The Beautiful Journey of Living with Meaning

 

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on life. On what really matters. On those small moments that stick with me—the ones where I felt connected to something bigger than myself.

I remember my grandma’s gentle hands, folding laundry with care. I remember sitting on the porch with cousins, sharing stories and belly laughs that still echo in my heart. I remember the quiet prayers whispered through tears when everything felt uncertain.

And I realize now that meaning isn’t about what we achieve. It’s about who we love and how we love. It’s found in those tiny, ordinary moments where we choose to show up for each other.

I think of the friends who reached out when I was down, the neighbors who brought a casserole when they knew we needed it, the church family who prayed with me when words wouldn’t come. I think of God’s quiet whispers in my heart, reminding me, “You’re not alone. Keep going. I’m with you.”

A life of meaning and purpose isn’t perfect. It’s messy and beautiful and filled with grace. It’s choosing to say, “I forgive you,” even when it’s hard. It’s showing up with a smile when someone needs it. It’s listening without judgment, and loving without conditions.

So today, I’m reminding myself—and maybe you need the reminder too—that life is about more than chasing goals or checking boxes. It’s about loving well, laughing often, and holding on to hope, even when the path is hard to see.

Because in the end, it’s not the size of our accomplishments that matters—it’s the size of our heart. It’s the love we give, the lives we touch, and the light we bring into the world that make this journey so, so worth it.

Let’s live our lives with hearts wide open, ready to love, ready to serve, and ready to FOLLOW where God leads—no matter what.

A Light in the Journey: How Hope Pushes Back the Night

 Sometimes, it feels like the world is wrapped in shadows. Heartbreak, struggles, fear, and doubts—like thick clouds, they can make everything feel heavy and dark.

But here’s the beautiful thing: darkness can’t snuff out light. Even the smallest spark—a single candle, a tiny flashlight—pushes back the dark. A little light changes everything.

Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” No matter how dark life feels, His light shines in and through us.

When you show kindness, share hope, offer a smile, or stand by someone in their tough times—you are shining His light. Even when you feel small or broken, your light matters. You might think your kindness is a drop in the ocean, but for someone lost in the dark, that drop can feel like a lighthouse.

And remember: it’s not about being the brightest light. It’s about being a light at all. One small flame makes a difference.

So today, let’s choose to be light-bearers. Let’s remind the world that darkness doesn’t win, and even in the deepest night, a little light can lead the way home.

Finding Happiness in the Smallest Things: Even a Pickle Can Make You Smile

Life can feel heavy, especially when the big stuff weighs you down. But sometimes, happiness isn’t in the big, shiny moments—it’s in the small, simple ones.

Susan, a good friend of mine recently told me about a moment when she found joy in something as ordinary as a pickle on her hamburger. There it was—a pickle curved just like a smile. “I saw smiles in my pickle,” she said.

It may sound silly, but it was a reminder that happiness can sneak into our lives in the most unexpected ways. Whether it’s a warm breeze on a hard day, a stranger’s kind word, or the curve of a pickle on your burger that makes you laugh—it’s all about noticing the small things.

Life isn’t always going to hand us perfect moments. But if we open our eyes, we can find reasons to smile, even when things aren’t going our way. God gives us these little reminders, like the smile in the pickle, to help us see His goodness in the ordinary.

So today, let’s slow down. Look for the tiny joys—the simple blessings that whisper, “You’re loved. You’re cared for. There’s beauty here.”

Because sometimes, it’s not about the big victories or the loud applause. It’s about seeing the smile in the pickle—and letting it remind you that happiness can always be found, if we’re willing to look