Isn’t it funny that Sunday always starts out feeling so rushed but then, by the end of the day, it slows down and feels calm? At least it’s that way for me. Now that it’s calmed down, I thought I would start the week by listing some things for which I’m thankful.

I’m thankful for our church and especially our small groups – both the Bible Study Fellowship group and the orchestra group, who have encouraged our spiritual growth in endless ways. Could I imagine life without the saving grace of my faith? Not a chance.

I’m thankful to live in this country. Yes, we have problems, big ones. But because we have a legacy of liberty and freedom unprecedented in the annals of history, we’ll keep fighting to keep that freedom. I’m thankful for the soldiers as well as ordinary Americans who are fighting too.

I’m thankful for the abundance of resources in this country. Flick a switch, lights come on. Push a handle, I get clean potable water. How cool is that? Along the same lines, I’m thankful for modern conveniences. Computers, cars, electricity, telephones, the Internet … remember what life was like without these things?

I’m thankful for technology. Each year I feel like I am clinging to the technological frontier with my fingernails, and if I’m honest, I’ll admit that I’m actually just falling further behind. But what technology now makes possible is still remarkable: Our ability to do our work, maintain friendships, learn at a distance, share music and literature, and do a thousand other activities is being transformed on a daily basis. This process is not without its obvious downsides, but increasing mastery of science and technology is both a source of great human empowerment and pleasure; it is also the best hope we have of surmounting the challenges that are rushing at us in the decades ahead.

I’m thankful I’m feeling better. I’m thankful for a week’s worth of dinners in the freezer, clean laundry, and a clean house with which to start my week. I’m thankful for coffee, PJs, and fuzzy socks.

There is nearly always something I for which I can be thankful. The offering of thanksgiving is indeed a sweet incense going up to God throughout a busy day. I pray I will seek diligently for something to be glad and thankful about. I want to acquire in time the habit of being constantly grateful to God for all His blessings. I so desire that each new day shows me some new cause for joy and gratitude will spring to my mind and I will thank God sincerely. It is my prayer to develop a truly thankful spirit.

“A thankful and a contented spirit is a continual feast. We ought to be contented, and we shall be contented, if we are in the habit of seeing God in everything, and living upon Him day by day. Oh, for a spirit of true thankfulness!” Aston Oxenden.

For years I have been listing things that make me smile or for which I’m grateful. It’s one way in which I stay focused on the positive and on the things that matter. Tonight, I’ve decided to list a few things for which I’m grateful that maybe I shouldn’t be (I think my internal sense of humor gets the best of me sometimes…) :

1. I am thankful sweetener packets can be used as makeshift floss — in a pinch.

2. I’m thankful for celebrities such as Christie Brinkley, Helen Hunt, and Paula Abdul who make being in my fifties seem not so old.

3. I’m thankful my stepdaughter is finally at an age where she will watch my shows with me, instead of wanting me to watch her shows with her. I’m pretty sure Disney XD was causing my brain to atrophy.

4. I am thankful for Netflix, which allows me to watch shows that started six seasons ago and end in a month. (I will be more thankful when there is a Netflix Anonymous.)

5. I am thankful I don’t look anything like the portraits kid clients have drawn of me – seriously…

Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful for more traditional stuff, but it’s super cathartic to mention the stuff that most people think but never say. Try it, I promise not to judge. What is the most nontraditional/superficial thing you’re thankful for?

Learning to Let Go of Perfect
A reflection on grace, balance, and being accepted just as I am

The weather today was fabulous—one of those first spring-like days that makes you believe winter might finally be letting go. I’m so ready for warmer days, for sunshine and soft breezes, for porch sitting and long walks with Maci.

But more than that, I’m learning to be ready for something else: balance.

I’ve been trying to listen to the wisdom of the people who care about me—my husband, my boss, my doctor. They’ve all gently encouraged me to find more equilibrium between work, home, and rest. And lately, I’ve been trying to take their advice seriously.

Because of that, I’m starting to feel better.
It’s a quiet shift, but it matters.

This morning, I woke up and didn’t feel like I needed to stumble straight to the recliner just to recover from the week. I had energy. I had margin. I had space.

Even though today felt easy and low-key, I was still able to accomplish quite a few things. The difference, I think, is this: I’m not operating from a place of exhaustion. And I’m slowly learning to put less pressure on myself to be perfect.

This week, one of our interns said something that went straight to my heart.
She said, “Anything worth doing is worth doing imperfectly.”

At first, I’ll admit—I bristled.

Wait, what?
My inner perfectionist immediately stood at attention.
Shouldn’t we strive to do everything with excellence? Shouldn’t we aim to get it all right?

But as I listened to this wise and thoughtful new counselor, I realized she wasn’t advocating for carelessness. She was inviting us into grace.

And more than that—she was right.
I needed to live what I teach.

How much pressure have I been placing on myself to be perfect?
To get everything exactly right—to have the right words, the right timing, the right outcome?
And what has that pressure cost me?

The truth is, I’m not perfect. I never will be.
Nothing I do—no matter how sincere, how diligent, or how well-intentioned—will ever be flawless.

And that’s exactly why Christ came.

I couldn’t make myself perfect.
I couldn’t earn my way to righteousness.
So Jesus came to do for me what I could never do for myself.

The only good thing I can claim is His righteousness.
The only glory I carry is bound up in the cross.

So why—why—am I wasting precious energy trying to be something I was never created to be?

I am accepted.
Not because I get it all right.
Not because I’ve figured out balance or boundaries or rhythms perfectly.
But because I come to Him just as I am.

“I come broken to be mended.
I come wounded to be healed.
I come desperate to be rescued.
I come empty to be filled.
I come guilty to be pardoned
by the blood of Christ the Lamb…
and I’m welcomed with open arms—
praise God, just as I am.”

That truth changes everything.
It quiets the striving.
It softens the shame.
It lets me rest.

So today, I’m choosing to embrace what is good enough instead of chasing what is impossible.
I’m choosing to live in the reality of grace, not the illusion of perfection.
And I’m remembering that even imperfect efforts—when offered in love—are worthy.

Maybe you need that reminder too.

Friend, if you’re tired, if you’re bracing under the weight of getting it all right—
You can let go.

You are deeply loved.
Welcomed with open arms.
And accepted… just as you are.

Lately, with life being as full and fast-paced as ever, my crock pot has been earning its keep. Between work demands, limited mobility, and the general chaos of our schedule, I’ve been trying out all kinds of slow cooker recipes—some more successful than others. 😜

Yesterday, I was finally able to move around the house a bit without crutches (hallelujah!), and I decided to make a warm meal. Nothing fancy—just something comforting. I picked a recipe that involved broccoli. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Well… let me tell you, as that casserole simmered away, the smell of broccoli slowly took over the entire house. And not in a good way. 🤦‍♀️
Even though the dish turned out pretty tasty and everyone ate it without complaint, the smell lingered. And lingered. And lingered. Even the next morning, it was still hanging in the air like an uninvited guest who overstayed their welcome.

But then today happened.

Today, I brought home a bread machine I bought from my sweet friend Judi (thanks, Judi!), and of course I had to try it out immediately. I loaded it up with the ingredients, hit start, and waited. And soon… the smell of fresh, homemade bread started wafting through the house. It overtook the broccoli smell like a warm hug that finally kicked out the awkward guest.

It was magical.
It smelled like home. Like comfort. Like love.
It reminded me of health and life and family. It brought back memories of simpler days when the smell of baking bread felt like security and warmth. Something about it just felt right.

And as I stood there, breathing it in, this verse came to mind:

“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
To the one we are an aroma of death leading to death, and to the other an aroma of life leading to life.
And who is sufficient for these things?”
— 2 Corinthians 2:15–16

We are the fragrance of Christ.

Not the smell of overcooked broccoli lingering in the air.
Not the sour scent of sin and shame.
But the warm, life-giving, soul-soothing aroma of grace.

As believers, we carry the fragrance of His love, His presence, His sacrifice.
We are the smell of hope to those who are being saved. A breath of fresh air in a world that so often reeks of despair.
Not because of anything we’ve done—but because of who He is and what He’s done in us.

Sometimes, I need to remind myself of that.

I need to see myself the way God sees me—covered in Christ’s righteousness, washed in His grace, welcomed with joy. A delight. A sweet aroma rising to heaven.

I am not the stench of my past.
I am the fragrance of redemption.

So as I go about my day—whether I’m cooking, counseling, writing, or resting—I want to carry that fragrance with me. I want the love of Jesus to linger in every space I enter. I want others to sense His peace, His joy, His goodness, even in the small moments.

Because sometimes, the way we show Christ is less about what we say…
And more about the fragrance we leave behind.

A gentle reminder for today:

The sweet-smelling fragrance in our lives
is the aroma of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let it rise. Let it fill the space.
And let it remind you (and others) that you are deeply loved.

Gratitude can sneak up on you.

It doesn’t always arrive with bright lights or easy circumstances. Sometimes it shows up in the middle of the hard, the complicated, the not-what-I-would’ve-chosen parts of life. And somehow, that’s where some of the most meaningful thanks begin.

Today, I’ve been reflecting on the things I’m thankful for—not just the obvious blessings, but also the unexpected gifts that have shaped me. Some of them I didn’t recognize as gifts at the time. Some I still don’t fully understand. But all of them, in one way or another, have formed the person I’m becoming.

Here’s a glimpse into what I’m giving thanks for today:

1. I’m thankful for the things I never wanted to experience… but did anyway.

The things I begged God to remove. The things that felt unfair, painful, and even unbearable. Because it’s through those very experiences—where I didn’t get what I wanted—that I’ve grown the most.

2. I’m thankful for the full range of human emotion.

From joy that feels like sunlight on my face to grief that takes my breath away. I’ve learned to sit with both. I’ve come to see that wholeness doesn’t mean avoiding the lows—it means embracing the entire spectrum of being human.

3. I’m thankful for the people who walked out of my life.

Not because it didn’t hurt, but because their leaving taught me how to be fully present with what—and who—is in front of me. Nothing is guaranteed. Every moment matters.

4. I’m thankful for those who returned.

Because life isn’t linear. It moves in circles and spirals and sometimes messy, unpredictable loops. I’m learning to hold people with open hands, not clenched fists.

5. I’m thankful for the broken pieces of my heart.

They’re not just remnants of pain—they’re part of my story. And they’re shaping the puzzle of the person I’m still becoming.

6. I’m thankful for the moments that knocked me flat.

The ones that left me feeling paralyzed and undone. Because they taught me how deeply I had loved—and reminded me that some things are worth that kind of heartache.

7. I’m thankful for the strength I had to find in myself—with God’s help.

Not something handed to me. Not something I borrowed from someone else. But something I had to dig deep to discover, pulled up with trembling hands and divine help.

8. I’m thankful for faith that still flickers in my soul.

Even when I’ve doubted. Even when I’ve felt forgotten. I’ve always known—somewhere deeper than words—that God hasn’t given up on me. And I’m so grateful for the gift of that faith.

9. I’m thankful I can’t go back and rewrite the past.

Even on the days I wish I could. The mistakes I’ve made are now part of my story—scars that have become sacred chapters.

10. I’m thankful for rejection and humiliation.

Not because they were easy to endure, but because they’ve shaped my resilience and given me perspective I couldn’t have gained otherwise.

11. I’m thankful for a God who has always loved me.

Even in the moments when I’ve been most unlovable. He has never stopped calling me His own.

12. I’m thankful for a husband who takes care of me.

Even when I stubbornly resist. Even when I say, “I’ve got it,” and don’t. His persistence in loving me has taught me that asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.

13. I’m thankful for the funny, quirky, life-giving moments that happen every day.

If I’m paying attention, life is hilarious and heartwarming and full of glimmers. I just have to slow down long enough to notice.

14. I’m thankful for the people who love me well.

The ones who reach out even when I disappear into my introverted cave. The ones who pray, text, check in, and just sit with me. As much as I recharge in solitude, I was made for fellowship—and I’m not whole without it.

15. I’m thankful for this very day.

Each day is a gift. A wild, unfolding, grace-soaked gift. Like unwrapping a present every single minute of every single day.

Thank You, Father.

Thank You for all the above and for so many things I didn’t mention.
You know what I need more than I do.
Thank You for your patient, thoughtful love.
Thank You for growing me slowly but surely.
You have begun a good work in me—and I trust that You’ll be faithful to finish it.

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 1:6

“Every day, every hour, people disclose to us the most disturbing and dysfunctional behaviors imaginable. After a while we lose the ability to be shocked…”
— Jeffrey Kottler

Kottler’s words are honest. Stark.
And if you’ve ever sat in the therapist’s chair, they’re painfully accurate.

Day after day, people bring us the most hidden parts of themselves—trauma, secrets, shame, compulsions, grief, violence, regret, despair. They hand us their wounds, sometimes raw and still bleeding, and ask us to help them make sense of it all.

They trust us with the things they’ve never spoken aloud.
And we hold it. All of it.
We hold it quietly, reverently, with no one else in the room to help carry the weight.

Sometimes, it’s more than disturbing—it’s devastating.
And yet… I love my job.

Our pastor, Hollie Miller, has been encouraging us to choose a verse for the year—something we can return to, pray through, and anchor ourselves in as the months unfold.

My husband has asked me several times if I’ve figured mine out yet. Each time, my answer has been a consistent no.

Until today.

This morning’s sermon shifted something in me.

Pastor Hollie preached from Psalm 32—a psalm of confession, release, and the deep, holy joy of forgiveness. His message landed right where my heart has been sitting for a while now. He shared four points for those who want to truly experience the joy of forgiveness:

1. Confess honestly

2. Pursue urgently

3. Listen carefully

4. Rejoice loudly

And goodness… I needed that Word.

The past few years have been challenging for me spiritually. Not necessarily in a loud, obvious way—but in the quiet, aching spaces of my soul. I’ve wrestled with silence. With shame. With wondering if I’ve strayed too far to still be useful.

So when Pastor Hollie read these words from David, I felt my own heart echo them:

“When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
my vitality was turned into the drought of summer.”
— Psalm 32:3–4

That was me.

Trying to carry the weight alone.
Trying to pretend I was fine while slowly withering inside.
Letting the voice of the accuser whisper louder than the voice of the Savior.

But then came the reminder I needed so deeply:
I can rest in the finished work of the cross.

“There is no unpardonable sin except for unbelief in Christ,” Pastor Hollie said.
“You are a child of God through Jesus Christ.”
And to those who carry shame:
“You don’t understand the concept of grace.”

He’s right.
Sometimes I forget.
Sometimes I carry burdens that Christ already paid for.

But today, grace found me again.

A Few Things I’m Holding Onto from Psalm 32

As I’ve continued to reflect on this Psalm throughout the day, here’s what God has been showing me:

1. Confession is not a ritual. It’s a heart posture.
   I can’t treat confession like a checklist. My heart must be aligned with His—grieved by what grieves Him, surrendered in honesty.

2. Once forgiven, always forgiven.
   If I’ve truly repented and confessed, any lingering shame is not from God—it’s from the accuser.
   God does not hold my sin over my head.
   And neither should anyone else.

3. Grace invites me to stay close.
   I don’t have to clean myself up to come back to God.
   I am already covered in the righteousness of His Son.
   That’s who He sees when He looks at me. And that’s why I can stay in His Word and in prayer—no matter what.

4. God can still use me.
   My past doesn’t disqualify me from worship or witness.
   His grace covers all sin.
   I can praise Him privately and publicly—because that’s what grace does. It makes worship rise.

5. The deeper I see my sin, the deeper I see His love.
   When I recognize the depth of what He’s rescued me from, my gratitude deepens.
   My love grows.
   And I begin to understand, just a little more, the power of the cross.

So Yes… I’ve Found My Verse

Actually, God found it for me.

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”
— Psalm 32:1–2

This is my verse for the year.
My reminder that I am forgiven.
That I am free.
That I am blessed.

Not because of anything I’ve done, but because of what Jesus finished.

Thank You, Father

Thank You for grace that never runs out.
Thank You for chasing me with kindness when I want to hide.
Thank You for lifting the weight when I’ve forgotten how to let go.
You know what I need better than I do.
And You love me still.

You’ve begun a good work in me.
And I trust You to complete it—grace upon grace.

There’s a movie I’ve loved for years. One I return to again and again.

Each time I place the DVD in the player, I find myself asking the same question: What is it about this story that speaks to me so deeply?
And every time, the answer goes beyond the cinematography or the dialogue—though the dialogue certainly has its moments:

“They are an intriguing people. From the moment they wake, they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue. I have never seen such discipline.”
“The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.”

There’s something about these lines—about the entire story—that stirs something in me.

A Mirror for My Heart

This movie challenges me.

It presses against my moral foundations and makes me take a hard look at what drives me.
What am I really fighting for?

• Recognition?

• Self-worth?

• Achievement?

• Or something more eternal? Something I can’t see but know is worth everything?

Some battles in life aren’t worth fighting. Others absolutely are.
And I find myself asking—Am I living with the kind of focused dedication and purpose that reflects the One I claim to follow?

The total devotion of the Samurai depicted in the film strikes me. Their discipline. Their intentionality. Their way of life that says, “This matters. This is worth my everything.”

And then I think of my own life.
Of following Christ.
Of what it means to be that focused—not in ritual or rigidity, but in heart. In calling. In love.

Algren’s Journey—and Mine

So much of what the Samurai represent—clarity, honor, peace—Algren, the main character, has lost.
He’s haunted by trauma, drowning in regret, numbed by disappointment.
He’s a man at war not only with the world, but with himself.

And I’ve been there.

That sense of being untethered. Disillusioned. Wondering what’s worth fighting for anymore.
His journey to find peace—first externally, then inwardly—is one that resonates with me.

He finds it, eventually, in a quiet mountain village, cared for by a grieving Samurai widow and slowly drawn into a life marked by reflection and purpose.
No, I can’t run off to a mountainside village.
But I understand the craving for quiet.
The longing to step out of the chaos.
The desperate need to rediscover meaning.

An Invitation to True Rest

That’s where my heart turns again to Christ.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.”
— Matthew 11:28–29 (NIV)

That’s the invitation.

Not just to rest, but to learn from Him.
Not just peace for peace’s sake, but purpose.
A life of focused dedication—not to a code of honor, but to a Savior who leads with gentleness, humility, and grace.

Jesus doesn’t call us into a life of meaningless motion.
He calls us into a life of alignment.
One where the yoke fits—because it was made for us.
One where we walk with Him—learning, growing, and living in step with His Spirit.

What I’m Longing For

When I watch this film, I’m reminded that my soul longs for more than noise and speed.
It longs for depth.
For focus.
For purpose that transcends recognition and approval.
For rest that goes deeper than sleep.

And that’s what Christ offers.

A life of learning.
A life of rest.
A life of meaningful, focused dedication.

That’s what speaks to me.
That’s what I’m still learning to live.

A reminder to speak life, not destruction

Some people in the Bible only appear once—just a brief mention in a few verses.
And yet, the lessons from their lives echo for generations.

Sometimes they stand as heroes of faith.
Other times… they serve as cautionary tales.

Take Diotrephes, for example.

His name shows up only once, in a short letter written by the apostle John. And yet, what we learn from that single mention is powerful—and sobering.

“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.
So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing,
spreading malicious nonsense about us…”
— 3 John 1:9–10 (NIV)

Diotrephes had become a leader in the early church—but leadership, in his case, went to his head.

He wasn’t leading to serve. He was leading to dominate.
Scripture tells us he “loved to have the preeminence.” He craved recognition and control. And when anyone else showed up who might challenge his authority—even faithful church leaders like John—Diotrephes responded with hostility.

He refused to offer hospitality to traveling preachers. He discouraged others from welcoming them. And worst of all? He slandered the very people God had sent to shepherd His church.

The Poison of Malicious Words

Diotrephes didn’t just disagree—he actively maligned other leaders.
John calls it “malicious nonsense.”

And sadly, many in the church were either too spiritually immature to recognize the damage—or too afraid to speak out against it.

His gossip sowed division. His pride created fear. His words weakened the very body of Christ he claimed to lead.

And still today, the echoes remain.

Gossip: A Small Spark with Great Power

Gossip is defined as idle talk or the sharing of information—true or not—about someone else’s private matters.
And more often than not, it’s done with questionable motives.

Even if it sounds innocent—“I’m just concerned,” or “I thought you should know”—gossip rarely serves to heal or build up. It tends to wound, divide, and unravel trust.

“A whisperer separates close friends…”
— Proverbs 16:28
“Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no whisperer, strife ceases.”
— Proverbs 26:20

Gossip is destructive—even when whispered.
It spreads like wildfire, leaving devastation in its path.

The Fire We Should Spread

The truth is, we’re all faced with sparks every day.
The question is: what are we igniting?

When a juicy piece of news comes our way…
When we’re tempted to speak against someone we dislike or distrust…
When we feel the urge to share what “we heard”…
We have a choice.

We can spread a fire of destruction.
Or we can pass along the only spark that should be contagious:

The warmth of Christ’s love.

That fire?
It doesn’t consume—it comforts.
It doesn’t divide—it invites.
It doesn’t destroy reputations—it restores hearts.

A Final Word

Diotrephes left behind a legacy of control, pride, and toxic speech.
One brief appearance in Scripture—and yet his name is now remembered as a warning.

Lord, let that not be said of us.

Let us be known instead for gentleness, truth spoken in love, hospitality extended freely, and a commitment to unity.
Let our words bring warmth—not wounds.
Let us choose to be a spark of grace in a world full of careless flame.

Father,
Guard my tongue.
Help me to speak only what brings life, not division.
When gossip comes my way, help me be brave enough to stop it.
Let my words reflect Your heart, and let my speech carry the warmth of Your love.
Make me a spark of grace.
Amen.

God is the master of the unexpected invasion.

He knows how to break through our defenses—our excuses, our arguments, our distractions. And He’ll use whatever tools necessary to do it. Personal crisis. Someone else’s suffering. Even a national disaster. Not because He wants to conquer us—but because He wants to free us.

We think we’re building walls to keep pain out.
But more often, those same walls keep Him out… and keep us trapped within.

When a Nation Shook, So Did a Prophet

When King Uzziah died, it marked the end of an era for Judah. It was a time of national grief and uncertainty. But in that moment, Isaiah didn’t just see political instability—he saw heaven.

“I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne…” (Isaiah 6:1)

He was reminded: God is still on the throne—even when everything around us feels like it’s falling apart.

Before Isaiah could be sent, before he could speak, before he could serve—he had to see.
Not just the condition of his nation.
But the condition of his own heart.

“Woe is me, for I am undone!” (Isaiah 6:5)

In the holiness of God’s presence, Isaiah was undone.
But he wasn’t rejected.
Instead, grace met him there.

A burning coal from the altar touched his lips—a symbol of cleansing, a sign of forgiveness.
Only then—after confession, after grace—could Isaiah say, “Here am I. Send me.”

Grace Before Mission

What strikes me most is this: In a time of national upheaval, God didn’t begin by giving Isaiah a list of what was wrong with the kings, the laws, or the culture.

He started with Isaiah’s own heart.

God didn’t commission Isaiah to rail against the sins of others until He had first helped Isaiah see his own sin clearly—and understand the depth of God’s grace even more.

Before Isaiah could speak for God, he had to be changed by God.

My Own “Woe Is Me” Moment

I relate to Isaiah’s story more than I used to.

For many years, I pointed at the sins of others. Before I knew Christ, I pointed at the hypocrisy of Christians. After I became one, I still pointed—just at different targets. People who did things differently. Believed differently. Struggled with sin that didn’t match my own.

I wasn’t harsh about it—not openly. But inwardly? There was a quiet, self-satisfied undertone of “Well, at least I’m not like that.”

But then a few years ago, God allowed me to come face-to-face with my own sin. Not just the surface-level struggles, but the deeper issues beneath—the pride, the fear, the judgment, the desperate need for grace.

Like Isaiah, I cried out, “Woe is me. I am undone.”

And like Isaiah, I was met not with rejection, but with grace.

Used Anyway

Now, I find myself struggling with a different question—not “Am I better than them?” but “Can God really use someone like me?”

And here’s what I’m learning:
It’s not about my worthiness.
It’s not about my perfection.
It’s about His grace.
His choice to show strength through weakness.
His ability to use the flawed and the failing for His glory.

A Call for Our Time

We live in a world that’s quick to point fingers.
We talk endlessly about hot-button issues—abortion, sexuality, politics—and yes, these things matter. But they are symptoms.
They point to a deeper need.

What this world needs most is not louder condemnation.
It needs the gospel of grace.

It needs people who love unconditionally.
Who speak kindness.
Who see themselves clearly and still choose compassion.
Who live with the awareness: “I was lost. I was broken. I was far off. And He welcomed me anyway.”

That’s the gospel.
That’s what our nation—and our world—desperately needs.

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners,
so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous…
Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”
— Romans 5:19–21

Grace abounds.
And that’s the only reason I can say:

I come broken to be mended
I come wounded to be healed
I come desperate to be rescued
I come empty to be filled
I come guilty to be pardoned
By the blood of Christ the Lamb
And I’m welcomed with open arms
Praise God, just as I am.