Gentle reminders

I listened to a message on Sunday. It talked about how, like a tree, we’re pruned so we can grow stronger — and it shared a statistic about how people who read their Bible four or more days a week experience such powerful changes in their lives. I believe that with all my heart.

I got some unsettling news this week about some friends. My heart was just broken, even though there are still so many unknowns, I am believing God’s goodness will prevail. As I sat with it, I was reminded of those first few weeks after Michael was diagnosed. My mom had sent me screenshots of prayers the day I heard the news we personalized them with his name. He recorded them and this morning I went to Michael’s phone and found those voice memos he had recorded back in December 2021.

He had recorded himself reading those same scriptures. I spent a good part of the day listening to his voice while driving for work and while it made me sad in one way, it also filled me with deep gratitude. I could hear the little things, like the sound of his watch sliding down his wrist when he shook it (he always did that), and it made me smile. I could see him in those tiny moments, and I was overwhelmed with thankfulness that I got to love him and that he got to love me.

It reminded me of what he always said: “Just look for the next step.”That’s what I’ve been trying to do.

Today, I found myself thinking about how much I don’t want to waste a minute or get distracted by what doesn’t matter. I want to make people feel seen, loved, and at ease… to make a difference in every life I come across. I fail most days but I will keep trying. 

If I’ve learned anything through all of this, it’s that even in the pruning seasons, God is still at work growing something beautiful. And sometimes, His voice sounds a lot like peace, like love, and even like the gentle reminder of someone you loved deeply still speaking scripture over your life.