Posted in Real Talk Devotionals

Lent: A Season of Redirection and Rest

As a born-again believer, Lent is not about ritual for ritual’s sake. It’s not about earning God’s favor or proving my devotion through sacrifice. Salvation has already been secured through Jesus Christ.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works.” — Ephesians 2:8–9

Lent, for me, is about intentionality. It’s about creating space. It’s about laying something down so I can pick something greater up.

This year, I’m giving up social media—not as a rule to follow, but as a redirection of my heart.

Lent Is About Drawing Near

Scripture calls us to draw close to God:

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” — James 4:8

But drawing near requires space. And if I’m honest, social media often fills the quiet spaces where God wants to meet me. The moments in line. The first minutes of the morning. The last minutes before bed. Instead of prayer, I scroll. Instead of reflection, I consume.

Lent gives me an opportunity to examine that.

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” — Hebrews 12:1

Social media may not be sin in itself, but it can become a weight. And anything that distracts me from running fully after Christ is worth reevaluating.

Redirection: From Scrolling to Seeking

Fasting, biblically, is about dependence.

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” — Matthew 4:4

When Jesus fasted in the wilderness, He wasn’t just abstaining—He was relying fully on the Father. In the same way, I’m choosing to fast from social media so I can redirect that time and attention to the Word of God.

Every urge to scroll becomes a reminder to pray.
Every moment of boredom becomes an invitation to worship.
Every quiet space becomes sacred.

“You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13

I want my heart to seek Him more than it seeks updates, notifications, and validation.

Mental Rest in a Noisy World

Social media is constant input—opinions, headlines, comparisons, trends. Even when it’s positive, it’s loud. And over time, that noise affects the mind.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

Stillness is hard to find when your mind is always processing content. Giving up social media for Lent is an act of mental rest. It’s stepping away from comparison culture. It’s quieting the voices so I can better hear His.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” — Isaiah 26:3

Perfect peace doesn’t come from disconnecting from the world alone—it comes from fixing our minds on Christ. But disconnecting from distraction can help us refocus.

Focusing More on Jesus

My life belongs to Jesus.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” — Galatians 2:20

Lent reminds me of the cross—of Christ’s sacrifice, His obedience, His suffering, and His victory. If He gave everything for me, surely I can surrender something small for a season to draw closer to Him.

Paul writes:

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings.” — Philippians 3:10

That is my heart for this season—to know Him more. Not just intellectually, but intimately.

Less scrolling.
More Scripture.
Less comparison.
More contentment.
Less noise.
More Jesus.

It’s Not About Legalism—It’s About Love

Giving something up for Lent doesn’t make me more saved. It doesn’t make me more righteous. Only Christ does that.

But love responds.

“We love Him because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19

This fast is my response of love. It’s me saying, “Jesus, You are worth my attention. You are worth my time. You are better than distraction.”

And when Lent ends? Maybe I’ll return to social media. Maybe I’ll return with boundaries. Or maybe I won’t return in the same way at all. But I pray that after these forty days, my habits will reflect a heart more anchored in Christ.

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” — Colossians 3:2

That’s the goal.

This Lent, I’m not just giving something up.
I’m making room.
I’m redirecting.
I’m resting.
And I’m fixing my eyes on Jesus.

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” — Hebrews 12:2

Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash
Posted in Real Talk Devotionals

Stop Trying to Be Perfect—God’s Making Something New in You

The Old Is Gone, the New Is Here
2 Corinthians 5:17

Ever feel like no matter how hard you try, you’re still not enough? Not smart enough, not good enough, not even close to where you think you should be? You’re not alone. And here’s the best news: God is in the process of making all things new—even you—right now.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Can I be honest? For a long time, I thought this verse only applied to new Christians. I’d read it and think, “Well, that’s great… but I’ve been born again for a while now, so… this doesn’t really apply to me.”

But recently, as I was looking for verses about starting a new season, this one popped up. I almost swiped past it—again—when the Spirit whispered, “Wait! This IS for you. I’m doing something new in you right now. And five minutes from now, I’ll still be doing something new. And tomorrow, I’ll still be doing something new.”

Isn’t that the BEST news ever?

Lately, it feels like every flaw, every insecurity in me is highlighted, underlined, and bolded in my brain. There’s a cruel voice that circles endlessly, saying:

  • You’re not good enough.
  • You’re too old.
  • You’re too dumb.
  • You’re a failure.

And just when I start to feel the weight of it all, another voice joins in with condemnation: “And what’s worse, you know better. You don’t pray enough. You don’t read the Word enough. God isn’t using you… and maybe He can’t.”

If you listen long enough, these voices drown out the encouragement spoken over you every day by people who love you and see the truth.

It’s no secret that the devil lies. He wants you to feel isolated, depressed, and unworthy. He thrives on comparison. But here’s the good news: it’s also no secret that God has overcome evil. He sees when you feel low, unloved, and worthless. He is a present help in times of need, and He uses His people to remind you who you are in Him.

I’ve spent a lifetime trying—and failing—to be perfect. (Imagine that!) Very recently, during a walk with my dog, God whispered to me: Stop being so hard on yourself. I already died for you. I already approve of you. I already love you, and nothing can stop that. I’m not done with you. And until Jesus returns, I never will be. All you need to do is accept and receive.

Easier said than done some days—but, like billions of others, I’m a work in progress.

So why write this blog? And why does this verse suddenly hit differently?

Because Jesus. Plain and simple.

The old is gone, and the new is here because of Him. I used to read this verse as a linear, “one-and-done” promise: You’re born again—BOOM—you’re new. End scene. Read your Bible. Pray. Repeat. But it’s not a single event; it’s an ongoing process.

Revelation 21:5 says, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

  • Behold means to observe something remarkable.
  • Making is an action word—something God is actively doing.

God is always in the process of removing the old and bringing in the new. And thankfully, He’s not a one-size-fits-all God. He knows our struggles, our weaknesses, our perfectionism, and He meets us right where we are.

So why this verse matters:

  • The old things are gone. They don’t define you anymore.
  • The new is here. Jesus is making things new in your life—right now, in this moment.
  • It’s a process, happening over and over again. Daily. Moment by moment.

Jesus is the new. He’s here. Now. And He is enough.

You don’t have to earn God’s love, fix yourself, or be perfect. The process is already happening. The old is gone. The new is here. And it’s all because of Jesus. All you need to do is accept it—and let Him keep making you new.

Photo by Diego PH on Unsplash
Posted in Family & Legacy

Healing and Wisdom

I have two grown daughters. Shelby is 28 and Emilie is 27—born just 13 months apart. I love my girls fiercely. It is truly my honor and privilege to be their mom.

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.” —Psalm 127:3

It hasn’t always been easy. Though close in age, they couldn’t be more different if they tried.

When they were both babies, I remember asking the Lord what they would be when they grew up. I was impatient, longing for a glimpse of their future. And God, in His mercy, answered.

He gave me two words: healing and wisdom.

Shelby, He said, would have the gift of healing. Emilie would speak words of wisdom—words that soothe the soul and bring order to chaos. I heard Him as clearly as if He were standing in the room with me.

Then He told me to lay my hands on them and pray, because the battle for these two would be fierce.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world.” —Ephesians 6:12

Shelby: The Healer Who Had to Fight

Shelby has spent her life battling health issues—both physical and mental. Diagnosed as a baby with chronic ear infections and asthma that hospitalized her multiple times, she quickly became familiar with doctors’ offices and medications.

Later came more diagnoses: neurofibromatosis, social anxiety requiring medication, speech issues from scarring on her eardrums, a hearing disorder, a learning disability, and eventually, as an adult, Asperger’s.

She lives a quiet, responsible, lovely little life with me—working full time and enjoying the small freedom of disposable income for gaming. She’s private about her relationship with God, but I know this: once that girl fully flips the switch and gives everything over to Him, she will be unstoppable.

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” —Exodus 14:14

I see the healer God spoke of all those years ago.

She’s quick with a hug or a surprise latte when I’m feeling low. Her homemade chicken soup is nothing short of magic—if someone sniffles, she’s already pulling out the recipe and putting a pot on the stove. She has absolutely fought for her anointing.

Shelby is also brilliant in ways many don’t see. She understands technology intuitively. This past year, she built her own gaming computer from scratch. Watching her play is astounding—her mind moves fast, strategically, brilliantly.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” —1 Peter 4:10

She is truly amazing.

Emilie: Wisdom Forged in Loneliness

Emilie has spent her life fighting to be taken seriously.

Tested as a child for ADHD, we learned that while she is ADD, she’s also hyper-intelligent. She is incredibly smart—but not in a traditional, scholarly way. She could have done well in school if she’d applied herself, but to Emilie, book smarts and wisdom didn’t always walk hand in hand.

Friendships were difficult, especially during her teenage years. She wasn’t interested in what typical teen girls were interested in. Dating didn’t appeal to her—she’d seen it destroy too many friendships and create too much drama. Emilie never wanted a boyfriend. She wanted a husband. And a house full of children.

School felt secondary to what mattered most to her: baking, loving her family, her unwavering relationship with God, and her desire to be a wife and mother.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all.” —James 1:5

She knew how smart she was—and that made friendships harder. Girls teased her for not having college aspirations. Girls who mocked her seriousness. Girls who told her she was “too wound up” and just needed to loosen up.

Emilie wanted no part of that.

Sleeping around violated her core beliefs, and in her wisdom, she wasn’t afraid to call out unladylike behavior. The cost of that courage was steep. High school was painfully lonely.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world.” —Romans 12:2

But the price she paid bore fruit.

Today, Emilie has a godly husband from a family rooted deeply in a relationship with Jesus. Together, they are wise with money, and she is able to stay home with their daughter. Slowly and faithfully, they are building her baking business.

She is living the very life she prayed for.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” —Proverbs 16:3

When I need advice, I call Emilie. She has wisdom in abundance, and every word she speaks brings clarity, encouragement, and peace.

For the Moms Reading This

Why am I telling you all of this?

Because I am proud—proud as punch—of my girls.

They have been through it. They have fought battles most people never see. And they have paid a high price for their respective anointings.

Healing and wisdom.

God knew exactly what He was doing.

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” —Philippians 1:6

Mama, if you’re in the thick of it—if your child’s path looks harder, lonelier, or more confusing than you imagined—don’t stop praying. Don’t stop blessing them. Don’t stop believing that God sees what you can’t yet see.

Lay hands on your children.
Speak life over them.
Pray boldly over their calling.

Their struggle may very well be guarding their anointing.

And one day, you’ll look back and realize:
God was faithful all along.

Photo by me. @vikkilynnsorensen. All rights reserved.