Laundry Day

 🧺 Laundry Day

A time to let God cleanse what we carry inside.

We can know the Word of God and still need to grow in knowing the God who speaks it. Knowing Scripture is more than remembering verses; it means allowing His truth to search our hearts and shape how we live.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart.” — Psalm 139:23

Just as dirty laundry needs washing, our hearts need God’s tender care. Hidden pain, resentment, fear, and old ways of thinking can collect beneath the surface. Sometimes we become so accustomed to carrying them that we call them our personality instead of recognizing the wounds that need healing.

We make excuses. We shift blame. We hear what feels comfortable while avoiding the truth that calls us to change. Second Timothy 4:3–4 warns us about seeking messages that satisfy our desires instead of receiving the truth.

But God, in His mercy, doesn’t leave us there.

His Word reaches beneath the surface, revealing the thoughts and intentions of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12). He helps us face what we have buried and surrender what we cannot cleanse ourselves.

The process may be uncomfortable. Healing asks us to be honest. Growth takes time. Yet we can trust the One who began His good work in us to continue it (Philippians 1:6).

Our part is to keep saying yes—to receive His Word and put it into practice (James 1:22). As we do, we grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

Let’s stop dancing around what God is inviting us to surrender. It’s laundry day. Bring Him what needs washing.

🙏 Prayer
Father, search my heart. Show me where pain, pride, fear, or excuses have kept me from receiving Your truth. Give me courage to face what needs healing and humility to receive Your correction. Create in me a clean heart, and help me live to please You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today’s reflection: What am I defending that God is asking me to surrender?

Ivette Diaz-Yee
Sisters Loved by God
Adapted from “Laundry Day,” March 19, 2020.

The crossroads of Life.

 When We Don’t Know Which Way to Go

Isaiah 30:21

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

There are times in our spiritual walk when we come to a crossroads. New roads appear before us, bringing new opportunities and possibilities.

In the natural, each road seems to lead to greener pastures, new beginnings, and a promising future.

That happened to me many years ago, in 2003.

As I was preparing to embark on a new season in my life, I found myself at a crossroads. I had to make a decision: Would I continue on the road toward wholeness and healing, or would I take one of the roads opening before me?

I had the opportunity to return home to my family and friends, find a place to live with my children, and return to my job with the company that had placed me on medical leave six months before my ordeal.

I had missed my children terribly. It was the first time I had ever been away from them.

I was on fire for the Lord! I was learning how to develop a personal relationship with Him.

Everything seemed to be an answered prayer.

But something inside me wasn’t at peace.

Something wasn’t right.

In the natural, everything I had prayed for was falling into place: a place to live, a job to return to, and the opportunity to be reunited with my family and friends.

Yet something within me was unsettled.

Then I came across this Scripture:

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” — Isaiah 30:21

My life had been a roller coaster. I had traveled down many roads, searching for my way back home.

I had encountered countless detours. Life itself had derailed me many times. Along the way, I had to stop, refocus, and find my way through the hurt and disappointments.

I had allowed situations and distractions to hold me back. Fear and insecurity had kept me prisoner, preventing me from moving forward.

But in the midst of it all, there was one thing I had never lost.

My hope.

My hope was in the Lord.

I had learned to cry out for help, ask for direction and prayer,  and surround myself with people who would hold me accountable.

I was learning that I didn’t have to walk this journey alone.

As I stood at the threshold of a new season in my life, I knew I had to take the next step.

I was stepping out in faith.

My recovery was not just about me. It was also about the person who would one day find help, encouragement, and hope because of my recovery.

Let’s be honest. We are all recovering from something.

The other day, someone posted a quote on Facebook that stayed with me:

“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done before.”

Those words stuck with me.

And today, the Lord called me awesome.

I looked up the definition of the word awesome. According to Google, it means extremely impressive, amazing, or unbelievable.

And I realized that anything awesome about me is because of Him.

Because of His grace.

Because of His mercy.

Because He never gave up on me.

Today, I am choosing to trust Him, even when I don’t know which road to take.

I don’t have to know everything that awaits me on the other side.

I only need to recognize His voice and be willing to follow.

I’m stepping over the threshold!

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Ivette Diaz-Yee
Originally written October 23, 2018
Reflecting on a crossroads in 2003

His Glory

 

I had the opportunity to walk the grounds of one of the oldest and most beautiful colleges in the Midwest. Voted the #1 Best Value Liberal Arts College in the nation, it welcomes students from 26 countries, representing a variety of faith backgrounds. There are 125 years of history within its walls.

Thousands of prayers.

As I walked inside the old church, allowing my imagination to wander, I could almost hear the hymns being sung and the many messages preached from the pulpit.

How many lives were changed because of their dedication and submission to God.  Their willingness to let go of themselves so they could discover God’s purpose for their lives and the reason they were created.

Going after their destiny. Running after God.

Faithful, available, and teachable.

I would have loved to be a fly on the wall, just to experience what they experienced.

As I continued to make my way up the stairs, every step seemed to bring me closer to a new revelation.

I came across hundreds of volumes on church history. Walls filled with books, each containing years of history. Every step brought me closer to what awaited me at the end of the room.

As I walked through, I noticed the large church organ, a small desk with information about the college, and a wing chair sitting by the window.

I felt such peace in that room.

I stood there for what seemed like an eternity, not wanting to move. Reluctantly, I made my way down the stairs, only to return once again.

There was something special about that little room upstairs. I wanted to take pictures of it, to capture the moment, if that were even possible.

This time, I brought my daughter and my phone. I wanted a picture of myself sitting by the window. My daughter took several shots, and we left.

Sometime later, as I was looking through the pictures, I noticed the light coming through in one of the photographs of me sitting by the window.

Then I realized that, thanks to technology, we had been able to capture what looked like a glimpse of heaven—the rays of His glory.

His presence had been so tangible, and now I had a photograph that reminded me of that precious encounter.

This was the second time in the last few months that I had experienced what felt like a glimpse of heaven.

If we are willing to press on, if we yield to His presence, if we search for more of Him, if we thirst and hunger for more of Him, we will find Him.

For His presence filled that room.

It was as though the light of heaven had come down and dwelt among us. His presence was felt, and He allowed me to feel it, too.

I don’t know about you, but when we seek Him with all our heart, mind, and soul, He will not disappoint us.

For He will meet us there.

I saw the old church. I went inside looking for Him, and I found Him.

For He was waiting for me, sitting by the window, overlooking the Mississippi River below.

Our Lord and Savior is calling.

He is willing to meet with you at the most unexpected times.

Don’t allow distractions to move you away from Him. Don’t allow what is taking place around you to rob you of intimacy with the Lord.

I was on vacation.

I had no plans for an encounter.

But the Lord gifted me with His peace, His presence, and His love.

Ivette Diaz-Yee
July 2023
Principia College
Elsah, Illinois

The Inside Job

 The Inside Job

Galatians 6:4, 6

God is doing an inside job in each and every one of us.

In order to go higher, we must be willing to go deeper within ourselves. We must give Him full authority and permission to do whatever is necessary.

Cleaning the house starts on the inside.

We must allow Him to investigate our innermost being, explore the secret places of our hearts, and examine our character and background.

Allow Him to get to the bottom of who we really are.

Let Him cross-examine us.

Let Him ask the difficult questions.

Are we being truthful with ourselves? Are we willing to confront what we have hidden? Are our thoughts, actions, and motives aligned with His truth?

We must be willing to examine ourselves and allow God to reveal what needs to change.

We are not alone in this journey because we have one another. Our hurts, insecurities, fears, disappointments, and pain have brought us together.

We hold one another’s broken pieces, helping each other rebuild.

The world teaches us to be competitive. Competition is often encouraged in the workplace as a way to advance. Titles, education, accomplishments, and personal goals become the measurements of success.

But somewhere along the way, we can lose ourselves climbing the ladder.

We step on one another, pulling down those ahead of us, desperately trying to reach the top.

Only to arrive and discover that we are standing there alone.

But as spiritual daughters, we are called to live differently.

When I lift my hand, my sister and my friend are there to help me up.

And once I reach higher ground, I look back and extend my hand to the one coming behind me.

Sometimes, I must even come down a few steps to help her rise.

I make room for her.

I celebrate her accomplishments.

Her success does not diminish mine.

There is room for both of us.

God is doing an inside job, and it begins with me.

This is what He has been showing me about myself.

All these years, I thought certain behaviors were simply part of my character, only to discover that I had carried residue from my past into my walk with Christ.

Things I had accepted as part of who I was were actually things that needed to be examined, confronted, and surrendered to Him.

Today, I look around with a different perspective.

I am watching faithfully for the one who may be hiding in plain sight.

The one who is hurting quietly.

The one who needs someone to notice her.

The one who needs an extended hand to help her rise.

Because as God continues His work inside me, I want to become someone who helps another woman discover the work He is doing inside her.

From my heart to your heart.

With love,
Ivette Díaz-Yee
February 14, 2019

Lordship & ObeDIEnce

 Lordship and Obedience

Biblical meaning of lordship: The supreme authority, absolute power, and ruling ownership of God and Jesus Christ over all creation.

Adonai: The Hebrew word for God as Master and Ruler.

Kyrios: The Greek word for Lord, expressing divine authority and ownership.

Biblical meaning of obedience: Actively hearing, trusting, and submitting to God’s will and commands out of love and reverence.

Shema: The Hebrew word meaning to listen attentively, understand, and respond through obedient action.

During this study, I was reminded of the Miracle Greenhouse of NEPAL and how the structure remained standing because it was anchored by drilling deep into the rock.

We need to remain about our Father’s business while continually examining our foundation.

Everything we do must be for His glory—not to seek popularity or the approval of others, but to please God.

As we draw closer to God, we are able to see more clearly the areas within us that need to be addressed. We must allow Him to remove anything that is not of Him and trust Him throughout the process.

We are becoming the Bible that some people may never be willing to read. Our behavior, mannerisms, character, and values should lead them to Christ. We are in this world, but we do not belong to it.

Lord, teach us to recognize the enemy’s schemes—his deceptive ways, the lies we have believed, and the manipulation he sends our way. Let the truth of Your Word be our compass.

We need to embrace the truth, because only through truth will we experience genuine transformation.

Teach us, Lord, to look into the mirror and recognize our own self-deception. Teach us to listen to You. Teach us to obey You, and give us the courage to be different.

“To obey is better than sacrifice.” — 1 Samuel 15:22

Sept 2026