Jesus often spoke in parables to teach the people around him. One of the most awe-inspiring themes in these parables is that Jesus welcomes the undeserving into his kingdom. Not only do we see this illustrated in his parables, but we also see evidence of it in the people God chose to use in the Old Testament. (Look at Moses, who murdered an Egyptian oppressor, and David, who committed adultery and murder—just to name a few.) No matter how good or bad we may seem when measured by humanity’s moral scale, we’ve all sinned and fallen short. Yet God loved us enough to send Jesus to pay the price for our sins, so we could be made right with him. Oh, how he loves us! When we read the parables Jesus tells, we usually put ourselves in the shoes of the sinner, overwhelmed with gratitude for his mercy and grace. However, one thing Jesus highlights in these stories is not just his forgiveness and love for us, but also the tension believers feel when witnessing someone forgiven whom they may consider undeserving.

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.