Today’s Always Uplifting Verse and Devotional to start your day off right!

What Really Grows in the Dirt

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Colossians 2:6-7 — And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Summer gardens are wild to me.

You can always tell which plants are healthy by the roots.

The flowers might look beautiful for a little while, but if the roots are weak, eventually the summer heat exposes it.

My son Jeffrey and his wife Katelyn’s church is going through a series right now called “Rooted,” and I just love that title because, honestly…

It’s something all of us need.

A lot of us spend more time trying to look okay than actually becoming okay.

We want the right image.

The right vibe.

The approval of the people around us.

But God never asked us to build our lives from the surface down.

He invites us to build from the roots up.

That’s why Paul writes, “Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him.”

Roots aren’t exciting.

You don’t see them.

But they’re what keep a tree standing when the wind starts blowing.

The same is true for us.

When our lives are rooted in Jesus, we find strength that doesn’t depend on our circumstances.

Hard seasons still come.

Anxiety still happens.

Disappointment still hurts.

But rooted people don’t fall apart every time life gets difficult because their foundation goes deeper than their feelings.

Maybe that’s what God wants for you today.

Not just a better-looking life.

A deeper one.

So instead of asking,

“How do I look?”

Maybe ask,

“What am I rooted in?”

Because the strongest faith usually grows underground before anyone else ever sees it.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What are you currently rooting your identity in—Jesus, or something that could easily be shaken?
  • Are you spending more energy looking spiritually healthy or becoming spiritually healthy?
  • What daily habit could help your roots grow deeper in Christ this week?
  • How has God used a difficult season to strengthen your faith rather than weaken it?
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Break Away, Find God

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James 5:13 — Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.

Don’t forget to take care of you. Even Jesus went off to pray.

And I’m so moved by that.

Jesus walked with His disciples all the time. He was constantly surrounded, constantly needed, and yet there were moments when He would look at them and say…

“Stay here. I mean it. You pray over there, and I’m going to go over here. I’ve got to spend time with My Father.”

It sounds funny, but I think that’s so good.

We love the idea of being available, being helpful, and being everything for everyone. But even Jesus—fully God, fully present, and fully loved—did not live life with constant access.

He stepped away on purpose, not by accident.

James writes, “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.” In other words, no matter what season you’re in, your first response is to bring it to God.

Jesus modeled exactly that.

He needed those quiet moments with the Father, not because He lacked strength, but because He showed us where true strength comes from.

So, I hope you’ll take this to heart. It’s okay to take time for you and the Lord.

It’s not selfish. It’s not extra. It’s necessary.

Honestly, I think a lot of us are worn thin because we skipped that part. We kept pouring out without getting filled back up. But rest isn’t a reward for being done. It’s part of being faithful.

There’s a rhythm to life and spiritual health, so let’s follow His example.

Maybe the holiest thing you could do today is step away.

Just you. And the Father.

Pray if you’re hurting. Praise Him if you’re rejoicing.

And come back whole.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When was the last time you intentionally stepped away to spend uninterrupted time with God?
  • Are you trying to pour into others without first allowing God to refill your own heart?
  • Whether you’re carrying a burden or celebrating a blessing, how can you make prayer your first response today?
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Protect What God Is Growing

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Proverbs 4:23 — Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

The Bible tells us to guard our hearts, and lately I’ve realized I apparently need to guard my strawberries too.

Yeah, I planted this little strawberry patch in my backyard, and I live in town, okay? I’ve babied those things and encouraged them like they were family members.

But I walked out there in the morning, and just before they turned that perfect shade of red, some little critter had already come in during the night and eaten the whole thing… or just taken a bite out of it. And I was so frustrated.

Now I’m basically a detective going, “Okay, wait a minute. Was that a squirrel, a bird, a raccoon, or somebody’s freeloading cousin?”

But then it hit me: I’m not upset just because the strawberries are gone. I’m upset because something keeps getting to what’s growing.

Isn’t that true of our hearts too? What grows unguarded rarely grows unharmed.

Just like we protect things that are growing, the seemingly small negative influences can quietly steal our joy. Fear, bitterness, jealousy, and resentment. They don’t usually show up all at once. They sneak in a little at a time and start taking bites out of the good things God is growing in us.

That’s why Scripture tells us to watch over the wellspring of our lives, because everything else flows from there. Guard the source, and you’ll protect the fruit.

So maybe today, before you go looking for what’s wrong around you, just ask what’s been nibbling away at your heart. Then you can deal with it before it steals any more joy.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What are some things that have been “taking bites” out of your heart lately—fear, worry, resentment, comparison, or something else?
  • Proverbs 4:23 says to “guard your heart above all else.” What does guarding your heart look like practically in your daily life?
  • Are there any influences, habits, or thoughts you need to remove because they are affecting what God is growing in you?
  • What is one “fruit” you want God to grow in your heart right now—peace, patience, kindness, forgiveness, joy, or something else?
  • How can you invite God to help you protect your heart this week?
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Convicted by a Kindergartener

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Proverbs 16:32 — Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

The Lord has a funny way of using my children to teach—and convict—me.

Let me explain.

On Thursdays, my daughter Stella takes piano lessons, and I usually stay while she practices. Recently, though, I needed to run a quick errand during her lesson.

As we were walking out the door, my youngest daughter, Ada, announced she needed to use the bathroom.

No problem.

Ten minutes passed.

Then fifteen.

I kept calling through the door, “Ada… are you almost finished?”

I even walked in to check on her.

Keep in mind, piano lessons are only thirty minutes long.

Finally, I said, “Okay, Ada, Mama needs you to hurry because I have to run an errand.”

Without missing a beat, my five-year-old looked at me with the most matter-of-fact expression and said,

“Patience, Mom. You know what that is?”

Whew.

I almost came unglued.

The Holy Spirit stepped into that bathroom with holy conviction and completely dropped the mic.

Looking back, I’m so grateful God helped me pause instead of react.

Because Ada was right.

I thought I was being patient simply because I wasn’t raising my voice.

But God showed me there was still a deeper place for me to grow.

Proverbs says,

“Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.”

Sometimes the greatest victory isn’t getting control of your schedule.

It’s surrendering your spirit.

The very thing I thought was delaying my day became the thing God used to shape my heart.

What I saw as an interruption…

God used for transformation.

And honestly?

My errand wasn’t nearly as urgent as I thought it was.

Time was never mine to control anyway.

Sometimes the growth we’re praying for doesn’t come through a sermon…

Or a Bible study…

Or a major life event.

Sometimes it comes through a five-year-old sitting in a bathroom.

So the next time life slows your plans, don’t rush past the moment.

God may be doing a deeper work in you than the work you’re trying to get done.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What recent interruption or delay might God be using to grow your patience and self-control?
  • When your plans are disrupted, do you tend to react with frustration or surrender?
  • What would it look like today to value Christlike character more than staying on schedule?
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The Moments That Matter Most

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Micah 7:7 — As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.

I used to take my boys to the library all the time.

I’m talking sticky fingers, stacks of books we could barely carry… and yes, walking out with a pile of VHS tapes to rent.

That tells you how long ago this was.

With my son Brandon being on the spectrum, those trips weren’t always easy.

Sometimes they were loud.

Sometimes they were overwhelming.

Sometimes I’d leave feeling more exhausted than encouraged.

And in those moments, I’d wonder if I was doing any of it right.

Was I being the kind of mom they needed?

Would these little moments matter in the long run?

Most days, it just felt like I was trying to hold everything together.

Looking back, I realize there were a lot of prayers during those years.

A lot of looking to God for help.

A lot of waiting and trusting Him with things I couldn’t yet see.

Recently, I found myself back at that same library… this time by myself.

I watched a young mom trying to manage the noise, the movement, and the chaos of her little ones.

And suddenly…

I saw me.

It brought back the love.

The exhaustion.

The questions.

The quiet prayers.

Standing there between those bookshelves, I felt God gently remind me of something.

He had been there all along.

Micah writes, “As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.”

That’s exactly what those years looked like.

I didn’t always know what God was doing.

But He heard every prayer.

He saw every ordinary day.

Every library trip.

Every moment that felt unnoticed.

I couldn’t see it then, but now I can.

God was using those ordinary, stretched-thin days to shape my boys…

And He was shaping me, too.

So if you’re in a season that feels messy…

Or exhausting…

Or unseen…

Keep looking to the Lord.

Keep trusting Him.

Keep showing up.

Because the God who hears you is working in ways you can’t yet see.

What feels ordinary to you may be accomplishing something eternal.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What ordinary responsibility or season of life is requiring you to trust God right now?
  • Where is God inviting you to wait confidently instead of demanding immediate results?
  • How can remembering that God hears every prayer encourage you to keep showing up faithfully today?
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The Truth About Real Growth

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Matthew 16:24 — Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

I used to think spiritual growth would feel more dramatic.

Like I’d wake up one morning with more discipline.

More courage.

More patience.

More faith.

Instead, most growth has felt painfully ordinary.

It’s choosing my words carefully when I’m frustrated.

It’s showing up when I’d rather stay home.

It’s taking the next faithful step when I can’t see the next ten.

If I’m honest, that’s a little disappointing.

I like breakthroughs.

But God often works through processes.

Maybe that’s why Jesus didn’t simply call people to believe in Him.

He called them to follow Him.

And following Jesus has always been a daily decision.

He said, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me.”

That’s not just one big moment of surrender.

It’s a thousand small ones.

Maybe that’s why Peter encourages me so much.

He was always running into his own limitations.

Sometimes everyone could see them.

Sometimes only Jesus could.

Yet Jesus never seemed discouraged by Peter’s weaknesses.

He simply kept calling him forward…

After failure.

After fear.

After misunderstanding.

That’s the way God works.

He rarely changes us all at once.

He shapes us one faithful step at a time.

The goal isn’t perfection overnight.

It’s transformation over time.

That’s good news for people like us.

We know where we’re inconsistent.

We know where we’re still growing.

But the Gospel isn’t the story of capable people impressing God.

It’s the story of a faithful Savior transforming willing people who keep saying “yes.”

So instead of focusing on all the ways you wish you were different…

Ask yourself one simple question:

What’s the next faithful step Jesus is asking me to take?

Then take it.

Because every act of surrender is another step toward becoming more like Him.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What is one area of your life where Jesus is asking you to surrender your own way and follow His?
  • Instead of focusing on how far you have to go, what is the next faithful step you can take today?
  • How have you seen God use ordinary, everyday obedience to shape your character over time?
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Comfortable Isn’t Always Better

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Psalm 143:8 — Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

Ever notice how the older we get, the more we like things just so?

We sit in the same seat.

We follow the same routine.

We order the same thing at the restaurant.

And we don’t really like surprises.

Well… unless it’s a surprise gift or dessert. Those are always welcome.

But then God comes along and says, “Hey, Tammi… let’s go a different way.”

And I’m like, “Lord, I love You, but I’m pretty comfortable right here.”

So I dig in my heels.

Or I start negotiating like I’m at a yard sale.

“God, I’ll follow You… but could we keep it on my schedule? Maybe use my plan? And let me bring my snacks.”

Meanwhile, Jesus is simply saying,

“Trust Me.

I’ve got something better.”

I’ve realized that every morning gives me a choice.

I can wake up clinging to my own plans…

Or I can pray the words of Psalm 143:

“Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You.”

That’s a risky prayer.

Because sometimes God leads us somewhere unexpected.

Sometimes He changes our plans, stretches our faith, or asks us to trust Him before we understand where He’s taking us.

But I’ve learned something.

Peace doesn’t come from having the route mapped out.

It comes from knowing the One who’s leading the way.

The tighter I grip, the more anxious I become.

The deeper I trust, the more joy I find.

Because joy isn’t found in controlling the path.

It’s found in walking it with Jesus.

So maybe today…

Loosen your grip a little.

Say “yes” a little quicker.

Ask God to show you where to walk.

And be just spontaneous enough to let Jesus lovingly interrupt your routine.

You may discover His plans are even better than yours.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Is there an area of your life where you’re holding tightly to your own plans instead of trusting God’s direction?
  • What would it look like to begin your day by praying, “Lord, show me where to walk?”
  • How have you seen God’s unexpected interruptions become blessings in your life?
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This Little Life of Love

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Psalm 39:4 — Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is.

There are some moments that remind you just how fragile life really is.

The news of Kyle Busch’s passing at just 41 years old stopped a lot of us in our tracks.

For more than two decades, people watched him race hard, compete fiercely, and live life at full speed. But now, what so many people are talking about isn’t just the trophies or the wins.

It’s the family he leaves behind.

His wife.

His two kids.

The people who loved him beyond the racetrack.

Stories like this have a way of slowing all of us down.

Because we spend so much of life rushing… chasing success, stressing over things that won’t matter a year from now, and assuming we’ll always have more time.

But King David prayed a different kind of prayer. He said, “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.”

Not because he wanted to live in fear, but because he wanted to live wisely.

What if we remembered that our days are a gift?

Would we spend them differently?

Life is measured in moments, not milestones.

None of us knows how many laps we have left.

The clock keeps ticking, so love can’t keep waiting.

That’s why today matters, friend.

The people around you matter.

The words you speak matter.

So maybe today, text somebody back.

Forgive someone.

Pray with your kids.

Tell the people you love that you love them while you still can.

Don’t spend your life counting your days and miss the life God has given you.

Instead, make your days count by the way you love.

Because at the end of life, people rarely remember how busy you were.

They remember how you loved.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • If you remembered today that your days are a gift from God, what would you do differently?
  • Is there someone you need to forgive, encourage, or simply tell, “I love you,” while you still have the opportunity?
  • How can you make today count in a way that reflects God’s love instead of simply staying busy?
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Why Does Quiet Feel So Loud?

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Lamentations 3:25-26 — The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.

Waiting quietly isn’t something our culture is very good at.

If I’m honest…

Neither am I.

Why does silence feel so uncomfortable?

There’s something about stillness that creates tension. We’d rather fill the space than sit in it.

When I’m bored…

I scroll.

When I’m sitting in the doctor’s office…

I scroll.

At restaurants, instead of talking, we’re often looking at our phones.

And if I’m honest about my prayer life, sometimes it’s the same way.

It’s more like a monologue than a conversation.

Pastor Robert Madu said it this way:

“Whatever fills your attention will shape your affection. If noise is forming us, silence must reform us.”

That one stopped me.

It made me wonder how often distractions keep me from noticing God’s presence.

Lamentations reminds us that “the Lord is good to those who depend on Him… it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.”

Waiting with God isn’t wasted time.

The quiet isn’t empty.

Often, the moments I want to rush through are the very moments God uses to deepen my trust in Him.

Stillness has a way of uncovering what constant noise keeps hidden.

It helps us notice God’s presence.

Recognize His guidance.

And remember He’s already at work—even when nothing feels like it’s happening.

So before you reach for your phone…

Before you turn on the noise…

Before you move on to the next thing…

Pause.

Sit with Jesus.

Search for Him.

Because His invitation has already been given.

The question is simply…

Will we slow down enough to answer it?

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What tends to fill the quiet moments of your day instead of time with God?
  • How might God be inviting you to wait quietly and depend on Him in this season?
  • What is one intentional moment of stillness you can create today to seek God’s presence?
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Your Best Days Are Ahead

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Acts 2:17 — “In the last days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.”

Acts 2:17 – “‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.”

You hear people say all the time, “Your best days are ahead of you.”

But honestly, once you’ve hit 60, that can feel a little hard to believe.

Your knees crack louder than a bowl of Rice Krispies, and you can somehow injure yourself just by sleeping wrong.

Sometimes we start believing our usefulness has an expiration date, like God only uses the young, energetic, polished people with good backs and wrinkle-free foreheads.

But the Bible tells a completely different story.

Moses was 80 when God called him to lead His people out of Egypt.

Abraham and Sarah were well into their later years when God fulfilled His promise to them.

At 85, Caleb boldly declared, “Give me my mountain.”

And when Peter describes the work of the Holy Spirit in Acts, he doesn’t just talk about young people having visions.

He says old men will dream dreams.

I love that.

God doesn’t put an expiration date on purpose.

His Spirit is poured out on every generation.

Maybe your best days don’t look like your younger days.

Maybe today you have more wisdom.

More compassion.

More patience.

And a testimony that only years of walking with Jesus could produce.

If you’re still breathing, God is still working.

The years behind you aren’t proof that God is finished.

They’re evidence of His faithfulness and preparation.

So don’t keep the wisdom, encouragement, or experience He’s given you to yourself.

Someone needs the hope you’ve found.

Because no matter your age, God still has a purpose for your life.

And with His Spirit at work in you, He’s not finished writing your story.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Have you ever believed the lie that your age limits how God can use you?
  • What wisdom or testimony has God given you that could encourage someone else?
  • How is God inviting you to keep dreaming and serving Him in this season of life?
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