Tag: gratitude

Allow God To Catch You When You Fall

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When your child is just learning to stand or take those first wobbly steps, you’re always right there—either holding them or standing close by, ready to catch them if they stumble. As parents, we want to shield our children from pain and falls, so we stay close, providing security as they explore their newfound abilities. In this walk of life, we’re that child, and God is our loving, heavenly parent. Yet, just like little ones, we can be stubborn. We want to do it ourselves, to prove our strength and independence. And often, with this mentality, we fall, we get hurt, and we struggle through challenges alone. But God stands by patiently, waiting for us to call on Him, ready to help when we’re willing to ask.

It’s not that He hasn’t reached out to help us already; it’s that we often push Him away, thinking, “I can handle this myself.” So He watches, hoping we’ll one day welcome His guidance, because He knows that while life can be done alone, it doesn’t have to be a hard, lonely walk. God is always there, eager to catch us so we don’t grow weary from the falls. He wants us to find confidence, to walk and even run through life without fear. When we trust Him to catch us, we allow ourselves to take more risks, knowing there’s always a safety net waiting to support us.

I think of my own little one, crawling to the edge of the bed, knowing I’m right there to catch her. If she could talk, I imagine her saying, “Mom, I got this.” And while I’d give her space, I’d still be close, ready to protect her from any fall. If we trust God like that—like a child who knows they’re loved and watched over—we could face anything without fear. Letting Him catch us changes everything, allowing us to walk the path of life with courage, knowing we’re always in safe hands.

Each Day Is A Day Worth Celebrating

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From the moment we are born, the aging process begins. It’s a bit like a piece of fruit, picked from the tree. Once detached from its life source, the fruit starts to age. You can try to preserve it, slow it down, but the end result will be the same. Similarly, once we’re cut from the umbilical cord, we’re on our own journey.

I actually had this thought one day while washing dishes, just staring at our orange tree through the window. It hit me: we’re not all that different from a piece of fruit!

We age every day, knowing the final destination but often shying away from thinking about it. Instead, we distract ourselves, sometimes missing what it means to be truly alive.

But this knowledge is actually a gift. Knowing that life is finite is what gives each day its value. Rather than letting distractions or dark times pull us away from fully experiencing it, let’s see each day for what it is—an opportunity, a miracle in itself. Celebrate in some way, every day. Notice the small wonders around you. And by embracing this outlook, we can help others find the freedom to enjoy their lives too.

Distract Yourself Less

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Something I’ve noticed is that we humans are in a constant search for distractions. It’s not just that we “need” them; we’re almost addicted to them, each for our own reasons. Distractions aren’t inherently bad, but when we feel a constant need for them, we can become disconnected from ourselves and our surroundings. Often, this craving for distraction arises from fear. Fear is powerful, and instead of trying to understand it, we turn to distractions as a defense mechanism—to alleviate its weight. But distractions can only take us so far; fear will continue to re-emerge until it’s faced.

In a way, fear is there to “protect” us. Yet, ironically, it’s also what holds us back from fully living. Take time to look within and understand your fears. Ask yourself: where is this coming from? Your soul, your spirit, isn’t what’s afraid; it’s your mind and body.

Take moments to put down the distractions and face your inner world, as challenging as it may feel. Gently explore what lies beneath the surface—your fears, your worries, even your dreams. When you stop running from your fears and start understanding them, you’ll find yourself becoming more present, more aware, and more connected to your true self. It’s a journey we can all take, step by step, allowing ourselves to truly live without constantly seeking an escape.

Who You See on the Outside Is Only a Fragment of Who They Are Inside

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One of my favorite quotes from The Little Prince is, “…what is essential is invisible to the eye.” It reminds me how easy it is to assume we know someone’s story based on what we see, but in reality, we often know so little about the depths within them.

Each of us is like a book, with chapters that remain unread until someone curious enough comes along to open our pages. There’s no space for judgment when we truly think about it. Every appearance, lifestyle, and action holds a story, and we see only the surface.

Before we categorize or make assumptions, let’s try to understand. Let’s give grace where it’s needed. Remember, others know only fragments of you, just as you see only fragments of them.

Don’t Lock Up Your Inner Child

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Sometimes “becoming a grown-up” makes us a little too serious. We tend to overthink things, replay unnecessary scenarios, and censor ourselves. I look at my children—they say what’s on their minds, do what they feel, wear what they want, and laugh every day with little concern for what the rest of the world thinks. There’s a freedom in their joy that reminds me of what it feels like to be fully present and unburdened.

When we get too caught up in the grown-up lifestyle, that inner child can get lost, often without us even realizing we’ve locked that part of ourselves away. But it’s important to keep that side alive, to let it out and have fun. So ask yourself: what did you enjoy as a child? Let those answers guide you in reconnecting with that playful, authentic part of you.

Today, give yourself permission to embrace a little bit of that freedom. Laugh at something silly, try something new, or revisit a simple joy from when you were young. Releasing your inner child can bring a lightness that balances the weight of adulthood, reminding you that fun and spontaneity are just as important as responsibility.

Love Is A Choice – Choose To Love

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Try this: whatever in your life brings up fear or anxiety, choose to love it. Anything that stirs anger? Choose love. Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s an action, and it’s a choice we have the power to make every day. The ability to love more deeply is a seed within us, and it’s one that needs nurturing.

When something frustrates or upsets you, pause, take a breath, and say, “I love you.” Don’t let stress or anger have power over you. Every person and every experience around us could use a little more love.

Instead of pushing away “it”, whatever it may be (we all have things, situations, or even people that we find challenging to love) because of the negative emotions it brings, challenge yourself to love it.

For example, imagine you just stubbed your toe on the door. (We all know how much that hurts!) Instead of cursing the door, acknowledge it with a twist: “That hurt, but I still love you, door, because you keep my family safe and give us privacy.” It may seem small, but this practice strengthens the habit of choosing love in frustrating moments. If you can learn to love something as simple as a door that caused you pain, think of how far that love can extend to the bigger challenges in life.

Some days, you’ll succeed; other days, you’ll struggle. But don’t give up, love really is the answer. I know, because I have my own struggles with this practice.

There have been moments when my children have sparked this kind of anger I didn’t even know I had, and I have to literally step back to figure out where it’s coming from.

I had to choose love.

Over time, we evolve and improve, and for that, we can be grateful for.

Love is more than a feeling, it’s a choice. Imagine a world of choose to love.

Notice The Good Signs

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Many of us are always watching for bad signs, or at least those are what we focus on. They’re the ones that seem to stick in our minds, weighing us down and becoming tough to shake.

Constantly looking for the bad can leave the good in the shadows. When we do this, it’s like planting more bad seeds than good ones in our minds.

But there are so many good things—moments of light, glimmers—that deserve way more of our attention.

Glimmers are those tiny, positive signs that often slip by, little reminders that good things are happening, too.

Though our brains are wired to spot danger, trained for survival, we can work to build faith that’s stronger than this tendency.

This shift isn’t easy. It’s a muscle we must work on every day.

Over time, with intention and patience, noticing the good can become as natural as looking for the bad once was.

We Don’t Really Own Anything

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Not too long ago, I had a realization: we don’t truly own anything. Everything we currently have is here for our enjoyment, to serve us, to bring us joy, or to help others. But we don’t actually own these things. We’re essentially borrowing them for however long we’re here, because when we pass, none of “our things” will go with us. Recognizing this has made me appreciate all that I “have” even more. These are gifts from God; yet, because they’re not really ours, we shouldn’t hold on too tightly. Let me explain.

A while back, I was on Facebook and saw a story that beautifully illustrated this. A man shared that he was at a gas station when he saw someone who was homeless and didn’t have shoes. His wife told him, “Take off your shoes and give them to that man.” And he did, without hesitation. Now, he could’ve easily thought, No, these are my favorite shoes—I paid a lot for them. But he didn’t, because he wasn’t attached.

It’s human nature to grow attached to our things, and it can be challenging to let go. But when the opportunity arises to share something that “belongs” to us, it’s a chance to pass on joy and appreciation to someone else. We can thank these things for the role they played in our lives and let them go. This doesn’t have to be a gift to a stranger—it could be to family or friends as well.

Personally, I’m learning that the more I give and let go of things, the more space I create—both in my home and in my mind. We don’t need nearly as much as we think we do. Why hold on when there are others who might need or benefit from what we no longer use? I have a few selected items that I hope can stay within my family, shared and appreciated across generations. But for everything else, I’m letting go of the idea that they belong to me.

“The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away.” Be grateful for everything God is lending you right now—everything.

What You Are Looking For Is Not Out There, It’s Within You

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Have you ever spent time looking all over your home for your glasses, only to discover they’ve been on your head the whole time? Or maybe you searched everywhere for your phone, only to realize it’s been tucked in your back pocket? Sometimes, life is like that. What we’re searching for to fill a certain void isn’t out there, it’s already within us.

You might think a specific achievement, possession, or relationship will finally make you feel complete. But when you get it, that familiar emptiness still lingers, leaving you confused and wondering, Why do I still feel this way?

The truth is, the answer you’re looking for is right where you are. To find it, spend time getting to know yourself, just like you would with someone new. What makes you tick? Why do you react a certain way? What brings you peace? What made you feel alive as a child?

Keep asking yourself why, and dig deeper. “That’s just who I am” is rarely the whole truth. You are layered, complex, and beautifully unique. Discover the colors, textures, and tools that shaped you into who you are. Not every discovery will be easy—some may be painful—but that’s part of the journey. Vulnerability strengthens our connections with others, and being vulnerable with yourself does the same.

No one in this world knows you the way you do. You alone hold the knowledge of your experiences, your dreams, your fears. And you are worth knowing. You are worth your own love. Take the time to see yourself for the miracle you truly are.

m.g.

Be Like A Child

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Life knocks you down. Life knocks you down hard. If we let it, life can harden our hearts, making us cynical and negative. Worry and doubt become our closest companions. We lose touch with the child within—the one who is resilient, carefree, and eager to embrace life’s joys.

Yes, life is full of pain, but it’s also filled with miracles. As we become more aware of life’s tragedies, anxiety often takes root, stealing the laughter from our days. Fear becomes a shadow over our joy.

Be like a child. Seek joy, even when life brings you to your knees. Let yourself find wonder, even in the smallest things, and keep the spirit of resilience alive within you.

Remember, in each day, there are small moments of beauty and magic waiting to be found. Embrace them, and let them soften your heart.