Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25, Hebrews 10:32-39, Hebrews 12:1-13, Job 5:17-18, Proverbs 3:11-12, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Philippians 3:12-21
This Is the New Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. As we read, we’ll gain a broader understanding of the redemptive story of Scripture. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll finish our look at the Pauline Epistles and begin the General Epistles.
The Book of Hebrews: Written by an unknown author, the book of Hebrews explores the majesty and supremacy of Jesus over all things. It connects Israel’s rich history and the Pentateuch to the work of Jesus, our High Priest. Hebrews details how Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and all of God’s promises in the Old Testament.
How Hebrews Fits into the Story: Hebrews ties Old Testament history and practices to the life and ministry of Jesus more than any other book in the New Testament. Just as Jesus taught that the Old Testament has been fulfilled in Him, Hebrews shows how the old covenant was fulfilled and the new covenant has been extended to us in Him. This glorious future, secured for us in Christ Jesus, gives us a reason to endure in the faith.
Reflection Questions:
1. What “race” do you think the author is referring to in Hebrews 12:1–2? How do you keep your eyes on Jesus as you “run”?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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109 thoughts on "Hebrews"
Reflection Questions:
1. What “race” do you think the author is referring to in Hebrews 12:1–2?
The race towards God and Jesus in heaven. The race we’re running involves staying on the path that Jesus built for us to make it to heaven by following Him.
How do you keep your eyes on Jesus as you “run”?
Praying, staying in the word, repenting when we do something wrong, accepting that we will continue to fail but that we need to pick ourselves back up and continue moving forward.
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
We have keep running towards His light and redemption.
All your comments are so helpful and remind me of my own race stories.
The second half marathon I did, I had only trained a month beforehand. It was post-covid and I had some extra weight. I was not in great shape compared to my first time doing a half marathon.
By mile 11, I was exhausted and I ended up tripping and scraping up my knee. I started crying and began to walk instead of run because I was feeling so defeated. I kept moving forward and noticed these two, taller older women coming up fast behind me. I was slightly annoyed because my pace was so slow compared to them. They were walking the pace I could run at (I have short legs lol). As they passed me by, they started to cheer me on and encourage me. Perhaps they saw how defeated I looked. Their words lifted my spirits enough to pick up my pace a little more and remind myself the finish line was closer than I thought.
I also remember a woman who was watching the race call me “rockstar” as I passed by… that also blessed me. I ended up finishing the race as best as I could.
It does help to have the encouragement of others.
The first race I did, my former boss/college culinary instructor was there cheering me on as I rounded the track towards the finish line. I saw him and ran even faster…
it meant so much to me, as I really looked up to him at the time.
The second race I did, the one I just described, no one I knew was there to greet me at the finish line. So I felt sad as I went home.
It matters that we have support in our race. We have Jesus and His body ❤️
Exactly! Amen!
My son who was anywhere from 5-10 would usually be with me…and we would zig zag throughout the course to be able to show up on corners to cheer for our peeps! Then we would always be at that last little part and basically run with them on the sidewalk cheering them! It always made them pick up when they felt they had nothing left!! And that’s what we do as Christians! When we feel like we just can’t do anymore, we get “pick up” to run in strong!
Praying for you, Wendy!
1. I think it means the race of “LIFE” and as most of you here know I am a runner, but for the past 4 years or so have slowed down due to an injury. But still get out there to run because I love it! As for Heb 12:1-2 Yes the race of life, let us not lose hope as this life on earth is temporary with our our fixed on the price (Heaven- JESUS). Every time I ran a race and saw the “FINISH” line I would imagine myself, seeing JESUS at the end waiting for me.
I mentioned you today.. my running friend and sister here at SRT..❤️
Hebrews 12:12 NLT
12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.
This verse hit me between the eyes today! THIS is my life now. My hands literally tire easily, my knees don’t move as smoothly, yet, I must stay in this race. HOPE of seeing Jesus – along with our buddy JOY – keeps me in the race!
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Tina’s comment reminds me of the song, Color My World, by Chicago. Though a secular song, we can claim these lyrics as we run our race toward Jesus;
Color My World
As time goes on
I realize
Just what you mean
To me
And now
Now that you’re near
Promise your love
That I’ve waited to share
And dreams
of our moments together
Colour my world.
With hope
Of loving you.
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Love, hugs, prayers, and HOPE! ❤
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Keep your eyes on Jesus!!
❤ Amen!
Amen.❤️
Hebrews refers to the lifelong journey of faith that Christians undertake, which ultimately leads to heaven. The passage instructs runners to fix their eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, and to live by God’s commandments with goodness in their hearts.
Thank you all again so much. Hope you all have a beautiful day
Thank you for sharing this great summary. Glad you are sticking with us in your heart pain, Ines. Continued prayers. May you find beauty in your day,too, sister.❤❤❤
Ines, holding you close in prayer and thankful to see you here today. God be with you,❤️
Run the race well! I used to teach “couch to 5k” every Spring and Fall, and it was always so much fun! (well, for me, lol) I after all was coaching not running! BUT, it was for the ones that had never run before and thought there was NO way for them to run for a full 3.1 miles. And life can look so overwhelming to us as well at times, and we think we will never make it through a week, a month, or a year- the challenge is just to big, our souls to weak, or afflictions and problems to big..and on and on. But, when you learn to run with a group and a coach, it actually becomes not just doable, but fun! Little by little, week by week you get stronger, and increase your endurance. It does seem so hard in the beginning.
The rewards are huge. You might get passed, you might have to walk, you might have to stop and guzzle some water or stretch it out…but you will make it, because the others will carry and encourage you. We may not be looking to win the prize as in our Spiritual life, but to finish is big…the prize is completion and accomplishment! And too, we want to complete our race well. I would tell them as they rounded the corner to straighten up and run in strong. Oh the smiles and joys after, and hugging!! It was always so fun the group photo afterwards!
Praying we each look to the prize of our heavenly home with anticipation and excitement, knowing it will not be easy, but he is carrying us. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, and loving and encouraging those around us, just as the witnesses are encouraging us! We can try to do it on our own, but you will likely be much more successful in a group, definitely more fun!
RHONDA, you and Tina have given such great illustrations today based on your own experience! Thank you for sharing from the coach’s perspective and having that support along with a group! Great reminder that our choices may be individual, but we are NOT in the race alone. ❤❤❤
I loved seeing how proud they all were afterwards as a group and how they would cheer for others after they were done! That is what we as sisters do for each other!
Amen! ❤
I love this Rhonda ❤️.
I needed a “Couch to 5K” in my mid-20s (I used to taste blood when I ran for a bus) but yes made it through!!
I love your detailed analogy of the run for my spiritual journey. Thank you ❤️ Beautiful Sargent
Rhonda I am wondering if there is anything you haven’t done? Look at how the Lord prepared you for your ministry now!
I love how the Lord prepares and equips us Just imagine if we weren’t so stubborn to say “Yes” more often!
How fun. I love your sense of humor “I after all was coaching not running!” lol ❤️
I humor myself! I am my best audience! :)
I am not a runner! I liked to rollerblade next to my runners!
Oh Coach Rhonda, I would be no good in your coaching class, I can’t run to save my life, so thankful for Jesus!:)❤️
lol…that’s what they all thought until I would twist their arm to try it! You calling me coach Rhonda reminded me of what one would call me but it wasn’t so polite! All in good fun!I can’t even remember what it was now! Oh…Sargent!
Keeping my eyes on Jesus is a daily discipline and a choice. I can get so anxious and my thoughts start racing, adding to the anxiety. I literally have to practice holding my hands out in surrender. Redirecting my eyes to Jesus for me looks like an inventory of my thoughts and visually laying them on the altar.
Yes, that’s good!
The more we stay close to him, the easier it is to take every thought captive, and replace with things above. It becomes and active practice and easier with consistency just like anything else.
Like your analogy above about running, I love to make connections about working out/training to our walk a faith. It is not one workout that makes you strong – but the regular, consistent choice to get off the couch and just do it. I remember years ago after having working out regularly for a few months, I was feeling my arm and I felt what I thought was a lump – of course my health anxiety kicked in – but lo and behold, the other arm had the same lump – new muscles!! SO now I like to consider any growths in faith as growing my faith muscles!
Yes, strength gains take a lot of consistency and time! I used that in my last class on Saturday. We have to have a good foundation for strength to be activated and achieved. Muscles don’t happen overnight! Same for having strong faith, won’t happen overnight! (heart)
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Love this!
I believe my son’s illness is what saved me. It pushed me towards our loving Father. I looked to Him for help in carrying such a heavy situation. I followed, I walked away, and I turned back. My eyes need to stay focused up on God. To finish this race.
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Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth often says, anything that makes us need God is a blessing.Let us finish our race.
sending love and hugs your way, my love..❤️
@Ines Hodzic -I am so, so, sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you. Praying God’s love and grace minister to you today. I watched a dear friend go through much of what you have experienced. Getting pregnant, losing the babies – 5 miscarriages, but in between them all – two beautiful babies who are now 4 and 1 1/2… Praying God will bless you with a little one in your future.❤️
@Sue Dalos – praying for your community. What a terrible tragedy.
@Maria J – praying safety for your niece and nephew.
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Blessings today to all my dear SRT sisters.❤️
Thank you so much Sharon! Your words give me hope for the future
Although I have tried it at one time or another – I do not run and there is nothing about running that I like. It’s hard, it doesn’t feel good as I’m doing it and it seems like your never going to reach your destination, and I don’t know much about it. But one thing I know – you can’t run if you are weighted down with extra things. They will hinder you, they will make the race harder than it was meant to be and they can make you want to quit.
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This is much like our walk of faith. It is a race, one we run at our own pace – doing the best we can. Sometimes it’s hard, sometimes it’s painful and sometimes there is no end in sight. But God – He comes along side us to cheer us, to prod us, to help us. Praise God we are not in this race alone!
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Throw off everything and anything that will hinder the race especially the things that entangle us.
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To fix our eyes on Jesus is to keep our eyes on the mark. If we do so, we won’t miss. Don’t look to the side lines, look to the finish line – where Jesus waits for us. Lock your eyes on Him!
Thank you for posting and sharing your heart dear Sharon. Praying for your sons, your church and many SRT prayer requests this morning.
Lock your eyes on him! Yes – it’s a daily surrender!
Great share, Sharon! ❤
With you, Sharon❤️
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My comments from earlier this week have gone to moderationn and not shown up or disappeared…so frustrating :/
The race is this life we are walking each day, our faith journey, the days the Lord has designed for us. As we do so, we need to seek the Lord, look to Him to be our guide, to lead us and show us His ways. My heart needs to be teachable, willing and steadfast and committed to pursue Jesus and all He has always looking forward to Him. When I think of my days at this time, I am so very weary, but I have to keep going and press on. My current race feels like I’m scaling the 90% grade on a rough mountain terrain, but I know God is present and faithful in it all. Just keep going. These are good verses for me today ❤️
PTL I do have more answers – not easy information to process and work through, not the best news, but I have started a meditation that Will hopefully get my body on the right track. Please pray it will be effective, work quickly and that side effects are minimal or none. It will likely be weeks till I see any change but trusting better dsys are coming.
My MIL is stable, but declining. Its really a matter of determining how to best manage her health complications and make her comfortable at this time. She is alert and we can talk with her. Please just pray for God’s hand to be in her days. Thank you so much.
Praying that you will see results from this new medication with minimal side effects. Thankful that you have some answers. Prayers for your MIL.
Wendy B – praying with you!!
I have been praying for you daily Wendy B. God’s healing and peace over you:)
Wendy, hate the moderation! grrr!
Thankful for this window of hope with this new med. Praying in agreement! ❤
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Praying your MIL sees God’s hand in her coming days as she reflects over her life. ❤
Praying dear Wendy. Commentary held hostage is indeed frustrating.
Wendy, lifting you up in prayer, to see the new medications work and for you to know peace as you wait.
Also praying for your MIL..
Praying for you also Wendy with our sisters. I sure know how it feels to not feel “good” everyday, but never had such a scare and health trial as yours that you went through. I can only imagine it brings back trauma and thoughts of facing it again. We are storming the gates of heaven though, and praying they have the right course of medication for you, and you will see great results.
Thank you all so much. Your faithfulness in prayer is such an example and of great encouragement to me
Thank you Kelly, ❤️
Praying for your young mama.
As I read the Scriptures this morning, I’m reminded of a Ladies Conference several years ago. It has stuck with me.
Our race is both individual and collective.
Our race is individual, set before each of by our loving Heavenly Father. No-one else has the exact same course or life events. My course isn’t easy because I need the difficulties to strengthen me.
Our race is collective, because we need others to encourage us to keep running! When we hit those obstacles Jesus uses those who have been there before us to show and tell us we can keep going! There are witnesses on earth, the church. Witnesses in heaven cheering us on.
Let us keep our focus on our ultimate prize – Heaven with Jesus for all eternity!
Lay aside those weights today and have a tremendous Thursday!❤
That’s a great breakdown of the verses – thanks for sharing!
Linda, thanks so much for sharing this! I am saving these notes. Hope you ate feeling stronger! ❤
Lovely, Linda.. sending you hugsccovered in prayers..❤️
I was reflecting on the verses regarding discipline. Oftentimes, we can ask “God, why are you punishing me?” He disciplines us because He loves us so dearly! He desires for us to grow and be better.
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This life is the race& we need to run it looking forward & UP. We can’t turn to the left or right & definitely not back! We need to look at the Author and let Him be the Finisher as well,so we can end right!
As I woke up this morning I had the thought that I’m rounding 3rd base and heading for home. It was a happy thought. My arms are in the air as I run. I think that you have a different perspective on life as you get older. You can see the race you’ve run more clearly. And I can almost hear the great cloud of witnesses cheering me on. Jesus is my coach and my best friend. I can’t wait to run into His arms.
I love this visual!!
Amen! ❤️
Wow that is so encouraging Bessie!
I had the same reaction Bessie!
So beautiful, BESSIE! ❤
Love this.. Bessie.❤️
The Race … living our lives with Jesus and heaven as our “prize”, keeping our eyes and our focus on Him no matter what. Each step of our life brings us closer to heaven and eternity with God our Father and Jesus our Savior.
A line from Squire Parsons ‘I Call It Home’
Some call it heaven, I call it home.
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That feelings I have after a long day away from home or especially on the way back home from a trip, the miles seems endless, the traffic is a mess , I seem to be the only one trying to actually get somewhere – all I want to do is get home, and what a feeling of relief and peace it is to walk in the door when I get there.
Is that my attitude toward my journey to heaven … that my focus is on getting there and making my way around, over or through whatever obstacles, detours or distractions are in my way? And showing others the path (Jesus)?
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, I love you.
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MARIA J ❤️ praying for your niece and nephew and all in the path of Typhoon 13 Dolphin, and as areas recover from the aftermath once it passes.
SUE DALOS ❤️ praying for your community and all affected by this tragic, senseless shooting, so so sad.
INES HODZIC ❤️ praying for the Lord’s comfort
TANYA ❤️ continuing to pray for Rita and those who love her
B ❤️
I love this… I call Heaven home.
“Some call it heaven, I call it home.” Reminds me of a song a friend sang (at her own funeral, via a recording) called “Finally Home”. ❤️
Thank you so much ❤️
“I seem to be the only one trying to actually get somewhere” – I hear ya, sister! ❤
I call it home.. so true.. it IS home.
Much love Searching.. thank you..❤️
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I keep my eyes on Jesus as I “run” by talking to Him throughout the day, by digging into the Bible with you ladies every day, and by being His hands and feet to others.
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Today’s reading reminded me that the redemption journey is not a 100-meter dash, but an ultra-marathon. While that can seem overwhelming in the midst of the course, my “Coach” has gone before me and knows the route, while my “Race Buddy” (Holy Spirit) is with me every step of the way.
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SUE DALOS – prayer for your community, the victim’s and their families and the authorities as they investigate.
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INES HODZIC – my heart breaks for you. May Jesus carry you as you grieve.
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TANYA – continued prayers for Rita and her family.
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My young mama needs insurance approval to go into the facility that has a space for her. Please join me in prayer that that approval happens today.
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Praying we all “lay aside every hindrance and the sin” today.
Good comment today ❤️
Praying for the needed approval so young mama can get what she needs!
Kelly, you summed up my thoughts perfectly!! Praying for your young mama!
Loved how you described the race! Praying for your young mama and her little one. ❤️
Thank you so much! Prayers for your young mama
Ultra-marathon indeed! ❤
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Praying, KELLY, that insurance comes through today, and praying little guy is feeling safe, secure, and loved!!!
Praying for young mama, what an angel you are Kelly ❤️
Today’s reading reminded me that the redemption journey is not a 100-meter dash, but an ultra-marathon. While that can seem overwhelming in the midst of the course, my “Coach” has gone before me and knows the route, while my “Race Buddy” (Holy Spirit) is with me every step of the way.
This is so good Kelly, bless you.❤️
Today’s reading reminded me that the redemption journey is not a 100-meter dash, but an ultra-marathon. While that can seem overwhelming in the midst of the course, my “Coach” has gone before me and knows the route, while my “Race Buddy” (Holy Spirit) is with me every step of the way.
This is so good Kelly, bless you.
Also praying for your young mama ❤️
Yes, that was so good! I had never thought of it like that-race buddy/coach.
The race Hebrews refers to is our daily walk, our faith journey; our pursuit of holiness. Hebrews shows us that Jesus is the ultimate and better New Testament fulfillment of the Old Testament covenant promises! He is the perfect sacrifice that made a way for us to have direct access to and relationship with God! This great salvation through Jesus should fuel our endurance to run the race of the Christian life faithfully—looking to Jesus not only as our example, but as One who made a way, and through the Holy Spirit, is working sanctification in us, day by day! Lord, help me look to Jesus as I run the race today!
Yes! Amen!
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Oh don’t we love Hebrews!! Our Lord Jesus Christ is better than anything we might think we want here on earth! But the life lived to honor Him is hard and painful at times. Our hope to keep going is in nothing less than His promise of eternal life (redemption) with Him – as Tina said, keep running sisters!!
Yes, Hebrews is always such a good study!
“Our Lord Jesus Christ is better than anything we might think we want here on earth! But the life lived to honor Him is hard and painful at times. Our hope to keep going is in nothing less than His promise of eternal life (redemption) with Him ” Yes, indeed, amen! So hard to remember that He is our future and hope, not these earthly things we chase that we think will make us happy. They might for a short time, but they don’t sustain and we want more.
Yes Sally B! Yes!
Amen.❤️
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A couple of years ago I was blessed to accompany a friend to one of those 5k colour run events..
I had never seen anything like it, it was amazing!
Everyone started off at the starting point in white, running for a cause, or for fun, being bombarded with coloured powder paint and coming through the finish line with such a beautiful mix of colours and smiles of hope and joy.
I guess, a race of any kind, begins with mixed feelings of excitement, hopes, dreams, confidence, even love, you’ve go to love to run, (right, Mari?) You may run in company, in marriage, with friends, family.. all is going well at the start, until the first hit of mellow YELLOW, things aren’t going well, job is at a stand still, bills need to be paid, and you are just about getting by, you keep on running, still holding on the the dream and hoping things will get better.. BAM., a BLUE hit, marriage on the rocks, a child lost, you stop, hurting from the pain that has gripped you, that has knocked you to the ground. PURPLE comes at you without warning, marriage over, you bend over in that continued pain.. From there you can see people passing by, a hand reaches out to help, you take the hand and slowly rise to see many running with determination, in their pain, their joy, in their brokenness, they still run, looking forward. You begin again to run the race for life for hope, in hope, calm, peace.. PINK, flashes before you, a birth, life anew, smiles..then the GREEN hits, all sorts of rubbish being thrown at you, but you hold onto the hope you began with, RED comes at you from nowhere.. health problems, can you go on.. you are losing the hope, it’s too much, and yet ahead you see the sea of colour, those that have gone ahead..
Hope rising and it’s beautiful. You run harder, the end in sight, for all those attacks of colour have shaped you.
Yes, for sure, but they have been the fingerprint of your unique life and they have brought you to the finished line of Gods Glory..
Philipians 3:14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by GOD’S heavenly call in Christ..’
The journey was never meant to be easy..
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BUT GOD..
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AMEN.
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Happy Thursday, my dears, keep on running.. life is still beautiful as are you..He is near..
Much love, covered in prayers and hugs,❤️
Wonderful analogy Tina. Very moving.
Life was never meant to be easy. But with God’s promises we can keep going!
Love this,Tina!
Beautifully written and insightful!❤️
The beauty of this brings tears, sister, so moving ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing this Tina ❤️. Saving it for times when the race seems too difficult.
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Thank you, Tina. All these colors of life make me think of a tie-dyed t-shirt. Tightly wrapped and stretched rubber bands, but a unique, one of a kind creation.
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Oh this is fun to think of, and the beautiful tie-dye Tshirt I have at this point! If only it was done and I could run on home with it finished! sigh. But the one thing I do know, is God never leaves or forsake us, so although I might have finished one race, and have more to run, I can look at them as a leg of the overall race.
Tina, this is such a beautiful, thought provoking illustration of life! What a great devotional in itself! Thanks, sis, for taking the time to share! May your day- though winding down now- be filled with JOY! ❤❤❤
Oh my my, tears again, thank you Tina ❤️
This is beautiful Tina! ❤️