Thoughts from Lisa Williams to encourage you today.

Embracing Moments that Matter

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“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

1 John 3:18

I should have already been on the road. Instead, I was staring at my Jeep’s very flat tire. This was not how the day was supposed to go.

I managed to limp the car over to Christian Brothers Automotive, hoping they could fix my flat quickly and get me back on the road, but they were closed.

So, I left my car there, called an Uber, jumped on a plane, and tried to push the thought of the tire out of my mind.

A few days later, as I flew home, I remebered my car. I hadn’t even called the shop! I wondered….Was my car still in their parking lot? Had they towed it?

When I called the shop, Jed answered and said, “It’s still here.  And we actually don’t do tires here.”

Argh.

Before I could even figure out what to do next, Jed kept talking. “We can air it up for you. Or if you’ve got a spare, I’ll put it on.”

I blinked. That was not what I expected. He had no reason to help me, and yet, his offer didn’t cost a thing.

When I got back to the shop, they had already aired up the tires, and I was struck by how intentional they had been with us. They even took the time to teach my son, JD, how to change a flat tire. As a single mom, it meant more to me than words could express. I had tears of gratitude as we drove away.

Jed probably never thought twice about offering his help, but I have not stopped thinking about it. That day, Christian Brothers Automotive truly lived up to their name.

Because isn’t that what following Jesus really looks like? Showing up for people and offering a moment of care when they least expect it? Being kind?

God constantly gives us chances to be that unexpected kindness for someone else. The truth is, we all feel stuck at times—whether it is a flat tire, a flat heart, or a flat hope. What we need most in those moments is not someone to fix us—it is someone to see us and remind us that we matter.

What if today, that kindness starts with you?

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Breathing Easy in Faith

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“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

Isaiah 26:3

I woke up with fear sitting heavy on my chest.

Even before my eyes opened, the anxiety was there—pressing, suffocating, unshakable. The world had shut down because of the pandemic. The news was a constant flood of uncertainty, and my mind raced with questions that had no answers.

Would my family be okay? How long would this last? How would we make it financially?

I rolled over and stared at the ceiling, hoping the stillness of the room would settle my nerves. It didn’t.

I needed something stronger than fear.

I threw off the covers, walked to my home office, and pulled up the Christian radio stream.

The voices of my friends back at the radio station filled the room. Happy. Steady. Reassuring. They were not ignoring what was happening, but they were not drowning in it either.

As I listened, something wonderful happened. It was as if, for the first time in days, I could actually breathe. Tears blurred my vision as I sat back in my chair. Because in that moment, I knew—God had not abandoned us. He had not abandoned me.

And He had just used two people on the radio to remind me of that.

That is why I believe in Christian radio. Because it is not just a broadcast—it is ministry. It is real people, speaking real hope into real lives. And I know I am not the only one who needs it.

Someone else is waking up today with that same weight on their chest. I want to make sure that when they turn on the radio, hope is waiting for them.

Would you want to be a part of that?

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Be the Light in Someone’s Life

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“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.”

Matthew 5:14-15

Melinda barely had time to breathe, much less think. Wednesday nights were always a rush—digging for her other shoe, grabbing her Bible, texting her cousin to make sure she was coming to youth.

Hey, you coming? she typed quickly before tapping the call button.

“Hello?”

Melinda frowned. It was not her cousin.

“Uh—sorry, wrong number!” she blurted, heat rising to her face.

A pause. Then a quiet, “Okay,” before the call disconnected.

Melinda let out a breath and shook her head. Well, that was awkward. Time to move on.

But she couldn’t.

It was like something in her heart caught on the moment, unwilling to let it slip away. Before she knew what she was doing, she opened the message thread and started typing.

Hey, I know I called by mistake, but I was actually inviting my cousin to church. You’re welcome to come too if you want.

She stared at the screen. This was weird, right? But still, she pressed send.

Three dots appeared.

Then a message that said,

“You don’t even know me, but I needed this. I was planning to end my life tonight. But your message feels like a sign, and I think I need to come.”

That night the person on the other end showed up. And God met her there. And in a room full of people, God made sure she knew—You are seen. You are loved. You have hope.

Was that a wrong number? Not a chance. And it makes me wonder, how many moments like this do we brush past? How often do we let discomfort keep us from reaching out?

God is always moving. Always working. But sometimes, He is waiting on us to press send.

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Discover Your Potential

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“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

2 Timothy 1:7

I was perfectly fine staying in my comfort zone. It was nice there. Predictable. Safe. And then, along came Paul Goldsmith, who had the audacity to think I should dream bigger.

You see, for years, I had this dream stirring inside me to create something meaningful that would point people to God’s love. But every time I considered stepping out, I could hear my own voice whispering, Who do you think you are?

And for a while, I believed it.

But for years, Paul called me just to say, “Lisa, you should start a podcast!” And every time, I’d laugh it off. “Right, Paul. I’ll add that to my never-gonna-happen list.”

He did not give up that easily. So he kept nudging and challenging me, until I finally ran out of excuses. And then something wild happened. A group of friends—dear, wonderful, slightly pushy friends—rallied around me. They did not just cheer me on; they fully funded the podcast launch. And with Paul’s coaching, “Life with Lisa Williams” was born.

Through it all, I realized something. We all need people like Paul who will not let us quit on what God has placed inside of us.

More importantly, I have found Jesus is the ultimate voice in our corner. He is the One who refuses to let us settle for less than we were made for. He sees the fear, the hesitation, the self-doubt—and He speaks right through it. “You were made for more.”

So, friend, who is speaking into your life? And more importantly, are you listening? Because the greatest moments of your life will not come from playing it safe. They will come when you take His hand and trust that He sees the potential in you, even if you don’t yet.

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God is Still with You

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

There are people in your life who make you stop and think, How does she do it? Sarah is one of those people for me.

Three kids with special needs, a life that never slows down, and a faith deep enough to carry it all. I have watched her handle things that would have leveled me. But today, as we sat across from each other, I saw something different in her eyes.

She stirred her coffee and said, “I’ve been trying to put the last few years into words, and I finally figured it out.” She glanced up. “It has been a hurricane.”

I frowned. “A hurricane?”

She nodded. “For so long, I was just trying to survive. Holding on, keeping my kids safe, and fighting to keep everything from falling apart.”

My chest ached at the honesty in her voice.

“And then one day, it was over. The storm passed. Life was … calmer.” She hesitated. “I should’ve felt relieved.”

I waited.

“But instead, I finally looked around and realized—things were broken. My marriage had cracks I didn’t see before. Some friendships didn’t make it. And my own heart?” She exhaled. “I wasn’t the same either.”

She met my eyes. “I thought the miracle was that God got me through. But the real miracle is that He’s still here. He’s standing in the wreckage with me, showing me what’s worth saving and what needs healing. He doesn’t just rescue us—He restores us.”

I sat there, her words pressing into places in my own heart I hadn’t even realized were aching.

We talk about God parting the sea. Calming the storm. Delivering us. But we don’t always talk about the God who kneels beside us afterward, helping us pick up the pieces.

If you’re looking at what life has left behind and wondering how to move forward, listen—God is still here. He’s not done with you.

The storm may have passed. But the rebuilding? You don’t have to do it alone.

Let Him be more than the one who saved you.

Let Him be the one who stays.

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God Sees Your Tears

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“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Psalms 103:2-5

I did not expect waiting to feel like this.

From the time I was very young, I dreamed of being a mom.  I would name my dolls and dream of the day I would hold a baby of my own. When I married at eighteen, my husband and I shared that dream—but we decided to wait a couple of years before starting our family.

But life doesn’t always follow the plans we make, does it?

At twenty, I lost my first pregnancy. The pain was unbearable, but I reassured myself, Next time will be different. Except it wasn’t. Year after year, I didn’t get pregnant again. Instead of searching for answers, I buried my grief in busyness, trying to outrun the pain.

But the ache only grew.

I whispered prayers like “God, I trust You,” while my soul screamed in doubt. I begged Him to move. When He didn’t, I pleaded for Him to at least take away the longing. But He didn’t. Instead, He let me carry it.

And that was the hardest part.

I wrestled with that silence. If He was good, why was He withholding this good thing? If He loved me, why did He feel so distant? I did not have answers, only the daily decision to trust Him even when I could not understand Him.

Then, one day…Wow God!

My son JD was born in 2007, and Jesse followed in 2008. The moment I held them, the years of waiting suddenly made sense. Because I was different. The waiting had shaped me, deepened me, changed me. I wasn’t just a mother—I was a mother who had learned to trust in the silence.

I call my boys tender mercy and loving kindness because that’s what they are. God heard me, and He healed me through their love.

In the same way, if today you are struggling with an aching heart and the sting of silence, please know this: God sees every tear, hears every prayer, and is not indifferent to your pain. Hold on, because your story is still unfolding. God still has so much in store for you.

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Love Heals

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“We love because He first loved us.”

1 John 4:19

Love heals.

For most of my adult life, I dreamed of being a mom. I imagined late-night cuddles, tiny fingers wrapped around mine, and whispered “I love you’s” as I rocked my baby to sleep. In retrospect, I think it was because I wanted someone I could love.

And then, after years and years of infertility, I was blessed with my son, JD. Holding him, feeding him, memorizing every tiny feature—it was everything I had hoped for and more. Finally, I had someone to care for with my whole heart, without fear of rejection.

I soaked up every moment of being his mama. Loving him was the most natural thing in the world. But, one day, when JD was three, something happened I never saw coming.

He climbed into my lap, wrapped his little arms around me, and whispered, “Mommy, I love you so much.”

I froze.

Of course, I had said those words to him a thousand times. But hearing them spoken back? It stopped me in my tracks. Not because I didn’t know he loved me, but because I had never really considered what it would feel like to be loved back.

For years, I focused only on giving, pouring out what I had to offer. But in that simple moment, I understood something important: you cannot give what you haven’t allowed yourself to receive.

And I think that is true for a lot of us.

We give. We care. We pour out, hoping that in the giving, we will somehow be made whole. But love was never meant to be a one-way thing.

You were created to be loved, too.

Not just by family, not just by friends, but by the very One who knit you together. And His love? It is the kind of love that sees you, chooses you, and holds you close—no strings attached.

Love was never meant to be a one-way street.

Let love in. Let Him in.

Because love—real love—doesn’t just heal the people you pour into.

It heals you, too.

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A Life that Shines

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“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.”

Matthew 5:16

Rick never sought the spotlight, but his life shone brightly. His was kind and steady. He listened and cared. To those who knew him, it was clear—his love for God was real.

His friends had always admired that about him. He was made to care for people. That was just who he was.

But just two weeks after graduating from nursing school, Rick’s journey ended. A sudden heart attack took him from this world, leaving everyone in shock. But as they gathered in a packed funeral, they realized his story was not over.

One by one, people shared how Rick had made a difference in their lives. As they spoke, the common thread was undeniable. Rick’s faith had shaped his entire life, and in doing so, it had spread like wildfire, igniting others along the way.

Then, something unexpected happened.

As the pastor finished speaking, fifteen people stood. One by one, they made their way to the front. They hadn’t come just to grieve. They came to surrender their lives to the same God Rick had loved.

His friends sat in stunned silence. They had never seen anything like it. But in that moment, they understood—our lives preach a sermon, whether we realize it or not.

Rick didn’t know this moment would come. He was just faithful. And because of that, fifteen people will spend eternity with the same God he loved.

So today, when you wonder if your kindness, your faith, or your small acts of love even matter—remember Rick. Someone is watching. Someone is listening. And one day, friend, you may find out that the way you lived led someone else straight to Jesus.

Because a life lived for Christ never stops making an impact.

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Experience God’s Constant Love

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“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”

Psalm 36:7

I love you, I love you, I hate you.

At lunch with a friend, I was describing the confusing relationship I had with my mom. After sharing several stories of painful moments, my friend calmly said, “That’s called ‘I love you, I love you, I hate you.’”

I’d never heard those words put together like that, but they rang true. My friend unpacked it more as we ate lunch, and I realized she was describing my childhood experience.

Later, as I thought about being loved and also very harsh moments throughout my childhood, I realized my marriage had been the same way. Sincere moments of love and care were followed by dishonesty, meanness, and infidelity. The cycle would repeat over and over. I love you, I love you, I hate you.

The more I thought about this, the sadder I became. One Sunday morning while driving, I began to pour out my heart to God. “Father, it doesn’t seem fair that the two most influential relationships of my life have been ‘I love you, I love you, I hate you’.” I repeated myself to God several times, lamenting the pain and confusion of these very close but very difficult relationships.

Then, very clearly, I heard a caring, warm voice say to me:

“I love you, I love you, I love you.”

Tears poured down my face as I pulled my car over. I couldn’t stop crying for over an hour. I knew it was true. He loves us, unconditionally. Hearing this and knowing it was true, I felt healing begin.

Our earthly relationships don’t always reflect the love of God. His love is constant, unwavering, and true. He isn’t reactionary or punishing. He doesn’t withhold His love. His love is lavish, healing, and unwavering.

If you’ve been hurt by a rejecting, confusing “I love you, I love you, I hate you” experience, I’m so sorry. Please know you have a Heavenly Father who is saying to you today:

I love you.
I love you.
I love you.

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Finding Hope in New Places

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“Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

Mandy lay awake in the middle of the night, staring at the ceiling. The hum of the fan did little to calm her racing thoughts. Her husband’s job relocation had come suddenly, and though she tried to stay positive, she felt so anxious.

They had only been Christians for a short time, and their church was everything to her. The potlucks, the small groups, the pastor who preached with such sincerity. It was where she learned to read her Bible and pray.

Mandy couldn’t imagine losing that. Would they find another church? What if their faith faded without such a strong community?

The first few weeks in their new town only made her fears feel more real. Mandy and her husband visited churches every Sunday, but nothing felt right. The people were nice, but the connection wasn’t there. By the third week, she was ready to give up.

Then one morning, they walked into a little church tucked between a coffee shop and a pharmacy. Mandy was not expecting much, but as soon as they stepped inside, something felt different.

The greeters’ smiles were genuine, the worship authentic, and the teaching rooted in truth. Within weeks, they joined a small group, and for the first time since the move, Mandy felt a glimmer of peace.

Months later, Mandy looked back on those sleepless nights and smiled. God had known what they needed all along. Through their new church, she and her husband laughed harder, prayed more fervently, and studied Scripture with a hunger she never knew she had.

Friend, if you are struggling to trust God with the unknown, remember Mandy’s story. God provided more than she had dared to hope. He sees your heart and knows your needs, too. He isn’t just good—He is better than you can imagine, and His love will meet you right where you are.

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