Tag: faith

Soften The Heart #33 : Children Are a Gift — Even When Our Childhood Didn’t Feel Like One

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“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.”

Psalm 127:3

Children are one of the clearest pictures of God’s heart. Their curiosity, honesty, wonder, and purity remind us of what truly matters. Scripture tells us that children are a gift — not because of what they do, but because of who they are: reflections of God’s creativity and love.

As parents, this verse reminds us to slow down and cherish our kids, to remember that they’re not burdens or interruptions but blessings entrusted to us. They bring joy, purpose, and a fresh view of the world.

But for many adults, this verse can stir something deeper.

Not everyone grew up feeling protected, valued, or cherished. Some people carry wounds from a childhood where they were mistreated, overlooked, or harmed. And hearing “children are a gift” can feel confusing — even painful.

So if that’s you, here’s something important to know:

**God’s intention for children was always good.

Your pain was never His plan.**

When the Bible calls children a gift, it is describing how God sees them — not how every human treats them. Some adults act out of their own brokenness, and their choices leave deep marks on innocent hearts. But your mistreatment was never a reflection of your worth. You were always precious. You were always a gift. Someone else simply failed to honor what God created.

And God grieves with you.

He is “close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18) and fiercely protective of the vulnerable. Jesus Himself said it would be better for a person to be thrown into the sea than to harm a child (Matthew 18:6). That means He saw you. He cared. He never agreed with what was done to you.

The good news?

God restores what was wounded.

He heals the childhood parts of us that were hurt, silenced, or forgotten. And He gently rebuilds what was broken — identity, trust, safety, and hope.

So whether you grew up cherished or neglected, this verse has a message for you:

Cherish the children in your life today — including the child you once were.

Let today be a reminder to love your kids with intention and tenderness…

but also to let God love and restore the parts of you that didn’t receive that same tenderness growing up.

Children are a gift.

And that includes you — the child you used to be, and the person you are becoming.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #32 — He Will Never Leave You

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified… for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

I feel like at a very young age, I always leaned into God. Even when life didn’t make sense, I somehow knew I was loved. Not just loved by people—but by God. It was a quiet knowing that I was held, seen, and cared for, even in moments where nothing around me felt steady.

But as I got older and life began to unfold in more complicated ways, abandonment became a deep and painful thread in my story. The kind of wound that doesn’t leave a scar you can see, but one you carry in your heart.

I experienced the “primal wound” of being separated from my biological parents. My parents divorced when I was eight, and I think most of us kids felt like second picks to their new spouses. Then, when I was seventeen—my senior year of high school—my mom moved out of our home to follow her husband’s job transfer. She wanted me to come, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. It felt like she chose him over me, and the message I internalized was: You’re not worth staying for.

I moved in with my dad and stepmom. And then, after high school, my dad—“in the nicest way”—told me it was time to move out. He helped me get set up with school and paid for my apartment, which I’m thankful for. But the emotional part of it still hurt. Deeply.

As I became a mother myself, I found that old wounds resurfaced in new ways. I couldn’t understand how some of the choices my parents made were even possible once I knew the depth of love I had for my own kids.

These layered experiences of being left or feeling replaceable shaped my thoughts in relationships. When someone got close, I would think, It’s just a matter of time before they leave… or choose someone over me.

But even in all that pain—even when I questioned people—I kept leaning on God. I kept coming back to His promises. His love. His Word.

Deuteronomy 31:6 says He will never leave you nor forsake you. And I believe that. It’s the one relationship in my life that has never felt conditional. I trust God in a way I struggle to trust others, because He has never walked away. He has never picked someone else over me. He doesn’t move on or get tired or lose interest.

So I return to Him. Again and again. Not because I’m perfect—but because I know He is.

If you’ve ever felt left behind, replaced, or like you had to earn your place in someone’s life… please know this:

God doesn’t leave. He walks with you through every ache, every misunderstanding, every broken piece. And He whispers, “You are mine. You are loved. I will never let go.”

Soften The Heart: Devotional #31

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“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6 

My poor Bible has been pretty lonely. I haven’t been actively reading it. I’ve been spending time with God in nature and in meditation but I haven’t been studying his word. Which I think it’s just as important.

So today I was flipping the pages of my Bible looking for inspiration today…

and I came across this verse I had highlighted. Hebrews 11:16.

And there’s a word in that verse that stands out, believe.

It’s a reminder that trust is crucial.

Faith is kind of like the wind. We can’t always see it but we feel it. It moves through the trees, brushes our skin, and reminds us:

“I’m here.”

I do believe God is like that. All around us. Reminding us and encouraging us of His presence.

Something greater. Something powerful. Something all-knowing. Something here.

And though I don’t fully understand all of it…I do believe this greater power truly loves us.

But like any relationship, it takes two. We want God to constantly reach out and prove Himself…

Yet we don’t always seek.

Seek God.

Let the veil be lifted.

Open your heart.

Open your eyes.

And maybe you’ll start to feel Him like the wind. Maybe this “foreign language” will begin to make sense.

Faith is not about having it all figured out. It’s about having hope.

Keep seeking.

God sees you and is with you.

He rewards those who do.

Crown Chakra: Your Connection to the Divine

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At the top of the chakra system lies the Crown Chakra, known in Sanskrit as Sahasrara, meaning “thousand-petaled lotus.” Located at the crown of the head, this chakra represents spiritual connection, enlightenment, and the vastness of the universe. It is the bridge between your individual self and something greater—whether you see it as divine energy, the universe, or pure consciousness.

If the Third Eye Chakra is about seeing truth, the Crown Chakra is about becoming one with it. It is where wisdom, peace, and transcendence reside.

A Glimpse into the History

The Crown Chakra has long been associated with higher states of consciousness. In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, it is linked to spiritual awakening and enlightenment, symbolizing the dissolution of ego and the merging with universal energy. In many depictions, saints, sages, and deities are shown with halos—representing an open and radiant Crown Chakra.

The color violet or white is associated with this chakra, signifying purity, clarity, and divine wisdom. Its element is pure consciousness, beyond the physical and material world.

Signs Your Crown Chakra May Be Blocked

When your Crown Chakra is blocked or imbalanced, you may feel disconnected—from yourself, others, or a sense of purpose. Here are some signs:

• Feeling Disconnected from Life’s Meaning: Struggling with a sense of purpose or questioning existence

• Lack of Inspiration: Feeling uninspired, unmotivated, or stuck in daily routines without deeper fulfillment

• Closed-Mindedness: Rejecting new ideas, feeling spiritually disconnected, or resisting growth

• Chronic Stress or Overwhelm: An overactive mind with constant anxiety about the unknown

• Physical Symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or feeling mentally drained

An overactive Crown Chakra may lead to feeling detached from reality, overly focused on spirituality while neglecting the physical world, or experiencing an inflated sense of superiority. Balance is key!

How to Unblock and Balance Your Crown Chakra

Unlike other chakras, which are balanced through action, the Crown Chakra requires stillness, surrender, and trust. Here’s how to align with it:

1. Meditate Daily: The best way to connect with the Crown Chakra is through meditation—sitting in stillness and allowing yourself to be present.

2. Spend Time in Silence: Disconnect from distractions and allow space for inner wisdom to emerge.

3. Connect with Nature: Watch the sunrise, stargaze, or simply sit in nature to feel connected to something greater.

4. Practice Gratitude: Appreciate the beauty of life, both big and small. Gratitude raises your energy and deepens your connection.

5. Seek Spiritual Knowledge: Read spiritual texts, listen to wisdom teachings, or explore different perspectives on life’s mysteries.

6. Use Essential Oils: Frankincense, lavender, and sandalwood can help promote relaxation and higher awareness.

7. Affirmations: Use statements like “I am connected to divine wisdom” and “I trust the universe’s plan for me.”

8. Let Go of Control: The Crown Chakra reminds us that not everything is meant to be understood—sometimes, we must surrender and trust in the unknown.

Final Thought

The Crown Chakra is your gateway to peace, wisdom, and divine connection. When balanced, you feel a deep sense of purpose, inner peace, and trust in the flow of life.

You are not just a drop in the ocean—you are the ocean in a drop.

You were meant to lead with faith—trust in the journey, and allow yourself to expand beyond limits.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #29 — A Message of Hope for the Grieving

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This Is Not the End: A Message of Hope for the Grieving

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

John 14:2-3

Loss has a way of stopping time. One moment, life is moving forward, full of plans, routines, and expectations. The next, everything changes. A phone call, an accident, a last breath you didn’t realize was the last—and suddenly, the world feels different. Emptier.

When we lose someone unexpectedly, the pain is sharp and disorienting. There’s no time to prepare, no gradual goodbye. Just a void. And in that void, we wrestle with the question that lingers in every grieving heart: Where are they now?

Jesus knew we would ask this. He knew our hearts would ache with longing for those who are no longer with us. And so, He left us with this promise.

This world is not the final destination. Death is not the end of the story.

Jesus is preparing a place. A place where brokenness does not exist, where suffering has no power, where love never fades. A place where those we have lost—those who seemed to slip away too soon—are not truly gone but waiting in a home far greater than this one.

That doesn’t take away the pain of missing them now. It doesn’t erase the ache of their absence. But it does mean that separation is temporary. Love is not lost.

Imagine, just for a moment, that there is more beyond what we can see. That the ones we grieve are not lost in darkness but alive in a way we cannot yet comprehend. That God’s love is big enough to hold them and us, to weave our stories together again in a way more beautiful than we can imagine.

We may not have all the answers. We may not understand why loss comes the way it does. But we can hold onto this:

This is not the end.

There is a place beyond this world, a home beyond this life, and a love that is strong enough to bring us back together again. And one day, when the time is right, we will see them again.

Until then, we carry them in our hearts, and we hold onto hope.

If You’re Grieving, You Are Not Alone

If you’ve experienced a sudden loss, I want you to know that your pain is seen. Your grief is real. But so is hope. Even in the darkness, you are not alone. God is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), and He promises that one day, all things will be made new (Revelation 21:4).

If this message speaks to you, I pray it brings even a small measure of peace. And if you know someone who is struggling with loss, please feel free to share it. You never know whose heart might need this reminder today.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #28

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“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.”

Psalm 19:1-2

Have you ever looked up at the sky and felt something stir deep inside you? Maybe it was the brilliance of a sunrise, painting the world in soft golds and pinks. Maybe it was a night sky so full of stars that it made you feel small, yet somehow seen.

Psalm 19:1-2 tells us that the sky isn’t just beautiful—it’s speaking.

What if creation itself is a message from God? What if every sunrise is a reminder that His mercies are new every morning? What if every sunset whispers, Rest, I am still here?

Too often, we rush through life, missing the ways God is revealing Himself. We glance at the sky but don’t really see it. We hear the wind but don’t listen. We admire nature but don’t recognize it as a message. Yet, this verse reminds us—creation is speaking. God is always speaking.

Are we paying attention?

The next time you step outside, take a moment. Look at the sky. Notice the way the clouds move, the way the sun warms your skin, the way the stars seem to stretch endlessly beyond what you can comprehend.

Let it remind you—God is present. He is vast yet personal, powerful yet gentle, distant yet closer than your own breath.

The sky is speaking.

Are you listening?

Solar Plexus Chakra: Igniting Your Inner Power and Confidence

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After flowing through the creative and emotional energy of the Sacral Chakra, we rise to the Solar Plexus Chakra, known in Sanskrit as Manipura, meaning “lustrous gem.” Located in the upper abdomen, just above the navel, this chakra is the center of personal power, confidence, and self-discipline.

If the Root Chakra is your foundation and the Sacral Chakra is your flow, the Solar Plexus Chakra is your fire—the source of your motivation, willpower, and sense of self.

It’s where you develop the strength to take action, set boundaries, and move toward your goals with conviction.

A Glimpse into the History

The Solar Plexus Chakra has its roots in ancient Indian traditions, mentioned in early yogic and tantric texts. It is symbolized by a ten-petaled lotus and associated with the color yellow, representing warmth, energy, and enlightenment. Its element is fire, symbolizing transformation, strength, and the power to create change.

In many spiritual traditions, fire is seen as a purifier—burning away doubt and fear to reveal true strength.

This is the essence of the Solar Plexus Chakra: stepping into your personal power with clarity and purpose.

Signs Your Solar Plexus Chakra May Be Blocked

When this chakra is out of balance, you might struggle with self-doubt, lack of motivation, or difficulty asserting yourself. Some common signs include:

• Low Self-Esteem: Feeling insecure, unworthy, or overly self-critical

• Lack of Motivation: Procrastination, indecisiveness, or feeling stuck

• Fear of Judgment: Worrying too much about what others think

• Control Issues: Either feeling powerless or trying to control everything

• Digestive Problems: Stomach aches, bloating, ulcers, or issues related to the gut

A blocked Solar Plexus Chakra can make you feel powerless, lost, or unsure of yourself, while an overactive one can lead to arrogance, stubbornness, or the need to dominate situations.

How to Unblock and Balance Your Solar Plexus Chakra

Restoring balance to the Solar Plexus Chakra is about reigniting your inner fire and reclaiming your confidence. Here’s how:

1. Power Poses & Movement: Engage in physical activity like yoga (especially core-strengthening poses like Boat Pose (Navasana) or Warrior Poses) to activate this energy center.

2. Affirmations: Use statements like “I am strong and capable,” or “I trust myself and my decisions.”

3. Connect with Fire: Spend time in sunlight, light candles, or visualize a bright, golden flame in your core growing stronger with each breath.

4. Set Small Goals: Accomplishing even small tasks builds confidence and strengthens this chakra.

5. Eat Yellow Foods: Bananas, lemons, corn, and turmeric can support Solar Plexus energy.

6. Breathwork: Practice deep breathing exercises, especially Kapalabhati (Breath of Fire) to stimulate energy and focus.

The Gift of the Solar Plexus Chakra

When your Solar Plexus Chakra is balanced, you feel confident, driven, and aligned with your purpose. You trust yourself and make decisions from a place of strength rather than fear.

This chakra reminds you that you are capable, you are powerful, and you are in control of your own story.

You weren’t meant to shrink yourself to fit the world—You were meant to lead with courage. Keep your faith strong, even when the path is uncertain.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #27

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“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours”

Mark 11:24

This verse holds a profound message about the power of faith and the unseen forces at work in our lives. It isn’t just about asking for something and expecting it to appear—it’s about aligning our hearts, minds, and actions with the belief that what we seek is already on its way.

When we pray, we are not simply making requests; we are entering into a relationship of trust with God. True faith means believing before seeing—knowing deep within that our prayers are heard and that the answers will come in the right way and at the right time. This belief shifts our mindset from doubt to expectation, from fear to confidence.

But this verse also challenges us: Do we truly believe? Often, we pray while holding onto doubt, questioning whether what we desire is possible. Yet, Jesus calls us to let go of that uncertainty and trust fully. When we pray with unwavering faith, we begin to act and live as if the answer is already unfolding. This shift in perspective opens doors, changes our energy, and aligns us with divine timing.

Faith-filled prayer isn’t just about receiving—it’s about transformation. It teaches patience, deepens our trust, and reminds us that even in the waiting, God is at work. So as you bring your hopes and dreams before God, pray boldly, believe fully, and trust completely.

Your blessing may already be on its way.

Where Do We Draw The Line?

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Recently, I watched the movie Coraline and a YouTube video on Taoist philosophy, and both left me reflecting deeply on human nature and our constant craving for more.

In Coraline, the children lost their souls, not because they didn’t have enough, but because even when they were given everything they desired, it still wasn’t enough. A chilling thought, isn’t it? This dark and haunting animation earned an Oscar for a reason—it shines a light on something real and unsettling within us. (I throughly enjoyed this thought provoking movie.)

Similarly, the Taoist philosophy video explored how this endless quest for “more” leads to stress, burnout, and withdrawal from peace. Or, like in Coraline, it can even cost us our souls—though perhaps not in a literal sense, but in how we lose touch with ourselves, our purpose, and what really matters.

Do you see the connection?

So, where do we draw the line? When do we step back and say, “I’m good. I have enough.”

I believe awareness is the first step. Developing an awareness of these traps—this cycle of more, more, more—can help us catch ourselves before we fall deeper into it. But awareness isn’t always enough. We need something more substantial: an armor to protect us from the constant pull of these traps.

How do we build that armor? Honestly, I wish I had a straight answer. But what I do know is this: it starts with doing the inner work. Looking at yourself—really seeing yourself. Asking the hard questions about what you truly need versus what you’re chasing out of habit, pressure, or comparison.

It’s not easy. It’s uncomfortable, messy, and often takes time. But I believe learning to “draw the line” isn’t just something we need—it’s something we all deserve. A chance to reclaim our peace, to step off the hamster wheel, and to say, “This is enough.”

(YouTube video in case you’re interested— click here )

Soften The Heart: Devotional #26

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding

Proverbs 3:5-6

As I witness my children grow, I also witness their world expand.

They ask more questions, are hesitant on their choice of words, they remain curious, and there is more confidence that I see.

As their world begins to take a shape they believe they understand it all. The connections are beginning to take place. Children are incredible observers. Since they do not have much life experience they are able to hyper focus on what’s in front of them.

It’s like they see things through a magnifying glass.

I think deep down they know they don’t know everything but who wants to admit that. Even adults don’t want to admit that.

To have been a child and then to an adult is humbling to say the least on how ignorant and innocent we were. How much we really didn’t know.

But also recognizing that in a way we are still very much children but in these “adult” bodies.

What is it that we don’t know yet but will find out soon enough? Or, what do we think we know but really are only sitting at the top of the iceberg?

I believe many of us lay in our beds just wondering. Wondering all sorts of things.

Wondering. Wondering. Wondering.

And it’s frustrating that we don’t have the answers. We have a difficult time trying to figure out where to start looking too.

But what if, we just aren’t ready. We just aren’t there yet.

We have to wait.

And we can wait with frustration or we can wait with confidence because that is how much we trust God.

Surrendering to God is not a one time thing. It is something we must do daily.

We have to give all those anxious thoughts and worries to God and know that God is guiding us.

This world if full of pain and sadness as many of us know and we cannot endure this place without Gods hand. We need Him. You need him. He waits for us.

This I do believe.