“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Yeah… not true. Proverbs 12:18 says our words can cut like a sword or bring healing.

We used to live in an old house, and while we were there, we didn’t really notice the smell. But then we’d go on vacation, open a suitcase at the hotel, and boom – there it was. That old house smell, clinging to everything.

It got me thinking… our thoughts can be like that too.

Kermit the Frog gave the commencement speech at the University of Maryland this year... and honestly, he crushed it.

Electricity always takes the path of least resistance. It finds the easiest way through and avoids obstacles if it can.

I wish faith worked like that. I wish growing in my relationship with God was always smooth and simple. But the truth is – faith doesn’t grow stronger by avoiding resistance. It grows through it.

Sometimes I see all the sweet anniversary posts or matching Christmas jammies on social and think, “Should Jeremy and I be doing that too?” But then I remember—he doesn’t have to show the world he loves me… he shows me. And that’s what really matters.

I was standing in line at the store when I noticed the cashier holding each $20 bill up to the light to check if it was real – and it made me think. One day, our lives will be held up to the light too.

Olivia Jaquith was in the middle of anchoring a morning show when labor started - and she kept going. Calm as can be, timing her contractions between segments and finishing the newscast before heading to the hospital.

Words can stick with us. Sometimes for years. Someone says something hurtful, and it changes the way we see ourselves.

David knew that feeling. To his brothers, he was just the kid who watched the sheep. But God didn’t see “just a shepherd.” God saw a king.

That’s a good reminder for me not to let other people’s words - or even my current circumstances - define who I am. Only God gets to do that.

Our cat Dutch is not a cuddler... unless I bribe him. And yes, the bribe involves bird videos on YouTube. I literally open my laptop, play a video of birds flapping around, and suddenly he’s in my arms like we’re best friends.

Is it ridiculous? Absolutely. Does it work? Every time.

It’s kind of wild how much of life can be outsourced. You can hire someone to mow your lawn, fix your car, clean your house, even run your business. But there’s one thing you can’t outsource: your relationships.

And that includes your relationship with Jesus.