J.E.B. Spredemann

“When we take our eyes off Jesus and only focus on ourselves and our circumstances, we can no longer see Him. God says He will keep us in perfect peace if we keep our eyes on Him.”

“Brianna peered through the large window into the sea of plexiglass cradles. Each infant, so small and precious, belonged to someone. Someone who cared for them. Someone who loved them. Brianna sniffled and turned away, unable to bear the thought that she had no one.”

“...there is nothing unforgivable and there are no secrets before an all-knowing merciful God.”

“It would still be a long way until she was completely free, but the door had been cracked open and a smidgen of hope broke through the darkness.”

“She knew that oftentimes hurtful people were hurting people, so she determined to pray for them all the more.”

“It was then that she realized she still had God. He was the only one who hadn't left her. He knew who she was, even if he didn't. A single tear formed in the corner of her eye as she thanked God for not abandoning her - especially when she needed Him most.”

“Well, I guess it’s all in God’s hands anyway. He has a way of making things turn out,” Mattie asserted.“Yes, He does. Doesn’t He? Thank you for reminding me of that, Mattie.” She gave her friend a hug. “Sometimes it’s hard not to second guess the choices I’ve made.”“I know what you mean. When life brings changes, I think we tend to do that more.” Mattie wiped away a tear. “I miss the old life sometimes, but I know this is God’s will for me. And God’s will is always best, whether we realize it at the time or not.”

“When you believe the TRUTH, there's an incredible freedom. You're free to live without fear.”

“Choices made, whether bad or good, follow you forever and affect everyone in their path one way or another.”

“If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the imagination is worth a thousand pictures.”

“Yep, there's special eyes that only Jesus can give. When people have special eyes, they can see past a person's face and show other people love.”

“If you’re always looking back at what you’ve lost, you’ll never discover the treasure that lies just up ahead.”

“The world is so different when viewed through the light of God’s Word.”

“Learning to read is one of the most extraordinary gifts you'll ever receive, so open up God's Word and read the most extraordinary book ever written.”

“Isn’t that the way God works? She’d thought. He takes the things in our lives that are ugly, disgusting, and downright wicked, and transforms them into something magnificent.”

“It is not enough for the hand to touch a book and turn its pages. The pages of a book must touch the heart.”

“He realized he needed strength, sustenance that couldn’t come from bread alone. He desperately needed God.”

“You know, I've always thought scars were beautiful. Really. They remind me of my Saviour. You know, without scars, Jesus would look like any other man. His scars proved his love for you and me. He became marred and disfigured by choice, because of his love.”

“My grace is sufficient for thee. The words soothed her soul like a healing balm.”

“It was as though God's hand was reaching down to Anna, and she was reaching her hands to Harvey and Joe, creating a circle of love.”