The Journey To Inner Freedom - Dropping The Mask

Recently I decided to do some self-care and put on a charcoal face mask. You know, the kind that helps clean your face and makes you look a little spooky? I sat in the living room, working on some things, and didn’t think much about it. I was just relaxing and enjoying my little moment of quiet.

I sat there for about 20 minutes, totally unaware that my husband hadn’t noticed a thing. But then, out of nowhere, he looked in my direction and then looked twice!

His eyes got really big, and he looked so surprised—like he’d seen a ghost from another world. All he saw was me sitting there, with a dark face, working away, looking kind of strange. Later it made me think about something deeper.

Sometimes we wear masks—to hide how we really feel inside (Oh, I'm okay- heard that before - when in reality we are really not). We pretend everything is okay when deep down, we’re hurting or concerned. We act strong when we feel scared, or we hide our struggles because we’re afraid others might see our weaknesses. We wear these masks so no one can see what’s really going on.

Take the mask off and come to God with all the flaws, fears, struggles and all.  God sees the real us anyway, why try to hide it - the mask is not doing anything.  He loves all our imperfections and weaknesses. He knows our hearts and loves us anyway.

So,  I remind myself—and you—that it’s okay to stop pretending. We do not have to hide our feelings and act like everything is fine when it’s not. God invites us to come to Him honestly, with all our concerns and imperfections. When we stop wearing masks and come to Him as we are, His love makes us whole and real.

Don’t hide behind those masks. Be brave enough to show your true self to God, because He loves you just as you are. He can change you from the inside out - And in His love, you will find the strength to allow Him to do so. 

The Journey of Learning to Let Go

**What Are You Letting Go Of? Is It Time to Release It?*

Sometimes, life gets really hard. We face problems that we can't fix on our own, and we start to feel overwhelmed. It’s easy to try to control everything or hold on tightly to what we think will help. But there’s a different way—one that can bring peace and hope. It’s called “letting go and letting God.”

Letting go means releasing the things we can't change or control. It’s about trusting that God has a plan for us, even when things don’t make sense. Instead of carrying all the worries and stress ourselves, we choose to give them to God and believe that He will take care of everything. It’s not always easy to do, but it’s a way to find peace in the middle of chaos.

When we let God take over, we open our hearts to His guidance and strength. We stop trying to do everything on our own and trust that He knows what’s best for us. It’s about having faith that no matter how tough things seem, God is with us, guiding us, and working things out for our good.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that it’s okay to let go of what you can’t control.  Sometimes, the best thing we can do is simply step back, breathe, and let God do what only He can do. When we do that, we often find peace, hope, and strength to face whatever comes next.

**The Christmas Journey: Memories of Family, Laughter, and Love**

 

I am sitting here counting days till Christmas and then my mind wanders more towards Christmas memories — the warmth of gathering with family, the sound of laughter filling the air, the smell of good food cooking in the kitchen. I think back to those Christmases at my grandparents’ house, and so many memories come flooding back.

I realize now it wasn't about the presents — it was about being together. We’d all pile into that cozy house, the table full of good food, the living room buzzing with excitement. The gift of being with the people I loved. Sitting around, sharing stories, laughing until our sides hurt. Those moments felt so precious, like time stood still just for us.

We’d open presents, yes, but even that was secondary. It was the joy of seeing everyone’s face light up, the hugs, the “thank-yous,” and the feeling of belonging. It was about connection. About knowing that even if life got busy or hard, at Christmas, we’d come together and remember what really mattered: family.

Some of those people are no longer around. The grandparents who used to spoil us, moms, dads, aunts, uncles and the cousins who made every Christmas special — they’re missed so much. Their absence leaves a quiet ache, but also a warm feeling knowing that their love and laughter live on in our memories. We hold onto those moments, cherishing the love they shared, and grateful for the time we had.

Now, those Christmases are memories I carry with me. They remind me gifts aren't what you unwrap, but people you share your life with. The laughter, the hugs, the stories — that’s what makes life truly special. And even though some of those loved ones are gone, their spirit is still present in memories, in the traditions we keep, and in the love that still binds us.

So this Christmas, I’ll hold those memories close — the gathering at my grandparents’ house, the laughter ringing through the rooms. And I’ll be grateful for every moment,  the past memories and the memories to be made. 

Because no matter how many years go by, those Christmases past will always be part of who I am — a reminder of what’s truly important, and of the love that lasts forever.

**A Journey of Courage: From The Car Door to The Classroom**

Ah, first grade—those innocent days when the biggest worry was whether we would have enough crayons or find a friend to play with at recess. But for me, it was a whole different story.  I was a little bundle of anxiety back then, and being separated from my mom felt like the end of the world.

Back in those days, there was no pre-K or kindergarten to ease little kids into school. Nope, I went straight from home to what seemed like the impressive and gigantic hallwalls of first grade. My mom, who was a stay-at-home superwoman, stayed home and kept us busy (probably trying to keep her hair from turning grey). But every morning, as the school bus pulled up, I would just have a meltdown. On those days I would miss the bus.  Mom, bless her heart, would have to drive me to school.  I would be crying, clinging, and probably making it impossible to get out of the car. And then, in a scene straight out of a comedy, she’d have to give me a gentle but firm *push* to get me out of the car and into the school building. I can only picture what the teachers must have thought—seeing my mom walk into the classroom still holding her child, just moments after she was desperately trying to pull me out of the car door.

But amidst all this chaos, there was a shining star—Mrs. Taylor, my first-grade teacher. If it wasn't for her, I might still be hiding behind her desk, refusing to step into the big, scary classroom. Mrs. Taylor was the kind of teacher who could probably teach a class of wild monkeys and still make them sit quietly. She had a smile that could melt the coldest of hearts and had a way of making me feel safe even when I was trembling in my little school shoes.

Thanks to her I somehow managed to survive that first year. Without her, I might have been a permanent fixture in her classroom, the kid who refused to leave her side. But instead, I made it to second grade—probably still a little anxious, but a little braver too.

Looking back, I can’t help but laugh at those early school days. Who knew that my survival story would start with me being dragged out of the car and ending with a teacher who believed in me? 

**And to all the parents out there: Hang in there. Your little ones are just figuring things out—and sometimes, all they need is a teacher like Mrs. Taylor to get them through the door!**

**"The Journey to Inner Peace: Knowing Your True Worth in God's Eyes"**

 **The Power of Inner Peace: Why a Healed Person Doesn’t Take Everything to Heart**

In life, it’s easy to get upset when others say or do things that hurt us. But as we heal emotionally, we learn that what others say or do is often more about them than about us. A healed person understands that their words come from their own struggles.

Healing takes time and effort. It helps us build confidence and realize we don’t need to take everything personally. When we understand that others’ reactions reflect their own pain, we can stay calm and centered. This gives us peace, making us less affected by negativity and more focused on our own growth.

True peace comes from within. It’s about accepting ourselves and recognizing that we control how much others’ words impact us. When we stop taking everything to heart, we find a deep sense of calm and strength that stays with us through life’s ups and downs.

 **"Words can be empty and misleading, depending on the heart of the one who speaks them."**  The most important truth is knowing your value in God's eyes. His love and acceptance are what give us real worth, far beyond what anyone else might say or think.

Counting my Blessings Throughout The Journey

One song that I really love is *"Counting My Blessings"* by Matt Maher and Seph Schlueter. The lyrics  always remind me to be thankful for everything God has done in my life. Have your heard it before?  Here are a few of the lyrics: *"God, I'm still counting my blessings - For all that You've done in my life. The more that I look in the details - The more of Your goodness I find."* 

There are so many good things God gives us every day, even the small ones we sometimes overlook. No matter how busy or stressed I get, taking a moment to think at my blessings fills my heart with gratitude. It’s a reminder that God's love and kindness - IT IS EVERYWHERE, if we just pay attention. 

The song also talks about how our time here on earth is limited, but God's goodness is endless. It encourages me to keep counting those blessings, knowing I can never truly count them all because God's blessings are bigger than we can imagine. 

So, If you see me riding down the highway windows down, sunroof open, shades on, and music blaring—I just might be me praising God along with Matt and Seph, thanking Him for all His blessings. 😊  

God's goodness is always present. No matter what life throws our way, there’s always something to be thankful for. Let's COUNT OUR BLESSINGS and GIVE THANKS FOR GOD'S ENDLESS LOVE.  

The Journey to Embracing Your Light in A Dark World

 

**God Did Not Call Us to Be Liked — He Called Us to Be Light**

God doesn’t want us just to be popular or liked by everyone. He wants us to **shine** for Him — to be **light** in a dark world. When we choose to do what’s right, speak the truth, and love others, we make darkness very uncomfortable.

The truth is, when you shine your light, it shows what’s hiding in the dark — like sin or wrong choices. Some people don’t want that. They want to stay hidden. So, they try to blow out the light or hide it so their sin won’t be exposed. They don’t want the truth to come out because it makes them feel guilty or uncomfortable.

But God’s calling us to be brave and to shine, even if it makes others uncomfortable. Remember, Jesus Himself was rejected many times because His truth made some people uncomfortable. But His light helped set others free.

So, don’t worry about everyone liking you. Your job is to shine and tell the truth with love. When you do, you help others see what’s real — and that can lead them to change. Shine bright, because that’s what God called you to do!