Under the Palm Tree

Begin Where You Are – 2026

February 5, 2026
A Gentle Winter Issue Under the Palm Tree

Dear Friends,

This January marks a first for Under the Palm Tree, and I step into it humbled — deeply aware of God’s patience with me.

After many years as a paralegal — which, in many ways, is still who I am — I remain a researcher at heart: curious, empathetic, and passionate about many things. Above all, attending a Bible-based church and growing daily in my walk with the Lord is the most important part of my life.

What I hope for Under the Palm Tree is simple: that you find solace in imperfection, encouragement in truth, and rest in the Word of God. This is a place to pause, to reflect, and to grow — together.

Under the Palm Tree exists to help you slow down, rest in God’s truth, and grow in faith—one quiet step at a time.

With gratitude and grace,

Stephanie

Under the Palm Tree™ — Winter Issue

CONTENTS

Cover

Begin Where You Are

permission, not instruction
A Gentle January Under the Palm Tree™

Dear Friends

Inside this Issue:
- A Gentle January Devotional
- Love, in Its Truest Form
- Walking for Renewal
- Simple Seasonal Nourishment
- Faith, Focus, and Prayer
- Closing Reflections
“Move slowly. This is meant to be savored.”

Faith, Focus & Prayer

Short devotional thoughts
Scripture-led reflection
Daily renewal

Devotional

An Exhale at Sunset
Scripture + reflection
Grounding, faith-forward

Seasonal Nourishment
- Simple Sips
- Warm winter drink
- Light Refreshing Option
45 + Breathing + focus

Walking Challenge

Consistent & Prayerful

FEATURE SECTION

Love, in Its Truest Form
1. Agape — The Love That Chooses
2. Phileo — The Love That Walks Beside You
3. Storge — The Love That Protects
4. Eros — The Love That Unites
5. Love That Lasts (Closing Page)
Focus on God’s Promise, Not the Delay

Abraham’s story reminds us that faith isn’t loud—it’s steady. God gave a promise, and even when time passed, Abraham kept his focus on what God said, not what he couldn’t see yet.

Sometimes the hardest part of faith is the waiting. The delay can tempt us to overthink, question, or lose heart. But focus is simply directed attention—and today, we choose to direct our attention back to God’s promise.

Faith stays forward—one steady step at a time.

🌿 Peace in the waiting Cocoa

Stress often lingers in the body long after the day has ended. This warm cocoa is meant to be sipped slowly—an invitation to settle, breathe, and prepare the heart for rest.

Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or oat milk
- 1 teaspoon raw cacao powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon honey or pure maple syrup
- 1 drop vanilla extract
Directions

Warm the milk gently on the stove over low heat.
Whisk in cacao and cinnamon until smooth.
Remove from heat and stir in honey and vanilla.
Pour into your favorite mug and sip slowly.

Nourishment Note

Warm beverages signal safety to the nervous system. Raw cacao supports mood, while cinnamon adds grounding warmth. This simple ritual helps release tension held throughout the day and creates space for calm reflection.

Quiet Invitation

As you drink, allow your shoulders to relax.
There is no need to hurry.
This is a moment of care—body and soul.

Sometimes the quickest way to refocus is to start with your breath.

A 45-Second Stress-Relief Breath
- Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds
- Hold for 2 seconds
- Exhale slowly for 6 seconds
- Repeat 3 rounds and let your shoulders drop.
- Walk gently into what is next
Walk gently into what’s next

🌿 Walking Prompt: Walk & Connect

Invite a friend to walk beside you—no agenda, no rush.

As you walk:

Start with a few quiet minutes together, letting the day settle.

Walk at a pace where conversation feels natural, not forced.

Take turns sharing one thing you’re grateful for and one thing you’re carrying.

If words run out, let the silence be comfortable—it counts too.

Before you part ways, pause for a moment and say a simple blessing over one another, spoken or unspoken.

Connection doesn’t require fixing—sometimes it just needs presence.

The Love Challenge (7 Days)
- Day 1: Encourage someone
- Day 2: Forgive quickly
- Day 3: Listen without fixing
- Day 4: Give a compliment
- Day 5: Do something thoughtful in secret
- Day 6: Speak gently to yourself
- Day 7: Thank God for someone you love
- “Love is a daily choice.”
Love Blessing

May your love be gentle.
May your words heal more than they harm.
May you give grace freely—and receive it humbly.
May you remember you are deeply loved by God.
And may love to show up in the smallest moments, every day.

Love, in Four Beautiful Forms

Love is one of the most powerful words we use—yet it can mean very different things depending on the moment. Sometimes love feels like butterflies and excitement. Sometimes it looks like loyalty, friendship, and shared history. And sometimes love is quiet—steady, sacrificial, and strong enough to carry you through seasons you never expected.

Scripture doesn’t flatten love into one emotion. Instead, it reveals love in layers—each one meaningful, each one necessary. Understanding the types

Agape → Phileo

Agape shows us how to choose love with intention. From that foundation, love begins to move outward—into friendship, companionship, and shared life. This is where love walks beside us.

Agape Love — The Love That Chooses

Agape love is the highest form of biblical love—not because it feels the strongest, but because it chooses the strongest. It is not powered by mood, romance, convenience, or reward. Agape is love that remains steady even when emotions shift.

Agape doesn’t ask, “What do I get?”
It asks, “What is needed?”

This is the love God gives us—undeserved, unearned, unwavering. And it becomes the love we’re invited to live out daily: not through grand speeches, but through quiet decisions that reflect His heart.

Agape is:
- patient when it would be easier to react
- kind when it would be easier to withdraw
- gentle when pride wants the last word
- forgiving when the wound is still tender
- faithful when no one is clapping
Agape love is not weakness—it is strength under control. It is the kind of love that protects what is sacred, honors what is fragile, and chooses the long view over the quick reaction.

Biblical principle: Agape is love with roots

Agape love is rooted in truth. It doesn’t ignore boundaries or excuse harm—but it refuses bitterness. It seeks peace without losing wisdom. It loves with clarity, not confusion.

And because it is a choice, it can be practiced.

Every time you:

Agape → Phileo
- pause before responding
- pray before reacting
- forgive again
- show up again
- speak softly in a hard moment
you are living agape.

Agape is the love that looks like God.

Agape shows us how to choose love with intention. From that foundation, love begins to move outward—into friendship, companionship, and shared life. This is where love walks beside us.

Storge → Eros

When love is grounded in safety and belonging, it becomes capable of true intimacy. Eros reflects connection that is intentional, honoring, and deeply personal—love that unites without losing itself.

Phileo → Storge

Friendship teaches us trust, laughter, and presence. Over time, those bonds deepen into something rooted and protective—a love that shelters, nurtures, and holds steady through every season.

When love is grounded in safety and belonging, it becomes capable of true intimacy. Eros reflects connection that is intentional, honoring, and deeply personal love that unites without losing itself.

Phileo Love — The Love That Walks Beside You

Phileo love is the love of friendship. It grows through shared time, laughter, trust, and mutual respect. This is the love that chooses presence—the kind that shows up, listens, and stays.

Phileo doesn’t rush.
It builds slowly, shaped by conversations, shared memories, and the quiet understanding that develops when two people walk life together.

Biblically, phileo reminds us that companionship matters. God created us for connection, not isolation. Friendship strengthens us, sharpens us, and often carries us through seasons when other forms of love feel strained or distant.

Phileo love looks like:
- listening without trying to fix
- loyalty when circumstances change
- encouragement spoken at the right moment
- laughter that lightens heavy days
- trust built over time
This love teaches us that not every relationship needs intensity to be meaningful. Sometimes the deepest gift is simply someone who walks beside you.

Storge Love — The Love That Protects

Storge love is the quiet, steady love found in families and lifelong bonds. It’s the love that protects, nurtures, and remains even when life feels complicated.

This love doesn’t demand perfection.
It holds space for growth.

Storge is rooted in familiarity and care—parent to child, grandparent to grandchild, siblings, chosen family. It is the love that feels safe, even on difficult days.

Biblically, this love reflects God’s tenderness toward His children. It is patient. It disciplines with wisdom. It corrects without rejection. It remains faithful through change.

Storge love shows itself through:
- consistency over time
- gentle correction guided by care
- protection without control
- commitment through seasons of change
- love that stays when things aren’t easy
This love reminds us that belonging is a gift – and that being rooted allows us to grow strong.

Eros Love — The Love That Unites

Eros love is often misunderstood. It’s frequently reduced to attraction or desire—but biblically, eros is meant to be honoring, committed, and sacred.

Eros is not love without boundaries.
It is love with intention.

This form of love celebrates intimacy, connection, and the bond between two people who choose one another with trust and respect. When guided by wisdom, eros strengthens commitment rather than replacing it.

Scripture teaches that physical love is not shameful when it is rooted in faithfulness, mutual honor, and care. Eros is designed to unite—not consume.

Healthy eros love includes:
- mutual respect
- emotional safety
- trust and faithfulness
- boundaries that protect both hearts
- intimacy that deepens connection
When eros is guided by love rather than impulse, it becomes a beautiful expression of unity—body, heart, and spirit aligned.

A Unifying Thought

Each form of love matters.
None stands alone.

Agape teaches us how to choose love.
Phileo teaches us how to share life.
Storge teaches us how to protect what’s sacred.
Eros teaches us how to unite with honor.

Together, they form a complete picture—love that is wise, steady, and deeply human.

Love That Lasts

Love isn’t only a feeling—it’s a choice we return to.
It’s patience in the small moments, kindness when it’s easier to withdraw, and grace when life feels imperfect. True love grows quietly over time, strengthened by wisdom, softened by forgiveness, and guided by God.

May your love be gentle.
May your words be thoughtful.
May your heart stay steady.
And may the love you give reflect the love you’ve received.

“Let all that you do be done in love.”
— 1 Corinthians 16:14

A Prayer for Guarding Our Words

Lord, help me love with wisdom. Teach me to pause before I speak, and to refuse conversations that tear others down. Let my words be gentle, honest, and healing. Give me the courage to protect peace, and the strength to be silent when silence is the most loving choice. Amen.

Love shapes how we live, how we speak, and how we show up for one another—but it is not meant to stand alone. As this section closes, we turn our attention toward what sustains love day by day: faith that steadies us, focus that quietens the noise, and prayer that keeps us grounded. In the pages ahead, we’ll explore what it means to begin where you are—walking gently, breathing deeply, and trusting God to guide each next step.

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✍️ NEXT ISSUE

As the light begins to stretch a little longer each evening and the air softens with promise, the next issue of Under the Palm Tree™ will step quietly into spring. We’ll explore renewal that unfolds gently — faith that blossoms in its own time, walks that lead toward open skies, and reflections that welcome fresh beginnings without hurry. Expect blooming color, brighter horizons, and words that invite you forward with grace. What once felt still will begin to stir, and what felt distant will draw near. A new season is arriving — softly, beautifully, and right on time.

Begin where you are,
Stephanie | Under the Palm Tree™

🌿 Evening Calm Tea (A Gentle Wind-Down)

Ingredients
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 chamomile tea bag or 1 tsp dried chamomile
- ½ tsp dried lavender buds (optional, very calming)
- 1 thin slice fresh ginger (optional for warmth)
- Raw honey to taste
- A squeeze of lemon (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring water just to a gentle boil.
2. Add chamomile, lavender, and ginger to a mug.
3. Pour hot water over and steep 5–7 minutes.
4. Remove herbs, add honey and lemon if desired.
5. Sip slowly.
🌴 Closing Line

As the day winds down, let this tea be a reminder to release what you’re carrying and rest in peace.
The Joy of Stress – Coming forth as gold

January 17, 2026
Devotional

Stress rarely feels like a gift. Most of us try to escape it, manage it, or pray it away. Yet both Scripture and experience quietly reveal a deeper truth: stress itself is neutral. It is our response to it that determines whether it weakens us—or strengthens us.

The book of James invites us to see trials differently:

“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
— James 1:3–4 (KJV)

Job understood this long before stress had a name:

“But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
— Job 23:10 (KJV)

Gold is refined by heat, not ruined by it. In the same way, God often uses seasons of stress to shape something lasting within us. When trials end, the gold is not simply relief—it is who we have become through trusting Him.

This is the quiet confidence believers carry—the “family secret” the world does not know:

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
— Romans 8:28 (KJV)

To the unbeliever, stress feels random and meaningless. But to the child of God, even pressure has purpose.

The apostle Paul reminds us:

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 (KJV)

Stress does not mean God has left you.
Sometimes, it means He is working more closely than ever—refining, strengthening, and preparing you to come forth as gold.

Stress Immunization — A Gentle Perspective
- Recognize: Stress is neutral; fear determines its impact
- Reframe: Trials are tools, not punishments
- Respond: Choose trust over resistance
- Rest: Prayer, Scripture, and stillness restore clarity
- Remember: God knows the way you take—and He wastes nothing
Closing Thought

If stress has found you today, take heart. God is not surprised by the pressure you feel, nor is He distant from it. What feels heavy now is doing a quiet, holy work beneath the surface. The trial may pass—but the gold remains. And the God who knows the way you take is faithfully shaping something beautiful in you, even now.

Prayer

Lord,
Help me to trust You in the pressure and not fear what You are refining.
When stress feels heavy, remind me that You are near—and that You are working all things for good.
Teach me to rest in what I cannot yet see, knowing You know the way I take.
Amen.

Under the Palm Tree 🌴
Faith for the everyday walk Stephanie
Under the Palm Tree – Faith, Focus & Prayer

January 16, 2026
Hebrews 11:13 (KJV)
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

Devotional

On a bitter cold morning, the sun still found a way through the clouds. It wasn’t the full warmth of summer—just a steady light in the distance. But it was enough to keep moving. Something about cold air and sunshine makes you more alert. You breathe deeper without trying. Your senses wake up. And for a moment, you remember: you don’t need the whole season to change to take the next step.

That’s what faith looks like too—steady, forward, and sometimes built on what we can only see from afar.

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off…”

— Hebrews 11:13 (KJV)

Focus (Faith in Motion)

Faith is not just something we believe—it’s something we live. Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith often starts before we feel ready, and it keeps going even when the outcome isn’t visible yet.

That’s why focus matters. Merriam-Webster calls focus “directed attention,” and that’s exactly what prayer helps us do: it gently redirects our attention back to God when life pulls us in every direction.

Sometimes the quickest way to refocus is to start with your breath.

A 45-Second Stress-Relief Breath
- Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds
- Hold for 2 seconds
- Exhale slowly for 6 seconds
Repeat 3 rounds and let your shoulders drop.

A Small Walking Tip That Adds Up

When you park your car today, park a little farther from the entrance.
It’s a simple way to add extra steps without extra time—and those small choices build consistency.

Closing Thought

If today feels heavy, you don’t have to carry it alone. Jesus is near, and He welcomes you—exactly as you are.

“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
— Romans 10:9

And for those who already believe, this is a comfort on the days you don’t have the words:

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit Himself intercedes for us…”
— Romans 8:26–27

A Short Prayer

Lord, strengthen my faith, steady my focus, and teach me to pray with trust—one step at a time. Amen.

Amen—one breath, one step, and one quiet surrender at a time.
— Stephanie | Under the Palm Tree™
Under the Palm Tree – Let your light shine

January 15, 2026
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:16 kjv

Devotional

This morning’s walk reminded me that light doesn’t have to be loud to be real.

It was cold when I stepped outside—one of those winter mornings where you feel the chill before you even move. But then the sun found its way through, and within minutes it warmed my face in the softest, most comforting way. Wrapped in winter layers, I felt protected… and somehow lighter.

The trails were quiet and bare. The leaves had already fallen, and the woods stood bare-boned—still, open, and waiting. The branches reached upward like gentle hands, holding space for what hasn’t bloomed yet. With the green gone, you could see straight through the trees all the way to the river, as if winter had cleared the view on purpose.

And that’s when it hit me: the light matters most in seasons like this. The sun doesn’t just warm—it lifts, it softens, it makes growth possible. In the same way, the light we share with others doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes it’s warmth. Sometimes it’s hope. Sometimes it’s simply showing up with something steady and kind.

Everything felt quiet. Honest. Uncluttered.

And maybe that’s what winter does best—it strips away the noise and reminds us what matters most.

A Gentle Reminder for Today

We don’t have to force our light. We don’t have to perform it.

Sometimes “letting it shine” looks like:
- showing up anyway
- choosing kindness when no one sees
- staying steady when life feels uncertain
- taking care of the body God gave you
- being present right where you are
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…”
— Ephesians 2:10

Even our small steps count. Even our quiet choices matter.
You were created with purpose—on the easy days and the hard ones.

Before Your Walk: A 45-Second Breathing Reset

Stand tall. Let your shoulders drop.
- Inhale slowly for 4 seconds
- Hold for 2 seconds
- Exhale for 6 seconds
Repeat 3 rounds and whisper:
“Lord, let my light be gentle and bright.”

Today’s Walking Challenge:

A cool-weather walk can be a simple reset. Many people find crisp air helps lift mood, clear the mind, and boost energy—especially when you keep the pace gentle.

✅ Walk 15–20 minutes
✅ Keep it comfortable
✅ Notice something peaceful as you go

Gentle note: This is for encouragement only, not medical advice—always listen to your body and check with your physician if needed.

Closing Thought

If today feels heavy, you don’t have to carry it alone. Jesus is near, and He welcomes you—exactly as you are.

If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
— Romans 10:9

And for those who already believe, this is such a comfort on the days you don’t have the words:

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit Himself intercedes for us…”
— Romans 8:26–27

Amen—one breath, one step, and one quiet surrender at a time.
— Stephanie | Under the Palm Tree™
Under the Palm Tree – Rest for the Weary

January 14, 2026
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”— Matthew 11:28

Devotional

In today’s world, the burdens can feel immense. Social media, news, and nonstop noise can quietly train our minds to stay on high alert. Mental health struggles are rising for both children and adults, and it’s not hard to understand why—what we consistently feed our minds eventually shapes how we feel.

The truth is, our hearts are sacred places. They should be protected.

There’s a song I learned as a child: “Jesus loves the little children… we are precious in His sight.”
And even now, as adults, that reminder still matters—because we’re still His children. Still precious. Still worth protecting.

That doesn’t mean pretending the world isn’t happening. It means learning how to digest what we’re being fed, and redirect our focus back toward what is healthy, steady, and life-giving.

Even research supports what we already sense in our spirit: stress-management practices like mindfulness and relaxation may help support a healthier stress response—often linked with lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol.

And here’s something I love—the word “peace” appears hundreds of times in Scripture (one commonly cited count is about 429 times in the KJV, depending on how it’s measured). That alone tells us peace isn’t a luxury. It matters to God.

Before Your Walk Today: A 60-Second Breathing Reset

Sit or stand comfortably. Let your shoulders drop.
- Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds
- Hold gently for 2 seconds
- Exhale slowly for 6 seconds
Repeat 3 times and whisper:
“Lord, I receive Your rest.”

Today’s Walk (Simple + Gentle)

Keep it easy today—this isn’t about pushing. It’s about returning.
- Walk for 15–20 minutes
- Choose a calm route if possible (a park, quiet street, or familiar loop)
- If your mind starts racing, come back to one simple phrase:
  “One step at a time.”
After Your Walk: A Closing Breath

Before you go inside, pause for just a moment.
- Inhale: “Thank You, Lord.”
- Exhale: “I’m safe with You.”
Closing Thought

If today feels heavy, you don’t have to carry it alone. Jesus is near, and He welcomes you—exactly as you are.

“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
— Romans 10:9

And for those who already believe, this is such a comfort on the days you don’t have the words:

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit Himself intercedes for us…”
— Romans 8:26–27

Amen—one breath, one step, and one quiet surrender at a time.

— Stephanie | Under the Palm Tree™
Trusting God When You Can’t See the Whole Path

January 13, 2026
Trust God

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
— Proverbs 3:5–6

That verse doesn’t mean life will be perfect.
It means we are not walking alone.

It means God can guide us through roads we never wanted to travel.
And even when the path bends, dips, or feels uncertain—He can still steady our steps.

A Walking Reflection for Real Life

On the hardest days, walking has become one of my simplest acts of faith.

Not because it fixes everything.
But because it reminds me:
- I can still move forward
- I can still breathe fresh air
- I can still show up
- I can still take the next step—even if the bigger questions remain
Some days I walk with strength.
Some days I walk with tears.

Some days I walk with quiet anger that I’m still dealing with the same thing.

But I walk.

And sometimes that is the most honest prayer of all.

Gentle Walking Pointers

1) Walk for 10 minutes only

Don’t punish yourself.
Just move. Ten minutes counts.

2) Choose a comforting route

A familiar trail, a quiet street, a park loop—simple is best.

3) Let your walk be your “reset”

You don’t have to solve life today.
Just let your body and mind soften a little.

4) Repeat one sentence

Try this during your walk:

“Lord, I trust You with this step.”

Closing Thought

If today feels heavy, you don’t have to carry it alone. Jesus is near, and He welcomes you—exactly as you are.

“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
— Romans 10:9

🌴Amen—one breath, one step, and one quiet surrender at a time.
— Stephanie | Under the Palm Tree™
Children of the Light

December 18, 2025
A Special Edition for Families

1 Thessalonians 5:5 “You are all children of the light and children of the day.”

Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Devotional

Light often begins its work long before belief takes shape.

Two Boys. Two Power Rangers. One Very Over-It Morning.

When my son was little, he was always the tallest one in the room.
Older kids thought nothing of it — but at seven, being different is its own kind of burden.

That Christmas morning, he and the little boy down the street opened identical Power Ranger toys. For about six glorious minutes, everything was perfect.

Then words were used.

Not thoughtful words.
Not kind words.
The kind that sting — especially when you already feel different.

My son didn’t yet have the language to say, “That hurt me.”
So he said it the only way his seven-year-old body knew how.

He took that brand-new Power Ranger…
marched to the street…
and threw it straight into the gutter.

Not the “we can retrieve it with a stick” gutter.
The “it’s gone forever” gutter.

Moments later, his friend’s mother appeared at my door with two upset boys and one Christmas tragedy. She was angry. Her son was sobbing. My son stood there — tall, red-faced, and oddly convinced he had restored justice.

And honestly?
Both of us mothers were done for the day before noon.

What Children Are Really Learning

At that age, children are not choosing faith —

What Children Are Really Learning

At that age, children are not choosing faith —
they are learning how to exist in the world.

They are learning:
- how words land
- how difference feels
- how power works
- how pain comes out sideways
My son wasn’t being cruel.
He was overwhelmed.

His friend wasn’t being evil. Like so many children, he was learning — imperfectly — the weight words can carry.

Scripture gives us language for this long before children do:

“You are all children of the light and children of the day.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:5

Light, here, isn’t belief yet.
It’s guidance.
It’s formation.
It’s learning how to walk — slowly, imperfectly — toward kindness.

🚶‍♀️ Walking Prompt — Children of the Light

(For children reading with a parent)

As you walk together, look for the light around you.
Notice the sun, the lamps, or the way light helps you see where to step.

With each step, you can say softly:
“I am a child of the light.”

Walk slowly.
Let the light show you the way, one step at a time.

🙏 Prayer — A Simple Prayer for Little Hearts

Dear God,
Thank You for loving us and calling us children of the light.
Help us use kind words, make good choices,
and follow You wherever we go.
When things feel confusing or hard,
shine Your light to show us the right path.
Amen.

✨ Reflection

God’s light helps us choose kindness, one step at a time.

Simple Eggnog Latte

Soft, cozy, and not overcomplicated —

You’ll need:
- ¾ cup eggnog
- ¼ cup milk (or almond/oat milk)
- 1 shot espresso or ½ cup strong coffee
- Pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon
- Optional: splash of vanilla
How:
- Warm the eggnog and milk gently (don’t boil).
- Brew coffee or espresso.
- Combine, stir, and top with nutmeg or cinnamon
✨ Nourishment Note

There’s something beautifully simple about a warm cup of eggnog in December.
It’s a drink meant for this season alone — one that slows the pace, softens the breath, and invites a moment of rest amid the holiday rush.

As Mary received the angel’s message, she did not hurry or strive.
She paused. She pondered. She received.

Holding a warm mug can echo that same posture — a gentle reminder to stop, and to breath.

🌿 Stay Connected

As we move from the holiday season into the new year, we’d love to keep walking together.
Subscribe to receive our January digital magazine, filled with thoughtful reflections, family-centered wisdom, and moments of calm for the season ahead.

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With warmth, wonder, and gratitude,
— Stephanie

Under the Palm Tree™ — Jesus Found Me
✨ When Love Steps Toward Us

December 12, 2025
— Luke 1:31-33 “You will conceive and give birth to a son,
and you are to call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever.
His kingdom will never end.”

Devotional

This is the divine conception of Jesus—
the miracle born from God’s overwhelming love for humanity.
Before we ever reached for Him,
He came to us.

The eternal Word becoming flesh inside the womb of a young girl named Mary
was not an act of human effort, strategy, or strength.
It was pure, initiating love—
love that stepped toward a world unable to save itself.

He has many names, each revealing His heart toward us:

Emmanuel — “God with us.”
He does not wait for us to rise toward Him;
He enters our world and meets us where we are.

Jesus — “The Lord saves.”
And here, the angel’s words become the anchor of our hope:

“You will conceive and give birth to a son,
and you are to call Him Jesus…”
— Luke 1:31–33

His very name declares His mission:
God saves us.
Not because we climbed high enough,
but because His love came low enough to reach us.

Christ — “The Anointed One.”
The One set apart to break the chains of sin
and restore hope to the world.

Some will reject this love—
but rejection does not lessen its truth
or the lengths God went to make Himself known.

The miracle came through the Holy Spirit—
gentle, powerful, holy—
overshadowing Mary with a purpose
that would open the way of redemption for all people.

And the same Spirit still speaks today.
He speaks through His Word.
He whispers through moments of quiet.
He nudges our hearts in the middle of ordinary days.
He draws near through our surroundings—
even in the fog, even in the cold,
even when we feel unsure or unseen.

He saves us—
not because we pursued Him first,
but because His love pursued us.

Walking Prompt

Step outside today—into the cold, into the fog if it’s there.
Feel how the air settles around you,
how your breath hangs visible in the quiet morning.

Let every step become a reminder:
God draws near even when visibility is low.
Even when your soul feels tired.
Even when you can’t see what’s ahead.

Walk slowly.
Breathe deeply.
Let the Spirit meet you in the stillness
just as He met Mary—unexpected, unannounced,
yet entirely full of love.

A Final Word for Your Heart

Mary did not understand everything she was being asked to carry.
She didn’t have the full picture,
the timeline,
or the answers.

But she offered something God still receives with joy:
a willing heart.

Her obedience wasn’t born of certainty—
it was born of trust.

And that’s where your story meets hers.

You don’t need to see the whole path.
You don’t need to feel brave.
You don’t need to understand the miracle God is forming in you.

You simply need to say,
“Let it be to me according to Your word.”

And the God who came near to Mary
will come near to you,
right where you are,
in the quiet of your own waiting.

Closing Prayer

“Lord, meet me in the places where I feel unsure or unable to see clearly.
Settle my heart, steady my steps,
and remind me that Your presence is enough—
even in the fog, even in the cold, even in the waiting.
Amen.”

Gospel Thread

Every ordinary day of Advent whispers the same truth:
The God who came near to Mary still comes near to us—
with saving love, with steady hope,
and with a kingdom that will never end.

And He extends a simple, life-changing invitation:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…”
— John 3:16

If you have never received His love,
or if you long to return to Him,
today is a beautiful place to begin.

Just whisper,
“Lord, I believe. Come near to me.”
He always responds to those who call.

✨ WARM SPICED EGGNOG STEAMER

Ingredients
- 1 cup traditional eggnog
- ½ cup whole milk (or half-and-half for richer texture)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg, plus more for garnish
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional, for stirring)
- Whipped cream (optional but dreamy)
Instructions
1. Warm the eggnog + milk in a small saucepan over low heat.
  (Do not boil — eggnog is delicate.)
2. Add the vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
3. Whisk gently until warm, silky, and fragrant.
4. Pour into your favorite mug — a Southern porch mug if you have one.
5. Top with whipped cream, a dusting of nutmeg,
  and a cinnamon stick for that Southern candlelight touch.
6. Sip slowly… preferably on a porch with lantern light.
✨ Nourishment Note

There’s something beautifully simple about warming a cup of eggnog —
it slows your pace, softens your breathing, and creates a moment of rest.

As Mary received the Holy Spirit’s declaration,
she did not run or rush.
She pondered. She considered. She received.

A warm cup in your hands can become a small echo of that posture —
a reminder to pause, to receive what God is speaking,
and to let His peace settle over you like candlelight on a quiet Southern evening.

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With gratitude and grace,
Stephanie
Under the Palm Tree™ — Jesus Found Me
Peace & Abiding — Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas

December 5, 2025
John 14:27 + John 15:2–5

🌿 Devotional

Before Jesus spoke of abiding,
He first spoke peace.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you…
Let not your heart be troubled.” (John 14:27)

And then, as if He knew how easily our peace slips through our hands,
He gently said:

“Abide in Me… for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4–5)

It’s a beautiful progression —
Jesus settles our hearts before He shapes them.

We are now just two weeks away from the Christmas story —
the moment heaven stepped into our chaos.
These verses prepare us to make room.

Peace opens the door.
Abiding keeps the door open.
Pruning clears the space where His presence can grow.

I will never forget one December afternoon in a shopping mall in South Florida.
My son was about three years old — full of curiosity, energy, and mischief.
A sweet, stubborn little handful.

Christmas shopping with a toddler was the last thing I wanted to do,
but my mother said what every grandmother says:

“Oh, he’ll be fine.”

Until he wasn’t.

One moment he was right beside us,
and the next he disappeared into a forest of clothing racks — gone.
My heart dropped.
Fear rushed in before I could catch my breath.

Then I heard it —
the soft whoosh of the automatic sliding doors.
A crowd stepped out with their bags…
and there he was, darting out with them like a little bullet
heading straight toward the busy parking lot.

Terror washed over me so completely
I still feel it if I think too long.

By the grace of God,
I reached him in time.
Still giggling.
Still unaware of danger.
My mother stood behind the glass door shaking her head,
shopping bags swinging from her wrists.

And my little boy — now suddenly serious —
looked up and whispered,
“I’m sorry, Mommy… I’m sorry.”

What could I do but pull him close
and thank God he was in one piece?

Even now, I sometimes wonder…

If I had just said,
“Mom, let’s go see Santa,”
would he have popped his little head out from behind those clothes?

Maybe.

But here is what I didn’t understand at the time:

I was looking for control, not peace.
I thought if I said the right thing,
or moved to the right place,
or reacted fast enough,
I could keep everything from falling apart.

For most of my life, I believed control would save me.
Now I’m learning that peace saves me far more than control ever did.

Peace is what steadies us when life slips out of our hands.
Peace is what meets us when the sliding doors of fear open too quickly.
Peace is the presence that catches us when control cannot.

And this truth continues to unfold in me:

We were never meant to walk this journey alone.

Not motherhood.
Not fear.
Not the moments that shake us to our core.
Not even the quiet days leading us toward Christmas.

Jesus says, “Abide in Me,”
because He knows peace isn’t something we manufacture —
it’s something we receive when we stay close.

✨ Reflection Questions

1️⃣ Where is Jesus inviting you to receive peace instead of producing it?
2️⃣ What is one “branch” He may be gently pruning in this season?
3️⃣ What helps you personally abide with God during December’s busyness?

🚶‍♀️ Walking Prompt

As you walk today, breathe slowly and imagine each inhale as receiving His peace…
and each exhale as releasing what you were never meant to carry alone.
Let your steps become a small act of abiding — steady, unhurried, near to Him.

🙏 Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You for the peace You speak over my heart.
Thank You for catching me in the moments when fear runs ahead of me
and for staying near when life slips out of my hands.
Teach me to abide in You —
to rest, to release, to trust.
Prepare my heart for the beauty of Christmas.
Prune what no longer bears fruit
and make room for Your presence to grow.
Amen.

Optional Additions
- A tiny pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth
- A scoop of collagen or protein powder for nourishment
- A swirl of honey on top
❄️ Nourishment Note

Snowball Dream Smoothie

A soft, winter-white blend of vanilla, coconut, and almond —
light, dreamy, and calming, like a quiet snowfall.

Sip slowly.
Let the morning soften.
Let His peace settle in.

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Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

With gratitude and grace,
Stephanie
Under the Palm Tree™ — Jesus Found Me
🌴 UNDER THE PALM TREE™ DEVOTIONAL

December 4, 2025
The True Vine: A Winter of Abiding

A moment of stillness in a busy season.

📖 Scripture Focus

John 15:2–5
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit… Abide in Me, and I in you… for without Me you can do nothing.”

💛 Devotional

Winter has a way of stripping everything down to what is essential.
Bare branches. Quiet air. A stillness that feels like God is holding His breath.

Sometimes, my soul feels the same — exposed, tender, waiting.

Christmas, for all its beauty, can also be an incredibly empty and lonely time if my heart and mind aren’t anchored in the right place.
I can decorate the tree, light candles, wrap gifts, bake something sweet…
and still feel a quiet ache inside, a hollowness I can’t explain.

And here’s the truth I cannot outrun:

Without being bare of the dead branches before a holy God, I don’t see any other way forward.

Jesus says the Father — the Husbandman, the Gardener —
removes what does not bear fruit.
Not because He is harsh.
Not because He is disappointed.
But because He knows what is choking the life out of us.

Those dead branches may look like:
- old expectations
- loneliness we pretend isn’t there
- exhaustion from trying to hold everything together
- pressure to create the “perfect” holiday
- sorrow we’ve never spoken aloud
- the quiet fear that we’re not doing enough
And this is where I have to tell the truth:

I am human — I want the Norman Rockwell Christmas.
I want the glowing windows, the warm smiles, the effortless peace.
But that’s not real.

What is real is Jesus — the True Vine.

And in His mercy, He prunes so that I don’t wither.
He gently removes what I was never meant to carry.
He brings me back to the only place where fruit grows:

Abiding. Total dependence. Resting in His life, not mine.

Fruit doesn’t come from striving.
It doesn’t come from pushing through December on empty.
It doesn’t come from performing holiness or perfection.

It comes from staying connected.

Apart from Him, I can do nothing.
But with Him, even my winter can bloom.

Maybe this season isn’t punishment.
Maybe this is preparation.
Maybe this is the exact stillness my soul needs
so that when spring comes…
I will recognize the fruit He was cultivating all along.

🚶‍♀️ Walking Prompt

Take a slow winter walk today.
As your feet move, whisper this simple prayer:

“Lord, show me the branches You are gently pruning…
and help me let go.”

Notice every bare tree you pass.
Imagine your soul in the same quiet season —
not empty, but ready.

🪞 Reflection Questions
1. What “dead branches” might God be inviting me to release this December?
2. Where have I been striving instead of abiding?
3. What fruit do I long to see in my life — and am I willing to let Him prepare me for it?
🙏 Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You are the True Vine, and I am the branch.
Teach me to abide.
Prune what harms me.
Cleanse what blocks Your life within me.
Make room in me for the fruit only You can grow.
When I feel empty this season, fill me with Your peace.
When I feel lonely, draw me close.
When I’m tired, lift me.
Let my winter rest in Your hands. Amen.

✨ Cozy Cinnamon Peppermint Steamer

🥤 Nourishment of the Week

A warm, soothing holiday drink for evening reflection.

There’s something sacred about ending the day with a warm mug between your hands.
This simple peppermint steamer is peaceful, comforting, and gentle — the perfect companion for a quiet December night as you anchor your heart in Christ.

Not overly sweet.
Not heavy.
Just warmth, rest, and calm — a reminder that even in winter, God is tending your roots.

Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk (dairy or almond)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract
- 1 tsp maple syrup (or honey)
- Cinnamon stick for serving
Instructions

Warm the milk gently over the stove — just until steaming.

📬 Subscribe Invitation

Join me each week as we walk with Jesus —
one step, one verse, one breath at a time.

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🌴

With gratitude and grace,
Stephanie
Under the Palm Tree™ — Jesus Found Me