Devoted by Krissy NordhoffSample

BE WHAT YOU NEED

I prayed the same prayer for 15 years. Lord, please send me a mentor. A woman, a little

farther down the road than me, who’s learned how to balance family, ministry, and the music

industry. Every time I faced the next challenge, I felt that longing rise in me. Over and over. I

kept waiting, kept listening, kept hoping. And then...nothing. I asked the Lord about it one

day, because I felt like that was a pretty good prayer! What I heard Him say that day marked

me forever. “Be what you need.” My perspective shifted in that moment. I knew I didn’t know

everything at that point, but I had learned a lot along the way. I was no longer the young,

single girl who first offered up that prayer. I had been married for a decade and a half and

had 3 children. I had been writing songs, releasing songs, leading worship, and learning the

nuances of the Christian music industry as a female. I knew some things.

So, I gathered a few women and launched a group called Girls Write Out in my living room.

Those nights were very simple: a little devotional, some worship, conversation, and prayer.

Through the years, that grew into what is now known as the Writing Worship Community.

Eric and I now work together to empower, resource, and provide community for male and

female songwriters around the world through that ministry. Looking back, I can see how I

needed to feel what those songwriters did from the inside. God knew. Until I did, I couldn’t

have had the context and understanding for how to meet those needs for others. Every

resource we have created since then goes back to remembering that feeling.

My son was in a working situation recently where he was made to feel dishonored and

replaceable. My heart broke for him. “It looks like you are learning the inside of a need,” I

told him. I can spot it now. God must be preparing him for what He has ahead. I just know

that one day, my son will have the opportunity to honor and treasure those he leads.

Learning the inside of a need is always a challenge. But it’s the best training ground. Are you

learning the inside of a need right now? How may God be calling you to “Be what you need?”

PRAYER

Show me the needs You are teaching me about right now, Jesus. Give me the

patience to learn every aspect I need to know. I trust that it’s not for nothing,

and that there may very well be people in my future that I will get to love and

encourage by what I learn.

JOURNAL

If you are able, I would encourage you to take some time with pen and paper to reflect on how this devotional relates to your life right now, and give some room for the Holy Spirit to respond.

TODAY'S SONG

Here's a song Krissy co-wrote that resonates with this devotional:

Right Where You Are by Doe Jones