For more than three decades, I worked as a paralegal — writing, researching, and helping others through challenging seasons. That career taught me the power of words, persistence, and compassion.
Now, in this fourth quarter of life, I feel called to write in a different way — through faith-based devotionals that encourage and uplift.
Under the Palm Tree – Jesus Found Me is a space where scripture meets daily life. My morning walks inspire reflections of gratitude, renewal, and hope. Whether you walk half a mile or five, these devotionals are reminders that each step brings us closer to God’s peace and presence.
I’d love for you to join me on this journey — one step, one prayer, one story at a time.
As we celebrate 250 years, may we pause with grateful hearts for the gift of freedom, the blessing of family, and the simple joys that make summer feel so sweet.
Today is a day for flags, food, laughter, fireworks, and memories — but also a day to remember where true freedom begins.
May your Fourth of July be filled with faith, gratitude, and a little summer sweetness.
With love, Stephanie Under the Palm Tree
Fourth of July Fun✨
Family gathers, laughter flies, Firecrackers sparkle in the skies. BBQ smoke and summer cheer, Sweet watermelon loved ones near.
Flags are waving, hearts are light, Freedom shines in red, blue, and white.
🍉Strawberry Watermelon
Life, Liberty & a Little Summer Sweetness
Summer Reading Under the Palm Tree
There is something special about summer reading — a quiet morning with a cup of coffee, an afternoon in the shade, or an evening breeze as the sun begins to set. Books can invite us to learn, reflect, laugh, and sometimes see our own stories in a new way.
Here are a few summer reading suggestions to encourage your heart and mind:
For Faith and Reflection
“The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer A thoughtful reminder that slowing down can create more room for God, relationships, and the things that truly matter.
“Practicing the Way” by John Mark Comer A guide to deepening your walk with Jesus through everyday practices that shape our faith.
“Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” by Joanna Weaver A beloved Christian book about balancing service, responsibilities, and time spent at the feet of Jesus.
Meditate: Making Space for God’s Peace
In a world that often feels rushed and noisy, quiet moments can become sacred moments. Christian meditation is not about emptying our minds; it is about filling our hearts with God’s truth and creating space to listen, reflect, and draw closer to Him.
A summer evening can be the perfect time to sit quietly, open Scripture, and reflect on God’s promises. Take a few minutes to slow your breathing, focus on a verse, and allow God’s Word to settle into your heart.
Scripture reminds us:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
Meditation can be as simple as choosing one verse, reading it slowly, praying over it, and asking God how He wants to speak into your life through His Word.
As you sit beneath the summer sky, remember that rest is not just about stopping activity — it is about making room for God’s presence.
A July Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of this season. Help me slow down, appreciate the simple moments, care for the body You have given me, and find true freedom in Your presence. Remind me that rest is not wasted time — it is a gift from You. Amen.
This July, may we breathe deeply, walk faithfully, and rest fully under the shade of His grace.
Walk: Taking Steps Toward Wellness
A summer walk can become more than exercise — it can become a time to reconnect with God’s creation. Whether it is a walk through your neighborhood, a quiet path, or simply around your yard, each step can be an opportunity for prayer and gratitude.
Walking reminds us that progress does not always have to be rushed. Sometimes healing, growth, and renewal happen one step at a time.
Breathe: Creating Moments of Peace
On warm summer evenings, try setting aside a few quiet minutes to simply breathe and be present. Slow, intentional breathing can be a gentle way to relax your body and create space for prayer and reflection.
As you breathe in, remember God’s goodness. As you breathe out, release the worries that you were never meant to carry alone.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
Note: Breathing exercises are shared as general wellness practices for relaxation and are not intended to replace medical advice. If you have concerns about stress, sleep, breathing, or your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Until next time, find a quiet place, take a deep breath, and meet God in the stillness under His grace.
📖 Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. 📖 Mark 4:39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
🌩️ God’s Voice Above the Storm
📖 Psalm 29:3-4
“The voice of the Lord is over the waters… The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.”
📖 Psalm 46:1-2
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…”
Why does God allow what He could stop?
💌 Dear Friends,
People often ask if God answers prayer.
I believe He does.
Sometimes His answer comes through Scripture. Sometimes through peace. Sometimes through circumstances we never expected.
And sometimes, His answer arrives with such clarity that it feels like a lightning bolt through the heart.
What God allows, I do not always understand.
There are storms I wish He would block before they ever reached us.
But I am learning this: even when I do not understand His methods, I can still trust His character.
God may allow the storm.
But He never leaves us alone in it.
With love, 🌴 Under the Palm Tree™
Not Alone 🌴
Not Alone
Storms can make us feel alone.
Not always because no one cares.
Sometimes because no one really knows what we are carrying.
Sometimes life hurts because someone failed us.
Sometimes it hurts because we are disappointed in ourselves.
And sometimes the hardest part is admitting that we are tired of being strong.
That is why Isaiah 43:2 matters so much to me.
God does not say the waters will never rise.
He says, “I will be with you.”
That is the part I keep coming back to.
With you.
In the confusion. In the waiting. In the grief. In the questions we cannot answer yet.
If you are in a storm today, maybe this is the reminder you needed too.
You are not forgotten.
God sees you.
And you are not walking through this alone.
What better way to get the blood flowing and remind us that brighter skies are still out there?
🍍 Sweetness — God’s goodness.
Until Next Time
Storms do not last forever.
The wind settles.
The clouds break.
And somewhere beyond the horizon, the sun is already rising.
Bright summer fruit always feels like a little gift from God’s creation. These homemade popsicles are cold, colorful, refreshing, and simple. They are a fun way to enjoy the sweetness of summer without making it too complicated.
1 cup fresh watermelon, cubed 1 cup fresh pineapple, cubed 1 cup strawberries, sliced 1/2 cup blueberries 1/2 cup mango or peaches, diced 1/2 cup coconut water, plain water, or 100% fruit juice 1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice Optional: 1–2 teaspoons honey, if extra sweetness is needed Optional: thin cucumber slices or fresh mint leaves for a refreshing touch
Directions
Add the fruit to a blender with the coconut water, plain water, or juice. Blend until smooth.
Add the fruit to a blender with the coconut water, plain water, or juice. Blend until smooth.
Taste and add a little honey only if needed.
Pour the mixture into popsicle molds.
For a pretty layered look, blend different fruits separately and pour one layer at a time, freezing each layer for about 20–30 minutes before adding the next.
Insert popsicle sticks and freeze for at least 4–6 hours, or until completely firm.
To remove, run the mold under warm water for a few seconds.
Simple Summer Blessing
Lord, thank You for the bright, simple gifts of summer — cold fruit, warm sunshine, cool breezes, and small moments of rest. Help us enjoy what is good, release what is heavy, and trust You with every season. Amen.
Nutritional Note
This recipe is intended for general wellness and enjoyment only. Nutrition will vary depending on the fruit, liquid, sweetener, and portion size used. Please adjust ingredients as needed for personal dietary needs, food allergies, blood sugar concerns, or medical guidance from your healthcare provider.
Summer Lets Us Breathe
Summer comes in colors bright, watermelon red and lemon light. Pineapple gold and ocean blue, soft white clouds in a sky so new.
Cucumbers cool and peaches sweet, warm sand resting beneath our feet. Breezes move through palm trees high, sunsets painting the evening sky.
Everything feels light and free, like waves returning to the sea. So I will loosen, breathe, and pray, and let God carry what I release today.
Under the Palm Tree Quiet thoughts for a faithful summer
🚶♀️Summer Walking Challenge: Breathe, Hydrate, and Go Gently
Summer walks can be beautiful, but hot and humid weather asks us to slow down and listen to our bodies. The goal is not to push hard. The goal is to move with wisdom, breathe deeply, and enjoy the simple gift of another day.
🌿Best Time of Day to Walk
The best time to walk in hot weather is usually early morning, before the sun gets too strong. Evening can also be a good choice, once the heat begins to soften. Try to avoid walking during the hottest part of the day, especially between late morning and mid-afternoon.
If the air feels heavy, the pavement feels hot, or the humidity makes it harder to breathe, choose a shorter walk. Even ten peaceful minutes can still count.
☀️Gentle Summer Walking Tips
Wear light, breathable clothing.
Choose shaded paths when you can.
Take water with you, especially if you plan to walk longer than a few minutes.
Slow your pace in humidity.
Wear sunscreen and sunglasses.
Choose comfortable shoes.
Pay attention to how you feel, not just how far you go.
Give yourself permission to turn around early.
Listen to Your Body
Hot, humid weather can make your heart work harder. If you feel dizzy, weak, nauseated, unusually short of breath, chilled, confused, or your heart feels like it is racing, stop walking, get into shade or air conditioning, and drink water. Do not try to “push through” heat.
A Simple Summer Walking Goal
This week, aim for one gentle walk a day, even if it is short.
Walk in the morning or evening.
Notice something bright around you.
Take a few slow breaths.
Release one heavy thought to God.
Let your steps be steady, not rushed.
Walking Reflection
As you walk, whisper this simple prayer:
Lord, help me slow down. Help me breathe. Help me release what is heavy. Let every step remind me that I am held by You.
Wellness Note
This walking challenge is for general encouragement and wellness only. Please adjust your activity for your own health, fitness level, medications, weather conditions, and any medical guidance you have received. If you have health concerns, heart issues, blood pressure concerns, dizziness, heat sensitivity, or are starting a new exercise routine, check with your healthcare provider.
I📖 Isaiah 26:3— You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Being still enough to hear God’s direction.
🌴 Dear Friends,
Lately, I have found myself spending more time in quiet places.
Not because I have all the answers.
Quite the opposite.
Like many of us, there are seasons when I wish I knew exactly what comes next. Seasons when I would love a clear roadmap, a timeline, or a little certainty about the future.
Instead, I keep finding myself drawn back to stillness.
A morning walk. A sunrise. An open Bible. A few quiet moments before the day begins.
Perhaps that is where some of life’s greatest lessons are found.
Not in rushing ahead. Not in forcing an answer. But in learning to be still long enough to hear God’s direction.
Isaiah has always been one of my favorite books of the Bible, and this verse has been on my heart lately:
I do not know what tomorrow holds, but I am learning that peace does not come from having every answer.
It comes from trusting the One who does.
With love,
Under the Palm Tree™
☀️Quiet Enough
Low tide.
A few shells resting in the sand.
The morning still soft around the edges.
One palm tree leans toward the water, as if it already knows there is nothing to prove.
The ocean moves in slowly, then pulls back again, leaving behind a thin line of foam and the clean scent of salt in the air.
A breeze slips through the palm leaves. Not loud. Not hurried. Just enough to remind me I am not holding this world together.
Somewhere above me, a bird calls once, then disappears into the light.
The sand is cool beneath my feet. The sky is pale and open. The water keeps breathing.
And I begin to understand that quiet is not empty.
It is full of small holy things.
The hush between waves. The shimmer of morning on the water. The soft cry of birds far off. The steady pull of the tide. The gentle lifting of the wind.
And somewhere beneath all of it, Your voice.
Not shouting. Not rushing. Not louder than the waves, or the far-off birds, or the breeze in the palms.
Just present.
Still and near.
I came looking for direction, but first You gave me peace.
I came asking what to do next, but first You taught me how to be still.
So, I will wait here a little longer.
Bare feet in the sand. Hands open. Heart unclenched.
Quiet enough to listen.
Still enough to receive.
And willing, finally, to be led.
Serenity Pink Lemonade
A soft summer drink for slow mornings, quiet afternoons, and peaceful moments by the water.
Ingredients
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 4 cups cold water 1/2 cup cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, or strawberry puree 1/3 to 1/2 cup honey, sugar, or simple syrup, to taste Ice Fresh mint leaves Lemon slices or pink grapefruit slices for garnish
Optional Add-Ins
A splash of sparkling water A few sliced strawberries A small pinch of sea salt A sprig of rosemary or basil
Directions
In a pitcher, stir together the lemon juice, cold water, and cranberry juice or strawberry puree.
Add honey, sugar, or simple syrup a little at a time, tasting as you go until it feels just right.
Fill glasses with ice and pour the lemonade over the top.
Garnish with fresh mint and a thin slice of lemon or grapefruit.
For a sparkling version, top each glass with a splash of sparkling water right before serving.
Serve cold, sip slowly, and let the moment be quiet.
Nourishment Note
This is the kind of drink that reminds you to pause. Bright lemon, soft pink color, fresh mint, and ice in the glass — simple things that can make an ordinary afternoon feel peaceful.
Walking Thought
Take a quiet walk today and pay attention to the breeze.
Feel it touch your face. That cool little tingle across your skin. The way it lifts your hair and makes you close your eyes for a second.
Let your shoulders drop.
Let your jaw loosen.
Let your hands open.
Sometimes peace begins in the body before the mind catches up.
The breeze moves over you, and for a moment, the tension lets go.
You do not have to explain it.
You do not have to earn it.
Just breathe.
Let God meet you there.
Breathe deeply. Walk slowly. Let God meet you in the breeze.
📖 Matthew 11:28–30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…” and Galatians 6: 9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
🌴 Dear Friends,
I started an exciting new chapter recently — becoming a new Grammy.
Somewhere along the way, I was reminded that life’s greatest blessings are rarely found on a to-do list.
They are found in relationships.
In family.
In shared moments.
In the people we love.
And perhaps that is why the most meaningful seasons of life often become the stories we carry with us.
☀️ A Quiet Thought for Summer
☀️ A Quiet Thought for Summer🌴☀️💛
Lately, I have been thinking about commitment.
Not the kind that begins with excitement and a long list of goals.
The quieter kind.
The kind that shows up day after day, even when life feels heavy.
The kind that keeps loving, keeps serving, keeps believing, and keeps moving forward when things are not as easy as we hoped they would be.
Some days, if we are honest, we wonder when things will get better. We wonder when the burden will feel lighter or the path a little smoother.
That is why I find so much comfort in Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28–30. He never promised a life without challenges, but He did promise rest for weary souls.
Maybe commitment is not carrying every burden ourselves.
Maybe commitment is continuing to trust God enough to hand those burdens over to Him.
And perhaps that is what keeps us from giving up.
Not our own strength.
But the quiet assurance that we were never meant to carry everything alone.
🚶 Never Quit Walk Challenge
This summer I decided to challenge myself a little more and started walking with a weighted vest.
To be fair, I quickly removed most of the weight… ha ha.
But maybe that is part of the lesson too.
Growth does not always happen in giant leaps. Sometimes it begins with simply deciding to try again, even imperfectly.
I started walking about five years ago, and somewhere along the way, it became a lifeline.
There have been busy seasons when my steps slowed down, but I never fully stopped. I need it now — for my mind, my body, my faith, and the simple peace that comes from being outside.
So, this summer, I am keeping it simple.
Walk when you can. Hydrate. Breathe. Notice something beautiful. And don’t quit on yourself.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33
“Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus…” — Hebrews 12:1–3
Dear Friends,
I started an exciting new chapter recently — becoming a new Grammy — which was the goal all along.
To live. To grow. To love deeply. To experience life fully enough to have something meaningful to bring back under the palm tree.
“With love, Under the Palm Tree™”
☀️ A Quiet Thought for Summer
Lately, I have been thinking about foundations.
Not perfect lives. Not easy seasons. Just foundations.
Most of us will face disappointment at some point. It is part of living, loving, hoping, trying, and caring deeply about people and life.
But what matters most is often our response in the aftermath.
Hard seasons have a way of revealing what we have really been standing on all along.
It reminds me a little of the old story about the three little pigs. Some foundations looked strong at first, but they could not hold up once life became difficult. Others were built more carefully and stood firm when pressure finally came.
Life can feel the same way sometimes.
When unexpected challenges arrive, our spiritual life becomes less about routine and more about what truly holds us together underneath it all.
I think that is why I kept coming back to John 16:33 this spring. Not because life is always easy, but because peace is still possible in the middle of difficult seasons.
And maybe courage is not always loud like we imagine.
Maybe courage sometimes looks like:
resting, regrouping, walking, praying, starting over quietly, or simply refusing to lose hope.
Maybe it is just continuing forward one faithful step at a time beneath the palms.
🚶 Resume Walking Challenge
This summer I decided to challenge myself a little more and started walking with a weighted vest.
To be fair, I quickly removed most of the weight… ha ha.
But maybe that is part of the lesson too.
Growth does not always happen in giant leaps. Sometimes it begins with simply deciding to try again, even imperfectly.
Walking has become much more than exercise for me over the last five years. Even during busy seasons when my pace slowed down a little, I never completely stopped because somewhere along the way it became part of my lifeline.
Walking gives me time to think, pray, breathe deeply, and reconnect with myself, with God, and with the simple beauty of being outside in nature.
For me, it is no longer just about fitness.
It is about mental health, physical health, spiritual health, peace, perspective, and remembering that life feels better when we slow down long enough to truly experience it.
I am also learning that hydration and breathing may be two of the most overlooked keys to both peace and fitness.
Sometimes we simply need to slow down enough to breathe deeply, drink more water, clear our thoughts, and take care of ourselves a little better than we have been.
So this is my gentle summer challenge:
Walk when you can. Slow down when you need to. Hydrate. Breathe. Take care of your spirit along with your body. And keep moving forward one faithful step at a time.
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
Agape — The Love That Chooses
Phileo — The Love That Walks Beside You
Storge — The Love That Protects
Eros — The Love That Unites
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.
✍️ 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
Bring water just to a gentle boil.
Add chamomile, lavender, and ginger to a mug.
Pour hot water over and steep 5–7 minutes.
Remove herbs, add honey and lemon if desired.
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.
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
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™
“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™
