Two Novembers ago, on a Tuesday night, I stood in line for nearly an hour waiting to vote. For forty-five minutes I waited along with many others who considered it their civic duty to turn out and vote their conscience. As I stood there in line, I could not help but think about how incredible people are. Have you ever stopped to think about it: how kind, how brave, how bold people can be? How adventurous and free spirited and determined to do the right thing human beings can be? That is what captured my attention on that cold, November night, not how different we are, but how similar. It amazed me that so many people cared so much about the state of our nation that they would turn out in huge numbers to exercise their right to choose our nation’s leaders.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

A more perfect union, those are the words that captured my attention when I read the preamble to our constitution. The framers of the constitution were not starry-eyed dreamers. They knew what the real world is like. They were political too. They had their own convictions, hopes and desires for our country and they certainly knew that politics would bring out the best in people as well as the worst.

Psalm 133
1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
    when brothers live together in harmony!

A few weeks ago, I stood at attention as the Star-Spangled Banner was played over the loudspeaker at our school. While it played, I found myself drawn to the contrast between the red and the white stripes, the deep divide between the colors. It reminded me of the divide that exists politically in our nation. But my eyes were also drawn to the field of blue, the stars set in a sea of tranquility and harmony. It reminded me that if we choose to, that is where we could spend more of our time politically and ideologically - in the field of blue.

Living in the field of blue means living out our individualism without infringing on or diminishing our fellow citizens’ rights to do the same. It does not mean that we are of one mind but, rather, of one heart and spirit. Fundamentally, as citizens of this country, we may disagree with one another, but in our striving to make this union more perfect, we fight for what we believe in a way that is honoring to God and to one another.

Cynicism, it seems to me, is at an all-time high in our country. We bicker. We quarrel. We fan the flames of our anger towards one another. All the while, we neglect to see the beauty that lies in each of us, the beauty that our Creator gave us. It is too easy to forget just what Masterpieces we are. We were formed by God's own hands and we matter to Him. We were created in His image.

To me that means that we have certain holy capabilities about us. We have the power to dream, and achieve, and create and restore. If you set cynicism aside and search for the good in people that goodness will show up if given enough time, patience, and love. We can choose to see the best in one another - even in those we do not understand. We can choose to see them through the eyes of their Maker and love them the way he loves. Living in the field of blue means agreeing to disagree, but to do so with integrity and uprightness, to disagree in love.

1 Corinthians 12:12
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

We all play an important role in this world. We were created as individuals with different ideals and purposes, but we all have this in common: we need one another. We depend on one another. After his chapter on unity in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul goes on to describe the perfect way to achieve unity: love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Keep your political ideals and beliefs. That is what makes for great and robust conversations and debates but temper your beliefs with love. That is what we are called to do. Love is the better way, the way to a more perfect union.

Okay, I feel like something needs to be said and since this is my blog post, I guess I will. People need to stop complaining. Life is hard now for everybody. Let me repeat that. Life is hard for everybody. I don’t know one single person who hasn’t been affected by this pandemic. It is an annoying and frustrating time of life. We all have our individual hardships that we’re struggling with, but here’s the deal. For all intents and purposes, we are all in the same boat. Collectively speaking, we have gone through some stormy seas together. Problem is, instead of rowing our way through this unsettled time, we are too busy splashing each other and trying to throw people we disagree with out of the boat.

I am a teacher. So far this year, I have been in three different models of learning and asked to change course four separate times. It is exasperating and challenging to be asked to change so many times, but I have done it because it is my job. Meanwhile, I have quietly observed the social media bombardments that occur every time our school board makes a decision about the safest way to educate our children through this pandemic.  I have been on the receiving end of some nasty parent emails when someone disapproves of their vote.

Trust me when I say this, no matter what decision they make or what model of education they vote for, someone always disagrees with their choice. Some were outraged when we started the year hybrid, others were unhappy when we went back full time. Then when we went virtual, there were people who complained about that.  Not once have I seen or heard an outpouring of, “Let’s support them. They are doing the best they can.” Yes, I will see the occasional post about why it is important to pull together at a time like this, but not very often. Not often enough.

You know who is handling this pandemic really well? My students. Every time something major has changed, they have adapted. When they were asked to wear a mask all day they complied. When we went virtual, and they were asked to sit in front of a computer for most of their day, they did it. When they had to go hybrid and some of their friends weren’t in their group, they accepted that. Most of them did it without uttering a single complaint.

Kids are resilient. Maybe that is why they do not complain like we adults tend to. But I have another theory. Kids do not complain as much about things like this, because, simply put, they trust us. They trust that the adults in their life know better than they do. They do what they are told because they have faith in our decision-making abilities. I have a social skills book called What to Do When you Grumble too Much. Maybe they should make a grown-up version of the book, because I feel like a lot of adults could take a lesson from their kids.

In the end, whether you grumble or not, all boils down to one thing. Trust. Yes, it comes down to trusting that people are making the best decisions they can with the information they have. But it also comes down to trusting God – the One who sees the beginning and the end of everything. When I was in kindergarten, my teacher shared a devotional about a girl who had to cross a bridge over some treacherous water. She was scared, but she was also with her father.  So even though she was afraid, she held his hand and believed that he would get her safely across the bridge. She trusted him.

Who are you trusting? Do you trust that there is a Higher Authority than even our leaders in government and in schools right now? If you do, you would be wise to take hold of his hand and let him guide you through this stormy season of life. It is a season that is scary, complicated, and frustrating at times, but you are with the One who knows the beginning and the end of scary, complicated, and frustrating. You are in good hands. Trust Him. He’s got this.

Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash

Matthew 5:43-48
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

I have seen a lot posted on social media where people are taking a stand. Drawing a line in the sand so to speak and choosing which side they are going to be counted with. I think that’s fine. I have no problem with line drawing - no problem with choosing a side. I think that’s a good thing, a healthy thing even. What I don’t think is healthy is how we villainize everyone who doesn’t stand on our side. If, I’m being completely honest, I find myself doing it. If I see a post on social media that doesn’t align with my own personal, political or social beliefs, I belittle that person in my mind without even meaning to.

It wasn’t until a friend of mine posted the above verse on his feed that I began to think about what the true problem in America is right now. It’s not the left, and it’s not the right. It’s the citizens who refuse to believe that people from the other side are, in the end, just people too - people with their own thoughts and experiences who for whatever reason are standing on a different side of the issue than you are. Are they your enemy? Fine. But you know what God says about that. Love them. More than that, love them in a 1 Corinthians 13 way.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails.

Love the way God loves you. He is patient with you. He is kind towards you. He keeps no record of your wrongs.

Can you say the same about yourself? Are you patient with others. Kind towards them? Keeping no record of their wrongs? If you truly can’t say this about your worst enemy, maybe you need to stop posting on social media and start finding a way to bridge the gap, to conquer the divide, to love the way you  are loved by God. In that truth press on, my friends. Until next time.

A couple of days ago, I saw a lot of posts on social media about National Daughter Day - so many beautiful moms celebrating so many beautiful daughters. I have a confession to make. I didn’t post one of my daughter. I also didn’t feel much like gushing about what a great girl she is and how much I love her. That made me feel extremely guilty, like maybe I don’t love my daughter enough.

Truth is, I do love her. Always have. Always will. But right now I’m having a hard time liking her. See, she’s a teen. Well, truth be told, she’s not quite a teen but she’s acting enough like one these days that it’s making it extremely difficult to want to be around her. She’s cranky, sassy, mean, short, curt and completely, if I’m being honest, rude and disrespectful. She yells at me, closes her door in my face and, in general, wants nothing to do with me.

It hurts and it’s tough. At times she gets her phone and screen privileges taken away but, sometimes, I just take a deep breath and remind myself that I’m in this for the long haul. Today in a journal that I’m keeping for her, I wrote this and prayed it most fervently for myself:

Praying that the way I respond to you, despite your “meaness” would be a way to preach the Gospel to you. Also praying that I wouldn’t be a doormat when I need to be firm. Help me to find that balance, Lord.

Anyway, I guess this is another case of being gracious with myself and realizing I don’t always have to have all the answers. It's also okay if I don't  like my children at certain stages of their life. I don't have to like them to love them. Loving them is a choice and something that as an adult I have to practice every day - even when they hurt me, even when they are less than their best toward me.

So for any mom out there who is feeling the way I do, you're not alone.  Hang in there. I have faith that better days are ahead for my daughter and myself. I have faith that in the future, we will be close again, find a rhythm and genuinely want to spend time together. May God grant it for Jesus sake. Amen. And amen.

Two Novembers ago, on a Tuesday night, I stood in line for nearly an hour waiting to vote. For forty-five minutes I waited along with many others who considered it their civic duty to turn out and vote their conscience. As I stood there in line, I could not help but think about how incredible people are. Have you ever stopped to think about it: how kind, how brave, how bold people can be? How adventurous and free spirited and determined to do the right thing human beings can be? That is what captured my attention on that cold, November night, not how different we are, but how similar. It amazed me that so many people cared so much about the state of our nation that they would turn out in huge numbers to exercise their right to choose our nation’s leaders.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

A more perfect union, those are the words that captured my attention when I read the preamble to our constitution. The framers of the constitution were not starry-eyed dreamers. They knew what the real world is like. They were political too. They had their own convictions, hopes and desires for our country and they certainly knew that politics will bring out the best in people as well as the worst.

Psalm 133
1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
    when brothers live together in harmony!

A few weeks ago, I stood at attention as the Star-Spangled Banner was played over the loud speaker at our school. While it played, I found myself drawn to the contrast between the red and the white stripes, the deep divide between the colors. It reminded me of the divide that exists politically in our nation. My eyes were also drawn to the field of blue, the stars set in a sea of tranquility and harmony. It reminded me that if we choose to,  we could spend more of our time politically and ideologically in the field of blue.

Living in the field of blue means living out our individualism without infringing on or diminishing our fellow citizens’ rights to do the same. It does not mean that we are of one mind but, rather, of one heart and spirit. Fundamentally, as citizens of this country, we may disagree with one another, but in our striving to make this union more perfect, we fight for what we believe in, in a way that is honoring to God and to one another.

Cynicism is at an all-time high in our country. We bicker. We quarrel. We fan the flames of our anger towards one another. All the while, we neglect to see the beauty that lies in each of us, the beauty that our Creator gave us. It is too easy to forget just what Masterpieces we are. We were formed by God's own hands and we matter to Him. We were created in His image.

To me that means that we have certain holy capabilities about us. We have the power to dream, and achieve, and create and restore. If you set cynicism aside and search for the good in people that goodness will show up if given enough time, patience, and love. We can choose to see the best in one another - even in those we do not understand. We can choose to see them through the eyes of their Maker and love them the way He loves. Living in the field of blue means agreeing to disagree, but to do so with integrity and uprightness, to disagree in love.

1 Corinthians 12:12
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

We all play an important role in this world. We were created as individuals with different ideals and purposes, but we have this in common: we need one another. We depend on one another. After his chapter on unity in 1 Corinthians 12,  Paul goes on to describe the perfect way to achieve unity: love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Keep your political ideals and beliefs. That is what makes for great and robust conversations and debates, but temper your beliefs with love. That is what we are called to do. Love is the better way, the way to a more perfect union.

 A few weeks ago, in some ways what seems like an eternity, we were told that we would not be returning to school until April 13th. This past week, we got the unfortunate news that we will not be returning to school until at least the beginning of May. I don't know about the rest of you, but that was a tough day for me. The day I realized that normal is not going to look the same for quite some time.

 Since I wrote my blog, Bad Mom; Part I, I've been posting daily updates on my Facebook page. Here are some of my favorites:

Bad Mom Daily Update: Day 1. Quote of the day: My daughter, after walking her dog two blocks. “I hate exercise and fresh air. It gives me a headache.”

Bad Mom Update: Day 2 Quote of the day: My son: “I’m going to Instagram my other friends and see if anyone else is making their 13-year-old do schoolwork.”

Bad Mom Update: Day 4: She knocked a plate off the counter this morning and broke it, pulled me across town on a walk and barked ferociously at me all morning. Yes, you’ve got it. My worst behaved child today is the dog.

But somewhere along the strange path we find ourselves on something began to change.

Bad Mom Update: Day 7: My daughter and I have a show we’re watching together called Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. While we were watching an episode something bad happened to the main character and my daughter got really upset. I reached over hugged and reassured her with the words “Don’t worry the happy ending is coming.” Maybe that’s what we need to remind ourselves of these days: no matter how bad things seem, the happy ending is coming. Hang in there and have faith!

Bad Mom Update: Day 8: The kids and I had a good conversation today about friends at school and what makes a good friend. Then we went for a long bike ride together. Things like this would never have happened on a “normal” day.

There's a couple of lessons I've learned in the past couple of weeks. Number One, this strange time we find ourselves in isn't just a time for educating my kids, it's a time to enjoy and embrace them. They are growing up way too fast and this is my chance to hold on to all the moments I have left with them. Number Two, I don't have all the answers as a parent and that's okay. I don't have to. Number Three, I'm not a bad parent, I'm just a parent trying to find my way. For far too long, I've compared myself to other parents trying to play the game of keep up - a game that leaves me feeling breathless, disoriented and completely worn out. These days, I'm learning to give myself grace and trust that God is guiding me as I parent - that he doesn't expect me to parent  like everyone else is. He just wants me to do it in a way that is true to the way he's gifted me, created me, blessed me.

I hope you can realize the same about yourself whatever your role in life is right now. You're not like everyone else. You are you. Be true to that. Just keep doing your best, keep moving forward and trust that God is bigger than all your shortcomings and failures.

Photo by Krzysztof Kowalik on Unsplash

This unexpected time has brought me many things. Not the least of which is the renewed sense that God is in control. Today, as I was walking, I thought of all those people who have lost their jobs in the wake of this pandemic. My heart goes out to them, so I prayed that they would experience and know the peace of God through all of this.

Then, I thought about a story in the Bible from the time of the prophet Elijah. (1 Kings 17:8-16) It’s a beautiful story about what happens to a widow who is living in a time of famine. When Elijah comes to her town, he is directed by God to ask her to feed him. The widow, out of need rather than selfishness declares that she only has a handful of flour and a little bit of oil to cook one last meal for her and her son. Long story short, when Elijah encourages her to bake him a loaf of bread first, he gives her a promise that she will not run out of flour or oil until the famine is over. What happens, is truly miraculous because for as long as she has needs, God provides.

That’s what I want to encourage you with today. As long as you have need, God will provide. Each and every day. Look for the miracles and you will find them.

Another encouragement I give to you is that this would be a great time to dust off your Bible and spend some time both in prayer and the reading of Scripture. It is something I can neglect when life gets too hectic and busy. So, I’m seeing this pause in life as an opportunity to walk more closely with God and find out what he wants for my life. It also is a great chance for me to sit down with my kiddos and share the truths of Scripture with them.

See this pandemic as a blessing and not a curse. A chance to slow down and take stock in what really matters in life. Go on long walks, video chat with those you don’t normally keep in touch with, reinstate family game night. Most importantly of all, reach out to God whose arms are always open. Find him there providing you with the strength you need to live each day - one day at a time. ‘Til next time.

Photo by Katie Moum on Unsplash

Next week, I embark on a new journey as I am going to be homeschooling, if you can call it that, my 5th and 8th grader. Ironically enough, they have asked on more than one occasion if I would homeschool them. I am a teacher, after all, they frequently remind me. Now, that we're here though, on the precipice of this momentous occasion, I can't help but fear what might or might not happen in the coming weeks

I know what I want to happen. Angelic children, sitting earnestly at their desks every morning working on whatever assignments I give them. Begging for more to do and loving every minute of it. Meanwhile, I'm baking my fourth loaf of bread to stock up during the apocalypse that is Covid-19. We'll read together, play together, learn new skills together. That's my vision. As I type this, a smile comes to my lips, because I know better. I know it will not go nearly the way I plan.

First, how I've prepared. I've created two google docs, one for each of my children. Labeled with their names, each doc is specific to what they are supposed to be doing over the next several weeks. For instance, my son wants to be a physician. We decided it would be a perfect time for him to learn anatomy and more about the human body. So I put links to  websites that have information galore and youtube videos that he can check out. Feeling good so far, oh yea. Next, I have listed a website called typing.com. On it, I've created an account for both of my kids so they can learn to use home row and not hunt and peck for the rest of their adult lives. Then I list reading, audio books count too, so I set up a link for them to search for books of interest. Math is covered by IXL in their respective grades.

Last but certainly not least, I listed Bible time activities. These include things like watching the series, The Chosen, reading their Bibles, doing devotionals, and, for my son who is being confirmed this year, listening to podcasts of sermons and taking notes. If I've failed at anything as a mother, it's that I've been entirely too quiet about my faith, and what it means to me. I want to rectify that mistake and this seems like a good time to do that.

But let's face it, if I'm being honest I've made a lot of mistakes as a parent. My kids are on screens way above and beyond what they should be. My son's language could rival that of a sailor. My daughter as a twelve-year-old can throw the tantrum of a two-year-old. On more than one occasion, the guilt of how many, many ways I've failed as a mom consumes me. I guess that's why I consider myself a bad mom. Because of all my shortcomings and failings.

And if that's the end of my story, what a sad sad tale indeed. Thankfully, it's not the end. Although I may have fallen short in many ways as a parent, I still have a chance. No I can't begin again, but I can continue on and take heart with one very important detail.

God is guiding me. My Father in Heaven is guiding me. There is a verse in the Bible that states, God gently guides those that have young. On more than one occasion, I have clung to that promise that as I watch over and take care of my little ones, God is watching over and taking care of me. There's a lot of comfort and encouragement in the knowledge that the One who has raised me up, the best of all parents, is gently guiding me as I raise up my little ones.

In that knowledge, I'm done with guilt as a parent. I'm done with comparing myself to others. I'm done with being embarrassed over how my kids are acting. No one is doing it perfectly. No one. It's time for me to understand this and find the best path for me and my kiddos - to parent as God intended me to parent, uniquely, and individually raising up the ones that he purposefully gave to me and my husband.

I have no idea what these next three weeks will bring. I know I tried to make it less structured and more them focused and I'm hoping that works. I've also appealed to their understanding of my weaknesses as a mom. My follow through and consistency aren't always great. This weekend, I reminded them of that and let them know that part of us having a few good weeks at home is them taking some responsibility and being willing to make the most of our learning time together. I'm hoping that message sticks.

If you are a person of faith, I would covet your prayers. Maybe most of all, a prayer for peace no matter what lies ahead. 'Til next time.

I have been thinking about death and dying lately. Not in a morbid way but more of a curious, I-wonder-what’s-out-there way. You see my mom passed away in December of 2011 and I have missed her more than a little lately. I remember before she passed, we talked a little bit about what was out there on the other side. She was a little afraid, because her church taught that we wouldn’t recognize each other up in heaven, that we would all just be souls up in heaven. I guess the thinking was that if we recognized each other we would be sad over the ones that haven’t made it. And since there is no sadness in heaven. Well, I get the premise I guess but I’m not sure I totally agree with it.

Then, lately, my own kids have been talking to me about dying and eternity and what it means to live forever. For them, it’s rather an abstract concept. I get that. I used to think as a child, that we would spend our days painting - think Bob Ross for an eternity. No offense to Bob Ross but that eternity seems pretty bleak to me.

But lately, I’ve begun to think of eternity as a place where the best of life is there to enjoy, while the worst that life has to offer is nothing but a distant memory. I’ve even imagined it as a place where I’ll get a chance to see all the people I’ve lost to death, including my mom and my dad - people that I haven’t seen in so long but miss so much. Maybe heaven is a little like a family reunion, where you get the chance to sit and talk about all that life had to offer and all the good and fond memoires are there to be shared with each other.

Either way, I’m not afraid to die, not like I used to be. Nor am I afraid of what eternity has to offer. The Bible says that God is creating a new heaven and a new earth. I can’t help but believe that that kind of a life is worth waiting for. A life where there will be no more death, or dying, or pain and where the old order of things has passed away.

A few years ago, I did a study on the book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible, one that I had previously stayed away from. But as I began to read through the book, what happened took me by surprise: I found myself enjoying it. It gave me a gift I hadn’t anticipated; feelings of hope and peace. Hope because there is an end to this unhappy story and peace because no matter what is happening in the world around me, one day it will all be set right. Jesus is the best and greatest king of all, and his stories always have happy endings.

Quite refreshing in a world that seems addicted to darkness. I’m an avid reader, but lately I’ve been quite discouraged. A lot of the literature that’s out there these days have such dark themes. Many of them don’t end happily ever after.

Call me a hopeless romantic, or a sap, or naïve, but I love happy endings. It makes me wonder why it’s so in vogue to have all these stories with darker themes. Is it because we’ve become so jaded that we just don’t believe in happily-ever-afters anymore? And if so, how sad for us.

Personally, in my heart I’ve got to believe that this wasn’t what we were destined for. We weren’t meant to suffer and hurt and cry. We weren’t meant to go to our grave becoming nothing but dust and ashes. We were meant for eternity. Made for it, in fact.

You see, I think God’s a hopeless romantic who loves happily-ever-afters as much as we do. And even after Adam and Eve became his enemies, God had a plan to fix what had been broken - sending Jesus to pay the price to bring us home where we will truly live happily ever after.

Revelation 22:1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse.

In some ways I wonder if dying is like the turning of a page, not the end of a book, but the beginning of a new chapter in the never-ending story of life. ‘Til next time.

My birthday is once again rolling around, and it’s time to reflect back on the lessons I’ve learned in my nearly 47 years on this planet. The other day I was going for a walk and thinking about life and all the ups and downs I’ve had. In a way, this blog has been a place for me to bear my soul about those ups and downs. When I’ve struggled, I’ve shared it. When life gives me a reason to celebrate, I share that. I haven’t often held back from revealing my thoughts, feelings, and ideas. I haven’t been afraid to communicate my weaknesses and struggles. It’s not that I like making myself vulnerable for the sake of being vulnerable. Rather, it’s in the hope that what I write impacts someone for good and makes life a little more bearable for them.

Anyway, when I was walking, I thought about all the lessons I’ve learned in this life and how each year I’ve grown, not only a little older, but wiser, too. And I wondered if I can make this next year of life the very best as I put into practice all the things I’ve learned, including:

How to put others interests before my own and love unconditionally; A cord of Three Strands
How to parent in faith not in fear; Feelings Nothing More Than Feelings
How to face the fears in my life; The Truth About Fear
How much I’m loved by my Father in Heaven; Adored
How to be vulnerable and real with people; A Good Story
How to turn my weaknesses into strengths; Slowly By Drops
How to carry on even in the darkest of times; These Three Remain

These are just a handful of the lessons I’ve learned along the way. It’s nice to know I’m not the same person I was ten years ago, or even last week. That’s what’s great about growing in Jesus. You’re constantly being shaped into the person your soul was meant to be.

In this New Year, I challenge you to do the same. However old you might be, whatever roads you may have traveled, reflect on all the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Then determine to live your best year yet. 'Til next time.