Stop Calculating, Start Trusting

Mark 6:37-38

But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five and two fish.”

Dear Friend,

I can’t help but smile every time I read this passage. The disciples had just come back from preaching, healing, and performing miracles in Jesus’ name. Yet when faced with a hungry crowd of thousands, their first reaction was purely practical: “Lord, that would take eight months’ salary!”

How often we do the same.

When challenges come, our minds immediately run to the calculator. How much money will this cost? How much time will this take? How on earth can I fix this with what I have? We measure the need against our own resources and usually come up short.

But Jesus is gently teaching His disciples (and us) a different way of thinking. Instead of focusing on what they don’t have, He directs them to what they do: “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” Five loaves and two fish may have seemed laughable, but in His hands it became a feast that satisfied thousands, with baskets of leftovers spilling over.

The disciples’ response in this story reminds me of their reaction in the storm (Mark 4). With waves crashing and wind howling, they panicked: “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Once again, they looked only at the natural  (the problem, the danger, the impossibility) and forgot WHO was right there with them.

Here’s the pattern I see:

1. A problem arises.

2. We rush to calculate what it will take.

3. Jesus invites us to trust Him with what little we have.

4. His provision exceeds anything we could imagine.

This is an invitation for us too. When life throws us problems bigger than our ability, we don’t need to stay stuck in human calculations. Instead, we can pause and remember: There is always a supernatural answer in Jesus.

Maybe today you feel like you only have “five loaves and two fish” to offer. You have too little time, too little energy, too little money, too little strength. That’s okay. Place it in His hands. He delights in multiplying the little you have into more than enough.

Let’s train our hearts so that our first thought in crisis isn’t, “I can’t,” but, “He can.”

With love and faith,

Jennifer ✝️

photo credit: Getty Images. Licensed under the Unsplash+ License

Seeds, Patience, and the Promise of Harvest

When Growth Is Slow but Sure

He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain, first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.’”

— Mark 4:26–29 (NIV)

⸻

Jesus paints a picture here of how the Kingdom of God works. Just like a seed planted in the ground, growth happens slowly, mysteriously, and beyond our control. This parable is rich with encouragement for our faith journey. It reminds us to be patient, to trust God’s unseen work, and to rest in the certainty of His promises.

Here are four truths we can take to heart:

⸻

1. Spiritual Growth Is Gradual

“First the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.” Growth unfolds in stages. It doesn’t happen instantly.

This is good news for us as women who sometimes feel like we should already “be there” spiritually or that others should be further along in their faith. God’s Kingdom never rushes. He is patient with us, and we must be patient with ourselves and others too. Every stage of growth matters.

⸻

2. The Process Is Often Unseen but Active

The farmer doesn’t see what’s happening beneath the soil, but that doesn’t mean nothing is happening.

The same is true in our lives. Even when we can’t perceive change, God is working beneath the surface of our circumstances, our hearts, and our prayers. Seasons of waiting are not wasted seasons, they are sacred times where hidden growth is taking place.

⸻

3. The Harvest Is Certain

The parable ends with the farmer gathering the ripe grain. The harvest always comes in God’s timing.

This gives us hope in two ways: the smaller “harvests” we see now - the answered prayers, growing faith, lives transformed, and the ultimate harvest when Christ returns and God’s Kingdom is fully realized. His work always leads to fruit, and nothing can stop His promises from being fulfilled.

⸻

4. Our Role: Faithfulness, Not Control

The farmer scatters seed, but he cannot make it grow. His role is obedience; the growth belongs to God.

What a freeing truth this is for us. We don’t have to control the outcome of our efforts, our ministries, or even the people we love and pray for. Our part is to sow the seed faithfully through love, prayer, encouragement, and truth and trust God to do the work only He can do.

⸻

✨ Take Heart, Sister

If you feel weary from waiting, if you wonder whether your prayers matter, or if you’re longing for fruit you haven’t yet seen, remember this parable. God is always at work, even in the unseen. Growth may be slow, but it is certain. Keep sowing faithfully, and trust the Lord of the harvest.

Have a wonderful week!

~Jennifer ☀️

photo credit: Kamonwan Wankaew www.unsplash.com

From Shallow Soil to Deep Roots: Growing Stronger in Faith

 

🌿 How to Grow Spiritual Roots (Mark 4:17)

In Mark 4:17, Jesus speaks about seeds that fall on rocky soil:

“But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.”

This verse reminds us that faith without roots cannot withstand life’s storms. Shallow roots may sprout quickly, but they won’t survive the heat of trials. As Christian women, we long to be firmly planted, deeply rooted in Christ, so that no matter what winds blow, our faith remains steady.

Here are some ways to grow strong, spiritual roots that endure:

⸻

1. Daily Connection with God

Faith grows through relationship, not routine. Talk to God throughout your day, not only in formal prayer, but in conversation about your feelings, your struggles, and your gratitude. Spend quiet moments listening, too. Roots deepen with consistency.

⸻

2. Nourish Yourself with Scripture

Scripture is living water for the soul. Don’t rush through it. Read slowly, allowing God’s Word to transform, not just inform. Try choosing one verse to meditate on during the day, letting it soak in like rain into soil. Journaling your reflections can also make His Word personal and lasting.

⸻

3. Practice Obedience in Small Things

Every act of obedience strengthens your roots. Whether it’s forgiving someone, extending kindness, or choosing trust over fear, each step of faith presses your roots deeper. Roots don’t grow by hearing alone but by doing.

⸻

4. Build Spiritual Community

Just like trees in a forest, our roots are stronger when they’re intertwined with others. Surround yourself with women of faith who uplift and encourage you. Join Bible studies, worship together, or share openly with a trusted friend. Community helps us stand firm during storms.

⸻

5. Stay Anchored During Trials

Hardship will come. Instead of asking, “Why me?” shift your perspective to “What can I learn?” or “How can this grow me?” Trials may feel like scorching heat, but for the rooted believer, they drive faith deeper into God’s soil.

⸻

6. Gratitude & Remembrance

Write down moments when you’ve seen God’s faithfulness. Reflecting on past blessings reminds you that He’s carried you before and will do it again. Gratitude strengthens your heart and makes you resilient in future storms.

⸻

7. Guard Your Soil

A healthy garden requires protection. Guard your heart from negativity, fear, and influences that drain your spirit. Protect your time with God like you would protect a beloved garden from weeds.

⸻

🌳 Encouragement

Deep roots don’t grow overnight. A strong tree becomes sturdy little by little, storm by storm. What matters most is not perfection, but your steady openness to God’s Word and your willingness to let Him shape you, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Sister, take heart: as you keep showing up with God, your roots are growing deeper than you realize. One day, you’ll look back and see that those very storms you feared are the ones that made you unshakable in Him.

Have a wonderful week,

Jennifer 💙✝️

photo credit: Diaga Ellaby unspash.com

The Blessing of a Peaceful Home

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’” — Proverbs 31:28–29 

There is a quiet, often unnoticed blessing that many of us long for: the blessing of a peaceful home.

Not a perfect home… but a peaceful one.

A home where love speaks louder than stress.

Where forgiveness flows easily.

Where the air feels calm, the rooms are clean and inviting, and laughter rises up in celebration of togetherness.

Where the spirit of Christ is welcome — and dwells.

As women, God has entrusted us with the sacred opportunity to cultivate the atmosphere of our homes. Whether we are wives, mothers, grandmothers, single women, or caregivers — we are keepers of the flame. The warmth, light, and security of our homes often begins with us.

What a divine assignment!

In a world filled with noise, rush, and constant demand, our homes can become holy sanctuaries. Places of rest. Places of teaching. Places of healing. Places where we exhale and feel safe.

It’s in the home that children ask their biggest questions.

It’s in the home that they learn how to pray, how to treat others, how to clean up after themselves, how to recover from failure.

It’s where they are held when they’re hurting and celebrated when they’re growing.

And whether they are 3 or 18, it’s the place they launch from each day, into the world. Into classrooms, sports teams, workplaces, and one day — into life on their own.

But long before they ever walk out the door, they are shaped by the environment we’ve lovingly created inside it.

A peaceful home doesn’t just happen.

It is built with intention.

Brick by brick.

Prayer by prayer.

Act of service by act of service.

And this calling is not a burden — it is a blessing.

As Christian women, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve in our homes not with exhaustion, but with joy, knowing that even the smallest acts of love — preparing a nourishing meal, lighting a candle, tidying up, praying over our children as they drift off to sleep each evening— are seen by God and used for His glory.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace and when He dwells in our homes, peace is inevitable.

We become women who war in prayer and sow in love.

We become healers and nurturers.

We become the ones who help create a sacred rhythm for our families to thrive in.

May we never underestimate the power of a clean space, a gentle word, or a Spirit-led atmosphere.

May we see our homes as holy ground.

And may we thank God each day for the beautiful blessing of coming home to peace.

⸻

🌿 Closing Encouragement:

If you’re a woman reading this and your home doesn’t feel peaceful right now, don’t be discouraged. Start small. Invite Jesus into the atmosphere of your home. Ask Him to show you how to shift things. Light a candle. Say a prayer. Clean one corner. Speak life over your space. He will meet you there. He always does.

Warmly,



Letters for the Journey

photo credit: Julian Hochgesang

Back to the Basics: Clinging to God in a Culture That’s Letting Go

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

— 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

There’s no denying it, when we look at the world today, it can feel overwhelming. Every time we turn on the news or scroll through social media, it seems like we’re witnessing a society that is drifting further and further from the truth, from God, and from the values that once formed the foundation of families and communities.

What was once considered honorable is now labeled “outdated” or “basic.” Wholesome values are often mocked, and faith in God is portrayed as naïve or unnecessary. But here’s the truth: what the world calls trivial, God calls essential. The same values that are being rejected today—faith, integrity, prayer, family, purity, and love—are the very things that will anchor us when everything else begins to fall apart.

As believers, we are called to live in this world but not be of it. That’s not always easy. We feel the weight of the culture’s decline and the sorrow of watching a world forget its Creator. Sometimes, I feel the urge to retreat, to hide away in the quiet sanctuary of my home, where I can protect my peace and keep my focus on the things of God. But even in that space, God reminds me: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

We were never meant to hide forever—we were meant to shine.

The change we long to see in the world doesn’t begin with politicians or influencers. It begins with us. It begins with repentance, with humility, with prayer. It begins by putting God first, not our feelings, not our self-serving desires, not our opinions, but Him. It starts in our homes, our hearts, and our daily decisions.

Now is not the time to shrink back in fear or frustration. Now is the time to draw near to God and root ourselves in His Word like never before. He has already told us: if we humble ourselves, if we pray, if we repent—He will hear. He will forgive. He will heal.

This world may grow darker by the day, but our hope is not in this world. Our hope is in Jesus. So let us fix our eyes not on what is decaying, but on what is eternal. Let us cling to the wisdom and truth of Scripture like it’s the lifeline it truly is. Let us love boldly, live righteously, and shine with the light that comes from knowing the One true God.

Because while the world may change—He never does.

~ Letters for the Journey

photo credit: Shuang Paul Wang

Fireworks & Fireflies: The Sacred Sparkle of Childhood

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…” — James 1:17 (NIV)

Last night, under a warm July sky, I had the joy of watching my son and his friends celebrate the Fourth of July. We lit fireworks, of course—and the bursts of color and light were beautiful, but what struck me even more deeply was the delight the kids found in something so simple: chasing fireflies through the grass.

Yelling and laughing, they ran through the yard with big smiles and wide eyes. It was pure joy. No phones. No screens. Just the sound of laughter, the twinkling lights of fireflies, and the sparkle of fireworks.

And in that moment, I felt a deep sense of gratitude.

I was reminded that the most beautiful gifts in life aren’t things we can buy. They’re the quiet moments. The shared laughter. The innocence of a child running freely on a summer night. These are the memories that last. These are the snapshots of childhood our children will carry with them for a lifetime.

As I watched, I thought of how God calls us to return to childlike faith, to see the world with wonder again, to trust, to laugh, to find joy in what is simple. Jesus said in Matthew 18:3, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

There’s something sacred about the way children live fully in the moment. They aren’t thinking about yesterday’s worries or tomorrow’s plans. They’re present. They’re open. And when you really watch them, you can almost feel heaven touching earth in their play.

Last night reminded me of the kind of life I want to build, not just for my son, but for myself. A life rooted in what matters. A life of simplicity, laughter, and presence. A life where I don’t rush past the fireflies.

Thank You, Lord, for the blessing of these moments. For fireworks and fireflies. For giggles in the dark. For the gift of childhood and the reminder to slow down and notice Your goodness all around us.

Because the truth is, joy isn’t something we chase. It’s something we notice. And last night, I noticed it everywhere.

With warmth & love,

Letters for the Journey 🇺🇸

photo credit: EvgeniiAnd

Deep Soul Self-Care: A Biblical Perspective for Christian Women

Deep Soul Self-Care: A Biblical Perspective for Christian Women

In a world that never stops spinning, it can feel like taking a moment to breathe is a luxury we can’t afford. As women, especially as Christian women, we often carry the weight of many things: our families, our work, our friends, the pain of the world, and sometimes even burdens that aren’t ours to carry. But recently, I’ve been hearing a gentle invitation from the Lord: “Come away with Me and rest.”(Mark 6:31)

This season, I’ve entered a new rhythm. One where I no longer feel guilty for putting the world on hold to make a cup of tea, take a slow walk, or sit in stillness with God. I’m no longer chasing superficial self-care. I’m not talking about just bubble baths and scented candles—though those have their place. I’m talking about deep, soul-level self-care. The kind that requires silence, surrender, and trust.

Peace Begins Within

Scripture tells us in Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

True peace doesn’t come from checking everything off your to-do list. It doesn’t come from solving everyone’s problems or staying up late trying to make everything “just right.” It comes from a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.

What I’ve come to realize is this: The only real relationship we have in this life is the one we have with ourselves and the Lord. Every other relationship is simply a reflection of that one. When we are at peace with Him and at peace with ourselves, we stop internalizing the chaos of the world. We become rooted, unshaken. We stop bleeding emotionally for every crisis or drama around us, and instead we live from a place of holy calm and sacred clarity.

Soul-Care is Stewardship

In 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, Paul reminds us, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit…? Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

That includes your mental health. Your emotional well-being. Your boundaries. Your energy.

Self-care is not selfish. It’s stewardship. When we prioritize our peace, our rest, and our walk with the Lord, we show up to our lives more whole, more present, and more Spirit-led.

This kind of care looks like:

• Turning off your phone and tuning into the Holy Spirit.

• Walking outside without an agenda, just breathing in God’s creation.

• Choosing not to carry someone else’s emotional load when God hasn’t asked you to.

• Whispering a prayer of acceptance over your body, your story, your heart.

• Refusing to hustle for worthiness, because you already know you’re beloved.

Let the World Wait

There’s power in the phrase, “Let the world wait.” Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16). He didn’t heal every person in every crowd. He honored the Father’s timing, and He rested.

We can too.

This season, I’m choosing stillness. I’m choosing moments with my tea and my Bible over chasing productivity. I’m choosing long exhale prayers over long to-do lists. I’m choosing peace over performance.

And you can too.

Sister, your soul is worth tending to. Not in a rushed or guilt-ridden way, but in a sacred, Spirit-led way that reminds you that you are loved, held, and called to be whole.

So take that walk. Make the tea. Say no to what drains you. Say yes to the quiet. Invite Jesus into the soft, slow moments. That’s where the real healing happens.

Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

Love,

Letters for the Journey 🇺🇸

photo credit: Toa Heftiba