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Mud, Manure and Miracles
A true (and slightly gross) story from Children’s Church. Also, my stomach still hasn’t recovered. Today in children’s church, I taught the story from John 9, you know, the one where Jesus heals the blind man using the most unconventional eye care method known to man: spit and mud. Forget cucumbers and chamomile tea. Jesus went full DIY dermatology with a little dirt and divine saliva. Naturally, I decided the best way to make this lesson stick (pun fully intended) was to do what any self-respecting, object-lesson-loving children’s minister would do: make mud live, in front of the kids. Dirt + water = immediate “EWWWW!” from the kids. Success! I even went the extra mile and rubbed it on my own eyes and face like Jesus did, because I am a professional. lol…. Later, I told my husband Frank all about it. I told him how I made the mud, and put it on my face and eyes, and bravely taught the lesson like a mud-covered missionary. He asked, “Did you use the new dirt they laid down in the yard?” I said, “Some of it, yeah, but most came from the red clay on the side of the hill. It was super messy, but hey, on the bright side, my hands and face are baby soft now!” And that’s when Frank casually dropped a bombshell, “That new dirt’s not just dirt, it’s mixed with manure to help the grass grow.” Cue the pause. Cue the slow-motion flashbacks. Cue the internal gag reflex. Manure. On my face, my hands, and at church. I was out there anointing myself with organic fertilizer in the name of Jesus. But after the nausea wore off… a deeper truth hit me. Isn’t that exactly how God works? We bring Him our mess, our regrets, our broken pieces, our dirt and somehow, He adds what feels like even more mess to the mix. Sometimes it smells worse before it gets better. Sometimes it looks like setbacks. Sometimes it is manure. But guess what? That’s the stuff growth is made of. The good soil is never just soil it’s the nasty stuff that fuels new life. Jesus didn’t make mud pies for fun, He made miracles. He took something simple and messy and turned it into healing. And He still does. So, whether you’re feeling spiritually muddy, emotionally messy, or just wondering why everything around you stinks (literally or figuratively), take heart. God can use even the stinkiest situations for your healing, your growth, and His glory. And as a bonus, my skin is glowing. Manure mask 10/10, would not recommend, but God definitely made it work.
When Fire Meets Water
Last night was one of those peaceful, ordinary evenings. My son-in-law decided on a spur-of-the-moment night by the firepit. We roasted hotdogs, had a few sides, and toasted marshmallows for s’mores. It was simple, but it felt right. As the day was coming to an end and the sun started dipping low, I found myself watching the fire. There’s something about a fire that draws you in. The way it dances and glows, the way it holds your attention without saying a word. It felt like the perfect way to end the day. Then I noticed the kids doing what kids do. They were laughing and splashing water from their water bottles into the fire. Each splash sent up a hiss, a puff of steam, and more laughing. The flames jumped and cracked, but they kept burning, over and over, the fire held on. I loved watching them, but something about it made me pause. I watched a little longer and thought the fire was strong, but if the kids had kept going, splash after splash, eventually the fire would have gone out. Even the hottest flame can’t survive if water keeps coming. And in that quiet moment, something stirred in me. A truth I need to remember. When God lights a fire in your heart, you know it’s real. That fire gives off light, it warms others, brings life, and ignites purpose. But it’s not immune to the world around us. Life has a way of trying to put it out. Sometimes it’s through disappointment, distraction, or just the busyness of daily living. Other times, it’s the weight of negativity, our own fears, the trap of comparison, or the slow creep of compromise. These things don’t usually drench the flame all at once. It’s more like a splash here, a splash there. And if we’re not paying attention, if we don’t guard the flame. We may one day look up and realize the fire God once lit in us has dimmed, or is nearly gone. I’ve been here more than once, sadly. I know what it feels like when thet fire grows dim. It doesn’t always disappear suddenly. Most of the time, it fades slowly and quietly, almost without me noticing. I let too many things in. I assumed the fire would keep burning on its own, but the fire lacked what it needed. So what does a fire need to keep going? It needs fuel and oxygen. A fire won’t stay alive just because it was lit once. It needs fresh things to burn. For me, that means spending time with God, soaking in His Word, worshipping, being around other believers, and slowing down enough to breathe and listen. That fire also needs protecting. Not everything should be allowed near it. Just like a campfire can be drowned by too much water, our hearts can be smothered by too many distractions, and too many things pulling us in every direction. Keeping the fire alive isn’t about striving or trying to prove something. It’s not about doing more or pushing yourself to get it right. It’s about staying close to the One who lit the flame in the first place. The One who knows how to keep it burning. Sometimes that means coming back to God again and again, even when all we feel we have left is cold ashes and a little bit of hope. But ashes are not the end, God doesn’t walk away from cold hearts. He doesn’t shame us for letting the fire fade. He meets us in the ashes. He kneels beside what looks like nothing and reminds us He is still near and He is the God who restores. He is the God who reignites what once burned. If your fire is still burning, even if it’s just a flicker, take care of it. Feed it with time in God’s presence. Stir it up with His Word. Protect it from the little things that try to put it out. Because those little things matter more than we think. That fire around the fire pit reminded me of something important. Fire and water are both powerful, but they cannot live in the same space for long. One will always win. The same is true in our spiritual lives. We cannot burn with passion for God and stay soaked in distractions at the same time. One will overcome the other. And we get to choose which one we let in. The good news is we serve a God who lights fires. Even if yours has gone out, He knows how to start it again. He is patient and He is kind and He is always ready to breathe life into a heart that’s willing.
T-Ball Lessons and Growth
This year marks my granddaughter’s second season of T-ball, and what a difference a year makes. She’s grown more confident, a little stronger, and a lot more focused. Her team, a group of little athletes, plays not to win but to learn. Every game is a lesson, and every swing is a small step toward something greater. They each get three tries to hit the ball from a coach’s pitch, and if they don’t make it, the trusty tee is there to help them succeed. Most of them still hit from the tee, and when they do, off they go running toward first base. Fielders scramble to find the ball, often tossing it in the general direction of the base, but the runner is always safe. Outs, home runs, and perfect plays aren’t the point here. The goal is learning, trying, and growing. What makes it even more amazing is the encouragement that surrounds them. Parents on the sidelines, cheering for every swing and every step. Coaches are patient and kind, offering high-fives, gentle instruction, and heartfelt praise. No matter how small the progress, it is noticed and celebrated. These girls are not just learning the game; they’re learning that they are capable, supported, and valued. It’s so adorable, half of the girls are playing in the dirt more than they’re playing the game, drawing pictures with their fingers or drawing circles with their feet in the dirt. But all the while, something beautiful is happening. They’re building a foundation. Some of these girls will go on to other adventures in life, and some may stick with softball, growing into powerful hitters, skilled fielders, maybe even stars. But what’s happening now is deeper than softball. They’re learning confidence, resilience, and the importance of team work. They’re learning that failing doesn’t mean you stop; it means you try again, surrounded by people who believe in you. As I watch them, I’m reminded of how God works in our lives. He doesn’t expect us to be experts right away. He delights in our small steps, our imperfect swings, our wobbly runs toward something new. Much like these little girls on the field, we’re all in training, learning to live in faith, to grow in character, to find to becoming the people God called us to be. In life and in faith, we all start somewhere. And no matter how many times we miss or fall short, God patiently teaches us, encourages us, and celebrates each little success. We’re His children, learning, growing, sometimes playing in the dirt, but always under His watchful, loving eye. Growth takes time whether it’s in the heart of a little girl swinging a bat or in our own walk with Christ, the beginnings are precious. With faith, love, and perseverance, and cheered on by those who believe in us, the small beginnings will one day turn into something beautiful. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
Letting It Go
I used to replay certain moments over and over. The times someone hurt me, ignored me, silenced me, or made choices that made me feel invisible. Sometimes I would carry those moments for hours, sometimes for days. There was a time when I held on to the weight of what people did or didn’t do, and honestly, there are still times when I do. I would question why things had to be this way. What could I have done differently, or what can I do differently now? Sometimes I spoke up, hoping it would change something. Other times, I stayed silent but still carried the disappointment or hurt with me. But over time, God has began to teach me something simple yet powerful lately. Holding on to that hurt only weighs me down. Speaking out doesn’t bring resolution either, it only causes more hurts with others and myself. And so often the other person didn’t see the situation the way I did. They weren’t affected like I was. I was the one left feeling discouraged, upset frustrated, or hurt. I have realized I don’t have to let disappointments and hurts take over my peace. I don’t have to dwell on it. I can let it go and give it all to God. Some disappointments feel especially personal. Hopes that fall through. People who don’t show up. Moments we long for that never seem to come. These can hurt deeply especially when they involve people we love. But God reminds me again and again that I don’t have to carry the pain I can hand it over all to Him. When these feeling rise up anymore I am making different choices. I don’t respond to the person, even though a part of me wants too. I am trying not to replay the situation over and over in my head. I turn on my worship music and lift my heart and mind in praise. I talk to God and let Him do what only He can do, bring me peace! And peace comes, the situation may not change. The memory may still be there. But the weight lifts. The pain loses its power, my mind clears, and my heart softens. The disappointment becomes just that, a moment not a place I live in. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds meDo 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. That peace is real. I know now that I can’t control people or outcomes, but I can choose where I place my focus. I can choose peace over overthinking, praise over discouragement and faith over frustration. Isaiah 26:3 says:You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Maybe today like I have many times you are carrying a quiet disappointment or hurt. Maybe someone’s actions or their silence has left you hurting. Maybe it’s something you were looking forward to that just didn’t happen. You’re not alone, God sees and he knows. And He’s ready to carry that weight for you. Let it go and give it to Go, turn up the worship. We were not created to carry it all. We were created to worship through it all. Let us let it go, give it to God and keep on praising.
Draw me back again
I treasure my mornings with God. There’s something about the quiet, the stillness of the early hours, that draws me close to Him. It’s in that calm that I feel most connected and most aware of His presence. But as the day moves on, I feel myself slipping. Life rushes in, pulling me in a hundred different directions. And before I know it, the day has passed without much thought or conversation with God. It’s not that I’ve stopped loving Him. It’s just that my attention gets scattered. And by the time evening comes, I realize I didn’t invite Him into most of it. For the past few months, I have decided I don’t want that anymore. I want to be all in, not just when the house is quiet and the sun is rising, but in every moment. I want my heart, soul, mind, and strength to belong to Him completely. I want my life, not just the still parts, to reflect my love for Jesus. Yes, I talk to Him throughout the day. But I want more. I want a deeper awareness of Jesus. Not just once in a while, but all day. Not just quick prayers or passing thoughts, but a heart that stays in conversation with Him. Because I love Him. Because I long to be near Him. Even when I’m busy, even when I’m tired, even when I’m distracted, I want Him right there in it. Not just involved, but welcomed. Not just present, but personal and close. So what does that look like for us? Maybe it means pausing in the middle of a chaotic afternoon to breathe a prayer. Maybe it means whispering, “Be with me here, Jesus,” as we step into a meeting, wiring a house, fixing an appliance or folding the laundry. Maybe it’s choosing to thank Him in the beautiful moments or remembering Him when stress creeps in. Maybe it’s just being aware, that he is here and with us. That He wants to share in every moment, not just the still ones. I want a life that reflects Jesus. I want to see what happens when I am fully His, fully devoted and fully surrendered. What would change in me? What would change around me? Jesus says that when we remain in Him, we bear much fruit. That others will know we are His by the way we love. That our lives will shine like light in the darkness and living water will flow from within us. I want that kind of life. I want His presence to overflow into every conversation, every room, every ordinary moment. Not for my glory, but for His. I want people to see Jesus when they see me. And maybe, just maybe, their hearts will be drawn to Him too. Let’s look at what Jesus Himself says about living a life fully surrendered to Him, and how that affects not only you, but the people around you. We Will Bear Fruit ThatImpacts Others “If you remain in me and I in you,you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”John 15:5 When we stay close to Jesus and we abide in Him our your life will naturally produce fruit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness… and beyond that, people will see Jesus through us. Our love, choices and there will be peace in our chaos. Our love, choices, and our peace in chaos; it will stir something in them, that’s transformation. Others Will Know Jesusby the Way We Love “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”John 13:35 Total devotion to Jesus spills out as love that is radical, humble, sacrificial love.And Jesus says that love is how the world will recognize us as His.It’s not just about changed behavior, but about a heart so full of Christ’s love that people can’t help but take notice. We Will Be a Lightin Darkness “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”Matthew 5:14,16 When we’re fully His, we don’t just blend in. Our presence brings light, clarity, and hope to others. When we live in the light of Jesus, others see Him—and some will be drawn to Him because of it. Rivers of Living Water WillFlow From Us “Whoever believes in me, as Scripturehas said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”John 7:38 This is about the Holy Spirit working through us. When our lives are surrendered to Jesus, the Spirit fills and overflows us giving life to others through our words, actions, and presence. We may not always see it, but the Spirit uses devoted lives to refresh and awaken others.
Lesson from the Bees
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 There’s something awesome about watching tiny creatures work together to create something beautiful. This spring, my son and I started a new adventure; beekeeping. Although I had kept bees hives a few years ago, this was an entirely new experience for him and his family. We bought two hives, and two weeks ago they were delivered, and we placed them in their new home. There was excitement, but also a lot of nerves. Would the bees settle in? Would they grow strong? Today, we opened it up to check on them, and what we saw was exciting. My son, his three-year-old son Ben, our grandson Brooks, and my husband (Paps) were all with us, sharing in the moment. In just fourteen days, the bees have already formed comb in each of the hives. Quietly, steadily, without any fanfare, they had gotten to work building something beautiful. Not for praise. Not for attention. Just because it was what they were made to do. As we watched those tiny creatures move in perfect harmony, I couldn’t help but feel that God was whispering something to me. It was as if He was saying, “Faithfulness doesn’t always look spectacular, but it always bears fruit.” It struck me how calm the bees were. They weren’t aggressive. They didn’t buzz angrily or seem threatened by our presence. They were steady and focused, going about their work with a quiet confidence. There was a lesson in that stillness. These bees were doing what they were made to do. They didn’t need to hurry and they don’t need to see the end result yet. They simply have faith that with each little action, their hive will grow stronger and they will have a strong hive to call home. It made me think about how often we want fast results in life. We want to see the harvest before we’ve even planted the seeds. But the bees reminded me that good things take time. That growth happens in the quiet, behind the scenes. That building something meaningful, whether it’s a relationship, a family, a calling, ministry, or even our faith takes patience, consistency, and trust. My son and I are hoping that next year we’ll get our first honey, but even if we don’t, the journey is already worth it. The bees have taught us so much in just this one visit for me and several for him. Every time we check on them, we will be reminded that God is always working, even when we don’t see the final result immediately There may be times when we feel like we’re showing up every day, doing the work, being faithful, but the “honey” hasn’t come yet. It’s easy to feel like the results aren’t coming fast enough, or that no one notices all the small things we’re doing. But we can’t give up. We need to keep tending our hive. We have to keep trusting the process. God sees our faithfulness. He honors the quiet obedience that others may never notice. And in time, He will bring sweetness from even the smallest acts. Just like the bees, our faithfulness may seem unnoticed now, but it’s building something beautiful. The work we’re doing, though unseen, is laying the foundation for something wonderful.