“Time Well Invested”

What would you say if someone asked you, “who and what are you devoted to?” Of course, all the answers we should say might surface first- God, our family, our jobs. But if we took a step back and really considered where our time is spent, what comes to mind?

Often, we have great intentions for our time and efforts, but we can easily find ourselves falling short amid distractions. Mindlessly scrolling social media, searching deer camera pictures for the trophy, and online shopping are just a few activities my spouse and I have realized rob us of intentional time. The quote, “The key is in not spending time, but in investing in it,” stands tall against in today’s world. When we return to that word devotion and consider who or what we are devoting our time to, it offers opportunity for conviction and change.

Psalms 63:1-4 says, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands.

The enemy will work hard to rob us of God’s gift of meaningful, purposeful, everyday moments and discreetly misalign our devotion to Him. To be devoted means we deny our fleshly desires and personal agendas to offer room for intentional time with Him, as well as our spouse.

Another word to be considered is discernment. We, as believers, should have a discernment of what is healthy for our relationships and what should be kept at a distance. Movies we watch, people we allow to influence us, and habits we begin to form can allow easy access to the enemy’s schemes to plunder guardrails for our marriages. Having discernment offers insight, wisdom and protection before the scheme takes effect. But where does discernment come from and how do we gain it? 2 things.

1.      Devoting yourself to reading God’s Word intently, and often.

2.      Praying with and for your spouse.

It can become very routine to pray for others, even come alongside others to pray in the moment, but do we offer that same devotion to prayer with our spouses? Consistent prayer and exposure to God’s Word brings an awareness to our blind spots. Learning to decipher God’s Word versus our opinion is gained through devotion to His Word. Deuteronomy 4:29 says, “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

“Actin Like A Nehemiah”

Today’s writing brings us to Nehemiah. Some individuals scroll past problems. Other people sigh. Nehemiah? He prayed. He prayed big, seeking clarity and direction from God. Then he stepped out with confidence.

If you don’t know Nehemiah’s story, here’s the quick version. He grew up in Babylon because his parents were probably among the exiles taken from Jerusalem. But even far from home, his heart never left the city. So when he heard the walls of Jerusalem were broken, it felt like his own heart was breaking too.

You may be like me and think, why is he so bothered by an area he doesn’t live in and people he doesn’t know? For perspective, think back to 9/11. We weren’t anywhere near New York, but we wept for our fellow Americans and the condition of that city. Katrina-our eyes ached with tears as we watched our home state lie in ruins with utter destruction. That was Nehemiah. His fellow people. His home. But, before we swing hammers at this story, let’s focus on his prayer…..take a moment to read Nehemiah 1:5-11…..I’ll wait here.

What did you see in the prayer? Adoration of who God is? Confession of any sins? Thanksgiving for his promises? Supplication for requests?

Nehemiah’s prayer modeled the ACTS prayer that brought him into a conversation with God versus jumping straight into overwhelmed requests for a quick answer. His prayer included praise, honesty, gratitude, then requests.

What if we began every prayer as Nehemiah did….God, You are enough…You are a great God who keeps his covenant of love….I confess I am self focused too often and push prayer away at times….I am so thankful You never grow weary of me and always welcome me back….Lord, let your ear be attentive to the requests I have and may I have a desire to glorify You for what You will do in my life.

Nehemiah took time to first acknowledge the awesomeness of the Creator of all. He then showed true humility by owning up to sin he knew was present, then took time to thank God for so many things and lastly….notice….lastly, he gave his requests to God.

I want to pray like Nehemiah. Adoring God first, Confessing second, Thanking third, and Requesting last. If you don’t know the rest of the story, Nehemiah was equipped with courage and clarity for the task at hand when he landed on an amen. He knew God heard his prayers and he stepped forward in faith.

What wall are you seeing? Broken relationship? Lengthy timelines? Spiritual laziness? Discomfort? Push up your sleeves and get to praying. The Lord’s ear is attentive to those who call out.

“What Do Men Really Want?”

This week’s blog is written by my husband, Matt Bridges. Check out his take on what men really want in life and marriage…

When you read this title, chances are you already had an answer in mind. Let’s be honest-most men aren’t really complicated. In marriage, many of us want these things: respect, peace in the home, a sense of independence and sex. Yet, often, we find ourselves frustrated because we aren’t getting what we want. So, the real question becomes….why? It starts with leadership…we have to ask ourselves, “Are we really leading our home?” Not just providing a roof over your family’s head or food on the table, but truly leading your family.

Early in my marriage, I didn’t understand this and was full of ignorance. I believed that going to work, taking a vacation with the family, and having some money in the account meant I had it all figured out. I thought I was doing it all right. But, somewhere along the way, I realized something was off. The things I wanted most in my marriage seemed to disappear, and I found myself angry more often than not. Looking back, I can see that my selfishness kept me from recognizing my family’s true needs and the blessings before me. Instead of taking ownership, I stayed focused on myself. Most of us know how a diamond is formed-a lump of coal, shaped over time by intense pressure and heat, eventually becomes something beautiful. In the same way, growth and change come; it doesn’t happen overnight. It took as well as continues to take time for God to reshape my heart.

So, how does that change begin? How do we grow into being the men that lead well? Paul tells us in Ephesians 5 that husbands are called to love their wives just as Christ loved the Church. Think about that for a moment-placing your wife’s every day needs ahead of your own, much like she does for her children. For most men, that idea may feel unfamiliar. Colossians 3, Paul again reminds husbands to love their wives and not grow bitter towards them. But, maybe the most powerful calling of a husband is found here: to help make her holy, cleansing her “by the washing of the water through the word,” Ephesians 5:26.

Men, we aren’t experts-but if we commit to these biblical principles, our needs will be met far more than we expect. I know in my home, when I step up and lead my wife responds differently-and not just how she treats me, but also in how she grows. She becomes a better version of herself. She feels confident because she has a man supporting her. God designed marriage with intention: for men to lead, and for that leadership to bring life, security and direction. So, serve your wife. Lead her spiritually and do so with humility, consistency, and love.

“What Women Really Want”

I was once asked to speak at a men’s retreat on the question, “what do women really want?” I was reminded of that topic recently while talking with a friend as she shared her heart’s desire for her husband to better understand her needs. My first thought was how flawed the world’s message is when it comes to understanding this.  Sometimes women think they know what they want and the men also think they have it figured out….but beneath it all, there is something stirring deeper within. Beyond the expectations, the assumptions and everything in between, there is a more significant desire quietly stirring in the hearts for the following….

• We want to see you seek God’s guidance with intention. My husband loves to say “intentional” is a cheesy word, but it means wholeheartedly. You are choosing God on purpose and that speaks volume. We desire to see you seek God because you want His guidance.  

·       We LOVE to see you reading your Bible! Not out of obligation, but out of hunger. Men have big shoulders for a reason; they carry big loads from work decisions to financial responsibilities and more.  So, to see a man open His Bible-the actual book, not the phone-because if it’s your phone, we don’t know if you’re looking at deer pictures or Bible verses…a peace washes over us. It reminds us that you are choosing His guidance over pressure and leading us with humility and wisdom.

·       You’ve heard the verses about taking up the armor of God…to women that armor looks like a man allowing God to build him up and equip him one piece at a time.

The belt of truth-that looks like living a life with integrity and knowing how you can discern what’s right and wrong for your family through His Word.

The helmet of Salvation-that your worth is secure in Christ, our futures are held by our faith, and our security lies in Christ.

The shield of faith-you aren’t naïve to think life won’t hand you struggles and that the enemy isn’t prowling around.  You use your faith as a shield as you trust God’s sovereign plan and prepare for the enemy’s arrows.  

This is what builds our trust, helps us feel protected-knowing you are willing to be led by the one that carries the world for you. That kind of posture brings a great deal of security to us. The enemy works in subtle ways to quietly distract you. He will convince you not to worry with Bible time, intentional prayer, or he’ll persuade you to think none of it is really necessary. But as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

In the end, we desire to see our husbands choosing to seek God, remaining committed to Him and looking at His Word more than deer…just kidding!

To the ladies that have a husband wearing God’s armor-stop and tell them how thankful you are and walk proudly alongside them!

To the ladies that’s husbands have not picked up the armor God has laid before them-don’t stop praying! Our God can do exceedingly more than we can ever imagine!

To the ladies that have not met their husbands yet-wait for the true Knights in armor! They’ll be worth the wait!

“Grant us wisdom, Lord”

Check out this writing from the past! A great reminder for us all to seek His guidance from His Word!

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Wisdom-the ability to discern.

Discern-the ability to detect with senses, other than vision.

Our world is rapidly growing with a society focused on outward characteristics and poor judgment. Too often, individuals are making assessments based off emotions, lack of knowledge and shallow verbiage.

As we watch the news, see society’s reactions, face difficult decisions and everything in between, how do we as believers, set ourselves apart?.......

Our friend from the Bible, Solomon, is typically known for two things, his love of women and his request for knowledge. We’ll give him some grace and focus on the latter trait for today.

1 Kings 3:7-9(CEB) says, “And now, Lord my God, you have made me your servant, king of my father David’s place. But I’m young and inexperienced. I know next to nothing. But I’m here, your servant, in the middle of the people you have chosen, a large population that can’t be numbered or counted due to its vast size. Please give me your servant a discerning mind in order to govern your people and to distinguish good from evil, because no one is able to govern this important people of yours without your help.”

I love this story for a number of reasons, but mostly for Solomon’s choice of words. Notice he said, “But, I’m here,” and “in order to.” Solomon had the opportunity to request the absence of problems, removal of frustration and more, but he chose to recognize his position in life and from whom it evolved, His Creator.

Today’s world is filled with choices and controversy and the enemy is great at blurring the lines on right and wrong. But if we return to God and His Word with the attitude of Solomon, our Creator is always faithful to answer and ready to direct our steps.

James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask your generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

But let’s press pause a moment and consider how wisdom is delivered once we ask…. Does it just magically enter our mind and alter our thought process? Do decisions miraculously become easier, and life’s drama flee? Unfortunately, the answer is most likely no, yet the perspective changes. As we recognize our need for God’s guidance, commit to studying His Word, wholeheartedly desire His way over ours and seek a posture of humbleness we begin to see life differently. We begin to experience the words from Isaiah 55, “Come to me with your ears wide open, listen and you will find life,” and “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord, and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Our focus shifts to purpose and trust takes over.

These words are refreshing and encouraging when you are walking a road with difficult decisions. No matter the circumstance you are facing, He desires to grant you wisdom for the road ahead and discernment to know how to navigate it. Take time to ask yourself if you have asked Him for it…

Parents, take time to study God’s Word. It’s not enough to stand on the bits and pieces you’ve gathered through life. Commit to studying it; believing His message, one that is still alive and active. Show your children how to go to it for direction, studying it as a whole and focusing on who God is to them.

My dad often says, “I sure wouldn’t want to raise you and your brothers in this world today, it was hard enough back when ya’ll were growing up.” There is no better response than, “ain’t that the truth!” I often laugh at the idea that my parents only had to explain the birds and the bees. We are facing the birds and the bees, the birds that want to be bees, the bees that say their birds, the birds that want the other birds…..you get the point. Our conversations will be much more challenging as our children grow, but with God’s guidance He will grant us wisdom and discernment for the path ahead. All we need to do is ask and commit to following His guidance.  

“Don’t be a Flying Squirrel”

Not long ago, my husband and I were blissfully sleeping when he burst out of the bed yelling, “Help! There’s something attacking me!” As we flipped light switches on and searched what turned out to be an empty room, I asked my husband a logical question…” Honey, did you take a melatonin tonight?..” A few hours later my husband, who had remained awake, caught a glimpse of the returning visitor.

It. was. a. flying squirrel.

Yes, the feeling of little claws tiptoeing across his head and down his neck was a baby flying squirrel that proceeded to leap from one piece of furniture to the next and scurry all across our house. Thankfully, my husband was able to capture the lost rodent, but not until he caught a video of it catapulting from end of the room to the other to prove to me he wasn’t crazy! The story of my husband being attacked by a flying squirrel will forever be a favorite of ours!

As I watched that squirrel dash back and forth on the video, I couldn’t help but feel like my brain had been a lot like the squirrel lately. It seemed no matter how much I wanted to be still before The Lord, I was scrambling through distractions that prevented me from landing in the place I needed to be.

The Bible study I participate in has been studying the book of Daniel. I was familiar with Daniel’s story….lions, friends in fiery furnaces, disciplined diets…yea, I knew the story…but what I had missed was Daniel’s incredible ability to focus.

Throughout the book of Daniel, scripture shows his devotion to God and his commitment to prayer. Numerous times, Daniel was placed in circumstances that required him to make a choice; seek God first or allow his own agenda to take place.

Daniel 2:18-23 shows him seeking God’s help in prayer as he faces death on a time limit.

Daniel 6:10-12 shows his unwavering devotion to God as he chooses to kneel and pray despite a law that would put him to death if he was seen doing so.

Daniel 9:4-19 shows his deeply committed heart to keep praying for God’s will to be done and expresses his deep trust in God’s plan.

Daniel 9:20-23 and Daniel 10:7-12 both show us a compassionate God that sends reassurance to Daniel that his prayers are being heard.

As I read through these true scenarios, I had a thought…what’s my excuse for not prioritizing prayer and time with my Lord?

Sure, life has dilemmas. Maybe not roaring lions or death penalties, but life’s demands definitely offer its share of choices…

Reaching for my phone or taking a moment to pray as I wait…

Answering messages or pausing to simply thank God for everything He has offered today…

Rushing to the next task or asking God to show me who I might offer a prayer to…

Reading about Daniel’s ability to remain focused on God and devote his priorities inspired me to reconsider my own approach. I wanted to be a ‘Daniel’, not a flying squirrel. I wanted to remain focused and disciplined in my devotion to The Lord, not floundering around succumbing to every distraction.

I encourage you to read through Daniel for a refresher and let it inspire you to be more like Daniel too!

“Keeping Life in Focus”

This week’s blog was written by my husband, Matt Bridges. He gives us perspective on pressing pause and bringing life back into focus….. Although this particular writing was written a while back, it’s always a great refresher! Press pause and check out his perspective.

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Men and women, can I ask you an honest question?  As you awake each morning, what is the first thing you do or look at?  Some of us turn on the news, some look at social media, some may open God’s Word and some of us may be elbow deep in changing diapers.  If you’re anything like me, I can assume this can be a convicting question. 

Not long ago, I found myself hit with a difficult and challenging circumstance beyond my control.  Being in control is what fuels my day, and lacking that control is what makes me feel defeated. As I attempted to bulldoze through the concerns, I found myself restless and heavy.

 From the moment I awake until the end of my day, I can allow my mind to be consumed with a to do list. Employees, children, the wife and more are looking to me for a variety of answers and it can become exhausting. So, when life handed me another scenario to dissect, I felt pushed beyond my limit.

 My wife has always encouraged me to fast from things that may be hindering my way of seeking The Lord’s counsel.  Often times I would push past her idea because most daily situations were manageable, but this challenge in life felt different. I was forced to identify that I had zero control and had to rely on the Lord wholeheartedly.  I was out of my element and terrified of the outcome.  After I surrendered my control, my wife’s recommendation echoed in my head reminding me to fast. I took time to evaluate what was taking me away from spending time with God. 

 Webster’s dictionary defines fasting as abstaining from food.  Likewise, fasting in the Bible is typically centered around food.  Yet, I believe fasting can be used in the form of ridding yourself from anything in your life that pulls you away from God, which brings me back to my first sentence.  What is the first thing you do in the morning when you awake?  I know for myself my mornings began with filling my head with Fox news, catching up on social media and a workout at the gym.  I would occasionally get my Bible out to read, but it wasn’t the first thing on my agenda lately.  I bet you would agree two of these morning rituals are meaningless, social media being at the forefront.  We all know how it feels when Apple reminds us weekly of the amount of time we spent flipping our thumbs up and down our phone screens. It’s an embarrassing feeling.

 After identifying what was consuming my time, I began to start my mornings differently.  I eliminated looking at my phone and turning the tv on and began reaching for God’s Word. I began to listen and search for His will in my life not only for this particularly challenging situation, but for daily living.  As I grew obedient and offered my time to The Lord, I was able to tune into God’s divine wisdom.  The most eye-opening experience from fasting became the recognition of God’s blessings during a circumstance that was beyond my control. I was able to just sit and see how faithful God has been through my life and was reminded of God’s sovereignty.

 Despite our busy lives, it’s imperative to sit before God and be still.  Our God wants time with us, and we need time with Him daily, not just when we are at a breaking point. Fasting is not the answer to everything, but it was a great tool to refocus my attention and restore my focus. My favorite verse is “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” Matthew 11:28. I’m thankful for this verse as I became reminded to go to Him first, with my firsts of the day in order to find rest throughout my day.

 I challenge you to decide in this moment what can you do differently to start your day and sit before the Lord?  I can assure you that if I can do it, you can too!

“Teach Me to Stop”

Not long ago, I got a ticket for not fully stopping at the red octagon sign that says “STOP” on it. My foot touched those brakes, but did the vehicle completely stop….well…maybe not. I batted my lashes at the officer, told my kids to grin real big and hoped he’d accept my apologies, but he asked for my license and registration instead. $190 later, I now press so hard on the brakes that our bodies lunge forward then back.

As much as I’d like to erase that traffic fine, it somehow reminded me to check the speed of my spiritual life too…

Life’s demands were full throttle and sitting still in His Word had begun to take a back seat. I knew where my Bible was, my prayers were ongoing, but was I fully stopping to sit at His feet and hear from Him? My answer to that looked about like that rolling stop I did…

This world is constantly moving. There is always ‘something else’ we feel we should be doing, but stopping to read God’s Word allows time for our brain to shift Him to the forefront and remember who is really in control. It also teaches our children to prioritize life’s demands as they see us truly pausing to give time and honor to Him. Sure, He goes with us everywhere we go, He listens while we roll through a day, but taking time to stop and simply be present with Him is true communion.

My favorite Bible reading program suggest taking a moment to reflect on an attribute of God before reading His Word. If you’re not familiar with the attributes of God, I have made a list of my favorites below. I tell the kids an attribute is a characteristic of God, but deeply rooted in how He has revealed Himself through life’s experiences. By taking time to note this, we are able to shift our focus onto His power, His sovereignty, and His perfectness before we offer our requests to Him.  

Allowing God’s Word to cease my own agenda and replace it with His wisdom is worth stopping for, no matter how busy life becomes. We all know how easy it is to forget who the creator of time really is.

Just for kicks, I asked the creepy, but intriguing AI if God multiplies our time when we surrender it to Him….just for reference…I find my answers in the Bible, but wanted to see what AI would say and this is what it said….

“Yes, the belief is that God can multiply your time by helping you get more done within the time you have, by increasing wisdom and efficiency, or by providing more opportunities and resources. This concept is rooted in the idea that God, as the Creator and sustainer of time, can operate outside of its constraints to provide divine assistance, making seemingly impossible tasks achievable”

Well said.

Let’s all take time to reassess if we are barely tapping on the brakes or fully stopping to be with Him. It’s so worth stopping.

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

Faithful: God knows and loves each of His own. He will do all He has promised, care for and make strong, forgive and make new, protect and purify. From the beginning He has had a plan to restore the world that sin broke, and God is faithful to His own plan. We know God is faithful because He sent His Son to the cross to keep His promise. Now nothing can separate God’s people from His love. He is faithful to Himself and to His Word. We can trust Him to keep all of His promises.

Eternal: God exists outside of time. He is not measured by anything. We measure time by the movement of the planets and stars, which God created. God has always been and always will be. No one is like Him. Because God is eternal, He can give us eternal life.

Good: We see God’s goodness in His love and faithfulness. All of God’s ways are righteous. He is good to all people. God’s blessings are His goodness to us personally. God is compassionate. He satisfies those in need. He offers hope, refuge, and care to all who come to Him. God’s children experience His goodness even when bad things happen. God promises to make all things work together for our good.

Jealous: God’s jealousy is one of protective love. The Lord seals every believer to Himself through the Holy Spirit. Unlike human beings, God does not experience feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety about His relationship with people. He is righteously angry when His children choose to devote their time and attention to lesser things. When God’s children turn their backs on Him, He pursues them.

“Finding God’s Goodness”

I’m sharing a writing from the past today! I feel certain it still offers perspective and reminds us of God’s promises. Enjoy this funny story of how our daughter’s memory offered a good perspective for God’s goodness.

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Recently, my youngest daughter began talking of a family trip from the past. She gushed about how fun it was and longed to return. I smiled as I listened to her joyfully recall what she remembered from the trip.  

The reality of the trip was that it was a “National Lampoon” style vacation. I was Ellen and my husband was Clark; anything and everything went wrong. The oldest upchucked lunch in her airplane seat, the youngest cut her lip open on the stroller, and I fainted next to the shuttle bus. I’d love to say we, as parents, handled it all with grace, but ‘Chevy Chase’ style is a truer statement. Ironically though, our daughter recalls the good from it.

As I reflected on my daughter’s perspective, I considered my thoughts as an adult. So often, I would become too focused on what went wrong in a circumstance and dwell in the uncertainty of it. God would tug at my heart to remind me to focus on who He is instead. This came after a pivotal moment in my walk as a Christian when I wholeheartedly began to believe that God was good. The popular phrases and lyrics, “God is good,” or “He’s a good, good Father,” were hard for my heart to believe when my life wasn’t going as planned and my prayers felt unanswered. I knew He listened and answered prayers, but doubted this in certain areas of my own life.

Yet, through His goodness, God slowly began shifting my focus. He revealed my “if and then” prayers and gently encouraged me to grow into an “even if,” prayer.  He revealed idols I had made within my mind and taught me to find my joy and contentment through Him. And lastly, He brought me perspective; reminding me to be rooted in gratefulness. The truth is there is always something “good” in the matter, but it can be difficult to see without a heart of gratitude. Gratefulness is key to seeing God at work even when circumstances are challenging.

Much more in life has altered my view on words such as “God’s goodness,” but ultimately it was God that gently guided me to trust Him and believe in His promises.

If your life is hard right now, and you are uncertain God is still ‘good,’ simply be honest with Him in prayer. He isn’t looking for a “Pollyanna” attitude; He wants your honesty and concerns, and with that, He will guide you to a stronger faith in Him.

I love that our daughter naturally sees the glass half full, but as life pushes on and challenges surface for her, I will be able to wholeheartedly tell her of God’s loving goodness for her life, too.  Together, we will be reminded of God’s goodness throughout our lives.

“Do you know anyone at Brook Besor?”

Not long ago, our family drove the winding road up to Branson to see “David” at the Sight and Sound Theater. If you’re unfamiliar with this place, just imagine Broadway with Bible themed plays-the talent is truly unbelievable.

I knew the basics about David-shepherd boy chosen to be King, incredible courage, emotional roller coaster kind of life, heart on fire for God kind of guy.  But I found myself digging into the book of Samuel to learn a bit more, and as always, a familiar story in the Bible gave new insight.

The scene in 1 Samuel 30 plays out like this…David and his men have returned home from battle to a raided, burned down campground with no wives or children in sight. The Amalekites(the bad guys) have swept in and looted everything David’s men own, including their families. After a few rounds of the blame game, David speaks truth into his men, convincing them to redirect their criticism on who to judge for the mess and move forward with courage. As the men high tail it in hot pursuit to reclaim what’s theirs, they stopped at a brook called Besor for a break.

1 Samuel 30:10 tells us that 200 men did not keep going…. It’s easy to skim over details like these, but let’s not…..remember all of these men are on a mission to rescue their families from the enemy. Yet, 200 checked out…lost their focus…lost their drive. Maybe they lost sight of their purpose.  Whatever the reason, they didn’t keep going and their fellow soldiers did. Chapter 30 goes on to show that victory was achieved and the families were rescued, but it also mentions the haughty attitudes of those that had kept going. They were quick to judge those that lost their drive, those that made a mistake and those that didn’t keep going when the journey became too much.

David, on the other hand, encouraged the weaker men. He pointed the victory back to God’s protection, provision and goodness, not their own. He continued to remind them of God’s love for them.

We all know someone that has stopped at the ‘Brook Besor’ in life and struggled to keep their purpose in focus. Maybe they were in hot pursuit of the enemy’s schemes against their family, but somewhere along the way, they became weary of the battle. Maybe you, yourself have become a bit washed out with carrying the mundane of life and simply need a ‘David’ to encourage you, reminding of you of the big picture. Whatever the circumstance, consider this-do you know someone at ‘Brook Besor’ that needs encouragement and a fresh perspective? If so, take this story to heart and share this not so familiar story with them, reminding them God’s Word always brings perspective.

“Can you relate?”

History books, AR books and more swirled around us. School had been in full swing and fighting to stay focused was a real thing. I loved seeing our children’s noses in all the schoolbooks, but I couldn’t help but wonder if they would offer the same determination with Bible reading. I decided to pitch an incentive to the first kid that completed my reading challenge. My kids jumped at my opportunity, often slithering by each other to peek at what page the other was on, assuming the only goal was completion.  

The reading I chose focused on the fruits of the Spirit and prayer and this mama just knew her kids would soak it all in as their eyes darted from one page to the next. Right about the time I patted myself on the back for my creative approach, one daughter burst onto the scene with a “Boom suckers, I’m finished!” and the other yelled “noooo, I wanted to win, moooom that’s not fair! She went too fast!” Before I knew it, I had one boasting about her victory and the other bitter about her loss. My hand had moved from patting my back to smacking my forehead. Where were the fruits of the Spirit they just read about? Why wasn’t the message of kindness, goodness and self-control oozing out of them if they had just completed an entire book on it? Then I heard a whisper in my head, “Can you relate.....”

How often had I read God’s Word out of obligation or to check the box then carried on with my agenda for the day? Did I ever read with just my eyes and not my heart? It was easy to become frustrated when they didn’t pick up what I had put down, which had been to actually absorb God’s message while reading, but had I ever glossed over His Holy Word and missed the mark on allowing it to change my response or my attitude…especially when moments didn’t unfold as I expected? Insert guilty hand raise here.

That gentle nudge, the ‘can you relate’ moment, didn’t produce a feeling of defeat; it served as a reminder to talk with them about the heart connection.  The best approach I ever learned about Bible reading wasn’t how much I read, how many reading plan boxes I checked or how quick I did it; it was how long His Word lingered in my thoughts and how to take time with Him, not the task. Trusting His Word and desiring His presence throughout my day kept me grounded and removed my expectations from the day.

Expressing my relatability to the kids on how easy it is to mindlessly check the box, do the deed, read the Bible and so on, brought a deeper message that reminded all of us to connect the heart, not just do the task.

If you can relate, circle around to sitting with The Lord before opening His Word. Ask Him to connect your eyes to the heart and allow His message to linger within you so that the fruit of the Spirit has the soil to grow.

Interested in a Bible reading this summer that focuses on Who He is and draws you into prayer first? Reach out to me for more information and find joy reading His Word.  

“From A Chore to A Joy”

I can still recall my Bible laying on my nightstand, perfectly stacked on top of other books with an intention of reading more.  I knew the message inside the big leather-bound book, a message of encouragement, wisdom and conviction. That last word is what usually got me-conviction. I had a relationship with God, a long standing one, but when I envisioned Him, I saw a powerful, all-knowing God that looked down upon me with expectations. Expectations that felt like a scale based off my performance in life and a pressure that felt like One. More. thing. To. Work. On. A feeling of ‘could’ve, would’ve, should’ve’ lingered in my mind and left Christianity exhausting to me. I wanted to live an honorable life, who doesn’t? We all desire to be ‘good’, live with integrity, be kind, etc., but everything seemed to point back to a self-help, ‘do better’ mindset. So, choosing to read my Bible usually landed in two categories-recharge myself to ‘do better’ or counteract the mistakes I had made. Therefore, reading my Bible usually felt like a dutiful chore I guilted myself into.

Fast forward in life to arrive in parent land where small humans make you evaluate yourself in the mirror more than you’d like. The pressure to guide them emotionally and spiritually will leave even the strongest doubtful of their capabilities. It was during this season that a friend mentioned a Bible reading program that guided you to read the Bible in its entirety and search for God’s character. Look for God’s character…seems like a given, but wasn’t for me. I rarely took note of ‘who’ He was in Scripture. I would look for where ‘I’ was in the passage, how did it benefit ‘me’, what message was there to help ‘my’ situation. Not that the bible doesn’t offer application and a direct message to us, but my goal was always a reflection of how it would benefit me and my circumstances.

I decided to approach this new Bible reading plan with its guidelines.  First, I was to surrender through prayer my own expectations of this quiet time.  Then I was asked to be still, listen and lastly, write a prayer. It felt doable, plus I love a good checklist. So onward I went, day by day, verse by verse I read and wrote. Some days the Scripture made me feel good, refreshed, empowered…other days I closed The Bible thinking what in the Sam Henry did I just read, but over and over I clung to the goal to search for God’s character.

Slowly, but surely my framework was dismantled, and the cornerstone was built. God’s Word became alive to me. Those tiny words were no longer black ink neatly printed within a book; they were the breath of life from the Creator of Life.  His message of acceptance for us through Jesus anchored my fleeting thoughts and gave me joy and strength through Him. Reading through His Story revealed His goodness, His faithfulness, His Holiness and His plan.  Every day became a day filled with a purpose to share the joy of Christianity with a world that feels stricken by tasks. My view of God was no longer distant, and expectation driven; it was trustworthy, near and welcoming. My Bible became my rest for a busy day ahead. His message offered reassurance when chaos knocked at the door. The verses kept unwanted roots in check and reminded me to follow His Son’s example and the Bible reading program evolved a heart for journaling prayers.

Are you struggling to read God’s Word? Feel bored or guilt stricken by it? Consider opening it again with a prayer to see God in it first. Want a friend to hold you accountable? Email me! I’d love to cheer you on and hear about it!

Click the button below for a great new song by our Louisana native, Lauren Daigle and Aodhan King!

“Battling Weary Spiritual Muscles”

I haven’t always been a runner. In fact, I hated running so much in junior high that I went to one practice, said this is for the birds and never returned. Yet, in this adult life, I decided to give it another try. I joined a friend that frequently ran and followed her lead. Over time, she talked me into running a half marathon and ultimately gave me a desire for running. It’s been a minute since that race, but the joy of an outdoor jog remains within me.

Yet, despite the desire, the dreaded cold weather always pushes any desire to run aside and leaves me feeling weary as I pass up opportunities to head out. My running muscles grow weak, and my energy level gets low.

As I began to notice a change in my strength, I couldn’t help but contemplate another muscle group that was suffering and growing weak…my spiritual muscle. Reading my Bible, applying His Word, and remaining faithful were my inner desires; the trust I held in God’s plan was my foundation. But the distractions in life, responses from others and chaos in life left me weary on the path and lacking a bit of fire.

We’ve all heard the verse about running the race, Hebrews 12:1 “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” but are we familiar with the beginning of the verse that sets us up to actually persevere? Verse 1 pricks us with, “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” Hinders and easily entangles were words that resonated with me. There were many things competing with my focus that needed to be thrown off….

Meaning to simply ‘glance’ at my phone that is filled with constant information, endless ideas, and never-ending reels hinders me by stealing my affection that is tied to heartfelt time with Jesus.

Slowly allowing my uncaptured thoughts to fall into an attitude of cynicism towards others begins to hinder my focus on the power of His Word. Reminding myself to consider who I am seeking and not to lose sight of the purpose my Father has given me which points others to joy in Christ and glorifying Him.

Recognizing spiritual complacency, acknowledging the enemy’s scheme to entangle me with a lukewarm sensation helps me choose to push out the distractions that draw me away from Him. It awakens The Holy Spirit still dwelling within me and reminds me to focus on this. It leaves me being reminded not to quench the Spirit as 1 Thessalonians 5:19 tells us. Instead, aligning myself with Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

The idea of writing about the battle surrounding us believers on this path and the effort it takes to keep a flame within brought hesitation.  It was rooted in these thoughts, “no one else battles this, they naturally feel the flame at all times,” or “your weariness or lack of focus isn’t a big deal, those distractions aren’t bad things,” as I would realize how much time was spent away from heartfelt talks with Jesus and His Word. Much like my weary muscles from the lack of running, I made excuses…until I threw off the excuses and restarted the race.

If you ever feel weary, have lost your focus or desire to stir your affections back towards Jesus, consider throwing off what is hindering you. Give an honest surrender to Him and ask Him to identify what may be holding you back. Complacency, cynicism, doubt-you fill in the blank, then toss it and jump back onto the journey set before you.

“Empty Prayers”

An elderly patient of mine once commented to our dentist, “this season shall pass,” after we chatted about the challenges in life during a routine checkup. My boss wittily replied, “Oh it’ll pass, may pass like a kidney stone, but it will!” I don’t think there has ever been a truer statement. I personally do not know the pain of kidney stones, but the description of a cockle bur, or as we say it in the south, ‘cuckabur,’ passing through our body seals the deal for me.

Life’s circumstances can feel like this at times. We know deep inside the challenge will give way, but it can be painful, stressful and exhausting, even leaving us speechless.

I find myself to be an optimistic person, a glass half full kind of gal, but sometimes difficult incidences develop that bring my thought process to a halt. My perspective narrows and I struggle to even find words to pray. Thoughts such as, “I don’t even know what to pray for,” or “I feel like I keep saying the same prayer,” cloud my mind.  My heart will even try to muster up, “God, I know You are still there, but I feel paralyzed in my prayer.”  

Have you ever felt paralyzed with your words in prayer? Maybe at a loss for words?

Let me encourage you with something I’ve learned in a difficult season.  Consider searching for words to include in your prayer from a book in the Bible-Psalms.  A friend suggested reading a Psalm a day and seeking words that pierce my heart. As I thumbed my way out of story land, the Old Testament, and moved towards the middle of my Bible, I was amazed at the discovery. The small black words described all the emotions I was feeling and offered the personal prayer I needed to release.

“I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain,” Psalm 3:4.

“You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy,” Psalm 16: 11.

“Lord, you light my lamp; my God illuminates my darkness,” Psalm 18:28.

“The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise,” Psalm 19:7.

“Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me for you are the God of my salvation; I wait for you all day long,” Psalm 25: 4-5.

I could go on forever, but will leave the rest for you to find…

As I read through the verses, one Psalm a day, I found myself inserting the names of people I needed to pray for but had struggled to find the words. God was revealing the prayers deep in my heart that became buried with trials, emotions and disappointment.

If you find yourself struggling to speak your emotions into a prayer, seek them within His Word. He will be faithful to reveal them, wait and see.

"“More than a ‘mom’ Moment”

“Mom, she is so annoying! Everything she does bothers me and I keep waiting for it to change, but it hasn’t changed!”

If you have more than one child, you have probably walked the long, weary road of sibling arguments. If you haven’t, please inbox me because I need to know your formula!

I have no doubt that deep inside my children love each other, but most days I am met with bickering moments, snarky remarks and the stank eye between them. As I listened to one of my daughters belly ache about her sister, I found myself digging deep to find a solution. Too often, I feel more like a referee than a mom, but even referees know what team to give the ball to…sometimes as a mom I understand both sides and am left wondering what call to make and what solution to offer.

I understood my daughter’s desire to be heard and validated, yet something told me there was a deeper message to be given and a bigger lesson to be taught. I asked my daughter if she had prayed about this frustration. To my surprise she said, “Yes, a lot, but nothing seems to change, she is still annoying, it’s pointless!” If I had a whistle, I’d call a timeout at this moment because I suddenly had a game plan!

I began with talking about God’s timeline versus our own timeline when it came to answered prayers. So often, we spend a lot of time asking God to change circumstances in a specific way that we completely miss the process of sanctification as we wait. If we aren’t mindful, we assume He just isn’t responding and overlook what He’s teaching us. Our conversation evolved into discussing how to look in the mirror for mistakes we may have made and how to consider offering grace and patience to others. As we continually include God in our daily frustrations, we can ask Him to help us see others in a new way and practice walking out the fruits of The Spirit instead of just knowing them.

As exhausting as these referee moments are, I am learning to embrace them. If we didn’t have these conversations with our children, how would we guide them to take all of their struggles to God? If they didn’t confide in us, how would we teach them to identify the emotion, learn how to consider offering grace(that we receive every day from our Father)and grow in healthy knowledge of how to navigate hard moments.

And if I didn’t stop to consider a bigger picture, then I wouldn’t be able to teach valuable lessons to them for the road ahead.

Friends, parenting is not for the faint of heart. It takes some grit. It takes a little perspective, and we all know it takes a lot of Jesus. Ask Him to help you have patience when you are head butted with these moments and dig deep for a bigger message. Turn to His Word everyday for wisdom and insight as you continue on this path.

“Finding purposeful moments in Parenting”

“Mom, it’s my turn to have that seat!”

“Mom, she made a face at me!”

“Mom, she keeps making that noise with her fingers!”

“Mooooommm, but I wanted to go to the other store first, why does she get to pick first!”

All of their words crammed into my ears as I carried my children to and fro’ one day. I’m pretty sure there was a moment when nose diving my face into the steering wheel and closing my eyes to say ‘woosah’ was my only hope. As I listened to my tween daughters bicker over the dumbest stuff, I slowly slumped into a sea of doubt….”Was I a bad parent, did I not teach my children how to interact well, was I not effective in my approach, is this sibling bickering normal?!” The waves of ‘do better, try harder, get louder’ swept across me then broke as I pleaded, “Lord, help me with this!”

While my mind searched for any form of reason or solution, the word ‘purpose’ rolled in. Purpose. What purpose could be found in their bickering?

Then the word ‘prayer’ surfaced…what did I need to pray into my daughters as well as speak into them as they battled for personal gain…. And there it was…there was purpose in this parenting moment and new prayers to be found for teaching and guiding them.

As my ‘woosah’ moment kicked in (and their fear of my eerie silence kicked in) I regained my thoughts. We made a point to identify what was driving them to argue for their claim and what the opposite virtue would be. Understanding evolved when they realized their whining was rooted in personal gain, entitlement and expectations and the opposite traits to be considered were humility, patience and self-control. The conversation then turned to how quick we can cave into our flesh with “it’s what I want!” versus taking time to allow the Holy Spirit to steady our thoughts and offer opportunities to show Christlike behavior.

While we talked of different scenarios that give us opportunity to set aside personal preference and welcome the strength of the Spirit, a bigger perspective was revealed to me….this parenting path is jam packed with opportunities to redirect them back to Christ reminding them to draw from His strength, learn what to pray into them and not lose sight of the purpose, but taking time to see it is key. If I had caved into the mindset, ‘do better, get louder,’ I would have missed the opportunity to teach them.

If you are sinking in the waves of doubt with parenting or anything else life offers, stop to consider where God may be redirecting your thoughts and ask Him to help you see the bigger picture.

Need some encouragement along the way? Reach out to me, I’d be happy to offer perspective and remind you of your purpose!

“Reflections on How and Why”

Here we are-2025! It’s strange how quickly we grow accustomed to the last two numbers of the year despite how bizarre they used to sound. As a kid in the 80’s I recall saying, “Dad, wonder what it will be like in the 2000’s!” in which he would respond, “Oh, they’ll probably have flying cars by then!” We may not be like George Jetson yet, but one thing is certain the calendar years keep rolling by and each one presents us with new opportunity. As we gear up for 2025, what fresh approaches are you considering?

In a world filled with a million ‘must try’ options you may feel overwhelmed even considering a new approach. I admit, my mind grows weary just thinking of what changes I could make with things I already do! As I considered the content I write for Purpose with Perspective, I took some time to reflect on the questions I have been asked about my faith.

“How and when did you find joy in being a Christian?”

“What part of the Bible should I read if I want to understand God more?”

“How do I stay and feel close to God?”

There are a variety of answers I could offer for these questions, but one message that summarized it all was “I re-learned who God was by reading His Word and seeing purpose in life’s experiences….”

From childhood to adulthood an acknowledgment of God was front and center. Church attendance, the availability of the Bible and John 3:16 were ingrained in me, but a weight of could’ve, would’ve, should’ve lingered along my Christian walk. An image of God holding a clipboard making tally marks on how ‘well’ I had done throughout the day made Christianity feel exhausting. My view of sin was distorted as I thought sin had a scale of 1-10 and my ‘good’ behavior kept me looking acceptable to God. Yet, underneath it all my understanding of why He sent His Son to die for me was… well…kind of confusing, despite my belief in it.

It wasn’t until I made a commitment to return to God’s Word in search of understanding God more that my heart connected to my faith and love and gratitude sprouted. The seeds had always been there, but a lack of grasping God’s holiness, our sin and the need for Jesus’ final sacrifice brought abundant growth in a relationship with Him.  

If you have a similar story, I’d love to hear how Christianity shifted from a lot of ‘don’t do this’ moments to heartfelt obedience rooted in love, not obligation. If you feel challenged in really understanding why we needed Jesus’ sacrifice and why God would create such a moment, I’d love to visit with you. If you find yourself saying-this year I want to learn more about God’s character and strengthen my relationship with Him, consider this prayer as you open the Bible “teach me about You, God.” Journal your questions and desires and watch the attributes of God become the ‘why’ to your own faith in Him and the ‘how’ to abide in Him.  

Subscribe to Purpose with Perspective this year for encouragement and come alongside me as I continue to write about His love for us and why He is my source of joy!

Below is a song I came across that I felt the lyrics were so honest and transparent for those who may be hurting this season. 2024 was filled with the loss of so many loved ones, may God’s promise of reuniting in Heaven be the help for your heart as you move forward in 2025.

“A Spiritual Question to be asked”

As we touch base with friends it’s common to ask how their jobs, family or even their personal life is going, but how about their spiritual life? It may seem a bit awkward to say, “So, how’s that spiritual walk going,” but as I caught up with a friend that’s where I found the conversation…

To be honest, I wasn’t feeling very spiritual myself, and felt discouraged by it.  It wasn’t a lack of faith. It wasn’t bitterness. It wasn’t even a lack of knowledge. Frankly, I wasn’t sure what it was, but I knew it felt off. I still read my Bible, but it felt more like a rhythm than a desire. I still prayed for others as requests came in, but it became another thing on the to do list. I knew God was all around and had not moved, but I seemed to lack focus and perseverance in my spiritual walk…I was missing that fire within.

I took some time after the conversation with my friend to consider where my thoughts had been lately and really considered my inner cry to The Lord to awaken this weariness. I wanted to return to my desire to read His Word and lean back into quality time with Him out of love, not obligation. At first, I was ashamed to admit I was feeling this way…kind of lukewarm. Thoughts such as, ‘it’s probably a result of not doing enough or not saying yes to more’ flickered across my mind and before I knew it, I was exhausted from wondering what more I could do to awaken my slumbering soul. The could’ve, would’ve, should’ves had crept in and the author of lies convinced me of a million more tasks to do in order to ‘feel better.’

Not long after this, I came across a song with the lyrics, “I don’t always feel it, but that’s when I need it the most, so I’m going to keep on singing till my soul catches up with my song. God, You’ve been gracious, faithful, whatever I’m feeling or facing and the struggle keeps me honest and it breaks down my walls of pride.”  

The lyrics pierced me as my focus shifted off all the feelings, the to do’s and into thoughts that reminded me to consider “who is God to me?” As I placed my focus on Him, my heart then became overwhelmed with gratitude of how patient God is with me, even when I am stubborn. He guides me along paths in life that strengthen my inner being and teaches me to trust His plan. He reminds me along the way to look back and see His faithfulness and rely on knowing He is a God of detail, always knowing what I need. He isn’t a God that makes tally marks on a clipboard as He watches from above; He is a God that remains near, listening and awaiting my words or concerns.

And just like that, I felt a fire within that was rekindled with wonder of simply how great our God is.

I hope I am not the only follower of Christ that has felt the fire dwindle, yet kept moving forward not wanting to address it. But I feel confident the enemy would love more than anything for us to remain silent, so if you are stagnant in your walk and need to hear, “How are you spiritually,” let me be that friend to encourage you. If you are reading this and have a mighty fire within, take time to consider asking this question to others as an entry way to rekindle their flame.

“A Pattern Worth Changing”

Habits, patterns, modes…we all have them. Mornings tend to gain rhythm with coffee habits, daily patterns get put on repeat and routines tend to shift us into autopilot mode. I personally thrive as a creature of habit; following a daily rhythm helps set my mind up for the day, but a particular pattern that needed to change was the content of my prayers….

Prayers, like our mornings, can become a bit routine or monotonous. I love talking with The Lord and I love including Him in all the things of the day, but sometimes my prayer can turn to autopilot mode and follow a pattern of the usual “Lord, please protect, guide, heal, bless….” you know all the familiar words. I knew the Lord still heard these words, but I felt a tug to examine this area and not wait for crisis mode prayers to involve allll the words.

Through a recent study of Revelation, a word kept reoccurring before my eyes (and heart)-repent.  For some reason, a twist on Aretha Franklin’s song ‘Respect’ unfolded in my mind, “R-E-P-E-N-T, find out what it means to me...” I sang that tune to my oldest daughter and received a quick eyebrow raise that implied ‘please don’t sing that again.’

But seriously, I had to really explore that word in my heart. Of course, I was familiar with it, but felt certain it was not part of my daily prayer.   Requesting The Lord to be with me in my actions throughout the day -absolutely. Seeking forgiveness for sinful actions-yes. Asking The Lord to guide and protect our family-of course. But, remembering to say, ‘Lord, may I take time to recognize and repent of things that break Your heart’…not a routine request.  

What I came to realize is ‘repent’ is probably the biggest word I needed to be leaning into with prayer. The habit of seeking guidance and protection was not to be dismissed, but pressing into acknowledging that my spiritual growth will require an ongoing awareness of areas to repent was a habit I wanted to form.  The Lord will transform and renew daily whatever sinful pattern may be forming, but acknowledgement is critical.

As a Christian, repentance should not be a word we cringe at, but one that represents a gift offered by our compassionate God. Turning away from that sinful habit benefits us to experience purpose, wholeness, and peace through Christ in all areas of life.

So, I leave you with this question, have the words in your prayer become a bit monotonous? If it has, know that God is still listening, and He does not get bored. But if you have simply fallen into a comfortable rhythm that slides into autopilot mode with daily requests, I encourage you to consider mixing it up with that word repent. Ask The Lord to reveal areas that you may need to repent of and then sit with Him in prayer thanking Him for the gift of His Son so we can move forward in repentance.  

It is no coincidence that my busy rhythm of life delayed my entry of Purpose with Perspective to today-Election Day. We need to pray for repentance in the hearts of so many people as we await today’s outcome; adding the words honesty and honorable behavior to the list, because we can all agree our country needs it more than ever.

“Why would we keep going?”

School activities, sports events, and a million “what’s for supper” comments crowded my weekly calendar, and among these responsibilities lie my Purpose with Perspective blog. I love to write about everyday life but, despite my desire, the busy season had me struggling to keep my fingers typing. As I watched another week come and go, I threw the towel in on a missed deadline and shifted to the next priority, my 6th grade girls Sunday School lesson. We had been studying different people in the book of Acts and I must say, the chapters had not been as easy as I expected...one week’s lesson included the story of a Eunuch. Ummmm…please don’t say, “Mrs. Adrienne, what’s a eunuch?” 

Thankfully, this week’s lesson didn’t lead me to awkward questions, but did lead me straight to a writing for this week’s blog…follow me into what we read in class….

19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.” Acts 14: 19-22

At first glance the text seems filled with odd names, that may leave us asking ‘is that a person or a place’ and possibly even ‘is Barnabas the bad guy they let go at crucifixion?’(side note, no…that would be Barrabas) After clarifying the hiccups within the text, the incredible message to our hearts was revealed in verse 20, “he got up and went back into the city.” A question listed in the lesson was, “Why would Paul get up after being stoned nearly to death and go back to share more?”

Let’s understand the setting for a moment before we answer that-Paul is on fire for the Lord, he wants to share the gospel, but this crowd is full of resentment and rage. There was not a polite, ‘no, thank you, I’m not interested in your message today.’ It was a clear ‘shut up and get lost,’ which must have left Paul feeling ultimately defeated. Yet, we see those intense words, ‘he went back.’

As I asked the 6th grade girls the question listed above, here was the answer, “because Paul knew about the goodness of God.”

Sit with that a minute. Paul knew about the goodness of God.

Yall, we probably aren’t being chased by a crowd with rocks, but we feel defeated sometimes with life. You may feel like a relationship is hopeless, despite your message of Jesus’ love for them and the freedom they could experience with it. You may feel misunderstood by others about your commitment to the Lord. Maybe life is filled with uncertain circumstances that leave you doubtful. Whatever the case, consider what Paul did. He got back up and went back at it. Did he feel overwhelmed-surely. Did he want to quit-probably. But notice what he preached after getting up “encouraging them to remain true to faith….and reminding them hardships would come.” Maybe for us, Paul would say, “first, drop to your knees, talk to your GOOD Father, trust Him, then get up, go out again to share the message of hope and perseverance.”

Thanks for supporting me on this writing endeavor. It’s fun and challenging, but I believe in the sharing the goodness of God so I will keep dusting myself off and going back to it.