I grew up with two brothers and a father who loved football. I married a guy who loves the sport and gave birth to a son who played football in high school and so there has been a LOT of football in my lifetime! One thing that always fascinates me is watching the quarterback scan the field and throw the ball ahead of where the receiver is to the spot that he is supposed to run to for that specific play. When that well executed pass is complete its a beautiful thing and can lead to great victory!

Some players make it look so easy. But there is so much preparation behind that well executed pass. Countless hours of practice, weight training, exercise, memorizing the plays, learning the strengths and weaknesses of fellow teammates, the thrill of victory…and enduring the agony of defeat!

Every day we must show up…for our family, for our class, our job…and for God! God has a plan for us today. He’s already put it in motion. We need to suit up in His armor. We have to do more than just show up. We may not have run every drill for every play the enemy tries to block us with…but Jesus has! And He promised in Deuteronomy 31:8 that He would never leave us. It doesn’t get any better than to have the One who knows how to execute every plan perfectly running it with us!

Prayer. Studying God’s Word. Finding a group of believers in a local church that we can lean on and be there for. Sharing our faith with others. Those are all key elements to victory in our faith journey so that we are exactly where God needs us to be for His plan today!

Typically when I wake up in the morning the main focus of my thought life is….shower and coffee! I am not a fully functioning morning person without both. The other morning, however, I woke up with this thought repeating itself in my head…when you share hope…it multiplies. I jotted it down in my phone so I wouldn’t forget that thought.

The more I’ve thought about what happens when we share hope the more I realize how miraculous that math is when it’s calculated. Consider this: when you share a meal with someone, or you bake cookies and serve them to your family or your co-workers, the more you give away….the less you have for yourself! Don’t get me wrong…it’s good to give it away…and it helps keep us from eating it all ourselves! But when we share hope with someone, we are never left with LESS hope for ourselves. In fact, when we share the hope of Jesus with someone else, something really miraculous happens. Hope is multiplied!

It reminds me of the woman in 1 Kings 17 that told Elijah she only had enough flour and oil left to bake a little meal for her and her son and that was it. After that, they would die. Elijah told her to share it with him first. Even though she may have feared that she wouldn’t have enough left, she decided to share what she had with him. 1 Kings 17:15-16 (NLT) reads, “So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.” The miracle math of God caused that flour and oil to not run out until more provision came later. Even though it seemed like subtraction should happen…it was multiplied back to her.

That same multiplication happens when we share with others the hope, the joy and the love we’ve received from Jesus. While we are actively giving it away….our supply is not depleting. In fact, when we get to see someone else catch the joy and the hope found in Christ…it gives US more joy and hope! I’ll gladly participate in God’s math every chance I get! I hope you’ll join me!

When my husband, Ken, and I first settled down after three full years of traveling on the road in full-time ministry we soon found ourselves in unfamiliar territory. Our own home. We’d had a home…if you could call a tour bus, complete with a handful of other young, crazy people who loved Jesus and music always with us, a home! I am not complaining. We loved it…and planned to return to it…soon. And one thing led to another and before long we had jobs, rented and moved into a house, and found ourselves…in a new season.

We had already been together for three years and for the first time…coming home meant just the two of us. Suddenly, we had a different dynamic to our surroundings and it took some getting used to. Someone gave me advice that seemed a little strange at first but has become a cherished memory from those early days. The advice was this: when you are in prayer for your spouse – stand in his shoes. The first time just felt awkward. However, the awkwardness gave way to insight, understanding and connection.

I began to ask God in my prayer time to help me see the world through his eyes, to understand what he was thinking and feeling. Standing in his shoes and praying for him gave me an opportunity to lean into how God saw Ken. I considered Ken’s story and how different things had impacted him over the years. And that…impacted my heart for him tremendously.

You know the old phrase never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes. Aside from the directive that the Bible tells us in Matthew 7:1-2 (NKJV) “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” We still fight the temptation to judge others every day. What if we could stand in their shoes? What if instead of walking a mile in their shoes…we could stand in them…and pray for them? And ask God to help us see part of their story and help us to have His eyes of compassion for them.

Could I walk a mile in your shoes today? Would you walk a mile in mine? Standing in prayer for each other is a beautiful gift that God gives us to help connect us in this journey. It helps us judge less and love more. That’s the measure that I want God to use with us!

There is so much anticipation centered around a wedding. The planning and preparation moves the dreams from hopefulness into reality. Sometimes the day turns out to be more than we even imagined. And sometimes we realize that what we dreamed of doesn’t matter nearly as much when we finally discover the gift of who we dreamed of.

I’ve witnessed lavish weddings that felt like no expense was spared for the day. I’ve seen ceremonies rich in cultural remembrances. I’ve been a part of the most simple gatherings including one where the bride and groom…and all of the wedding party…wore blue jeans and matching flowered shirts. They pledged their love to each other in the front yard beside a tree and then made their way around to the back yard for a big old picnic reception.

Simple, ornate or anywhere in between…my favorite moment is the same moment every time. The moment the groom sees his bride for the first time in the ceremony as she makes her way toward him is precious. Somehow everything they’ve gone through to get to that moment and all his hopes and dreams for the future combine with knowing the precious gift he knows her to be to him…and he is speechless, mesmorized and filled with great joy!

There is a wedding coming that will outshine every other. Ephesians 5:25-27 (NLT) gives us a glimpse of its splendor. “For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up His life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s Word. He did this to present her to Himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.“

As a believer, WE are the Bride of Christ. His Church is His Bride…and He is coming back for us. Just imagine the moment when we look into His eyes for the first time and His great love for us will be revealed. What a spectacular celebration of the greatest love and joy that will be!

There is a beautiful Japanese Maple tree in my front yard and I love that God gave me such a precious gift. Right now she is beginning to let go of her leaves. Those leaves have changed from a lush green color to an extraordinary, fiery red. There’s a collection of them scattered around the ground beneath her at the moment. But I know that soon a gusty wind will blow, the rain will fall, and most of her leaves will be gone.

Once winter arrives she will stand with empty limbs void of any color that resembles life or growth. Through the cold, the frost, the snow and even the harshest winter storms, that tree will seem to have shuttered itself, revealing no signs of life, almost unrecognizable to those of us who have admired her beautiful offering.

Just about the time we’ve forgotten that she’s even there, as the very beginnings of Spring begin to show, we’ll notice there are tiny little buds of green beginning to show on those branches that have been barren for months.

I think I love that tree so much because she reminds me of God’s goodness and faithfulness in our own lives. You and I go through seasons. Some are sweet and fresh like Spring. Summer brings fullness and so much growth we can hardly contain all the blessings. Then Autumn comes and while we revel in the rich, vibrant colors that God has added to our lives, we find ourselves knowing that we must be willing to let go. Winter seasons can be so harsh, so empty. I’ve learned that in those seasons I am especially in need of growing deeper. Maybe that’s what is happening inside my tree. Perhaps, without the leaves on her branches her roots are concentrating on digging even deeper into the soil. Absorbing all the warmth from the sun that she can contain.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1 (NLT) tells us, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” In all of those seasons God is with us. Some things that we experience in life are inevitable. But we do get to choose how we live each season out. Even when we find ourselves in the harshest winter season we can choose to dig deep into the richness of our Creator. And there is hope that the next season of life is on its way.

Have you ever watched how the gentle cycle in the washing machine works? I got curious one day and ..well, you know where curiosity can lead! While the normal cycle begins filling up with water and swishing clothes at a fairly high rate of speed; the gentle cycle is lighter, less vigorous. The clothes get to sit in the water and soak a little longer before the tumbling begins. The normal cycle uses hot water. The gentle cycle is usually a cold water wash.

Maybe it would be helpful to have a shirt that reads, ‘Use the gentle cycle today, please’. A little warning to those around us that we might not be able to deal with the hot water and agitation that we can be served up with on a daily basis. Some days we just need to take in the cool water and have time to sit and soak in the cleansing suds of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) tells us, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Some days we need the gentle cycle. Most likely today we will encounter someone that needs the gift of the gentle cycle. They probably won’t be wearing a shirt that reads it….but give it anyway. Be kind today. I have a feeling it will come back to us right when we need it!

One of the tips my mom taught me when I first learning to bake a cake was to open the oven and press my finger onto the top of the cake to see if it was done baking. If it kept the impression of my finger on it then it still needed a few more minutes in the oven. If it bounced back up it was ready to come out.

A cake can look perfectly baked. We can layer it. Ice it. Decorate it beautifully. But until we taste it, the cake is just making an impression. The proof of its goodness…or not…is in the taste. Experiencing the taste will make it memorable long after the cake has been eaten and the cake plate is washed and put away.

God doesn’t just want us to poke at what He has for us. It’s not about impressing us although the mighty works of God are awe-inspiring. God wants us to open our hearts to His eternal impact in our lives. Psalm 34:8 (NIV) says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”

I also love how The Passion Translation shares this word. Psalm 34:8-10. This is real life-changing impact. “Drink deeply of the pleasures of this God. Experience for yourself the joyous mercies He gives to all who turn to hide themselves in Him. Worship in awe and wonder, all you who’ve been made holy! For all who fear Him will feast with plenty. Even the strong and the wealthy grow weak and hungry, but those who passionately pursue the Lord will never lack any good thing.”

Don’t settle for an impression when we can have the true impact of God in our lives!

I saw an advertisement for something I’d never heard of before…an ‘interactive’ movie. The main character was at a crossroads in her love life and with the touch of my remote control I could help her choose which guy she should pick and watch her decision play out. When it got to the end of the movie if I didn’t like the ending, I could choose to send her back to the moment of decision and pick the other love interest and watch the movie with an entirely different ending. Fascinating and frightening all at the same time! Full disclosure, due to the curiosity in me, I had to watch all of the choices to see how each one played out.

We can be quick to give advice to others about life choices and most likely we receive advice from others about upcoming life choices. But, the One whose leading we need to seek most is God’s. Unlike us, God knows the end from the beginning. He’s not running the scenarios through to see which one ends up best like we would in that interactive movie. God knows exactly what we need. He knows what we will choose. And He knows how to work it all out for our good and His glory.

It’s not always easy. And truthfully, it doesn’t all feel good when we’re in the messy middle of things. There is, however, one thing that can keep us hopeful through it all. Through all of our best and worst choices, our indecisions and our rash decisions…God never leaves us. Isaiah 41:10 (MSG) says, “I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”

Regardless of the decision you are walking out today. No matter if you chose your path or someone else’s decision has you in a place you never asked to go. You are not walking it alone. God will always stay right there with you.

When you go to a restaurant you’ve eaten at before do you order the same thing on the menu that you did before? I think our answer to that question may reveal a lot about us. The adventurous me would love to sample different foods. But the foodie in me wants to KNOW that I’m going to enjoy and savor every bite. Just how much of a risk taker are you?

I confess that I usually order the same meal every time. Just like I have my favorite coffee order and about the only time I change things up…is when it pumpkin spice latte season! As I was sipping on a PSL the other day I thought about how grateful I am that I got brave enough to try something different.

While trying a different coffee flavor or menu item seems inconsequential, think about it! Trying something new can lead us to new discoveries about ourselves! We might discover we like spinach dip after all. And we may learn that we enjoy meeting new people and could serve as a greeter at our church. Maybe we find that we have a hidden talent for the creative like painting or scrapbooking…or writing! Perhaps taking a class at a community college opens our mind to explore a new career direction or signing up for Bible study and meeting new people deepens our love for studying God’s Word and helps us find a new friend who adds more joy to our life.

Being open to the new is something I’ve been hearing a lot lately. And it reminds me of the scripture in Isaiah when God Himself said He was doing something new. Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) says, “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

We know that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. So I believe He is still creating and making the new today. And He wants us to look for it! And since we are made in His image…we have the ability to do something new too. It may be as simple as trying a new thing on the menu. And maybe its something He’s been prompting you about that you’ve been afraid to try. Just ask Him. He’ll make a way.

A woman set out for a thrift store one day. Maybe she was looking for something specific. Maybe she was doing what so many others do…looking for something that was ‘old to someone else and new to me’. Either way, she noticed a piece of artwork which didn’t mean anything to her…but it had a really nice frame …and it was only 4 bucks! So she bought it, took it home and hung it up in her bedroom for a while until she got bored with it and eventually it wound up in the attic.

Years later she happened upon this painting, snapped a picture of it and posted it on social media to get rid of it. To her surprise someone reached out to her and told her to have it authenticated. Sure enough…this painting is being cleaned up and is set to auction off to the tune of, possibly, several million dollars!

Do we recognize the value of those around us? Do we treat others like a valuable work of art…or like a picture someone else gave away and we picked up for a handful of dollars. Maybe we don’t see the worth in others…because we don’t even know our own value. God paid the highest price for each of us. His own Son, Jesus, died for us. 1 John 2:2 (NLT) tells us … “He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”

You and I are so loved by God that He paid the greatest price of all for us. Let’s walk in that today. Not like a four dollar frame but the priceless masterpiece He made us to be.