God's Kingdom!

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Seek First God’s Kingdom: A Personal Encounter

When God speaks through ordinary moments, extraordinary understanding follows.

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🧹 A Word in the Middle of Cleaning

I was just cleaning the house one ordinary day when a sudden phrase entered my mind:

"Seek first God’s kingdom."

I paused. What was that? I continued tidying up, but then I heard it again.

"Seek first God’s kingdom."

This time, I stopped. “Was that You, Lord? Are You talking to me?”
The phrase echoed in my spirit. I recognized it — it’s from the Bible.

I reached for my Bible and began flipping through the New Testament. Sure enough, I found the verse in Matthew 6:33:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

I continued reading, and the next verse struck me even more deeply:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)

That one hit close to home.

🤔 A Conversation with God

I began reasoning with God:

“Why are You telling me this? I already found You and Your kingdom. What more do You want me to do?”

And then I heard:

“Did you really find My kingdom?”

“I believe so, Lord.”

“Do you know everything about My kingdom? Do you really know Me?”

I couldn’t answer. Not truthfully.

Then God reminded me of something — the time I was preparing to move to Norway.

✈️ The Norway Journey: A Picture of Seeking

Back then, I knew nothing about Norway — until my sister married a Norwegian and invited me to become her au pair. I needed a job badly, and it felt like a door from heaven. But I had to prepare a lot before moving:

• Apply for a visa

• Submit paperwork

• Ask questions:

  • How do I get there?

  • What should I prepare?

  • What language do they speak?

  • What’s the culture like?

  • Will they welcome foreigners?

Once in Norway, I had to learn the language, culture, laws, and how to integrate. Even today, I’m still learning. I’ve seen parts of the country, but not all. There’s still so much I don’t know.

Then God said:

“It’s the same with My kingdom.”

👑 Seeking God’s Kingdom Is a Lifelong Journey

Suddenly, everything became clear. Just like I had to prepare and adjust to a new country, I also need to continually seek and grow in understanding God’s kingdom.

Here’s what He impressed on my heart:

• 📖 Learn and understand more of His Word — the Bible

• 🌿 Learn His ways

• 🔥 Discover His will

• ⚖️ Know His laws and how His kingdom functions

• 👁 Understand how He works in your life and the lives of others

• 🌍 Be aware of His creation

• ❤️ Learn to know Him personally — as Father, Savior, Friend, Provider, Healer…

“My kingdom is vast,” He said.
“There’s so much more to learn. And you are part of it.”

The more I seek Him, the more I understand Him. And that leads to peace — peace that goes beyond understanding. A peace that frees me from the fear of tomorrow because I know He’s already there.

💛 God’s Love in the Command

In that moment, I realized:

God truly loves me.

He wants me to seek His kingdom not for His benefit — but for mine. His kingdom brings peace, perspective, and purpose.

And this invitation is not just for me. It’s for you. It’s for everyone.

Because God's love covers all. 💛

• 📝 Reflect and Respond: Bible Study Questions

1. What does “seeking first the kingdom of God” mean to you personally?

2. Are there areas in your life where you’ve stopped seeking?

3. How can you grow in understanding God’s Word, His ways, and His will this week?

4. What practical steps can you take to seek God more intentionally?

The wedding

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💍 Renewed Vows, Renewed Hearts
Reflections on Love, Marriage, and Faith

Yesterday, I was incredibly lucky to be invited to a dear friend’s wedding—or rather, a vow renewal ceremony. I'm truly happy for the couple, Claudia and her husband, as they chose to recommit themselves to each other and to God in a beautiful, heartfelt celebration. Though they were married eight years ago, this moment was not just a reminder of their love, but a public expression of their desire to keep that love alive and growing.

Claudia, a radiant bride from Mexico, is married to a kind and joyful Norwegian man. The atmosphere was filled with warmth, love, and unity. They looked just as happy—if not more so—than the day they first said “I do.”

One of the highlights was a beautiful guitar performance by David, the son of Pastor Geir Yngve. His music gently ushered us into the sacredness of the moment. Then, the pastor himself sang a song for the couple, a touching gesture that left many of us moved to tears.

Pastor Geir Yngve didn’t just perform; he also shared something profound: the secret to remaining happy in marriage. His message deeply touched the hearts of everyone present, myself included. It was both a gentle reminder and a powerful affirmation.

I, too, am in a happy marriage—and what the pastor shared felt like a confirmation that we’re on the right path. Yet, like Claudia and her husband, I know that marriage isn’t a one-time promise; it must be renewed daily. A thriving relationship requires attention, care, and consistent love.

As a believer, I see a beautiful parallel in our relationship with God. Just as a marriage needs constant nurturing, so does our walk with God. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” This means I must listen to Him, seek Him, and walk with Him every day. Because...

True happiness isn’t found in any other reward than that of being united with God.

In marriage, we must listen to one another, spend time together, and remain united if we want our relationship to grow. I once heard someone say, “Treat your husband like a king, and he will treat you like a queen.” Perhaps that’s one of the secrets to a joyful partnership.

Being married is an ongoing journey of discovery—of learning each other’s thoughts, dreams, hopes, and fears. It’s about knowing that, even in the toughest times, your partner will stand beside you.

The same applies to our relationship with God. He already knows everything about us, but how can we know Him if we don’t spend time in His Word and in His presence? How can we say we love Him—this God who gave His only Son for our salvation—if we don’t place Him first in our lives?

One thing I’m sure of is this:

When life gets tough and everyone else disappears, God will still be there for me.

If we can love people who love us back, how much more should we love the God who loves us unconditionally? Sadly, many people are blind to this truth. They seek love in the wrong places and end up disappointed. They chase happiness in God’s creation, forgetting the Creator Himself.

But the Bible reminds us:
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” — Matthew 6:33

So, to the lovely couple I witnessed yesterday, I simply say:
May you live happily ever after.
And I know, without a doubt, that everyone who was there would wholeheartedly agree. ❤️

From Blindness to Light: A Journey of Seeing God’s Hand

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“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’

Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’”
— John 9:1–3

The disciples were looking for someone to blame. They saw the man’s blindness and assumed it must be the result of sin—either his own or his parents’. That’s so often how we respond, too. We want to find the cause behind every suffering. We want a name to point at. Even today, we hear people say things like, “I did this because of how I was raised,” or “I became this way because of what someone else did to me.”

But Jesus didn’t point a finger. Instead, He pointed to God’s purpose. That this man’s blindness wasn’t punishment—but an opportunity for the glory of God to be revealed.

When I read this passage, my thoughts drifted back to my own childhood—because my father, like the man in the story, was blind.

We were his eyes. If he had to go somewhere, one of us children would go with him. Though he couldn’t see with his eyes, he was far from helpless. My father was strong in wisdom and full of stories that lit up my imagination. He told us fairytales that gave me hope, even when our lives were difficult. His stories always had happy endings for those who suffered and struggled. I began to believe that maybe—just maybe—my life could have a bright future, too. I dreamed that I was a princess.

He was also a wonderful listener. I always had questions—“Why?” “Where?” “When?”—and he always had the patience to answer them. One day, I asked him who God was and where He came from. He smiled and said, “God was there from the beginning. He created the heavens and the earth.”

That moment sparked something in me. I was a curious child, and my father’s words made me want to know this God more. When I learned how to read, I started reading the New Testament. But the more I read, the more questions I had. That’s the thing about the Bible—it’s not a book to be read once, but again and again. And while I didn’t understand everything, I did find many answers along the way.

As I grew older, life got harder. I faced storms that left me feeling lonely and abandoned. And I began to ask God:
“Where are You? Are You blind too? Do You even care about someone like me?”

Did God answer me?
Yes, He did.
Not when I expected Him to, but in His perfect time.

Through hardship, I learned to work harder, to be patient, and to trust Him. I discovered that knowledge and wisdom are treasures no one can steal from me. Even in want, God was shaping me for something more.

Today, I consider myself a blessed woman. I have the means to buy what I need, I’ve traveled to many places, met people from different walks of life, and most of all, I feel deeply loved—by my family, by those around me, and by God.

That doesn’t mean I’m free from trouble, but the difference now is this:
I know that God is not blind.
He sees me.
He walks with me.
And looking back, I can now recognize His hand guiding me—especially in the darkest chapters of my life.

“I was blind, but now I see.”
I found the source of light. ✨

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
— John 8:12

Living through pain

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Living Through Pain: A Faithful Journey of Strength and Gratitude

"Cast all your cares upon Me, and I will give you rest." – Jesus

Pain is something we all face—whether we choose it or not. It finds its way into our lives in many forms. Personally, I’ve experienced:

🩺 The pain of sickness
💔 The pain of losing someone—through death or separation
📦 The pain of overwhelming responsibilities
🤱 The pain of childbirth
💭 The pain of shattered dreams
😔 The pain of being mistreated, abused, or cheated
🤝 And perhaps one of the deepest—feeling the pain of loved ones as if it were my own

Each of these experiences leaves a mark, but we all manage pain differently. So how do we go on living when our hearts are aching? When our bodies are tired?

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The Reality of Pain

Consider inserting an image here: A person sitting quietly with morning light coming through a window (symbol of endurance and solitude).

Recently, I’ve been dealing with muscle and joint pain. It’s been difficult just to push through a normal day—doing my job, taking care of my home, and managing all the extra responsibilities life demands. Some days, I catch myself feeling sorry for myself.

But then I think about others—especially within my own family—who are dealing with even more. That humbles me. Even amidst my struggles, I realize I am still incredibly blessed.

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Gratitude in the Midst of Struggle

Here’s what I remind myself of:

✅ I have a job
🏠 I have a family and a home
🍽 I have food on the table
👚 I have clothes to wear
❤️ I have a kind and loving husband
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 I have children and grandchildren
👀👂🧠 I have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a body that moves

These are not small things. They are blessings that remind me of how fortunate I truly am.

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How I’ve Managed Pain—Past and Present

Looking back, I realize I’ve survived painful seasons because I held on to hope—that one day, things would get better. Life, after all, is like a circle. Sometimes we’re up, sometimes we’re down. But through it all, I’ve learned to:

🌿 Do my best
💖 Forgive those who’ve hurt me
🙏 Let God take care of the rest

"This too shall pass." – Unknown

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Faith: The Anchor in My Storm

Optional image: A small boat in stormy waters with a cross in the sky or a sunrise.

As a believer, I know I’m not alone in my suffering. Jesus, too, experienced deep pain—for us. And because we are connected to Him, whatever we go through, He feels it with us. He is the head, and we are the body. We can’t do it without Him.

He has been my strength when I was weak. My hope when everything around me felt hopeless. I may not always be able to help those I love, but I trust that He is with them—even when I can't be.

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Holding On to the Bigger Picture

Pain is a part of life. But I hold on to the promise that one day, it will end. One day, He will wipe away every tear.

So for now, I choose to live. To focus on God. To make the most of the life He has given me—pain or no pain.

 Keep Living, Keep Trusting

Pain may visit, but it doesn’t have to control us. With faith, gratitude, and perseverance, we can endure—even thrive. And no matter what we go through, we’re never truly alone.

Let’s keep going.
Let’s keep trusting.
Let’s keep living—one day at a time.