When I had a heart procedure done a few years ago, I was told that I would be feeling great afterwards. This was not my experience! Instead, shortly after going home I was taken right back to the ER with overwhelming pains that were shooting through my body. The heart procedure had damaged some nerves at the point of entry for the surgery. These nerves went crazy and sent lightning bolts of pain through my body for a few days. Once the pain resolved, I actually did feel much better than I had felt before going into the procedure.

The end was better than the beginning, but I had to be patient and walk through some pain before getting to that "better" part.

In this Season 5 Intro episode, I'm sharing my theme verse with you, explaining the blessing of how this simple habit helps. If you don't have an annual theme verse, pick one today. Watch how God uses that verse, often in ways that bring both "growing pains" and joy!

My theme verse for 2025: Ecclesiastes 7:8

"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."

Helpful tools here in the Shop at Keep the Heart:

Apply: Living What We Learn--Daily Devotional by Francie Taylor

Far Above Rubies: A 31-Day Devotional by Melissa Hedrick

Encouragement for Young Women: A 30-Day Devotional for Teens by Charity Berkey & Team

What Do I Have to Lose: Losing My Way and Finding God's by Janice Wolfe

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

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