I was heading down the long drive to pick up dog food, a routine task in the familiar eastbound direction most of my ordinary trips take.

For once, I was alone. The silence wrapped around me, the vast view stretching before me, a constant yet ever-beautiful reminder of home. And as I drove, a wave of emotion hit. Tears pooled in my eyes as I thought about the unknowns ahead—not just for the future, but for today and tomorrow. For a fleeting moment, I felt overwhelmed and even scared about what might come—or not come.

But in that moment, I was reminded of a truth that has proven itself to me time and time again: God is ever-present. He knows my coming and going, every hair on my head, every thought in my mind, and the entire story of the ages. I whispered a simple prayer: “Lord, I need a bit of encouragement—a little hope and cheer to keep moving forward.”

By the time I reached the end of the drive (yes, it’s that long), I opened the mailbox and sifted through the usual pile of junk mail. Among it, I noticed an unfamiliar envelope from Alabama.

Curious, I opened it. Inside was an encouraging note to continue stewarding the land and work God has placed before me, along with a donation for this year’s summer camp programming. The donor wasn’t local, and I didn’t recognize the name, but God knew. The timing, the giver’s prompting, and my prayer for encouragement all came together in a way only He could orchestrate.

This simple, unexpected gift reminded me of the profound truth of Immanuel—God with us. It’s a reminder I want to pass on to you as you step into your own ordinary days this week: God is present. He sees, He knows, and He cares.

Mrs. Farmer Rachael Jones