Choked by the Yoke

All my life, I've been a tortoise.

I'm slow. When I do something, I do it carefully, methodically, and with extreme attention to detail. I'm not fast at anything, and I never have been. In middle school, I earned the nickname "Dead Stop." A teacher gave me that one. (Nothing says "bless your heart" like a faculty-approved nickname.)

But a strange thing happens when my schedule fills up and the demands start stacking like dirty dishes. Suddenly, I think I'm a hare. My body is still a tortoise, and my mindset is still slow and steady. Yet I feel I must zip around like the Road Runner, because surely that's the only way everything will get done. Beep beep!

On those mornings, my prayer goes something like this:

"Lord, I have so much to do today, but I know I don't have to do it alone. You are my strength. My times are in Your hands.

Dana Rongione 25/08/2026 Dana Rongione 25/08/2026

When You Feel You’re Going Under

I've been reading The Prince Warriors series by Priscilla Shirer and Gina Detwiler lately (more on that in a future devotion, because trust me, there's a lot to say). I just started book three, and I came upon a scene that made me laugh so hard I had to put the book down.

Two of the Prince Warriors, Evan and Manuel, were rowing across a pond in a rickety old rowboat. Naturally, because it's an old rowboat in an adventure story, it started taking on water. Evan kept rowing like his life depended on it and hollered at Manuel to grab the bucket and start bailing. Manuel lunged for the bucket floating at the bottom of the boat, only to discover that it had a big crack running right down the side. He let out a huge sigh of frustration, and I almost lost it.

I didn't laugh because it was side-splittingly funny. I laughed because I felt it.

Dana Rongione 15/06/2026 Dana Rongione 15/06/2026

Putting on the Armor When You’re Tired

Last week, Jason and I finally did it. We hauled out the old, falling-apart dressers and replaced them with a shiny new (well, new to us) three-door wardrobe. Jason built in some shelves, I found the perfect baskets, and over the course of a few days, we went through every piece of clothing we had stuffed in those poor drawers.

Some things were easy to let go of: old, worn-out pieces that had lived a good life. Others I just never reached for anymore. But I'll be honest, there were more items than I'd like to admit that simply didn't fit anymore. I wish I could say that some had gotten too big, but sadly, that was NOT the case. Either way, they weren't doing me any good.

As I stood there, holding up yet another item that no longer fit and muttering something unladylike under my breath, a thought hit me: Sometimes the armor of God feels exactly like this.

Dana Rongione 22/08/2024 Dana Rongione 22/08/2024

Hollow Hallelujahs

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. - Ephesians 6:12

Have you ever felt like you're fighting a losing battle? I certainly have. There are days when I wake up, and before my feet even hit the floor, I can sense the spiritual oppression weighing heavily upon me. It's as if a thick fog has settled over my soul, obscuring the light of God's love and leaving me feeling lost and alone.

I find myself in this very predicament of late. Despite years of walking with the Lord, I suddenly feel miles away from Him. Doubts have crept in like unwelcome guests, setting up camp in my mind and refusing to leave. My prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling, and I wonder if they even reach God’s ears.

Dana Rongione 15/08/2024 Dana Rongione 15/08/2024

Resting, Not Resigning

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not always the best at taking my own advice. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and I have a hard time saying no to new projects or opportunities. But recently, I found myself in a place where I just couldn't keep going at the same pace. I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally, and I knew I needed to take a step back and focus on my own spiritual and emotional health.

So, I did what any sensible person would do. I declared that I would continue in my regular roles as a church pianist, Bible study teacher, promotional designer, etc., However, I was taking a break from any new projects or commitments until I felt more like myself again. And that's when the criticism started rolling in.

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Choked by the Yoke

When You Feel You’re Going Under

Putting on the Armor When You’re Tired

Hollow Hallelujahs

Resting, Not Resigning

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Dana Rongione