Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12: 2 (NASB) 

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” 
Romans 8: 28 (NLT)

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16: 33 (ESV)

He clearly believed he was busy with a lot of seemingly important things.

At least those things the world set before him, and other people he respected, as pathways to a successful life.

Then one day he lost his bride in an accident no one could have seen coming.

And his world was turned upside down.

He found himself facing the reality of a life without his precious bride, and now raising their children by himself, children also heartbroken and confused by their Mom’s passing.

In his new reality, those once seemingly important things the world had called him to, clearly did not matter anymore.  

Those worldly standards for success always calling after him, didn’t matter before when compared to his bride and children. But now, the pain of her loss clarified his vision and commitment to spend his time, in the days he had left, on what truly mattered.

What I heard him describe as a transformative moment for living out the rest of the days of his life, were clearly words from God— “There are very few things in life that matter, and we should be about them.”

And he began to do just that. And he and his children found out, that in their brokenness, God walked with them.

Just as He does for all of us in those difficult, heartbreaking moments we all experience. 

And he began to live his life around that statement of belief which God gave him in that difficult moment. 

God never leaves us and is always there at work in our lives. He hurts with us, and seeks to heal us, help us, and restore us to a place of hope, back to a place of joy in our memories, and our walk of impact with Him into our tomorrows.

It is a place for us to stop and believe again in Him, and in His goodness, love, and presence in our lives.  

There are times of loss, confusion, heartache, and loneliness in our lives, when “believing” is all we have. We have all been there. 

Times for us to pause, remember, and express thanks and gratefulness for God’s past and continuing faithfulness, His blessings, and those times like today when we get to celebrate with Him something that matters—like this day for our family to celebrate the birthday of our son, Nathan.  

But in all those times, difficult and joyous, when our “believing” is in Jesus Christ—that is always and forever enough to carry us through whatever we face, and to deal with whatever is before us, and continue to press on becoming all we were created to be.

In the song written by Brooks and Dunn, “Believe,” we are reminded of that as they share these words—

…When I raise my hands, bow my head,
I’m finding more and more truth in the words written in red.
They tell me that there’s more to life than just what I can see.
I believe. Oh, I believe.

We truly can believe in His faithfulness, His presence, power, and love.

The Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, is always at work for good in our lives pointing us to things, people, and moments that matter in our lives.  

So, in those times, when all we have left is— “believing” in Jesus, that’s enough.

Believe, press on, and embrace the things that matter. 

In His Name–Scott

You will be inspired and transformed today, also on this, our son, Nathan’s birthday (something that matters), by this presentation of “Believe” by Brooks and Dunn, joined by Jelly Roll, at the 2024 CMA Awards.