Our Worship Must Come From the Heart

(Aiden Wilson Tozer was an American Christian pastor, author, preacher, and magazine 
editor associated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. He became one of the most infl-uential devotional writers of the 20th century.)

Our Worship Must Come From the Heart

When I read this quote by A. W. Tozer, it made me stop and think about how important it is that our hearts line up with the words we speak to God.

It is easy to bow our heads in prayer, lift our hands in worship, and speak about the goodness of God. But are we allowing that same love we receive from Him to flow through us and into the way we treat others?

God knows our hearts. He sees beyond our words, our outward appearances, and what others may see in us. He knows what we hold inside, including the bitterness, resentment, anger, and unforgiveness that we sometimes struggle to let go of.

We cannot ask God to fill our hearts with His love while deliberately choosing to hold on to hate. Our walk with Him should make a difference in the way we see people, the way we speak to them, and the way we respond when we have been hurt.

Jesus made it clear that loving God and loving others go hand in hand. In Matthew 22:37–39, He tells us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Notice that He did not tell us to love only those who agree with us, treat us well, or make it easy to love them. Loving others can be difficult, especially when we have been hurt or disappointed. But as Christians, we are called to let God's love guide our hearts even in those difficult moments.

That does not mean we will never struggle with anger or hurt. We are human, and some wounds take time to heal. Forgiveness does not mean pretending that what happened was acceptable, and loving someone does not mean we must allow them to continue hurting us. We can establish healthy boundaries while still asking God to help us release bitterness and keep our hearts from becoming hardened.

I believe this is where we must be willing to look honestly at ourselves. Are we asking God to help us love as He loves? Are we willing to forgive as He has forgiven us? Are we allowing Him to work on the parts of our hearts that we would sometimes rather leave untouched?

1 John 4:20 reminds us that we cannot claim to love God, whom we have not seen, while hating our brother or sister whom we have seen.

Those are powerful words to consider.

Our worship is about more than what happens when we gather in church or spend time in prayer. It is also reflected in how we live when we leave those moments behind. It is reflected in our attitudes, our conversations, our compassion, and our willingness to extend grace to others.

If we truly desire to draw closer to God, we must be willing to let Him change us from the inside out.

This brings to mind Psalm 139:23–24, where David prayed:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (KJV)

I love this prayer because it begins with our own hearts. It is easy to recognize the faults of others, to see where they have fallen short, or to remember the ways they have hurt us. But are we just as willing to ask God to examine us?

Are there things we are holding on to that He wants us to release? Is there resentment that needs to be surrendered, forgiveness that needs to be extended, or an attitude that needs to change?

When we sincerely ask God to search our hearts, we must also be willing to listen and allow Him to do His work in us. We cannot change our hearts through our own strength alone, but we can surrender them to the One who can.

I know I need His help in this, just as we all do. My prayer is that God will continue to search my heart, show me anything that does not reflect Him, and teach me to love others with the same grace and mercy He has shown me.

May our prayers be sincere, our worship be genuine, and our hearts be filled with a love that others can see through the way we live.

Because in the end, it is not enough to simply speak about God's love. We are called to live it.

Lord, search my heart. Show me anything that does not reflect You, help me release what I need to surrender, and teach me to love as You love. Let my life be a reflection of You, not just my words. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Tell Them While You Can

Tell Them While You Can

A close friend's aunt passed away last Friday. Although I didn't know her personally, my heart hurts for my friend and her family as they grieve the loss of someone they love so dearly. Over time, they have become like family to us, and when people you care about are hurting, you feel that hurt right alongside them.

As I was thinking about them and what their family is going through, I came across the quote above and knew I wanted to share it here.

Too often, we wait until it's too late to say the things we should have said all along.

Life moves so fast. 💨 We get caught up in our daily routines, our responsibilities, and all the things we think need our attention. Sometimes, we forget to pause and tell the people we love just how much they mean to us.

Don't wait for a special occasion. Don't assume they already know. Take the time to tell them you appreciate them, that you love them, and that they matter to you. We aren't promised tomorrow, and we never know when an ordinary day might become a memory we wish we could relive.

As I think about what my friend and her family are experiencing right now, I am reminded that any of us could find ourselves in that same place. But God! He has carried us through our own seasons of grief, uncertainty, and fear, and He has reminded us just how precious the gift of life truly is.

In 2024, we lost Pop. In 2025, we lost Nan. Then, in June of 2026, we came frighteningly close to losing two more members of our family. But God! He showed up in a mighty way, and we are beyond thankful that those two loved ones are still here with us today. And now, in October 2026, my friend and her family are facing the heartbreak of losing her aunt.

Life has a way of reminding us that none of us is exempt from heartache. It seems there is always something challenging happening in someone's life, and perhaps part of that is the stage of life we are in.

When we're young, we haven't experienced enough of life's losses and challenges to fully understand how quickly things can change. As we move through our 30s and 40s, our perspective begins to shift. But by the time we reach our 50s, something often changes in the way we look at life.

We begin to understand more deeply that time is precious. We cherish the moments we have with our loved ones a little more. We become more intentional about making memories, staying connected, and being present. We also find ourselves reaching out to others who are walking through similar seasons because we understand, perhaps more than ever before, how much it means to have someone beside you when life gets hard.

The older I get, the more I realize that love should never be left unspoken, and time spent with the people who matter most is never time wasted.

No matter what stage of life we're in, one thing is certain: the circle of life continues to turn. Life doesn't stop for our grief, our struggles, or our wishes that we could have just a little more time. We cannot control how many days we are given, but we can choose how we spend them and how we love the people God has placed in our lives.

So, please, don't wait.

Tell someone you appreciate them. Tell them you love them. Check on the friend who may be struggling. Make that phone call. Send that text. Give that hug. Forgive when you can, encourage when you see a need, and never underestimate the difference your words can make in someone's life.

We may never know just how much those little moments mean to someone else, but we don't want to look back one day and wish we had said more, loved more, or simply been there.

Life is precious. Time is a gift. And the people God has placed in our lives are not to be taken for granted.

Don't leave what you think about someone to their eulogy. Tell them while they are still here to hear it. ❤️

Carolina WSO Championships 2026

Tim wanted to go support his team as they lifted today, even though he wasn't able to compete himself this year.

What a day it was! We had so much fun watching the team lift. It is always so impressive to watch these athletes lift those heavy weights over their heads. One of the competitors, Eva Young, on the ALWC team made lifts that were Carolina Records across the board. We were so proud of her.

It was so thoughtful of them to give Tim an event t-shirt even though he couldn't compete this year. They also presented him with an award recognizing him as an Elite Carolinas Athlete! We didn't realize he would be receiving this award, and since we had somewhere else we needed to be, his coach graciously accepted it on his behalf.

But as wonderful as it was to watch the team compete and see Tim recognized for his accomplishments, one of the things that blessed my heart the most was watching my son encourage his teammates.

As a mom, it blesses my heart to see the man Tim is becoming. Being there to support his team, even when he couldn't be out there lifting alongside them, speaks volumes about his character and commitment. His love for the sport is about more than just lifting weights and winning competitions. It's also about showing up, encouraging others, and being part of something bigger than himself.

This year may not have gone as Tim had hoped, with his elbow injury keeping him off the platform, but that doesn't take away from the athlete he is or the accomplishments he has already achieved. Sometimes, the moments when we can't do what we love give us the opportunity to grow in ways we might not have expected.

His dad and I couldn't be prouder of him. We are proud of his accomplishments, but even more than that, we are proud of his heart, his dedication, and the man he is becoming.

The weights he lifts may show his strength, but the way he shows up for others shows his character. And that is something his dad and I will always be proud of. ❤️

(picture just before going into surgery)

Tim’s Elbow Surgery Update

We wanted to share an update on Tim and how things went with his elbow surgery.

First and foremost, the surgery went well, and we are thankful! 🙏

The doctor was able to get the fluid off Tim’s elbow and also took a sample of the inflamed tissue. Both the fluid and the tissue samples are being sent off to be cultured, and we should have those results in about two weeks. We are hopeful that this will give us some answers as to what has been going on with his elbow and help determine the best course of action moving forward.

While the doctor was in there, he also removed a bone spur along with some scar tissue and smoothed out the area. We are thankful that these things could be addressed during the procedure and are hopeful that this will help Tim as he continues to heal.

Tim’s first day of recovery has gone pretty well overall. Knowing Tim, sitting still and taking it easy isn't necessarily his favorite thing to do! 😂 He may have pushed himself a little too much today because he started experiencing some swelling earlier tonight. Hopefully, this is just a reminder that his body needs time to rest and heal. We will continue to keep an eye on things and follow the doctor’s instructions as he recovers.

As a parent, it’s hard watching your child go through something like this, especially when you know how much they love what they do. Tim has worked incredibly hard in his sport, and I know how much he wants to get back to training and competing. But sometimes, the hardest part of the journey is learning to slow down, be patient, and trust the process.

We are thankful for a successful surgery, for the doctor’s care, and for the opportunity to take another step toward finding answers. Now we wait for the culture results and focus on healing one day at a time.

Please continue to keep Tim in your prayers as he recovers, that the swelling will settle down, that the culture results will provide answers, and that his elbow will heal properly. Most of all, we pray for wisdom for his medical team and patience and encouragement for Tim during this recovery.

We know that God's timing doesn't always line up with our own plans, but we continue to trust Him through every step of this journey. We are praying for complete healing and looking forward to seeing what lies ahead for Tim.

One day at a time, one step at a time, and always trusting God!

He Knows What We Can Bear

(taken from the Bible App)

He Knows What We Can Bear

When I see this verse, I often think about how God knows how much we can bear.

How often have I been in the middle of something and thought, I can't bear this. I don't know how I'm going to get through this. God, please just take it away.

And more often than not, He doesn't.

Not because He doesn't hear me. Not because He doesn't care. But because He knows something I don't know—what's on the other side of it.

This verse reminds us that God is faithful. He knows our limits, even when we don't. He knows when something feels overwhelming to us, and He promises that we will never face temptation that is beyond what we can bear.

But there is another part of this verse that I think we sometimes overlook.

It tells us that when we are tempted, God will also provide a way out so that we can endure it.

More often than not, our way out of temptation may be as simple as saying NO.

No.

I don't need to go there.

I don't need to say that.

I don't need to respond that way.

I don't need to give in.

But sometimes saying no isn't enough. Sometimes the way out is to turn around and run in the opposite direction.

Joseph is a great example of this. When Potiphar's wife tried to tempt him, Joseph didn't stick around to see how strong his willpower was. He ran. He literally left his garment behind and got himself out of there.

Sometimes wisdom looks like running.

I think we can be guilty of believing that being strong means standing there and proving that we can resist temptation. But maybe sometimes the strongest thing we can do is recognize the temptation for what it is and get as far away from it as possible.

God promises to provide a way out. But we still have to choose to take it.

And that applies to more than just the obvious temptations. Sometimes the thing we need to escape is our own thinking—the thoughts that tell us we're alone, that we can't handle this, that God has forgotten us, or that whatever we're facing will never end.

Those thoughts can be tempting too.

When I'm in the middle of something difficult, I may not be able to see the way out. I may not understand why God hasn't simply removed the situation. I may even wonder how much longer I can keep going.

But God sees what I can't see.

He knows what is on the other side.

He knows what He is doing even when I don't understand it.

And maybe that's part of what faith really looks like—not always knowing how God is going to get us through something, but trusting that He will.

Sometimes He removes the temptation.

Sometimes He gives us the strength to endure it.

Sometimes He tells us to say no.

And sometimes He tells us to run.

Whatever the way out looks like, we can trust that God is faithful enough to provide it.

We just have to be willing to take it.

“God is faithful.”

Those may be some of the most comforting words in this entire verse.

Because when I don't know what to do, He does.

When I can't see the way out, He can.

And when I think I can't bear it, He already knows what I'm capable of bearing—and He is right there with me through it.

What Sports Teach Our Kids

What Sports Teach Our Kids 

I saw this in a post on social media and made an image for it because I thought it was such a great message for parents.

Take youth sports seriously. Not because your kid might go to the Olympics. But because it teaches kids what school can't.

I couldn't agree more.

We can't protect our kids from every hard moment.

And maybe we shouldn't.

I mean, right now Tim is dealing with an elbow injury that is keeping him from doing the sport he loves so much. This isn't the first hard moment he's had to work through in sports, either.

He spent 11 years doing TaeKwonDo sparring. Eleven years of practices, competitions, wins, losses, medals, disappointment, pressure, and learning how to get back up and do it again.

Then, after earning his 3rd-degree black belt, he made the decision to walk away from TaeKwonDo and start something completely different.

He went from being an experienced martial artist who had spent more than half his life doing the sport to being the new kid in Olympic weightlifting.

He had to start over.

And starting over isn't always easy.

There were missed lifts. Frustrating competitions. Days when things didn't go the way he wanted. Days when progress felt slow. And there were moments when I know he would have rather had a different outcome.

But that's one of the things I love about sports.

They give our kids a safe place to learn that not getting what you wanted doesn't mean you quit.

Let them miss.

Then let them try again.

The first missed lift hurts. The second one teaches them to keep getting after it.

I've watched Tim learn that firsthand.

Last year at Junior Nationals, he had a really hard moment on the platform. He actually passed out after a lift.

That wasn't how we wanted Nationals to go.

But he went home.

He rested.

He went back to work.

And he came back the next year.

This year, he returned to that same national stage and had the kind of day athletes dream about. He hit personal records, including a 130-kilogram clean and jerk and a 231-kilogram total, and became a USA Weightlifting Junior National Champion.

But honestly?

The championship wasn't the most important part of that story.

The most important part was coming back.

Because that's what resilience looks like.

Let them lose.

Then watch them shake the hands of the people who won.

Allow sports to teach them to respect someone who just beat them.

There is something powerful about watching two competitors give everything they have on the platform and then, when it's over, shake hands and congratulate each other.

You can teach resilience a thousand times with your words.

Sports gives them somewhere to actually practice it.

Let them sit.

Then let them keep cheering.

Being part of a team doesn't stop when you're not the one competing.

Tim is going to learn that lesson in a very real way this weekend.

He'll be at States, but he won't be lifting. His elbow injury has taken that opportunity away from him.

And I know that's hard.

He's worked hard. He's trained hard. He wanted to compete. He wanted to be on that platform with his teammates.

Instead, he'll be sitting in a chair watching them lift.

And he'll be cheering them on.

That's not exactly where he wants to be.

But there's a lesson in that, too.

Sometimes being part of something bigger than yourself means supporting someone else when you're the one who is disappointed.

Let them have the bad day.

Then let them come back.

Let them experience disappointment without immediately trying to make it disappear.

Let them learn that a bad day isn't a bad life.

Let them learn that a missed lift doesn't define them.

Let them learn that an injury doesn't erase everything they've accomplished.

Let them learn that sometimes the plan changes, and you have to adjust.

And sometimes, as parents, we have to learn to step back and let them do it.

There were certainly times when I wanted to fix things for Tim.

That's what parents do.

We see our kids hurting, frustrated, disappointed or struggling, and our instinct is to make it better.

But I've learned that I can't always—and shouldn't always—take the hard thing away.

Because some of the hard things we want to fix are the very things teaching our kids the most.

Sports have taught Tim things I couldn't teach him sitting at the kitchen table homeschooling him.

They've taught him how to fail in front of people and show up again the next day.

How to lose without quitting.

How to win without thinking he's better than someone else.

How to respect the person standing across from him.

How to be part of a team.

How to cheer for someone else when he's the one who wishes he were competing.

How to keep working when progress is slow.

How to handle disappointment.

How to get back up.

Missed lifts. Still showing up.
Losses. Still shaking hands.
Injuries. Still supporting his team.
Disappointment. Still moving forward.

That counts too.

And that's why I don't believe youth sports are only about winning.

I've said before that my goal was never to raise an athlete who wins everything.

Medals are nice. Championships are exciting. Personal records are worth celebrating.

But they aren't who our kids are.

One day the competitions will stop.

One day the medals will sit in a box.

One day they may not remember exactly how much their competitors lifted or who won a particular meet.

But I hope they remember what sports taught them.

How to lose without falling apart.

How to compete without disrespecting someone.

How to work hard when nobody is handing them a trophy.

How to be part of something bigger than themselves.

How to handle disappointment.

How to get back up after failure.

How to show up when things aren't going their way.

And how to keep going.

Because one day, life is going to hand them things that no coach can prepare them for and no parent can fix.

And when that happens, I want them to already know:

I've been here before.

I know how to get back up.

That's what youth sports can give our kids.

Not just stronger bodies.

Not just medals.

Not just championships.

Success. Failure. Resilience. Grit.

That's what sports teach.

And those lessons have somewhere to go long after the sport ends.

Update on Tim's Elbow

(This is not Tim)

Update on Tim's Elbow 

As you all know, Tim has been dealing with an elbow injury that has kept him from doing the sport he loves.

The last update I gave was that his orthopedic doctor had decided to take the path of physical therapy and see how things progressed. However, after consulting with the other elbow specialists on staff and discussing Tim’s case, the general consensus was that it warranted exploratory arthroscopic surgery.

The plan is to address several things while they are in there:

1. Remove the fluid that no one has been able to successfully aspirate and send it off for lab testing.
2. Remove a bone spur that is exacerbating the problem.
3. Address anything else they find that may need attention while they are in there.

So, surgery is scheduled for this Friday. He'll come home same day.

After surgery, Tim will begin post-op physical therapy with a specialist who works with this type of injury. The hope is that by taking this step now, we can get to the bottom of what is going on with his elbow, get him on the right path to healing, and ultimately get him back to the sport he loves sooner rather than later.

This injury has affected more than just his weightlifting. It has also put a halt to his ability to work alongside his dad in our family business. He hasn't been able to train, work, or simply live life the way he normally would. I know that has been frustrating for him.

So, pray. 🙏

Pray for God to guide the hands of the surgeon and that everything that needs to be addressed is addressed while they are in there. Pray for Tim’s healing to be quick and complete so that he can get back to not only training, but to simply living life.

We know healing will be a process. We know there will be recovery and work involved. But we also know that God has got Tim—and Tim knows it, too.

God has seen him through so much in his young life, and Tim trusts Him for his complete healing. So, as we head into Friday, that's where our faith is—not in the surgery itself, but in the God who is with Tim through all of it.

Please keep praying. ❤️🙏

More Than A Coach

(Coach Jarrod and Tim after he won Junior Nationals this year)

More Than A Coach 

Today we celebrate our coaches who pour so much into their athletes, helping them become the best athletes they can possibly be.

They lead. Encourage. Challenge. Believe.

But a great coach does so much more than teach an athlete how to lift, compete, or win.

They teach them how to work hard when things don't come easily. They teach them how to handle disappointment, celebrate progress, keep showing up, and believe in themselves even when they aren't sure they can.

Coach Jarrod has taught, mentored, pushed, believed in, guided, supported, inspired, developed, and encouraged Tim. And through all of that, he has made a huge difference in Tim's life.

Coaches are so much more than coaches.

Their athletes look up to them. They watch how they handle challenges. They listen to their words. They learn from their example. In many ways, coaches become someone their athletes aspire to be like—not just as an athlete, but as a person.

And being a coach in weightlifting certainly isn't an easy job. You're working with such a wide range of athletes, from kids just discovering the sport to adults who have been lifting for years. Every athlete is different. They have different goals, different personalities, different strengths, and different challenges.

A great coach learns how to meet each athlete where they are and help them move forward from there.

I've watched Coach Jarrod do that with Tim.

Tim has been so incredibly happy in the sport of weightlifting. He has found something he loves, a team he enjoys being part of, and a coach who has helped him grow—not only as a lifter, but as a person.

And then came this elbow injury.

Being sidelined is hard for an athlete who loves what he does. Tim has had to put his training on hold in ways he never expected, and I know there have been frustrating days.

But Coach Jarrod has continued to support him through it.

He's even taken the time to load weights for Tim so that, while he can't do his upper-body training right now, he can still work on maintaining and building his lower-body and core strength.

That may seem like a small thing, but to an athlete who wants to be training, it means a lot.

It says, I'm still here. We're still working. This isn't the end of your journey.

And that's what a great coach does.

They don't just coach you when you're winning medals or hitting PRs.

They coach you through the hard stuff, too.

They remind you that one injury, one missed competition, one bad lift, or one setback doesn't define you.

They help you see that there is still progress to be made, even when the path looks different than you expected.

When Tim is finally able to get back to full strength and continue the journey he's started in weightlifting, I know he'll be even more excited to get back to doing what he loves.

And I also know that he'll carry with him everything he's learned along the way.

We are so thankful for coaches who understand that the goal isn't just to create great athletes. It's to help develop great people.

So today, on Coach's Day, I want to say thank you to Coach Jarrod.

Thank you for everything you have poured into Tim.

Thank you for believing in him.

Thank you for challenging him.

Thank you for encouraging him.

Thank you for supporting him through the good days and the difficult ones.

And most of all, thank you for being the kind of coach who understands that you are making an impact far beyond the weight room.

Happy Coach's Day, Coach Jarrod! 🏋️‍♂️❤️

We are grateful for you and the difference you've made in Tim's life.

Where Is Your Faith?

(taken from an illustration from a sermon my Pastor taught)

Where Is Your Faith? 

When I saw this illustration that our Pastor shared, I knew I wanted to share it here.

It immediately made me stop and think about where my faith is placed.

The illustration says that our faith should be in three main areas:

The blood of Jesus.
The name of Jesus.
The Word of God.

The more I thought about those three things, the more I realized how beautifully they work together.

Faith in the blood of Jesus reminds me of what Jesus did for me.

Romans 3:23-25 tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but that we are justified through Christ Jesus and His sacrifice.

There is nothing I could ever do to earn salvation. I cannot be good enough, work hard enough, or make myself worthy enough. My hope is in what Jesus did for me on the cross.

His blood paid a price I could never pay.

Faith in the name of Jesus reminds me of who I am trusting.

Acts 3:16 tells us that it is faith in the name of Jesus that brings healing and restoration. There is power in His name—not because the name itself is simply a word, but because of who Jesus is.

When I pray, I want my faith to be in Jesus.

When I am afraid, I want my faith to be in Jesus.

When I don't understand what God is doing, I want my faith to remain in Jesus.

And then there is faith in the Word of God.

Romans 10:17 tells us, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

God's Word gives us something solid to stand on when everything around us feels uncertain.

Our feelings change.

Circumstances change.

People change.

Life changes.

But God's Word does not change.

There have been many seasons in my life when I didn't understand what God was doing. I couldn't see what was ahead, and sometimes I didn't even know what I was supposed to do next.

But those are the moments when I have learned that faith isn't about having all the answers.

Faith is trusting the One who does.

When I look at these three areas, I see a beautiful picture:

The blood of Jesus reminds me of what He has done.
The name of Jesus reminds me of who He is.
The Word of God reminds me of what He has said.

And those are three things I never want to forget.

My faith isn't in my circumstances.
My faith isn't in my own strength.
My faith isn't in what I can see.

My faith is in Jesus—His blood, His name, and His Word.

And when I find myself struggling to trust, perhaps the question I need to ask isn't, “Do I have enough faith?”

Maybe the better question is:

“Where have I placed my faith?”

Because when our faith is placed in the right One, we can face whatever comes knowing that God is faithful.  Always. ❤️

---

The Treasures That Fill Our Home

The Treasures That Fill Our Home

When I read these verses, I don't think about a physical house. I think about a home.

Wisdom and knowledge build a strong house. What I take that to mean is that through wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, everyone in a home has a part in making that home stronger. Everyone has a special place to fill.

A house can be beautiful. It can be filled with beautiful furniture, decorations, pictures, and things that we have collected over the years. But none of those things are what truly make a house a home.

The greatest treasures in our home are the people who fill it.

In our home, the rare and beautiful treasures that fill our rooms are our loved ones. Each person is unique and holds value that only they can hold. Each person is rare and beautiful—and I'm not talking about outward beauty.

I'm talking about the beauty that comes from within.

The kindness.
The love.
The laughter.
The wisdom.
The strength.
The compassion.
The faith.
The memories.
The experiences that have shaped each of us into who we are.

These are the things that fill a home with treasures that money could never buy.

Every person brings something different into a family. We each have different personalities, different gifts, different strengths, and even different weaknesses. And yet, God can use all of those differences to build something beautiful.

I think about our own home and how grateful I am for the people God has placed within it. The people I love are not simply occupants of our house. They are the reason it is home.

They are the treasures in the rooms.

And just as Proverbs says, a strong house doesn't happen by accident. It is built. It is established. It takes wisdom, understanding, patience, forgiveness, grace, communication, and most importantly, God.

Because homes aren't perfect.

Families aren't perfect.

People aren't perfect.

But a home built on God doesn't have to be perfect to be strong.

There will be difficult seasons. There will be disagreements. There will be misunderstandings and moments when we don't get it right. But when we allow God to be the foundation of our home, He teaches us how to love each other through those things.

He teaches us to listen when we'd rather speak, to extend grace when we'd rather hold onto hurt, to forgive when it isn't easy, and to value the person in front of us more than whatever disagreement we may be facing.

And perhaps that is part of what makes the treasures in our rooms so rare and beautiful.

They aren't valuable because they are perfect.

They are valuable because they are ours—and because God entrusted them to us.

When I look around our home, I don't want to see only what we've accumulated. I want to see what God has built.

I want the walls of our home to hold memories of laughter, conversations, celebrations, tears, prayers, hard seasons, answered prayers, and ordinary days that we didn't realize were actually some of the most precious days of our lives.

I want our home to be a place where the people inside it know they are loved, valued, safe, and accepted.

Because one day, the furniture will be old. The decorations will change. Things will break, be replaced, or eventually be gone.

But the people God has given us?

They are the treasures.

And if I have learned anything, it is that the most beautiful things in life aren't things at all.

They are people.

They are relationships.

They are memories.

They are the love we give and receive.

They are the people who walk beside us through every season.

And when God is the One building the house, He doesn't just fill its rooms with possessions.

He fills them with rare and beautiful treasures.

I pray that our home will always be a place where those treasures are recognized, cherished, protected, and loved.

Because to me, that is what makes a house a home.