Planning with open hands

When I was in high school, I thought I’d grow up to be a lawyer. Then, when I got to university, I had my heart set on becoming a teacher. Somewhere between dreaming of courtrooms and classrooms, I found myself in a drama class and wondered if I was meant to be an actress.

And then—God.

Looking back, I smile. Because while I had plenty of plans, God had a purpose.

Take a moment and think about what’s ahead—your plans for the day, the week, the year, and even the dreams tucked deep in your heart for the future.

Maybe you dream of starting a business.
Maybe you're hoping to raise a family.
Maybe there’s a book in you just waiting to be written.
Maybe you want to see the world.
Maybe you feel called to launch a ministry or serve in your city.
Maybe you’re excited to plant a garden or finally pay off that lingering debt.

Whatever’s on your heart, Scripture reminds us:
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” — Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

Planning isn’t a bad thing—in fact, God encourages it! Galatians 6:7 tells us we reap what we sow, so thoughtful preparation matters. But as we plan, we’re also invited to hold those dreams with open hands, trusting that God sees what we can’t and knows what’s best.

Sometimes the path shifts. Sometimes God reroutes us in ways we never expected. And while that can be confusing or even disappointing in the moment, God always has our good and His glory in mind.

Philippians 2:13 reminds us: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” That means even the dreams we carry may have been planted by God—but God also knows when and how they should grow.

Jesus gave us the ultimate example of surrender. He laid down His will for the Father’s plan—for our freedom, our hope, and our future. Because of His surrender, we have life.

So today, I invite you to join me in doing something simple but powerful:

Take a few quiet moments. Make a list of your dreams, your goals, and your plans. Then, with open hands—literally or in prayer—offer them to God. Picture yourself releasing every single one. Then ask,
“Lord, which of these are from You? What do You want to give back to me, and is there something new You want me to receive?”

It’s funny now, thinking back on how I wanted to be a lawyer, a teacher, and even an actress. In God’s grace, He wove pieces of each of those dreams into my calling. God gave me a voice to defend my convictions, a heart to teach His Word, and yes—every now and then—a chance to stand in front of an audience.

As I look ahead to this next season of my life, I’m prayerfully planning to pursue the things God has placed on my heart: investing in relationships that matter, stepping more boldly into ministry, writing more intentionally, and creating spaces where others can encounter God’s truth and grace. But I hold it all loosely—because I’ve learned that God’s plan is always better than mine.

God is not just the Author of your story—God is the One who walks with you through every chapter. You can trust God with your plans, your dreams, and your future.

So make your plans. Dream your dreams. But always invite God into the process because God’s purpose is the best outcome we could ever hope for!

Cultivating what matters

It seems like almost overnight the trees have started to bud and plants are pushing up through the soil—spring is here, and gardening season is in full swing!

Now picture this: you’re holding two seeds, but you can only plant one. One grows quickly and with little effort, but it produces fruit that’s bitter and ugly. The other takes time, care, and consistent attention—but it grows into something beautiful and delicious. Which one would you choose to plant, nurture, and grow?

In Galatians 5, the apostle Paul talks about two kinds of fruit that our lives can produce: the fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. When Paul refers to “the flesh,” he’s talking about the desires and impulses that pull us away from God—things like bitterness, impatience, selfishness, chaos, and self-indulgence. These things may come naturally, but they don’t lead to the kind of life God wants for us.

But here’s the good news: when we belong to Jesus, He gives us His Holy Spirit. And with the Spirit’s help, we can begin to say “no” to those harmful patterns and “yes” to the kind of life that reflects God’s character.

Paul writes:

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
—Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)

The Spirit empowers us to choose love over hate, peace over chaos, patience over frustration. Instead of reacting in our own strength, we begin to respond with grace and self-control.

The fruit we produce tells a story. It shows whether we’re following the pull of the flesh or being led by the Spirit.

Take a moment to reflect: what kind of fruit is growing in your life right now? Are you seeing signs of love, joy, and kindness—or do you notice bitterness, anger, or selfishness taking root?

Ask the Holy Spirit to gently show you what needs to be cleared away. Then let God do the transforming work—shaping your heart, your mindset, and your actions so you can grow the kind of fruit that blesses you and everyone around you.

The glue that hold us together

Last Sunday, we took time to honour moms and the remarkable women who shape our lives. Whether through a kind word, a steady presence, or an unshakable faith, these women often carry more than we know—and sometimes more than seems possible.

Have you ever felt like you’re carrying more than you can handle?

You're not alone.

In Matthew 1:21, we meet Mary. She’s a teenage girl—engaged, unexpectedly pregnant, and facing the kind of public scrutiny most of us can only imagine. And then an angel appears to her fiancé, Joseph, saying:
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
No pressure, right?

But here’s the beautiful thing—before Jesus ever walked on water, healed the sick, or conquered death, He was simply a baby in someone’s arms. Mary held Him. Rocked Him to sleep. Whispered His name before the world ever knew its power. She carried the Savior—and in doing so, shows us something extraordinary about strength, faith, and love.

Did you know that the Hebrew word for mother carries a hidden meaning?

According to the Ancient Hebrew Research Center, the word is made up of two symbols:
Aleph – a picture of an ox head, meaning strength.
Mem – a symbol for water, often associated with life or chaos.

Put together, they form a word that literally means “strong water.” Why is this significant?

In ancient times, the Hebrews made glue by boiling animal skins in water. As the skins broke down, a thick film rose to the top. That film—called strong water—was used as a binding agent. Glue. Something that holds things together.

The Hebrew word for mother isn’t just about biology—it’s about being the one who binds, who holds, who keeps things from falling apart.

That’s a powerful image. And not just for moms. Because whether you're a parent or not, you’ve likely found yourself in a season where you're holding it all together—for your family, your friends, your job, your community.

But let’s be honest—being the glue can be exhausting. The weight of responsibility, of worry, of just keeping everything from unraveling—it’s a lot.

So here’s your next step:
Whatever you're holding together right now—name it. Say it out loud. Then invite Jesus into that space. Ask Him to hold you together.

Because the Savior Mary once carried is the same Savior who now carries you.