Vikki Lynn Sorensen, Author at

Whatever It Takes, Lord

Posted on June 9, 2026June 8, 2026 by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

I’ve been a Christian for a long time. But only recently have I made a conscious decision to pursue real change in my relationship with God.

I want more of Him.

I want to know Him more deeply, hear His voice more clearly, and do my part to advance His Kingdom. But beyond that, I want to know what it truly means to live life from the throne—to live as a daughter of the King instead of merely knowing that truth in my head.

I know I’m a citizen of Heaven. I know who God says I am. But if I’m honest, I haven’t always walked in that reality.

And I know I’m not alone.

Many of us want a deeper relationship with God, but we don’t always realize what that requires.

The Cost of Going Deeper

Going deeper with God means surrender.

It means giving up parts of ourselves that have become comfortable, even when those parts don’t align with God’s best for us.

Recently, my prayer has become, “Whatever it takes, Lord.”

God has answered that prayer.

Behaviors and attitudes I’ve carried for years have started rising to the surface. As He strips them away, He exposes places in my heart that need healing, correction, and repentance.

I’ve found myself on my knees more often lately—confessing sin, seeking forgiveness, and asking God to uproot things I’ve allowed to remain for far too long.

It isn’t comfortable.

I knew God would take me up on my “whatever it takes” prayer, but I admit there was an unspoken condition attached to it.

“Whatever it takes, Lord… just don’t make it too painful.”

Then came another honest confession.

“Lord, I’m scared of what this might mean for my life.”

The Loving Discipline of a Good Father

Over and over again, God reminds me that He is a good Father.

And good fathers don’t ignore destructive behaviors in their children. They lovingly correct them.

Sometimes that correction comes through conviction.

Sometimes it comes through pruning.

Sometimes it comes through difficult conversations between me and the Lord about, well… coming to Jesus.

Laying it down.

Pride.

Jealousy—which has been a big one lately.

Disobedience.

Strife.

Gossip.

The list goes on.

Scripture reminds us:

“For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

— Hebrews 12:6 (NLT)

And Jesus said:

“He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”

— John 15:2 (NLT)

Pruning doesn’t feel pleasant while it’s happening. But pruning always serves a purpose.

God never removes something without intending to produce something better in its place.

The Humility of Honest Reflection

I’m laying all of this out here because I know this isn’t just about me.

It may be about you, too.

For a long time, I thought there really wasn’t all that much wrong with me. At least not compared to some people.

If we’re honest, we’ve all entertained that thought at one point or another.

But God showed me something important.

That attitude is pride.

The moment I started comparing my sins to someone else’s, I stopped seeing my need for transformation.

I don’t want to live that way anymore.

I want to be positioned for the Kingdom.

I want to stop obsessing over my flaws while also refusing to acknowledge them.

Yes, my flaws are many.

But God already knows every single one of them.

Nothing surprises Him.

Fully Known and Fully Loved

That’s where the beauty of this journey lives.

God knows me completely.

He knows every weakness, every failure, every hidden motive, and every struggle.

Yet He loves me anyway.

More than that, I believe He has been waiting for me to become honest enough—with myself and with Him—to let Him do this work in my heart.

It hasn’t been easy.

It hasn’t always been fun.

But I can honestly say this:

I’ve never felt more loved by my Heavenly Father than I do right now.

I’ve never felt more seen.

I’ve never felt more cared for.

The conviction has been strong, but His love has been stronger.

As David wrote:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

— Psalm 139:23–24 (NLT)

A Prayer Worth Praying

If you’ve been wondering whether you should pray the same prayer—“Whatever it takes, Lord”—I want to encourage you to do it.

Yes, it may bring conviction.

Yes, it may uncover things you’d rather avoid.

Yes, it may feel uncomfortable for a season.

But momentary discomfort cannot compare to the glory that waits on the other side of surrender.

The glory of serving Him.

The joy of walking in obedience.

The peace that comes from living in His purpose.

The freedom that comes when we stop fighting His work in our lives.

After all, it’s never really been about us.

It’s always been about Jesus.

Prayer

Father,

Thank You for loving me enough to correct me. Thank You for refusing to leave me where I am. Even when conviction feels uncomfortable, help me remember that it comes from Your love.

Search my heart and reveal anything that keeps me from You. Expose pride, jealousy, disobedience, gossip, strife, and every attitude that does not reflect Your character. Give me the courage to surrender those things completely.

Lord, teach me what it means to live as Your daughter. Help me walk confidently in the identity You’ve given me and faithfully fulfill the purpose You’ve placed before me.

When pruning comes, help me trust Your hand. When conviction comes, help me respond with humility. When fear rises up, remind me that Your plans for me are always good.

Whatever it takes, Lord, make me more like Jesus.

In His precious name,

Amen.

If you’ve prayed this prayer, or if you’re struggling and need prayer as you pray it, leave a comment below. I’d love the opportunity to pray for you and encourage you on your journey with God.

Faith After 50

How I Finally Fell in Love with Bible Study

Posted on June 5, 2026June 2, 2026 by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Recently, I started the A Year in the Bible study from The Daily Grace Co. I had been searching for something in-depth that would guide me through Scripture every day. More than anything, I wanted to go deeper in my faith. I wanted to know God’s heart better, understand His Word more clearly, and grow closer to Him.

My Struggle with Reading the Bible

If I’m being honest, reading the Bible has often felt like a chore.

I love fiction. Give me a good novel, and I’ll happily disappear into its pages for hours. Non-fiction? That’s another story. In fact, if you hand me almost any book and tell me I have to read it, there’s a good chance I’ll resist. I’ve always been a little stubborn that way.

Thankfully, God knows me better than I know myself.

He knows I’m a process-driven person who is constantly searching for the “perfect system.” It probably didn’t surprise Him at all when I spent months looking for the right Bible study program before finally settling on one.

But eventually, I realized something needed to change.

A Prayer God Answered

I began praying a simple prayer:

“Lord, give me a love for Your Word that I’ve never had before. Help me enjoy learning about You.”

God has answered that prayer in ways I never expected.

For the first time in many years, I genuinely look forward to my Bible study time. While colorful pens and pretty highlighters certainly make the process more enjoyable, they can’t compare to the joy that comes from learning more about my Heavenly Father.

God’s Word reminds us:

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

The more time I spend in Scripture, the more I realize how true that is.

My Top Five Bible Study Tools

If you’re looking to build a consistent Bible study habit, these are the tools that have helped me the most.

1. A Bible You Can Actually Study

Two years ago, my sister gave me a Life Application Study Bible in the New Living Translation, and it completely changed my Bible-reading experience.

I know some Christians strongly prefer the King James Version or New King James Version. That’s perfectly fine. But for me, understanding what I’m reading matters most.

I needed a translation written in language I could easily understand so I could focus on learning rather than decoding.

The Life Application Study Bible includes character profiles, historical context, practical application notes, and study helps throughout the text. Those features have helped me understand both the well-known and lesser-known people in Scripture.

As Proverbs 4:7 reminds us:

“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” (NLT)

A Bible you understand is one of the best tools for gaining that wisdom.

2. Highlighters

Different colors make learning more enjoyable.

Maybe that sounds simple, but when I enjoy a learning process, I remember it better.

You can assign colors to themes, promises, commands, prayers, or specific people. There isn’t a right or wrong way to do it.

Bible study should be engaging. I truly believe that.

3. Pens (And Lots of Them)

You’re going to want to take notes.

That’s why I recommend getting a Bible you feel comfortable writing in. If you’re trying to preserve Grandma’s beautiful Bible in pristine condition, set it safely on the shelf and buy one you can underline, circle, and fill with notes.

Then grab some colorful pens.

You can color-code your observations if you’d like, but mostly you’ll want room to capture what God is teaching you as you read.

4. A Ruler

This one might sound strange, but hear me out.

I love marking up my Bible. I do not love crooked lines.

A simple six-inch ruler helps me underline passages neatly and organize notes in the margins. It may not be essential for everyone, but for fellow detail-oriented Bible students, it’s a small tool that makes a big difference.

5. Notebooks

Actually, get more than one.

The more God reveals through His Word, the more you’ll want to write down. I’ve already filled pages with observations, questions, prayers, and lessons I don’t want to forget.

Habakkuk 2:2 says:

“Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.” (NLT)

There is something powerful about writing down what God is teaching you.

Finding a Bible Study Plan That Works

Along with these tools, I recommend finding a Bible study plan that fits your personality and learning style.

Some people thrive without a structured plan. Others, like me, need accountability and a clear roadmap.

I happened to catch a great sale from The Daily Grace Co. and purchased their entire spiral-bound A Year in the Bible series. Having a daily guide helps me stay consistent and focused.

The key isn’t finding the perfect program.

The key is finding one you’ll actually use.

Don’t Forget Prayer

Of all the tools I’ve mentioned, prayer is the most important.

I begin every Bible study session with prayer, and I end every session the same way.

Before I open my Bible, I ask God to reveal Himself to me. I ask Him to teach me, guide me, and help me understand what He wants me to learn.

James 1:5 gives us this promise:

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.” (NLT)

That’s exactly what I’ve been doing.

And even though I’m only a few weeks into this study, I already feel like I know God in a deeper and more personal way.

I’d Love to Hear From You

What Bible study are you currently doing?

Do you have favorite Bible study tools or accessories that help you stay engaged and consistent?

Share them in the comments. I’m always looking for new ideas, and I’d love to hear what works for you.

Cozy Christian Living

10 Tiny Ways to Make Your Home Feel Peaceful Again

Posted on June 2, 2026May 28, 2026 by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Peace feels rare these days.

Everywhere I look, something fights for my attention. Phones buzz constantly. Social media feeds overflow with outrage and comparison. News headlines make the world feel heavier than it already is. Even home, the place that should feel safest, can sometimes feel loud and emotionally exhausting.

For a long time, I thought peace would come later.

Maybe after the next job.
The next house.
The next answered prayer.
The next season of life.

I kept waiting for everything around me to settle down so I could finally breathe deeply and rest. But over the last few years, God has slowly shown me something important: peace does not come from perfect circumstances. It comes from staying close to Him in the middle of imperfect ones.

That realization changed the way I live, the way I manage my home, and even the way I spend my time.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” — John 14:27 (NLT)

I do not have this figured out perfectly. Honestly, I am still learning. However, these are some of the things that have genuinely helped me create a quieter, more peaceful life and home.

Make Your Home About Jesus

The biggest shift in my home happened when I stopped trying to create “peaceful aesthetics” and started focusing on creating a home centered on Jesus.

A peaceful home does not have to look Pinterest-perfect.

Some days my kitchen is messy. Laundry piles up. Life feels busy and chaotic. Yet I have noticed that when I intentionally invite God into my daily life, the atmosphere in my home changes anyway.

Sometimes that looks like worship music playing softly while I crochet. Sometimes it means opening my Bible before opening social media. Sometimes it is simply whispering a prayer while walking the dog.

Small things matter.

“Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.” — Psalm 127:1 (NLT)

I cannot create real peace on my own. I have tried. It never lasts for long.

Put Limits on Social Media

This one has been hard for me because social media can feel relaxing at first. I sit down for “just a few minutes,” and suddenly an hour disappears.

Then I notice how unsettled I feel afterward.

Comparison steals peace quickly. So does constant negativity. Social media often makes the world feel angry, loud, and hopeless. It also makes it very easy to compare our everyday lives to someone else’s carefully edited highlight reel.

I do not think social media itself is evil, but I do think we need boundaries with it.

Lately, I have tried putting my phone down earlier at night and spending less time scrolling first thing in the morning. Honestly, my mind feels calmer when I do.

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” — Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

What we constantly feed our minds eventually shapes our hearts.

Get Outside and Enjoy Life Again

One of the simplest things that helps my mental and emotional peace is stepping outside without my phone.

Not to take pictures.
Not to check notifications.
Just to exist for a little while.

Taking a walk, sitting in the sunshine, smelling flowers, listening to birds, or watching the wind move through trees sounds almost too simple to matter, but it really does help.

Nature slows me down in a way nothing else does.

It reminds me that God created a beautiful world even when life feels heavy and noisy.

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” — Psalm 19:1 (NLT)

Sometimes peace looks like sitting quietly outside with a cup of coffee and letting yourself breathe.

Reduce the Clutter

I know decluttering has almost become a trend at this point, but clutter genuinely affects my peace.

When my home feels overcrowded, my mind feels overcrowded too.

I started asking myself a simple question: Why am I holding onto things I do not use, need, or even enjoy anymore?

Now my rule is fairly simple. If I have not touched it in six months and it is not seasonal or sentimental, I probably do not need it.

Getting rid of excess stuff creates breathing room.

Less visual noise helps my mind feel quieter.

Spend Time in the Word

Nothing settles my heart faster than spending quiet time with God.

Not perfectly.
Not for hours.
Not with some elaborate Bible study setup.

Just quietly reading Scripture and spending time with Him.

The more I learn about the heart of God, the more peace I experience. Scripture reminds me that God remains faithful even when life feels uncertain.

I think we sometimes overcomplicate our relationship with God. We think we need perfect routines or deep theological knowledge before we can sit with Him.

We do not.

Open your Bible.
Read slowly.
Pray honestly.
Be quiet long enough to listen.

That simple consistency changes everything.

“Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.” — Psalm 119:165 (NLT)

Think Before You Speak

I tend to replay conversations in my mind afterward, especially when I speak too quickly or emotionally.

The older I get, the more I realize how much peace comes from slowing down before responding.

Not every opinion needs to be shared immediately.
Not every disagreement needs to become an argument.
Not every silence needs to be filled.

Sometimes I walk away from conversations feeling unsettled because I spoke from frustration instead of wisdom.

Other times, I leave feeling peaceful because I paused first.

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” — James 1:19 (NLT)

I still fail at this sometimes, but intentional words create far more peace than impulsive ones ever will.

Engage in Creativity

Creativity has become one of my favorite forms of rest.

I crochet. I embroider. Occasionally, I color.

These hobbies slow my thoughts down because they require patience and focus. I cannot rush through them. I have to sit still long enough to create something carefully.

I think that is part of why creative hobbies feel peaceful. They force us to slow down in a world that constantly pushes us to hurry.

There is something deeply calming about working with your hands and creating something beautiful slowly.

Live a More Analog Life

This remains a work in progress for me.

Over the last year or so, I have started intentionally disconnecting more often. I bought a watch instead of constantly checking my phone for the time. I use an actual alarm clock now too.

Small changes like that help more than I expected.

Technology can absolutely be helpful, but too much of it pulls my attention in a hundred directions at once. Constant notifications make it hard to feel settled.

Living a little more simply has helped me become more present.

“Be still, and know that I am God!” — Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

Stillness feels uncomfortable at first when we are used to constant noise, but eventually it becomes healing.

Slow Down

This may be the hardest lesson God continues teaching me.

I naturally rush through life. I keep looking ahead toward the next thing, thinking happiness and peace will finally arrive when I get there.

However, peace rarely exists in the future.

It exists here.
Right now.
In ordinary moments.

Lately, I have tried slowing down enough to actually enjoy my life while I am living it instead of constantly waiting for a different season.

Sometimes that means sitting quietly with coffee in the morning.
Sometimes it means watching the sunset.
Sometimes it means simply breathing deeply and thanking God for another day.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” — Matthew 6:34 (NLT)

Enjoy the Little Things

The older I get, the more I realize peace often lives in very small moments.

A warm cup of coffee.
A soft blanket during Bible reading.
A candle flickering nearby while reading a good book.
Tea before bed.
Rain tapping against the windows.

Simple things.
Quiet things.
Comforting things.

Those moments help me slow down and settle my heart.

Final Thoughts

I still have stressful days. I still overthink sometimes. I still get distracted, overwhelmed, and emotionally tired like everyone else.

However, I have learned that peace is less about creating a perfect life and more about creating intentional rhythms that bring me back to Jesus again and again.

The world constantly pushes us to hurry, consume more, achieve more, and chase more. Meanwhile, Jesus quietly invites us to slow down and rest in Him.

And honestly, I think that is the kind of peace most of us are truly searching for.

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” — Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Family & Legacy

How Motherhood Changes After Your Children Become Adults

Posted on May 20, 2026May 20, 2026 by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Nobody talks enough about this stage of motherhood.

People prepare you for diapers, tantrums, middle school attitudes, and teaching teenagers how to drive without grabbing the dashboard and praying out loud. But somehow, nobody really explains what happens after your children become adults.

One minute, you spend your days reminding someone to brush their teeth and take a shower. The next minute, that same child calls you asking for advice about their child teething, mortgages, or how long chicken stays in the refrigerator before becoming a science experiment.

It’s a strange transition.

Beautiful.
Bittersweet.
Hilarious.
And occasionally confusing.

Because even though your children grow up, motherhood never really leaves. It simply changes shape.

You Go From Full-Time Manager to Occasional Consultant

When children are young, mothers become the CEOs of everything.

You know where the missing shoes are.
You know whose permission slip needs signed.
You know what day picture day falls on and why someone suddenly needs poster board at 9:47 PM.

You carry the entire family calendar in your brain like an unpaid personal assistant.

Then adulthood arrives.

Suddenly, nobody asks you where their socks are anymore. Honestly, they probably still lose them, but now it becomes their problem instead of yours.

At first, the silence feels strange.

You walk through the house wondering:
“Why is it so quiet?”
“Are they really OK?”
“Should I text them or would that make me look clingy?”

Of course, five minutes later you get a message that says:
“Hey Mom. Quick question. How do I know if milk is bad?”

And just like that, motherhood resumes.

Only now, instead of tying shoes and packing lunches, you become the family life consultant.

Available by phone.
Open 24 hours.
Paid entirely in love and occasional emojis.

The Worry Changes But It Never Leaves

I used to think motherhood would become less stressful once my children became adults.

That was adorable of me.

When children are little, you worry about fevers, scraped knees, and whether they’ll eat something besides macaroni and cheese for the fifteenth meal in a row.

But when they grow up, the worries simply become larger and more creative.

Now you worry about their jobs.
Their relationships.
Their finances.
Their stress levels.
Their health.
Their future.

And somehow, you still worry whether they’re eating enough vegetables.

The hardest part about adult motherhood is learning that you can’t fix everything anymore.

When they were little, you could bandage the cut, solve the problem, or scare away whatever monster hid under the bed.

Adult problems don’t work that way.

Sometimes your children struggle, and all you can do is listen, encourage, pray, and remind them they’re stronger than they think they are.

That takes a different kind of strength from mothers too.

It teaches us to loosen our grip while keeping our hearts open.

And if we’re honest, sometimes it also teaches us how to type long paragraphs of advice, delete them, and simply reply:
“Love you. I’m here if you need me.”

Personal growth comes in many forms.

You Start Seeing Your Children as Actual Adults

This one sneaks up on you.

At some point, you stop looking at your grown children and seeing only the little kid who once wore their pink princess dress for six straight months.

Instead, you begin noticing who they’ve become.

You see their kindness.
Their wisdom.
Their resilience.
Their humor.

And suddenly, you find yourself genuinely enjoying conversations with them in a completely new way.

You talk about books, careers, relationships, faith, parenting, and life.

Sometimes they even teach you things, which honestly feels rude considering how many years you spent teaching them how to use a spoon.

Still, one of the greatest joys of adult motherhood is realizing you actually like your children as people.

Not just because they’re yours.
But because they’ve become wonderful human beings.

That feeling never gets old.

Holidays and Traditions Feel Different

Nobody prepares mothers for how much holidays change once children become adults.

Schedules become complicated.
People split time between families.
Work shifts interfere with traditions.
Someone always has to leave early.

And honestly, it can feel emotional at first.

You miss those years when everyone woke up in the same house on Christmas morning while wrapping paper covered the floor and cinnamon rolls burned slightly because you got distracted assembling toys.

Back then, family traditions felt simple.

Now they require group texts, scheduling apps, and enough coordination to rival military operations.

But over time, something beautiful happens.

You realize the magic was never really about perfection.

It wasn’t about matching pajamas or picture-perfect dinners.

It was about being together.

Now the traditions may look different, but the love remains the same.

Sometimes even stronger.

You Rediscover Yourself Again

One of the unexpected gifts of this season is finally having room to rediscover parts of yourself.

For years, motherhood naturally sits at the center of everything.

You organize life around school schedules, appointments, activities, and everyone else’s needs.

Then suddenly, the pace changes.

And for the first time in years, you start asking:
“What do I enjoy?”
“What do I want to do with this season of life?”

At first, that question can feel uncomfortable.

Then it starts feeling exciting.

You pick up hobbies again.
You read more books.
You drink coffee while it’s still hot.
You walk through stores without hearing:
“Mom, can I have this?”
fifty-seven times.

Honestly, Walmart becomes a very peaceful place.

You also begin realizing motherhood was never meant to erase who you are.

It simply stretched your heart wide enough to hold more people.

And now, in this quieter season, you finally have space to nurture yourself again too.

Advice Starts Working in Reverse

Here’s another surprising thing about adult children:
sometimes they start giving you advice.

And occasionally… they’re right.

I know.
I was shocked too.

One day they’re asking how to load the dishwasher properly. The next day they’re explaining technology, healthy boundaries, online scams, or why your phone storage is full because you have 900 pictures of your granddaughter – ok – 942 for her first year only but who’s counting?

The roles shift in funny little ways.

Your children become protective of you.
They check on you.
They encourage you.
They remind you to slow down and take care of yourself too.

And somewhere in the middle of all that, your relationship deepens into something incredibly sweet.

Not just parent and child.
But genuine friendship.

Faith Looks Different in This Season Too

Motherhood after children become adults deepens your faith in ways younger motherhood never could.

When they were small, you prayed for protection.

Now you pray for wisdom, purpose, peace, strong relationships, and God’s direction in their lives.

You learn how to trust God with the people you love most.

And honestly, that may be one of the hardest lessons of all.

Because mothers naturally want to step in, solve problems, and keep everyone safe.

But adult motherhood teaches us something powerful:
our children were never truly ours to control.

They were always gifts entrusted to us for a season.

That realization humbles you.
Softens you.
Strengthens you.

And it reminds you that God loves your children even more than you do.

Motherhood Never Really Ends

No matter how old your children become, motherhood stays woven into your heart.

You still celebrate every success.
You still worry when life gets hard for them.
You still keep snacks in the kitchen just in case they stop by unexpectedly.

Because mothers never fully stop mothering.

We simply mother differently.

And honestly, this season holds a quiet kind of beauty.

A deeper beauty.

One built on watching the little people you once tucked into bed become adults finding their place in the world.

It’s emotional.
It’s funny.
It’s rewarding.
And yes, sometimes it’s a little lonely too.

But more than anything, it’s a reminder that love grows with every season.

Even after the toys disappear.
Even after the bedrooms empty.
Even after the children become adults.

Motherhood continues.

Just with fewer permission slips and far more group texts.

Faith After 50

Finding Grace in Ordinary Days

Posted on May 12, 2026May 18, 2026 by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

I used to think grace showed up in the big moments.

The breakthroughs.
The answered prayers.
The spiritual highs where you wake up early, sip hot coffee, journal deeply, quote Scripture effortlessly, and somehow feel like you have your entire life together.

You know… not most Tuesdays.

Because lately, my life looks more like this:

Reheating the same cup of coffee three times
Walking into a room and forgetting why
Starting one task and somehow ending up reorganizing a drawer I never intended to open

And right there—in the middle of my messy, distracted, beautifully ordinary life—God still shows up.

Not with fireworks.
Not with dramatic revelations.
But with grace.

Grace in the Interruptions

I love a good plan.

I wake up determined to be productive, focused, and efficient. Then life happens.

The phone rings.
Someone needs something.
A problem appears that wasn’t on my carefully organized schedule.

And suddenly the entire day shifts.

For a long time, interruptions frustrated me because they felt like obstacles. But I’m learning that God often works in the very moments I try hardest to avoid.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9

God has never once checked my planner before redirecting my day.

And yet He wastes nothing.

Sometimes grace looks like patience when irritation would be easier. Sometimes it’s simply realizing that the interruption may actually matter more than the plan I had in mind.

Grace for the Unfinished To-Do List

Can we talk about the list?

I write ambitious lists as if I’m preparing to conquer the world before dinner. By the end of the day, half of it remains unfinished.

And immediately the guilt creeps in:
You didn’t do enough.

But maybe that isn’t true.

Maybe real life simply happened.

Maybe the day wasn’t unproductive just because it didn’t unfold exactly the way I expected.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Grace doesn’t stand over us with criticism and disappointment.

Grace reminds us that faithfulness matters more than perfection.

Grace With Difficult People

We all have people who test our patience.

The ones who say exactly the wrong thing at exactly the wrong moment.

And suddenly every peaceful, Christlike thought disappears.

That’s when grace becomes practical.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another…” — Ephesians 4:32

Not because people always deserve it.
Not because we always feel like it.
But because grace changes how we respond.

I don’t always get it right. But I’ve noticed something lately:

I recover faster.

I pause more often.
I react less quickly.
I apologize sooner.

That’s growth.

Grace in Starting Over

One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn is this:

You will have to start over many times in life.

You’ll fall back into old habits.
You’ll struggle with things you thought you had already overcome.
You’ll disappoint yourself.

But starting over is not failure.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning…” — Lamentations 3:22–23

New mercy. Every morning.

God never looks at us and says,
“I’m tired of helping you.”

Grace says:
“Get back up. We’re still moving forward.”

Grace in the Quiet, Unseen Moments

Some of the holiest moments in life are the ones nobody notices.

The times you choose kindness instead of sarcasm.
The moments you stay quiet instead of retaliating.
The prayers nobody hears.
The obedience nobody applauds.

“Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” — Matthew 6:4

God sees every unseen act of faithfulness.

Nothing done for Him is ever wasted.

Grace When You Don’t Feel Spiritual

Some days prayer feels easy.

Other days you sit down to read your Bible and suddenly remember laundry, emails, dinner, and twelve other unfinished things.

And the enemy whispers:
Look at you. You call this spiritual?

But God says something much simpler:

“Come near to God and He will come near to you.” — James 4:8

He doesn’t ask us to come perfectly.
He simply asks us to come.

Grace invites us into God’s presence exactly as we are.

Grace in the Slow Becoming

At 57, I sometimes hear the quiet pressure of time.

The feeling that maybe I should have figured more out by now.
The wondering if I’m behind somehow.

But God keeps reminding me:
I am not behind.

I am becoming.

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” — Philippians 1:6

Growth rarely happens all at once.

It happens slowly. Quietly. Faithfully.

Layer by layer.
Lesson by lesson.
Day by day.

And God is still working.

Don’t Miss God in the Ordinary

We often expect God to appear in dramatic moments.

Meanwhile, He keeps showing up in ordinary life:

The interruption
The unfinished list
The difficult conversation
The quiet obedience
The slow growth

Grace is not rare.

It is constant.

So if you feel like you’re missing God lately, you probably aren’t.

You may simply need to notice Him in the ordinary moments where He’s already been all along.

A Prayer for Everyday Grace

Lord,

Help me recognize Your presence in the middle of ordinary life.

When my plans change, give me peace.
When my list goes unfinished, remind me that my worth is not measured by productivity.
When difficult people test my patience, help me respond with grace.
Teach me to begin again without shame.
Open my eyes to the quiet ways You are growing me each day.

And when I don’t feel spiritual at all, remind me that You still invite me close.

Thank You for meeting me with fresh grace every single day.

In Jesus’ name, amen.