The Hundred-Dollar Handshake

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Psalms 112:4-5 — Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. 

My mom had something I like to call the “Hundred-Dollar Handshake.”

And let me tell you, she was good at it.

I remember watching her do this at church when I was growing up.

Now, you’ve got to understand. Twenty-five or thirty years ago, a hundred-dollar bill was a pretty big deal.

I mean, that’s not money you just casually handed somebody on your way out of Sunday school.

At least, that’s what I thought.

But Mom?

Oh, she had a different way of looking at things.

We’d be standing around after church, talking to people, when I’d see her spot somebody across the room.

And then she’d reach into her purse.

And I’d think, Oh, here she goes again.

She’d pull out a hundred-dollar bill, fold it up in her hand, and make her way across the room.

She’d give that person a hug.

Whisper something in their ear.

Slip that money into their hand.

And then she’d just walk away.

No announcement.

No big production.

No waiting around for someone to thank her.

Just a hug, a handshake, and a hundred dollars.

And there I was, watching the whole thing, thinking…

Mom! Why are you giving away all our money? Don’t you know I need new cleats?

I’m serious!

I thought we were poor!

And the funny thing is, we didn’t have a whole lot of money to spare.

But Mom knew something I hadn’t figured out yet.

You don’t have to have a lot to live generously.

She wasn’t waiting until we had more money.

She wasn’t waiting until every need in our own house had been met and there was plenty left over.

She simply paid attention.

If she saw someone who needed encouragement, she encouraged them.

If someone needed help, she found a way to help.

And sometimes, that help came folded inside a hundred-dollar handshake.

Looking back, I realize something I didn’t understand as a kid.

Mom wasn’t just giving away money.

She was letting people know they mattered.

She saw them.

She noticed their struggles.

And instead of walking past and hoping somebody else would do something, she chose to be that somebody.

That’s what I think about when I read Psalm 112.

It describes people who trust God and whose lives are marked by generosity, compassion, and righteousness.

People who don’t just talk about loving others.

They actually do something about it.

And that’s what my mom modeled for me.

Now, I don’t want you to think she gave because she expected God to make her rich.

That wasn’t it.

She gave because she trusted Him.

And she believed that what she had wasn’t just for her.

It could be used to bless somebody else.

You know, when I was little, I measured what we had by what we could afford.

Did we have enough for new shoes?

Could we buy the things I wanted?

Why was Mom handing out hundred-dollar bills when I needed cleats?

But now that I’m older, I see our life a little differently.

We may not have had a lot of extra money.

But we were rich in the things that mattered.

Rich in compassion.

Rich in relationships.

Rich in the joy of helping somebody else.

And rich in the example of a woman who taught me that generosity isn’t just about what you give.

It’s about whether you’re paying attention.

And friend, I wonder who might be waiting for someone like that in your life today.

Maybe there’s a single mom who’s overwhelmed.

A neighbor who’s lonely.

A coworker who’s having a really hard week.

Or somebody at church who’s smiling on the outside but quietly carrying more than you know.

You might not have a hundred dollars to slip into their hand.

And that’s okay.

Because not every act of generosity comes with a dollar sign.

Sometimes it’s buying somebody lunch.

Sometimes it’s making a phone call.

Sometimes it’s sitting down long enough to really listen.

Sometimes it’s offering a ride, bringing a meal, or simply reminding someone that they haven’t been forgotten.

The most generous thing you give someone today might not come out of your wallet. It might come out of your heart.

So here’s my encouragement.

Start your own version of the Hundred-Dollar Handshake.

Look around.

Pay attention.

Ask God to help you notice the people He places in your path.

And when you see a need you can meet, don’t always wait for somebody else to do it.

Be generous with what you have.

Because years from now, somebody might not remember exactly what you gave them.

But they’ll remember that you saw them.

They’ll remember that you cared.

And they just might pass that kindness on to somebody else.

My mom probably never imagined that all those little handshakes would become one of the greatest lessons she ever taught me.

But here I am, all these years later, still talking about them.

And I’ve finally figured out something.

Mom wasn’t giving away our riches. She was showing me what made us rich.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Who has modeled generosity in your life? What did their example teach you about caring for others?
  • Have you ever held back from helping someone because you felt you didn’t have enough to give?
  • What’s the difference between giving to someone and genuinely noticing what they need?
  • Is there someone in your church, workplace, or neighborhood who might be quietly struggling and could use encouragement?
  • What do you have to offer today—money, time, attention, encouragement, or practical help—that could make a difference in someone’s life? 

QUESTION TO CARRY WITH YOU TODAY

Who might God be asking me to notice today, and what do I already have that I could give? 

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Don’t Let Fear Send You Searching

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Psalm 62:8 — O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. 

I’ve heard someone say that parenthood is the scariest hood you’ll ever live in.

And I’m starting to understand why.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love being a mom to my little boy, Lennox.

We fought hard to get here. He’s such a gift, and I wouldn’t trade being his mama for anything in the world.

But lately, we’ve been walking through something that’s been really hard.

Lennox had been talking so well, and then he stopped speaking like he had before.

We’ve been seeing specialists to understand what’s happening, and I’ll be honest with you.

I’ve been scared.

And you know what happens when a mama gets scared?

She starts looking for answers.

Everywhere.

I researched everything I could think of. I called friends and asked, “Did your child do this at his age?”

I searched the internet.

I even went to TikTok.

I mean, if there was somewhere I thought I might find an answer, I was looking.

Because when it’s your baby, you just want someone to tell you everything is going to be okay.

And then, the other day, something happened.

I was standing at the kitchen sink, washing dishes, when Lennox came into the room.

He didn’t say anything.

He just came over and sat down beside me.

That’s it.

No big moment. No dramatic breakthrough.

Just my little boy sitting near his mama.

And even though he wasn’t speaking, I understood something.

He wanted to be close to me.

He didn’t need to explain himself.

He didn’t need to find the right words.

He just knew where he wanted to be.

And standing there at that sink, I felt like God was reminding me of something I desperately needed to hear.

Sometimes, when we’re afraid, we spend so much time searching for answers that we forget where to bring our hearts.

Now, please hear me.

I’m not going to stop looking for answers for my son.

We’re going to keep seeing the specialists. We’re going to keep asking questions and doing everything we can to help him.

Because that’s part of loving him well.

But somewhere in the middle of all that searching, I had allowed fear to consume so much of my heart.

And I needed to remember that I have a Father I can run to, too.

Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.”

I love those words.

Pour out your heart.

Not just the pretty parts.

Not just the prayers that sound faithful and confident.

All of it.

The questions.

The exhaustion.

The things that keep you awake at night.

Even the fears you’re almost afraid to say out loud.

God invites us to bring every bit of it to Him.

And just like Lennox didn’t need words to sit beside me, I don’t have to have the right words to come into my Heavenly Father’s presence.

I can just come close.

I can cry.

I can sit quietly.

I can tell Him I’m scared.

And I can trust that He knows my heart, even when I don’t know how to explain what’s happening inside it.

Maybe that’s something you need to hear today, too.

Maybe you’re facing something with your child, your marriage, your health, or your future.

Maybe you’ve been searching for answers, and the more you search, the more overwhelmed you feel.

Friend, it’s okay to ask questions.

It’s okay to seek help.

It’s okay not to know what comes next.

But don’t forget that you have a Father who welcomes you into His presence in the middle of it all.

You don’t have to wait until you’re feeling brave.

You don’t have to figure everything out first.

And you certainly don’t have to pretend you’re okay when you’re not.

Just come close.

Because sometimes the greatest comfort isn’t getting an answer to every question.

It’s knowing that while you’re waiting for answers, you have somewhere safe to bring your heart.

So today, I’m going to keep loving my little boy.

I’m going to keep doing everything I can for him.

And I’m going to keep trusting the Father who loves us both.

And maybe the next time I’m standing at that kitchen sink, overwhelmed by all the things I don’t know, I’ll remember what Lennox taught me.

Sometimes, you don’t need to say a single word.

You just need to come close to your Father.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When you’re afraid or uncertain, where do you usually turn first for reassurance?
  • Is there something you’ve been carrying that you haven’t fully poured out to God because you don’t know how to put it into words?
  • How does it change your understanding of prayer to know that you can simply come into God’s presence without having everything figured out?
  • Have you ever become so focused on finding answers that you forgot to seek comfort and refuge in God?
  • What would it look like today to both take the practical steps you need to take and trust God with the things you cannot control? 

QUESTION TO CARRY WITH YOU TODAY

Am I spending so much time searching for answers that I’ve forgotten to simply sit with my Father?

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The Night Love Went to Work

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1 Corinthians 15:58 — So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 

There is something special about a fall festival.

The air turns crisp. Friends catch up over steaming cups of apple cider. Somewhere nearby, kettle corn is popping, and funnel cakes are making it very difficult to remember that you already ate dinner.

I take it all in and look around.

Kids are trying things they’ve never tried before. Parents are laughing and talking while their children run around. Candy bags are getting heavier by the minute.

And I love it.

But the longer I watch, the more I realize what I’m really witnessing.

I’m watching a community love its people.

A volunteer kneels down beside a child who isn’t quite sure she wants to try the game.

Someone else is laughing with a group of kids.

Parents relax because they know somebody is looking out for their children.

There’s no spotlight on any of it.

It’s just people showing up and trying to show others the love of Jesus.

And it reminds me how easy it is to overlook the ordinary ways God uses us.

Sometimes we imagine ministry has to be a microphone, a Bible study, or some grand opportunity to make a difference.

But what if ministry can also be a folding chair?

A game booth?

A smile?

A conversation with a child?

A simple act of kindness that nobody else notices?

Paul told the church in Corinth to remain strong and steadfast and to give themselves fully to the Lord’s work, because their labor for the Lord is never wasted.

And I think that’s exactly what I’m seeing here:

Labor that won’t go to waste.

These people are doing little things that may matter far more than they will ever know.

Maybe that child who was nervous will remember the volunteer who knelt down beside her.

Maybe a parent will remember how welcomed their family felt.

Maybe a simple conversation will stay with someone long after the festival is over.

We may never see the full fruit of those moments.

But God does.

So keep showing up.

Keep serving.

Keep loving the person right in front of you.

Because in the hands of God, ordinary acts of faithfulness—really and truly—are never wasted.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What is one ordinary thing you do that you sometimes wonder whether it really matters? Could God be using it in ways you cannot see?
  • Have you ever had someone’s small act of kindness make a bigger impact on you than they probably realized?
  • Where is God giving you an opportunity to serve right now—even if it doesn’t feel significant or impressive?
  • Are you more likely to serve when people notice, or can you find joy in serving when only God sees?
  • Who is the person right in front of you today who might need a little encouragement, kindness, or your willingness to simply show up?

QUESTION TO CARRY WITH YOU TODAY

What if the ordinary thing God has put in front of me today is more important than I realize?

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Stop Second Guessing

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2 Corinthians 5:7 — For we walk by faith, not by sight.

That’s not just a nice suggestion. That’s how Scripture describes the life of faith. But if I’m being honest, I think a lot of us treat it like one.

Let me prove it to you.

Think about your laundry detergent. Seriously. Go look at the cap. How much are you supposed to put in there? There are little lines inside the cap that tell you how much to use. Somebody who, presumably, knows what they’re talking about measured it out for you.

And yet…

How much do you actually put in?

Because what you should use is way less than you think it should be. Many times, it’s not even half a cap, and I look at that little line and think, “That can’t possibly be enough.”

So, I pour a little more… and then a little more. And eventually, I just pour until my heart says, “Okay, that looks about right.”

Which is funny, because they already told me!

But somehow, standing there with a pile of dirty clothes, I became the detergent expert.

And that’s where this gets a little uncomfortable, because I think we do the same thing with God.

He tells us something, and we immediately start looking at our circumstances and focusing on our feelings.

We look at the size of the problem. We look at the size of the mess. We look at everything that could go wrong, and then we look back at what God has said and think, “Okay, but… surely You meant a little more than that. I need a little more certainty and a lot more explanation.”

But faith means trusting God and learning to move forward with Him even when we cannot see the whole picture yet.

That doesn’t mean our problems are small. It means God is trustworthy even when what He has given us feels small compared to what we are facing.

So today, when you find yourself asking God for just a little bit more information, more certainty, or more explanation… pause.

Ask yourself whether you really need more information from Him, or whether you simply need to trust what He has already said.

Faith may not always let us see where the road is going, but it teaches us to keep walking with the One who does.

Maybe what He has given you really is enough.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Where in your life are you asking God for more certainty, more explanation, or more information right now?
  • What circumstances are making it difficult for you to trust what God has already said?
  • Have you ever seen God prove Himself trustworthy in a situation where you couldn’t see how things would work out?
  • What would it look like for you to “walk by faith” in the situation you’re facing today?
  • Is there something God has already given you—His Word, His promises, His presence—that you need to trust is enough for today?
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Look Up, It’s Not Over

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Psalm 3:3 – But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.

“He lifts us up. He’s my glory and the lifter of our head.”

I love that picture.

And if you watch sports, maybe you’ve seen something like this. Years ago, there was a championship game where a young player missed a really important shot for his team.

He hung his head, and before maybe even two seconds had passed, his teammate lifted his chin, patted him on the back, and said, “It’s not over. We’ve got this.”

I’ve always remembered that because I thought, I want to surround myself with people like that, too.

But actually, I want to be that person.

Because there have been plenty of times when I’ve noticed somebody hanging their head a little low. Maybe they’re discouraged. Maybe they’re disappointed in themselves. Maybe they’re carrying something they haven’t told anybody about.

I’ll say a silent prayer for them. But sometimes I think, Lord, I don’t just want to pray for them. Maybe You want to encourage them through me. I need to walk over there.

God is the One who lifts our heads, and I love that picture because often, we don’t need somebody to fix everything. We just need somebody to remind us to look up.

So, if you know somebody who’s been walking around with their head down lately—your sister, your brother, your coworker, your neighbor—say the prayer, and then maybe go say something to them, too.

Because I’m thankful that God lifts our heads. And sometimes, in His kindness, He lets us be the hands that help.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Is there an area of your life where you’ve been hanging your head lately—feeling discouraged, disappointed, or overwhelmed?
  • Who has been someone God used to lift your head and remind you that you weren’t alone?
  • Is there someone in your life right now whose head seems to be hanging a little low? What might they need to hear from you?
  • When you notice someone hurting, are you willing to do more than pray for them and take a step toward them?
  • Who might God be asking you to encourage today—and what could you say or do to help lift their head?
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Jesus Cares About That Too

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Mark 2:17 – When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Don’t wait till things get too bad to get a check up. Isn’t that, sadly, so normal…to make sure everybody else is okay but to ignore our own pain?

When our children get a cough. “Okay, it’s time to call the pediatrician.”

We say, “Okay, what do you need? Do you need some vitamin C? You need a Flintstones gummy. What else can I do to help?”

But all along, your knees have been cracking for six weeks… maybe six years…and you’re thinking, “Ah, that’s just part of life.”

Why? Why do we wait so long to get things in our lives checked out? Do we not think we matter that much?

Jesus says it does matter. But he wants us to admit it. He didn’t come for people who believed they didn’t need Him. He came for people who recognized their need and were willing to let Him into it. He came for the people who knew something was wrong and were willing to let Him into it.

All you have to do is say, “Hey, Lord, I’m noticing this in my heart. I don’t want it to get bad. Let’s deal with it now.”

You don’t have to wait until the wound is worse to bring it to the Savior and let Him begin His work in you. So today, notice what’s hurting, stop minimizing it, and invite the Lord in before it has a chance to harden or deepen.

Like I said… It matters.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What is something in your heart or life that you’ve been minimizing or ignoring?
  • Why do you think we sometimes find it easier to care for everyone else than to acknowledge what’s hurting in us?
  • Is there an area of your life where you need to admit, “Something isn’t right, and I need Jesus here”?
  • What would it look like to invite Jesus into that area before the hurt has a chance to harden or deepen?
  • What is one thing you can bring to Jesus today instead of continuing to carry it on your own?
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A Refreshing Plot Twist

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Proverbs 11:25 — A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Have you ever been set up by God?

Like, you sign up to go somewhere thinking you’re going to support somebody else, and then God changes everything?

That’s what happened to Miss Gwendolyn.

She took her granddaughter to the Live Original Conference, which is coming to town this weekend. Her granddaughter had really come to know the Lord through her youth group and loved Sadie Huff. So Miss Gwendolyn thought, “Of course. I’ll get two tickets.”

She imagined them buying merch, taking pictures, and making some memories. That’s really as far as she thought it would go.

But then she stepped into worship.

Through the songs, God started ministering to her heart and revealing that this wasn’t just about the teenagers.

He wanted to meet her, too.

And from that moment on, something began to deepen in Miss Gwendolyn’s relationship with the Lord. Her eyes were opened in a new way, even though she had known Jesus for a long time.

Sometimes we think we’re the ones pouring out, but God has a way of pouring into us at the same time.

That’s what I see in Scripture: whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

And that’s why I think this is such a beautiful reminder for us today:

You never know where God is waiting to meet you.

There is no stage, no age, and no season of life where the Lord can’t still pierce your heart and draw you closer to Him.

You might think you’re showing up for someone else, but remember this:

God refreshes the refresher.

As you encourage someone else, serve someone else, or simply show up for someone else, don’t be surprised if God has something He wants to do in you, too.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Have you ever shown up somewhere or served someone else, only to realize God had something He wanted to do in your heart, too?
  • Who is someone you could intentionally encourage or refresh this week?
  • What might it look like to serve someone without focusing only on what you’re giving, but also being open to what God might want to teach you?
  • Is there an area of your relationship with God where you would welcome Him refreshing or renewing you?
  • How does Proverbs 11:25 change the way you think about generosity—not just giving things, but giving your time, attention, encouragement, and presence?
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Is Your Love Contagious?

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Matthew 5:16 — In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Is your love as contagious as chicken pox?

Picture this: September 1995 in New Orleans. It’s first grade, and Marshall Collins comes to school with chicken pox.

We had no idea what chicken pox was. We were six. But I’ll never forget the look on Miss Amy’s face when Marshall rolled up his sleeve, scratching.

She about went crazy.

And then, it seemed like everybody else started scratching too. For the next two weeks, our whole class was out with chicken pox.

We’d all played on the same monkey bars that never got wiped down. We sneezed without washing our hands, and before long, what one person carried had spread to everybody else.

It was miserable and itchy, but even at six years old, I learned one thing: all it took was contact.

And isn’t it interesting how the things we carry have a way of rubbing off on the people around us?

That makes me wonder: What if our love worked the same way?

What if the way we give, the way we speak, and the way we show up left people with a little more hope instead of a little more hurt?

Jesus tells us to let our light shine—not so people will notice us, but so they’ll see what God is doing through us and give glory to our Father in heaven.

So maybe the question isn’t just, “Am I being a good person?”

Maybe it’s, “When people come into contact with me, do they come into contact with Jesus?”

Today, that’s my prayer—and I hope it can be yours, too:

Lord, let Your love shine through my life so clearly that people don’t just notice me; they notice You. Let Your love be contagious in every conversation, every inconvenience, and every ordinary moment. May the people I encounter leave with more hope, more grace, and a greater desire to know the One who changed me, too.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What are you “carrying” into your interactions with people today—peace, frustration, hope, stress, grace?
  • Who is someone in your life who might need a little more hope or kindness from you?
  • What could you do today to let your light shine in a way that points someone toward Jesus?
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Not Alone After All

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Psalm 48:9 — O God, we meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in your Temple.

It’s possible to be in a room full of thousands of people and still feel completely alone.

That’s what our friend Taylor shared with us after attending a conference. She was standing in a massive crowd, trying to hold it together, while inside she was praying, “Lord, I know I’m not physically alone, but I feel alone. I just need You to speak to me.”

Then the worship started.

Right there in the middle of that crowd, Taylor stopped trying to hold everything together. Instead of focusing on the noise around her, she quieted her heart and did what Psalm 48:9 invites us to do: she meditated on His unfailing love.

She simply let herself remember that God loved her. And in that moment, everything began to shift.

And I thought, That’s what it’s all about.

In a room full of thousands, God still sees the one.

He saw Taylor. He knew what she was carrying. And He met her right in the middle of it.

God’s presence isn’t measured by the size of the crowd. His love is personal.

Maybe you’ve been in a season where you’ve cried out, “God, I need to know You’re here.”

If that’s you, hear this today: you are never a face lost in the crowd. You are a child known and loved by the Creator.

So today, turn down the noise for a moment. Quiet your heart. Think about His unfailing love. Let the truth of who He is become louder than the loneliness you feel.

You may not have all the answers. You may not even feel different right away.

But you are seen. You are known. And you are never, ever alone.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What noise—around you or inside you—has been making it difficult to hear God lately?
  • When you think about God’s “unfailing love,” what comes to mind?
  • What would it look like today to stop for a moment and simply receive His love?
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Don’t Let Them Stop You

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Nehemiah 4:14 — Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!

Do not let people talk you out of what God has called you to do.

I’ll never forget one time when somebody called the radio station and said, “Hey, Bri, can you just stop talking?”

Respectfully, kind sir…

No.

No, I cannot.

This is what the Lord has called me to do. Absolutely not.

Now, obviously, not every criticism means we’re being persecuted for Jesus. Sometimes people have a point, and wisdom means being willing to listen.

But there will be times when God has clearly called you to something, and somebody else’s opinion makes you question whether you should keep going.

Nehemiah knew something about that.

As the Israelites rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem, opposition came from every direction. The enemy wanted to intimidate them, discourage them, and convince them to stop.

So Nehemiah reminded the people:

“Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious.”

In other words, don’t let the size of the opposition make you forget the size of your God.

That’s a word for us too.

When intimidating voices get loud, remember who called you.

Remember why you’re doing it.

Remember who you’re doing it for.

I let that phone call roll off my back.

And I kept talking.

Not to prove him wrong.

Not to win an argument.

But because one person’s opinion wasn’t going to determine whether I stayed faithful to what God had placed in my hands.

I want to care more about God’s plan for my life than I care about people’s opinions of me.

Because if I’m constantly listening to every voice around me, I’ll eventually lose track of the One I’m supposed to be following.

So if God has called you to something, don’t let fear make you abandon it.

Listen to wise counsel. Stay humble. Be willing to grow.

But don’t let intimidation pull you off the wall.

Remember how great and awesome your God is.

Their voice doesn’t get the final word.

God does.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Whose opinion has the potential to make you question what God has called you to do?
  • How can you tell the difference between wise correction and discouragement that pulls you off course?
  • Where have you allowed fear of people’s opinions to become louder than your trust in God?
  • What does it mean for you to “remember the Lord” when you’re facing opposition?
  • What is one thing God may be asking you to keep doing faithfully, even when it isn’t being applauded?
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