Ten years later, I still carry a little Post-it note in my wallet. It reminds me of the day we said goodbye to Angel, the heartbreak we felt, and the God who never left us in the middle of it. Grief may stay with us, but so does His faithfulness. He was with us then, and He is with us now.

Some dates stay with us. September 11 is one of them. For those who lost someone, those who lived through the tragedy, and even those of us who watched a nation change that day, the memories can still feel close. Today, I’m remembering, praying, and reminding myself that we should never forget the lives, the families, and the stories behind that day.

Sometimes loving someone means being willing to have the hard conversations. We can acknowledge the hurt without denying the love, and we can recognize mistakes without deciding the relationship was never genuine. We’re all human, and sometimes the very conversations we’re afraid to have are the ones that make room for forgiveness, healing, and restoration.

God doesn’t call us all to the same place, and He doesn’t call us to be a carbon copy of someone else. He uniquely created each of us, gave us different gifts, and has a place where He can use them.

Find your place. Find where you can grow, serve, worship, and love people well. And then be faithful there.

Because finding your place doesn’t mean God closes the door to everything else. He still gives you relationships, ministries, and like-minded believers outside your own church. Sometimes a conversation, a hug, or a familiar face is exactly what your heart needed.

He doesn’t waste a moment.

Go find your place. He has one for you.

The disciples had seen Jesus heal, calm storms, and do things they couldn’t explain. But what seemed to capture their attention most was His prayer life. They saw His power, but they also saw His relationship with His Father. And they wanted to know more. “Lord, teach us to pray.” 🤍

Back-to-school pictures are one of my favorite things to see this time of year. I love seeing those sweet faces with their new backpacks, fresh school supplies, and all the possibilities a brand-new year holds.

But behind those pictures are people who have been preparing long before the first bell rings.

I have the privilege of calling some truly incredible educators my friends. Some have taught my own children, and others I’ve had the gift of watching up close as they pour their hearts into their students year after year.

Their love and dedication have always been so beautiful to me.

There is so much that happens behind the scenes that children and families may never see. The planning, preparing, meetings, learning, problem-solving, organizing, and praying. The countless details that go into creating a place where children can learn, grow, and feel cared for.

And that’s what I think about when I see those back-to-school pictures.

I see more than a child starting a new year.

I see the teachers, administrators, staff, and parents who have quietly prepared the way.

And I’m especially grateful for the educators I get to call friends. I’ve seen their hearts for children, and I know just how much love is tucked into the work that so often goes unseen.

That little picture captures a moment.

But behind it are people who have prayed, prepared, planned, and loved these children well.

And that is worth celebrating, too.

Sometimes we collect layers without even realizing it. Comparison, insecurity, rejection, other people’s words, mistakes, and the expectations we place on ourselves can slowly cover up who God created us to be.

As I sanded an old cabinet door and uncovered layer after layer of paint, I realized something: the wood underneath had been there the whole time. The layers had covered it, but they never changed what it was.

Maybe we are more like that than we realize.

God intentionally created us. Nothing about us surprised Him. And maybe the question we need to wrestle with is this:

If God intentionally formed you, what lie are you believing when you wish you looked like someone else?

Maybe it’s time to stop adding another layer and start remembering who we were created to be.

A new group of kiddos, familiar reminders of Ms. Paula, and one beautiful reminder that the seeds planted in faith are still growing. God is still working, and I’m expectant for what He will grow next.

Sometimes trusting God means obeying Him when we can’t see the whole story. A rainbow on my drive home reminded me of Noah, God’s faithfulness in every detail, and a truth my heart desperately needed: circumstances change, but God does not. We may not know what comes next, but we can know the One who does.

Oh Sunday was a day filled with reminders of God’s love.

As we studied Luke 15, made a wonderfully messy slime craft, and remembered our sweet Ms. Paula, God gently reminded me that He never wastes a moment. Even in our grief, He is still working, still pursuing hearts, and still growing the seeds that were faithfully planted.

Some people leave a legacy from a stage. Others leave it around glue-covered tables, sparkling crafts, hallway laughter, and ordinary Sunday mornings spent faithfully pointing children to Jesus.

This is the story of my dear friend, Paula, whose quiet, joyful service changed countless lives and reminded me that the greatest impact is often made where few people are watching.

As the people we love grow older, their needs may change, but their worth never does. They still have stories to tell, memories to share, and a life that deserves to be honored. Sometimes caring for them means slowing down, listening again, offering help without taking over, and remembering the person behind the needs. Because one day, it may be us who needs someone to slow down, sit beside us, and remind us that we still matter.

Before any of us knew what Sunday would bring, God was already preparing our hearts. Through four simple camp lessons, He reminded us that He is the Author of all things, salvation, truth, and joy. Looking back, I can see His providence so clearly. He was teaching us truths we would desperately need just hours later, proving once again that He never wastes a single moment.

Tomorrow our church leaves for CentriKid at Timbercreek. While the children are excited about the fun ahead, I’m praying for something even greater: that every child would experience the love of Jesus in a personal way.

One conversation. FiveO simple words. More than thirty years later, I still hear them.

As a child at Five Points, one faithful woman taught me that “patience is enduring without complaint.” I had no idea that lesson would stay with me for decades, shaping not only how I navigate life but how I love and serve children today. This is a story about the quiet, lasting impact of someone who faithfully pointed me to Christ and why investing in the next generation matters more than we may ever realize.

A reflection on 250 years of America—grace, sacrifice, and the everyday freedoms we often overlook.

As I reflected on Vacation Bible School this year, I realized it was about so much more than a week of activities. It was a reminder of God’s faithfulness through a year filled with transitions, goodbyes, new beginnings, and unexpected blessings. Looking back, I can see His hand in every leader, every person who served, every child, and every season of change. Nothing caught Him by surprise, and His goodness was evident every step of the way.

We don’t fill roles. We walk callings. And when people are placed where God has called them, ministry changes—for everyone involved.

A shoebox. A testimony. A simple invitation to serve. Looking back, I can see how God used each step to shape my faith, grow my family, and remind me that every act of obedience matters.

A woman approaching 100 years old recently gave me some simple advice:

“Life is going to be hard, and bad things might happen, but you keep going and keep pushing… and you need Jesus.”

Twenty-seven years of marriage has taught me she was right.