Honestly, I’m in a strange season as a dad. My kids are growing up to be incredible young men, reaching an age where they don’t “need me” for everything like they used to. They no longer need me to wake them up for the day, pack their things, or even show them where the food is and how to prepare it when they’re hungry. Still, even though they don’t need me in the same ways, I’m incredibly proud of who they are and the character they display! Obviously, I’m a little biased because they’re mine—but if you’re a parent, grandparent, or caretaker, you understand the joy of seeing someone you love and have invested in become the person you always knew they could be. I’ve been on a personal journey, thinking about the important things I want to leave behind for my boys as they grow. What words, phrases, actions, and wisdom do I want them to hold on to forever?

I’ve greatly enjoyed reading The Bible Project’s one-year plan this year. The daily recaps are so helpful in understanding the Bible as a whole, and one of my favorite themes that has continually appeared is God’s sovereignty over evil. No matter how wicked the intentions of others are, even the worst of sin bends to God’s will and does not thwart His plan. Romans 8:28 tells us that God works all things together for good, and He truly means all of it. We see this repeatedly in stories throughout both the Old and New Testament.

I love Peter. Whether or not we like to admit it, he’s so relatable to the human experience. He has such a big heart to follow Jesus, but his imperfections still show up a lot. Jesus’ love and compassion for Peter in these moments give us a picture of His love for us when we fall short, too. Let’s take a look at one of the most classic Peter stories—when he walks on water to Jesus.

It is officially starting to turn into my favorite time of the year in Mississippi. I LOVE the fall and winter months! As a kid born in Alaska, I have this innate need for the weather to be in the 50s and 60s to enjoy a fun evening walk. Personally, I’m not a fan of burning to a crisp while simultaneously melting on short walks in the neighborhood. However, if we can go for a walk, need a hoodie or jacket, and have a hot cup of coffee for the journey, I can easily pretend we’re in New York City, strolling through Central Park as we navigate the little curves in the road.

It’s been a little over a year since we moved into our new home. One of the things we loved about the house when we bought it was the yard: big enough for our kids to play in, yet small enough to manage easily—especially with our busy schedules. Hear me: "easy to manage" is a BIG DEAL for us! The previous owners had done a lovely job maintaining the house—the flower beds contained perfectly groomed hedges and a variety of roses, and the grass was beautifully kept and weed-free. Shortly after we moved in, however, I noticed some tall grass popping up out of the pine mulch in our flower beds, even making its way up through the hedges with long strands protruding from the branches. I spent several hours trying to get this grass out by the root. Much to my surprise, the same grass returned just a few weeks later, even thicker and stronger than before.