purpose – View From My Shoes

Can’t Share What You Don’t Have

If you want to share Jesus with others, you personal experiences are the best place to start.

When Scott and I are enjoying a meal out, I often encourage him to order something extra. For example, I might prod, “I bet their onion rings are good here; maybe you should order some.” He knows full well, I plan on eating some of those onion rings. Same is true with dessert. “ Did you save room for dessert? They have your favorite.” If he doesn’t order it, how can he share it with me?

If you don’t have the love of Jesus, how can you share it? If you don’t spend time in the word and in prayer, how can you share those experiences with others?

In 2 Peter 1, Peter is writing to share the faith and encourage the church. He tells us to keep growing in knowledge, to live a godly and moral life which God will help us do, to love everyone, and God will give us a grand entrance into His eternal kingdom. He tells the church he will keep reminding them of these things and then in verse 15 he states, “So I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.” Peter had something to share and he wasn’t going to quit.

This year for Advent, Scott and I sent a short, daily video to our grandkids to help make the Christmas story memorable. We videoed from a different spot in the house each day starting out with a funny comment and the Christmas cout down. We would next read from the Bible interrupting each other with commentary and then end with a goofy salutation such as “Be sweet Parakeet.” I completely understand what Peter is saying in verse 15. I too want to keep sharing Jesus with my family and others so they will understand what is so special about living a faith filled life. I will share my love for Christ and tell my grandkids about all God has done for me over and over again. It is that important to me.

I have however realized that you cannot share what you don’t have. If you don’t have personal experiences with Christ, how do you tell friends at work about Christ? If you are not reading the Bible and learning more and more about God’s word, how do you share that with your neighbors?

As this year comes to a close and you prepare for 2026, think about your plan to grow in your understanding of God’s truths. Create a strategy to daily spend time growing in your knowledge of Him and reflecting on His unimaginable love for you. Write out your plan and commit to it.

Remember, James 4:8 tells us, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” Lean in to God in 2026 and share what you learn with others.

Three Essentials

If I could only tell someone three things about God, this is what they would be.

Recently Scott and I went on a super quick, unexpected overnight trip. We had nothing planned other than to just get out of town. Time to pack did not exist. I first and foremost grabbed my toothbrush. I also threw in a change of clothes, and snatched up my book bag on the way out the door. Despite the rushed exit, it was one of our most relaxing getaways ever, and I had the essentials I needed.

If I only had a few minutes to tell someone about Jesus, what three things would I tell them? Knowing I didn’t have time to plan and outline the whole story starting with Adam and Eve, through Abraham and into the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, not to leave out all the wonderful stories of the old testament and the new testament church, what would I tell someone?

You are loved!

You are loved with a vast love that is impossible to completely understand. Ephesians 3:18-19 tells us, “ May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God”

You may not feel lovable, you may not have experienced the love you are worthy of in past relationships, but God’s love is real and is there for you. That is the first concept I would want everyone to hear. Just like having my toothbrush is essential for an overnight stay, knowing that God loves you is the linchpin to understanding Him. He made you uniquely just the way you are and loves you unconditionally. You are designed by Him for His purpose.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;” Psalms 139:14

God Loves YOU!!!

You are forgiven!

No matter what ugly darkness is in your past, you will be forgiven if you ask. 1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

God is so willing to forgive us. His word tells us over and over again that our sins will be forgiven. Not just forgiven, Isaiah 55:7 says they are generously forgiven. Colossians 2:13-15 says the record is cancelled for ALL of our sins. Hebrews 8:12 says our sins will never be remembered again. I don’t know why, but accepting that God has forgiven us is sometimes easier than forgiving, ourselves?

Last week I made an extremely selfish decision. I was disappointed in myself. I confessed; I know I’m forgiven. Unfortunately, I’ve had to repent for this before which is so humiliating. Here I am doing it again. I keep reliving that moment and wishing I could go back and redo that extremely selfish moment. I am forgiven; it is in the past. I know that. Yet, I am still struggling to let it go. There is freedom in forgiveness. We have to step into that and trust we are forgiven as well as forgive ourselves.

I pray that you can accept your forgiveness and give yourself the grace that God has so generously given us.

You are not alone!

This journey of life is hard. I look around and see the hurt and loss that people have to suffer through, and my heart breaks. The good news is, we don’t have to live life alone; God is ALWAYS with us. Yes, even in those times when I would lie in bed thinking I had to get these tears to stop or my face would be a swollen mess the next day. Yes, even when problems were flying at me faster than I could count and many with no foreseeable answers. God was with me. God’s quiet, unintrusive Spirit is always there.

He doesn’t stand up and yell, wave his hands and say, “Look, I’m over here.” No, He is the calm that can be felt when you stop and take a deep breath. He is the peace that is under all the chaos. He is there just as he promised, patiently waiting to be recognized. We have to learn to look for Him, but He is there, and His Spirit will guide you.

“This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you where you go.” Joshua 1:9

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.” John 14:16

“I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5

Right now, stop and take a deep breath. Sit in quiet stillness with God and know you are loved, you are forgiven and you are not alone.

Understanding Trust in an Untrustworthy World

What is trust? Trust is believing that something or someone is reliable and true.

Who do you trust? What do you believe to be reliable and true? Personally it gets harder and harder for me to trust anything I hear or read. A couple of weeks ago, Scott and I were watching a news event. For the fun of it, we started flipping back and forth between two different news stations. You couldn’t even tell that they were covering the same event because their reporting was so drastically different. How do you know which one to believe, which one to trust, or can you trust either one?

Oh, let’s talk about social media or just the internet in general. I get these crazy ads on my feed. “My skin has never looked better.” picturing a lady who is supposedly 60 years old, with skin that looks 20. You used to be able to say, “if you can see it, you can believe it.” Not anymore. There is no way I believe that photo is real. I don’t even know that Google is trustworthy. One day it says eat more fruit. The next day you search and read that fruit has too much sugar and shouldn’t be eaten. Who knows?

While helping Blakelynn learn to ride her bike, she would constantly remind me that I promised to not let go. She struggled to trust that I would keep my word. consequently, I had every intention of letting go as soon as she was balanced. No wonder we grow up and have trust issues.

We have become conditioned to question everything, trusting very little.

Let me tell you, God and his Word can be trusted. Yes, when you hear someone describe God, it is easy to doubt or wonder because it sounds too good to be true. A God who loves us, who sent his son to take on the sin of the world. A compassionate God who provides grace and mercy. A God of hope, joy, and peace. (1 John 4:16, John 3:16, Luke 6:36, Hebrews 4:16, Romans 15:13) I could keep going. There is no way to succinctly summarize the greatness of God. Just listing some of my favorite attributes, begins to start sounding like one of those impossible to believe social media ads. God’s goodness and power is not a fake ad. It is real.

The disciples spent three years with Jesus. He told them explicitly that he would die, but would rise again in three days. However, even when the disciples went to Galilee, the designated meeting place, there was doubt. Matthew 28:16, “Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him – but some of them doubted!” How could they doubt? They just saw the resurrected Jesus in person.

God is too much for our human minds to understand. So, if you find yourself doubting that God’s word or promises are real, you are not alone, but don’t linger on those thoughts. Don’t let those thoughts take root. When you start to wonder if God could love you, trust that you are worthy. When you wonder if God hears your prayers, trust that he does, and keep praying. When you wonder if God could use you, the answer is YES! When you have doubts, go to his word; find a scripture that holds the truth you need, and put his word on repeat in your mind.

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it out?” Numbers 23:19

Again, we cannot understand God. He is more than we can understand, but we can trust him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. And lean not on your own understanding In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.

Navigating Life: Listening to the Holy Spirit

Jesus promised us a helper who would guide us in life. Are you paying attention to your navigator?

Scott and I spent almost 40 hours in the car over my last break. We listened to podcasts, sang some tunes, read, and had great conversations about future plans. We love time together in the car. Scott drives twice as much as I do, but I take my turn every now and then so he can get a break. As I was driving on a section of the road that I almost always drive where we transition from I30 to I49 at Texarkana, Scott nonchalantly ask if that factory looked familiar to me. I kinda shrugged it off and kept talking. After a quiet pause, Scott casually asked another question. “Do you think you are on the right road?” Without much thought I answered, “of course. This is how we always go.” For the third time, Scott calmly stated, “I think we are going north.” You can guess, that I denied that was even a possibility until Scott motioned to the compass on the rear view mirror and pointed out that we were in fact going north. I still don’t know how or where I made the wrong turn, but I obviously did.

Sometimes in life, we do the same. We are traveling down the road of life: living, surviving, keeping our head just above water while possibly unknowingly making a wrong turn. It could be a seemingly insignificant decision, behavior or habit, and we might not even realize this action is placing us on the wrong path. However, the Holy Spirit is quietly pointing out to us that we need to change or we need to adjust priorities. It may not even be a mistake. It may just be the Holy Spirit quietly, discreetly nudging us to change paths. “And when he (Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment ….When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth” John 16:8 & 13.

Change is hard. Personally, once I recognize something needs to change, it usually takes multiple attempts and lots of prayer to get there. It’s not like driving down the highway and a simple U-turn gets your problem fixed. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit keeps whispering in my ear and God is there to provide strength and a path to help me get back on the right road.

Again change is hard, but just think what would have happened if Scott hadn’t been paying attention and noticed that I made a wrong exit? I would have kept going north for possibly miles before realizing I was going the wrong direction. Not only should we listen to the small nudge from the Holy Spirit, but be thankful for it. Listen and make the change as soon as you can.

Another thought, change is easier with a friend. Find someone you can trust and let them know what is on your heart. Ask them to help either by providing support or by providing accountability. Three verses come to my mind that confirm this is a good practice. I included them at the end. Yes, God is there and will give you all you need, but that just might be in the form of a friend.

Finally, consider that you might be the friend who someone else needs to help them get on the right path and stay there. Pray that God will help you be that person.

Scriptures:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Romans 12:2

“God is at work in us.” Philippians 2:13

“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed.” James 5:16

Passionately Share Your Faith

I love sharing my food and allowing others to enjoy. Why do we not share Jesus with the same passion?

When you get your food at a restaurant, do you sometimes want everyone at the table to try it? I know, some people like to share food more than others. Scott and I share bites almost every time we eat out somewhere new. I find myself saying, “You have to try this.” Scott of course will do the same. It isn’t because we don’t want to eat what we ordered. It is because the food is amazing, and we want each other to taste it and enjoy.

Shouldn’t we feel the same about our experience with Jesus. Most of you reading this blog, have experienced what it is like to be with Jesus. You have experienced what it is like to feel His peace in the midst of a crisis. You know what it is like to see Him miraculously meet your financial need. You remember a time when He made the impossible happen. If we know and have experienced something this wonderful, why do we not passionately share it with others? For me, I personally want my friends to know and understand how peaceful it is trusting that God has a plan for my life. I want them to know that they can rest with Him. We don’t have to figure this world out on our own.

In John chapter four, Jesus meets up with a woman at a well. After their conversation she goes running back to town telling everyone about what she just experienced. She isn’t keeping this life changing event to herself. She is telling everyone she knows. Verse 39 states, “Many of the Samaritans from the town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony.”

If you know Jesus, you have something to share and tell others. You should be actively looking for ways to tell others about what you have. Make a list of times God has been there for you. Write down what He did that others need to know. Then like the woman at the well, tell anyone you can when God gives you the opportunity to do so.

I do want to point out one major difference between sharing food and sharing Jesus. When sharing your food, there is a limited supply. By sharing with others at the table, you give up what would be yours. This isn’t the case with Jesus. Telling others about Jesus and sharing your faith, does not take away anything from you. Jesus’ love, forgiveness, grace… is unlimited. Share it!

Know that I am the Lord

God wants to be known as Lord. Do you know Him as Lord?

As you are getting dressed for your Super Bowl party tonight or anytime you might be attending a sporting event, you most likely dawn a team jersey or dress in team colors. We do that so everyone knows what team we are cheering for. When Scott and I head to an OSU game, we are dressed from head to toe in orange so there is no doubt that we are OSU fans.

In Exodus, from the time Moses went back to Egypt until the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, God said at least ten times that He would be known as the Lord. Some examples: “say to the Israelites: I am the Lord” 6:6, “By this you will know that I am the Lord” 7:17, or “the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord” 14:4. God wanted everyone to know who He was and who He still is today.

Now in Exodus, God was turning water to blood and other various plagues to make Himself known. Today, God is known by the peace He provides during troubling times. He is known when He puts events in place that no one else could have orchestrated. He is known when we read His word.

God can be known as Lord if we look for Him. Know the Lord and know that He can be present in your life. Romans 8:28, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him.” That is, He works that we will know Him.

Finally, ask that your actions will make you known to others as a follower of Christ. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father” Colossians 3:17.

Gifts

You have been given spiritual gifts. Are you using them, or saving them up like gift cards?

Are you a gift card spender or keeper? Scott and I view gift cards very differently. I can promise you, if you gave me a gift card for Christmas, I used it by the end of January. It was given to me as a gift and given to me to be used. Scott on the other hand, saves every gift card for that magic moment when he may really need something. He saves them up like they are earning interest. I use them like they might expire in a week.

I think of this compared to the gifts God has given us. 1 Peter 4:10 tells us, “God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” Think of this like God has given each of us a “gift card.” The question is, “What are you doing with it?” Are you using it as we are directed to do or are you saving it up? Peter goes on in verses 11 telling us, “Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.” Spiritual gifts are given to us to be used.

It is so easy to get distracted and find other tasks to do rather than using the gifts we have been given. I know every time I sit down to write, I see something that needs to be done. Just tonight, I swept the porch, filled bird feeders, watered flowers and completed an order on Amazon all while intending to sit down to work on a post. It is easy to put our gifts aside and save them for later because of distractors.

Another reason it is easy to hold onto that gift God has given you instead of using it is because we don’t feel adequate enough or deserving of the gift that is given to us. I struggle with this as well. I see so many who are beautifully gifted, that I struggle to put myself out there because I don’t feel my gift compares to theirs. A gift from God is great and not to be compared to others. It is to be used.

You have a gift. I Corinthians 7:7, “Yet each person has a special gift from God.” Spiritual gifts include wisdom, healing, prophecy, teachers, leaders, helpers, givers, and many more. Take a look at the scriptures below, pray about your gift, and then get busy using it.

1 Corinthians 12:8-10

1 Corinthians 12:27 & 28

Romans 12: 6-8

Open Doors

God opens doors. Are you prepared to walk through them?

I don’t like to make rush decisions nor am I very spontaneous. At work when someone proposes a new idea, my first reaction is to buy time – time to check with others that might be affected, time to read up on the idea, time to think. I’m the same way at home. Scott will throw out an idea, “Let’s go eat at this BBQ place I just saw on FB.” I have to process this suggestion. I start thinking through everything. “Well, I have pork chops thawed out,” or “what time will we get home?” It is hard for me to just say “Sure, let’s go!” I like to have time to mentally prepare.

There are times when God asks me to do something where I have plenty of time to prepare. When asked to teach a class or speak to a group, I have time to prepare the lesson. I have time to pray and think through everything. However, there are times when God opens a door that requires spontaneity. The other day while standing in line to checkout with my groceries, a lady asked me about the shirt I was wearing. It was a shirt from church that said North Women Discipleship. I didn’t have time to stop and pray about my answer. I didn’t have time to practice what I was going to say. I had to give her an answer right then. God opened a door while standing in line at Crest, and I had to be ready.

Preparation for these times or opportunities has to take place in advance. This is why it is important to stay in the word and to regularly spend time in prayer. We need to be prepared for these opportunities. David gives us an excellent example of this. He spent years out in the fields watching over the sheep. He spent time in prayer and praise. He was anointed as king, and he was called into Saul’s court as an armorbearer. He was prepared for whatever door was opened for him. Little did he know when he was sent on an errand to deliver some dried grain, cheese and loaves of bread to his brothers that a door would open for him to jump through. Once David hears of the situation with Goliath, he doesn’t ask for time to go pray, he doesn’t need time to go practice. He simply walks through the open door and says, “Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:32) David did not have to go and pray or go prepare. He was ready.

While I don’t think my nature will ever love surprises or completely unplanned events. However, I do want to always be prepared to walk through the doors that the Lord opens for me.

As You Wish

Your will be done. Really? Who says that? I tease our sons that the line from Princess Bride, “As you wish.” Should be their go to response for their wives. Whether you prefer “as you wish” or “your will be done,” submission is what the speaker of either phrase is granting someone.

Twice, during prayer, Jesus models this for us. The first time is when Jesus is asked to teach the disciples to pray. In this model prayer Jesus simply states “Your will be done.” (Matt 6:10 & Luke 11:2). Jesus is teaching us to seek God’s will when we pray. The second prayer is when Jesus is praying in the garden. He not only prays this once, but twice that night. “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39). Here Jesus is asking for a pass from the cross and even more so, a pass from taking on of all the sins of the world creating a separation between Him and His father. Then He pauses and says, “nevertheless” or never mind – not my will, but yours.

Praying for God’s will takes courage. Even as a young girl, I was always afraid to just openly pray for God’s will. What if He wanted me to do something crazy like leave my mom and dad and go to the mission field. Don’t judge, it always crossed my mind. In all seriousness, last night as I was out watering plants, I was praying for a break. I was just telling God from the bottom of my heart that I needed a break. I was asking for just one day to take it easy, one day just for me. I will admit, I mentioned a spa day and even possibly a quick weekend getaway. When it suddenly occurred to me how selfishly I was praying. I immediately recognized that I should be praying for the energy and stamina to do what God has placed in front of me, not praying for a break. I had to throw up the same “never mind” that Jesus did when He was praying. I was praying for Angela’s will not God’s will.

I’ve been called out on this before. Once my daughter was dating a guy I didn’t really like. I was praying for every kind of break-up you could imagine. One of them would find someone else, her eyes would be open, his parents would move out of state…. As they were getting a little more serious, I decided to rally the troops. I did what any praying mom would do. I called my best, praying friend and asked her to join me. We know where two or more are gathered, there is power in that prayer. With her help, we would make this breakup happen. However, I didn’t get the response from my friend that I was expecting. She simply asked me if I had thought about praying for this young man and praying that he would develop a relationship with Christ. Ouch, NO! I had not thought about praying that way. I was praying for a breakup. Again, praying for Angela’s will not God’s will.

How do we know God’s will so we can pray that way? Ask. Just simply ask Him and then listen. The more time you spend with Him, the more you will know His will, and the more you will desire to submit to it. Don’t worry, the odds are really slim that He will ask you to sell everything and go to Siberia.

Who do You Call?

phone call Two different incidents prompted this blog. First, earlier this week when carrying in groceries, a bag began to rip. I caught it with my knee against the dryer and hollered for Scott to come to my rescue as my hands were holding several other bags. Just two minutes prior, Scott had been standing in the kitchen and should be readily available to come running at my beckon call. After escalating my calls for help, I realized, he must have moved to another location in the house and began to solve my problem on my own.

Today, I was in a meeting when Scott called. I discreetly hit the red, ignore button and continued with the meeting when the phone immediately rang again. Now this is our signal for, “I REALLY need to talk to you,” but I couldn’t answer the phone in this meeting, so I hit the red button again. Trying to stay focused, I saw a text message come across that contained the words emergency room. I stood up thinking I was going to have to leave this meeting, until I read the rest of the text. Scott had cut his leg and was headed to the emergency room. Realizing my assistance wasn’t of the utmost importance (He wasn’t lying on the garage floor and couldn’t get up.) I sat back down and covered a few more points before leaving the meeting. Please don’t think I’m a terrible wife. He only needed 4 or 5 stitches.

My point is, sometimes when we call out for friends, spouses or others to help us, they don’t answer or don’t drop everything and come running. However, we have a God who is standing ready, waiting for us to call on His name. He is there when the car in front of us comes to an abrupt stop, He is there when a conversation starts to become heated, and He is there in the middle of the night when the tears can’t be stopped. “Call to Me, and I will answer you,” (Jeremiah 32:39). “They will call on My name, and I will answer them.” (Zechariah 13:9). We never have to worry that God has left the room or that God is in a meeting and can’t answer us. He is there for us, big problem or small.

The question is, what name do you call out to when in trouble or when needing help? Do you immediately turn to God or is He a last resort after you have tried to solve the problem yourself? Do you put more faith in your friends and family by looking to them for help with your problems before you call on God? I can promise you this, God is the one who will always be there.