Month: October 2025

Learning from a widow’s faith to show up fully with what we’ve been given.

Last December, I decided to read the entire Bible in one year—cover to cover. While that might not seem like a huge deal, for me it was. I love reading, but I have to admit that large portions of the Bible can feel a bit boring. Thankfully, with the help of a great app, I got started on my goal.

This app has made it easy to stay consistent, and now I have just 54 days left until I achieve this major milestone—even the “boring” parts are getting read! Throughout the year, I’ve gained fresh insights from familiar passages, like today’s reading in Luke 21:1-4. In this story, Jesus observes rich men giving their offerings at the treasury, but he is drawn to a poor widow who gives everything she has.

Jesus not only notices her, but he uses this as a powerful teaching moment. It struck me how this woman, without a husband or wealth, didn’t let her circumstances stop her from giving all she had. Society looked down on her for her lack of status and resources, much like we sometimes judge others today.

It made me reflect: do we give our all?

I once heard time described in a way that really shifts perspective. Imagine receiving $86,400 deposited into your account every day—how would you spend it? That number represents the seconds we get daily. If we weren’t stingy with our time and attitude, and gave our all, not only might we find more energy and happiness, but we could also support others who might not have the capacity to give their all. In turn, they might someday give back when they’re able.

Maybe it’s not about whether we can give “everything” like the widow, but whether we’re willing to show up with a generous heart in the moments we’re given. The truth is, we all fall short sometimes — I certainly do.

Looking back on my week—what a week it was—my honest answer is no, I fell short.  There were moments where I held back, even with small things like kindness or maintaining a good attitude.

But every day we’re handed 86,400 new seconds, a fresh chance to spend them wisely.

So today I’m asking myself (and maybe you too):
Where can I give more freely of my time, my kindness, or my patience?

Continue reading “All In” →

“Wait.”
It’s just a four-letter word—but not the “bad” kind we usually think of. Still, it’s one of the hardest words to live with.

Who really likes to wait? We often find ourselves saying, “I can’t wait for warmer weather… I can’t wait for this pain to pass… I can’t wait for this season to be over.” The list could go on forever.

But here’s what I’m learning: memories are made in the waiting.

Each season of life carries its own moments—some joyful, some painful—that shape us. We never know when it will be the last time we hug someone, hear their voice, or share a conversation. If we rush through, always eager for the next thing, we risk losing the very treasures that make life meaningful.

A “wrap-up” attitude robs us of the present. It blinds us to the beauty right in front of us. The most treasured moments, the ones that take our breath away when remembered, are often found in seasons we once wished away.

So, what will we choose?
To hurry through and miss it—or to pause, embrace, and be grateful for the wait?

What season of waiting are you in right now—and what unexpected beauty can you see in it?

Have you ever taken on a challenge because you saw someone else do it—only to find yourself exhausted, weighed down, and wondering why it feels so heavy?

I know I have.

But what if the problem isn’t the challenge itself, but how we’re approaching it?

The other morning I was reading a devotional on David and Goliath. Even if you don’t read the Bible, you’ve probably heard this story: a young shepherd boy named David defeats a giant over nine feet tall with nothing but a slingshot and five stones.

While that moment is powerful in itself, what struck me most wasn’t the battle—but what happened before it.

First, David’s father asked him to deliver food to his brothers on the battlefield. David didn’t make excuses, argue, or say he was too busy watching the sheep. He simply obeyed. Maybe he was eager for a change of scenery, maybe not—but he was willing.

When David arrived, he noticed something no one else wanted to face: Goliath mocking Israel. David could have dropped off the food and walked away. After all, killing giants wasn’t what his father had asked of him. Even his brothers questioned why he wasn’t with the sheep. But David saw what needed to be done—and he was willing to step up.

Here’s where it gets interesting. When King Saul offered David his own armor, David tried it on but quickly realized it didn’t fit. It was too heavy. Instead of struggling under the weight of someone else’s tools, David chose to fight with what he knew—his sling and stones.

That’s the lesson for us.

When we face our own giants—whether they’re health challenges, career struggles, or personal battles—it’s tempting to do things the way everyone else does. We put on “their armor,” and then wonder why we feel bogged down, discouraged, or ineffective.

But victory comes when we use our gifts, our strengths, and our resources. When we stop trying to fight with what was never meant for us, we find freedom, energy, and confidence.

David defeated Goliath not by imitating someone else, but by leaning into who God and who he already was and what he already had.

So the next time you face a challenge, remember: you don’t need someone else’s armor. You already have what you need to slay your giant.

Want to read the full story? Check out 1 Samuel 17.

So, if this encouraged you, I’d love to hear from you!
👉 Share in the comments: What “giant” are you facing right now—and what unique gifts or tools are you leaning on to fight it?

And if this post inspired you, pass it along to someone who might need a reminder that they already have everything they need.