The One Devotion That Stays With Me
- Cara McLauchlan
- Jul 8
- 3 min read
Earlier this year, a friend asked me to share my favorite devotion.
I immediately began to create a long list. This devotion for parenting, another one for girlfriend advice, the one with sweet recipes and yet another one for celebrating the four seasons. But what I noticed is there was always "the one" first on the list.
For me, "Streams in the Desert" by LB Cowman will always be my "it" book as the greatest devotions of all time.
Backing up a bit, I think devotions are kind of like pizza. There are truly no bad ones, but variations of good. In my life, I noticed Streams has stood the test of time. It was there at the very beginning of my faith journey and it's the one I always return to in almost every season.
The encouragement in Streams is what your grandmother might have said to you over coffee and a slice of pie. It's definitely old school, first published in 1924. The version I have was updated in 1997, the first year of my marriage. Now here I am almost 30 years later, still turning it's pages, seeing fresh inspiration in this season of life.
Streams arrived in my life at a tender time. I was a new wife and instantly a stepmother to two children. I was working a demanding full time job and trying to figure out how to do all of it well. My only wife and stepmom reference points were from television shows like The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family and of course, Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. To say I needed wisdom would be a massive understatement. That year a friend gifted me the "Streams” devotion and it felt like solid ground to walk on.
If you saw my copy of Streams, you would say it's ready for the garbage can. The binding has worn out long ago and the book is entirely falling apart. It has my son's crayon marks in it from when he was a toddler. There are underlined words and tear stained pages and jubilant dates circled and sad memories and everything in between.
What I love about this wreck of a book is that it reminds me of my faith journey so far. It is the very tangible reminder of how important it is to surround yourself with wisdom and good stuff that point our chaotic hearts back to the Father. I didn't know it then but I know it now, we are what we think about. I'm so grateful for not only the Bible, but also strong wisdom found in devotions like Streams that keep me grounded not only in one season, but for every season we encounter.
What About You?
What helps you mark your faith journey so far? Or if you are just beginning, may I kindly suggest you pick up your own copy of Streams in the Desert. I'm so grateful that our God is so creative in the ways He pours into our hearts. Whether you have a favorite devotion, a well worn Bible or journals, charting your faith journey is a beautiful way to celebrate and honor your walk with the Lord in every season.
PS Because I love making lists - here is a list of "Devotions I Have Loved" from Bookshop.org that shares my devotions I have enjoyed in a variety of seasons.
