“Everything is different!” This was the starting statement this morning during our service. It struck enough of a chord for me that I wanted to start this post with it. The pastor went on to speak about how when you find the Lord and allow him into your heart, things seem different; everything seems different. Many who have accepted the Lord and really made this step know exactly what I mean here. What kept running through my mind was not that the statement was true, but how it was, and how sometimes that is very hard.

Life often hands us challenges that shape us, much like God gave David Goliath instead of a crown. Giants come in many forms, and we all face them, even if people only show the highlight reel of their lives. I experienced this firsthand when my wife’s surgery revealed unexpected pain and complications, turning a routine recovery into a frightening ordeal. Witnessing her struggle and resilience humbled me, reminding me to face life’s giants with empathy and strength. While the initial medical check suggested all was well, I knew this was just the beginning of a larger challenge, one that would profoundly impact our journey in the days ahead.

First, let me apologize for not having a post up last week. I could tell you that I had something all written and it just didn’t post, or that I did think it was ready, but both of those would be a lie.  The truth is, last week, I let the world gain a foothold in my thoughts, and the devil took advantage. Before I knew it, the day had come and gone, but I hadn’t posted anything for you. I apologize.  I am going to spend a little bit of time talking about what happened and a little more time taking the next step in our journey, but it is important to look at last week, because when we are on this journey, the enemy will put things in our path. He wants us to stop looking back to the Lord and start being of the world.

Anyone who has attended a church service has heard the story of the prodigal son. The story of a returning son and how his Father celebrates while his Brother grows angry. If you haven’t read the story, you can find it in Luke 15:11–32. The story focuses on the son's return and the acceptance and celebration of his father, but it is the other end of the story that has been on my mind.  Let me explain.

Trust is something we all need to feel safe and move through some of the more difficult moments in life. The Lord wants us to trust in him during those times when our first reaction is to pull away from him. That is me. When I have a difficult time, I try to do it myself. Is that you too? Calm on… Join me on this journey.

When we last spoke, I told you about with something I had to deal with as this slow fade started in my life. Today I wanted to take a moment from that story, call it a “one off” this week. I want to take this path because this week I had some folks reach out to me who were a big part of my growing up, and it was so nice to hear from them.

When we last spoke, I shared about two of the most important people in my life as an adult. Being a father was always something I looked forward to and celebrated in my family. I remember older relatives announcing pregnancies, and joy spreading through the family as we gathered together during the holidays in that crowded single-wide trailer.

Being a Husband and Father defined who I would be for years to come. Practices, games, competitions, we did them all. In the end, he chose music as his main focus. We did so many concerts and competitions.

When we last spoke, I told you about my family and how they influenced who I was growing up. To be fair, there were other groups that had a major impact. Some came into my life for a season, and some for a lifetime. It is important to make that distinction. One group the Lord used to shape who I would become was the educators I spent so much time with at school. An impact on a life can come in many different forms, and sometimes that means it is not always positive. The educators in my life fall on both sides of that line.

It is important in life that we recognize each other's talents, treasure the blessings each person we encounter brings to our lives, and know that the Lord brought these people to us for a reason. The people we grew up with and meet on our journey help shape us.

​Join me as I retell this journey, and maybe my story can help you in your time of need. If you are going through something, know that you are not alone. Prayer does work. Look down, his footprints are right there next to you. He was with me.

​Finding Me Again is a blog for people who are searching, struggling, and starting to find their way back to who they truly are. I will be posting at least once a week, but sometimes more. I pray the Lord guides this journey as I continue to work back to him.