How Two Wheels Touched Two Families

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

My dad has this cool story. One December, while he was on patrol, a call came in about a stolen bike. When he arrived, the little boy stood beside a patch of flattened grass where his bike used to be.

The boy was calm, but my dad could see the disappointment in his eyes.

What he later found out was that the boys family had no money to replace the bicycle. They were just trying to make it through the holiday season, the same as most people. He drove away feeling the weight of it.

That evening, on his way home, he called Mom. I can picture her leaning against the kitchen counter, listening quietly while he told her about the boy. Money was already tight for them too.

But she agreed. They could do without a few comforts this year to help that boy. They bought the boy a new bike—bright, simple. It was the kind any kid would be proud of.

They delivered it a few days later, and Dad said the boy’s whole face lit up.

A few weeks later, a letter from the state showed up. Dad opened it at the kitchen table, probably expecting some form he needed to sign. Instead, he found a tax refund they had not known about. The amount inside nearly matched the cost of the bike.

He held it for a long moment, then handed it to Mom. They laughed together, astonished. It was impossible not to feel that God had met them in that small act of generosity.

It reminded me of Proverbs 11:25: “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” My parents had stepped into someone else’s need, and in turn, they had been met in their own.

That story stays with me because it reminds me to pay attention to the needs around me. Even a small act—helping a neighbor, giving a gift, offering encouragement—can become someone else’s Christmas miracle. And sometimes, the blessing comes full circle, lifting our own hearts along the way.

So, who might God be calling you to bless this season?

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When was the last time you noticed someone’s need—and did you act on it or walk away?
  • What comforts or conveniences might you be willing to sacrifice to bless someone else this season?
  • Have you ever experienced God meeting you in the midst of your generosity? What did that teach you about His character?
  • Who in your life right now might be quietly carrying disappointment or lack—someone God is nudging you to see?
  • How might your simple, ordinary kindness become someone else’s Christmas miracle?
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Thankful for the Long Road

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Psalms 139:5-6 — You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

The road out of town stretches ahead, lined with pines that never seem to end.

My husband drives steady. One hand rests on the wheel, the other taps to a song playing on the radio. I glance back at our baby girl, sound asleep in her car seat. We’re headed to his parents’ house for Thanksgiving lunch.

It’s not a long drive—forty-five minutes or so. But as the miles wind on, my thoughts take an unexpected detour down memory lane.

Growing up in a blended family, this was all I knew—lunch at one house, supper at another, pie somewhere in between. There was always a plan scribbled on the back of an envelope, and by the end of the day, I felt like I’d run a marathon fueled by turkey and dressing.

It started in Monroe, wound through Crowville, looped back through Calhoun, and somehow we’d make it home before bedtime.

It used to wear me out. But now? It just makes me grateful.

The trees flash by—gold, red, fading green. Somewhere, a cousin is smoking a turkey. Somewhere else, a table is being set by grandparents with plastic plates and old stories. I can almost smell the ham roasting in the oven, the sweet potatoes bubbling under toasted marshmallows, and the sound of laughter spilling through screen doors.

Back then, I never stopped long enough to see it. I only saw the hurry. But now, I see the love underneath the rush. Parents, step-parents, and kin just wanted us close. They opened their doors even when we could only stay a little while.

They still do.

No pressure. No guilt. Just warmth.

Though we’re pulled in a million directions, they make room in their hearts for our crazy schedule—because they understand.

I smile, watching the road twist ahead of us. This long, winding road called life is filled with people God has placed along the way—people to love, and who love us back in their own imperfect, beautiful ways. It hits me how blessed I am.

And maybe that’s what gratitude really is—seeing the fingerprints of God in the middle of our everyday miles. Just like the psalmist tells us, God places His hand of blessing all along our lives. He goes before us and follows behind. It is too wonderful and too great to even understand. (Psalm 139:5–6)

So, wherever the road takes you this Thanksgiving—whether it’s across town or just across the table—I want to encourage you to do one thing today. Try to notice the many blessings along the way.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • How have you noticed God’s hand guiding or blessing you in the everyday moments of life?
  • Are there relationships or small acts of love around you that reveal God’s presence?
  • How might practicing gratitude for the ordinary moments change your perspective today?
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Love In the Breakroom

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Luke 6:27-28 — But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

It started with a phone call. My sister’s voice cracked as she said, “I think my coworker just doesn’t like me.”

She’d only been at this new job a few weeks, and she was doing everything she could to make a good impression. But something was off.

So, she kept her head down, focused on her computer, and tried to stay out of the way. Still, she could feel the tension every time she walked into the room.

She’d come home tight and quiet, replaying conversations in her head, wondering what she had done wrong.

That night on the phone, I just listened. She didn’t need advice as much as she needed a safe place to land. And somewhere between her tears and my silence, a verse came to mind—the one about loving your enemies, doing good to those who treat you poorly, and praying for them.

That night on the phone, I just listened. She didn’t need advice as much as she needed a safe place to land. And somewhere between her tears and my silence, a verse came to mind—Jesus’ words in Luke 6:27–28:

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

I hesitated to say it out loud, but before I could finish, she nodded.

“Yeah,” she said softly. “That’s what God’s been saying to my heart too.”

So we prayed. We asked God for peace, for wisdom, and maybe even for a small miracle in the breakroom.

The next week, she decided to live it out. She prayed for her coworker every morning before clocking in. She greeted her with kindness, even when it wasn’t returned. She offered help without being asked.

And while nothing about her coworker seemed to change, something in her did. The stress in her voice disappeared. The tension in her shoulders eased. She was lighter, freer—like she’d been unburdened.

Looking back, that coworker may or may not have had a grudge, but my sister definitely felt the “not-love” in the air. Still, God kept showing her: love your enemies, even when you don’t know where they stand.

And that’s what’s powerful about her choice. Because when we choose to love anyway—even when it costs us comfort or pride—we get to take part in the healing God is already doing in the world.

Who knows? Maybe the hardest person to love today is exactly the one who needs it most.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Who is the “difficult person” in your life right now, and what small step of love or kindness could you offer them today?
  • How have you seen God transform your own heart when you chose to love someone who was hard to love?
  • What might you need to release—pride, fear, assumptions—in order to pray sincerely for someone who has hurt you?
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Lessons From the Grocery Store

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1 Corinthians 15:10 — But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out His special favor on me — and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by His grace.

The smell of warm bread and cleaning supplies still takes me back. Not to a bakery or my grandmother’s kitchen, but to the grocery store where I had my first job.

I was sixteen, awkward, and half-asleep most mornings. It wasn’t glamorous work. I stocked shelves, bagged groceries, and spent more time wrestling shopping carts than I care to admit.

I remember thinking, “This is just a paycheck.” But over time, that little grocery store became something else entirely.

There was the older cashier, who called everyone “Honey” and could calm the crankiest customer with a wink. There was also the manager who never raised his voice but somehow made you want to do better. And there were the regulars — the ones who showed up every Thursday for bread and milk, or just to talk to someone who’d listen.

I started to notice things I’d never paid attention to before. The tired dad who worked night shifts still finding a smile for his kids. The widow who counted out change in nickels and dimes but left the last cookie sample for someone else.

That store taught me more than I ever imagined. About patience. About showing up when I didn’t feel like it. About giving my best, even when nobody noticed.

It reminds me of what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:10: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain.” I can see now that every small task, every moment of showing up, was God’s grace quietly shaping me from the inside out.

Funny thing — I thought I was earning money, but I was really learning character. The kind that gets built one small choice at a time, in ordinary places with sticky floors and fluorescent lights.

Sometimes I wonder if that’s where God does His best work — right there in the middle of the everyday, quietly shaping us while we think we’re just bagging groceries.

Maybe the same is true for you. Maybe the thing that feels small or unseen is the very thing God is using to grow you. The ordinary work. The thankless task. The daily faithfulness that nobody applauds. He is in all of it—teaching, refining, and shaping you in ways that only become clear later.

So wherever you find yourself today—keep showing up. Keep doing the next right thing. Because even in the most ordinary corners of life, God is writing something extraordinary.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Think back to your first job or a season that felt ordinary. How did God use that time to shape your character?
  • How does it change your perspective to realize that grace can be at work in small, everyday moments—not just big, spiritual ones?
  • What part of your daily routine might God be using to teach you patience, humility, or compassion?
  • Paul said God’s grace toward him “was not in vain.” How can you live today in a way that lets His grace bear fruit in you?
  • What’s one “ordinary” task this week you can approach as worship—doing it with gratitude, knowing God is in it?
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Seeing God in Closed Doors

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Proverbs 16:9 – The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

I thought I knew exactly what God wanted me to do. Bible school—it made perfect sense. I had the passion, the calling, the dream.

I could already see myself there sitting in class, buried in Scripture, and surrounded by people who wanted to serve God too. It felt so right.

So I chased it. I filled out the forms, picked up extra shifts, and prayed the kind of bold prayers that come trembling out of the heart, and for a while, everything seemed to be falling into place.

Until it wasn’t.

One thing after another began to unravel. A door closed. Then another. And another. The dream that once felt close enough to touch now seemed a thousand miles away.

I told myself it was just a delay, not a denial. But deep down, I was frustrated. I’d done everything “right,” and it still fell apart. People would say things like, “It must not be God’s timing.” I knew they meant well, but it didn’t help much.

One night, I sat on the front steps in the quiet, staring at the streetlights, just trying to make sense of it all. I had no words left to pray. My heart ached from wanting something so good so badly.

And then, somewhere in that stillness, a thought came that changed everything.

Maybe God wasn’t holding back or punishing me.

Maybe He was protecting me.

Maybe what felt like the end of a dream was really the beginning of trust.

It took time for that truth to sink in. But when it did, I began to see how those closed doors were good. God wasn’t ignoring me. He was redirecting me toward something better than I had planned.

And truth be told, nearly a decade later, God did open the door for me to attend Bible school at just the right time.

Something I have learned through all of this is that surrender isn’t giving up. It’s simply making room.

That’s why I really love what the book of Proverbs teaches. “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

And maybe that’s what faith really looks like—not clinging to what we think should happen, but trusting that even our disappointments are being folded into something good.

If you find yourself staring at a door that won’t open, too, take heart. The God who closed it hasn’t gone anywhere. He still writes better stories than we do, and sometimes the best ones begin with a “not now.”

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Think of a time when your plans didn’t go the way you hoped. Looking back, can you see how God might have been protecting or redirecting you?
  • Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that while we make our plans, it’s the Lord who establishes our steps. What steps are you trying to control right now that you might need to release to Him?
  • “Surrender isn’t giving up—it’s making room.” What would it look like for you to make more room for God’s direction in your daily decisions?
  • When disappointment hits, what helps you remember that God’s “not now” doesn’t mean “never”?
  • Is there a door in your life that’s currently closed? What might it look like to trust that God still has His hand on the handle?
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The Freedom of Saying No

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Galatians 1:10 –Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. 

There I was again, sitting at my desk, pretending not to feel overwhelmed. I had said yes to another favor I didn’t have time for, and now I was knee-deep in a project that had nothing to do with me.

My own work sat untouched, the clock kept marching, and I was secretly furious with myself for falling into the same trap yet again.

I grew up thinking if I could just stay on everyone’s good side, life would go smoother. And maybe for a while it did. Smiles all around, no ruffled feathers. But somewhere in the middle, I started to realize I wasn’t living to please the Lord at all. I was just pleasing people.

The truth is, I was worn out. There would always be one more expectation to meet and one more approval to earn. And the more I did this, the more I knew how empty it was.

That day, with my inbox overflowing and my own work untouched, something in me snapped. I pushed my chair back, closed my eyes for a moment, and asked God for the courage to stop people pleasing.

And then I did something small, but it felt huge. I told someone “no.”

I said it kindly and gently, but it was firm. And then I went back to the work God had actually given me.

It’s not like my life changed overnight. But step by step, I started making choices that honored Him instead of everyone else’s opinions. Saying “yes” when it was right and “no” when it was wise. I learned to live with the fact that not everyone would understand, and that’s okay.

Paul said it this way in Galatians 1:10:

“Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?… If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

And let me tell you, the peace that comes with that far outweighs the false comfort of keeping everyone happy.

So now when I walk through those office doors, I can carry myself differently. Not because I’m perfect, but because I’m finally learning to live for God, not man.

Because if they never gave me life, why should they be the ones I live for?

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • In what areas of your life do you feel pressured to please others more than God?
  • How does Galatians 1:10 challenge your perspective on approval and purpose?
  • What’s one boundary you could set this week that helps you honor God first?
  • How can you practice saying “yes” to what God is calling you to—and “no” to what He isn’t?
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It’s The Little Things

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Song of Solomon 2:15 — Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!

I was already late when I slid behind the wheel.

That morning, I had darted out the door half-awake, coffee in one hand and backpack swinging from the other. By the time I jammed the key into the ignition, my 8 a.m. class had already started.

As I pulled onto campus, the road narrowed with trash cans lined neatly along the curb. I barely noticed them, too locked into tunnel vision.

I swerved just slightly, confident there was plenty of room. But then—

Thud.

My stomach dropped. The trash cans stood perfectly in place when I checked the mirror, like an audience untouched by my blunder. But then I saw it—the side mirror dangling, wires exposed, helplessly smacking against the car.

For a long second, I just stared in disbelief. It was almost laughable. In my rush to save a few seconds, I’d made a much bigger mess.

That experience felt like a kind reminder from God that life works the same way. It’s not always the big obstacles that trip us up. More often, it’s the little things we dismiss— the conversations we push off, the corners we cut, the sinful habits we shrug away.

“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards…” — Song of Solomon 2:15

The truth is, those “little foxes” can quietly chip away at what God is growing in us. They pile up like those cans on the curb. And if we’re not paying attention, sooner or later, one of them will knock the mirror clean off.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What are some “little foxes” in your life—small habits or compromises—that could cause bigger damage if ignored?
  • How can you invite God to help you notice and deal with those small things before they grow?
  • What practical step can you take this week to slow down and pay attention to what’s really going on in your heart?
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Hope For Troubled Minds

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Romans 8:6 – For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Grace used to think she was the problem.

Not in the playful, “bless her heart” kind of way, but in the way that convinces you the world might be better off without you in it.

She was a teenager then, carrying the heavy weight of PTSD, each thread stitched tight from years of relentless bullying. It clung to her like a damp coat she couldn’t shrug off. The days felt dark, but the nights—those were worse. Silence has a way of amplifying the cruelest thoughts, and hers were growing sharper by the day.

One night, she decided she was done. Not angry. Not tearful. Just done.

And that is when the music came.

It was a Christian song—not one she sought out, and she could never quite explain how it reached her. But it did. It didn’t fix everything in a neat, storybook ending. But it stopped her freefall for one fragile moment. Long enough for her lungs to fill with hope.

She listened until the song finished. Then she played it again. And again. Over the next several months, peace began to wash over her, and she felt the love of Jesus like never had before.

But she still struggled. So she found a really good counselor, and through their sessions, she slowly and deliberately chose to live again.

Now, when Grace shares her story, she isn’t afraid to tell the whole truth. God saved her—but it’s okay to talk about the journey, messy parts included. Faith and mental health, she discovered, are not enemies.

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” — Romans 8:6

Jesus loves the whole person. Sometimes He arrives in a song. Sometimes He shows up in a kind word from a counselor. And sometimes, He simply gives you the strength to take the next step.

Now Grace writes songs of her own. She hopes to share them with other students just like her, sitting in the dark thinking the end is the only option.

Because she knows with confidence that God is not afraid of tangled minds.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When have you felt like life’s pain or darkness was too heavy to carry? Where did you see God show up for you in that season?
  • Romans 8:6 speaks of “life and peace” when we set our minds on the Spirit. What practices help you fix your thoughts on God’s Spirit when your mind feels overwhelmed?
  • How might God be calling you to be a lifeline—through music, words, or presence—for someone who feels unseen or hopeless today?
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The Gift of the Right Now

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Philippians 4:4 — Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Nobody warns you how quickly “someday” gets here.

Almost two years ago, I held my daughter in my arms for the first time. She was small and wrinkled and amazing. I thought to myself that nothing would ever be the same again.

And I was so right. In those first months, life revolved around tiny bottles, burp cloths, and long nights where sleep was only a distant memory.

Now, she is a toddler with a laugh that fills our house like sunlight. She runs through the living room with hair wild from nap time, climbs on chairs she shouldn’t, and points her little finger at the world like she’s naming it for the first time.

Every day, she learns something new. And every day, I feel the ache of time moving faster than I’d like. Sometimes, I catch myself scrolling back through old photos on my phone of her newborn baby phase, missing it.

The future, too, tries to pull at me—questions about school, friends, and who she’ll become. Those worries can swallow me if I’m not careful.

And in whether I’m looking ahead or looking in the rearview, I find myself missing the moment right in front of me. But I remind myself that God doesn’t ask me to relive the past or predict the future. He simply asks me to take joy in Him. To trust him and to be here. Right now.

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” — Hebrews 12:2

And so, today, I scoop my daughter up, even when she’s wiggly and squirming, and I let myself enjoy the weight of her in my arms. Because one day, I’ll miss the way her head fits against my shoulder.

Because the truth is, one day, you will look back and miss the gifts God has given you right now. And wouldn’t it be a shame to miss it?

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What moments in your life right now might you be rushing past instead of resting in?
  • How can fixing your eyes on Jesus help you stay present and grateful in today’s season?
  • What’s one simple way you can pause today to notice the gift of right now?
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My Pastor, My Story

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1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

I was flipping through my wedding registry album when I had to stop and smile. My thumb traced a familiar signature, and memories came rushing back.

Suddenly, I was fourteen again, sitting in a metal chair at youth group, nervous and unsure, my sister beside me. He and his wife, Ashley, made us feel welcome, like we belonged before we even knew how. That was when Jonathan Barbo became my pastor.

I can still see the grin on Barbo’s face when I was accepted to college, as if I had won a gold medal. Later, when I returned to serve in youth ministry, I witnessed firsthand the time and energy he and his wife poured into students’ lives.

Through camps, lock-ins, and late nights filled with laughter and scripture, He just showed up and cared. That presence left a mark on me that I still carry.

The hardest memory is when my mom passed away too soon. And there they were again, Barbo and Ashley, standing with me in the hospital, carrying some of the weight I could not carry on my own.

Years later, he showed up in a new way—as my CrossFit instructor. Those workouts were brutal, but even then, he kept teaching me lessons about resilience that stretched beyond the gym.

Back in the present, I traced his name in the registry again, remembering him at the front of the church on my wedding day. He officiated the ceremony. Who else could have filled that role?

Barbo had been my pastor. He was there in the mess, in the victories, in the losses, and everyday in between.

Looking back, I realize what his example taught me: life is not about grand gestures. It is about walking with people. It requires time, energy, and sometimes sacrifice. And yet, it leaves a mark that does not fade.

Paul once told others to follow him because he followed Christ. I see that now. Barbo’s name is in that album because he chose to follow Jesus, and that made all the difference in my life.

Maybe that is the quiet question worth asking today: whose life are you walking alongside? And whose album might someday carry your name, remembered with a smile because you showed up?

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Who has walked with you through life in a way that pointed you closer to Jesus?
  • How has their example shaped the way you live out your faith?
  • Whose life might you be called to walk alongside right now?
  • What small, consistent ways could you show up for someone this week—just as others have shown up for you?
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