Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog

June 15, 2026

What Does It Look Like to Walk in Faith?

Dear Refresh Friend,

Isaiah 40:31 has always been one of my favorite verses. It’s probably yours, too. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings as eagles; they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

I love the picture of soaring over mountaintops or racing over green meadows. Walking, on the other hand, has always sounded so, well, plodding. Footstep after boring footstep. Mile after mile. Day after day.

This is why, when my pastor preached on this verse, I perked up when he said, “Flying is glorious, and running is spectacular, but walking is probably the most faith-honoring thing we can do.”

Huh?

Walking in Faith

Walking, he said, is what we do day after day after day. Walking in faith is choosing to walk with God every day, totally reliant on Him.

It’s caring for family—day in and day out—for decades. It’s serving at a job or at home. It’s working as unto the Lord, even if no one notices or says thank you.

Here Comes a Book

As this idea of walking by faith simmered in my heart, I knew I wanted to write a story-driven devotional that shows what this looks like. We can’t walk in faith without God’s enabling. Thankfully, He promises, if we hope in Him, that He will renew our strength—to fly, run, and, yes, walk in faith, every day until He calls us home.

My latest book, Walking in Faith: 60 Devotions to Renew Your Strength will release on August 4. I’m looking for fellow travelers to come alongside me and the Our Daily Bread team as we fling this book out into the wind and ask God to direct it into the hands of weary travelers who need its hope-filled message.

I Need Help

I’m asking God for 50 reader friends who will help me. Would you prayerfully consider being part of my launch team? If you say yes, I’ll ask you to do two primary things: purchase an advance copy of the book (because early sales help Amazon know how many books to order) and post a review after it releases. I’ll provide some graphics and quotes to share on social media if you can. No pressure. Only my grateful thanks (and a few little perks along the way).

If God nudges you to say yes, would you please reply to this email and send me your mailing address? I’ll add you to the team and keep you updated as launch day nears.

Thank you so much, kind readers. You’re the BEST!

Blessings,

Lori

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Published on June 15, 2026 06:40

June 8, 2026

Have You Heard These 10 Myths about Vacation Bible School?

Lori here ~ Should you volunteer? Today I’m telling my VBS story and sharing some surprising facts about this beloved summer ministry.

When I was six, a friend invited me to Vacation Bible School at a tiny Primitive Methodist church in our neighborhood. I’m not sure why my mother said yes to the invitation. In those days Methodists and Catholics rarely crossed each other’s liturgical thresholds. Perhaps she thought since the gathering didn’t occur on a Sunday morning, it wouldn’t count against us.

What I remember most about the experience was drinking orange Kool-Aid out of Dixie Cups, eating flower-shaped butter cookies during snack time, and memorizing Bible verses for candy. Oh, and the end-of-the-week program. I had a speaking part – two lines – which I’d learned backward and forward. Unfortunately, when my moment in the spotlight came, that’s how I delivered them – backward.

VBS remains one of the greatest evangelistic tools for churches, reaching an estimated 3,000,000 children. A CBN article noted that an estimated 700,000 children made a decision for Christ in 2025.* At least 10 percent of those were unchurched. As you and your church look ahead toward VBS 2026, let’s take a look at ten myths about this beloved summer outreach.

Myth #1 It’s a Southern Baptist Thing

Christianity Today, in the article, “From Beer, to Bibles, to VBS,”tells us, “It’s possible to trace the roots of VBS as far back as the 1870s, when the Methodist Episcopal Church offered summer Sunday school institutes to the general public near Lake Chautauqua, New York.

“In 1873, Bishop John H. Vincent proposed the movement should include educational and cultural programs, and soon other Christian groups across the country followed suit with their own summer retreats, many of them offering services for children.”

In contrast to today’s VBS, which usually lasts for five days, early gatherings often lasted all summer. While Southern Baptist churches are among VBS’s greatest supporters, it’s safe to say they happily share the fun with many other denominations.

Myth #2 It began in the church

Vacation Bible School as we know it today began in the 1890s. Initially, it was a plan of a compassionate doctor’s wife who sensed a need to get children off the streets of New York during the summertime. “VBS – An Historical Perspective,” tells the story: “Mrs. Walker Aylett Hawes went to New York City from Charlottesville, Virginia, with her husband who was specializing in a medical ministry to children.

She noted that many of the children attended to at her husband’s clinic received injuries as they played in the streets of New York City. She surmised that they needed something safe and fruitful to occupy their time. “In 1898 and 1899, Mrs. Hawes rented a beer hall in the city’s East Side to conduct her Everyday Bible School. Thus, Bible School began with an evangelistic thrust of taking the study to where the people were.”

Myth #3 VBS is old-fashioned and out-dated

While some equate VBS with days gone by, Vacation Bible School has transitioned nicely into the 21st century and continues to be immensely popular. More than three million children were expected to attend VBS in 2025.

In recent years, this level of involvement has remained fairly stable.” Two-thirds of the churches in America offer VBS programs. The pastors most likely to champion VBS for their churches are the Boomers, people aged 30-48. Perhaps they remember their own VBS experiences or are more likely to have VBS-aged children. “

Myth #4 Children are too young to make lasting decisions for Christ

Many express doubts about the authenticity of children’s faith decisions, saying that peer pressure or a desire to please their teachers prompt many children to “walk an aisle” or pray to receive Christ. Researchers who surveyed adults who identify themselves as born again believers, however discovered a strong link to their childhood VBS experiences.

The Barna research study indicates “nearly half of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their savior do so before reaching the age of 13 (43%), and that two out of three born again Christians (64%) made that commitment to Christ before their 18th birthday. “Additionally, the trajectory for a person’s lifetime habits and behaviors—including spiritual behaviors—are often set in childhood, an idea explored in George Barna’s book, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions.”

Myth #5 VBS is for big churches

While it is true that large churches (more than 250 in attendance and an operating budget of $500K or more) are 91% more likely to sponsor a summer program, 56% of smaller churches do also. These statistics give a nod to the very real cost of hosting VBS. Curriculum, craft materials, and snacks all cost money, especially since the programs are usually offered free of charge to participants.

Larger congregations also provide a greater pool of volunteers from which to draw, a significant factor in the success of such an endeavor. Smaller churches, like the one I attend, can still successfully host a VBS.

During the year we keep an eye out for craft material sales, and have sometimes borrowed VBS curriculum from a larger church in our city. Older members who are physically unable to volunteer contribute by providing snacks and doing prep work. A special offering allows members to supplement what the church budget has allotted.

Myth #6 It’s just for kids

“VBS is also an opportunity to engage young adults in service,” says Clint Jenkin, PhD., vice president of research at Barna Group.

“So many young adults lose their connection with a local church because they feel underutilized. Churches can give key VBS volunteer roles to young adults and college kids in their congregations.

Colleges (or even large churches) could sponsor teams to travel the country and host VBS for churches that cannot afford or staff their own. Using young people as servants and not just consumers is an important way of establishing a faith that lasts.”

When my husband pastored a small church, we struggled to recruit enough adult workers because many members were elderly or worked during the day. For several years a team of summer evangelists from Child Evangelism Fellowship came alongside us and made it possible for us to offer a week-long program in our neighborhood. We couldn’t have done it without them.

Some churches even offer VBS for teens and adults. Melita Thomas, in the article, “6 Things You Need to Know About Working with Adults During VBS,” says, “When we host VBS for kids only we are missing a tremendous opportunity to share God’s Word and the Gospel with older siblings and parents. If the truths being taught during VBS are important for kids then they are just as important for teens and adults. LifeWay (the leading producer of VBS materials) creates VBS resources for the entire family – babies through adults – because we believe VBS remains one of the most successful ways to evangelistically reach families and not just kids.”

The Covington Baptist Association agrees. Listen to the logic in its article, “Reasons for Conducting Adult VBS,” “Parents consistently show they are interested in participating in the activities of their children. Just spend a morning at a little league ball field and you will see dozens of parents actively and enthusiastically participating in their children’s activities. If given the luxury of time and resources today’s parents often desire to take an active role in their children’s extra-curricular activities. Why should VBS be any different? Given the choice, many parents will choose to attend an Adult VBS in order to stay close to their children and know what is being taught and the people doing the teaching.”

Myth #7 To be successful, it has to be big, loud, and high-tech

My children attended VBS at a 6,000-member mega church and a tiny, 25-member church. Both experiences were significant and life-changing. One daughter, an extrovert, loved the excitement of 800 kids crowding the sanctuary of the big church we attended. The high tech sound, lighting, and drama engaged her imagination and provided oomph to the message. The sheer number of adults volunteering their time to share the story of Jesus added a weight and credibility to the faith stories she heard that week.

My other daughter is an introvert. VBS at a large church would have been overwhelming and intimidating for her. She thrived in a small environment where everyone knew her name, and she had a chance to shine. She eagerly memorized Scripture verses every day because she knew she’d be asked to quote them one on one to her teacher. Being selected as VBS Camper of the Week was an honor she’s never forgotten and probably wouldn’t have experienced if we’d taken her to a larger program.

The key to a successful VBS program isn’t money, facilities, or manpower, it’s dedicated believers who love God and love children.

Myth #8 VBS is just a babysitting service

For every church member who’s excited about VBS, there’s usually be one who isn’t. “People use VBS as a babysitting service,” they say. “Parents don’t care about spiritual things. They just bring their kids to get them out of their hair. And they’ll probably never come to church here, anyway.”

These statements may be true, but this shouldn’t stop you. That unsaved or uninterested parents would entrust their children to you and allow you to share your faith with them? What an opportunity! The chance to pour spiritual truth into a culture suffocated by spiritual darkness? Priceless! The privilege of loving a child in Jesus’ name? A privilege!

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Mat. 25:40).

Myth #9 VBS isn’t effective any more

A national VBS statistics study from Lifeway, “VBS, a Most Effective Evangelism,” shares these impressive stats:

• 25 percent of baptisms reported by the SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) come from VBS

• Every one person trained in VBS results in 1.1 salvation decisions.

• 10 percent of people enrolled in VBS are unchurched.

• 2.7 million people enroll in VBS each year.

• 72,925 people each year accept Christ as Lord and Savior.

• 2,666 people commit their lives to church-related vocations through VBS.

• 56,386 people enroll in Sunday School/Small Group Bible Study as a result of attending VBS.

These stats testify to VBS’s success on many fronts.

Would your church like to connect with more unsaved people? Host a VBS. Is it struggling to lead people to Christ? Host a VBS. Would it like to encourage people to consider full-time Christian service? Host a VBS. In whatever way your church is struggling to fulfill its mission, Vacation Bible School can be a valuable tool in its arsenal.

Myth #10 VBS is a failure if no one gets saved.

I often wonder what conversation took place at the close of VBS in the little Primitive Methodist Church I attended so long ago. Did the men and women who volunteered that week wonder if they’d wasted their time? After all, no one had accepted Jesus as their Savior. And if success is measured by whether a participant eventually became a church member, the time they invested in me was a failure.

Isaiah 55:11, however, promises us God’s Word never returns empty, but “will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Any time we speak the Word of God, whether it’s to ten children or to a thousand, he promises to use it for his good purposes. This was certainly true in my life.

As your church decides whether to have Vacation Bible School this year, and you choose whether to volunteer, Jesus, our example for life and godliness, exhorts us, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Mat. 19:14).

I don’t know how many people can look back at their spiritual lives and point to Vacation Bible School as an invaluable step in their faith walk. Only heaven will reveal it, but I know I can. If you’re involved in VBS this summer, may God richly bless you!

Your Turn:

How have you or someone you know been impacted by VBS? Leave a comment below and share your story.

Lori’s Devotional, an Amazon #1 New Release!

Have you ordered your copy of Lori’s devotional, Think on These Things: 60 Thoughtful Devotions for Renewed Peace? An Amazon #1 Hot New Release, this story-driven devotional will help you fight negativity and think on those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy. You’ll experience joy and peace every day.

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Published on June 08, 2026 02:35

June 1, 2026

One Marvelous Reason Why God Calls Us to Himself

Lori here,

Have you ever wondered why God chose us as His children? Me too. Today I’m sharing how an ordinary seashell and a beach week prize showed me one marvelous reason why the God of the universe invites us into a relationship with Himself.

“Why did you choose an olive shell?”

My granddaughter’s question caught me by surprise. We’d spent the weekend at the beach enjoying the sun, the water, and each other’s company. At the beginning of the week, I announced two contests and two prizes. The first prize went to whomever found the first olive shell. The other prize went to whomever found the prettiest olive shell.

Our grands love shell hunting and contests. As soon as we hit the beach, we started searching. Andrew found the first olive shell (although Lauren disputes the win). At the end of the week, each child entered one olive shell to be considered for the prettiest shell award.

Lauren took that prize.

Lauren’s Question

Later that day, however, she asked her question. Why, with more than thirty different types of seashells on the beach, did I choose the olive shell as the prize-winning shell?

“I don’t know,” I said, “except that I like them. Other shells are prettier. Some are more rare, but I just like them.”

My for-no-good-reason for choosing olive shells as the favored seashell of our vacation reminds me of the way God chose Abraham out of all the people of the world to set His love on. He chose Him out of a sea of people, not because Abraham was seeking God or because he was wise or moral. He didn’t do anything to deserve God’s love or catch His attention. God simply chose him to be the father of a nation of people set apart for His glory.

Moses described this in Deuteronomy 7:6-8: “You are a people holy to the lord your God. The lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.”

Abraham’s Family

Out of Abraham He raised up a family—a messed-up, back-sliding tribe—to display His faithfulness and love. He led them in the wilderness, fed them manna, and established them as a nation.

He humbled them, disciplined them, and provided for them. In the fullness of time, He sent His Son to die, not only for their sins, but for the sins of the world. When Christ died and rose again, He flung open the doors of heaven for “whosoever will believe,” and invited each of us into a relationship with Him.

Olive Shells & God’s Love

“My love of olive shells reminds me of God’s love for me,” I told Lauren that morning on the beach. “I did nothing to earn God’s attention. I’m not the prettiest, or the smartest, or the most unique. Yet God set His love on me. He called me into a relationship with Himself. I didn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, but wonder of wonders, He loves me—and He loves you.

“We’ll never fully understand why, but we should be grateful.”

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Lord willing, my grandchildren and I will hunt for olive shells again next year. With every seashell I tuck into my pocket, I’ll remember God’s gracious favor in calling me to Himself. With King David, I’ll bow my heart before Him and say, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? (1Chronicles 17:18).

How About You?

If God has called you to Himself and invited you into His family, join me in marveling at His loving kindness. If you haven’t yet accepted His invitation, what are you waiting for? He chose you, opened your eyes to His love, and drew you to this blog post. This isn’t a coincidence. It’s an invitation.

I hope you accept.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9

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Published on June 01, 2026 02:32

May 25, 2026

When Your Heart Is Breaking — How to Lament, not Sorrow

Lori here — How should Christians handle sorrow? What should we do with our feelings? Can we grieve in a way that acknowledges our emotions while still honoring God? We’ll explore these questions and learn from a godly woman who sorrowed, lamented, and rejoiced. Thanks for reading this week’s Refresh post!

When Your Heart Is Breaking — How to Lament, not Sorrow

“If Psalm 56:8 is true, and God captures my tears in a bottle,” Cassie said, “I hope it’s an industrial-size one.” We smiled at her attempt to lighten the conversation, but behind each woman’s smile was a hint of sorrow—and the sisterhood of shared understanding. We knew what she meant.

Each of us had felt the gut-wrenching pain of betrayal, the agony of watching a loved one turn their back on God, or the sadness of a fractured relationship. We’ve experienced the terror of a medical diagnosis; the ache of infertility, singleness, or loneliness; or the grief of losing someone we love. We’ve felt the hopelessness of unanswered prayers.

We too have cried an ocean of tears.

Cassie’s admission, along with the heavy weight in my own soul, led me to wrestle with the question: How should a Christian handle sorrow? What should we do with our feelings? Can we grieve in a way that acknowledges our emotions while still honoring God?

Sorrow Versus Lament

Sorrow is universal, but lament is uniquely Christian.

Sorrow is universal, but lament is uniquely Christian. Lament acknowledges and expresses our feelings without leaving us to drown in a pit of despair. Sorrow is part of lament—but not the whole of it. Lament channels the energy of our sadness into prayer.

I take comfort in knowing that one-third of the psalms in the Bible are psalms of lament. Faithful kings, priests, prophets, and ordinary people bowed low under the sadness of this broken world and turned their grief toward God. Hannah was one of them.

Hannah

In a culture that deeply valued children—especially sons—Hannah was childless. Despite her barrenness, her husband, Elkanah, loved her deeply. Elkanah’s second wife, however, did not. Peninnah had many children and mercilessly tormented Hannah. Year after year, when the family traveled to Shiloh to worship God, Peninnah taunted her. I can imagine her cruel words.

“If God loved you, He would give you a child. He’s the one who opens and closes the womb, you know. He could do it with a snap of His fingers. Our father Isaac prayed for Rebekah to have children, and God answered his prayer. Why He doesn’t answer your prayers? He must not love you.”

Weary from the anguish of her barrenness and desperate for a child, Hannah wept continually. In a tender but clumsy attempt to cheer her, Elkanah asked, “Hannah, why are you crying? Why won’t you eat? Why are you troubled? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” (1 Sam. 1:8).

Nice try, Elkanah—but no.

Go to God

“On one occasion, Hannah got up after they ate and drank at Shiloh. The priest Eli was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD’s temple” (1 Sam. 1:9).

In her anguish, Hannah went to the temple to talk to God. She could have turned away from Him—hurt and disappointed by His seeming silence—but instead, she ran to Him.

Human nature tells us to avoid those who have wounded us—even when that Someone is God. But He invites us to draw near: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). “The LORD is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

We must not allow our emotions to distance us from the One who loves us most. In times of pain, God is our strong tower. We can run to Him and find refuge and comfort. Even when our circumstances suggest otherwise, God alone is the true source of life, joy, and meaning. He meets the deepest needs of our hearts and surrounds us with His peace as we trust in Him.

The first step in turning sorrow into lament is to turn toward God.

Tell Him How You Feel

“Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears” (1 Sam. 1:10).

Like Hannah, we are invited to pour out our heartache to God—honestly, yet reverently. Are you disappointed? Tell Him. Hurt? He can bear it. Do you feel afraid, insecure, or weak? Hopeless, discouraged, or even faithless? Tell your Father. Speaking your complaint won’t reveal anything He doesn’t already know, but it will unburden your heart and open the door to deeper communion with Him.

Ask For Help

“LORD of Armies, if you will take notice of your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give your servant a son, I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life” (1 Sam. 1:11).

No matter how often you’ve prayed about your desire, pray again—and keep on praying until God releases you. Faith, in its purest form, returns to God again and again, as a child goes to her kind and loving Father. Every time we pray, we’re saying, “Lord, I can’t do this alone. I need You.”

The burdens we carry—our health, finances, family, and relationships—are too heavy to carry on our own. As we bring them to the Lord in prayer, we can rest in the security of His character. When we surrender our needs to Him, our hope is renewed. Knowing that Someone greater and wiser is in control quiets our troubled hearts.

Sometimes, after praying for a long time, we’re tempted to bargain with God. “Lord, if You answer my prayer, I promise to attend church every week, to tithe, and to serve wherever I’m needed.”

But Hannah wasn’t bargaining with God. She was surrendering. She yielded her longing for a son to the will of God, recognizing that even if He gave her a child, that child would ultimately belong to Him. And so it is with all our gifts—they are entrusted to us, but they belong to the Lord.

State Your Faith

Did you notice how Hannah addressed God? She called Him “LORD of Armies” (1 Sam. 1:11). Why not “Lord of my closed womb” or “Lord of my infertility”?

Hannah’s prayer revealed her high view of God. She knew He was the Lord of her empty womb—but He was far more than that. He was powerful enough to command His heavenly armies to defend His people. In Israel’s history, God had empowered a small nation to overcome far greater enemies.

Hannah had heard stories of how the Lord brought down the walls of Jericho when the Israelites shouted (Joshua 6), how He fought for Israel by sending hailstones from the sky (Joshua 10), and how He used Gideon’s army of three hundred to rout the Midianite army with only jars, torches, and trumpets (Judges 7).

This was the God she prayed to. By calling Him “LORD of Armies,” she declared that nothing is too hard for Him.

When we base our prayers of lament on a high view of God, we testify—to our own hearts and to a watching world—that God is greater than any trial we face. He sees the end from the beginning, and He orders each chapter according to His wise and beautiful plan to redeem a broken world and bring glory to His name.

Hannah’s Legacy

Eli the priest saw Hannah’s faith and blessed her. “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the request you’ve made of him” (1 Sam. 1:17).

“Then Hannah went on her way; she ate and no longer looked despondent” (1 Sam. 1:18).

When Hannah left the temple, she entrusted both her prayer of lament and her longing for a child safely in the hands of God. Peace settled her soul, and quiet joy replaced her despair. Regardless of how God would answer, she had clung to Him and poured out her heart before the One who loved her.

Scripture tells us that God did give Hannah the son she asked for. She kept her vow and dedicated Samuel to the Lord. Samuel went on to serve God faithfully, providing needed spiritual leadership to a wavering nation.

What if?

But what if God hadn’t given Hannah a child. What if His answer had been no?

Hannah understood—as we must—that God doesn’t always give us what we ask, even when our requests are good. “No” answers give us the opportunity to exercise deeper faith than “yes” answers. They remind us why we pray in the first place: because He is good, powerful, loving, wise, trustworthy, and kind. A “no” requires us to trust that His ways are higher than ours and that He is working not only for our present good but for eternal purposes.

“No” answers invite us to trust Him.

As we bring our hopes, dreams, fears, and needs before the Lord, may we honor Him through honest prayers of lament. And may we echo Hannah’s confession, “There is no one holy like the LORD. There is no one besides you! And there is no rock like our God” (1 Sam. 2:2).

This post first appeared on Revive Our Hearts ministry blog and is shared with permission.

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Published on May 25, 2026 02:29

May 18, 2026

7,000 Tastebuds — Enjoying a Delicious Gift from God

Taste buds. Yep, that’s what I wrote in my journal today. Thank you, Lord, for taste buds.

Has it ever occurred to you that God didn’t have to create us with taste buds? He could have made us like dogs, who only have enough taste buds to determine if their food is spoiled and could kill them.

Without taste buds, we’d eat simply to supply our bodies with enough calories to survive. It wouldn’t matter what we ate as long as we filled our stomachs. Like pumping gasoline into a gas tank. Or watering a plant.

Instead, God gave us 7,000 taste buds with the ability to sense sweet, salty, bitter, salty, and savory. And oh, the pleasure we experience when we taste the sweetness of a ripe watermelon. Or the salty deliciousness of a giant bowl of buttered popcorn. Or the savory, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of a perfectly-cooked steak.

First Timothy 6:17 gives us a glimpse of why God infused our bodies and our world with sensory pleasures. “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.”

Did you catch the back half of this verse? “God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.”

When God created the world, he designed it for our pleasure. He created flowers with heavenly scents, sunsets with a rainbow of colors, and kittens with silky-soft fur. He made bumbly puppies with sweet-smelling puppy breath, chattering squirrels to make us laugh, and friends and family to enjoy life with.

God could have made the world utilitarian. Monochromatic. Efficient. Dull. Instead he created it with a billion spots of delight and pleasure. Our precious Father, who richly gives us all we need (and so much more) fashioned the world for our enjoyment.

What a gift. What a God.

Today, as you make your way through the world, take a moment and pause. Smell the air. Feel the sunshine or the rain. Savor the flavor of your food. Ponder the things that bring you pleasure. Then thank your creator, the God who loves you so much that he surrounds you with gifts to enjoy.

See. Hear. Touch. Smell. Taste. Be grateful.

Now it’s your turn. What has God created that you especially enjoy? Leave a comment below and share your sensory pleasures.

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Published on May 18, 2026 02:40

May 11, 2026

How to Know If Your Spiritual House Is Leaking

I adore my little house. I enjoy it more than any place I’ve ever lived.

Seriously.

Like a love-at-first-sight Harlequin Romance, I’ve been besotted since my realtor and I pulled into the driveway more than ten years ago.

Unfortunately, shortly after we moved in, trouble entered paradise. I was puttering around one rainy morning when I heard a disturbing sound.

Plop.

Plop.

I traced the noise to our front window. Sure enough, on the inside of the window casing hung a glistening drop of water, suspended like a fat kid about to launch a cannonball.

Geronimoooooooooooo!

Plop.

As the rain continued, another kid entered the pool. This one chose to land on the metal flue of the fireplace.

Plink.

Before long, we had a duet.

Plop.

Plink.

Plop.

Plink.

Since the opening day of the pool, we chased these leaks over half the roof. Roofers reworked the flashing, installed new J channels, shrink-wrapped the dormers, replaced the shingles, and refitted the siding. Their last attempt (five of six), finally fixed the leak – until I noticed a suspicious stain on the living room ceiling.

“Can’t we just paint over it and pretend it doesn’t exist?” I asked my husband hopefully.

“‘Fraid not,” was his clipped reply.

If we did, we might not see the effects of the leak for months or years. But even if the water never made it through the attic insulation, down the 2 x 4s, through the sheet rock, and the paint, it could still destroy my sweet little house. One drip at a time.

It starts small. One click of a mouse. Plop. One lingering glance over coffee in the break room. Plink. One drink too many. Plop. A petty theft at work – plink. A hidden purchase – plop. A harsh, critical word – plink.

Before long, our roofs are caving in.

I love my little house, and despite my hopeful yet naïve question to my husband, I wanted to do everything we could to protect it. We should feel the same way about our homes—our relational, moral, spiritual, physical, and financial homes. They should be leak-proof shelters.

But preserving them isn’t easy. Only eternal vigilance, early intervention, and periodic checkups can help us maintain the integrity of that which matters most in this world. Like I tiptoe across the 2 x 4s in the attic shining my flashlight into dark corners, we too must shine the twin lights of wisdom and God’s Word into the dark corners of our lives. When we invite God to search our hearts for sin, he’ll reveal areas that are leaking.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 promises: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? ‘I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind. . .’”

Here are some flashlight questions to get us started:

1. Is there an area of my life I feel uncomfortable about when I imagine God examining? If so, why?

2. Am I 100 percent honest in my financial dealings? If no, why not?

3. Do I think about another man more than I do my husband?

4. Would I feel ashamed if someone saw my TV or internet history?

5. Would I feel comfortable bringing Jesus everywhere I go?

The Psalmist prayed, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psa. 139:23-24). We can pray the same.

If we really want to be clean before God, he’ll show us anything that doesn’t please him. And unlike my struggling roofers, he’ll give us the ability to plug the leaks so nothing but God fills our hearts and homes.

Will you join me in asking God to search our hearts and shine a light on anything that doesn’t please him? Then let’s commit to do whatever it takes to plug the leaks.

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Published on May 11, 2026 02:48

April 27, 2026

6 Steps to Take When It’s Time to Take a Stand

Lori here! When was the last time you had to take a stand for what was right? Today we’ll learn from one of the Bible’s wisest men who found himself in a difficult position, made a bold appeal, and glorified God. This post appeared first on Revive Our Hearts blog.

When was the last time you had to take an unpopular stand?

We sometimes hear high-profile news stories of Christians and Christian companies refusing to compromise on matters of faith or conscience. Some win victories, while others suffer loss.

History brims with examples of people and groups who challenged government, culture, or tradition. Some protested in defiance and anger. They demanded their rights and used violence to champion them. Others stood vocally but respectfully in the face of oppression, prejudice, or injustice.

We’ll probably never take on a king or the Supreme Court, but we will face circumstances that will require us to stand for what we believe. Thankfully, Scripture shows us how to do it.

Daniel in Exile

Daniel was a young man who was taken captive by the invading forces of Babylon. Among the first to be carried off into exile by Nebuchadnezzar’s army, he was one of Judah’s finest. Smart, handsome, and insightful, Daniel and his companions, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, caught the eye of Ashpenaz, chief of the king’s court officials. He chose Daniel and his friends for a special training program to prepare them for government leadership.

Similar to a master’s program at Harvard, for three years they would study the language and literature of the Babylonians. At the end of their education, they would enter the king’s service.

For captured exiles ripped from their homeland, emasculated, and forced to embrace a foreign culture, country, and community, it was a sweet deal. The new government would house, clothe, feed, and educate Daniel and his comrades and prepare them for a new future.

Trouble in Babylon

All went well until Daniel read the menu in the dining hall. While most young men would have cheered to learn they’d be eating the finest food and drink from the king’s table, Daniel knew he was in trouble.

The Babylonians worshipped a plethora of idolatrous gods and sacrificed food and wine to them in their temples. After the food had been offered to the idols, it would be resold in the marketplace. Much of the food at the king’s table was probably first offered as an idolatrous sacrifice.

Daniel knew to consume these pagan offerings would be a sin and an affront to God.

His response to this challenge is a valuable model for us to follow when we’re called to take a stand. Let’s learn from his example. In Daniel 1, we see six steps.

Six Steps for Taking a Stand
1. Determine if it’s a moral issue.

Because Daniel knew the Scriptures, he knew that consuming meat offered to idols would be a sin. This wasn’t a matter of preference. While the Bible encourages us to yield our preferences for the good of others and the cause of Christ (1 Cor. 10:31–32), we can’t and shouldn’t compromise on moral (right/wrong) issues. God’s Word declared that idolatry was a sin, and Daniel had one option. He could not sin.

2. Resolve not to compromise your beliefs.

Daniel didn’t know how the official would respond to his appeal, but he was prepared to suffer the consequences of his “disobedience.” Because he was a man of character and faith, he was willing to endure the temporary results of man’s displeasure so he would not dishonor God.

3. Pave the way for your appeal.

Sadly, some Christians are known as “difficult” by their coworkers and employers. Instead of being hard-working team players, they act as if they are morally superior and privileged. Daniel complied with everything the officials asked him to do with a good attitude. Although they had marched him more than 1,600 miles to Babylon and forced him to serve the government that had killed his countrymen and destroyed his homeland, Daniel served them as if he were serving God himself (1 Cor. 10:31).

4. Appeal respectfully.

Instead of demanding his rights, decrying the paganism of his captors, or calling for an uprising, Daniel prayerfully approached the king’s official. He asked for permission to not defile himself with the king’s food. His respectful approach opened the door for discussion, not debate.

5. When appropriate, offer an alternative.

When Ashpenaz expressed concern that he’d get in trouble if Daniel and his compatriots didn’t appear as healthy as the other men, Daniel offered a compromise.

“Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” (Dan. 1:12–13)

6. Trust God to work in the heart of authorities.

Every appeal must be bathed in prayer. As Daniel sought God’s direction, he asked Him to do what only He could do—change someone’s heart. “God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs”(v. 9), and Ashpenaz agreed to the compromise (v. 14).

What Happened Next?

If you’re familiar with the story, you know God supernaturally worked not only in the official’s heart, but also in Daniel and his comrades’ health.

At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. (v. 15–16)

Not All Stands End the Way We Hope

I wish every stand for righteousness ended like Daniel’s story. Unfortunately, they don’t. Two chapters later, Daniel’s companions, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, probably emboldened by Daniel’s example, took their own stand. Commanded to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue, they courageously refused.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Dan. 3:16–18)

When their appeal failed, they suffered the consequences.

Regardless of the outcome of our stand, God can use our example to accomplish His will and work in the world. Sometimes God delivers us from the fires of trial, and sometimes He walks through them with us (Dan. 3:25). Either way, He is glorified.

Even If

When you face a challenge like Daniel did, I encourage you to follow his example. Resist the temptations to react defensively, demand your rights, and take militant action. When you stand for Christ, don’t forget to be Christ-like. We can’t challenge the world by acting like the world.

May God grant us, like Daniel, the courage to stand for right in our troubled world.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. (James 3:13)

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Published on April 27, 2026 02:00

April 25, 2026

“What are you working on?” Sharing Happy Stuff

Greetings Friends!

It’s been a while since I climbed out of my writing studio and shared a personal update, but Saturday’s the perfect time to visit a bit, don’t you think? Grab a cup of your favorite beverage (and maybe a cinnamon roll?) and let’s catch up.

What Are You Working On?

Several of you have asked, “What’s next?” and “What are you working on?” The pipeline and process of publication (say that five times fast) is long and winding, so I have several projects in various stages of publication:

Walking in Faith, 60 Devotions to Renew Your Strength, coming August 4, 2026

Based on Isaiah 53:2, this 60-day devotional reminds you that God is there in the middle of life’s everyday struggles and invites you to rest and wait on Him. Scripture, story-driven reflections, prayer, and guiding questions will encourage you not to give up in a time of waiting or struggle.

Walking in Faith is available for pre-order now. Here’s the Amazon link if you’d like to read more. Would you please pray for everything that needs to happen between now and August to help me connect this book with those who need it most?

What Comes After That?

Y’all, I had the best time writing a new EASTER/Lenten devotional for Our Daily Bread! It’s called Because He Lives, Celebrating the Gifts of Christ’s Death and Resurrection. The Easter season is the most important celebration of the Christian year, but sometimes the story seems so familiar that it doesn’t thrill us any more. To write this not-your-usual Easter devotional, I gazed long at the cross, then looked beyond it to the gifts God has given us because of Jesus’s death and resurrection. Gifts like Holy Spirit power, boldness in our prayers, and supernatural love for others.

I hope you love this book as much as I loved writing it. But you have to wait . . . this title will release in time for Easter next year. Watch for an announcement in early 2027 and pray for its production. I just completed the first round of edits. It will be a while before I can show you its beautiful cover, but you’ll be the first to see it, I promise. Stay tuned!

What Are You Writing Now?

In South Carolina, the temperatures are rising (it’s 88 today) and summer is near. In my house, however, the nativity set still sits in my living room. Why? Because I’m writing an ADVENT devotional tentatively called What Child Is This? Celebrating the Humanity and the Deity of Christ. In this 25-day devotional, I widen the spotlight on the baby in the manger to show us the miracle of God incarnate, Jesus the God/Man. Devotions such as “The Bread of Life Grew Hungry,” and “The Eternal God Stepped into Time” will invite you to marvel at the miracle of Christ’s incarnation. Please pray for divine inspiration as I write. I have twenty-one written, four to go!

What about FUN?

Nerdy writer that I am, I think writing about God is one of the funnest things I get to do, but when I’m not writing, I get to share my love for God with others in person. Hubby and I meet weekly with a small group from my home church, Kittiwake Baptist. I also have the privilege of speaking at other churches and women’s events. This spring I shared “Powerful Reasons to Have Hope” with the women of Our Lady of the Hills church and Crosspointe Church of Lexington. I also served on faculty at the Carolina Christian Writers Conference.

If you’re looking for a women’s ministry speaker for your summer or fall event, check out my Speaking Page. I’d love to come alongside your group to do a one-time event or weekend retreat. One of my favorite events last fall was a 2-day women’s retreat with the women of Hope Church. We laughed, dug deeply into God’s Word, and invited God to ask us, “What are you thinking?,” “What are you Saying?,” and “What are you praying?” God moved among us and drew us closer to Himself and to each other.

When I’m not writing, sharing, or teaching, I’m hanging out with my hubby and spending time with my grandkids. I cheer them on at swim meets, host them for sleep overs, and let them beat me at games like Monopoly Deal and Skull King. Last week we attended a Fireflies baseball game. I can’t wait for our annual beach trip to Edisto Island in May.

May I Ask a Favor?

My most recent book, Lord, I Believe, 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart, is FOUR reviews away from my goal of 50. If you’ve been blessed by this devotional, would you please, please, pretty please write a simple review on Amazon? Reviews help others find good books, and once I hit 50, Amazon will begin sharing Lord, I Believe with shoppers. You don’t have to write a book report, just share a few lines about what you liked about it and give it a star rating. Follow this link, then scroll down (way down) until you see the Write a Review button. When you submit your review, hit Reply to this post so I can hug your neck across the miles. Thank you!! (And if you haven’t read it yet and could use a friendly voice to walk with you through your challenges, click HERE to order a copy. It’s on sale 25% off!)

I’m So Grateful for You!

I love receiving your emails in response to my Refresh posts. You share your lives with me, ask me to pray for you, and offer to pray for me. If these posts have blessed you, would you please share them with others? I want to reach as many people as I can with words of hope and help. Thanks for being an amazing community!

How May I Pray for You?

We need each other as we walk this walk of faith. I’d be honored to pray for you and with you.

Father, you are so kind to save us, change us, and use us in Your service. Thank you for this amazing community you’ve built around our mutual love for You. Grow us as we walk this life journey together. In the strong name of Jesus I ask, amen.

Do You Know Someone with a Strong Faith Who’s Facing a Tough Situation?

Lord, I Believe

What do you believe about God? Do you believe that He can restore? Or that He answers prayers? Do you believe that He delights in you?

As you spend 60 days in these devotions, Lori Hatcher will reassure you of who God is and who He says you are. In each meditation, you’ll find:

A biblical truth you can claim to rebuild your faith in the toughest circumstances
Comforting assurances from Scripture that God is with you and for you, no matter what
Encouragement of God’s delight and joy in you always
A prayer and biblical affirmation to remind you of God’s steadfast presence and unwavering promises
Heartwarming, story-centered readings from popular devotional writer Lori Hatcher

Spend just a few minutes each day with these devotions, and let your heart find strength in the reassurance of God’s unending love for you.

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Published on April 25, 2026 03:42

April 20, 2026

For Better and For Worse, How Haircuts and Holiness Grow On Us

Lori here! What do haircuts have to do with holiness? This whimsical account from the early days of marriage will describe how both our haircutting skills and our spiritual maturity are a work in progress. Whether or not you cut your spouse’s hair, I hope you smile (and take stock) of your own growth as we seek to honor God with our behavior.

For Better or for Worse

I remember the first time I saw my mother-in-law giving my soon-to-be husband a haircut.

“I didn’t know you were a beautician,” I said, surprised to see her wielding her scissors like a pro.

“I’m not, but I’ve learned a few things over the years.” She then demonstrated how to give a haircut. “When y’all get married,” she said, “you can cut David’s hair.”

Whaaaaaat?

In my family, haircuts were off-limits to amateurs. Only someone with a certificate and a special chair touched our heads. And if they didn’t have a jar of assorted combs soaking in green liquid on their counter top, uh uh, ain’t no way they were lifting a pair of scissors to our locks.

That’s why I knew David’s mother was joking—until our bridal shower.

After opening a dozen boxes containing cookware, Corning Wear, and underwear (yeah, someone got confused and thought it was a lingerie shower), I peeled the paper off a small, flat package. The box inside said, Professional Hair Cutting Set.

“Now you won’t have to borrow my tools,” my almost-mother-in-law said with a smile.

Oh my, I thought. She honestly thinks I’m going to give David a haircut.

I carried the gifts home and tucked the hair cutting kit in the bottom of a box. There it lay, forgotten, until about a month after our wedding.

Are You Serious?!

“Lori,” my new husband said, “my hair’s getting a little shaggy. Would you give me a haircut?”

“Are you serious?” I practically screeched. “The only hair I’ve ever cut was my Barbie’s, and that didn’t turn out so well. I can’t cut your hair. People go to school for years to learn how. What if I make a mistake? There’s no gluing it back on, you know. Remember that school picture from kindergarten when your sister took a pair of scissors to your bangs? Do you really want to go back there?”

But there was no convincing him. His mom always cut his hair, and when I signed the marriage certificate, she passed the mantle to me. The thought of going to a stranger for a haircut was foreign and distasteful to him.

“Think about how much money we’ll save,” he reasoned. “I trust you. You can do this.”

And so I did.

Keep in mind that these were the days before YouTube. My best hope was to check out a book from the library, study the instructions, and give it my best shot.

Some haircuts came out fairly decent. Others not so much.

I had the hardest time figuring out how to keep David’s hair from falling straight down like Mo on the Three Stooges. Several times, as I cut along the neckline and around the ears, I cut a little high, leaving him with whitewalls of scalp that hadn’t seen the sunshine in years. Other times I failed to compensate for the cowlick at his crown, giving him a haircut that would have made Alfalfa proud.

Through it all, my husband was patient, gracious, and encouraging. “You’ll figure it out. You’re doing a great job.”

Thankfully, most of my mistakes were in the back, where he couldn’t see them. But I could.

Every time I looked at one of those botched haircuts, I cringed. I had made the mistake, but he was wearing it.

It occurred to me recently that sometimes, in marriage, we wear each other’s shame in other ways.

Wearing the Other’s Shame

A husband’s poor social skills embarrass his wife at a work event. A wife’s tinder-box temper erupts at the neighborhood pool, causing her husband to squirm as heads turn.

A person’s impatience, coarse language, or ignorance reflect on their spouses too, because, for better or for worse, they are a couple.

These scenarios remind me that we’re all works in progress.

In progress.

Works in Progress

If we’re believers, the Spirit of God lives in us, gradually conforming us to Christ’s image. But the work takes time. Our path to holiness climbs upward, but isn’t immune to detours and backslides. When those around us behave in less than stellar ways, and we respond with grace, we take a giant step along our own path of Christ-likeness.

First Corinthians 13:7 reminds us love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

While there are limits to bearing and enduring—no one should remain in a dangerous, abusive relationship, most of us come nowhere near this scenario. The worst we experience are small annoyances that fall short of perfection or cause us embarrassment.

I’m so grateful for Christ, who’s the epitome of patience and kindness. His example challenges me not only to be patient with myself when I act in less-than-godly ways, but to be grateful for my husband, who faithfully bears with me through my spiritual growing pains.

Someday, I pray, he’ll wear my behavior (like my haircuts) with pride, knowing that his long-suffering commitment to my growth in holiness helped make it possible.

Now it’s your turn. Whom has God used in your life to encourage you in the paths of holiness?

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Published on April 20, 2026 01:53

April 6, 2026

Chasing Joy — One Example of How to “Git After It”

A Guest Post by Jill Baughan

Some kinds of joy God drops into your lap; you don’t have to do a thing. Just sit there and be delighted as it bounces all over you.

However, other times He invites you to be more proactive—to make up your mind to just “git after it,” if you know what I mean.

Today I’d like to introduce you to my new friend and fellow Our Daily Bread author, Jill Baughan. I recently read Jill’s latest book, No Matter What, and enjoyed it so much I had to share it with you. If you’re looking for a primer on how to find joy (and more than a few chuckles), even when life’s not funny, you need to read this book. Personally, I’ve already ordered a few more copies to gift to my friends who need a fresh perspective on joy.

Here’s a sample from No Matter What. I know you’ll enjoy Jill’s fresh (and funny) perspective. ~Lori

Some kinds of joy God drops into your lap; you don’t have to do a thing. Just sit there and be delighted as it bounces all over you.

However, other times He invites you to be more proactive—to make up your mind to just “git after it,” if you know what I mean.

Such was the case the time my mom and I were at the Virginia State Fair, and passed by a photo stand where you could get your picture taken with a real chimpanzee for a mere five dollars.

Her name was Tootsie, and when I caught sight of her and that irresistible offer, I begged, “Mom, Mom, please can we have our picture taken with the chimp? Pleeeeease?” But my mother resisted.

“Aw, come on, Mom. It’ll be fun. Just this once?” I whined.

Still she declined.

“But why not?” I wanted to know.

“Well, she said slowly, obviously trying to think of a good reason, “twenty years from now someone might get a look at it and think it was a three-generation photo.”

Quick thinking on her part, and not a bad excuse. Still I was disappointed.

Keep in mind that I was a full-grown adult at the time. I had my own money, and I could have gotten my own picture taken with the ape, thankyouverymuch. But I respectfully caved in, even though I just knew that someday my mom would look back with angst and regret at having passed up that little moment of whimsy.

Fast Forward Twenty Years

Fast forward twenty years later, when family members from Indiana–including my mom– were planning to visit us in Virginia. Lying in bed one night, I was trying to think up ways to entertain them, when I suddenly had a brilliant idea: Remembering the lost opportunity of two decades before, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to redeem that moment with my mom at the State Fair? If only I could find a photographable chimpanzee, we could have a giant family photo session, and I could get that shot with Mom, the chimp and me–and she wouldn’t be able to say no!”

So I networked for a few weeks, and finally found a man who had a small zoo and a two-year-old chimp who loved people. When I called to tell him what I wanted to do, explaining that my mom and the rest of my family would be in town, he said, “Oh, you don’t want your elderly mother posing for pictures out in the cold. (It was December.) Why don’t I bring the chimp to your house?

The mere idea sent me to the moon.

So it was all set. My extended family arrived on a Friday. I broke the news to Mom, telling her that I needed some closure on that traumatic loss of opportunity in my life, and that the chimp would be arriving at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. She could run but she could not hide, I warned, so she might as well put some lipstick on and smile for the camera. This time though, to my delight, she was all about it!

Sierra the Chimp

On Saturday Sierra the chimp arrived right on time.

And believe me when I say that you have not truly lived until you’ve invited a chimpanzee into your living room for an hour or so of primal frolicking. She turned somersaults, leaped off chairs, “kissed” us when we had grapes in our mouths, let us scratch her belly, and rolled over (and over and over) us when we lay on the floor like logs. It was so much fun, in fact, it was a little scary since, by the end of the hour, we were all acting pretty much alike.

Anyway, since that dream of mine was to have a family portrait made with the chimp amongst us, we all gathered around for a photo shoot, with the chimp up front looking for all the world like some baby cousin.

But the sweetest moment of the day was when my mom and I sat down–at last–for our picture with the chimpanzee.

I now keep that photo on my dresser to remind me not only of that sweet moment, but also to remind me that there will be opportunities for joy today if only I’ll be proactive enough to embrace them.

And so

And so, my friend,

May you, too, respond to the call of the wild in your soul.

May you feel the urgency to rearrange your life for the sake of celebration.

And may you answer with a “yes!” when you get the slightest inkling that God is tapping you on the shoulder, and saying, “My child. Git after it!”

A joyful heart is good medicine.

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)

Jill Baughan says, When I was a child, the Tilt-A-Whirl at my hometown’s annual street fair taught me this life-changing truth: it is entirely possible for a human being to laugh and throw up at the same time.

Little did I know that years later, when I was a grown-up, God would use this revelation to show me that joy and sorrow can occupy the same space, that they can walk (or hurl) alongside each other on the same road. We just have to be intentional about drawing from the joy while we’re going through the tough stuff.

Her newest book, No Matter What: 90 Devotions for Experiencing Unexpected Joy in Tough Times, helps you do just that, with humor, depth, practical suggestions and stories. Lots of stories.

If you’re going through a challenging time right now, these pages will give you hope for joy

First thing in the morning when your feet hit the floor,

Last thing at night before your head hits the pillow,

Or during the day when you need a little encouragement from our God, who hears your heart and reminds you that if you go looking for joy, you will most likely find it. No matter what.

Jill Baughan is an author, podcaster and speaker who helps people find joy, no matter what else is happening in life.