The Simple Call That Changes Everything...

The Simple Call That Changes Everything...

In a world that often feels loud, divided, and self-focused, God’s instructions to us can feel surprisingly simple.

Micah 6:8 says:

“Do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly.”

Three simple instructions. Yet if we’re honest, these can be some of the hardest things to live out consistently.

Do what is right.
Not what is easy. Not what is popular. Not what benefits us most.

Doing what is right means choosing integrity when no one is watching. It means being honest when it would be easier to bend the truth. It means treating people fairly, even when they may not deserve it. It means standing firm in God’s truth, even when culture says otherwise.

I’ve learned that doing what is right often comes with a cost. Sometimes it means being misunderstood. Sometimes it means taking the harder road. But obedience to God is always worth it.

Love being kind.
Not just showing kindness when it’s convenient—but loving it.

That part stands out to me.

Kindness is powerful. It can soften hard hearts, heal deep wounds, and remind someone they are seen. Sometimes we don’t realize the battles people are carrying. A gentle word, patience, or simply showing compassion can make all the difference.

I know in my own life, there were moments when the kindness of others helped me keep going when I felt like giving up. And I’ve also seen how God uses our kindness as an extension of His love.

Kindness costs us something—our time, our pride, our comfort—but it reflects Christ.

Live humbly.
This one may be the hardest.

Humility means understanding that life is not all about us. It means surrendering our need to be right, recognized, or praised. It means trusting God’s plan over our own and acknowledging that every blessing we have comes from Him.

For me, humility has often looked like letting God heal the broken parts of my story and admitting I couldn’t do it on my own. It has meant laying down pride, pain, and control so He could do the work only He could do.

Micah 6:8 is not complicated, but it is transformative.

Imagine what our homes, our relationships, and our communities would look like if we truly lived this out every day.

Doing what is right.
Loving kindness.
Walking humbly with God.

Maybe today that looks like extending grace to someone who hurt you. Maybe it looks like choosing honesty in a hard situation. Maybe it means stepping back and letting God lead instead of forcing your own way.

Whatever it looks like, this verse reminds us that God isn’t asking for perfection—He’s asking for obedience.

And often, the simplest acts of obedience leave the biggest impact.

Stay Humble, Stand Firm...

Stay Humble, Stand Firm...

That truth has been at the heart of our family’s journey, especially watching Tim grow as an athlete.

Scripture tells us in Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” That verse reminds us that no matter how far God takes us, humility must always lead the way.

Watching Tim’s journey—from 11 years of Taekwondo, earning his 3rd degree black belt, to stepping into Olympic weightlifting—has been a lesson in both humility and confidence. There have been victories, setbacks, transitions, hard decisions, and moments where we had to trust God even when we couldn’t see the full picture.

Leaving one sport after so many years wasn’t easy. It meant walking away from what was familiar and stepping into something completely new. But sometimes God calls us out of what is comfortable so He can lead us into what He has prepared.

Over the last few years, we’ve watched Tim grow—not just in strength, but in discipline, perseverance, and faith. We’ve watched him sacrifice, train, trust the process, and keep showing up. And now, in his first year as a Junior athlete, God allowed him to reach a huge milestone: becoming a Junior National Champion with USA Weightlifting.

At Nationals, Tim hit personal records with a 101kg/222lb Snatch and a 130kg/286lb Clean & Jerk, totaling 231kg/509lb, earning Bronze in Snatch, Silver in Clean & Jerk, and Gold in Total—making him the overall Junior National Champion in his division.

That moment was bigger than medals. It was the fruit of years of trusting God, staying disciplined, and being willing to walk through change.

But through it all, one thing we’ve tried to keep in front of him is this: medals, titles, and championships do not define him.

Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” His worth was never in the platform—it was in Christ long before he ever stepped on it, and it will remain there long after.

As a family, we’ve learned that humility means understanding every gift, every opportunity, and every victory comes from God. It means celebrating wins with gratitude, learning from losses with grace, and remembering that no matter what titles you earn, you are never above anyone else.

But wisdom reminds us we are no less either.

God has uniquely equipped each of us for the road He has called us to walk. Sometimes that road requires hard decisions, stepping away from what no longer serves the purpose He has for us, and trusting Him enough to keep moving forward.

Tim’s journey has become part of our family’s testimony. It’s not just about becoming a champion in sport—it’s about becoming who God created him to be.

And as parents, our journey has been learning to trust God with the process—even when it stretched us, humbled us, and pushed us beyond what felt safe.

Through it all, we keep coming back to this truth:

Stay Humble.
Stand Confident.
Trust God Fully.

Because when your identity is rooted in Christ, your purpose will always be greater than your platform. 

In Case You Needed the Reminder Today...

In Case You Needed the Reminder Today...

You are cherished.
Not for what you can offer. Not because of your accomplishments. Not because of how “together” you seem to have it. You are cherished simply because you belong to God. He knit you together with intention, knows every detail of your life, and loves you with an everlasting love.

You have purpose.
Your pain is not pointless. Your setbacks are not wasted. The hard seasons you’ve walked through may not make sense right now, but God has a way of turning ashes into beauty. Sometimes the very things that tried to break you become the testimony that helps someone else survive.

And your presence makes a difference.
This one is easy to overlook. We often underestimate how much our presence matters. A kind word, a prayer, a simple act of obedience, showing up when it’s hard—these things carry weight. Someone may be holding on today because of the light you carry.

That’s why the enemy works so hard to make us feel small, unseen, and unimportant.

Because if he can convince you that you don’t matter, he can keep you from walking in the calling God placed on your life.

But hear this:

Your past does not disqualify you.
Your pain does not make you powerless.
Your scars do not make you less valuable.

They are proof that you survived.

And with God, survival can become strength, and strength can become purpose.

If you’re in a hard season right now—waiting, grieving, healing, or simply trying to keep going—don’t lose heart. God sees you. He hasn’t forgotten you. He is still working, even in the silence.

And if no one else has told you today, let me remind you:

You are loved.
You are seen.
You are chosen.
You are enough because He is enough.

And your story is far from over.

Focus on Where You’re Going...

Focus on Where You’re Going...

“Focus on where you’re going & discipline yourself to get there.”

That sounds simple, but living it out is where the real work begins.

Too often, we get distracted by what’s behind us—past mistakes, setbacks, missed opportunities, or even the opinions of others. But if you spend too much time looking backward, you’ll lose sight of the path ahead.

The truth is, reaching any goal takes vision, sacrifice, and discipline.

Discipline is what keeps you moving when motivation fades. As Jim Rohn said, “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”

I’ve watched that truth play out firsthand in our son Tim’s journey.

This past week, USA Weightlifting Jr. Nationals became the stage where years of hard work, sore muscles, missed social events, and relentless training all came together. Tim didn’t become a National Champion overnight. That title was built in the unseen moments—the days he showed up when he was tired, when lifts didn’t go his way, and when progress felt slow.

He stayed focused on where he was going.

He disciplined himself to get there.

And because of that, he stood on the platform and earned the title of 2026 Junior National Champion.

That’s the lesson.

Success in life, faith, family, and goals isn’t accidental. It’s intentional.

The road won’t always be easy. There will be obstacles. There will be people who doubt you. There will be moments when quitting feels easier.

But if God has placed something in front of you, keep your eyes fixed on it.

Stay focused.
Stay disciplined.
Stay faithful.

Because where you’re going is worth every step it takes to get there.

Faith Changes More Than Circumstances...

Faith is often misunderstood as believing that if we trust God enough, He will change our circumstances. We pray for the diagnosis to disappear, the financial burden to be lifted, the relationship to be restored, or the door to open exactly as we hope. While God certainly has the power to do all of those things, faith is not measured by whether our circumstances change. Faith is measured by whether we continue to trust Him when they don't.

Some of the most powerful moments in Scripture aren't stories of people escaping hardship—they're stories of people finding God in the middle of it. Joseph spent years in slavery and prison before he ever saw God's purpose. David was anointed king long before he wore the crown. Paul prayed for his thorn in the flesh to be removed, yet God responded, "My grace is sufficient for you."

God's greatest work is often done in the waiting.

We naturally focus on what we want God to do around us, but God is often more concerned with what He is doing within us. He uses difficult seasons to teach us patience when we'd rather have immediate answers. He teaches us perseverance when we'd rather give up. He teaches us humility when we'd rather be self-sufficient. Most importantly, He teaches us to depend on Him instead of our own strength.

When I look back over my own life, I can see situations I begged God to change. At the time, I couldn't understand why He wasn't moving as quickly as I wanted Him to. But now I realize that while I was focused on the destination, God was focused on the journey. He was building a stronger faith, a deeper trust, and a closer relationship with Him.

As a wife, a mother, a business owner, and someone who has walked through seasons of loss, uncertainty, and change, I've learned that God's faithfulness isn't determined by how quickly He answers a prayer. His faithfulness is seen in how He sustains us while we wait. He gives peace when circumstances don't make sense. He gives strength when we feel weak. He gives hope when the future seems unclear.

Sometimes God calms the storm.

Sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.

The beautiful thing about faith is that it allows us to trust God's heart even when we can't see His hand. We may not understand what He's doing, but we can trust that He is working. Every challenge, every delay, every disappointment is an opportunity for Him to shape us more into the image of Christ.

So if you're in a season where nothing seems to be changing, don't lose heart. God may be doing a work that is far greater than changing your circumstances. He may be changing your perspective, your character, your priorities, and your faith.

The situation you're praying about may be temporary, but the person God is shaping you to become will impact eternity.

Faith doesn't always mean God changes your situation.

Sometimes it means He changes you—and that may be the greater miracle.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." — James 1:2-3

"And let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." — James 1:4

Become the Person Opportunity Looks For...

Become the Person Opportunity Looks For...

So many people spend their lives waiting. Waiting for the right moment, the right connection, the right break, or the right opportunity to finally move forward.

But what if opportunity isn’t something you simply wait on?

What if it’s something you prepare for?

This picture is such a powerful reminder that before the door of opportunity opens, there are steps we must take to get there. Those steps are rarely glamorous. They are built on growth mindset, hard work, learning, self-improvement, and integrity.

The truth is, success doesn’t usually happen overnight. It’s built in the quiet moments—when nobody is watching. It’s in the early mornings, the discipline to keep going, the willingness to keep learning, and the character you build along the way.

God often uses the waiting season to shape us. We may think He’s delaying, but many times He’s developing.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says:
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”

That means giving your best where you are right now—not where you hope to be someday.

Opportunity often arrives disguised as preparation.

When the door opens, will you be ready?

Don’t just pray for opportunities. Pray for wisdom, strength, discipline, and character so that when God places that door in front of you, you can walk through it with confidence.

Keep climbing. Keep growing. Keep trusting.

Because the goal isn’t just to find opportunity—

It’s to become the kind of person prepared to handle it.

God's Timing Is Always Right...

If there's one lesson I've learned over the years, it's that God's timing rarely matches my timing.

There have been seasons when I prayed for something, worked toward something, and waited for something that seemed like it would never happen. I wanted answers. I wanted doors to open. I wanted God to move according to my schedule.

But God doesn't operate on our timetable.

Sometimes we try to force things because we believe we're ready. We push doors that God hasn't opened. We become frustrated when opportunities don't work out. We wonder why our plans aren't moving forward the way we expected.

Looking back, I can see so many moments where I thought something was delayed, when in reality, God was preparing.

Preparing me.

Preparing the circumstances.

Preparing the people involved.

Preparing the blessing.

Had some of those prayers been answered when I first wanted them answered, I wouldn't have been ready to receive what God had planned.

That's one of the hardest parts of faith—trusting God when we can't see what He's doing behind the scenes.

The waiting season can feel long. It can feel frustrating. It can even feel discouraging at times. But waiting is never wasted when God is involved.

I've seen this truth play out in my own life.

There have been prayers that took years to answer. Dreams that developed slowly. Opportunities that arrived at exactly the right moment—not a day too early and not a day too late.

When I married Scot, I didn't know all the ways God would use our marriage to strengthen my faith. When we began homeschooling Tim, I couldn't see the incredible young man he would become. When Tim transitioned from Taekwondo into Olympic weightlifting, there were plenty of unknowns, but God continued opening the right doors at the right time.

None of those things could have been forced.

They unfolded according to God's perfect plan.

And now, as I watch Tim step into adulthood, pursue his goals, and begin the next chapter of his life, I'm reminded once again that God is never late.

Not once.

The same God who guided us through every season is still guiding us today.

If you're waiting for a prayer to be answered.

If you're waiting for a job opportunity, a healing, a relationship to be restored, or direction for the future.

Don't lose heart.

If it's not God's time, no amount of striving will make it happen.

But when God says it's time, no obstacle, no setback, no person, and no circumstance can stop what He has ordained.

That's the beauty of trusting Him.

We don't have to force what God has promised.

We don't have to manipulate circumstances.

We don't have to live in anxiety trying to make everything happen ourselves.

Our job is to remain faithful.

God's job is to open the doors.

And when He does, you'll discover that what seemed like a delay was actually divine preparation all along.

So if you're in a waiting season today, keep trusting. Keep praying. Keep serving. Keep believing.

Because when God's timing arrives, what He has planned for your life will come to pass.

And no one can stop what God has set in motion.

Me and My House...

There are certain verses in Scripture that seem to become part of your heart. For me, Joshua 24:15 is one of those verses.

It's more than a beautiful plaque hanging on a wall. It's more than a verse stitched onto a decorative pillow or displayed above a doorway. It's a declaration. A commitment. A decision that affects every part of life.

When Joshua spoke these words, he was addressing the people of Israel after reminding them of all God had done for them. God had rescued them, protected them, provided for them, and fulfilled His promises. Joshua challenged the people to choose whom they would serve. Then he boldly declared that regardless of what others decided, he had already made his choice.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

I think that's what makes this verse so powerful. Joshua wasn't waiting to see what everyone else was going to do. He wasn't taking a poll. He wasn't following the culture around him. He had made up his mind.

In today's world, that's not always easy.

We live in a culture that constantly pulls our attention in a hundred different directions. There are endless distractions competing for our time, our energy, and our hearts. The world tells us that success, achievement, popularity, and possessions should be our highest priorities. But Joshua's words remind us that our greatest purpose is to know God and serve Him.

Serving the Lord isn't just something we do on Sunday mornings. It's a daily choice.

It's choosing prayer before panic.

It's choosing faith over fear.

It's choosing forgiveness when holding a grudge would be easier.

It's choosing obedience even when it costs us something.

It's choosing to trust God's plan when we don't understand what He's doing.

For our family, this verse has been lived out in countless ways over the years.

When Scot and I married nearly twenty years ago, we made a commitment that Christ would be at the center of our marriage. Have we done everything perfectly? Absolutely not. But through every season—the good times and the hard times—we've tried to keep our eyes on the One who brought us together.

When we chose to homeschool Tim, it wasn't simply about academics. It was about discipleship. We wanted him to know that his identity is found in Christ before anything else. Long before he became a weightlifter, a graduate, or began planning for college, he was a child of God.

Now, watching him step into adulthood has given me an even greater appreciation for this verse.

As parents, there comes a point when you realize that all the lessons, prayers, conversations, and examples you've tried to set are being carried forward into the next generation. You pray that the faith you've lived before your children becomes a faith they embrace for themselves.

My prayer has never been that Tim would simply be successful. Success comes and goes. Trophies collect dust. Records get broken. Achievements fade with time.

My prayer has always been that he would love Jesus and follow Him wherever He leads.

Because at the end of the day, that's what matters most.

The older I get, the more I realize that serving the Lord isn't about having a perfect family. Every family has struggles. Every family faces challenges. Every family experiences heartbreak and disappointment.

Serving the Lord means choosing Him in the middle of those moments.

It means trusting Him when the diagnosis isn't what you hoped for.

It means trusting Him when you're grieving the loss of someone you love.

It means trusting Him when your plans change.

It means trusting Him when you're stepping into an unknown future.

I've seen God's faithfulness through seasons of joy and seasons of loss. I've seen Him provide when I didn't know how things would work out. I've seen Him comfort when my heart was broken. I've seen Him guide our family through decisions that seemed overwhelming at the time.

Looking back, I can honestly say that God has never failed us.

Not once.

That doesn't mean life has always been easy. It means God has always been faithful.

As our family enters a new season, my commitment remains the same as it was years ago.

The world may change.

Circumstances may change.

Children grow up.

Seasons come and go.

But our foundation remains unchanged.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Not because it's popular.

Not because it's easy.

But because He is worthy.

And after all He has done, all He has carried us through, and all the blessings He has poured into our lives, I can think of no greater purpose than to serve the One who has been faithful every step of the way.

Above All, Love Deeply...

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." — 1 Peter 4:8

In a world that seems to thrive on division, criticism, and offense, this verse stands as a powerful reminder of what truly matters.

Above all, love deeply.

Not love when it's convenient.
Not love only when people deserve it.
Not love only when it's easy.

Love deeply.

The kind of love Peter talks about isn't a shallow, surface-level love. It's the kind of love that chooses grace over judgment. It's the kind of love that forgives when it's been hurt, extends kindness when it's not returned, and continues showing up even when things get messy.

As Christians, we're called to reflect the love that Christ has shown us. The truth is, every one of us has flaws. Every one of us has made mistakes, said the wrong thing, or fallen short. Yet God continues to love us with a love that never gives up.

I've seen this kind of love firsthand in my own life. In nearly twenty years of marriage, there have been moments when grace was needed. In raising Tim, there have been times when patience had to outweigh frustration. In friendships and family relationships, there have been opportunities to choose understanding instead of offense.

Love doesn't ignore sin or pretend problems don't exist. Instead, it chooses to see people through the lens of grace. It recognizes that everyone is fighting battles we may know nothing about.

The older I get, the more I realize that life is simply too short to hold onto bitterness. I've lost loved ones, experienced seasons of grief, and learned that the relationships we have are precious gifts from God. At the end of the day, people won't remember every word we said or every accomplishment we achieved. They will remember how we made them feel. They will remember whether they felt loved.

So today, choose love.

Love your spouse.
Love your children.
Love your family.
Love your neighbors.
Love the difficult people.
Love the people who don't think like you.
Love the people who may not deserve it.

After all, none of us deserved the love that Christ freely gave us.

And according to Scripture, above everything else on our priority list, above our opinions, our preferences, our schedules, and our agendas, there is one thing that should stand out the most:

Love deeply.

Forgiving the Inexcusable...

There are some quotes that stop you in your tracks, and this is one of them.

Forgiveness sounds beautiful when we're talking about minor offenses. It's much harder when we're talking about real hurt. The kind of hurt that leaves scars. The kind that changes relationships, breaks trust, and leaves you asking, "How could they do that?"

If you've lived very long, you've been hurt by someone. Maybe it was a friend. Maybe it was a family member. Maybe it was someone you trusted completely. The details may be different, but the pain is something we all understand.

I've learned that forgiveness is one of the hardest things God asks us to do.

Not because we don't know we're supposed to forgive, but because sometimes the hurt feels too deep. We replay conversations in our minds. We relive disappointments. We carry wounds long after the moment has passed. Sometimes we convince ourselves that holding on to the hurt somehow protects us from being hurt again.

But the truth is, bitterness doesn't protect us—it imprisons us.

Over the years, I've had moments when I had to choose forgiveness even when every emotion in me wanted to hold on to the offense. I've had to remind myself that forgiveness is not saying what happened was okay. It's not pretending the hurt didn't exist. It's not giving someone permission to continue hurting you.

Forgiveness is choosing to release the debt.

It's placing the situation into God's hands and trusting Him to handle what I cannot.

As a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, and simply as a person trying to walk faithfully with Christ, I've learned that relationships can be messy. People will disappoint you. They will say things they shouldn't say. They will make choices you don't understand. Sometimes they'll never apologize. Sometimes they'll never acknowledge the pain they caused.

That's when forgiveness becomes less about them and more about your obedience to God.

When I think about all the grace God has extended to me, it changes my perspective. There have been countless times in my life when I didn't deserve His mercy. Times when I failed. Times when I made mistakes. Times when I fell short of who He created me to be.

Yet God never turned His back on me.

He didn't make me earn His forgiveness.

He didn't keep a running list of my failures.

Through Jesus Christ, He offered forgiveness freely.

And if God can forgive me for all the ways I've fallen short, how can I refuse to extend forgiveness to others?

That question isn't always comfortable, but it's necessary.

The older I get, the more I realize that forgiveness is not usually a one-time event. It's often a daily decision. Sometimes you forgive someone, only to wake up the next day feeling the hurt all over again. In those moments, you choose forgiveness again.

And again.

And again.

Not because the pain magically disappeared, but because you've decided that Christ's example matters more than your feelings.

One of the greatest lessons I've learned is that forgiveness doesn't free the other person nearly as much as it frees you.

The moment you stop carrying the weight of bitterness, resentment, and anger, something changes. The burden becomes lighter. The wound begins to heal. The peace of God has room to work in your heart.

I've also learned that forgiveness and trust are not the same thing. Some relationships can be restored. Others require healthy boundaries. Wisdom and forgiveness often walk hand in hand.

But regardless of the outcome, God never gives us permission to hold on to unforgiveness.

As Christians, we're called to something different from the world. We're called to love when it's difficult. To show grace when it's undeserved. To forgive when it feels impossible.

Not because people deserve it.

But because we serve a Savior who forgave us when we didn't deserve it either.

The cross is the greatest example of forgiveness the world has ever seen. Jesus looked at those who mocked Him, beat Him, and crucified Him and still chose forgiveness.

If He can do that for me, then surely He can help me forgive those who have hurt me.

Maybe today you're carrying a wound that you've held on to for years. Maybe every time you think you've moved past it, the pain resurfaces. Maybe you've been waiting for an apology that never came.

Can I encourage you to give that hurt to God?

Not because it's easy.

Not because it's fair.

But because your freedom is worth it.

Forgiveness doesn't change the past, but it does keep the past from controlling your future.

And sometimes the most powerful testimony of God's work in our lives isn't what we've overcome—it's who we've chosen to forgive.

After all, every single one of us is living proof that God specializes in forgiving the inexcusable.

Becoming Who God Created You to Be...

Have you ever noticed that the closer you get to something God has called you to do, the harder the battle seems to become?

The doubts get louder. The obstacles seem bigger. The discouragement appears out of nowhere. Relationships get strained. Fear creeps in. You begin questioning things you were once confident about.

That's not a coincidence.

Satan is afraid of you becoming everything God meant for you to be.

He knows he can't take away God's promises, but he will do everything he can to convince you to walk away from them yourself. He wants you distracted, discouraged, offended, fearful, and exhausted because a believer who understands their purpose is a powerful force for God's Kingdom.

When I look back over my own life, I can see moments when the enemy tried to convince me to quit. There were seasons filled with uncertainty, disappointment, and challenges I never expected. There were times when I wondered if all the hard work, prayers, and waiting would ever amount to anything.

But God was working even when I couldn't see it.

Many of the struggles that felt like setbacks were actually preparation. The difficult seasons strengthened my faith, deepened my dependence on God, and helped shape me into the person He was calling me to become.

I've watched this unfold in our family as well. I've seen God guide Tim through unexpected changes, closing one chapter and opening another. What once looked like a painful ending turned into an opportunity for growth and blessing. Looking back, it's clear that God's plans were always greater than what we could see in the moment.

The enemy wants you focused on your current struggle. God wants you focused on your future purpose.

Don't let temporary battles convince you to abandon eternal promises.

If you're facing opposition today, maybe it's because you're moving in the right direction. Maybe the resistance you're feeling is evidence that God is doing something significant in your life. Maybe the enemy sees the potential God placed inside of you and wants to stop it before it fully develops.

Don't give up.

Keep praying.

Keep trusting.

Keep showing up.

Keep becoming.

God created you on purpose, for a purpose. He has equipped you with gifts, talents, experiences, and opportunities that nobody else can fulfill exactly the way you can.

The enemy may fight against that calling, but he cannot defeat God's plan unless you stop pursuing it.

So stand firm in your faith. Walk boldly in your calling. Trust God's timing. And remember that every step of obedience is a step closer to becoming everything God meant for you to be.

The very thing the enemy fears most may be the person God is transforming you into right now.

(Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10)

Seek First the Kingdom...

In a world that constantly tells us to chase more—more success, more money, more recognition, more security—Jesus offers a different path. In Matthew 6:33, He gives us a simple but life-changing instruction: seek the Kingdom of God above all else.

That sounds straightforward, but living it out can be challenging. We often find ourselves worrying about tomorrow, trying to control outcomes, or striving to make things happen in our own strength. Yet this verse reminds us that our first priority is not to pursue the things we think we need. Our first priority is to pursue God.

Seeking God's Kingdom means making Him the center of our lives. It means desiring His will above our own, trusting His plans above our fears, and choosing obedience even when the path ahead isn't clear. It means asking not, "What do I want?" but "Lord, what do You want for me?"

Jesus doesn't promise that we will receive everything we want. He promises that God will provide everything we need. There is a difference. Our Heavenly Father knows our needs better than we do, and His provision often comes in ways we never expected. Sometimes He opens doors. Sometimes He closes them. Sometimes He gives us strength instead of an immediate solution. But He is always faithful.

Looking back on my own life, I can see countless examples of God's perfect timing. There were moments when I didn't understand why certain prayers weren't answered the way I hoped. Yet later, I realized that God was working behind the scenes, preparing something better than I could have imagined. What felt like a delay was actually divine direction.

When we seek God's Kingdom first, we can rest in the assurance that He is taking care of the details. We don't have to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. We can trust the One who holds the world in His hands.

Today, whatever concerns may be occupying your mind, bring them to the Lord. Place Him first. Seek His Kingdom. Walk in righteousness. Trust His timing. And remember that the God who calls you to follow Him is also the God who faithfully provides for every need.

Prayer:

Father, help me to seek Your Kingdom above all else. Teach me to trust You more fully and to walk in obedience to Your Word. When I am tempted to worry, remind me that You are my provider and that Your timing is perfect. Give me a heart that desires You above everything else. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What Real Freedom Looks Like...

When I first read that statement, it reminded me of how differently I define freedom today than I did when I was younger.

There was a time in my life when I thought freedom meant being able to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, with no one telling me what to do.

If I wanted to party, I partied.

If I wanted to hang around the wrong crowd, I did.

If I wanted to smoke, use foul language, or make poor decisions, nobody was going to stop me.

At the time, I called that freedom.

Looking back now, I realize I wasn't free at all.

I was allowing my choices, my wounds, and my circumstances to control me.

The truth is that just because we can do something doesn't mean we should do it.

The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:23:

"Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything builds up."

That verse has taken on a much deeper meaning as I've grown in my faith.

God gives us free will. He doesn't force us to choose Him. He doesn't force us to make wise decisions. He allows us to choose.

But every choice carries consequences.

Some choices move us closer to God.

Others pull us farther away.

For many years, I made choices that weren't helping me become the person God intended me to be. Some of those choices were rooted in pain from an abusive childhood. Some were rooted in wanting acceptance from the people around me. Others were simply selfish decisions.

Thankfully, God didn't leave me there.

As He began healing my heart and transforming my life, I started to understand that real freedom isn't found in doing whatever feels good in the moment.

Real freedom is found in having the wisdom and strength to choose what is good for you, even when it's harder.

It's choosing forgiveness when bitterness feels justified.

It's choosing integrity when cutting corners would be easier.

It's choosing God's way over the world's way.

And sometimes it's choosing to walk away from things that aren't necessarily sinful but simply aren't beneficial.

I've learned that some opportunities aren't helpful.

Some relationships aren't healthy.

Some habits aren't productive.

Some activities aren't drawing me closer to Christ.

Just because something is available to me doesn't mean it's adding value to my life.

Today, when I look at the life God has blessed me with—a strong marriage, a family I cherish, a business Scot and I have built together, and the incredible son He entrusted to us—I can see how many blessings came from choosing God's path over my own.

Were those choices always easy?

Not at all.

But they were worth it.

The older I get, the more I realize that freedom isn't the absence of boundaries.

Freedom is having the wisdom to know which choices lead to life and which ones lead to regret.

God's boundaries aren't there to restrict us.

They're there to protect us.

They're there to help us become everything He created us to be.

So the next time you're faced with a decision, don't just ask yourself, "Can I do this?"

Ask yourself:

"Will this help me become the person God is calling me to be?"

Because everything may be permissible.

But not everything is helpful.

Waiting Different...

Waiting is one of the hardest things God asks us to do.

We live in a world that pushes speed—quick answers, fast fixes, instant results. And when life feels heavy, when prayers seem unanswered, and when doors stay shut longer than we expected, it’s easy to question if God sees us at all.

I know that feeling.

There have been seasons in my life where I cried out to God, desperate for healing, desperate for peace, desperate for Him to move. After walking through years of emotional and physical abuse in my childhood because of my father’s alcoholism, there were wounds I carried far into adulthood. For a long time, I wondered why healing didn’t happen faster. Why freedom seemed so far away.

But looking back now, I can see that God was never late.

Not in my pain.
Not in my healing.
Not in my freedom.

He was working in the waiting.

What felt like silence was actually God rebuilding me from the inside out. He was teaching me how to trust Him, how to surrender, and how to let Him heal places in my heart I had kept hidden for years. The freedom I found in Him didn’t happen overnight—but it happened in His perfect time.

And because of that, I wait differently now.

When I look at Scripture, I’m reminded that God has always worked this way. Abraham and Sarah waited decades for their promise. Joseph endured years of betrayal and prison before stepping into his calling. Lazarus’ story looked finished until Jesus showed up and changed everything.

To man, it looked late.
To God, it was right on time.

That truth has changed the way I walk through hard seasons. Waiting no longer feels like punishment—it feels like preparation. It doesn’t mean I always understand it, but I trust that God is doing something bigger than what I can see.

Even now, in the unknowns of life, marriage, motherhood, business, and watching our son step into adulthood, I’m learning that God’s timing can be trusted. Every closed door, every detour, every delay has purpose.

So if you’re in a waiting season today—waiting for healing, restoration, direction, or breakthrough—hold on.

God hasn’t forgotten you.
He isn’t behind.
He’s not late.

He’s working.

And when you truly understand that, you wait different.

Prayer

Father, thank You for being faithful in every season—even the waiting ones. Thank You for the ways You have healed me, carried me, and restored what was broken. Help me trust Your timing when I cannot see the full picture. Strengthen my faith while I wait and remind me that You are always working for my good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tim Found His Name...

Tim found his name on the board. Such an exciting time to be alive and thriving and going after goals and achieving them here in 2026...

Tim is really looking forward to stepping onto the platform again at USAW Junior Nationals 2026 this year. It will be his first time competing as a Junior.

Prayers that he meets all the goals he has set for himself at this year's Nationals. Also, prayers that his sinuses settle down and don't affect his ability to lift the numbers he's aiming for.

We love being part of the weightlifting community and seeing so many people we know succeed at their meets. It has been such a joy to be involved in this sport and to get to know so many wonderful people. We feel more connected to this sport than we ever did when Tim was competing in the sport side of TaeKwonDo.

Life has a funny way of working out the way it's supposed to, exactly when it's supposed to. I'm so thankful to God, whose timing is always perfect.

Now the Work Begins...

After days of traveling across the country, we finally arrived yesterday in Colorado Springs for USA Weightlifting Nationals Week.

As exciting as it is to get here, the reality is that the competition doesn't start the moment you arrive. In many ways, this is where the real work begins.

Over the next couple of days, Tim will focus on getting his body acclimated to the elevation, adjusting to the environment, and spending time in the training hall preparing for competition day. Every athlete has their own routine leading up to a meet, and these days are an important part of the process.

It's always impressive to watch the level of dedication these athletes have. Most people only see the few minutes they spend on the competition platform, but they don't see the months and years of training, early mornings, sore muscles, sacrifices, and discipline that got them there. They don't see the countless hours spent perfecting technique, chasing personal records, and pushing through days when motivation isn't easy to find.

As parents, we're incredibly proud of the work Tim has put in to reach this point. His journey into Olympic weightlifting began after closing the chapter on a sport he had spent over a decade pursuing. Watching him embrace a new challenge, commit himself fully, and continue growing as both an athlete and a young man has been a blessing.

Now we wait for competition day.

Lift Day is June 24th at 4:00 PM Eastern, and we're excited to see all of his hard work put to the test. No matter what happens on the platform, he's already accomplished something special by earning his place here among the nation's best.

We're grateful for the opportunity to be here, grateful for the coaches, teammates, and supporters who have encouraged him along the way, and grateful for the memories we're continuing to make as a family.

The travel is done.

The preparation continues.

Now the work begins.

#USAW #USAWeightlifting #AthleticLabWeightlifting #CarolinasWSO #Nationals2026 #RoadToNationals #WeightliftingFamily #ProudParents

Let the Life of God Shine Through You...

I read this statement recently, and I stopped and paused in deep thought.

So often, we feel like we need to have all the right words to impact someone's life. We think we need the perfect Bible verse, the perfect testimony, or the perfect answer to whatever struggle they're facing.

But sometimes, the greatest testimony isn't what we say.

It's how we live.

As I look back over my own life, I realize that there were people who helped me see God long before I fully understood who He was. They weren't perfect people. They didn't have perfect lives. What they had was a genuine relationship with Jesus that shined through everything they did.

When I was younger, I was headed in a very different direction than the one God ultimately had planned for me. I made poor choices. I surrounded myself with people who influenced me in all the wrong ways. I was carrying wounds from an abusive childhood and trying to navigate life without truly surrendering it to God.

Yet even during those years, God continually placed people in my path whose lives reflected something different.

There was a peace about them.

A joy about them.

A kindness about them.

They made people feel valued and loved.

Looking back, I realize that what I was seeing was the life of God in them.

Years later, after God began healing my heart through Mercy Ministries and deepening my faith through my time at Christ For The Nations Bible College, I started to understand something important: people aren't looking for perfection. They're looking for authenticity.

They want to know if the faith we talk about actually works when life gets hard.

They want to know if God's peace is real when circumstances aren't.

They want to know if grace and forgiveness are possible when you've been hurt.

The older I get, the more I realize that the life of Christ within us is often the loudest sermon we'll ever preach.

Sometimes it looks like offering encouragement when someone is struggling.

Sometimes it looks like extending grace when it's undeserved.

Sometimes it means simply listening when someone needs to be heard.

And sometimes it's allowing God to use the difficult chapters of our own story to give someone else hope.

I don't share parts of my testimony because I enjoy revisiting painful memories. I share them because I know there are people carrying similar hurts who need to know that healing is possible.

God took a broken young woman with a painful past and gave her a beautiful future.

Today, I have a husband who loves God, a family that I treasure, a business that Scot and I have built together, and a son who has brought immeasurable joy to our lives. None of that happened because of my own strength. It happened because of God's faithfulness.

And if my story can help someone believe that God can redeem their story too, then every difficult chapter was worth it.

The beauty of the life of God in us isn't found in our perfection.

It's found in His transformation.

When people encounter someone who genuinely loves Jesus, they feel seen because Christ sees them.

They feel valued because Christ values them.

They find hope because Christ offers hope.

So today, don't worry so much about having all the right words.

Simply walk closely with Jesus.

The more His life shines through you, the more others will see Him—and that may be exactly what they need to come alive.