Author: daisyrayofsunshine

Represent

Good Morning, yall! This will be short but from the heart. 

We can’t deny that the past couple of weeks have been overwhelming, saddening, divisive, and controversial in the world. In the midst of it all God is still good!!! 

John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

While we may be called at times to take a stand, remember to ALWAYS do so in love! 

God has already overcome the sin of the world l, and he will win the ultimate war. It is now, in this time, our job as his children to represent him and to represent him well. 

People, both children and adults, saved and lost are watching how we will act and react. Do all things in love – social media posts, comments, and conversations you have should glorify our maker and not tear others down. Especially a lost world because he died for them too, and we are called to be a witness. 

This is just what has been on my heart lately. Be the light in this ever darkening world. Love on somebody today. Many times the most “unlovable” are the ones that are hurting and need it the most.

Pick me Lord

My husband and I were able to experience some of Alaska and Canada during a recent trip with friends. On an excursion to the Yukon, we were able to watch sled dogs getting ready for a run. As the handler started hooking up a team of dogs, I noticed some things. Every dog in the yard was straining and barking at the leash. All tails were wagging. Every pair of eyes were locked onto their master, watching his every move. Not one dog hung back or tried to hide hoping they would be overlooked. They all wanted to be picked. They knew exactly what they were made to do- run. There was so much excitement ! Who would be chosen for this run? While my friend and I watched, she made the comment, “That’s a sermon right there. Pick me, Lord!” It’s amazing the lessons and examples we can find right in front of us. Just as the dogs were eager, attentive, and confident in their purpose, I’m reminded and challenged in my own life:

  1. Am I as excited about the possible opportunity to serve?
    The dogs weren’t dragged reluctantly to be harnessed for the team’s mission. No, they were pulling, straining, and barking with eagerness to be a part.
  2. Am I watching my Master?
    Every dog had eyes fixed on the handler. In a world full of distractions, where are my eyes? Am I watching and listening for the Holy Spirit’s prompting, or looking everywhere else, missing opportunities and divine appointments to serve and share His love?
  3. Do I know my purpose?
    The sled dogs lived with excitement and energy because they accepted what they were designed to do. I too, can walk confidently in my purpose. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT

What if you and I lived with that same anticipation, eyes on our Master, ready to run in the purpose we were made for? May our prayer be, “‘Pick me, Lord!” And you know what? He already has… “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit.” John 15:16 NLT

Lisa Lamey, LPC

Stay on assignment


When I first began writing this devotional for Rays of Sunshine, I had a different topic in mind. However, after the recent events happening in the world and some personal experiences of my own, the Lord laid something else on my heart. I felt led to speak on a phrase we’ve all heard many times—faith over fear.
We often see this phrase printed on cute T-shirts, posters, and coffee mugs, but how often do we stop and reflect on what it truly means?
Whether we are believers or not, we all go through difficult times that can weigh us down. From the pain of losing loved ones, to the trauma of car accidents, to the heartbreaking headlines in the news—there are countless ways the enemy tries to shake our faith in God.
After this past week, it feels more than ever like the world is becoming a scarier place to live in. I’m sure many of us are familiar with the passing of Charlie Kirk. While I don’t want to dwell on the grief and pain that his family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ are going through, I do want to focus on the powerful faith he displayed—and how we, as followers of Christ, are called to do the same.
Charlie was passionate about spreading the gospel, especially to teens and young adults. He wasn’t afraid to approach people with different views and answer their questions with biblical truth. I recently watched an episode of The Charlie Kirk Show where one of his close friends said, “If Charlie wasn’t in his chair at the office, he was on assignment with God.” Everything he did pointed back to Jesus.
What a powerful testimony in such a dark world.
Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” This verse reminds us that Jesus is always with us, and so is our Heavenly Father. They know we will face hardship on this earth—but they’ve given us something far stronger than anything the devil can throw at us: faith.
In Matthew 17:20, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” This verse encourages us to trust in the strength of even the smallest faith when it is placed in our mighty God.
Faith allows us to see how God is working, even in the hardest moments. For example, while the loss of someone like Charlie Kirk is heartbreaking, his life and testimony continue to impact countless people—leading some to salvation, drawing others back to church, drawing people to church for the first time, and igniting spiritual growth.
What the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good.
That’s why we must hold up our shield of faith when the enemy attacks. He will try to break us down time and time again, but our faith—empowered by the Holy Spirit—is more than enough to extinguish every fiery arrow he fires at us.
So here’s my challenge to you:
Even when the world feels overwhelming, and your personal struggles are heavy, stay on assignment with the Lord. Let the things the enemy intended to use against you become opportunities to glorify God. People will notice. They’ll ask about your strength and peace, and that’s your moment to share your faith in Jesus. Let them know: they can have that same faith too

Decisions declare

Over the past year, I have been reading the New Testament from start to finish and let me tell you, it has been so good to my walk with Christ!

One particular theme of the NT that has stood out to me recently has been that we as Christians are to let our “manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.”  This seems like a lot, so let’s unpack it!

First, this command in Philippians shows us that the way in which we live is important! Our ability to witness to others through the way we live is one of the best tools we can use in sharing the Gospel. 

Second, the Gospel is deep and beautiful. It’s jam packed with forgiveness, love, grace, mercy, empathy, justice, and redemption. In order to follow this instruction then, we would need to mirror those things in the way we live. Yes…this can look like a lot, but hang with me. 

While I honestly find this task to be daunting at times, I’m honored that Christ has given it to you and me. It’s a gift to be instructed to live in a way that shows what Christ did on the cross for us was and is of immeasurable worth. 

I believe that as we are sanctified (the process of becoming more like Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit) we are faced with decisions about how to live. What do we decide to prioritize? What do we decide to put in our bodies, our schedules, and our brains? What do we decide to watch, read, listen to, or participate in? These decisions declare the manner of life in which we live. These decisions show everyone what we value, and what we live by.

So – what do you live by? Who do you advertise with your life? What do you promote? 

Are the answers to these questions worthy of the Gospel and do they point to Him?

If they do, great, and if they don’t, adjust! My prayer  is that on this very day, God is honored by the way we live.

Have a happy Wednesday!

The day


**April 3, 2024**
The day that changed our lives forever.


On that day, my two-year-old son was diagnosed with Moderate Level II Autism.


As a mother, my heart shattered. Deep down, I had known something wasn’t quite adding up since Kyle was an infant. There had been so many signs pointing to this, yet hearing the words out loud—words so many parents fear—was devastating.


I remember getting into my car afterward, feeling completely numb.


*What do we do now?
Will Kyle ever get better?
Will he be able to function as an adult someday?*


The questions swirled endlessly in my mind. I felt like a failure, as though I had done something wrong to cause this for my child.


Yet, when I looked back, everything at first had seemed perfect. From pregnancy through Kyle’s first nine months, I had zero complications. He was born healthy, and even the newborn phase was easy. He slept, I slept—it was a dream.


But at around nine months, I began to notice delays. While other babies were crawling, Kyle was barely sitting up. When other toddlers were walking, Kyle was only beginning to crawl.


And then there was the speech issue. Beyond the usual baby sounds, there were no words. Kyle couldn’t communicate, and in my heart I knew something was wrong.


By eighteen months, Kyle was in physical therapy and speech therapy. Soon after, he also began occupational therapy.


My sweet boy was behind, and this mama was worried.


Eventually, we were referred to a neurologist, where we finally received the diagnosis.


After the shock wore off, I realized this was not the end of Kyle’s story. When people told me he would likely be nonverbal for life, I refused to accept it. I believed with all my heart that God had plans for my son.


That was the moment I made a vow: I would do whatever it took, no matter how far outside my comfort zone, to give my son the best future possible.


I enrolled Kyle in Early Childhood Special Education. That meant putting my barely three-year-old on a bus, traveling twenty miles from my workplace. It was not an easy choice, but I knew it was the right one.


Through this journey, God has been with us every step of the way. Time and time again, He has reassured me that His plan is greater than my own. He has guided me toward the right decisions for Kyle, and now we are beginning to see the fruit of those choices.


Kyle is learning new words every week. He is beginning to interact more with his peers. He can count past one hundred and read basic words—skills many children don’t develop until late kindergarten.


Through God’s peace, Kyle is receiving the help he needs. Without even knowing it, he shines the light of Jesus to everyone around him. He is joyful, he is thriving, and his laughter is absolutely contagious.


Even in the hard and confusing moments, God’s hand is present. Because of His goodness, we can hold on to joy, even in the valleys.

Speak life


I was going through a rough patch recently, and boy, was I down in the dumps. All I could think about was this hard season. All I was talking about was this hard season. It was consuming me. 


I was listening to a podcast one day when I heard somebody say “What if the reason you’re tired all the time is because you complain about being tired all the time? What if the reason you struggle is because all you talk about is struggling?” 


The day after listening to that podcast, at church the sermon was titled “The Words of My Mouth.” You can imagine how red my face turned. I may have even slid down in my seat a little bit. 


Yeah, the Lord was talking to me loud and clear. Needless to say, I was silenced…


Proverbs 18:21 tells us, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” At first glance, that might sound like an exaggeration, but when we stop and think about it, it’s absolutely true. Words shape people. Words shape relationships. Words even shape the direction of our lives.


That’s why Scripture urges us over and over to watch our speech:
-James compares the tongue to a small spark that can set an entire forest on fire.
-Paul tells us to let no corrupt word come out of our mouths, but only what builds others up.
-Jesus says that we will give account for every careless word spoken.


Our words are like seeds. Every time we speak, we’re planting something, either life or death. And eventually, we’ll “eat the fruit” of what we’ve planted. If my words are constantly negative, I will find myself surrounded by bitterness and negativity. But if my words are filled with life and truth, I will find a life aligned with God’s purpose. 


The words of your mouth matter. Make sure you’re speaking life.

Surrender

Instead of the normal devotion I normally write for Rays, I felt the Lord call me to use this.
These are truths I read about the Lord when I am feeling any sort of emotion, and need to surrender those emotions to the Lord.
Anxious, scared, doubtful, uncertain, etc. I read these and remind myself of the mercy & gentleness of the Lord. I hope this can help you if you find yourself needing it.
He meets you where you are.
He takes the weight of your burdens.
He gets down on your level.
He carries you when you cannot.
He calms the anxious storms.
He settles the waves.
He invites you into freedom.
He welcomes you with mercy.
He loves unconditionally.
That is the beauty of surrender.

August


Sometimes August feels like the real “New Year.” New classes, new schedules, new routines. Whether you’re a student, parent, or teacher, this season probably feels like a total reset. BUT… more than filling our calendars with plans, it’s a chance to refocus our purpose of sharing the Gospel. 


The Great Commission was given to all of us in Matthew 28:19, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” This means wherever you go, whether it be classrooms, offices, sports games, or the long school pickup lines😆 – you are stepping into a mission field! Every genuine conversation, act of service, or kind compliment points people to Jesus. 


So this year, instead of striving to keep up with all of the events and busy schedules, let’s shift our mindset. Let’s view the ordinary places as opportunities to share the love of Christ. 


Be bold! Be faithful! Be a light! Jesus is with you and He will use you right where you are!💛💛💛

School days


School Days and God’s Ways: A Devotion for Peace


The heart of a mother is filled with the tension of holding on and letting go. We begin by holding our child’s hand, guiding their every step, and protecting them from perceived danger. As they grow, however, our role must shift from being controllers to being confident intercessors. We must trust that the same God who knit them together in the womb loves them even more than we do and has a perfect plan for their lives. When we trade our anxieties for prayer, we exchange our limited control for His infinite grace. This act of surrendering our child to God’s care is what allows us to experience the peace that surpasses all understanding, knowing they are in the best possible hands.


The spiritual foundation built in the home is the anchor that will keep your child steady when they step into the world. Just as a house built on a rock can withstand any storm, a child rooted in God’s Word will be unshaken by the pressures of their peers and the culture. Deuteronomy 6:7 reminds us to diligently teach our children about the Lord throughout all aspects of daily life – when we sit, walk, and rest. A strong foundation gives them the confidence not just to survive in the world, but to thrive as disciples who reflect God’s love to those they meet.


This intentional discipleship at home prepares children for their mission field: their school, their playground, and their neighborhood. With a heart filled with Jesus’s love, they can’t help but let His light shine. Other children will see the fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness – and be drawn to that goodness. In a world filled with conflict, a child’s simple, authentic faith can be a powerful testimony. Just as Isaiah prophesied a little child would lead in a peaceable kingdom, when guided by the Holy Spirit, children can lead their peers by their example of grace and truth. This is how the gospel spreads – one classroom, playground or cafeteria table at a time, proving that God’s plan often works through the unexpected and the humble.


“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”
~ Isaiah 54:13

Relevant


My favorite time of day during the school year was always the ride home with the kids, asking them how their day was, hearing all about the cafeteria lore, the classroom chaos, the playground adventures, academic triumphs and failures, and social highs and lows of the day.  Sometimes there was laughter, while other days brought tears.  Some days, they welcomed me with hugs or high fives, and then others with crossed arms and silence.  But, no matter what kind of day they had, they usually shared at least some details of their day that I had missed while they were away from me.  It made me feel closer to them, like I was a part of their daily lives outside of our home and they actually wanted me to know what went on in their day and how they felt about the things that happened to them and around them.


Now, my son is 18 and literally moving halfway around the world to play soccer and go to school exactly one week from today.  My daughter is 16, has her own car, her own friends, and her own life away from her old mother.  I miss the carpool days more than I ever imagined I could possibly miss something that seemed so routine at the time.  I took for granted my children’s desire to share with me the details of their lives. Don’t get me wrong–I know they stil love me and I know they believe that their old mom still loves them, but the interactions have changed. And it hurts. My heart misses them, even when they’re sitting in the same room. I ask how their day was, and you know what they say. All together now…”Fine.”  Ugh. “What did you do today?” You guessed it…”Nothing.” Cool. Awesome. Thanks for sharing.


Pondering on my desperation to hear every facet of my children’s day and feel like I’m relevant in their lives led me to think about how much I share with God about my own daily details–my own classroom chaos (dude…I teach high school freshman all. day. long. #chaos), my own academic triumphs and failures, my own social highs and lows.  My Heavenly Father has a desperate desire to rejoice in my laughter and comfort my sorrows.  He is, after all, my Abba Father, my daddy who loves me and wants to hear about every facet of my day.  He wants me to talk to Him just like I long for my own children to talk to me.  What an amazing Father He is.  


Psalm 139: 7-10 says, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” We may have to be separated from our sweet children when they go to school during the day, or when they grow up and spread their wings and fly, but God is always with us. He never leaves us. He knows us, loves us, wants to talk to us, to hear from us, and spend time with us.  He wants to be relevant in our lives. 


I encourage you to join me this school year in spending more time sharing my daily life with God in prayer, knowing that nothing is too insignificant or routine to Him. We are His special creation, the apples of His eye, the ones He gave His only Son to save so we could spend eternity with Him.  He wants to know ALL the things! 


Now, if I could go be omnipresent and sleep on a mattress on my son’s dorm room floor, I would.  But, I don’t think that would be good for his social life. And, alas, I do want him to bloom and grow where is he planted…even if it’s across an ocean without old mom cramping his style. But don’t think I’m not expecting a facetime call at least once every couple of weeks!  Keep mom in the loop, kid!