I started a study on the epistles of John, and I drank so deeply from the well of His Word that I hadn’t even realized how parched I was.

It hasn’t been that long since I’d studied deeply, but apparently long enough to be that thirsty. I was digging in 1 John like I was looking for treasure. I was excited when I came across confirmations I had heard the Lord speak to me even within the last week. It’s refreshing to know without a doubt when God is speaking!

I treasure God’s Word not just because I value the Bible, but because it allows me to know God in such a tangible way. Having God’s Word in my hands is such a gift.

It tends my soul and answers the many questions of what I should do, how I live, what it looks like to give and receive love, and how I know God loves me.

God’s Word is described as more precious than gold (or money) and sweeter than honey. Not only is God’s Word true, but it’s also valuable and good!

When I recognize the Word of God as the most valuable item I own, I can see it with a different perspective. The Bible is not mere words on a page; it’s a life of abundance and a love to behold tucked inside the pages of the most beautiful book in the world, written with me (and you) in mind.

I get to partake of its goodness every single day. I am the richest woman in the world. If you belong to Jesus and own a Bible, you are, too!

I have treasured your word in my heart so that I might not sin against you.
-Psalm 119:11

Savoring Him,

Christin

Some hardships are more challenging than others. Some settle quietly into your bones, following you into the morning, sitting beside you in the stillness, and making even ordinary things feel heavier than they should. And trying to willpower your way through just isn’t working.

What, I wonder, are we trying to muster up willpower for? What if it’s not about willpower but surrender?

Willpower says the power is within my will. But in certain situations, I’m trying to solve a problem that willpower cannot solve. It’s not about making myself believe everything will turn out exactly the way I hope. It’s about choosing to trust God with what I cannot see. It’s truly about surrendering my will or willpower.

Once we trade our willpower for surrender, then God’s strength moves through us to withstand the battle. Sometimes that battle is an emotional one within ourselves. We’re fighting feelings of failure, inadequacy, lies, and betrayal. Since we have no control over the situation, we must allow the Spirit to exercise self-control within us, remind us of Truth, and set our eyes on Jesus, not the storm.

Being resilient doesn’t mean we don’t care about the situation; it means we keep showing up, fighting, and trusting God despite it. Resilience is not always standing tall and feeling strong. Sometimes it looks like getting out of bed with a heavy heart, choosing gratitude when you don’t feel grateful, caring for yourself when you’d rather withdraw, and turning your eyes back to Jesus every time fear pulls them toward the storm.

The beauty of a woman who is resilient because she trusts in the Lord is unmatched. She shines like the dawn because she radiates His presence.

For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again. -Proverbs 24:16

Savoring Him,

Christin

Why would anyone get weary from doing good things? Doing good should feel...good, so why would Paul have to tell us not to grow weary? It’s interesting that Scripture assumes doing good can become exhausting. Weariness sometimes comes as a result of faithfully doing what is right. Maybe Paul says this because God knows something about us.

Maybe we’re weary because we quietly expect immediate fruit. Maybe it’s not that we’re tired of doing good, but we’re tired of waiting. We often assume goodness should be rewarded quickly. But the harvest is promised at the proper time, not the fastest or most convenient.

This verse never mentions other people’s response. It only speaks about our faithfulness. Perhaps weariness grows whenever we measure obedience by someone else’s reactions.

What kind of good is Paul talking about here?

Weariness doesn’t always come from opposition. Sometimes it comes just from carrying today’s weight. Even ordinary faithfulness can feel costly.

We were designed for a desire to reap from the good things we sow. But we sow long before we reap. There will always be a season when it seems nothing is happening.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. -1 Corinthians 15:58

Here Paul says that our labor in the Lord is not in vain, which is similar to you will reap.

One says it isn’t pointless, and the other says it isn’t finished.

Savoring Him,

Christin

Life has a way of sneaking in and stealing away the wonder God has infused in you. Your thoughts become filled with to-do lists and worry; your nervous system holds on to pain and anxiety. You’re so focused on managing the next thing so all is as it should be, it’s hard to slow down and look out—beyond the circumstances.

It’s not that these things don’t matter. It’s that maybe they’ve overtaken your whole being and God is drawing you back into a place of wonder; a place in your soul where you don’t need to have everything figured out. In fact, it invites you to ask questions and rest in not having all the answers.

You’re allowed to sit in the awe of the Lord and remember He’s in the midst of every part of your life. He actually permits you to enjoy the new life He gave, not just to manage it.

Step outside and look up—look out. Take a deep breath and breathe in a moment of what He’s created. Tune your ear to hear the birds, the wind, the cicadas.

Allow yourself to wonder at the good gifts in your life and marvel at His presence, even if you are under a veil of grief. You are not alone, and when you step into His presence, you step into His peace.

Your pain does not have the final word on your life. It’s the pathway to learning how to step outside what you can’t control and commune with God anyway.

Finding wonder again doesn’t mean denying reality but walking through it to discover the beauty within it.

“Therefore, we do not give up. Even though the outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Savoring Him,

Christin

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At times, it can feel overwhelming to know that others are watching—waiting to see how you’ll show up in every season. We might be tempted to think we didn’t show up well in certain ways. But it’s not necessarily how we show up, it’s how we finish.

We may enter in with confusion, conflict, and clenched fists, but when we seek out wisdom from His Word, God shows us where and how to walk.

I thumb through the Psalms looking for something to cling to. The exhaustion robs me of straight thought and creativity. I’ve become skilled at blaming myself for things beyond my control, as if that somehow earns me peace. What I can control, though, is releasing the things I’m gripping so tightly. The only way to truly do that is to walk in what God’s Word says.

I believe in God’s word, but if I stop there, it’s useless to me. Faith in action activates power.

I realized that I am trusted with such a beautiful field of wildflowers to tend to—my husband, my children, my friends, the women in my church, the ones I minister to online. Each flower, a fingerprint of the Father, blooms with distinct color and calling. Some grow wild and free, others need shelter and shade. I care for hearts, not just in my home but in every space where God places me.

My garden is rich with life, and God is working in each flower in the way they need. I was placed here not only to enjoy their beauty, but to keep the weeds out and the flowers watered.

We can plant, water, and pull weeds, but growth belongs to God. Whether in our children, our friends, or the women we disciple, hearts cannot be coerced into maturity. Our job is to be faithful—to nurture with truth and grace—and to trust the Lord of the harvest with the deep, unseen work beneath the surface. What happens beneath the soil is hidden between their heart and God. No amount of coaxing can awaken a soul not ready. The soil must be prepared.

And still, even once that shoot sprouts, care is needed if it is to continue to grow and bear fruit. I tend the people, but I don’t do the growing for them. Even with our children, growth is not something we command; it’s something we support. We can guide, model, and nourish, but true spiritual roots grow as they personally respond to God’s Word and walk in it.

Even in our closest relationships, our role is not to force growth, but to faithfully nurture. Soul-tending is sacred work shared between the individual and God. Our role is to water in love and truth, to pull weeds gently when we see them, and to trust the Lord of the harvest.

I’m a soul-gardener. And so are you.

God has given you everything you need to water and nurture the hearts around you—to sow seeds of truth, to offer grace and presence, and to hold space for those in process. You are able to pray for the needs of those around you and lend a hand when someone needs help.

You are a builder of hearts and home

The most important tool in your garden here is attitude. Everything begins with attitude, and if you wake up every morning with a sense of dread or bitterness, those are the same tunes your family will sing. Your home is built on the ground you lay for it. You can choose to be wise and build up, or foolish and tear down. (Proverbs 14:1)

Yes, the house requires attention every day to keep it in functional order and peaceful array. How you show up is an example of how your family can show up.

Work is a part of life, and if we treat it as drudgery, we pass that on to those around us. We can choose delight in getting our hands dirty and focus on the end result rather than complaining about it. Complaining doesn’t change the reality that the work still needs to be tended to. The simple attitude change brings joy to those around us — yet being in a bad mood constantly repels people from wanting to be around you.

Building up the hearts under our roof means overseeing them with care. As we do, we teach them how to create a life-giving home atmosphere. Everything begins at home.

You are a sower and waterer of God’s Word

Starting the day in the Word is essential. You can’t tend flowers if you aren’t tending to your own roots.

Getting alone in the secret place with God is sacred ground. That’s where your relationship with God is created, cultivated, and cherished. You add nutrients to the soil of your heart every time you show up.

Then, as you allow God to nourish you in the hidden place, you’re able to water others through the Word, prayer, and encouragement. Your sprinkles won’t replace the deep drink necessary in the sacredness of the secret place. But it can be enough to whet the appetite for more. We don’t produce the water, but we carry it, pour it, and release it.

As your roots strengthen and grow and you bear fruit, you can use those seeds to sow into others.

You are a fruit-bearer through His Spirit

Fruit can only come from a well-tended soul. Though we come to God for nourishment, only His Spirit can bring growth and bear fruit in us. It simply takes a willing spirit to offer time and space for Jesus. As you walk in the Spirit, you nurture others.

The fruit you bear is the life you live. The fruit God grows in you isn’t for you — it’s for others. No tree or flower bears fruit for itself—it’s for the enjoyment and nourishment of others. Fruit isn’t just useful, it’s delightful to others! Kindness can refresh someone who is sad or weary. Gentleness can draw someone in.

A woman filled with the Spirit offers sustaining strength to those around her just by abiding in Jesus. Your faithfulness can help anchor someone who is drifting.

When you walk in the Spirit, you're not just bearing fruit for today—you’re sowing into someone else’s future walk with God. Fruit is also a seed we carry and cultivate in Christ can multiply into the lives of others. As we demonstrate love, it teaches others to love.

You may be a gardener of the wildflowers in your garden, but you’re also a wildflower in someone else’s garden, with the potential to grow and bear fruit for others.

You are a life-giver with your words and presence

Your life-giving words are water to those around you. As you encourage, build up, correct, and direct, you become a life-giving source for others.

We need to sow God’s Word in our hearts if it’s going to produce words of life and truth. We can’t know what those are if we aren’t taking them in and living them out. Your very presence should bring life and joy into a room. Do you know anyone like that in your own life? When they walk in, they are smiling, full of life and possibilities, and bring hope to every situation.

Maybe you know many Christians but this one stands out. They aren’t shaken by the things of this world or controlled by their circumstances. It can feel almost naïve, like they live in a world untouched by hardship. Sometimes we are so focused on the negative that seeing the good or the possibilities feels foreign or unnatural.

The trouble is, there will always be trouble, and as people who have been freed from the bondage of sin, how we show up matters. It speaks to what we truly believe. It isn’t enough to read God’s word for knowledge; we need to sow these Truths into our hearts. Sowing is belief. It’s trust. It’s faith that it’s true. If you don’t believe it’s true, it’s useless to you.

We are entrusted to tend to the people God has placed in our lives, not in our way but His.

So pick up His Word, wear it like armor, bury it like seed, and let it bloom first in your own heart.

Savoring Him,

Christin

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! -Psalm 118:24

Today is a gift the Lord has given you. It may feel like “just another day” to get through, and that may be true for you if your mind is set to believe it.

Slow down and pause for a moment. Look outside at the sky if you can—even better if you can step outside. Take a deep breath and breathe in the gift of another day. The morning does not arrive empty; it comes carrying whispers of His kindness.

Sister-friend, God has something for you today. It is full of possibilities, opportunities, and new mercies. You just don’t know it yet. When you open the eyes of your heart and step into His presence, you’re more likely to see life through His eyes.

You’ll slow down long enough to experience the beauty He’s placed in front of you today. You begin to savor the thousands of little gifts He planted just for you, today.

It’s ok if you need to practice seeing to experience this joy. It’s so common for us to be focused on our to-do lists, errands, the kids’ sporting events, keeping up with the house and meals. Yet, hidden inside each of these gifts is the joy God offers in every good thing.

Perhaps joy is not something we find, but something we discover was waiting for us all along.

Savoring Him,

Christin

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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
-Philippians 4:6-7

The wait can feel unbearable. You struggle to understand why this is happening, and the uncertainty leaves your heart heavy and your mind restless.

The pain is a familiar companion. You’ve walked with it so long; maybe releasing it feels like letting go of the control you thought you had. But controlling our circumstances or other people is an illusion.

Sweet sister, God wants you to know this morning that He sees you and the heaviness you bear. He wants to bear it with you. He wants you to trust that He is working even when you cannot see it.

The most powerful thing you can do is bring your worries to God in prayer. Not with fear or complaining, but with gratitude and trust. As you do, His peace will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. He won’t just give it to you and leave. No. This peace protects your inner life. Anxiety may come, but you don’t have to let it in. Holding onto peace means holding onto Jesus, because peace is a Person.

God loves you, and He has not abandoned you in this season. Even when He does not change the circumstances immediately, He promises to walk with you through them.

His peace doesn’t come because you understand what’s happening but because you know Who holds you even while you don’t understand.

Dearest Father,

I pray for the woman who needs to feel hope today. Make your presence known to her and give her peace that you are working in the things she cannot control. Remind her that she has everything she needs in you and that you care for her like no one else could. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Savoring Him,

Christin

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The weeds don’t need tending to in order to thrive. They pop up out of nowhere whether you want them there or not. The only way to be rid of them is to be intentional about plucking them out.

Sure, you can use chemicals, but these contaminate the soil and any surrounding plants you don’t want harmed. It may be easier, but it comes with a greater cost.

The weeds particularly caught my attention because their rapid spread annoyed me. But had I not neglected it, they wouldn’t have had the chance to grow so large and bountiful and required so much time to remove. Not only do they grow and thrive in shady places, they also sneak into the sunny places right next to the coneflowers and black-eyed Susans in an attempt to steal nutrients and water when left unattended.

My relationship with Jesus and, ultimately, my life, requires cultivating. It’s very much like a garden and while this is not a new analogy, this time it hit me differently. Sometimes life is so full of activity, I just get out of tune with my life with Jesus. It’s not that I forget Him; it’s that I stop listening as intently and begin to slack off on the delights and devotion of our relationship, such as gratitude, prayer, and reading His Word.

I get busy. I get distracted. I get wrapped up in pain I don’t know how to navigate. And in fact, some seasons I spend complaining and lamenting. There is a time for lament but it shouldn’t last forever. But complaining? This is a poison all its own. Not the kind that eradicates weeds but the kind that creates an environment for them to grow.

I remained under the shadow of grief and despair too long and allowed the weeds to take over. As I begin to step out from under this veil, I see a bit of sunshine piercing between the clouds.

As I brushed the dirt from my hands, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the garden had been speaking to me.

Savoring Him,

Christin

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I received another phone call a few hours later from my son, and the evening continued downhill from there. By the end of the night, I was dizzy from the whiplash of it all. I could barely process all that hit.

I walked into the kitchen, and I stood over the kitchen sink and just cried. I felt helpless. I didn’t know how to properly comfort either of them. I couldn’t help them. I just wanted to fix everything.

In yesterday’s reflection, I wrote that I knew God was calling me to a deeper kind of trust. The kind that moves with me through uncertainty.

Maybe He was preparing me for what He knew was coming. He’s good like that, ya know?

Even amidst this tumultuous situation, my spirit felt grounded; steady. Because the one thing I know for sure is that He is steadfast. Even when things aren’t ideal, even when the storm rages—keeping my eyes fixed on Him is what keeps me from sinking.

It’s not some kind of wishful thinking. It’s standing on His Truth and remembering how much He’s already carried me through. It’s knowing these storms are a normal part of life, not something God caused.

He is my hope, my peace, my everything. He’s the One Person I can count on—not to give me everything I want, but to be with me through it all. Because right now, a lot of things aren’t going the way I want. But He is still good. He is still God and He is still here with me.

Savoring Him,

Christin

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Perhaps He answers more than what I can see or maybe I’m not looking with the right kind of sight.

What I do know is that He answered something big in a big way yesterday and my heart is so relieved—so grateful, so full. It was a sweet reminder that He is near and He hears.

I know that He won’t always answer in the way I expect or when I think He should. And some seasons just feel so quiet and so hard. I know God is calling me to a deeper kind of trust. To keep moving even through the uncertainty—especially through the uncertainty.

There is still so much I need to learn. Trust is hard for me because I’ve been burned too much. Which is probably true of most people. But I need to remember God is not people. He’s the only one who truly has my best interest at heart and cares deeply about me and how I tick.

Prayer is my lifeline. It’s connection to my Father when I need to talk and I need wisdom or comfort from Him.

He’s always there, but too often I allow the distractions to drown out what He’s trying to tell me. This world is loud, and it takes real effort and intention to step outside of it to hear Him and see Him moving.

Savoring Him,

Christin

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Being a Christian for 30 years, I was taught some things that I am now unlearning. A subtle, underlying belief that was just kind of baked into the Christian lifestyle: fun, enjoyment, and even achievement are not of God.

So naturally, my understanding of God grew into One who is always serious, focused on us learning lessons and being disciplined, and avoiding certain people and activities.

Kind of depressing if you ask me, and God is actually not like that.

The problem is, we as people read the Bible from a specific lens based on how we were taught or raised. I was taught, through the Church, about how wretched I am and to avoid sin—week after week.

The problem with that is, once we are born again, we are no longer defined by who we were and the sin we were slaves to. Yet, churches continue to beat down their congregations with these teachings.

So, I’ve been pondering: God...is it actually ok to enjoy the things you’ve created for us in this world? Like, I know we aren’t spending eternity here, but can we still invest our time in things like gardening, health & fitness, and art?

“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, since it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” -1 Timothy 4:4-5

It is Satan who twists the things God has created for evil. When we enjoy His creation the way He intended us to, He delights in it! He created it all for us to enjoy! Let us remember, though, that the good of His creation still falls within His parameters:

Enjoy His creation but don’t be controlled or enslaved by it (1 Corinthians 6:12)

—>Don’t allow it to harm others (1 Corinthians 10:23-24)

—>Use wisdom (Philippians 4:5)

—>Always keep God at the center. (Colossians 1:17)

Savoring Him,

Christin

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I’ve read the verse dozens of times, but I wasn’t really living it. Maybe I didn’t really believe it?

So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. -Galatians 4:7

The good news is we are no longer slaves to our sin, so focusing on it only robs us of walking in the abundant life we have in Christ, as a child and heir.

It’s intimacy with Him that He desires. Sin runs far deeper than just bad behavior. It’s a disease we could not cure on our own. So, to constantly hear from the pulpit how wretched we are and how our sin keeps us separated from God, many Christians are not walking in the freedom God offers to us.

Once we receive the gift of salvation, our sin—past, present, and future—is wiped out. It’s not something we need to focus on avoiding. It’s gone. Trusting in that truth is the hardest part. Seems too simple, right?

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When we focus instead on Christ—on deepening our relationship with Him, on learning who God is and how He sees us—it naturally minimizes the desire for the things of this world. That doesn’t mean we’ll always get it right, but again, His blood covers those mistakes.

We don’t need to dwell on the mistakes, shame ourselves back to compliance, or be badgered by a pastor who says, “If we aren’t following the letter of the Law, we are less than, and God is disappointed in us.” It’s not true.

Knowing Scripture doesn’t save us.1 Perfect doctrine doesn’t save us.2 Good works don’t save us.3 Knowing about God doesn’t save us.4

Only confessing Jesus is Lord, believing in your heart (not your head) that God raised Him from the dead, makes you saved.5

It’s not about believing He exists, it’s about believing what He says.6 It’s then allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within you.

Instead of being sin-conscious, become Christ-conscious. Spend time with Him. What you behold, you become.7

Please don’t hear what I’m not saying. I’m not saying to be reckless or careless in how you walk. Authentic works will follow true faith. I’m saying don’t be so focused on a perfect walk that it breeds fear, anxiety, and robs you of your relationship with God — the very thing Jesus died to restore to you.

Focus instead on seeking Him.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:13

Savoring Him,

Christin

Working out can often feel like a drag. Instead of relishing in my body’s abilities, I regularly focus on the things I could or should be doing at home. Anything to give me an excuse to give up the gym.

It’s slow work. And when you fall off, you lose some of what you built. That alone can be discouraging.

Yet, when I’m unable to go due to a head cold, I get restless and wish I were able to.

I wonder if the human heart in its fleshly state goes looking for things to be unhappy about, even when a life is abundantly blessed. Is this a spirit that follows families for generations or is it the default of human nature?

Eve had nothing to want for. She walked in perfect harmony with God and her husband. Yet somehow, she thought she was still unsatisfied. That’s the great deception, isn’t it?

I’m quietly reminded that I have everything I need and all my heart desires in Christ. The extra gifts He’s given me in this life are to be treasured as such and used for His glory.

We often call the everyday liturgy of life mundane. But no, it’s not. The quiet life with the ability to serve your family or church community and care for yourself is a gift.

Savoring Him,

Christin

My husband is a rockstar. He takes life in stride most of the time, and He has a full schedule. On the outside, he’s able to carry stress pretty well—good and bad stress. But I think his body has a little harder time once it hits a certain threshold.

Still, we thought it best to get it checked out and rule out any cardiac issues. Symptoms pointed to angina (pre-heart attack), but as we well know, symptoms can mean anything and nothing. This was just a precaution.

A tiny part of me was worried, of course. Without thinking about it, I began bartering with God,

“God, if you help him through this I will...”, and then I stopped. That’s not how God works. It’s not how He moves. And our relationship is deeper than that.

Instead, I prayed, “God, be near.”

And of course, I did pray for no real problems, but I didn’t make promises to God in hopes of getting what I wanted.

Still, I thank Him for a favorable outcome—simply muscular/stress-related tightness.

My perspective has shifted a bit.

I don’t want to waste time worrying about things that don’t matter — and even things that do matter, that I have no control over, I leave in His hands. Because life right in front of me is too precious.

I don’t want to wait until a tragedy happens to open my eyes, to understand by living it that gratitude is a form of noticing God’s love for me and savoring Him in everyday life.

Life has enough challenges without worry.

Even when something hard does happen, and it will, God hasn’t changed. He is still ever-present, and He is still good.

Savoring Him,

Christin

I often wrestle with myself for being “too serious”. Yeah, I have a picture in my mind of how the world should look. It’s idealistic and out of my control. Does that make me controlling? Only if I attempt to act on it, I think. Instead, I believe these are moments God is drawing me in to pray.

It’s not because I want to “get what I want”, but because I want to make a way for what He wants. So often it’s me He wants to work with. Rather than focusing on the perfect outcome, He wants me to focus on His perfect love for people, regardless of the situation.

God sees the full picture of any heart in any situation. His compassion reaches depths that no human ever could on their own. His love reaches to the heavens. What good news!

I can’t control outcomes, but I can keep my heart soft, aligned with His, and always compassionate. When I stay in tune with God’s heart, He molds in me what needs to come out for others.

Savoring Him,

Christin

God sees it. He sees you. He feels the tension you feel. He knows in your very depths, the expectations you place on yourself as well as the many responsibilities in tow. He is God. More importantly, He is your Father God.

I wonder why God is more easily seen while in the stillness. He is in it all. Yet He calls you to be still. No “doing” necessary; just be. Perhaps because His voice isn’t as loud as the collective noise we live with.

The expectations of people, their opinions. The influence of podcast experts (or not). The distraction of scrolling and Netflix, and the mountains of work ahead of us.

Is He in it all? Absolutely. But are we truly hearing Him among the buzz, the chaos, the constant commotion? Can we receive from Him when we can’t hear Him over it all?

Stillness isn’t something you achieve; it’s the gift of a Person. It’s the posture of receiving from Him.

You know it’s Him when your body relaxes, your soul-heart skips a beat at His voice, and His peace envelops you and draws you under the shadow of His wings.

Savoring Him,

Christin

I know I can’t hide from Him, but sometimes I think I’m hiding from myself. If I don’t look too closely at what I’m carrying, maybe I won’t have to set it down.

It’s in His presence, in the stillness of the morning, before the rest of the world has awakened, I can just be. It’s the place where I’m safe to come undone.

It’s in His presence, throughout the living of my day, I’m given the strength to carry on.

His presence isn’t a bubble; it’s a force to be reckoned with. It’s like a sword that fights for my soul against the principalities and evils of this world.

I wonder why I step into lesser things when I know He is the lover of my soul.

Savoring Him,

Christin

Every morning you wake up is a new opportunity. God has given you new mercies today. He doesn’t remember the mistakes you made yesterday. Today is a new day!

Today is a blank canvas you get to fill with possibilities. Life isn’t always tidy, but it can be so beautiful. It’s full of story; of rising up and falling down. Stretches of growth and seasons of bliss.

Not every day will be your best day, but every day you have the gift of showing up. You have the gift of a new day with the freedom to fill it in ways God has designed you to live.

He created the most beautiful world for you to enjoy. Parts of it have been darkened by evil, it’s true. You are the light that will shine in those dark places and bring forth the beauty once again.

You were created to captivate the world in the ways that bring you joy and His glory.

Today is a beautiful day of possibilities.

Savoring Him,

Christin

The spark shifted my days into what I already knew was the best option. I move slow in the mornings, and it’s quiet for hours on end—a luxury I didn’t have when my children were littles.

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I’m still getting familiar with the extra time even though it has slowly increased over the years. I almost feel awkward having it.

I crave quiet and stillness but haven’t learned how to sit in it. I feel like it’s not something I’m allowed. As a child of the 90s, sitting around was frowned upon. If your parents walked in on you reading or simply listening to music, you’d immediately tense up waiting for them to scold you, give you a chore, or both. It was a wild time.

I wonder if that’s why I squander so much of it away planning instead of creating. Planning feels more productive, but it’s a disguise for procrastination, I think.

I can give myself permission to slow down to seek Him. I can give myself permission to sit with the stillness of His presence and do nothing.

Savoring Him,

Christin

I don’t know, I guess I’ve always been like that--an overthinker. Funny thing is, my overthinking typically leads to the conclusions I think about. Maybe that’s more intuitive than anything.

But I’ve come to learn that, at almost 45 years old, overthinking only robs me of moments. Instead of sitting in a simple, special, sacred moment, my mind wanders and thinks, what if...? It immediately takes me out of the moment and into a whirlwind of something that’s not even happening.

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This is why I struggle with sharing my own stories. I don’t remember them. I’m too busy thinking about the next thing, not fully living in a moment to soak up the story. And you know what? I don’t want to live like that anymore. It’s robbing me.

The Bible tells us to redeem the time, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. I believe this also means living in the present moment. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

I’m not saying we should never plan. Planning is different from overthinking and just not living in the moment because your mind is constantly elsewhere.

Let’s try to stay present in each moment today.

Let’s resist the urge to jump ahead in our thoughts or overthink a situation. Just enjoy the moment. Each one. Starting today.

Savoring Him,

Christin