Over the years I’ve learned that leading with quiet love is more teachable than speaking louder with anger that goes in one ear and out the other. Yet, even with this sweet wisdom tucked snuggly in my knower, I’ve still allowed the law to lead my responses instead of letting my love lead the law.

What situation are you afraid to walk into? Are you waiting to find a light switch before you enter, or are you willing to switch your fear into faith and see what happens next? We already have everything we need to conquer fear on the inside of us. He is the fire. He is the lion within. He is the light!

I decided—along with my tiny riot and coffee still in hand—I would “be still” while I waited. My devotion took me to Matthew 28, where a coupling of words in verse 7 stopped me like the clearance section at Target, “he is going ahead of you.”

I’ve often beat myself up for questioning the middle ground, as if, that means I have no faith and am no longer saved or something. But I see in Mary’s walk that morning, that her will to go was far greater than any wrong assumption she made along the way. No amount of questioning could define her, because her love and excitement were so much more.

As much as I want to see the future, I was recently reminded about when Jesus told his disciples to open their eyes.

Even though the king was confident, well-planned and dressed for battle, a random arrow still penetrated his heart. We can’t let this be us. Let’s not let the lies of the enemy be louder than the truth of our God.

This is what I want: to take the opportunities before me and go all IN, as if I’m pouring it all out at the feet of Jesus. Not only remembering that he has given me capacity to do the things he has called me to do, but he has also given me capacity to do things I’ve never done before—to never stop growing.

All this gunk got my mind blowing towards thoughts of all the gunk we suck into our lives. Causing us to lose power to function for our intended purpose. I know I’ve had times when I’ve been dragged down by the gunk of business, or even just mundane days. If you’re a stay at home mom, or even a working mom, there are days when it’s just hard to find the significance.

We can never move beyond God’s love or escape His presence. Even if you’ve only known Him since today, He has known you all of your life. He has always been in pursuit of you, wanting a relationship with you. He loves you so much that He gave His only son for you. Even on a bad day, when it’s harder to receive that love, He is there.

Sometimes it takes a moment. Sometimes it takes listening. Sometimes it takes a miracle to remember the promises of God and His faithfulness. Three days after Jesus took his last breath on the cross, the glory of that final and forever temple rose from the dead!

Sometimes we are unaware that storms get us where we need to go. This was the case for Paul, because he would eventually end up where he desired to be. Seasons of change can be scary. Yet, when we give way to our situations, God will drive us along. For every change comes lessons we get to learn, growth that stretches our flexibility, and situations that can expand our ability to adapt.

Our flaws are opportunities for us to depend on God’s grace to accomplish his purposes. Maybe they’re a humble reminder that this life isn’t all about us. It’s about bringing glory to the creator, not the creation.

Messes will always occur, even after we think we’re done. But what if we considered how many times God has mopped us with His grace and He’s never complained about it one time. Let’s grab that same mop of grace, so that when the next person steps through our entryway, they won’t recognize a mess, but will be welcomed with a cleanliness that is so much greater!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, a couple of forgetful moments don’t disqualify me as mom or disable my abilities. You see, God doesn’t need me to be the mom of all moms, because He is the King of all Kings.

When we are looking up, our perspective changes. We feel propelled and motivated. Where we look is where we will go.

Before every play in a football game a team huddles up. The quarterback makes sure the players on the field know what to do. They communicate. As a team, they have gone over every detail together prior to the big day.

A testimony awaits those who step out and try. Girl, you gotta try. A crowd needs to see what God can do through your reach.

There will always be times in our lives when the conditions are stormy and rough, making it hard to see what’s up ahead. But let me ask this question: do we even know what’s up ahead when the conditions are good?

No matter the place you find yourself right now, God sees you. He’s cheering you on. He hears you. He’s waiting for you to call out to Him. He wants to grasp your hand, pull you up, and make you great.