I Choose Today...

Episode 10: I Choose Today to Share What I Have

The Boy. The Basket. The Miracle. There’s a boy in the crowd—one most people overlook. He’s young, likely poor, holding five small barley loaves and two fish. Maybe it was a lunch packed by his mama. Just enough to sustain him. Certainly not enough to feed thousands. But then Jesus speaks. A need is revealed. And the boy has a choice. He could hide. Eat his lunch in silence. Keep it to himself. Or… he could step forward and offer what he has—small as it may be. He chooses to give. And Jesus takes it. He doesn’t mock it. He doesn’t belittle its size. He gives thanks for it. Then He multiplies it. And that simple, surrendered offering becomes the catalyst for one of the most remembered miracles in Scripture.   I’ve thought a lot about that boy. About the courage it took to step forward. About the humility to hand over what little he had. And honestly? I see myself in him. When God called me to start this podcast, I didn’t feel like I had much to offer. Just a story. A heart to encourage. A willingness to obey. I could’ve stayed quiet. Blended in. Kept my “loaves

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I Choose Today to Open the Door to More

One of my favorite things is to have a meal with family and friends. For a long time, I had wanted a big round table—one where everyone could visit easily, rather than being limited to just the people sitting near them at a rectangle table. A few years ago, I finally got my table and have put it to good use! For our Bible Study group, we share a meal together each week before we have our study. We sit around our large round table, relaxed, sharing stories, sharing our desires, hopes, and sometimes our pain. We bond over each other’s experiences; we laugh together, cry together, dream together. We open up our hearts to each other and give a glimpse of ourselves. Sharing a meal with them is an intimate time of connection around this large round table. One of my favorite times of my week. Have you ever had that experience with your family and/or friends? Does it bring a smile to your face and joy in your heart like it does mine? Now, imagine that same warmth, that same connection—but with Jesus Himself. Jesus wants this type of opportunity with you too. He said it Himself in

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I Choose Today Surrender

This morning I was listening to some praise and worship as part of my quiet time when the lyrics spoke to my heart in a mighty way, “My one life endeavor To match Your surrender To mirror not my will but Yours… Oh I surrender all” (Abandoned ~ by Benjamin William Hastings, Brandon Lake) (link to song located below blog). This took me back to the scene when Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane as He prepares for His crucifixion “Saying, Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but [always] Yours be done” (Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭42‬). It got me thinking, if Jesus was willing to surrender His will to that of the Father, how much more should I do likewise? For my endeavor, to strive to live and say the same, “not my will, Lord, but Your will be done.” As I embark on the new journey to which God is calling me, I need to daily repeat and strive toward the example Christ gave during this pivotal moment. As I open my eyes, I want my heart to sing,  “My one life endeavor To match Your surrender To mirror not my

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I Choose Today to Surrender

I’m going to take you back to your school days. Do you remember the laws of multiplication as they pertain to zero? Any number multiplied by zero will always result in zero. No matter the number—whether it’s 2, 2,000, or 2 zillion—the answer is always zero. But when there’s a number greater than zero, even as small as one, it makes all the difference. The product will be at least as much as the multiplier—whether 2, 2,000, or 2 zillion. This brings me to the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (not including the women and children who were also present). It’s a story of God’s law of multiplication. There were so many people needing food, yet there seemed to be no resources to feed the multitude. That’s when Jesus asked what they did have. “Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. ‘There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?’” (John 6:8-9, NLT) The little boy surrendered his five loaves and two small fish, and it fed a multitude—with plenty left over! “Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people…

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I Choose Today God’s Best

Recently, my husband needed to make some changes to his diet based on some lab work that he received. Nothing serious, however, left unchecked, it could turn into something serious. So, being the loving wife that I am, and the fact that I love him so much that I want him around living his best life, I started gradually making those changes for him (bc I am the one who cooks and shops for the family). At first there was a struggle with my husband. He wanted what he wanted, not necessarily what he needed. Soon he started to see the validity of the changes and started to own them. Now, 6 months later, he can look back and see that even though it wasn’t what he wanted, he made the changes that were needed. That is the same with God. He gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want. He too does it out of love for us and to see us live our best and purposed  life here on earth. ”Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show

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