Faith that Puts on Work Boots

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1 John 3:18 – Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

The things you do for the people you love often cost you something. If you have ever worked in a school, you know exactly what that means. Those kids—your students—they become yours, too.

Henry Darby understood that personally. He loved his student body but he also saw a reality that could not be ignored. Many of them came from homes with unpaid bills and empty pantries. He saw the tired faces trying to pretend everything was fine.

School resources could not cover what it would take to help them all. Neither would his salary. So, he prayed about it and did the only thing he knew to do. He took an overnight job at Walmart.

He would stock shelves from ten at night until six in the morning three nights a week. Then he would go home, clean up, and head straight back to school.

Every single paycheck went to support his students. Many of them received fresh groceries and school supplies while others went home with what they needed to keep the lights on at home.

It was hard work that felt never ending. Sure. But he loved those kids, and he did it anyway.

He could have said, “Someone else will handle it.” But he didn’t. He showed up. He stepped in. He carried a part of their burden. In doing so, he taught so many teenagers what real love looks like.

When I first heard about Mr. Darby, I began to see the difference between care and action. seeing a need is never enough. Love shows itself in action. Sometimes, it is messy, tiring, and inconvenient, but that is exactly what makes it real.

It reminds me of the words from 1 John 3:18: “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

That is what Mr. Darby was living—quiet, steady love that did not need to be announced. It just needed to be done. Love that keeps showing up when no one is watching. The kind that looks ordinary until you realize it is the most extraordinary thing of all.

Maybe that is the point. To live in such a way that when we see a need, we do not look away. We do not just hope it gets better. We get involved. Because sometimes, the best way to speak love is not with words at all. It is with what we do.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • How can you show love in action this week, not just in words?
  • Are there needs around you that you’ve been overlooking? How might you step in?
  • What does “love in deed and truth” look like in your daily life?
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Give a Cup of Kindness

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Luke 6:31 — Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

I was feeling good that morning and treating myself to my favorite oat milk latte. You know—my favorite little drinky-drink. Sometimes it just tastes better when somebody else makes it.

I smiled, thanked the young guy behind the counter, and headed out the door. But when I was back to my car standing outside, I took one sip and immediately knew it. This was whole milk. Oh no.

My stomach cannot handle that. I know it sounds bougie and dramatic, but it is just the truth. So I made somewhat of a U-Turn, cup in hand, and quickly made my way back inside.

When I busted back in through that coffee shop door, I saw the expression on that poor barista’s face. His eyes were so wide.

Oh no, she’s back!

That look stopped me. Then I realized how often people probably come in angry, ready to lash out. And suddenly I wanted to make sure my face, my tone, and my posture told a different story.

So, I smiled and said as kindly as possible, “Hey, I realized there’s whole milk in there. I need oat milk. No big deal. I’ve got a few minutes. Do you mind remaking it?”

He blinked like he did not expect that. Then he nodded and remade it.

Before long, he handed me back my drink, and his face had the biggest smile. Not only that, but he gave me a larger drink than I ordered.

That simple exchange felt like such a win. I am so thankful that I did not treat him rudely. People make mistakes. We all do, and I praised God because I actually responded with kindness.

And you know, that is really what the Luke in the Bible was talking about. “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” It sounds simple, but it is hard sometimes, especially when you are tired, or stressed, or your latte comes out wrong.

God shows up in those moments and teaches us patience and kindness. I could have snapped, but instead, I made a friend. So maybe today, if someone messes up or gets on your nerves, remember that little verse. You do not know what small thing might make lift someone up—or what God might grow in your own heart while you are at it.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When was the last time you responded with patience or kindness instead of frustration?
  • How could small acts of grace impact someone else’s day today?
  • What might God teach you about yourself when you choose to “do to others as you would like them to do to you”?
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Worship from the Back Row

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

This is so different than what I am used to.

Picture me last night at church—diaper bag at my feet, stroller close by, sitting on the back row. Mickey Mouse is playing on my phone with the sound turned off, and I’m pull out toys, snacks, and anything else that might keep my son Lennox occupied.

I am used to being the one on stage leading worship or sharing the message. Now, I am up and down, slipping in and out of the baby cry room between songs.

And you know what? That’s okay.

I will not pretend that it is easy. I am tired in ways I did not know before. In this season of my life there late nights, early mornings, and constant demands of a baby who needs me. There are moments when I miss serving like I used to. I miss the rhythm, teamwork, and energy of ministry.

But when I look down at the little boy in my arms and breathe, I just feel gratitude. Because he lifts his chin up and gives me that toothy grin, and I know I wouldn’t trade this for the world.

I think about how long I prayed for this and the years of infertility. I think about how faithful God has been to get me here. Every cry, every diaper, every late night—it is an answer to prayer. God did not miss a moment, and I believe He will not waste this one either.

So wherever you are today—rocking a baby, caring for a loved one — just know that it matters and keep going. Because worship isn’t limited to a song or a stage. It’s found in in loving well and showing up where God has placed us.

Seasons come and go, and one day I may lead from the stage again. But right now, I am content to worship from the back row. This is what I am called to do in this season. Even the quiet sacrifices that no one else sees—heaven does.

And I’m thankful for that. Just like the psalmist said, it is so good to “meditate on (God’s) unfailing love as we worship in (His) Temple.” After all, if worship is about giving God our all, then maybe I have never been closer to the front than I am right now.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What season are you in right now, and how might God be inviting you to worship within it rather than in spite of it?
  • Where do you feel unnoticed or unseen, and how does remembering God’s unfailing love shift your perspective?
  • What ordinary, quiet acts in your life could become acts of worship if you invited God into them?
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Hope Working Behind The Scenes

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1 Thessalonians 1:3 — As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

You ever have those days when what you do just feels unnoticed? You keep showing up and serving faithfully, but you wonder if anyone would even notice if you stopped.

I thought about that the other day because of my friend Kaylee.

She just had her baby—who is just over a month old—and for now, she is home, trying to be careful.

But she loves her church and loves serving. It’s part of who she is, so staying home right now has been harder than she expected.

One Sunday, she sat in her living room, with her little one wrapped snuggly in her arms, and turned on the church livestream and enjoyed the service.

Later she told me, “I just felt so thankful for the sound guy.”

Then she grinned and said, “But not the one you normally think about. I mean the guy who runs sound for the online service.”

She said she pictured him sitting there, maybe tired, sliding those dials up and down, keeping everything running.

“He probably has no idea,” she said, “but what he is doing matters so much to me right now.”

And honestly, I love that story. Because that’s probably one of the most thankless jobs on the planet. But here’s the thing: Kaylee is our pastor’s daughter, and she’d been having a tough time. That sound guy (whoever he is) was the reason she could worship at home with her newborn.

It reminds me that nothing we do for the Lord is ever wasted.

Maybe that’s what Paul was talking about in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 when he wrote about our work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in Jesus. He knew the small, faithful things done quietly and consistently are what hold the family of faith together.

So, if what you’re doing feels small or unnoticed, remember Kaylee’s sound guy. He was just doing his job, but that ordinary act reached right into her living room and reminded her she still belonged to the body of Christ.

If you are faithfully serving in the shadows, wondering if it makes a difference, just know this. You don’t know when the little things you do are actually a lifeline for someone you’re serving. It matters, and you are making an eternal impact.

Someone, somewhere, might be thanking God for what you do.

And that is anything but small.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When have you felt unseen or unnoticed in your service to others? How might God be working through you even when no one else sees?
  • Who has quietly impacted your life in a meaningful way? How can you thank or encourage them this week?
  • What “small” act of faithfulness can you offer God today, trusting that He can use it in ways you may never know?
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Let Him Do the Work

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Psalm 51:10 — Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Weekends in our house are usually reserved for three things: resting, catching up with friends, and cleaning. I’ll be honest—cleaning isn’t my favorite part. But there’s nothing better than that feeling when the house smells fresh and everything’s in its place.

My stepdaughter actually loves to clean. Her favorite thing is mopping. She’ll boil water, pick out the best-smelling detergent she can find, and go to town on those floors. Sometimes I’ll walk in and the whole house smells amazing—like lemons and lavender had a baby. But when I ask her if she swept first, she’ll grin and say, “Oh… I forgot. I just wanted it to smell good.”

And I get that. I love a good-smelling house too. But if you don’t sweep first, all you’re really doing is spreading that nice smell over a layer of dirt.

The more I thought about it, the more it hit me—that’s how a lot of us live our lives. We want to jump straight to the part that looks and smells good. We want people to see our “fresh” side, the part that feels put together. But underneath it all, there might still be dust and crumbs we’ve ignored.

It’s not the fun part, but the real work—the sweeping, the scrubbing, the part no one sees—has to happen first. That’s the part Jesus helps with.

That’s why I love the prayer found in the book of Psalm that says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

We can bring our mess to God. He’s patient with us, right there in the middle of it. He knows about the disappointment that sticks, the guilt that clings, the places we keep trying to cover up.

And here’s the best part: He doesn’t mind rolling up His sleeves. He meets us in it. He helps clean out what we didn’t even know was there.

So this weekend, while we’re boiling water and mopping floors, maybe let Him in to do the same in your heart. Once He does that foundational work, everything else changes. You start to shine—not because you’re pretending to be perfect, but because He’s been there, cleaning you from the inside out.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What “surface-level” habits or attitudes might you be using to cover up something God wants to clean deeper in your heart?
  • Why is it sometimes easier to “smell good” spiritually than to let God sweep away the mess underneath?
  • How does it make you feel to know that God meets you in the mess rather than waiting for you to fix it first?
  • What would it look like this week to invite God to “renew a right spirit” in you — in your home, work, or relationships?
  • Who might need encouragement today to know that God is patient in their process of being renewed?
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Hold on a Little Longer

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1 Peter 5:10 — And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Growth can be uncomfortable. I am learning this from my eight-month-old son, Lennox. His teeth are popping up seemingly out of nowhere. He is usually a happy baby, but lately, I have noticed him needing more comfort than usual.

He gnaws on his toy, fusses against my shoulder, and cries though nothing seems to help. Watching him struggle is so hard, and as a mom, I wish I could take the pain away.

Deep down, I know that this discomfort is actually good for him in the long term. It means something new is coming. Teeth! And as I look at him, I see myself.

Because sometimes faith can feel just like this.

You pray for change, and it comes, but not the way you expect. It comes through stretching, through waiting, and through unexpected pain.

In those moments, I think of what 1 Peter 5:10 promises: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

I pick Lennox up, rock him gently, and hold him close. His small body is tense, but gradually he begins to relax. Watching him finally fall asleep, I think about how growth is not always easy, but the struggle is part of the process.

So, let this be your reminder that the discomfort you feel might actually be a sign that you are about to breakthrough. Something is pressing and happening, slowly but surely, just beneath the surface of the struggle.

If you are in that place now, tired from all the stretching and aching, hold on a little longer. Sometimes discomfort really means “you’re almost there.”

Growth hurts but it matters. And your breakthrough is right around the corner.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What kind of “growing pains” are you walking through right now—spiritual, emotional, or relational?
  • How does 1 Peter 5:10 encourage you to see your current struggle as part of a greater story of restoration and strength?
  • When have you experienced God “holding” you through a painful season, much like Bri held her son?
  • What might “trusting the process” look like for you this week, even if you can’t yet see the purpose behind the discomfort?
  • Can you think of a time when what once hurt deeply later became a place of strength or testimony?
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One Thought at a Time

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2 Corinthians 10:5 — We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

The baby was asleep on my chest, his little fingers curled around my shirt. The kind of grip that makes you not want to move, even if your arm goes numb. Sunlight slipped through the curtains and stretched across the floor.

The house was quiet for once. There was no monitor beeping, no laundry cycling. It was just the slow, steady rhythm of breathing between the two of us.

You’d think that kind of peace would settle a person’s mind. But mine didn’t seem to get the memo.

I was in postpartum, and even in the calm, there was noise. Not the kind you can shush with a lullaby—just thoughts that crept in uninvited. Some were small, like wondering if I’d fed him long enough. Others were heavier, the kind that made me question if I was cut out for this at all.

One afternoon, I sat cross-legged on the living room floor surrounded by burp cloths and bottles and baby socks that never seemed to match. I remember feeling like I was drowning in my own head. Then, almost out of nowhere, I remembered something my pastor once said:

“You don’t have to believe every thought that passes through your mind.”

It sounded too simple to help, but it did. I closed my eyes right there, took a deep breath, and whispered a quiet thank-you to God. The longer I sat with that truth, the lighter it felt.

I realized I’d been treating every anxious thought like it was the voice of reason. But not everything I think deserves to be treated like the truth.

So I decided to start paying attention. When a thought came that sounded harsh or afraid, I held it up to what I knew about God and His Word. If it didn’t sound like Him—if it didn’t carry peace or mercy—I’d let it go. If it did, I’d hold onto it. That was my new rule.

That’s when 2 Corinthians 10:5 came to mind — “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

So I decided to start paying attention. When a thought came that sounded harsh or afraid, I held it up to what I knew about God and His Word. If it didn’t sound like Him—if it didn’t carry peace or mercy—I’d let it go. If it did, I’d hold onto it. That was my new rule.

It wasn’t perfect. No, some days I forgot. Some days I didn’t have the strength to test a single thought. But little by little, the noise started to fade.

Now, the house is far from quiet. There are still toys everywhere, cries from the monitor, and always some responsibility to handle. But my mind? It feels steady again. Not because the thoughts stopped coming, but because I finally learned which ones to believe.

And maybe that’s something you need too. Maybe your mind has been chaotic lately, and you don’t know what to do. If so, start small. Trade one anxious word for one good one.

And do it again tomorrow. Because God’s words have a way of clearing the clutter. They always do.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What kind of thoughts tend to take up the most space in your mind during stressful seasons?
  • How does 2 Corinthians 10:5 challenge the way you think about your inner thought life?
  • When you feel anxious or unworthy, what truth from God’s Word can you use to “take that thought captive”?
  • Can you remember a time when replacing a fearful thought with God’s truth brought peace to your heart?
  • What’s one small step you can take today to filter your thoughts through faith instead of fear?
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Choosing To Keep Moving

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Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

The whole thing started with a pair of leggings that let me down.

I stood in front of the mirror tugging, pulling, sighing, until I finally gave up. Nothing fit. Nothing felt right. I wanted to slam the drawer shut and crawl back under the covers.

My body was different now. Having a baby will do that. And while I knew it in my head, facing it in the mirror was something else entirely.

I’m heavier than I was before, and that truth stung more than I wanted to admit. Especially for somebody like me. I’m a coach and fitness instructor. I’ve always taught other people how to keep going. But here I was, feeling defeated by a pile of clothes that didn’t fit.

I was supposed to be getting ready to go to the gym. The plan was to move, sweat, and work on my health, but I got so frustrated that I decided not to go.

Don’t you know, that’s exactly how the enemy works. He will really try to discourage you when you are just trying to do the right thing. The devil would love to see us stay stuck.

But later on, after the sting wore off, I thought to myself, “What do you mean? I should have went to the gym. I will never let myself get discouraged like that again.”

So I made a promise to myself that day. “Next time I’m going. I will wear my husband’s clothes to the gym if I have to. I don’t care.”

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about how I look. God has called me to stand up against disappointment and defeat, so I’m going to show up anyway.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

And maybe that’s where you are, too. Maybe it feels like life is stacking up all the little reasons not to keep going. But let me tell you—God’s victories don’t wait for perfect circumstances.

They wait for us to show up.

So show up. Even if it’s messy. Even if the leggings don’t fit.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What “small discouragements” are tempting you to give up right now? How might God be inviting you to keep showing up despite them?
  • Galatians 6:9 reminds us that perseverance leads to a harvest. What harvest are you praying for in your life?
  • How could shifting your focus from “perfection” to simply showing up change the way you approach your daily challenges?
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Stop Waiting To Be Wanted

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Romans 15:7 — Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

There are moments in life that feel a lot like middle school all over again.

I remember it was my first week at a new job at a team building celebration, and the boss cheerfully announced, “Find a group of four people!”

Oh no.

I was the new girl, and the room was already buzzing as coworkers formed their groups.

My heart sank in that way it used to on the elementary school playground, watching captains pick teams for kickball. I felt again like the pre-teen wanting to sit at the cool table or like high-school Bri just hoping someone might nominate me for homecoming court.

It’s strange how those old feelings follow you into adulthood, and because I was a grown woman, I did what grown women sometimes do. I sat out.

I called it “observing,” but the simple truth was that I was afraid of feeling overlooked and rejected.

But then, someone came looking for me. With a warm smile she said, “Come be on our team.” And suddenly the story I was telling myself unraveled. I was not invisible. No, I was wanted.

Before, I had been so convinced that I would be “last picked” that I almost missed connecting with my new coworkers and making fun memories.

Friend, if you remember anything today, remember this. Insecurity is a thief, and the enemy wants to use it to play tricks on you. I think as adults we want to feel wanted just as much as we always did. We want the to be wanted and not just tolerated.

But here is the truth. Not only does God want you, He actually made you for connection. “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” — Romans 15:7

And friend, there are people who truly want you around. And even more, you can be one of those people for somebody else. After all, life is meant to be a team building celebration.

Don’t just wait to be invited—cross the room, offer the smile, and be the one who saves a seat for someone else.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When was the last time you felt “on the outside,” and how did God remind you that you are seen and wanted?
  • Who might need you to cross the room today — to smile, include, or invite them in?
  • How does remembering the way Christ welcomed you change the way you welcome others?
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When You Feel Alone

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Matthew 28:20 – Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

I moved to Monroe for college in 2007 and didn’t know a single person. Not a soul.

The first few days were full of polite smiles from strangers I would never see again, and a lot of pretending I knew where I was going. So, when I heard about a worship night at ULM, I figured maybe this was my chance to meet people and begin to feel like I belonged.

When I got there, the place smelled of Johnny’s Pizza, Coke and Brookshires bakery cookies. I slid into a seat closer to the front ready for worship.

As excited as I was to worship, I was a little discouraged because, even here, no one really spoke to me. It seemed like everyone already had friends. On top of that, during worship, people were just sitting down, looking around, and unengaged. That is not what I am used to.

I thought to myself. “What planet am I on? Where am I?”

But then the band shifted into Kari Jobe’s “Revelation Song.” If you know it, you know how good it is.

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Holy, holy is He. Sing a new song to Him who sits on Heaven’s mercy seat”

The melody seemed to wrap around the room and fill the cracks where my loneliness had crept in. For those few moments, I wasn’t the new kid or the outsider. Even if nobody else noticed me, I knew the Lord did.

When the song ended, I stayed in my seat for a moment, letting it sink in. Then I walked back across campus. I still didn’t know anyone’s name and nobody knew mine, but I had that experience that would lift me up as I found my place in a new place.

And just like I felt that night, I hope today you’ll remember that even when you’re standing in a room full of strangers, you’re never really alone.

 

Lyrics

Verse:
Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
Holy holy is He
Sing a new song to Him Who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat

Chorus:
Holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You

Verse:
Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lightning rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor strength and glory and power be
To You the only wise King

Verse:
Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name
Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water
Such a marvelous mystery

© 2004 Gateway Create Publishing/Integrity’s Praise! Music
CCLI: 4447960

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