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Round the Mountain, Tallapoosa, GA (2026)

08/26/2026

GOOD ENOUGH
I spend a lot of time trying to be good enough. We question ourselves.

Was I good enough today? Did I pray enough? Love well enough? Make the right choices? And when I fail—and I do fail—I can start wondering where I stand with God.

Romans 5 tells us to stop looking only at our record and look at our representative.

Paul gives us two men: Adam and Jesus.

Through Adam came sin, condemnation, and death. But where Adam disobeyed, Jesus obeyed. Where Adam brought condemnation, Jesus brought justification. Where Adam brought death, Jesus brought life.

That changes everything.

When you wonder if God really loves you because you’ve failed again, remember that your salvation rests on Christ’s obedience, not your perfect performance.

When you’re suffering and wondering where God is, remember that this pain is real, but it isn’t the end of your story. Grace wins.

When you’re afraid of death, remember that death doesn’t get the final word. Jesus does.

And when you’re tempted to think, I’m a pretty good person, remember that the gospel doesn’t divide us into good people and bad people. We are all sinners in need of the same Savior.

So the question isn’t, Have I been good enough?

The question is, Whose record am I trusting?

If my hope rests on my record, I’ll swing between pride when I’m doing well and despair when I’m not.

But if my hope rests on Jesus, I can repent when I fail, trust Him when I suffer, face the future with hope, and extend grace to others.

“God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.” Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

08/26/2026

THE WHOLE GARDEN
It’s so easy to focus on the one negative thing. One disappointment. One unanswered prayer. One relationship that feels strained. One thing we wish we had. One situation that didn’t go according to plan. And suddenly, that one thing becomes the only thing we can see.

Isn’t that exactly what happened in the Garden of Eden? Adam and Eve were surrounded by abundance. God had given them an entire garden. Beauty. Provision. Food. Everything they needed.

But Satan got them focused on one fruit. One thing they couldn’t have.

And sometimes I wonder how often he uses that same strategy with us. He whispers about what’s missing until we forget what we have. He magnifies the disappointment until we overlook the blessings. He keeps our eyes fixed on the one thing that isn’t going right until we stop noticing all the things God has already provided.

But look around. We woke up this morning. We have food to eat. Clothes to wear. A roof over our heads. People to love. People who love us. Another day. Another opportunity. Another sunrise.
And listen… air conditioning. 😂 It’s August in Georgia. Could you imagine life without AC? Thank You, Jesus!

There will always be something we could complain about. Something we wish were different. Something we’re waiting on God to change.

Gratitude doesn’t mean pretending those things aren’t difficult. It means refusing to let one negative thing become bigger in our minds than all the goodness of God.

Today, instead of staring at the one fruit, maybe we need to look around at the whole garden.

There is so much to be thankful for.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

08/22/2026

Change
I’ve been listening to a podcast called BEMA (it’s great—you should check it out!), and we’re currently in Exodus.

While talking about the Israelites leaving Egypt, the host said brought up something that made pause (and reflect):

“The easy part was getting them out of Egypt. The hard part was getting Egypt out of them.”

Whew. Can you imagine? They fled the place that held them captive. The ruler who refused to let them go. The place where they had lived as slaves. And that was the easy part?

Every time life got hard, they questioned God. They doubted. They complained. At times, they even wanted to go back to what God had delivered them from.

And although I’d like to say I’m better than that…I’m not.

It’s easy to say you’re a different person. It’s harder to actually change habits. To get out of your own head. To break the chains that have been holding you for months. Or years.

When life doesn’t go the way I planned, I question God too. When change gets uncomfortable, I can find myself longing for what’s familiar—even when familiar wasn’t necessarily good for me. Because sometimes not changing is easier.

You can leave a place and still carry the pain. You can break a cycle and still have to fight the habits it created. You can walk into something new while still thinking like the person you used to be.

Freedom can happen in a moment. But transformation. That takes time.

And here’s what I’m learning:
God loves me while He’s changing me. He loves me when I get it right and when I struggle. He loves me in the valleys. He loves me on the mountaintops. And He loves me everywhere in between.

Getting out of Egypt was one thing. Getting Egypt out of them took a journey. So embrace the journey. He is right there with you.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

08/20/2026

Growing Together

My husband and I have been married for a while. We just celebrated 26 years last month.

And after all these years, I still love him. But even better than that—I really like him. I love spending time with him. He is my very best friend.

Someone recently asked me what our secret was.

I don’t know that there is a secret. But I do know this: we’ve grown up a lot. Together.

Our priorities have changed along the way, too. We’ve learned to put God first. Then each other. And by His divine design, when we get those two things in the right order, everything else has a way of falling into place.

We’ve learned to listen—not just to hear words, but to really pay attention. We’ve learned to notice when the other person needs encouragement, space, laughter, prayer, or simply someone to be there.

We’ve learned that marriage isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about continuing to show up for one another.

Through different seasons, changes, disappointments, celebrations, raising a family, and everything in between, we’ve kept learning each other. And we’re still learning.

Growing together means choosing each other again and again. It means being willing to change, forgive, listen, laugh, pray, and keep walking forward side by side.

After 26 years, we aren’t the same people who said “I do.” We’ve grown. And by God’s grace, we’ve grown together. And our love for each other is stronger than ever.

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:12

08/18/2026

The Little Things
Each of my children has taken some big steps lately—marriage, graduations, licensure. Beautiful milestones, with even bigger things on the horizon.

And we find ourselves wondering, What’s next? What will the next big thing be?

But while looking ahead to the big things, it’s easy to lose focus on the little things.

The little things in life matter. The small things you’re doing count. That one step you take. That small prayer. Those small moments with Jesus.

It’s choosing to be present today. Choosing gratitude for where God has you right now. Choosing to pray, believe, trust, and keep moving forward. Even when you can’t see what the next big milestone will be.

Small beginnings lead to big endings.

Maybe we don’t need to spend so much time wondering about the next big thing. Maybe we simply need to be faithful with the little things God has placed in front of us today.

Take that one small step. Pray that small prayer. Spend that small moment with Jesus. Believe. Keep moving forward.

Those little moments today may be the very things that lead us joyfully toward the big moments God has waiting for us tomorrow.

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”
Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)

08/17/2026

Through the tears
There are seasons when the tears seem to come faster than the healing. I know what it is to walk through years of turmoil, grief, fear, and loss. There were days when I knew God was with me, yet feeling sorry for myself seemed easier than trusting His plan.

But Scripture never tells us that faith means we won’t hurt.

Romans 5:3 says, “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance…”

Rejoice in suffering? That doesn’t mean we celebrate the cancer, the accident, the loss, the diagnosis, or the heartbreak. It means we can rejoice in the middle of it because suffering does not get the final word. God is still working.

Psalm 126 gives us the picture of someone planting while crying. The tears don’t stop the sowing.

And maybe that’s what faith looks like sometimes.

Praying while crying. Trusting while questioning. Getting up when you’d rather stay down. Believing God is good when life doesn’t feel good.
Carrying the seed even when your heart is broken.

Looking back, I realize some of my deepest growth happened during my heaviest seasons.

The suffering produced endurance.
The endurance strengthened my faith. The grief deepened my compassion. And the tears watered seeds I didn’t even realize I was planting.

Maybe you’re in a season of sowing through tears right now. Keep carrying the seed.

God has not forgotten you.

Your tears are not evidence that you’ve lost your faith. Sometimes they are evidence that you’re still planting despite the pain.

And there will come a day when you look back and realize:

I cried here. I hurt here. I questioned here. But God was here, too.

The tears were real—but so was His faithfulness.

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” — Psalm 126:5

08/14/2026

Friday… Finally!

Whew! We made it.

This was the first full week of school, and I’m definitely feeling it. Getting back into the groove, my college classes starting back, meetings, checking in, and making sure everyone has wha they need for a successful year.

And somewhere in the middle of all of that, I keep wondering…

Did I forget to do something? 😩

But Friday finally showed up—slowly, but faithfully.

And I am tired. Exhausted.

Sometimes we get to the end of a long week and wonder how we’re supposed to take another step. We’ve poured out, pushed through, handled what needed to be handled, and kept going even when our energy was running low.

Then Friday arrives.

Today, I glanced at my calendar and noticed something almost unbelievable: I have nothing planned for the weekend.

My first reaction? Pure suspicion. 🤔

Surely I’m forgetting something. But no. I really do have a free Friday evening and Saturday.

I can’t explain how excited that makes me. I’m already counting down the minutes until I can get home, put on my pajamas, pour a cup of coffee, watch some TV, curl up with a good book—or maybe do all of the above.

Just thinking about it brings a deep exhale. And maybe that’s exactly what I need.

These are the moments—the quiet, still ones—that God invites us into.

I used to struggle with being still. Sometimes, I still do. There’s always something that needs to be done, somewhere to go, someone who needs something, or another item waiting on the to-do list.

But I’m learning that stillness is not wasted time. It’s sacred time.

Stillness creates space for God to quiet my heart. It gives me room to reflect on the highs and lows of the week and to recognize that every part of it—the good, the difficult, and everything in between—is part of His work in my story.

Life rarely slows down on its own. So when it does, we have to recognize the gift.

When we pause, we can refocus. We can listen. We can seek His purpose.

And maybe, for just a little while, we can stop trying to carry everything and simply allow Him to hold us.

So yes, Friday took its sweet time getting here—but it was worth the wait.

This weekend, embrace the stillness. Take a deep breath. Put down the to-do list for a moment and catch up with God.

He wants to hear how your week has been. ❤️

“Be still, and know that I am God!”
Psalm 46:10a (NLT)

08/11/2026

Weathering the Storm
Welcome to Georgia—where the weather is unpredictable and, quite frankly, unprofessional!

One minute it’s sunny and beautiful, and the next minute—DOWNPOUR! 🌧️ No warning, no invitation, just rain! And just when you think the weather has finally made up its mind, you step outside to wind the evening down and it feels like a sauna. 🥵 Hot, humid, and sticky!

Georgia weather will definitely keep you guessing. And sometimes, life feels the same way.

Life can be unpredictable, unexpected, and constantly changing. One day, everything seems to be going your way. The sun is shining, your plans are working, and you feel like you’re on top of the world. Then suddenly, the forecast changes. A disappointment comes. Plans fall apart. An unexpected problem appears. And before you know it, you’re simply trying to make it through the day.

But here’s the good news:Our circumstances may change, but God does not.

When life feels chaotic and uncertain—whether we’re facing literal storms outside or emotional storms within—we can find comfort in knowing that God remains steady.

He is our constant in every season.

He is faithful when the sun is shining.

He is faithful when the clouds roll in.

He is faithful when we understand what He is doing.

And He is still faithful when we don’t.

We don’t have to spend our lives trying to predict the next forecast or allowing changing circumstances to determine our peace. We can rest in the truth that God is already in our tomorrow. He knows what lies ahead, and He promises to walk with us through every moment of it.

The weather may change. Our circumstances may change. People may change. Plans may change.** But God remains the same.**

So today, whether life feels drizzly or dry, cloudy or clear, cold or hot, lean into the One who never shifts with the wind.

He is our refuge. He is our strength. He is our peace. And He is our unshakable foundation.

The forecast may change, but the faithfulness of God never will.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

08/10/2026

Around the Table
Saturday, we celebrated Kendra’s accomplishments with a small dinner. Nothing big or elaborate. It was just us.

As I sat at the table and looked around at our growing family, the joy that filled my heart was overwhelming.

I love my children more than words could ever describe. We have been through so much together. They have seen me at my lowest and at my highest. I have comforted them through heartache, disappointment, and loss. And they have loved me through grief, depression, and anxiety.

I may be their mother, but they have taught me just as much as I have tried to teach them.

They have taught me patience. The kind that gets tested until you actually learn it.

They have taught me forgiveness. That we can hurt, apologize, forgive, and still choose love.

They have taught me resilience. Because I have watched them face things I wished I could protect them from and still find the strength to keep going.

They have taught me to let go. To trust what I have poured into them and, more importantly, trust God with the parts of their journey I cannot control.

They have taught me to be present. Because the little ones who once needed me for everything are growing into adults with dreams, accomplishments, and families of their own.

And they have taught me grace. I didn’t have to be a perfect mother to love them well. There were seasons when I was strong and seasons when I was simply doing my best to make it through the day. Through it all, God was faithful.

Saturday was about celebrating Kendra, but as I looked around that table, my heart was celebrating something bigger.

Us. Our journey. Our growth. Our love. Our family.

We have been through some things. We have carried one another through some things. And by the grace of God, we are still here—growing, loving, laughing, and making room around the table.

My children are not simply gifts God gave me to raise.

They are gifts God has used to raise me, too. ❤️

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”
Psalm 127:3 NLT

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08/07/2026

First Day Jitters
Yesterday was the first day of school for students. This marks my 27th year in education, and believe it or not, I still get first-day jitters. Will I wake up in time? What should I wear? Are my students going to like me? Am I going to like them? Am I really ready?

Then there’s that feeling that you’ve forgotten something—you just can’t figure out what it is.

Questions. Doubt. Anxiety. Excitement. Hope.

As I was thinking about those feelings today, I couldn’t help but wonder what it was like for Jesus as He began His earthly ministry. Every day, He stood before people who were all in different places.

Some truly believed He was the Messiah. Some were curious. Some followed Him just to see the miracles. Others were looking for a reason to challenge Him or trap Him.

Yet no matter who stood before Him, His message never changed. His mission never changed. His love never changed. That challenged me today.

I can’t control how people respond to me. I can’t control whether everyone likes me or agrees with me. But I can control whether I consistently reflect Christ in my words, my attitude, and my actions.

Whether you’re a teacher welcoming students, a leader guiding a team, or simply someone trying to make a difference, people are watching. Some are looking for hope. Some are skeptical. Some just need someone to notice them.

Our calling isn’t to change our message based on our audience. Our calling is to faithfully live out the message of Christ.
So as I begin another school year, my prayer isn’t that everything goes perfectly. It’s that every student who walks through my door experiences the love, grace, patience, and truth of Jesus through me.

Because people may forget our lesson plans, but they’ll remember how we made them feel.

“Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
Colossians 4:6 (NLT)

Round the Mountain

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