by Cynthia L Simmons | Oct 1, 2026 | Encouragement, History, Standing for your faith, wisdom
At three months old, I refused to cooperate with the photographer trying to take my portrait. Every time he tried to coax a smile, I grimaced and frowned. Convinced I was cross, he finally gave up and suggested we try another day.
While he and my mother discussed possible dates, Mother held me close, and the photographer suddenly stopped. Seeing the contented expression on my face, he exclaimed, “That’s exactly what I want!”
He explained that I seemed peaceful only in her arms, so he proposed a clever solution: draping her with fabric. She agreed. They covered her in a beige cloth, and she cradled me securely. Perfectly content, I finally smiled, and he captured the shot.
Years later, while researching Victorian photography, I discovered that the technique was known as the “Hidden Mother.” In the 1860s, long exposure times meant a squirming infant would appear as a ghostly blur. Photographers routinely draped mothers in dark fabric to blend into the studio backdrop while they kept their babies still. If you look closely at those antique portraits, you can often spot a mother’s “restraining arm” under the drapery.
My baby picture and those 19th-century portraits offer a comforting glimpse into our relationship with God.
When life feels chaotic or overwhelming, we often wonder where God has gone. In seasons of silence and uncertainty, it can feel like we are sitting alone in the frame. But when we look with eyes of faith, we realize He is right there behind the scenes, holding us securely so we do not fall. We are safe. We can lean back into Him and rest, knowing He has us.
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” -Deuteronomy 33:27
P.S. If quirky 19th-century photography and forgotten history fascinate you, you’ll feel right at home in my post-Civil War mystery, Moment in Time.)
by Cynthia L Simmons | Oct 1, 2026 | Blog, Encouragement
October has arrived! There’s something refreshing about stepping into a new season…the cooler mornings, changing leaves, and little reminders all around us that God is always at work.
As the seasons change, we’re reminded that our lives have seasons too. Some are filled with joy and anticipation, while others stretch our faith and teach us to lean a little closer to the Lord. Whatever this October holds, we can rest in knowing that He is already there.
Dear Holy Father, as the weather cools and the leaves turn bright colors, may we pause and remember your mighty creative power. Oh, how we praise you that you see the sparrow that falls and keep a running count of the hairs on our head. We crave your guidance and blessing as we begin this new month. In Jesus Name we pray…Amen
Below please access one of our most-loved encouragements to you and those around you. My team and I pray our calendar challenge will get you one step closer toward our God, the Ultimate Father, who controls ALL things, including justice, peace, and the nations. 
CLICK HERE for your monthly encouragement so you can download the October 2026 Calendar Challenge.
by Cynthia L Simmons | Sep 1, 2026 | Blog, Encouragement
September arrives as a gentle turning point… a return to routines, cooler days ahead, and an opportunity to refocus our hearts on what truly matters. It is a beautiful time to embrace new beginnings, nurture the relationships God has given us, and look for His goodness in the ordinary moments of our days.
This month also feels especially tender as we remember our precious Dolly and celebrate a life that touched so many. As we step into September, may we carry gratitude for what has been, hope for what lies ahead, and confidence that God is present in every changing season.
Dear Holy Father, thank you for the privilege to enter your presence in prayer! May we always keep your name holy, and we humbly pray to act as your servants as long as we reside on earth. May all our choices forward your kingdom and bring honor to your name. Help us to love you more than ourselves and seek the good of others. In Jesus Name we pray…Amen
Below please access one of our most-loved encouragements to you and those around you. My team and I pray our calendar challenge will get you one step closer toward our God, the Ultimate Father, who controls ALL things, including justice, peace, and the nations. 
CLICK HERE for your monthly encouragement so you can download the September 2026 Calendar Challenge.
by Cynthia L Simmons | Sep 1, 2026 | Encouragement, Standing for your faith, Stress, wisdom
During the Revolutionary War, the fight between Patriots and Loyalists raged near the South Carolina home of eighteen-year-old Emily Geiger. Both Emily and her father ardently supported the Patriot cause. One day, Emily overheard her disabled father lamenting that General Nathanael Greene desperately needed a courier to reach General Thomas Sumter for reinforcements. Her father longed to volunteer, but his failing health made the perilous ride impossible.
Without waiting for permission, Emily rode straight to General Greene’s camp. She knew the backroads and river crossings, and she offered to carry the dispatch.
Two days into her journey, British scouts captured Emily and brought her to Lord Rawdon’s encampment. Suspicious of the young girl by herself, Rawdon locked her in a room while he sent for a local woman to conduct a thorough search. Emily knew that if the letter were discovered, she would be hanged as a spy. Acting quickly while left alone, she memorized Greene’s dispatch, tore the paper into small pieces, and swallowed them.
When the search yielded no evidence, Lord Rawdon released her. Emily pressed on and delivered the verbal message to General Sumter.
Like Emily Geiger, we face choices every day. Our daily decisions may not involve dodging enemy patrols, but our obedience still carries lasting weight. Eternity itself can be shaped by how you choose to serve today.
“…Present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness…” -Romans 6:13 (NASB)
by Cynthia L Simmons | Aug 1, 2026 | Blog, Encouragement
August often brings a change of pace. New schedules begin, familiar rhythms return, and our calendars quickly fill. Yet in the middle of life’s activity, God gently reminds us that our greatest calling is not simply to stay busy—but to remain faithful.
Each day presents opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ. A conversation with a hurting friend, a word of encouragement to a weary parent, a prayer for a stranger, or a quiet act of generosity may seem small, but God often uses ordinary moments to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
As you step into this new month, ask the Lord to make you attentive to the people He places along your path. Pray for eyes that see needs, a heart that responds with compassion, and a willingness to serve wherever He leads.
May August not only mark the beginning of a new season, but also a renewed desire to walk closely with Christ—bringing His light, His hope, and His love into every place He has prepared for you.
Father, thank You for the gift of new beginnings. As this new season unfolds, renew my heart to serve You with joy and compassion. Help me see the people You place in my path and give me the courage to love them as Christ has loved me. May my life reflect Your light in every ordinary moment. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.”
Below please access one of our most-loved encouragements to you and those around you. My team and I pray our calendar challenge will get you one step closer toward our God, the Ultimate Father, who controls ALL things, including justice, peace, and the nations. 
CLICK HERE for your monthly encouragement so you can download the August 2026 Calendar Challenge.
by Cynthia L Simmons | Aug 1, 2026 | Encouragement, Standing for your faith, Stress, wisdom
August is a month of fresh starts. Classrooms fill with eager students, calendars become busy again, ministries resume, and many families settle into new routines. As one season gives way to another, it’s the perfect time to ask, “Lord, how can I serve You faithfully in this new season?”
The early church faced a similar opportunity—not because life became easier, but because difficult circumstances revealed the power of Christ’s love.
During the second century, a devastating plague swept through the Roman Empire. Fear gripped entire cities. Many fled, leaving even family members behind. Yet followers of Jesus became known for something remarkable: they stayed.
Rather than running from danger, Christians cared for the sick, fed the hungry, comforted the grieving, and gave dignity to those who had been forgotten. Their courage wasn’t rooted in fearlessness—it was rooted in the hope of Christ.
Their quiet acts of compassion became a powerful testimony. In a world consumed by fear, believers reflected the love of the Savior who had first loved them.
As August ushers us into fresh routines and new opportunities, God invites us to live with that same spirit of faithful service. We may not be called to face a plague, but every day we encounter people who need hope, kindness, encouragement, and the love of Jesus.
This month, don’t simply fill your calendar—fill your days with purpose. Ask God to help you notice the person who needs a listening ear, an encouraging word, or a simple act of kindness. History reminds us that lives are often changed not through grand gestures, but through ordinary believers who faithfully say “yes” to God.
May this August be more than the start of another busy season. May it be the beginning of a deeper commitment to reflect Christ wherever He leads.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” -Isaiah 43:19
