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Pulling up the Root
Ephesians 4:31–32 (CSB)“Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Hebrews 12:15 (CSB)“Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.” Some things stay buried so long that we forget they are even there. We think we have moved on or we stop thinking about it altogether. But God, if we allow Him, is continually working in us, shaping and molding us each day into His likeness. He patiently brings hidden things to the surface not to shame us but to heal us and make us whole. That happened to me today. I woke up singing and worshipping God, i was singing “More Precious Than Silver” and then “El Shaddai” by Amy Grant. I had not sung these songs in a long time, and it is amazing how songs from the past come back to us when we least expect them. The melodies and words came naturally, and as I sang, a memory came back to me. My aunt was the one who taught me those song. She had returned home from college with a deep love for worship and all kinds of Christian music. It was different from what many people around us were used to at the time. But I loved it. I was just a girl, but something in that music stirred my heart. Looking back now, I realize my love for worship music began with her. Right after that beautiful memory, something else surfaced, something I had buried and not thought about in awhile. God brought to the surface unforgiveness I was still carrying toward my aunt. She had said things that were not true, about many members of our family, including me. Her words caused pain and created division and hurt in our family. Over time, I avoided her when I could. I thought I had moved on, but God showed me this morning that unforgiviness and bitterness had taken root in my heart and was still there. This morning, as I was singing, God gently revealed something I did not even realize was still there. I saw that I had been holding onto unforgiveness and bitterness toward my aunt because of the things she had done. He brought that hidden root to the surface so it could finally be dealt with. In that moment, I forgave her and asked God to forgive me for carrying it for so long. I wish I could speak to her now and thank her for the gift she gave me, my passion for worship music. Sadly, she passed away about three years ago. Even though I cannot tell her in person, I thank God for using her in a way that continues to bless me today. I now wonder what might have happened if I had focused more on the good she brought into my life instead of holding onto the wrong. What if I had spent more time remembering her love for worship, her creativity, her passion for music and the way she opened my heart to something that has stayed with me ever since? I do not know if our relationship would have changed, but my heart certainly would have been lighter. I cannot go back, but I can go forward differently. Now, as an adult, I see people differently. I understand more than I used to. People sometimes say or do things to cover their own brokenness, pain or insecurities. My aunt did love Jesus, I believe that. But she was still a person with her own struggles (sin) just like the rest of us. I have mine and the list is long. We all have our struggles. (sin). Hebrews warns us about bitterness. It does not stay buried. It springs up, causes trouble and affects more than just us. Ephesians tells us to get rid of all of it, the bitterness, the anger, the slander and instead to forgive just as God forgives us through Christ. Forgiveness does not mean pretending the hurt never happened. It means choosing not to let it shape how we live or see others. It means trusting God with the pain and allowing Him to replace it with healing. It means making peace with what we cannot change and opening our hearts to the work God still wants to do through it. I did not wake up today thinking about my aunt. I woke up singing and worshipping God. Through that melody, God showed me both the beautiful gift she gave me and the brokenness I was still carrying. He brought both to the surface so He could heal what had been buried. Maybe you have someone in your life who caused deep pain. Maybe you have not thought about it in a long time but the root is still there. If you allow God to work in your heart, He will gently bring it up not to hurt you but to free you and to mold you daily into His likeness.
Wonderfully Made
In children’s church, we’ve been teaching a lot about how we are all different and unique in so many ways, and that’s exactly how God designed us to be. Every one of us has a special purpose and a personal journey. God doesn’t want us to be the same. He created us with different personalities, strengths, and stories, and He uses each person in a unique way to fulfill His greater purpose. “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 A couple of Sunday’s ago to help the kids understand these verses, we brought out yarn and taught them how to knit and weave. It was amazing to watch how each child approached it differently. Some picked it up quickly and wove rows with ease. Some got a lot done, while others took their time. Some chose bold colors and fun patterns, while others were more simple and quiet in their design. A few only managed to weave in a handful of strands, but every single piece reflected something real and personal. And isn’t that just like our walk with God? We’re all at different stages, and God is patiently weaving His work in each of us in His own perfect timing. They didn’t finish during class, so I brought their pieces home, planning to weave in a few more strands and tidy them up. But then I paused. It felt like God whispered to my heart that they’re perfect just as they are. As I looked over the weavings, some with many rows, others with just a few, some with loose ends and uneven lines, I no longer saw saw mistakes. I saw beauty. Each one was completely unique, just like each child who made it. Psalm 139 tells us that God knit each of us together, which means He intentionally designed every detail. Not one of us is a copy or an accident. Our DNA, our fingerprints, our personalities all different and purposeful. God didn’t mass-produce us. He handcrafted each of us, strand by strand, into being. What a powerful truth, not only for our children, but for us as adults too. Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds us that we weren’t meant to live this life alone. A single thread can break easily, but a cord of three strands is strong. That third strand in every relationship, every life, is Jesus. When we weave our lives together with one another and with Him, we become grounded in a strength that holds firm through whatever comes. These kids we work with each week, with their silly jokes, their deep questions, their big dreams, they won’t stay children forever. One day soon, they’ll be adults, husbands,wives, parents. employees and leaders. The world will pull on them in a thousand different directions. But what we’re weaving into them now will matter for who they become. As a church, we have a responsibility and a privilege to help shape them. To weave in love. To teach them truth. To help them understand they were created on purpose, for a purpose. That their value doesn’t come from fitting in, but from being exactly who God designed them to be. I am close to turning 60, and I still love working with the kids. Yes, I had more energy 30 years ago and could run a lot faster, but now I have more patience and wisdom. Sometimes people believe that once they reach a certain age, they’re no longer useful to God. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. There is no expiration date on purpose. We can all be used by God at every stage of life. We may not all feel called to teach or lead a class, but we all have something to offer. A kind word, a hug, prayer, listening ear, financial support, cooking food and snacks for events. Simply showing up with love and consistency. These are threads we weave into the lives of our children that will remain with them for years to come. When I finished the kids’ yarn crafts, I didn’t change their work. I just helped bring it together. That’s what God does with us. He takes our individuality, our rough edges, our half-finished parts, and He weaves them into something strong and meaningful. He uses community, the church, and He uses us, at every age, to help shape the next generation. So today, let’s remember. We are each fearfully and wonderfully made. Our children are handcrafted by God, each uniquely knit for His purpose. And when we bind our lives together with Christ and one another, we are not easily broken.
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.