

Let the breeze, the birdsong, the ordinary voices of my day

be reminders that You are here—closer than I realized.

Open my senses to beauty, to stillness, and to You.

Help me notice with love, with gratitude, and with grace.

Amen.

VARIABLE FAITH 31 DAYS OF GRACE AND GROWTH

DAY 1 – TAKE 5 MINUTES IN SILENCE

THEME: STILLNESS AS SACRED GROUND

FOCUS: CULTIVATING INTERIOR QUIET AND PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD

PRACTICE:

Find a quiet space—a corner of your room, a sunlit chair, a spot in your backyard. Set a timer for five minutes. No phone. No to-do list. No expectations. This is not a time to “accomplish” anything. Just be.

Let yourself settle. If your thoughts begin to wander (and they likely will), gently return your focus to your breath. Inhale… exhale.

You are not doing nothing. You are opening a space—welcoming presence,

peace, and the quiet whisper of God.

REFLECTION:

Silence can be uncomfortable at first. You may hear the noise inside your own head: distractions, worries, the mental task list. That’s okay. Notice what surfaces—without judgment. This is about noticing, not fixing.

After the silence, consider writing in a journal:

• What did I notice or feel during these five minutes?

• Did I feel restless, relaxed, anxious, grateful?

• What does it feel like to just be in God’s presence without needing to speak or achieve?

This is a small practice—but a powerful one. Five minutes can open a door to deeper peace

and connection with God.

SCRIPTURE:

“Be still, and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10 (NRSV)

This verse is an invitation, not a command. In the original Hebrew, “be still” implies let go, release, cease striving. God is not asking us to do more—God is offering us rest. It’s in stillness that we remember who God is—and who we are not. It’s not our effort that holds the world together. It’s grace.

PRAYER:

God of stillness and space,

Quiet the noise around me and within me.

Help me release my grip on the things I

cannot control.

Teach me to trust that You are present even

when I’m not busy.

Meet me here in the silence. Remind me

that I am loved simply because I exist.

Amen.