One Invitation, Eternal Change

“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Isaiah 55:11

The extra hours I worked at Anytime Fitness in West Monroe were supposed to help me save for school, but God had more in mind.

One day, a young woman, about my age, walked into the office with a quick question. We chatted briefly, and as she turned to leave, I felt a nudge from God: invite her to church.

I almost dismissed it. Would it be awkward? Would I come across the wrong way? But the thought stayed.

So, I leaned forward and said, “Hey, you should come to our young adult service sometime.”

She smiled and mentioned how busy work kept her but said she might come someday. I assumed that would be the end of it, but a few weeks later, there she was—sitting with a friend in the back at our Tuesday night group.

That first night, she sat quietly, taking it all in. Week after week, she returned, growing more engaged each time. Over time, I saw her walls come down. She started attending our Saturday morning Bible study, asking questions, and diving into the conversations.

Something shifted as she shared her story and allowed herself to be vulnerable. She wanted more than just answers—she wanted hope. The day she placed her faith in Jesus and was baptized, I watched with tears in my eyes.

That was years ago. Today, she is married to a godly man and raising a beautiful daughter. Together, they are passionate about missions and helping others grow in their faith.

It humbles me to think God used something so small. One invitation. One step of faith. He took it and turned it into something eternal.

Sometimes, God uses small moments to work out His big plans. Do not underestimate the power of reaching out. When you feel prompted to act, lean into it. You never know whose story might change because of your courage to speak.

/by

The Beauty of Being Still

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 46:10

Ann barely glanced up from her cooking when Brett walked in, their youngest son in tow. “Have you seen the sunset?” he asked, his voice unusually earnest.

“No, should I?” Ann responded, wiping her hands on a towel. She followed him outside, curious about what had prompted his question.

The sky was a masterpiece. Shades of violet stretched across the horizon, fading into bold streaks of tangerine and crimson, all crowned with a glowing gold. Ann stood still, taking in the vibrant scene.

She was about to retreat to her kitchen when a tug on her heart kept her rooted in place. Turning back toward the painted sky, she felt an unspoken message resonate within her: “Receive this moment.”

Ann closed her eyes, letting the truth settle. How many sunsets had she missed? How many small wonders had she ignored in her rush to the next thing? The melody of rain, the joy of a child’s laughter, the warmth of the sun—each moment a divine gift, waiting to be noticed.

Standing under the vivid sky, Ann made a quiet vow to pause more often, to see and savor the goodness of God around her. She would no longer let busyness steal these moments she was given.

What beauty might you notice if you stopped to look today?

/by

Confidence in God’s Word

,

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

Psalm 27:14

The words were still fresh in her mind, sharp and uninvited. The criticisms from others had cut deep, leaving Maddie feeling vulnerable and second-guessing her decisions.

Instead of letting herself spiral, she reached for her Bible. Without much thought, she flipped it open and landed on Psalm 27.

As she read, the verses seemed to leap off the page: wait for the Lord, be strong, and let your heart take courage. It felt as though God was wrapping her in a warm, steady embrace.

When she closed the Bible, something within her had shifted. The earlier comments were still present, but they had lost their sting. Maddie walked away from that time with God holding her head a little higher, confident that His truth mattered far more than anyone else’s opinion.

That encounter stayed with her because it was not just about feeling better—it was about being anchored in what is true. Life will bring its fair share of noise and hurt, but the peace of God remains unshakable and always near.

Her story makes me wonder how often we allow the voices of others to define us when God is offering something infinitely better. Perhaps this is your chance to pause, seek Him, and let His truth settle deeply in your heart.

/by

Overcoming Fear’s Shadows

,

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the yard as my mom sprinted to safety, her heart pounding. She was just a child, convinced someone was right behind her.

Her older brother had planted the idea in her mind, telling her that every time she stepped outside, a stranger was waiting to catch her. It was only much later that she discovered the “person” chasing her was nothing more than her own shadow.

That story has stayed with me, and I reflect on it often whenever fear begins to creep into my life. It paints such a vivid picture of how fear works.

It is easy to feel trapped in those moments, but I have learned something about shadows—they only have power when we let them. When my mom finally stopped running, she realized there was nothing to be afraid of. Similarly, when I have chosen to turn toward the light in my life, I have found peace waiting for me.

Maybe you have been running too, trying to escape something that feels overwhelming. What if you stopped, just for a moment, to see what is really behind you? You might find that the fear holding you back is just a shadow, powerless in the presence of God’s light.

/by

Facing Life’s Falls with Faith

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

It happened so fast that I barely had time to process it. As I stepped outside, I did not realize how slick the wet porch steps had become. Before I knew it, my feet flew out from under me, and I landed hard on my wrist.

The sharp, throbbing pain made it clear something was wrong. A trip to the doctor confirmed my wrist was broken, and I would be unable to use one hand for months.

At first, I was overwhelmed by how much the injury affected my daily life. Simple tasks became difficult, and I had to rely on others more than I wanted to.

Yet, as the weeks went by, something unexpected happened. God began to use that frustrating time to teach me lessons I never knew I needed. I learned how to embrace patience and admit I cannot do everything on my own. More than anything, I saw how much I needed to trust God when life felt out of control.

Life has a way of knocking us down, doesn’t it? Whether it’s a broken bone or a broken spirit, those moments can feel overwhelming. But they also hold the potential to draw us closer to God, who never leaves us to face our falls alone.

If you feel like life has knocked you off balance, please do not try to carry the weight by yourself. Let God step in. His strength is enough, even when yours is not. And the beautiful truth is that His power is made perfect in our weakness.

/by

Let Jesus Hold and Heal You

, ,

“The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

Deuteronomy 33:27a

Lauren Daigle’s song “Hold on to Me” played softly in the background. As it did, the melody pulled me into a memory—the hardest season of my life.

I was in so much pain back then and did not know what to do. One day, someone in a support group suggested, “You should try handing your pain to Jesus.”

Desperate for relief, I decided to give it a try. Later that day when I was alone, I closed my eyes, whispered, “Jesus, take this pain from me,” and waited.

But nothing happened. The pain was still there, unchanged and unbearable.

When I shared my frustration with a friend, She offered a perspective that shifted everything. She said, “You don’t hand Jesus your pain. You let Jesus hold you and heal your pain.”

So, the next time I prayed, I asked, “Jesus, will you hold me?”

In that moment, something remarkable happened. My heart was met with a love so kind, so perfect, and so present that I could not help but weep.

Day after day, I returned to Him with the same simple request: “Hold me.” And every time, His peace came like a river. What surprised me most was how tenderly He met me in the places I had hidden, wounds I thought were beyond healing.

His presence became my refuge—a safe place where I could fall apart and start again. It was not instant or easy, but it was real.

Now, when I hear that song, I am reminded of how steady and healing His love is. If your heart feels shattered, please ask Him to hold you. I pray you will find the peace and healing you have been longing for all along.

 

/by

Praise in Every Storm

,

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Romans 8:18

Ten-year-old Erin Browning danced with joy. Her small frame moved gracefully to the steps she choreographed to the Casting Crown’s song. The band’s lead singer, Mark, met Erin and her mother, Laurie, in the middle of the girl’s fight with cancer.

The mom’s faith was unlike anything he had seen before. She wept openly, asked hard questions, and even wrestled with anger. Yet, through her raw emotions, she chose to trust God.

After Erin passed, Mark sat alone with his guitar. He let the weight of it all wash over him. He could still hear Laurie’s words. She confessed no matter how dark life got, she knew God was still good, and His love still held the world together.

As Mark strummed his guitar, lyrics began to flow as a song took shape.

“And I’ll praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands.

For You are who You are, no matter where I am,

And every tear I’ve cried, You hold in Your hand.

You never left my side, and though my heart is torn,

I will praise You in this storm.”

The song became an anthem that reminds us that worship is not confined to perfect moments. It is choosing to trust when the world feels like it is falling apart.

What would it look like for you to trust God in the hardest moments of your life? Could your faith tell a story of praise, even when it hurts?

 

/by

Find Your Freedom in Christ

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”

Isaiah 61:1 

Over Christmas, Sarah and I bought Reese a play yard—what we jokingly call “baby jail.” It has been a lifesaver, giving us a safe place to keep her while we do the everyday things parents need to do. Reese, however, sees it very differently.

One day, I placed her inside to play while I cleaned up. She immediately began crying and looking up at me with desperate eyes. She thought she was trapped.

But what she did not know was that the door was unzipped and wide open—right beneath the bars she clung to so tightly. The way out had been there all along.

I pointed to the open door, trying to help her see it, but she did not understand. She felt stuck, but the truth was, she was free to leave anytime. It took a while, but eventually, she noticed the opening and crawled through.

In that moment, I saw a glimpse of myself. For so long, I felt locked in the cage of my sin, weighed down by guilt and shame. I thought those things defined me. But over time, I learned the truth.

For me, walking through that open door meant trusting God’s promises, seeking mentors, and learning to embrace His forgiveness. It changed everything.

I want to encourage you—you can find freedom, too. What is holding you back? The door is open. Will you step through it?

/by

Let God Speak to You

,

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:16

The satisfying pop of a Coke Zero can opening echoed through the room as I sank into my favorite chair, Bible in hand. I had promised myself to finish the entire Bible in 90 days, and the clock was ticking.

The first week, I felt unstoppable. My pen flew across the pages of my journal, marking progress like a marathon runner tracking miles. But by week three, it started to feel like a chore. I was checking off chapters, but nothing was sinking in.

One morning, I hit a wall. I had barely started when a single verse stopped me in my tracks. It was as if the words were waiting for me, insisting I pause. So, I did. I set the plan aside and let myself dwell on that verse.

That was the day everything changed. Now, I read differently. Each morning, I let the words come to life. I write down what stands out, no matter how small. Some days, I read chapters; others, just a line. It is not about finishing anymore—it is about hearing Him.

Friend, if you have ever felt unworthy because you cannot keep up with a plan, take heart. It is not a race. God is not asking you to read faster or do more. He is simply asking you to show up and be present with Him.

What step could you take today to meet with God in His Word, one day at a time?

 

/by

A Year of Kindness

,

“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”

1 John 3:17

Life can throw some hard punches, can’t it? A friend of 88.7 The Cross shared this story about the year her family’s world turned upside down.

You see, her mom was diagnosed with ALS. It was devastating, but even in the chaos, she had one simple request: she asked her husband to take time off work to care for her. He said yes without flinching.

He did not hesitate. He just did it.

But let’s talk about what that “yes” really means. No job means no paycheck—unless you have a boss like his. His employer, a faith-filled family business owner, decided to keep paying his full salary for a year. Let me say that again: a year.

That kind of generosity feels rare these days. It leaves you humbled and hopeful all at the same time.

So here is the question I keep coming back to: where can you step in and show that kind of kindness for someone else? You might not think you can do much, but trust me—whatever you do, it matters.

/by