First Step “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand,” John 10:27-28, NIV. I find the challenge in most things is the first step. Whether it’s starting a book report, spring cleaning, or doing one’s quiet time, the first step is the most difficult for me. Do I obey or justify? Do I sit and ponder or move into action? These are my distractions and my temptations.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,’” Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬, NIV‬‬. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded,” James‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬, ESV‬‬. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,” Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭18‬, ‭NIV‬‬. Mother’s Day 2026, it’s been six months

“Your adornment must not be merely external—with interweaving and elaborate knotting of the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or [being superficially preoccupied with] dressing in expensive clothes;” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬, ‭AMP‬‬. I like the word “merely,” in this passage. I’d like to think Peter learned from his wife that “getting ready in the morning,” had some importance. Though it shouldn’t be an all-consuming activity. It would do all of us well to be less focused on our outw

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬-‭26‬, ‭NIV‬‬. My friend is having a baby. When I saw her the other day she was glowing with the anticipation of this new life. What heightened her future delight was the discovery of the baby’s gender. She and her husband have decided to wait until the baby’s appearance. I started thinking, “Do I anticipate the days God has g