There comes a moment in every season when the heart exhales—
a slow, soft release that says, I made it through this part of the journey.
And even if everything is not yet restored, there is light enough to continue.
Words of Light
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
— Numbers 6:24–26 (NIV)
Reflection
As you arrive at this final day, you may find yourself holding both gratitude and ache, both hope and uncertainty. That is the nature of winter: everything is quiet, yet much is happening beneath the surface.
This devotional journey has invited you to:
acknowledge where the holidays feel tender
care for yourself with compassion
honor memories and release what burdens your heart
create boundaries that protect your peace
notice small joys and quiet blessings
lean into hope that rises gently, not forcefully
And now, on this seventh day, you are invited to rest.
To let the light of God settle over you like a soft blanket.
To breathe deeply and feel your spirit uncoil.
To know—not guess, not hope, not wonder—but know that you are held.
God is not distant from your winter.
He is Emmanuel: God with you.
In every ache, every memory, every moment that feels too heavy to name…
Light is still here.
Love is still here.
You are still here.
And this benediction is for you:
May peace wrap itself around you.
May light rise gently to meet you.
May love be the shelter you lean into.
May hope open like morning.
May healing take its time, yet come steadily.
And may you feel the nearness of God in ways that warm your whole being.
You have made it through these seven days.
And you are not leaving them empty.
You are leaving them blessed.
Pause and Consider…
What blessing from this journey do you want to carry forward?
Journal Prompts
The part of this seven-day journey that stayed with me the most is…
I feel a softening or shift in my heart where…
A blessing I want to carry with me into the days ahead is…
I sense God’s nearness most when I…
As I continue forward, I want to nurture light in my life by…
Affirmation
I am wrapped in peace, guided by light, and held by God’s love as I move forward.
Peace,
Rita
Rita Lynn Berry, EdS, LCMHC, is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and the founder of NewVision Counseling and Consulting Services, PLLC. She is also the creator of the Journey to Me™ program and Mend n Muse Media™, where she shares tools and reflections that support healing, resilience, and self-love.