I Choose Today...

I Choose Today to Be Transformed

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “God’s transformed me,” but then wondered what that really means? We use the word transformation a lot, but how do we actually define it? What does it look like in real life? I know I’ve shared many stories of how Jesus has changed my life, healed deep pain, and rewritten my story. But recently I realized something—I’ve never slowed down to really unpack what transformation is or what it looks like in the everyday. And maybe someone reading this needs to hear it today. Because here’s the thing: people often nod their heads at “transformation,” but secretly wonder, “What does that mean for me? And how do I begin?” There’s a phrase I come back to often: “If we don’t let God transform our pain, we will end up transferring it to others.” Untransformed pain doesn’t disappear. It shows up in our marriages, our parenting, our friendships, even in our churches. It makes us quick to react, slow to trust, or guarded with others. But the transformation Jesus offers doesn’t just soothe the pain—it redeems it. He takes bitterness and grows compassion, He takes despair and gives endurance, He takes grief and forms comfort

Read More »

I Choose Today to Hear God’s Voice

Noise…it is everywhere. As I sit on the back porch, I hear cars on the highway, garage doors lifting, airplanes overhead, birds singing. That’s just the external noise. Inside my mind, there’s another layer—worries, to-do lists, what-ifs, rehearsed conversations, and finances. And on top of all that, there’s the noise of technology—social media feeds, endless opinions, controversies, comparisons, hateful speech, division. That’s a lot of sound for just a few minutes on the back porch. So how, in the middle of all this noise, do we possibly hear the voice of God? How do we notice the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit—comforting, guiding, encouraging, reminding us of His love? The answer is simple, but not always easy: we learn to listen. Learning to Listen In any relationship, communication is two-sided. We don’t just talk—we listen. Our relationship with God is no different. He is speaking, but the question is: are we listening? Here are some of the ways Scripture reminds us God speaks to us: • Through His Word (the Bible) “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). His Word guides our steps: “Your word is a lamp

Read More »

I Choose Today to Let the River Flow Through Me

Have you ever walked through a season where your soul felt dry? Where no matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t muster up energy or connection with God? I’ve been there. And in those moments, I’ve often found myself asking: “Lord, do You still see me? Do You still move in places like this?” That’s why I love the imagery of the river of God that flows all throughout Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, the river represents His presence — and what strikes me is that it always moves toward the broken, the weary, and the hurting. It’s not a river you have to chase down. It’s not reserved for the people who “have it all together.” God’s living water flows toward those who need it most. And that means you. When life feels barren, His Spirit is still flowing. When the landscape of your heart looks more like a desert than a garden, His presence hasn’t stopped moving. The river of God brings healing, renewal, and life — and it flows right into your everyday, ordinary moments. And here’s the part that takes my breath away: as followers of Jesus, we’re not just standing beside the river. We’re carriers

Read More »

I Choose Today to Trust Over Understanding

Not long ago, I was at an event when a woman nearby had a medical emergency. She needed immediate attention, and the emergency responders had just arrived. As they were setting up their equipment, a young boy stepped in—curious and concerned—wanting to understand what was happening. He began asking questions of the people around her, even speaking to the woman herself, who was barely responsive. His questions weren’t mean-spirited; he was simply trying to make sense of what he saw. But without realizing it, he was standing in the way of those who could actually help. Finally, a family member gently led him aside so the professionals could do their job. That moment instantly brought Proverbs 3:5 to mind: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” Sometimes, we’re just like that boy. We step into a situation, asking endless questions of God and everyone around us, desperate to understand why something is happening or how He’s going to fix it. But in our effort to make sense of things, we end up crowding the space where God is working. Trusting God doesn’t mean we shut off our minds—it means we stop letting

Read More »

I Choose Today to Rest Under His Hand

Psalm 139 is one of the most breathtaking pictures of God’s intimate love, care, strength, protection, and empowerment toward us—His beloved. David, the psalmist, opens by acknowledging how completely God knows him. Every word, every action, even the not-so-proud moments… and still, God adores him. In verse 5, David says, “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head” (Psalm 139:5 NLT). This isn’t a casual tap on the head. This blessing is God personally bestowing His favor, care, and approval. His hand is active—protecting, guiding, comforting, and reminding us that He’s got us surrounded. He goes ahead into our future, shields us from the lies of the past, and walks right beside us in the present. I picture a loving parent with their hand resting gently on their child’s head as they walk together. • Belonging – The gentle touch says, You’re mine. You’re loved. You’re safe with Me. • Comfort – That steady hand reminds the child they won’t lose their way. Every twist and turn is navigated with the Father’s protection. • Grace and Goodness – Even when the child wanders off and regrets their choices, that same hand guides

Read More »