Find Confidence to Know God’s Will

Hi to my friends joining us from Encouragement for Today! I’m so glad you’re here.

I brushed my teeth but tried not to move. If I did, I might interrupt her. And I’d grown so fond of these moments.

My baby girl, quickly gaining her independence, was in the habit of making regular visits to my feet.

Sometimes while I cooked dinner. Sometimes while I consulted my day planner. Sometimes while I brushed my teeth in the morning.

She sought me out and settled in, right on top of my feet.

She never announced her presence or her intentions. She just sat down. Not beside me or in front of me, but smack dab in the middle of my feet.

And I treasured every moment.

She usually tinkered with a toy she’d brought along. I would hear her talking to herself or maybe singing a song. She never missed a beat … until I moved. Because when I moved, that meant she needed to move, too.

But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.” Psalm 73:28 (NLT) 

My daughter placed herself at my feet because she decided it was good. It’s good to be near Mom. I want to be near Mom.

And when she draws near to me a few things happen.

She knows she’s in my will. She can be so confident that she is doing what pleases me for a few reasons. First, I can see her. Her actions are exposed in plain sight before me, so she knows if I disapproved she’d hear about it. But also, she can hear my voice. She’s close enough to absorb everything I say. She’s not only sure of her present actions, she’s learning for her future, too.

She enjoys fellowship with me. Positioned at my feet, Leah enjoys everything I’m doing. If I laugh, she can laugh too. If I sing, she can rock to the melody. If I’m cooking, she sniffs in the smells. Being that close allows her access to everything I do. She won’t miss a thing.

She knows when I move. And when I move, my daughter moves. Because she doesn’t want to lose that intimacy, that connection. It’s too important to her. So by staying right at my feet, she will always know where I am. And there she will be, too.

Today, we can decide we want that kind of connection to God.

Jesus’ nail-pierced feet eagerly wait to be our seat. Our place to find confidence to know in His will, access to enjoy His fellowship and intimacy to walk with Him step by step. No matter where we are, we can be at Jesus’ feet.

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” Ephesians 3:12 (NLT)

Leah boldly positions herself near me because she doesn’t want to do life without me. She doesn’t worry that I’m too busy. Or wonder if I’d care or notice. She is my child and for her, that gives her permission to perch on my feet anytime, any place.

And her desire to be near me makes my heart leap.

Through Jesus, God extends to us direct access to His throne.

That we may find Him, know Him and enjoy Him. Every day. It’s not a closeness saved for Sunday. It’s not a closeness unattainable in the chaos. It’s not a closeness reserved only for the more mature. It’s a closeness available to you and me today.

Crawl on up on His feet today. I imagine He’ll smile when you do.

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156 Comments

  1. I want to simplify my life and be available for God’s moves! I want my life to glorify Him as I fulfill His purpose for my life!

  2. You have to Try this! was an interesting read. It’s true we have to taste God’s goodness for ourselves. Timely message for me as I have recently felt tempted to pull away instead of pressing in. Thanks for the encouragement to trust.

    1. Hi Janine, thank you so much for sharing. You’re so right – sometimes it feels easier to pull away. Praying for you today as you press in!

    2. Trust in the Lord with all your
      Heart, mind and soul. He loves you with an everlasting love
      And has a divine plan and purpose even if sometimes
      The road is not always smooth.
      Christ on you, the hope of his glory!
      Amen

  3. Yes! I feel that god’s taking me into a new season, but I tend to do a million things and stay too busy. I want to stop the chaos and listen. I want to draw close to Him. Thanks so much

    1. So exciting, Gretchen! Your comment makes me think of James 4:8, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” Great to hear from you!

  4. I want to build my life around Christ, but I have to learn how to let Him simplify and focus my life on the things that matter most. Would love to be entered for the give-away.

    1. Awesome, Karen! That’s exactly what Your Life: Simplified is designed to do – help us fix our eyes on Jesus and run the race marked out for us! Great to hear from you!

  5. I would love help in simplifying my life so that God can be the center instead of the chaos being the center. Thank you for preparing the course and for offering the give away.

    1. I think you described what so many of us feel, Stephanie. The chaos always seems to be the center, doesn’t it? Thank you for sharing!

  6. This comes at a time when I need to find God more then ever. Learning how to do that strongly on a daily basis will help so much.

  7. We are in the process of moving and downsizing. I see the benefits of simplifying my life. I want to be able to simplify my life so that I am leaving openings for the Lord and what He wants me to do!

    1. Love this, Linda! “I want to be able to simplify my life so that I am leaving openings for the Lord and what He wants me to do!” … That’s exactly why we created Your Life: Simplified!

  8. I would love to simplify my life & be available for all that God has for me. Want more of Him❤️

  9. I want to sit at his feet more often and drink in all His goodness.. I need to be more available to God and reading His word.

  10. Really enjoyed your devo today. I always enjoy your Devon ???? It’s amazing how cluttered up my life can get at times. It can be such a distraction and push me farther away from my quality time with God and his abundance. I would love to read your insights on simplifying.

  11. Yes, I too want to let other things go, and draw near to Him.
    Thanks for the great giveaway !

  12. Great article! I’m starting this journey with God and have been loving the last 5 weeks of my life with God! Thank you for this opportunity and giveaway! I want to simplify my life and be available for God’s moves!

  13. You words this morning were such an inspiration to this tired soul! I strive daily to have a close relationship to God, but struggle to get there!

  14. Simplifying my life has been something that has been on my heart for the past few years! I’ve been making baby steps toward a simpler life and would love to see what ideas your workshop could give!!

  15. I’m desperate to find Jesus – and my faith – again. I’m desperate to stop feeling overwhelmed and that God doesn’t see or hear my cries. I’m desperate for answers on what to do. Stay or move. I don’t want to feel constantly challenged. And I want to stop having accidents caused from my high levels of stress!!

  16. I want to simplify my life and learn the walk in God’s way and His Will for my life.

  17. Your post really resonated with me! I want to learn to focus my life on Jesus and live each day at His feet!

  18. Great post! I’m ready to simplify my life for the Lord’s will and calling.

  19. Every new year I ask God for a focus word for that year. This year’s word is simplicity, which means to be single-focused. I just told Jesus this morning in my quiet time that it’s May and I am struggling so much with learning this lesson. And I open the Encouragement for Today devo and your online retreat, Simplified, is offered. I know it’s not a coincidence. I will be signing up. And if I happen to get selected for the free registration, may I give it away to a friend? Thank you, Katy for this offer and your obedience to follow Jesus.

  20. Recovering from hand and elbow surgery I am really trying to live life simplified, but it is hard, hard to keep your focus where it belongs.

  21. I am a caretaker for my husband. I need to simplify my life and rest at Jesus’ feet. I also have a granddaughter who needs this so bad. She looks to me for guidance and support. It would help me to help her.

    1. Hi Connie, how blessed your husband and granddaughter must be! Praying for you to find rest at Jesus’ feet today as you care for others.

  22. I’m learning I don’t have to be perfect to be close to God. He accepts me as I am, but also want to help me become a better me (not mentally beat me down like Satan tries). I was saved from Hell when I was 13, but I have been saved to life full and abundant at 33. My goals have been rearranged to find time for “us time” (me and God) so I can get closer to Him, but still have a long way to go as it only happened a few weeks ago.

    1. I would love to help my daughterinlaw
      Simplify her life. Having 6 children I know she is more then ready for a great study like this. Thank you for sharing your heart.

  23. I feel that God is reaching for me and I want to reach back, but my life is busy and I struggle on where to make changes and I don’t want to disappoint anyone.

  24. I feel God is reaching for me, but I overscheduled myself and don’t want to disappoint anyone…

  25. Yes I feel this struggle and it’s exactly when I try to take on to much and put Gods Word squeezed in the mix. Lord forgive me when I try this on my own. You simplify my soul in Jesus name

  26. I desire to sit right at His feet. I truly know my heart will smile day after day as I do this….

  27. Life cluttered and confused where to start first. Without God and his word in the morning I would stay under the covers in bed. He gets my moving

  28. I’m a great listener…to people. I’m a wife, mom (to a teenager & a toddler), Bible study facilitator, Sunday school teacher, etc. I am a child of God. I feel like I am missing out on hearing His still small voice amidst all of my noise. That said, I want to simplify my life and be available for God’s moves!

    1. Erin I can only imagine your situation rings true for so many. How wise you are to know hearing God’s voice is the most important voice to hear. Praying for you as you give so diligently.

  29. Ohhhhhhh this sounds amazing! Thank you! Our life is so overwhelming right now. I was so excited to see your link at Proverbs 31! I have been praying about everything you wrote here.

  30. The story of your daughter really spoke to me. I have been feeling a little dry in my walk with God, but your story reminded me to come to my savior and sit at His feet: all day long 🙂 I have five children and know the joy of when they want to be near me. Jesus wants the same. Thank you:)

    1. “I have five children and know the joy of when they want to be near me. Jesus wants the same.” Amen Diana! Beautifully said.

  31. Thank you for reminding me how simple it is to be with God and draw near. I want a simplified life and be available to God’s moves.

  32. I just came across your blog from proverbs 31. Thank u for this message. It was perfect.

  33. Simplified. Ok I’ve stopped doing all the things I’ve loved at church for the past 22 years that made my life meaningful, thinking I was serving God first. Knowing I should love and faithfully be the helpmate to my husband, even though he’s never been interested in talking about God or anything that has to do with church or ever shown concern about spiritual things for 50 years of marriage. But his health is failing. Losing heart is a constant battle. How can one keep serving someone who doesn’t love Jesus, and is stubborn, without being in danger of losing her own soul? Yes, Jesus loves him even more than I do, But I need Jesus! Teaching children was the way I was allowed to be vocal about my faith, the Bible, and The Only One Who helps and saves us. This seems to be another chapter in my life that doesn’t end well. But I will be faithful to God and husband because my joy doesn’t always come packaged in happiness from this life. Lord, let me never be separated from You. You are my Hope.

    1. Today’s devotion was wonderful Katy. Really hit home. Sorry for venting.

      1. Hi Mary – I’m so glad you felt comfortable spilling your heart here. Sometimes that’s just what we need to do. I am praying with you today! Thank you for sharing.

  34. I totally feel exactly this way getting caught up so much in our everyday routines and trying to do it all, but at same time I do not want to loose sight of God. I need him every step of the way. This will be a great opportunity to learn how to never skip a beat without him. I know when I loose the littlest sight of God during my daily routines I notice a difference and I want to eagerly get back to God closer to his words, his presence, etc. Thanks for the read!

  35. I want to simplify my life with God ‘s moves. I want to be aligned with His will for me. I want Him to use me for His glory. I want to focus on Him and walk with Him everyday of my life. I want Jesus to be my partner in my daily walk. Thank you God for what you have done so far and I look forward to everything else that you wil do.

  36. Your vivid description of fellowship at the feet of Jesus, like a child with their mother, touched me so profoundly. I would be honored to have a chance at winning a spot in your 5-session course! Thank you so much and have a blessed day!

  37. Simply put, I want to know a closeness like never before with my Savior. To sit at his feet with childlike wonder and assurance.
    To live simply and want no other.

  38. I would love to live a more simplified life…always listening for God’s will and his call on my life!

  39. Simplify is exactly where God is bringing me on my journey with Him. Decluttering my life, and staying focused on Him. I just got a new job that will put lots of demands on me physically and emotionally, and this job was clearly a gift from God, He chose this for me. He is showing me that I need to stay simplified by keeping my focus on Him, and leaning in to Him every moment. Thanks for your words of encouragment today.

  40. Simplified! In this season of my life, that is all it really is. Simple! I recently lost my job of 24 years. I am 56 years old Breast Cancer survivor. Although FEAR wants to take place in my life I have learned that GOD takes matters in his own hands and simplifies my chaotic life. I have trusted him with my life and know that he will open a door for me and new employment down the road. In the meantime I will wait and sit by his feet and listen to his voice coaching me thru yet another storm. He makes all things simple if we trust him and believe he can do it! I BELIEVE!

  41. Simplified! In this season of my life, that is all it really can be ” Simple”! if we trust GOD!
    I recently lost my job of 24 years I am also a 56 years old Breast Cancer survivor.
    Although FEAR wants to take hold of me I have learned that GOD takes matters in his own hands and can simplify my chaotic thoughts. I have trusted GOD with my life and know that he will open a door for me and new employment down the road. In the meantime I will wait and sit by his feet and listen to his voice coaching me thru yet another storm. He makes all things simple if we trust him and believe he can do it! I BELIEVE!

  42. I will be 65 in two months. I want to get closer to God. Love, praise, glorify Him in
    everything o do on life. I want the faith like that small child in the story. And know without a doubt God is always with me Thank you. And have a blessed day

  43. Katy – I have had a great week “tasting and seeing” how amazing God is when I turn my focus to Him. I want more! I want to simplify my life and be available for God’s moves – all the time! THANK YOU for all you share!

  44. Lately my prayer has been, God help me to be more aware of Your presence. Just as I’m aware of my husband being in a room with me, I desire that same awareness with you. I want to feel you. I want to know you. I want to be close to you. Scripture affirms you’re always with me, may I always be with You.

    Thank you for your words today. I really like how you made it come to life with your daughter. Ahhhhh, the thought of moving when God moves bring me so much joy. Yes! Yes! Yes! I want to be that close to Him.

  45. A life simplified! Oh, that sounds so good to me and so very much what I need right now. Your words in the Prov 31 devotion about seeking refuge in places except with Him “All the while my Bible sits closed on the table as the words tucked into the pages beckon me”…describes my life right now. Even though I know in my heart to go to Him, I search everywhere except there. I would love to win free access to your upcoming course!

  46. I would love to be a part of your new course for myself and for others. I could share with my small group! Thank you so much for your encouragement.
    Karen Smith

  47. A simple life in today’s world? Time to do the things God want me to? Ah…Imagine!!

  48. I am growing and healing everyday in God. I want to simplify my life and be available and completely open for God’s moves and his love and will.

  49. Thank you Katy for this post. Sometimes I actually feel like I am in neutral. The engine is humming but I don’t know how to shift into 1st gear. Could my life be ‘too simplified’? Help!!

  50. My word this year is contentment. I tend to run around & complicate my life, but too much “stuff” & in general make things harder than they need to be. This course sounds wonderful.

  51. What a beautiful and relevant analogy! Thank you for sharing and showing us another way to draw closer to our Lord.

  52. Thanks for the great devotional today!
    I fear I am missing the wonderful life God has planned for me & training my children very poorly because I am engulfed in busyness. My past attempts to rectify this have felt more like “one more thing to do” rather than liberation.
    Would LOVE some help!!!

  53. Thank you for the reminder to be still in God’s Presence and just listen and be with Him.

  54. “I want to simplify my life and be available for God’s moves!” Your simple phrase says it all. I am in a season where God is stretching, pulling, growing me. And, to be honest, all of that stretching, pulling, and growing doesn’t feel so great even though I know it is what I need. I have sensed God leading me to simplify my life–to get rid of material stuff and emotional baggage, too– and to be ready to move on to something new. Maybe your study is one of the things He will use to help me do that. Blessings to you and your family!

  55. Thank you for this devotional. It is such a good picture on what it means to be in God’s will and why we would want that.

  56. This course sounds like it fits perfectly with my life right now! All year the Lord has been working on me to stay fully focused on him, even as I lead women’s ministry, work a full time day job, work towards my calling of writing and speaking for the Lord, teach bible study and desperately search out for and cling to time spent with my husband, young adult children, family and friends. I loved the devotional on Encouragement for today. What a beautiful picture.

  57. I want to simplify my life and be available for God’s moves! I want to live and trust in God’s will. Thank you.

  58. Love the way you connected your daughter’s desire to be close to you to our desire to be close to God. Thank you for that beautiful analogy.

  59. I loved this image of your child at your feet. I do need to chose to place myself at the Fathers feet.

  60. I want to experience the closeness more intimately than what I do now with God. My gift from God is prayer and I do so often. I may not always get what I pray for but know that God is ultimately in control and has my best interest in mind. I want to continue to experience that closeness. I would love to be a part of the your life: simplified, because we weren’t made/created to do it all by ourselves, but with God’s help.

  61. Absolutely loved the devotional today!! Exactly what I needed. I’m developing a closer relationship with God and so grateful to have P31 and First5 available to me from my phone so that I can plug in anytime, anywhere. I need to simplify my life and open up all that God has in store for me. Thank you so much for all that you do and God Bless you!

  62. This sounds like a wonderful course…draw close to God and He will draw close to me. I’ve been born again for 32 years now, yet each day, actually each moment He calls me to, “Come.” Life happens so fast, especially when you’re older, it flies. Just like a breath. I would take any help I can get to come closer. To sit at His feet, just like little Leah. What a precious thought. It seems that I’m ever reaching, yet there’s always a sense of not being satisfied. Maybe that is His way to keep me ever reaching. Never to be satisfied, but to always be panting after…

  63. I’m trying to take the time I have left with my 11 and 8 year old girls and simply enjoy being with them. I think your course might help me improve.

  64. I can so relate to your story – when I started the summer before my 7th grade year I was sitting at the park with a dear friend. Still to this day not sure what happened except one minute I am talking to her and the next – I wake up 3 days later with my mouth sealed shut. My friend said I passed out and when I landed I hit my chin and it broke both jaws. I spent the whole summer (3 months) wired shut. My poor mom tried the pizza drink on me too and it was horrible. I ended up drink lots of smoothies and fruit drinks and ended up making boiled eggs and smashing them with mayonnaise and putting them through a spot where I was missing a tooth and learning to chew with my tongue and the roof of my mouth. Many years later when I had cervical cancer I lost my teeth, i got false teeth but was unable to wear them do to the damage of my jaws as a kid — thank goodness I learned to chew with my tongue and the roof of my mouth because I can eat about anything now days.

    Just like you said You Have To Try This – well it fits well with the life I have now people ask me all the time how do you hold up taking care of 3 disabled kids, 4 grandkids, elderly parents, elderly family members and myself not to mention 12 cats, 5 dogs and a rabbit….I tell them it is my faith and my strong relationship with Jesus and I tell them you have to try it and see for yourself how amazing it is. Thanks for sharing your story and God bless you.

    1. Lara thank you so much for sharing this testimony here! I love that you answer others’ questions so boldly! It’s Jesus!

  65. 4 Me ! I was completely healed, 4/11/2017, of a herniated disc at l5-s1,lumbar spine, andradiating pain down left leg , along with loss of full gate,swing of my left leg, and constant severe pain,24/7, which always felt like a radio playing full blast inside me at the center of my spine,across left side, and down my left leg in a continuous flow. God is GREAT !!!!!!!! I gave my life to Him, totally surrendered to Him,to use however he wants, no strings attached . U always bring it right down the pike with your discriptive stories ,right into my Heart.!! Thank U !!

  66. I need this study. I am so overwhelmed with me schedule and the demands on my emotions, energy and time. I want to live simplified and take time again to hear from the Lord throughout my day.

  67. S = strength
    I = increasing
    M = meaning
    P= prayerfully
    L= living
    I = intentionally
    F= fulfilling
    Y = yearnings of the ❤️

    Thank you for doing this study…

  68. I have been going thru a process for a while to simplify my life in order to free myself to do what God wants me to do. I ABSOLUTELY MUST SIMPLIFY! Today is Moving Day and I will be moving to the middle of nowhere and know absolutely no one. I do not really want to move there and I have no idea why God is positioning me here. I am just keeping my faith in Him because I know He knows what He is doing. My part is to trust Him. My 1st month and I have absolutely no $ to buy medicine, food, toilet paper or pay some of my bills. Out of my $490 check I had to pay a $230 electric deposit as well as the rent & deposit for apartment. There is no $ until June 1st. I have to trust God to provide for me. I have no transportation and the nearest town for shopping is some 30 to 45 miles away. Humanly, I am horrified but I must rely on the Holy Spirit’s strength and keep believing my God will make a way. I am a cancer survivor! 7 years!!! I praise God! I am disabled and have lost much of my colon. I have severe nutrition issues and weigh around 90 pounds. My God brought me thru 3 life-threatening surgeries the Summer of 2015 and I have had very severe bowel incontinence since then. Eating and digesting food is a daily struggle. I have many doctors and am going Monday the 8th for a procedure, praying my colon is not blocking again from the radiation damage…praying for no surgery needed! Also, radiation killed my hip 6 years ago, but in December 2016, I had an emergency hip surgery because I had a life-threatening infection in my hip. GOD HAS BROUGHT ME THRU ALL OF THIS AND KEEPS ON AND ON AND ON. THANK YOU FATHER GOD IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!

  69. I want to simplify my life. I want to draw nearer to God each and every day.

  70. I want to simplify my life to be available for God, and also so I don’t feel so overwhelmed and defeated all the time.

  71. I want to simplify my life and be available for God’s moves! I want to throw off the things that hinder my walk with God!

  72. I need to simplify! I am desperate to dive into God’s word but don’t even know where to begin. I seldom rely on Him to help me with carving time for my husband, four kids and all their activities, our 2 dogs, and part time job. I truly never have a quiet time on a consistent basis. Help!

  73. I want to build a Christ-centered life that focus on glorifying and honoring God with every action and thought that I have. I want to allow God to focus my life and direct me towards walking as Christ. I just want to be a God-honoring woman!

  74. Hi, I’ve been dealing with life challenges the past 12 months supporting loved ones through mental health, marital breakdown, bankruptcy, siblings conflicts … and feeling very tired and experiencing deep sadness. Your course will be a welcome “refreshment” to my soul, thanks.
    Ling

  75. I would love to listen to this seminar. Just stumbled upon your devo and blog this am from odb.org. I am a doer and relate to trying to Conquer in my own strength rather than resting in Him when things get chaotic. Like right now. My husband and I decided to move states last summer so that we could qualify for in state tuition for college for our oldest of three girls. We had a farm, but couldn’t find one we could afford close enough to the younger girls’ school. So, we rented this year and found a farm with a fire damaged house and property needing much work. As our lease ends, we will be moving into a rental cottage on the property while working on the house. So thankful for God’s provision! Yet, so much to do to set up life in the new place. I need to be reminded to live each day in praise of Him!

  76. Thank you for offering your encouragement. I definitely want to simplify my life and see God’s moves!

  77. I’m so excited to go deeper living like a child near Gods feet 🙂 Thanks for this great image of intimacy in the incedibly ordinary 🙂

  78. My heart cries out for a simplified life… To sit at His feet & love & learn & be.
    To hear someday (as Mary did in Luke 10:42) NLT
    There is only one thing worth being concerned about. (Maureen) has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.

  79. Yes! How desperately my life needs to be simplified & allowance created for God to move in my life!

  80. Loved this devotional. i truly enjoy sitting at HIS feet and would love to throw off what hinders my relationship with Jesus.

  81. I feel the ned to simplify my life and pray that I will be the lucky one to be gifted wih this course! Blessings to all! Thanks for the opportunity!

  82. My Soul is longing for the freedom only God can give…I’m stretched entirely too thin and have not relied my Heavenly Father as I should of late. Thank you, Katy, for this opportunity!

  83. I so desire to put God 1st followed by my husband and then children yet I somehow get so distracted by all the urgent things I need to get done and the fact that I am not good at running our household. I am so often “putting out fires”, just trying to survive to keep up with everything that I am often not doing the truly important things the way I really want to or not doing them as often as I want to. Having time with the Lord seems so hard to do because I feel like I don’t really know how to connect with Him and study His Word and also it seems like I am so often running here and there and everywhere doing so many activities to try to take care of everything to bless my family. I want to go deep with Him. I want to enjoy Him and be refreshed by Him and rest in Him. I also want to deepen my relationships with my hubby and kids. It’s a shame that I want so much to be close to the Lord and to my family and yet I often live my life opposite of that desire. I want to honor God with my life and follow His plans for me. Most of the time I make things so complicated. I want to live a life of simple dependence on and devotion to Him. I want to walk closely with Him and stay there. I am not sure how to do this.

  84. This course sounds like something I need. I feel so overwhelmed and so far from God. Thank you for sharing this word.

  85. Such a beautiful reminder! I really want to make it my #1 priority to sit at Christ’s feet everyday. Oh how much better life is sitting so close to Him that no matter what , His presence is never questioned!

  86. Good morning. I want to surrender to doing whatever I need to do in order to draw near to Him and make Him my priority. It sounds so simple but I complicate it. I want to stop complicating it, overthinking it.

  87. I so desperately want to sit at His feet! Just to be still and know! It’s hard to be still!

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