learning to be loved

 
We love because he first loved us.
- 1 John 4:19 (NIVUK)
 
As this week wraps up, I find myself coming back to one simple but not-so-easy truth:
Before we can truly love the way God calls us to love… we have to first learn how to receive His love.
Frances Chan teaches in his book Beloved that allowing ourselves to be loved by God means abandoning the need to prove our worth and instead resting in the secure, unchanging love He already has for us, a transformation that brings freedom and changes everything.
And honestly… that rings so true.
We’re really good at doing.
We’re pretty good at giving.
We’re even decent at serving.
But being still long enough to believe that we are fully loved—right where we are? That’s tough.
So many of us walk around carrying quiet shame and quiet regrets, the quiet reminders of all the ways we think we’ve failed.
We know God loves the world…
We just struggle to believe He loves us with that same depth and tenderness.
But Scripture is clear:
We don’t love God first.
He loved us first.
Before we cleaned up.
Before we figured things out.
Before we got it together.
Christmas proves that God didn’t wait for us to become worthy—He came because we weren’t.
And the truth is this:
Until we fully receive the love of God, we will always struggle to give the love of God.
Because you can’t pour out what you refuse to believe you truly have.
When we live loved, we love differently.
We forgive more freely.
We give more generously.
We judge less harshly.
We show up more consistently.
Love stops feeling like pressure… and starts feeling like overflow.
So today, maybe the bravest prayer isn’t “Lord, help me love better.”
Maybe it’s simply:
“Lord, help me believe that I am deeply, completely, and unconditionally loved.”
Because once that settles into your heart—
Everything else begins to change.
 
#dailybreadbykitty
Daily Inspiration from the Bible

not just for you

 
By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
- John 13:35 (NIV)
 
One of the things that stood out to me so strongly in church this week was this reminder:
God’s love is for you… but it was never meant to stop with you.
“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
Everyone.
Not just the people who look like us.
Not just the people who think like us.
Not just the people who are easy to love.
Everyone.
It’s such a simple verse, but it carries such a big responsibility. The way we love is meant to be a living, breathing testimony of Jesus to the world around us. Not our church attendance. Not our Bible knowledge. Not the Christian quotes we share online. Our love.
And let’s be real… loving people is not always easy.
Some people push our buttons or hurt us deeply.
Some people live in ways we don’t understand or agree with.
Some people carry labels that make it easier to judge them than to love them.
But God didn’t put conditions on John 3:16 either, did He?
God so loved the world.
Not the perfect.
Not the cleaned-up.
Not the already-holy.
The world.
We are not just here to be saved.
We are not just here to be healed.
We are not just here to sit comfortably in our faith.
We are here on purpose and on mission.
And sometimes the most powerful act of evangelism isn’t a sermon…
It’s patience.
It’s kindness.
It’s forgiveness.
It’s choosing not to keep score.
It’s loving when the world says someone is unlovable.
Something else that hit me hard this week was this truth:
My reaction to people could be the very thing that shifts the direction of their life.
That’s heavy… but it’s also holy.
So today, I’m asking myself some honest questions:
Who do I struggle to love?
Who do I silently judge?
Who do I avoid instead of engage?
And then I’m asking God to help me love anyway.
Because love isn’t just something we receive at Christmas—
It’s something we are called to release every single day.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

given

 
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
 
One of the most challenging parts of yesterday’s message (John 3:16) for me was this simple truth:
love naturally wants to give… but humans naturally want to receive.
If we’re being honest, selfishness comes pretty easy to all of us. We want to be noticed and appreciated. We want to be loved, understood, valued, and affirmed. None of that is wrong—but Christmas reminds us that real love always moves outward, not inward.
“Love is patient, love is kind…”
We hear these verses at weddings all the time. They sound beautiful. But in church this week, the pastor challenged us to read this passage a little differently—by replacing the word "love" with "Jesus".
Jesus is patient.
Jesus is kind.
Jesus does not envy.
Jesus is not easily angered.
Jesus keeps no record of wrongs.
Every single line fits Him perfectly.
Then came the harder challenge… to replace the word love with your own name.
Oof.
How accurate was that for you?
Because if we call ourselves Christians—if we truly mean “Christ-like”—then His love becomes the standard we are training for.
And I loved this distinction:
“I’m not trying… I’m training.”
Trying leaves room for quitting.
Training requires repetition, discipline, and intentional effort over time.
We don’t accidentally become more loving.
We don’t naturally default to kindness.
We don’t drift into patience.
We train for it.
And that training almost always shows up in the way we give:
Giving grace instead of snapping back
Giving time instead of excuses
Giving forgiveness instead of bitterness
Giving encouragement instead of criticism
Every time we choose to give instead of take, we look a little more like Jesus.
Christmas itself is proof of this truth. God didn’t seek something from us—He gave something to us. Love didn’t come demanding… it came offering.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

unearned

 
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
- John 3:16 (NIV)
 
This week, I attended a new church, and the sermon touched me so deeply that I wanted to carry part of it into this week’s “daily bread” as we continue in this Christmas season, so here we go!
Have you ever noticed how deeply wired we are to earn things?
We earn paychecks, trust, respect.
We even feel like we have to earn love.
From a young age, we are taught that good behavior gets rewarded and bad behavior gets consequences. That thinking sneaks its way into our relationship with God, too—sometimes without us even realizing it. We start to believe that if we “do enough,” if we pray more, read more, mess up less… then God will love us more.
But Christmas tells a completely different story.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…”
Because God loved, God gave.
There is nothing in that verse that says we deserved it or that we earned it.
Nothing that says we worked our way into His love.
He loved first. And He gave because of that love.
In church, the pastor described God’s love like a wave pool, not an endless pool. An endless pool requires constant effort—constant swimming just to stay in place. But a wave pool? You can rest and still be carried. God’s love doesn’t require you to keep fighting to stay afloat. It comes to you. Again and again. Steady. Constant.
And here’s the part that really gets me…
God loves you the same whether you feel like a “perfect Christian” or a total hot mess. His love does not rise and fall with your performance. It doesn’t fluctuate with your bad days, your doubts, your mess-ups, or your fears.
Jesus is the visible picture of God’s invisible love.
The manger was love wrapped in flesh.
The cross was love poured out completely.
You don’t have to earn that.
You just have to receive it.
And that, honestly, might be one of the hardest things we ever do.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

still thankful

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
- Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
 
November is set aside as the month for giving thanks… but thankfulness should not stop in November.
In the past, many of my Facebook friends (myself included) have participated in the tradition of “30 Days of Thankful,” where you post one thing every day for the entire month of November that you are specifically thankful for. It’s always pretty cool to see what people share.
Over the years, during Thanksgiving dinners at my house, we’ve gone around the table and said what we were thankful for—sometimes even putting a twist on it by going through the alphabet. (And let me just say… how many things are you grateful for that start with the letter X?!)
All in all, we should be thankful every day.
For everything.
And we should give thanks to God for each and every possible thing in our lives—no matter how big or how small.
I once saw a sign that said, “What if we woke up today with only the things we thanked God for yesterday?”
That one stopped me in my tracks.
Thankfulness has a way of shifting our perspective. It reminds us that even in the middle of busy schedules, financial stress, grief, exhaustion, and uncertainty—God is still moving, still providing, still faithful. Some days gratitude flows easily. Other days, we have to look a little harder for it. But when we choose gratitude, it softens our hearts and steadies our spirits.
I am thankful for so much.
And today, I am especially thankful for the words God gives me to share with others in this space—whether you are reading this through email or on my blog. You are part of my gratitude story.
Let thankfulness be something that carries us through December, through Christmas, and into every season that follows.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

more than wrapped packages

 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

- 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV)
 
Do you remember the best gift that you ever received?
If you ask a child, they might tell you the latest gift that every kid wants.
If you ask a teenager, they might talk about the hottest new phone.
If you ask a young adult, they might mention a car or a job.
If you ask a middle-aged person, they might say their family.
If you ask an elderly person, you might hear about how blessed they were throughout their lifetime.
It’s funny how that answer changes as we grow, isn’t it?
The best gift any one of us has ever received, though, is Jesus.
We spend so much time this season thinking about gifts—buying them, wrapping them, worrying if they’re enough, wondering if we chose the “right” thing. But the greatest gift was never meant to fit inside a box. God didn’t just give us something… He gave us Himself.
And because He gave so freely, we are invited to give the same way. Not out of pressure. Not out of obligation. But out of joy. Out of love. Out of gratitude.
Sometimes our most meaningful gifts won’t be found under the tree. They will be found in our kindness, our generosity, our forgiveness, our time, and our compassion. When we give from the heart, we reflect the heart of the Giver.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

a season of patience?

 

Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always.
- Romans 12:12 (TLB)
 
If I’m being honest, I have zero patience for just about anything. Add in packed stores, packed schedules, constant noise, and endless decision-making—and my emotions run on high. That combination leads to a lot of tears… and more than a few breakdowns.
And layered on top of all of that, today marks four years since my mom passed away. Sometimes it isn’t the big moments that knock the wind out of me—it’s the tiniest memory. A smell. A song. A random thought. And suddenly, out of nowhere, a flood of sadness hits with no warning.
This season calls us to patience, but patience doesn’t mean we don’t feel deeply. It means we bring those feelings to God instead of letting them crush us. Scripture doesn’t say, “Rejoice because everything is easy.” It says to rejoice in hope, to be patient in tribulation, and to stay steadfast in prayer.
That tells me God already knows this season is hard sometimes. He knows grief doesn’t take a holiday. He knows the chaos feels overwhelming. And He invites us—not to fake being okay—but to stay connected to Him through it all.
God knows how heavy this season can feel, not just for me, but for a lot of people. We have to ask Him for patience when emotions run high, comfort when grief sneaks in, and peace in the middle of the chaos. Maybe patience this season looks like giving ourselves permission to pause. To breathe. To cry. To pray. To remember. And to trust that God is still holding all the tender pieces of our hearts.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

preparing for the hoildays

 
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
- Luke 1:38 (NKJV)
 
We are definitely in full preparation mode this time of year. We might go a little crazy decorating—the inflatables alone are kind of over the top with a 20-foot snowman, a 20-foot Santa, a 10-foot Christmas tree, a talking, singing, joke-telling snowman head, and lights all over the house. It’s a lot… and I love it.
But if no other decorations go up, there are two things that will always find a place: my willow tree in memory of my dad, and the nativity scene.
Those two things say everything about what this season really means to me—remembrance and Jesus.
Mary’s words in this verse always stop me in my tracks: “Let it be to me according to Your word.” She didn’t have a perfectly decorated home or a neatly wrapped plan. What she had was a willing heart. A heart that said yes to God even when the future looked uncertain and overwhelming.
We can prepare every inch of our homes and still forget to prepare our hearts. We can hang the lights, wrap the gifts, fill the calendar—and still miss making room for peace, humility, surrender, and worship.
Let's stop and ask God to help us prepare our hearts for Him above everything else this season. Let our "yes" be genuine, our focus be right, and our hearts be ready. What if our greatest preparation this season isn’t what goes on the outside of our homes… but what we allow God to do on the inside of our hearts?
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

waiting with expectation

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
 
There is something about this season of waiting that feels different than any other kind of waiting. We wait for packages to arrive, for travel plans to fall into place, for family to gather—but Advent reminds us that God’s people waited for something far greater. They waited for a Savior.
I think about how impatient I can be with the everyday stuff. Traffic lights feel too slow, checkout lines feel too long, and unanswered prayers feel unbearable at times. And yet, God works beautifully in the waiting. The world waited centuries for Jesus, and God’s timing was perfect.
Advent isn’t just about counting down to Christmas—it’s about training our hearts to wait with hope instead of frustration. Let's pray daily asking God to help us slow down and trust Him in the waiting. We need Him to teach us to wait with hope, not impatience. If God kept His promise then, He will keep His promise now.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible
 

after the mess

The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.
- Nahum 1:7 (NLT)
 
It always makes me laugh how Thanksgiving has this incredible slow build — planning menus, cleaning the house, thawing the turkey, getting the tables set — all leading up to one giant, delicious meal that disappears in about fourteen minutes. And then, before the dishes are even dry, the world slingshots straight into Black Friday madness.
Crowded stores, long lines, sales flashing everywhere, people running on leftover pumpkin pie and very little sleep… it’s enough to make even the calmest person say, “Lord, help me.”
After the warmth of Thanksgiving, the noise and chaos can feel jarring. The house is a mess, the fridge is stuffed with leftovers, and your feet are still tired from either shopping or hosting — or both. The “day after” can leave you feeling drained instead of joyful.
But this is where Nahum 1:7 speaks right into our tired hearts:
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble.”
Even when the “trouble” is just the overwhelming swirl of holiday crowds, noise, exhaustion, and expectations… He is still our refuge. He is still our calm. He is still the One we can run to when our soul needs rest.
I love that the verse ends with, “He knows those who trust in Him.”
He knows you — your limits, your stress, your heart, your desire to make the holidays special, and the weight you carry trying to keep everything running smoothly. He sees the effort, the exhaustion, and the mental overload that can follow a big celebration.
And He invites you to take a breath.
Thankfulness doesn’t end when the leftovers go in the fridge or when the Black Friday crowds take over the stores. Gratitude grows in the quiet moments afterward — when you stop long enough to feel His presence and remember that He is your stronghold, even in the chaos.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

happy Thanksgiving

 So let us never stop offering to God our praise through Jesus. Let us talk openly about our faith in him. Then our words will be like an offering to God.
- Hebrews 13:15 (NIRV)
 
Sometimes praise really is a sacrifice. We don’t always feel thankful. Life doesn’t always make sense. Our emotions don’t always line up with what we know is true.
And then there’s Thanksgiving week — a beautiful time, yes, but also a whirlwind. If you’ve ever been responsible for preparing a huge Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends, you know exactly what I mean. The menu planning, the grocery shopping, the cleaning, the baking, the endless list of “don’t forget this!” running through your mind. By the time the turkey is in the oven and the pies are cooling on the counter, you’re already wondering why your feet hurt and how you managed to dirty every dish in the house.
It’s in moments like these — when life feels busy, overwhelming, and anything but peaceful — that offering praise truly becomes a sacrifice. Not because we don’t love our people, but because the weight of responsibility can crowd out the gratitude we intended to carry.
But this verse gently reminds us that thankfulness isn’t about everything going perfectly. It’s about who God is. He walks with us through the stress, the noise, the rushing back and forth. He meets us in the kitchen chaos as much as He meets us in the quiet morning prayer.
So even while stirring the mashed potatoes or setting the table for the tenth time, we can whisper a simple, sincere “Thank You, Lord.” Not because we feel calm, but because He is still worthy.
Thank Him today — not because everything falls into place, but because He holds everything together.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

restoration

Then out of them shall proceed thanksgiving And the voice of those who make merry; I will multiply them, and they shall not diminish; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
- Jeremiah 30:19 (NKJV)
 
This verse is tucked inside a chapter of restoration — and isn’t that such a beautiful picture? God tells His people that after everything they’ve been through, thanksgiving will rise again from their lips.
Maybe that speaks to you today. Maybe you’ve had a year where gratitude felt just out of reach. 2025 has been a challenging year for a lot of people. I personally have experienced so much heartache — job loss, death, medical issues — and I know so many who are carrying their own quiet storms. It’s hard to be thankful when life has felt heavy, uncertain, or downright painful.
But God has a way of restoring us from the inside out. He breathes life into places we thought were permanently broken. And when He does, gratitude returns — not forced, not faked, but flowing from a heart He has healed.
Your thanksgiving doesn’t have to be loud. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be honest. And even if it feels small right now, trust that God is rebuilding you — and joy is coming.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

every day

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
- Psalm 68:19 (NIV)
 
I love that little word — daily. God doesn’t wait for us to “have it all together” before He pours out blessings. He doesn’t check to see how spiritual our week has been. He just keeps loading us up with gifts, one after another, every single day.
And yet… sometimes I get so frustrated with life that I just have to vent. Call it venting, call it ranting, call it having a come apart — whatever you call it, it’s all the same. Life gets heavy, and my heart starts to feel like it’s carrying a backpack stuffed with worries, expectations, and the things I’m trying way too hard to handle alone.
But here’s the truth I have to remind myself of in the words of one of my favorite artists, “You were never meant to carry this beyond the cross.”
How fortunate are we that our God cares enough to take every burden we drag around and let us leave it right at the foot of the cross? Every frustration, every worry, every late-night overthinking session — nothing surprises Him, and nothing is too heavy for Him.
My heart is filled with awe and wonder that my God is so powerful, so faithful, and so close that there is nothing He can’t handle. And in that truth… I am blessed.
And so are you.
When we pause long enough to notice what He does for us — the help He gives, the strength He provides, the peace He brings — gratitude rises. Those “daily benefits” aren’t just nice ideas; they are lifelines that prove His love over and over again.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

for our sakes

For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
- 2 Corinthians 4:15 (NKJV)
 
Isn’t it amazing how God can take all things — even the parts of life that make zero sense — and somehow use them for our sake?
I was thinking about how grace doesn’t just touch one life; it spreads. It catches on like a spark in dry grass. Someone forgives you, and suddenly you find yourself quicker to forgive someone else. Someone shows kindness, and your heart softens enough to pass that kindness along. Before you know it, grace is multiplying, and thanksgiving follows right behind it.
This week, look at your life through the lens of grace. Even the hard moments have left something behind — wisdom, resilience, compassion. And when we recognize how God has woven grace through our story, thanksgiving naturally sounds louder in our hearts.
Thankfulness abounds when we realize He wastes nothing — not even the parts of our story we’d rather skip.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

mountains

For behold, He who forms mountains, And creates the wind, Who declares to man what his thought is, And makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth— The Lord God of hosts is His name.
— Amos 4:13 (NKJV)
 
As we head into Thanksgiving week, most people turn to verses about giving thanks, singing praise, or entering His courts with gratitude. Those are beautiful, of course — but this year I found myself drawn to something different.
Amos 4:13 isn’t your typical Thanksgiving scripture. It doesn’t mention gratitude. It doesn’t say “be thankful.” It doesn’t even talk about blessings.
Instead, it talks about a God who forms mountains, creates the wind, walks the high places of the earth, and — this is the part that stopped me in my tracks — declares to man what his thought is.
In other words,
He knows us. Completely.
Every thought. Every fear. Every wandering place of the heart.
And He loves us anyway.
The God who carved out the mountain ranges with His hands and stirs up the wind with a whisper is the same God who leans in close enough to understand our thoughts before they ever reach our lips.
And that… that is something to be thankful for.
Thankfulness isn’t just about listing the good things in our lives. True gratitude comes from knowing the One who holds our lives, understands our hearts, and remains faithful even when we’re complicated, messy, emotional, distracted, or inconsistent.
He doesn’t just notice us — He knows us.
He doesn’t just see our actions — He sees our motivations.
He doesn’t just hear our words — He hears the things we’re too afraid to say out loud.
This week, while we celebrate with turkey, pie, and all the traditional things, I want to take a moment to thank God for something deeper:
I am thankful that the Creator of the universe knows my thoughts and still chooses to stay close.
He knows when my mind spirals into worry.
He knows when I’m distracted by things that don’t matter.
He knows when my thoughts turn negative, fearful, or tired.
He knows every corner of my heart — the good, the bad, the broken, and the healing.
And still, He walks with me.
Maybe you’ve had a year full of ups and downs. Maybe your mind hasn’t always been the calmest or the kindest place. Maybe your thoughts have wandered in ways you aren’t proud of. Mine sure have at times.
But Amos reminds us:
The God who shaped mountains can reshape our thoughts.
The God who creates the wind can breathe peace into anxious minds.
The God who treads the high places walks beside us in our lowest ones.
This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for many things… but today, I’m especially thankful for a God who knows my thoughts and still calls me His own.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

fall leaves

Then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil.
- Psalm 91:4 (NKJV)
 
There is something so comforting about fall.
The crunch of leaves underfoot.
The cool, crisp air after a long, hot summer.
Pumpkins on porches.
Fields turning golden and ready for harvest.
Everything seems to whisper, “A change is coming—slow down and notice it.”
Growing up in Iowa, fall always meant harvest time. The fields were buzzing with tractors, combines, and trucks lining up to haul away the grain. The sky had that unmistakable golden tint that only happens in October, and the air smelled like corn, soil, and wood smoke.
But mid-November could also mean snow—sometimes a dusting, sometimes a full-on blizzard—so there was always this urgency to finish gathering the crops before winter decided to surprise us. Even as a kid, I remember thinking how unpredictable fall could be… and yet how faithfully the harvest always came.
That’s exactly what this verse in Deuteronomy reminds me of.
God promises to send rain in its season, so His people can gather what they’ve planted. Not too early. Not too late. Not too much. Not too little. Just enough… exactly when it’s needed.
Isn’t that the definition of His faithfulness?
Just like the turning seasons in Iowa—where one day you’re raking leaves and the next day you’re scraping ice—God knows exactly when to bring refreshing rain and when to let things rest. He knows when it’s time for us to gather the harvest He’s grown in us—spiritually and emotionally, not just physically.
As the leaves begin to change and fall, I can’t help but think of all the changes God walks me through as well. Some seasons are full and bright. Some are quiet and slow. Some are messy and painful—shedding old things I’ve hung onto for far too long. But every season has its purpose… and every season holds a reason to be thankful.
Fall encourages reflection.
It reminds me to look back over the last year—not with regret, but with gratitude:
For the prayers God answered.
For the storms He calmed.
For the blessings I didn’t expect.
For the things He asked me to release.
And for the faith He strengthened along the way.
Just like those Iowa fields, God brings each of us to moments where we can gather the good He’s grown in us—lessons learned, joy restored, peace renewed, and hope rekindled.
He gives the rain in its season.
He gives growth in its season.
He brings change in its season.
And He gives us reason to be thankful in every season.
As I breathe in the crisp fall air today, I’m choosing gratitude.
How about you?
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

on track

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
- Proverbs 4:25-27 (NIV)
 
Happy birthday to my amazing husband, Randy!
To celebrate his birthday, we took a train ride on the Arkansas–Missouri Railroad Saturday, and it was absolutely wonderful. There’s something about riding a train that settles you in a different way—maybe it’s the slow rocking, maybe it’s the steady rhythm of the wheels, or maybe it’s just the chance to step back and breathe for a minute.
One of my favorite parts was stepping out onto the back platform of the train car. I stood there watching the tracks disappear behind us, the wind brushing across my face, and I found myself thinking about how grateful I was that those tracks stayed right where they were supposed to be… especially as we crossed a few very tall trestles!
But of course, as my mind tends to do, it wandered to my spiritual life.
Isn’t it funny how a train can stay perfectly on track through hills, curves, and bridges—while I can slip off track over the tiniest little thing?
Have you noticed how easy it is to drift off course?
It doesn’t take a dramatic derailment—just one little distraction. One unexpected setback. One irritating comment. One worry I let simmer too long. And suddenly I’m spiritually wobbling all over the place.
I can start my day with the best intentions—Bible open, heart steady, coffee in hand—and somehow end up chasing everything but what God asked me to focus on. Meanwhile, that train stays locked onto its tracks no matter what comes around the bend.
This scripture reminds me that staying on God’s path takes intention.
God doesn’t say, “Glance ahead when you remember.”
He says, Fix your gaze.
Look straight ahead.
Stay steady.
Don’t drift.
Life will always tug at us—people’s opinions, stress, old habits, our own emotions that flare up out of nowhere. But when our eyes stay on Him, He keeps our steps firm, even when the path is narrow or the trestle is high and a little scary.
And just like a train engineer follows the rails laid out before him, we follow the path God places before us—trusting that He knows every turn and every crossing long before we get there.
Today, I want to be more intentional about where my eyes are.
Not on the distractions.
Not on the things that knock me sideways.
But straight ahead—toward God’s purpose, God’s voice, and God’s heart.
Because the more I focus on Him, the less likely I am to derail over something small.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

covered in feathers

He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
- Psalm 91:4 (NKJV)
 
Protection is a big deal in this day and age.
We’ve got home security systems that alert us if someone opens a window, if there’s motion in the driveway, or if the carbon monoxide levels shift even a little. We have keychains and phone apps to help keep our kids safe when they’re walking alone at night. We have devices for the elderly so they can call for help if they fall or feel chest pain. Everywhere you look, someone is selling a new form of security.
And don’t get me wrong—those things are wonderful blessings.
But none of them compare to the protection that God offers His children.
Psalm 91:4 paints such a tender picture—God covering us with His feathers, sheltering us under His wings. It’s not just safety; it’s closeness. It’s belonging. It’s the kind of protection that says, “You are mine. I’ll keep you safe.”
I don’t know about you, but there are days when I feel like I need that kind of shelter more than anything. Life can swing from calm to chaotic in the blink of an eye. One phone call, one message, one situation, and suddenly I’m searching for a place to hide—emotionally, mentally, spiritually.
But God offers a refuge that isn’t based on alarms, locks, buttons, or batteries.
His protection is steady. Personal. Ever-present.
He doesn’t merely guard us; He gathers us close.
Having God as your shield means you belong to Him.
It means He wraps you in His truth when the lies of the world try to overwhelm you.
It means He stands between you and the battles you don’t even know are happening.
It means you never face a storm alone.
I will gladly take shelter under His wings—every time.
How about you?
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

doorway

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.
- Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
 
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I catch myself rushing into prayer like I’m clocking in for a shift.
“Lord, here I am… okay, here’s what went wrong today, here’s what I need, here’s who needs help…”
And before I know it, my whole conversation with God is a list. A sincere list, yes — but still a list.
But Psalm 100:4 reminds me that I’m invited to enter His presence with thanksgiving first, not with panic, frustration, or a mental to-do list. Thanksgiving opens the door.
There’s something powerful about gratitude. Not the forced kind — not the “I guess I’ll be thankful because it’s November” kind — but the real, quiet acknowledgment that God has been faithful in a thousand little ways we forgot to notice.
Sometimes that “gate” is as simple as:
“Thank You for waking me up.”
“Thank You for getting me through another week.”
“Thank You for the people You’ve put in my life.”
“Thank You for Your patience with me — especially on the days when I’m not patient with myself.”
When we choose to enter His presence with thanks, our whole attitude shifts.
Suddenly what felt heavy becomes a little lighter.
What felt chaotic becomes calmer.
And the things that were stealing our joy don’t seem quite as loud anymore.
This week, I want to challenge myself — and you, if you want to join me — to start every prayer with one thing I’m thankful for. Big or small, meaningful or simple. Because gratitude isn’t just a feeling… it’s a doorway.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

content

 I am not saying I need anything. I have learned to be happy with whatever I have.
- Philippians 4:11 (NLV)
 
Have you noticed that it’s easy to be happy when everything is going well? When the bills are paid, the car is running, the kids are behaving, and life feels smooth—it’s simple to feel grateful.
But what about the moments when things fall apart? When the check bounces, the car breaks down, or a friend disappoints us? Paul’s words remind us that contentment isn’t tied to our circumstances. It’s something we learn—often the hard way.
I’ve known people who are never satisfied—always chasing the next best thing, no matter the cost. I’ve also known the quiet souls who can find peace with very little, and somehow their joy feels deeper. I think that’s the kind of contentment Paul was talking about—the kind that doesn’t depend on what’s in our hands, but on Who holds us.
I learned early in life that I let things bring me down too easily. It took time and a few hard lessons to realize that even in the worst moments, God can use those very things for good. We may not see it right away, but He is always working.
When we begin to see God’s hand in every circumstance—the good and the bad—thankfulness starts to take root. Gratitude grows where contentment is planted.
He is our comforter and our strength, and because of that, I can truly say: I am content. Can you?
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible
 

responding with grace

 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Romans 12:21 (NKJV)
 
Difficult people are everywhere. At your work, at the store, driving on the roads, in your family and even in your church! I once read that the number one goal in dealing with difficult people or circumstances is this: Don’t become what you hate.
That phrase hit me hard. It doesn’t mean we hate the person—it means we must guard our hearts so we don’t let bitterness, pettiness, or anger change who we are in Christ. When someone mistreats us, it’s so easy to snap back, to match their energy, or to “give them a taste of their own medicine.” But God calls us to something higher.
We don’t overcome the devil by using his tactics. We don’t fight darkness by adding more darkness. We drive it back by shining brighter—by doing what is right, by responding with grace, and by filling our hearts with goodness.
There is no greater example of overcoming evil with good than Jesus. Even when betrayed, beaten, and mocked, He still responded with love, forgiveness, and truth. That’s the model we’re called to follow—not because it’s easy, but because it’s holy.
When you choose kindness instead of cruelty, forgiveness instead of revenge, gentleness instead of gossip—you are being a light in a dark world. And the thing about light is, it doesn’t have to fight the darkness to win. It just has to shine.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

guarding your thoughts

 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
- Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
 
It is so easy to get lost in the swirling abyss of negativity, especially right now with all the craziness going on in this world.
It seems like every news headline or social media post is filled with outrage, fear, or heartbreak. The “feel good” stories rarely make the front page, and when they do, we tend to scroll right past them while lingering on the bad.
But Paul reminds us to do something different. He challenges us to guard our minds — to choose where our thoughts will dwell.
When we fix our focus on what is pure, lovely, and praiseworthy, it doesn’t mean we ignore what’s wrong in the world; it means we refuse to let it rule our hearts.
Perhaps it’s time to examine what’s taking up space in our minds. Are we dwelling on the darkness, or are we letting in the light?
When we allow God to help us filter our thoughts — to clear out the bitterness, envy, and fear — we begin to see more clearly the beauty He’s still painting all around us.
You might be surprised how much your outlook changes when you focus on the positive, the good, the noble, and the admirable.
Because what we think about shapes who we become — and God calls us to be people of peace, not panic; of hope, not despair.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

Veteran's day

 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
- 2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV)
 
Today is Veterans Day, so first and foremost — thank you to every single one of you reading this who has served in the U.S. military.
Thank you to those who are still serving.
Thank you to the families who spent birthdays, holidays, and milestones apart so their loved ones could protect our freedom.
And thank you to the soldiers who gave their lives so that we might live free.
To the men and women in uniform — we honor your courage, your sacrifice, and your service.
I am the granddaughter of a U.S. soldier.
I am the daughter of a U.S. soldier.
I am the sister of a U.S. soldier.
I am the mother of a U.S. soldier.
And I am the friend of many U.S. soldiers.
My pride for our soldiers runs deep.
My grandfather, father, and brother have all left this earth, and I honor them — and hundreds of thousands of others — by asking that we respect, honor, and give thanks for their sacrifice.
The freedom you have today, even to read these very words, was bought at a great price by a soldier who deserves nothing less than honor and respect.
Every year on Veterans Day, I’m reminded of a poem I first read in sixth grade:
The Soldier and God we both adore,
In times of need and not before,
But when the war is won
And the wrong is righted,
God is forgotten
And the Soldier is slighted.
Does that hit home for you? It should.
Let this day remind us that when we love and honor God, we must also love and honor those who selflessly fight for the freedom to praise Him.
Paul tells Timothy to endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ — one who stays focused on pleasing his Commander. Our veterans and active-duty soldiers model that kind of dedication. They serve with courage, loyalty, and discipline. And just as they defend our nation, we are called to stand firm in our faith, to live with that same endurance and purpose — serving our Great Commander above all.
So today, as we thank our veterans and remember those who did not come home, let’s also recommit ourselves to live honorably, faithfully, and with gratitude for the freedom both they — and Christ — have secured for us.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

I want a do over

 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool."
- Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)
 
“Do overs!”
I doubt any of us have gone through life without shouting that phrase — or hearing it yelled across a playground, a backyard, or maybe even a board game table. When we were kids and the dice didn’t roll our way, “do overs” was the ultimate rule. You said it, and that was it — instant reset!
But somewhere along the way, as we grew up and entered the world of jobs, responsibilities, and real consequences, “do overs” disappeared. We’ve all had moments we wish we could redo — a word spoken too sharply, a choice made too quickly, or an opportunity left untouched.
The good news? With God, do overs still exist.
Isaiah 1:18 reminds us that God invites us into a conversation with Him — “Come now, and let us reason together.” He doesn’t stand back with arms crossed waiting to condemn us. He says, “Let’s talk this through.” Even when our mistakes stain deep like crimson, His forgiveness makes us white as snow.
We might not get to undo the past, but we can start fresh through repentance and His mercy. When we humble ourselves and ask for His forgiveness, He doesn’t just wipe the slate clean — He gives us the strength to move forward differently.
I may not be perfect (none of us are), but I serve a perfect God who helps me do better.
He wants us to listen, to care for others the way He cares for us. And when we ask Him for help, He will help us — because there is none stronger, and none more willing to see us restored.
So today, what “do over” do you need to bring before God?
He’s ready to listen.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible