Browsing: Ain’t That A VHIT

        There are moments in life when staying quiet, though comfortable, is no longer faithful. Times when reflection alone is not enough. When prayer must be matched with posture, and conviction must finally find its voice. These are the moments when the world is not asking for a melody; it is asking for clarity. When the world needs a trumpet, a flute will not do.

       There are moments in life when staying quiet, though comfortable, is no longer faithful. Times when reflection alone is not enough. When prayer must be matched with posture, and conviction must finally find its voice. These are the moments when the world is not asking for a melody; it is asking for clarity. When the world needs a trumpet, a flute will not do.

     We are living in a time where life is moving faster than ever. Prices are rising, tensions are high, distractions are everywhere, and many of us are simply trying to maintain balance in the chaos. We set goals, make promises to ourselves, and speak about “next steps” and “new seasons.” However, intention alone won’t carry us through these complex times. Discipline will.

        Grief has a way of hitting our lives without warning. It doesn’t wait for the “right” moment, nor does it care about our plans, responsibilities, or the image of strength we try so hard to uphold. It arrives as a reminder that something meaningful has shifted in our lives. During a recent Sunday sermon, the pastor said something that echoed across the sanctuary and settled in many of our hearts: “Grief is the proof that we loved deeply and gratitude is the reminder that God still loves us.”

     So, as I keep walking this journey, I’m learning to balance the fire with stillness, the mission with the moment, and the purpose with peace. Because at the end of the day, both the gift and the weight are part of what makes me, and maybe you, exactly who we’re meant to be.

Sometimes, we get so caught up in chasing what’s next that we forget what got us here. We forget the people who believed in us when we doubted ourselves, the ones who stayed up late helping us study, the mentors who gave us tough love, and the community that kept us grounded when we didn’t have much to stand on. Whether it’s a degree, a promotion, or a little more financial security, those wins can slowly make us forget that success doesn’t mean we’ve “made it”, it means we’ve been entrusted with a little more to give back.

   There’s something powerful about being anchored. Not just physically, but spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. It’s what has kept our people grounded through generations, when the world shifted, when the winds blew, when the storms of life seemed too heavy to bear. Whether you picture a small ship fighting to stay steady in deep waters, or a palm tree bending but not breaking beneath fierce winds, the message remains timeless: when your roots run deep, you may bend, but you will not break.

To have a renewed mind is to make a daily decision to grow, emotionally, professionally, spiritually, and socially, no matter what life throws your way. It’s choosing not to let your past define your potential, and to believe that change isn’t just possible, it’s necessary.

I’ll be honest, the holidays hit differently in your forties. When I was younger, the season was full of laughter, noise, and the familiar rhythm of family, someone always cooking in the kitchen, kids running through the house, and old-school music playing in the background. Back then, joy came easy. It felt natural.