old pictures

Remember the days of long ago; think about the generations past.
- Deuteronomy 32:7a (NLT)
 
A fun fact about me...I'm the sixth cousin of country music singer KT Oslin. If you were a country music fan in the late '80s and early '90s, you might remember one of her songs called "Old Pictures." Every time I hear that title, it reminds me of how powerful old photographs can be.
Since Monday was my birthday, I found myself drifting back through some old pictures. I don't have many from my childhood because most of them were destroyed over the years, but I've been fortunate enough to find a few tucked away in my grandmother's and mother's old photo albums.
Some of those pictures are all I have left of certain moments, but the faces in them bring back memories that no photograph could ever fully capture. They remind me of the people who shaped my life, encouraged me, challenged me, and loved me.
As I look back now, I can also see something I couldn't always recognize at the time. I can see God's fingerprints.
Every chapter of my life—even the painful ones—helped make me who I am today.
When I was fifteen years old, I lost my dad. At that age, how do you possibly understand a loss like that? Less than ten years later, I lost two brothers within two years of each other. Those seasons didn't make sense while I was living them, and I certainly wasn't looking around thinking, "God is teaching me something through this."
But time has a way of giving us perspective.
Looking back, I can see how those difficult seasons taught me compassion for people who are grieving. My dad's example instilled a work ethic that has stayed with me throughout my life. The hardships didn't define me, but they helped shape me into someone who understands that life isn't always easy—and that sometimes the greatest ministry is simply sitting beside someone who is hurting.
Deuteronomy tells us to remember the days of long ago. I don't think that's because God wants us to live in the past. I think it's because when we look back, we often discover His faithfulness in places we couldn't see while we were walking through them.
The farther down the road we travel, the clearer God's fingerprints become.
So today, maybe pull out an old photo album, scroll through those pictures on your phone, or remember someone who helped shape your life. Thank God for the joyful memories, for the lessons learned through the difficult ones, and for His faithful presence through every chapter of your story.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

fruit

 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.
- Psalm 92:14 (NIV)
 
Birthdays have changed a lot over the years.
I can't remember if it was my fifth or sixth birthday, but I remember having a party one afternoon with six or eight neighborhood kids. One of the guests suggested we make a "birthday bridge." Everyone paired up, raised their hands like the old London Bridge game, and I was supposed to run underneath while each person gave me a birthday spanking as I passed.
It sounded like a fun idea...until one enthusiastic guest missed my bottom entirely and landed a hard smack across my back! Needless to say, that was the end of birthday parties for quite a few years, and I've never really embraced the tradition of birthday spankings since.
When we're children, birthdays are all about the presents. I still have to be gently reminded by my husband not to go overboard buying gifts for our grandbabies. He's probably right when he says they won't remember exactly what they received a year from now—but I sure enjoy trying to make their birthdays special.
As we grow older, birthdays become milestones. Double digits at ten. A teenager at thirteen. A driver's license at sixteen. The right to vote at eighteen. Full-fledged adulthood at twenty-one. Every birthday seems to mark another step toward growing up.
Then, somewhere along the way, birthdays quietly change again.
They become less about what we're given and more about what we've been blessed with. Family gathered around the table. Friends who have walked beside us through every season. A home filled with love. Meaningful work. Memories that no gift could ever replace. And yes...even that little crystal cat your friend from Accounting gave you years ago somehow becomes part of the story.
I remember thinking turning thirty was the end of the world. Looking back now, I can't help but smile. Forty wasn't nearly as bad, fifty came and went, and with each passing year I've discovered something surprising: I've learned more in these recent years than I ever imagined I would.
Psalm 92 reminds us that God's people "will still bear fruit in old age." What a beautiful promise. God doesn't retire us from His purpose. He continues to grow us, teach us, and use us to encourage others. Our age doesn't determine our usefulness—our willingness does.
God isn't finished writing my story, and He isn't finished writing yours either. Every new day is another opportunity to encourage someone, offer a kind word, share a smile, or remind another person that they are loved. Our greatest impact may not be behind us at all.
Now, don't get me wrong...there are definitely mornings when I feel my age. My back has its own opinion about getting out of bed, and sometimes it voices that opinion rather loudly. But as my husband likes to remind me, "You may get older, but you refuse to grow up."
He's absolutely right.
Now...where are all the cats?
 
#dailybreadbykitty
Daily Inspiration from the Bible

building

For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.
- Hebrews 3:4 (NIV)
 
Have you ever stopped to think about all the things you're building?
Most of us aren't building houses, but every day we're building something. We're building relationships with our families. We're building friendships that last through the years. Some of us are building careers or businesses. Others are building ministries, serving our churches, or investing in our communities.
The truth is, every choice we make lays another brick.
Sometimes it can feel discouraging because progress seems so slow. We put in the effort day after day and wonder if we're making any difference at all.
That's where today's verse brings such comfort. Yes, we work. We plan. We serve. We love. But ultimately, God is the Master Builder. He takes our small, ordinary acts of faithfulness and builds something far greater than we could ever accomplish on our own.
I've been thinking about that a lot lately. Whether I'm spending time with my family, serving with CMA, writing these Daily Bread devotionals, or helping build Surface 2 Sky Productions with Randy, I'm reminded that I don't have to carry the entire weight of the project. God isn't asking me to build everything by myself. He's simply asking me to be faithful with the part He's given me.
It's easy to become overwhelmed when we focus on the finished structure. But God usually works one brick at a time, one conversation at a time, one prayer at a time, one act of kindness at a time.
Maybe today you feel like your efforts aren't accomplishing much. Don't give up. The Master Builder is still at work. Even when you can't see the finished picture, He can.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

safe in the chaos

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
- John 14:27 (NIV)
 
The Fourth of July fireworks were still booming, lighting up the sky and making enough noise to rattle the windows. Yet there sat my four-year-old grandson, fast asleep in his mommy's lap with his little headphones on. He wasn't worried about the noise because he knew he was safe.
Watching him sleep, I couldn't help but think... isn't that the kind of trust God wants us to have?
Life can feel a lot like those fireworks. There are unexpected health concerns, financial pressures, family struggles, work deadlines, heartbreaking news, and a thousand other things demanding our attention. Sometimes the noise becomes so overwhelming that it's hard to find a moment of peace.
Jesus never promised us a quiet life, but He did promise us His peace.
The peace He offers isn't found in perfect circumstances. It's found in knowing that no matter how loud the world becomes, we are safely held in our Father's loving arms. Just as my grandson could rest because he trusted the one holding him, we can rest because we know the One who holds us.
That doesn't mean we ignore life's challenges or pretend everything is fine. It means we face those challenges with the confidence that God is with us every step of the way. His presence is greater than our fears, and His peace is stronger than the noise surrounding us.
Today, if life feels especially loud, take a moment to rest in God's presence. You don't have to carry every burden on your own. The same Savior who calmed the storm is more than able to calm your heart.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

lasting work

 
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.
- Psalm 90:17 (NIV)
 
As another week comes to a close, I find myself looking back with a grateful heart.
This week wasn't filled with spectacular events or life-changing milestones. Instead, it was made up of ordinary moments that became extraordinary because of the people I shared them with and the God who was present in each one.
A birthday celebration reminded me how quickly children grow. Time in the pool showed me the joy that comes from encouraging one another. Changed plans became opportunities to practice patience and grace. A sleeping grandson reminded me what it looks like to trust completely. Even the simple act of spending time together strengthened the bonds that God has been building for years.
It's easy to think the important work happens in the big moments of life—the promotions, the accomplishments, the major decisions. But more often than not, God is doing His greatest work in the everyday moments we might otherwise overlook.
Every encouraging word, every lesson taught with love, every prayer whispered, every hug shared, every act of kindness is another brick in something that will last far longer than we can imagine.
As we head into a new week, my prayer is that I won't overlook the ordinary opportunities God places in front of me. After all, today's ordinary moments often become tomorrow's treasured memories.
May God establish the work of our hands—not for our glory, but for His. And may we never forget that the greatest things we build are the lives we touch and the love we leave behind.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

learning together

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
- Romans 15:4 (NIV)
 
As wonderful as our weekend was, we had a few of those "let's take a moment here" conversations.
You know the ones. Plans change, something doesn't happen the way everyone expected, and suddenly there's disappointment. Our granddaughter wanted to argue her point, convinced her plan was the better one. Our four-year-old grandson was a little pouty because things didn't go the way he had hoped. As parents and grandparents, we did our best to explain why plans had changed. Sometimes we explained it well...and sometimes we probably could have done better.
The funny thing is, I realized we were all learning together.
Children are learning patience. Adults are learning patience too.
Children are learning that life doesn't always go according to plan. Adults are reminded of that lesson more often than we'd like.
Children are learning that even when they're disappointed, they are still deeply loved. Adults need that reminder from God every now and then as well.
That's one reason I love today's verse. God gave us His Word to teach us, encourage us, and give us hope. The Bible doesn't pretend life will always go according to our plans. Instead, it reminds us that God is faithful when life takes unexpected turns.
By the end of the day, no one remembered the disappointment as much as they remembered the laughter, the hugs, and the time we spent together. That's usually how life works. The little frustrations fade, but love remains.
Maybe today your plans won't unfold exactly the way you hoped. Before frustration gets the best of you, remember that God may be teaching you something through the detour. His lessons aren't always easy, but they're always given with love—and they always point us toward hope.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

no greater joy

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
- 3 John 1:4 (NIV)

What a wonderful weekend! We spent every minute we could with our kids and grandkids, and my heart is so full.
Friday night we celebrated our granddaughter's ninth birthday with all of her favorite foods and, of course, a delicious birthday cake. Saturday was spent almost entirely in the pool. I have to say, I am so proud of how much both of my grandkids have improved their swimming this year. Watching them become more confident and willing to try new things made this MeowMeow smile.
That evening we watched the neighborhood light up the sky with fireworks, and we lit a few of our own. My favorite moment wasn't one of the loud explosions or colorful displays—it was seeing my four-year-old grandson peacefully asleep in his mommy's lap, headphones on, completely content while the celebration continued all around him. Such a sweet little face.
Sunday was made for adventure. We loaded up the four-wheelers, explored trails for hours, laughed, talked, and simply enjoyed being together.
As wonderful as all of those moments were, they reminded me that the greatest blessing isn't the birthday party, the swimming pool, the fireworks, or the trail rides. It's watching the next generation grow—not only in age and confidence, but also in faith and character. There truly is no greater joy than seeing our children and grandchildren learning to love God and walk in His ways.
Whether you're a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or someone who pours into the life of a child, never underestimate the impact you can have. The time you spend together, the prayers you pray, the example you set, and the love you show may be shaping a heart for eternity.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible