DAY 16- RACHEL MULLINS

Day 18 – March 22, 2025

The word wilderness evokes many images. I often picture an overgrown forest—quiet, untouched, and teeming with wildlife as God intended. In the Bible, wilderness often refers to a place of isolation, a setting for spiritual encounters and transformation.

In Matthew 4, Jesus undergoes His own wilderness experience, revealing His heart of trust in God. Through His example, He teaches us to rely on God’s provision in our own seasons of wilderness. The season of Lent invites us into this space—a time to step away from distractions and depend on God’s faithfulness. This might take the form of fasting, prayer, or resisting the distractions of the world.

As parents, it is especially crucial to carve out moments for spiritual growth, strengthening our trust in God so we can lead our children with deeper faith. My husband and I are deep in the wonderful wilderness of parenting, navigating the highs and lows of raising three young boys. Just as in nature’s wilderness, beauty emerges in unexpected places—wildflowers pushing through rocky ground, thriving where they seem least likely to grow.

There is such joy to be found in the simple, everyday moments with our children. The world continues to try and complicate this journey of parenting, pushing us to do more, schedule more, and be more. God has told us we are already enough, and He is always there to sustain us. This Lenten season, I encourage you to trust God in whatever season of wilderness you find yourself and don’t forget to pause and gather the wildflowers along the way.

Rachel Mullins