Happily Ever After

Have you ever noticed that fairy tales always end at the wedding with the phrase “And they lived happily ever after”? It leaves us with the idea that ‘happily ever after’ is easy. It causes us to believe ‘happily ever after’ is a life with no hiccups, no sorrow, and no trials. While I do believe in ‘happily ever after’ endings, I know that it does not come without regret,...

The Gym is Open

I grew up in church. Baptized at four. But Church for me was a religion. I had no idea the word of God could transform. In my late twenties, I remember starting to hear God’s voice. One of the first scriptures, I remember penetrating my heart was: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops...

Celebrating Victory

In our Bible Study, Redefined, we have been sharing our testimonies. It is encouraging to see how much God has blessed us, how He has redeemed some very difficult, ‘didn’t think I was going to make it’ circumstances. We have come through our fiery trials without even the smell of smoke. But sometimes we need to remember the pain, the questioning, the wondering, the sleepless nights we endured so that...

On the Other Side

I was reflecting on the last six months of my life with a friend yesterday. It was a season characterized by deadlines and busyness while emotionally dealing with being cheated, rejected, and disappointed by various people who I trusted and honored. But this morning, this verse spoke to me: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope....