Lasting Lessons from Godly Leaders

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Hebrews 13:7 — “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”

The start of another school year always brings out the nostalgia in me. I love the smell of new pencils, fresh notebooks, and all the gizmos and gadgets that a new school year brings! It also reminds me of the important teachers who helped shape me in ways they may not have even realized.

Levi Kroeker was one such teacher. Though his name and nerdy glasses might have sparked some giggles, this man was always held in the highest regard.

You see, he was not only my middle school history teacher but also the principal.

His dual role could have been intimidating, and quite frankly it was! He was a tough teacher, yet students who went through his classes came out the other side with a new respect for him – both as a teacher and as the leader of our school. Despite his authoritative position, he had a unique ability to make his presence approachable and even endearing.

What truly symbolized his connection with us was his simple metal lunchbox. It told a thousand stories. It was adorned with a colorful array of stickers – each one representing a grateful student who had given him a sticker as a token of their love and respect for him.

When he passed away a few years ago, the gymnasium overflowed with students and alumni. The sheer number of people who came to pay their respects for the man with the lunchbox spoke volumes about the powerful mark he left on our lives.

As the new school year begins and fresh supplies fill the aisles, it is a perfect time to reflect on the mentors who have shaped your journey. Consider how their guidance aligns with the values taught in the Scriptures—kindness, integrity, and love.

Maybe this year you might take a moment to reach out and give your gratitude to those who have had an influence on your life and shaped you into the person you are today.

— Linda Meyers

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When God Speaks You Can Stand

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Isaiah 55:11 – “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

The storm rolled in just before dawn. The kind that makes the sky turn black and where the wind slaps you sideways. The kind that makes you wonder if this is how it ends.

Peter had known storms. He had fished these waters his whole life. But this one? This one had teeth. The boat groaned with every wave, and the air tightened with fear.

Then someone saw it. Out on the water—a figure. Walking. Coming closer. It was Jesus.

At first, no one dared to speak. They just stared. Somewhere behind him, someone whispered, “It’s a ghost,” but Peter leaned forward. He needed to be sure. He had to know.

Then a voice cut through the fear: “Take heart. It is I.”

Peter locked onto it. That voice… it sounded like hope.

His heart jumped. “Lord, if it is You,” he called, “command me to come.” Because deep down, he knew. If Jesus said the word, he would have something to stand on. The wind did not have to stop. The waves did not have to calm. If Jesus commanded it, the water would hold.

Then came the answer. One word.

“Come.”

And somehow, that word was heavier than the storm. Peter stepped out of the boat, and impossibly, the waves beneath him felt like solid ground.

It was not courage that held Peter up. It was not even faith in himself. It was obedience to the voice of the One who called him. That voice has authority. It does not need a life raft or a better forecast. It just needs to speak.

Some of us spend our whole lives waiting for the storm to pass before we take a step. But peace is not the absence of trouble. It is the presence of His word in the middle of it.

So open the Bible. Sit with it. Wait for His voice. Let His word come first. Not your will, nor your timing. And when you find a promise that speaks straight into your chaos, plant your feet. You can hold onto it like it is solid ground.

Because it is.

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Wait and Watch God Work

Isaiah 40:31 – “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

There’s something about the ocean that resets your soul. It’s loud and wild and unpredictable—but it pulls you in anyway.

During a trip to Gulf Shores, Sarah and I found ourselves right in the middle of the chaos— sunscreen in our eyes, seagulls calling overhead, and a couple of nephews ready to conquer the waves.

We handed them boogie boards and waded out together. We tried to explain how it worked. “You’ve got to wait,” we told them. “Not every wave is the right one.”

Our nephews tried. Sort of. But mostly they jumped at whatever came first. Some waves faded too soon. Others knocked them over like bowling pins. But every so often, one would lift them and send them gliding all the way to shore.

I stood there watching, grinning like crazy, when it hit me: They’re not frustrated when they fall. They’re excited to try again.

That got to me.

Because I’ve been in waiting seasons too. Not on a beach—but in life. Hoping God would give direction, open a door, answer a prayer. I’ve tried to push ahead, force momentum, make things happen. But faith is not about forcing waves, is it? It is about showing up in the water—hopeful, ready, and willing to wait for God’s timing.

So, I am learning to wait differently. Not with crossed arms, but with open hands. Like a kid at the beach, bracing for the next ride.

And maybe you are, too. If you’re waiting on something—don’t give up. You are not forgotten. Stay ready. Keep watching. The tide is turning.

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Running Into Grace

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Salina never stayed in one place too long—jobs, relationships, even cities. Her calendar was full of concerts, road trips, and late nights that blurred. She liked it that way. No one depended on her, and she depended on no one.

Until one spring afternoon, something felt… off.

She was halfway through a run, earbuds in, thoughts drifting, when a wave of nausea stopped her mid-stride. She doubled over on the side of the trail. Her heart was pounding for a different reason now.

Later that evening, she waited, then took a test.

Two red lines. She was pregnant.

She stared at the ceiling long after midnight, the weight of the future pressing down like never before. What kind of future am I building for this child? Is there more to life than this? What do I really believe?

The questions scared her, but they also stirred something inside that refused to settle.

So, she walked into a church she had passed a hundred times before. She slipped into the back row. The songs were unfamiliar. The people were strangers, but something about it made her stay.

Weeks passed. Then one Sunday, someone shared the story of Jesus with such simple clarity, it disarmed her. She heard about His love that covered everything—regret, restlessness, rebellion.

When the invitation at the end of service came to receive Christ, she said yes. She let Him in.

Now, two years later, her daughter toddles barefoot through her grandmother’s kitchen while Salina laces up her running shoes again.

Midway through the run, she stops. Not because she is sick again—but because it is Mother’s Day. And she remembers.

God had met her on that sidewalk when she least expected it. He saved her not just from her past, but for her future.

Perhaps that is what you need to hear today—that the same God is still present, still near, and still ready to meet you exactly where you are.

All you have to do is stop, ask, and let Him in.

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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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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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Setting Boundaries for a Better Life

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“But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”

James 5:12

Have you ever promised yourself that this year would finally be different? Maybe you picked a word, set a goal, or made a resolution—then life got in the way. I get it.

A few years back, I set a goal to take better care of myself. Let’s just say it is still a work in progress.

At the time, I was a dad in full survival mode. Leftover chicken nuggets? Sure, I’ll eat them. Kids’ untouched fries? No problem. I told myself I was preventing waste, but really, I was treating myself like a human trash can.

It was not until I hit a wall that I realized something had to change. My health was suffering, and so was my peace. I began to see how my actions stemmed from something deeper: a lack of self-worth.

I had been saying yes to everything—to extra obligations, to people who drained me, to food I did not even want—because I thought my needs did not matter. But that mindset left me physically tired, emotionally burnt out, and spiritually distant from the life God wanted for me.

Little by little, I started setting boundaries. I said no to the leftovers, the unnecessary commitments, and the things that weighed me down. I did not do it to be selfish, but I wanted to make room for the things that mattered most. And you know what? My family got a more present version of me, my health improved, and my heart found space to grow closer to God.

Here is what I have learned: Love is not about doing more. It is about doing what is best. God never asked us to carry every load. He invites us to let go of what weighs us down so we can hold on to what gives life. You do not have to do it all. Set down what is not yours to carry, and trust God to lead you into freedom.

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Finding Strength Through Struggle

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“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength.”

Isaiah 40:29

Franklin Roosevelt had always been in control. Wealth, education, political success—he had the confidence and connections to go as far as he wanted. But in the summer of 1921, everything changed.

The fever hit first. Then the aching. By nightfall, he couldn’t make his legs move. It was like someone had reached in and cut the wires. Doctors later confirmed what he feared: polio.

The grief was suffocating. His wife, Eleanor, watched him slip into silence. The once-boundless energy, the easy confidence, the man who strode into every room like he belonged—gone. In his place, a husband who barely spoke. A father who could not chase his children. A man who had spent his life moving forward, now stuck in place.

There were days he did not think he would recover—not just his body, but himself. But somewhere in the waiting, in the stillness, in the unbearable truth of his limitations, he made a choice. If he could not walk, he would fight.

He pushed himself through brutal rehabilitation—not to regain what was lost, but to master what remained. He strengthened his upper body, taught himself to stand with support, and learned to project confidence even from a wheelchair.

The world saw his return to politics before they saw his pain. They saw a leader who had endured. But Roosevelt knew the cost.

By the time America needed a leader strong enough to face the Great Depression, Roosevelt was ready. Not because he had never known struggle, but because he had.

When hardship comes, it is easy to believe that life is over as you knew it. But what if, like Roosevelt, this is the moment you are being shaped for? Strength is not found in avoiding suffering—but in choosing to keep going through it.

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God’s Mercy in my Mess

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“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:4-5

Those early postpartum days felt like a blur. My baby Lennox was everything I had dreamed of, but somewhere between sleepless nights and diaper changes my house became, well, a nightmare.

Laundry draped over chairs, dishes filled on the edge of the sink, and the floor? Let’s just say I was not winning any cleaning awards. I hated how my house looked—and how I felt living in it. Truth be told, I could not keep up. I did not have the energy, and that only made me feel worse.

One afternoon, a message lit up my phone: “Hey,” my friend wrote, “we know how overwhelming those early baby days can be. We’d like to gift you a professional house cleaning.”

I stared at my phone, mortified. Let strangers into this mess? But before I could decline, another text followed.

“It’s okay,” she assured me. “This is what friends are for.”

When the cleaning team arrived, I felt like hiding. For three hours, they scrubbed, dusted, and tackled every corner. My husband and I apologized repeatedly, but they just smiled. “This is what we do,” they said. “We’re happy to help.”

This whole experience reminded me of God. How many times had I tried to hide my life’s mess from Him, thinking I needed to fix it first? Yet, every time, He steps into the chaos and does what I cannot.

God is the friend who steps into our chaos and says, “Let Me take care of this.” He doesn’t ask us to fix it first. He doesn’t wait until we are presentable. He meets us right in the middle of our mess and lovingly makes us whole again. It is not because we deserve it. It is because He is rich in mercy.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by your life’s mess today, know this: you do not have to face it alone. God’s love can transform anything. So, let Him in. Let Him show you what grace can do.

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