Uncompromised

  The best friends we can have are those who pray for you without needing to be asked. They defend you when you’re not around, and with them, gossip comes to a dead stop. I always remind my son that God sends us different types of friends. Some are seasonal—friends who enter your life for a time, sharing laughter, love, and memories. As seasons change, so do our lives, and sometimes these friends are led down a different path. Though life may take us in separate directions, they will always hold a piece of your heart. These friends are special, and we often wish they could stay forever. Then there are lifelong friends. Even if years pass without seeing each other, when you reconnect, it’s as if no time has passed at all! As I grow older, I realize one of the most precious gifts God has given me is my "God-connected" friends—those who sense when you need prayer, even when you haven’t spoken a word. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve prayed for someone, only to receive a me...

  Today, when a close friend asked me what I miss the most (places not people), it got me thinking and almost choking up. Sometimes, what we long for seems small, but it matters.  At first, I wasn't sure how to answer because it felt kind of silly. But then, I decided to be honest. In the midst of all my thoughts and feelings, the struggle to feel content and believe I'm where God wants me to be felt very real.  That's when I remembered Philippians 4:6-7, which says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This verse reminds me that even in my longing for something as simple as a cozy coffee shop – you know, the kind with a soothing ambiance, a beautiful view, and the aroma of freshly brewed good quality coffee – I can trust that I'm exactly where God intend...