Author: Perspective Confessions

The Gift of a Little Inconvenience: Why It’s Time to Review Your Streaming Subscriptions

The Gift of a Little Inconvenience: Why It's Time to Review Your Streaming Subscriptions

I recently had a conversation with my 22-year-old stepdaughter and her boyfriend that stopped me in my tracks. 

They casually mentioned they had just gotten their own Netflix subscription—the $7.99 per month plan with ads. 

Wait… there’s a $7.99 option? 

I’ve had Netflix since 2016. Over the years, I’ve watched my monthly bill quietly creep up and up until it landed just shy of $30 per month after taxes. And honestly? I hadn’t questioned it. It was just another automatic charge, another line item I barely noticed. 

But here’s the thing—we’re empty nesters now. We don’t need multiple screens or the biggest package anymore. And with the recent crackdown on password sharing, this felt like a natural pause point. A moment to ask: Do we actually need this? 

So we downgraded. 

The result? About $17 in savings each month. That’s more than $200 a year—not life-changing money, but not nothing either. For more ways to save, check out these suggestions to save $1,000 for your emergency savings fund!

And the ads? 

They’re mildly inconvenient, sure. But they’re also… familiar. This is how we used to watch TV. Commercial breaks were normal. Bathroom breaks. Snack refills. Natural stopping points. It wasn’t a big deal. 

In fact, I’m starting to think the ads might actually be a gift. 

Constant streaming—with no interruptions, no friction, no pause—makes it far too easy to slide into episode after episode without realizing how much time has passed. The ads gently disrupt that rhythm. They remind us to stand up, stretch, check in with ourselves, or even decide we’re done for the night. 

It’s made me wonder how many of the “niceties” we’ve grown accustomed to over the past few years are actually helping us—and how many might be quietly numbing us. 

Are they a blessing… or a hindrance? 
Are they helping us rest… or simply distract? 
Are they connecting us to others… or keeping us comfortably isolated? 

I’m realizing that convenience isn’t always neutral. Sometimes it makes things too easy. Too smooth. Too effortless to stay disengaged from our own lives. 

So yes, we downgraded our Netflix subscription to save money. But more than that, we chose to make it a little less comfortable—to add back in some natural limits and interruptions. 

And here’s your gentle reminder: take a look at your subscriptions. Cancel what you don’t use. Scale back—even if it feels a little uncomfortable. Especially if it does. 

Because discomfort isn’t always a sign that something is wrong. Sometimes it’s an invitation to grow, to notice, to reclaim both time and money that have been slipping away unnoticed. 

In the end, the savings add up—in dollars and in attention. And both are worth stewarding well. 

I recently had a conversation with my 22-year-old stepdaughter and her boyfriend that stopped me in my tracks. 

They casually mentioned they had just gotten their own Netflix subscription—the $7.99 per month plan with ads. 

Wait… there’s a $7.99 option? 

I’ve had Netflix since 2016. Over the years, I’ve watched my monthly bill quietly creep up and up until it landed just shy of $30 per month after taxes. And honestly? I hadn’t questioned it. It was just another automatic charge, another line item I barely noticed. 

But here’s the thing—we’re empty nesters now. We don’t need multiple screens or the biggest package anymore. And with the recent crackdown on password sharing, this felt like a natural pause point. A moment to ask: Do we actually need this? 

So we downgraded. 

The result? About $17 in savings each month. That’s more than $200 a year—not life-changing money, but not nothing either. 

And the ads? 

They’re mildly inconvenient, sure. But they’re also… familiar. This is how we used to watch TV. Commercial breaks were normal. Bathroom breaks. Snack refills. Natural stopping points. It wasn’t a big deal. 

In fact, I’m starting to think the ads might actually be a gift. 

Constant streaming—with no interruptions, no friction, no pause—makes it far too easy to slide into episode after episode without realizing how much time has passed. The ads gently disrupt that rhythm. They remind us to stand up, stretch, check in with ourselves, or even decide we’re done for the night. 

It’s made me wonder how many of the “niceties” we’ve grown accustomed to over the past few years are actually helping us—and how many might be quietly numbing us. 

Are they a blessing… or a hindrance? 
Are they helping us rest… or simply distract? 
Are they connecting us to others… or keeping us comfortably isolated? 

I’m realizing that convenience isn’t always neutral. Sometimes it makes things too easy. Too smooth. Too effortless to stay disengaged from our own lives. 

So yes, we downgraded our Netflix subscription to save money. But more than that, we chose to make it a little less comfortable—to add back in some natural limits and interruptions. 

And here’s your gentle reminder: take a look at your subscriptions. Cancel what you don’t use. Scale back—even if it feels a little uncomfortable. Especially if it does. 

Because discomfort isn’t always a sign that something is wrong. Sometimes it’s an invitation to grow, to notice, to reclaim both time and money that have been slipping away unnoticed. 

In the end, the savings add up—in dollars and in attention. And both are worth stewarding well. 

2026 Goals

2026 Goals

As we are upon the beginning edges of the new year, there’s often pressure to make big declarations. Goals. Plans. Resolutions. 

But instead of asking “What are my goals for this year?” I want to ask a gentler, more grounding question: 

Where do you want to be six months from now? 

Not just in what you’ve accomplished — but in how you feel. 

More rooted? 
Less hurried? 
More attuned to God’s presence in your everyday life? 

Sometimes clarity doesn’t come from striving harder, but from slowing down long enough to listen. 

Writing to Your Future Self 

One reflective practice I’ve found meaningful is writing a letter to my future self. 

There’s a free website called futureme.org that allows you to write an email now and schedule it to be delivered to you at a date you choose — six months from now, one year from now, or further into the future. 

This practice shifts the focus from pressure to presence. It invites you to speak to the person you are becoming with compassion instead of expectation. 

When the Letter Comes from a Deeper Place 

During last year’s Awaken Silent Retreat, Danielle, the host, handed out index cards at the end of that last day and asked us to write a letter to ourselves as if our Heavenly Father were writing it to us.  

She prompted us with these questions: 

  • What does He want to share with you? 
  • What does He want you to remember from this silent retreat? 

There’s something profoundly grounding about imagining God’s voice not as demanding or disappointed, but as loving, steady, and near. 

After we wrote those letters, we sealed them into an envelope, addressed them to our home addresses, and handed them into Danielle. About 6 weeks later, the letter I wrote was delivered to my mailbox.  

When I opened it, I knew what it was but could not remember what I had written. Here’s an excerpt: 

(You may want to read this slowly.) 

Dear Carlynn, 

Remember me in the awakening in the silence weekend. In the hurry and in the noise, remember me. Hold me close and tight. That’s the way I hold you. I am never far. I walk beside you. Quiet your mind. Quiet the falsehoods the enemy throws at you. Come to me for truth. Look up. Keep seeking my face when lies creep in. I am your source of truth.  

Love, 

Your Heavenly Father 

Prompts for Your Own Letter 

If you decide to email to your future self at futureme.org — or write a letter as if God were speaking to you — here are a few prompts to guide you: 

  • What do you want your future self to remember that you know will get lost in the chaos of the year? 
  • What’s important to you right now? Why? 
  • What are your goals? Where do you see yourself 6 months from now? How does it feel? 
  • If you were having a conversation with God, how does He see you? What does He want you to remember? 
  • What does He want you to release? 
  • What does He want you to trust? 
  • How does He invite you to walk into the next season? 

You don’t need perfect words. You just need honesty and openness. 

A Gentle Invitation 

This kind of reflection — slowing down, listening, and responding — is at the heart of the work I care most about. It’s the kind of space I hope to continue creating here through writing, and eventually through coaching: a place to reflect, discern, and move forward with intention rather than urgency. 

You don’t have to rush your growth. You don’t have to have everything figured out. 

Six months from now — or one year from now — you may be surprised by what has quietly taken root simply because you chose to pause, listen, and take one faithful step at a time. 

How We Are Shaped Along the Way 

How We Are Shaped Along The Way

The turn of a new year invites reflection. 

Before we rush into goals, plans, and resolutions, let’s pause…look back with gratitude and look ahead with humility. For me, this past year has been full of learning, both personally and professionally. It’s been a gift to walk alongside friends, family, co-workers, and even acquaintances who are willing to show up honestly through challenges, in celebrating growth, and staying curious about who they’re becoming. 

There’s a Bible verse written that’s been a constant on my whiteboard for the past couple of years: 

“Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” 

Proverbs 27:17

I love this image, and I also think it’s easy to romanticize it. 

Scripture reminds us that transformation often begins in the renewing of our minds. When familiar patterns keep surfacing, it may be God’s invitation to see differently. I shared a reflection on that kind of perspective here. 

Because iron sharpening iron isn’t gentle. It’s metal against metal. There’s friction. Pressure. Resistance. Sometimes even sparks. Sharpening happens through contact, not comfort—and that means growth can feel uncomfortable, even painful at times. 

And yet, that’s how we grow. 

Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. We are shaped in relationship—through conversation, shared experience, and the willingness to be known. When we allow others to walk alongside us, to challenge us, to speak truth with care, we are sharpened. In turn, we sharpen them. Each of us becoming more refined, more aware, more grounded because we didn’t choose the easy path of staying the same. 

As we step into a new year, none of us really know what lies ahead. We don’t know the challenges or the joys that lie ahead of us in the coming months. What we do know is that we’ll walk through it one day at a time. One conversation. One decision. One foot in front of the other. 

There’s something freeing about remembering that we don’t need the whole year figured out. We only need to be present for today.  To take each day as it comes. To stay open to learning—even when that learning stretches us. To extend grace—to ourselves and to others—especially in the places where growth feels tender. 

Matthew 6:34 – “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 

My hope for this new year is simple: that we would continue to grow together. That we would stay grounded. That we would be willing to sharpen and be sharpened—even when it’s uncomfortable. And that we would move forward—steady, intentional, and hopeful—one step at a time. 

Here’s to a new year.  May it be marked not by hurry, but by presence. 
Not by perfection, but by progress. And not by doing it all alone—but together. 

When you look back on 2025, what moments shaped you more than you expected—and what might those moments be quietly teaching you about where you’re headed next? 

Progress Doesn’t Always Equal More 

Progress Doesn't Always Equal More

Earlier this week, Jeff and I set out on a road trip to Iuka, Mississippi, to spend Christmas with my family. As we navigated out of Houston, Texas, we took the 99 East toll road to reach I-59—a route we don’t travel often. Along that stretch of toll road, we were struck by how much construction and how many new buildings were going up. 

What once were open fields and trees are now being cleared to make room for “progress.” Seeing this makes both Jeff and me feel sad. We think about the deer and other wildlife that once lived there, now pushed into smaller and smaller spaces. We also find ourselves wondering: does Houston really need more strip malls, more stores, more retail? It feels unnecessary. Like too much. 

You can feel the stress in the constant push for more. More growth. More expansion. More productivity. It never seems to be enough. That steady chaos creates a life with little room for rest, and over time, it becomes exhausting. 

As we get further away from Houston and closer to Iuka in the 12 hour drive, the landscape begins to change. The land opens up. Houses sit farther back from the road. Fences stretch across fields holding horses or cows. And beyond what I can see, something else shifts—my body begins to relax. My breathing slows. Without realizing it, I’ve been holding tension. 

Jason Shepperd, pastor at Church Project often says, “life is the balance of holding the tension between blessings and burdens.” This may sum up what I’ve been tangibly feeling, holding the tension between blessings and burdens and the big city can often feel tipped toward burdensome for me. 

It’s important to acknowledge that living in a small town doesn’t eliminate stress. People in places like Iuka still work hard, carry responsibilities, and worry about the same things we all do. Life in the United States often feels hurried and demanding, regardless of where you live. 

What feels different is the environment. A slower pace doesn’t demand the same urgency. There are fewer reminders to rush, consume, or compete. Even when life feels overwhelming, the surroundings don’t add another layer of noise. 

I’m not saying one place is better than the other. Cities like Houston offer opportunity and energy. Small towns offer quiet and space. But they ask different things of us, and our bodies seem to know the difference. 

As we near Iuka, my shoulders drop and my breath deepens. The noise fades. Maybe progress doesn’t always mean adding more. Maybe sometimes it looks like slowing down—and remembering that enough really is enough. 

As 2025 comes to a close this week, I encourage you to take a few moments and take inventory of your life. Where can you eliminate hurry and stress for the new year? 

Is it clearing out physical stress in your home, like re-organizing a closet or garage? 

Is it eliminating financial stress by choosing to buy less in the new year? 

Is it taking stock of your relationships? Choosing to spend more time with those that bring you energy versus those that may drain your energy? 

Is it creating a new or improved habit of going to the well of your Heavenly Father, John 4:14? Spending quiet time with Him? Praying more? Reading scripture? 

Is it decluttering your electronic life? Deleting apps? Turning off notifications? Cleaning up your inbox and unsubscribing? 

Or is it something else? 

This is an opportunity to say in 2026, “less is more”. 

For more ideas on creating margin in your life, Finding 1 Hour of Silence Each Week. 

The Quiet Faithfulness of Showing Up

The Quiet Faithfulness of Showing Up

Another goal I set this year: Write and publish one blog post per week.

And with one week left in the year, I can say—I did it.

The days I published weren’t always the same. Some weeks were carefully planned, others were written in pockets of time I had to fight for. But each week, a post went live. Today’s post makes 51 blog posts for the year.

That number still surprises me.

I’m proud of this commitment—not because it was perfect, but because it was faithful.

Writing Without a Map

If I’m honest, there were plenty of weeks when I didn’t know what I was going to write about. That uncertainty brought anxiety at times. I like plans. I like clarity. I like knowing what’s ahead.

But week after week, a topic surfaced. A thought. A reflection. A nudge.

Each post evolved into what it needed to be. Looking back, I don’t think that was accidental. I believe those ideas were promptings—quiet ones—from the Holy Spirit. The words came just in time, not all at once.

And that’s a reminder for me to create space for the Holy Spirit. To listen and discern His voice. And remember that even with all my plans, His plans are greater and much better than mine.

Writing Through a Busy Year

Keeping this commitment wasn’t easy.

Starting a new job in July added stress and pulled my attention in new directions. Life didn’t slow down to accommodate my writing schedule. If anything, it sped up.

But keeping this promise to myself mattered. Writing has always been a place where I process, reflect, and make sense of the world. Choosing to keep showing up—especially when it would’ve been easier not to—was an act of intention.

And it wasn’t just writing for Perspective Confessions.

If you’d told me on January 1, 2025, that I would write over 38,000 words this year, I probably would’ve laughed. It sounds overwhelming. Impossible, even.

But it didn’t happen all at once.
It happened one week at a time.

The Beauty of Day-In, Day-Out Work

This year has reminded me of something simple and profound: progress is made quietly.

There’s nothing glamorous about sitting down week after week to write. There’s no applause. No instant payoff. Most of the work happens unseen.

No matter the goal, progress is built in quiet faithfulness—the daily or weekly decision to keep going.

This is the same theme I’ve been writing about in my other goal reflections this year.

  • With fitness, progress didn’t come from dramatic results overnight, but from consistent movement and honoring commitments.
  • With Bible reading, success didn’t mean perfection—it meant showing up more than I ever had before, learning from what didn’t work, and adjusting.

And now, with writing, the lesson holds true again.

If It Feels Too Big

Maybe you’re staring at a goal that feels overwhelming right now. Too big. Too far away. Too much.

Here’s what this year has taught me:
You don’t have to finish it today. You just have to start—and then keep showing up.

Fifty-two weeks from now, you’ll be much further along than if you never began.

As the saying goes, if you aim for the moon and miss, you’ll still land among the stars.

That’s what this year has been for me—a quiet landing among the stars, built through ordinary, faithful work.

And that kind of progress?
It’s more powerful than it looks.

Progress Still Counts: When the Goal Teaches You More Than the Outcome

Progress Still Counts: When the Goal Teaches You More Than the Outcome

Last week, I wrote about a goal I met: working out consistently for over a year.

It felt good to reflect on that win…not because of aesthetics or numbers, but because it reminded me how much small habits, repeated over time, really do matter. Motivation came and went, but the habit stayed. The consistency carried me on days when I didn’t feel like showing up.

This week, I want to talk about a different kind of goal.
One I didn’t hit the way I planned.
And yet, I don’t consider it a failure.

The Goal I Didn’t “Finish”

At the beginning of the year, I set a goal to read my Bible daily using The Bible Recap reading plan.

As of today, I’m on day 148.

That number needs some context.

It doesn’t mean I’ve only read 148 days this year. On many days, I simply didn’t have the capacity to complete the full reading. Some days I read one chapter instead of several, which meant a single “day” in the plan stretched across multiple nights. And yes, there were days I didn’t read at all.

Even so, I’ve read 12 full books of the Old Testament this year.

That matters more than I think we often allow it to.

What Wasn’t Working

My plan was to read at bedtime — a quiet, reflective way to end the day. In theory, it sounded great. In reality, many nights I was exhausted and falling asleep mid-reading.

That doesn’t mean I lack discipline.
It means I need a better system.

Just like with physical fitness, when something isn’t working, the answer isn’t shame — it’s adjustment.

Reading at bedtime gave me feedback: this time of day isn’t setting me up for success.

The Old Testament Was Hard — And Holy

I’ll be honest: parts of the Old Testament were difficult to read.

  • The sacrifices.
  • The battles.
  • The violence.
  • The endless rules and laws.
  • The genealogies.
  • The censuses.

There were moments I felt overwhelmed, confused, and even resistant.

Slowly — chapter by chapter — something deeper emerged.

I saw a God who rescued His people out of slavery.
A God who parted the waters of the Red Sea and made a way where there was none. A God who wasn’t being restrictive with rules, but teaching a newly freed people how to live as a civilization after generations of bondage.

These laws weren’t cruelty — they were formation.

And the people? They were far from perfect.

Moses.
Abraham.
Isaac.
Jacob.
David.

They had moments of extraordinary faith — and moments of deep failure. They played small roles in a much bigger story. And somehow, God used them anyway.

I see myself in their stories.
Believing… and struggling.
Trusting… and doubting.

A prayer I often pray: “Lord, I believe and help me in my unbelief.”

Why This Still Counts as a Win

Here’s what I know for sure:

I have read my Bible more consistently this year than I ever have before.

If I hadn’t set this goal, I wouldn’t be on day 148. I wouldn’t have wrestled with Scripture. I wouldn’t have learned what time of day works best for me. I wouldn’t have encountered God in scripture the way I have.

This goal gave me progress.
It gave me insight.
It gave me feedback.

And that is not failure.

The Same Lesson, Two Different Goals

When I look at my workout goal and my Bible-reading goal side by side, I see the same truth:

Success isn’t about perfection.
It’s about continuation.

With fitness, I learned that habits carry me when motivation fades.
With Scripture, I’m learning that adjustment keeps me engaged instead of quitting.

Both are teaching me how to be honest and rooted in grace.

So no, I didn’t read my Bible perfectly this year.

Yet I read it more.
I learned more.
And I’m still going.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what success looks like.

What 200+ Workouts Taught Me About Trust, Discipline, and Real Change

What 200+ Workouts Taught Me About Trust, Discipline, and Real Change

This past June, I wrote a post called Halfway Through 2025: New Year’s Goals Revisited. In it, I shared how real transformation doesn’t come from motivation — it comes from strategy, structure, tiny habits, and realistic checkpoints.

Now, after more than a year of consistent workouts, I can say: those small habits have reshaped my health and my mindset.

Fitness Has Been Part of My Life for Decades

Physical fitness has been part of my life since middle school.

Back then, our bonus room in my childhood home was the place I’d pop in a VCR workout tape of:

  • Sweatin’ to the Oldies with Richard Simmons
  • MTV Grind dance workouts
  • Tony Little ab routines

Those videos were my introduction to movement — joyful, sweaty, simple movement.

Through college, I kept working out, and eventually in my mid-to-late twenties, I became a fitness instructor. So yes, fitness has always mattered to me.

Fitness is about overall health, strength, and taking care of the one body God gave me. He gave us a body to steward and to steward well.

This past year reminded me deeply why that commitment still matters — especially now, being in my forties.

In an “On-Demand” World, Slow Progress Feels Invisible

We live in a world where everything is instant — answers, shipping, entertainment, solutions. And in that kind of culture, it’s easy to forget that:

  • Hard work still matters.
  • Progress is often invisible before it becomes undeniable.
  • And results aren’t limited to the number on a scale.

This past year reminded me of that again and again.

There were days where nothing seemed to change… but internally things were shifting.
My clothes fit better.
I felt better in my own skin.
Muscles started to show that weren’t there before.
My lab work improved.
And the way I carried myself changed — confidence grows from keeping your word to yourself.

Muscle takes time. Health takes time. Trust takes time.
And it all starts with the habits no one sees.

What My Health Coach Told Me That I’ll Never Forget

I’ve been working with a health coach, Taylor Lockwood, since 2022 and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made. She said something to me several months back that stopped me in my tracks:

“If you’re breaking promises to yourself, that ripples through your whole life. It creates the inner belief that you can’t trust yourself.”

Whew! That one hit me hard! I’ve reflected on that statement a lot. What seems like a missed workout really is breaking a promise to yourself.

Because every broken commitment is a vote against the person you want to become. But every kept promise — even small ones like showing up for a workout — rebuilds trust in yourself brick by brick.

This year has been about rebuilding that trust.

Health in My Mid-Forties: Why Consistency Matters Even More Now

I’m approaching my mid-forties, and honestly, this season of life has given me an entirely new perspective on why movement matters.

Consistency isn’t just about aesthetics (though those changes are fun, too).
It’s about long-term strength, longevity, and quality of life.

Here’s what working out consistently has taught me about aging well:

  • Aches and pains are often invitations, not obstacles.
    Strengthening the muscles around our joints relieves pressure and reduces discomfort.
  • Blood sugar regulation improves with movement.
    Especially important as hormones shift and metabolism changes.
  • Consistency protects against muscle loss.
    And preserving muscle is one of the most critical factors in aging well.
  • Strength improves balance and stability.
    Which means fewer falls — one of the biggest health risks as people age.
  • Exercise supports hormone health.
    And as a woman in my forties, that matters more than ever.

In short: Consistency today becomes freedom later.

Adjusting, Not Quitting

This year wasn’t flawless. In fact, I faced plenty of obstacles.

I dealt with health changes, started two medications, and struggled with shin splints that forced me to shift from running to other forms of cardio. And honestly? I wish I’d agreed to medication sooner — it helped areas of my health I’d been fighting through for far too long.

But this year wasn’t about perfection.

It was about continuing to show up — even when I had to modify the plan.

Consistency with flexibility beats perfection every time.

Motivation Wanes. Habits Carry You.

People tend to assume consistency is about willpower, discipline, or sheer grit.
But the truth?

It’s about habits.

The tiny, repeatable, predictable actions that don’t rely on how I feel that day.

The same strategies I described in my mid-year goals post carried me through:

  • Implementation intentions (“If it’s Monday at 5 pm, I work out.”)
  • Habit stacking (cardio + listening to a podcast or music)
  • Mini goals to make progress measurable
  • Feedback loops to evaluate without self-criticism

These weren’t just helpful — they were life-changing.

What I Know After a Year of Consistent Workouts

Consistency isn’t glamorous.
It’s not loud.
It doesn’t get applause.

But it is transformational.

This year has taught me:

  • Slow progress is still progress.
  • Change is happening even when you don’t see it yet.
  • Motivation comes and goes, but habits and discipline stay.
  • Keeping promises to yourself builds confidence.
  • You are capable of more than you think — one small decision at a time.

And the biggest transformation of all?

I trust myself more today than I did a year ago.

That’s the kind of change you can’t buy, shortcut, or manufacture.

It’s earned — one workout, one habit, one promise kept at a time.

Stay tuned! I’ll be sharing a cookbook soon of all of my go-to recipes that are fast, easy, and oh so good too!

Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss when it launches!

8 Ways to Stretch Your Holiday Budget With Heart

8 Ways to Stretch Your Holiday Budget with Heart

Is it just me, or has life become expensive?
On a recent grocery trip, I spent over $15.00 to make a Banana Pudding for a work event. The ingredients which were instant vanilla pudding, heavy whipping cream, bananas, Nilla wafers, and Eagle Brand milk. How is it that 5 ingredients cost $15? What in the world? When prices keep climbing and our paychecks aren’t matching the pace, something eventually has to give. And ready or not, the holidays are now here!

Maybe you don’t have money to spend on presents this year. That’s okay. Let’s explore ways we can keep costs down this holiday season and our budgets tight.

Start with honesty.

If you need to scale back gift-giving, tell your friends and family. Be upfront, be honest. Even if it feels vulnerable, do it anyway. You might be surprised by the sigh of relief on the other end—chances are, they’re feeling the pinch too. Your honesty may actually be the first gift of the season.

Now, let’s focus on what we can do instead of what we cannot do.

1. Try drawing names.

Put everyone’s name in a bowl, and draw the person you’ll buy for. Set clear ground rules, like a maximum dollar amount. Make sure whoever sets the rules understands your budget and can help manage expectations.

2. Host potluck-style gatherings.

If you’re normally the holiday host, ask others to bring drinks, sides, desserts, or appetizers. It may take a bit more coordination upfront, but organizing is FREE—and the payoff is that you’re not covering the full cost of the meal.

3. Write handwritten letters.

When was the last time you received a handwritten letter? Or wrote one? In a world of texts, emails, and social media comments, a handwritten note is rare—and priceless.

Write your child a letter about how you’ve seen them grow this year. Write your mom or dad a note recalling favorite memories. A handwritten letter says, “I took time to think of you,” and time is the most personal gift we have.

4. Create art.

Do you like to doodle? Do you have pencils, markers, or paint lying around? Consider drawing something for a friend or family member. Don’t dismiss the idea—like handwritten letters, art is time made visible.

Growing up in Mississippi there was an elderly woman at the Iuka Church of Christ named Lenile Archer. Every year on my birthday, she sent me a postcard—one side a handwritten message, the other side her own artwork. Even as a child, I knew how special it was to receive one of her creations.

5. Offer gift certificates—for your time.

Not the store-bought kind. These cost nothing.

Is someone on your list a new parent? Offer babysitting so they can run errands or have a date night. Do you have a skill someone might need—car maintenance, simple home repairs, organizing, or washing cars? Create a gift certificate for a block of your time and talent. It’s practical, meaningful, and personal.

6. Give experiences.

Maybe you make a great cup of coffee, a signature dessert, or a favorite meal. Maybe there’s someone you’ve been wanting to reconnect with. Invite them over or bring your treats to them. Share conversation. Share memories. Experiences create connection, and connection is a gift.

7. Print photos.

When was the last time you printed a photo? How many sit on your phone unseen? Someone on your list would likely treasure a captured moment—whether it’s old or recent. And many dollar stores still carry affordable frames.

8. Volunteer together.

When our dollars don’t stretch the way they used to, one of the best ways to shift our mindset is to serve others. Look to local churches for families in need. Volunteer at an animal shelter. Visit a nursing home and sit with someone who may not have loved ones nearby. Serving together multiplies joy.

Money is a resource. Time is a resource. Sometimes we have more of one than the other. But blessings can be found in both.

Less money often requires more creativity—and that’s not a loss. Think outside the gift box. You might discover you don’t miss the pile of presents under the tree at all.

The time and experiences you create will last far longer than the latest gadget or trend. Our time with loved ones is limited, and many of the ideas above are rooted in time, not money.

Time is an investment.
So ask yourself:
Do I want to spend it fighting crowds? Scrolling endlessly online? Or sitting face-to-face with the people I love?

Choose your resources wisely this season. Choose connection. Choose presence. Those are the gifts that last. And, they are budget friendly!

100 Days of Prayer

100 Days of Prayer

Last year, an account I follow on Instagram, @bailshenry, shared the goal of not eating out at restaurants for all of 2024!

Considering how busy our lives are…this was an interesting goal. It would be a challenging goal.

Needless to say, she attracted a lot of followers, including me. We watched what she was making at home and serving her family. We watched as she and her family fulfilled their goal.

Bailey also lives in Mississippi and is a graduate from Mississippi State University, both of which are bonuses in my book! #hailstate

Recently, Bailey shared about the practice of 100 days of prayer.

When she shared about this practice, she didn’t think there would be much response. Instead, she was pleasantly surprised.

Many were curious and wanted to know how she did it.

She has a highlight reel on her account about it and shared how she structures hers.

Since the beginning of October, I’ve been struggling with some challenges. I was already praying about it.

Then, I remembered the 100 days of prayer practice that Bailey shared. I re-watched her highlight reels on how she structures hers and then set out to do my own.

I started by writing down the 2 situations that I wanted to pray about for 100 days.

Nothing too in depth. Bullet points about both situations.

I wrote out above the 2 prayer circumstances what the starting date of my 100 days would be and then end date.

It’s important to note that while you can track the 100 days…God is not impressed with the amount of days you are praying.

What is important is that God wants to hear from His children.

And even though He already knows the needs, the circumstances, and situations, He wants to hear from you about it.

If you are a mom or dad, don’t you want to know what on your children’s hearts and minds?

Especially if they are struggling?

Even if you know they are struggling?

With God, it’s no different. He wants to hear from His children.

I’ve never prayed with the same or similar prayer for 100 days.

As I write this, I’m 38 days into the 100 days.

Here are 5 things that I’ve noticed:

  1. For 38 days, I’ve prayed the same or similar prayer over the 2 situations out loud.
  2. There have been times I’ve gotten on my knees to pray. Not every time.
    • Kneeling isn’t something I’ve done often in my prayer life either, however, I can say that it humbles me.
    • It’s a symbol of reverence. He is God, I am not.
  3. These prayers are not limited to only the 2 circumstances.
    • I use this time to pray for other people and situations too.
  4. I’ve been surprised how I like the repetition of praying the same or similar prayer.
    • It is becoming a rhythm in my day. I don’t have to come up with a prayer. I already know and then can add on as needed.
    • Sometimes praying can feel overwhelming with the uncertainty of what to say. The repetition is helpful.
    • I find that I am praying more confidently.
  5. Jeff and I have prayed together more often.
    • We take turns praying.

I didn’t know what to expect when I began this practice. I’m so glad I started and have been consistently praying.

While I don’t have total clarity over the 2 situations, I have slight clarity on a piece of it.

God is moving. And He will answer.

It may not be the answers that I’m looking for or what I want.

That’s ok, too.

I want His voice to be the loudest in my life.

Less of me and more of Him.

Amen.

A Time to be Thankful

A Time to be Thankful

Life seems to be moving at such a break neck speed. I’m having trouble remembering that Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

November usually signals us to count our blessings and name the people, places, and things in which we are thankful. The busyness of life holds us back from slowing down enough to be thoughtful about our blessings.

This leads us to take many people, places, and blessings for granted.

I’m very guilty of this too!

So here is a challenge today.

What would it look like if you were to take 5 minutes today to sit still and reflect on what you are thankful for in your life?

Let’s take it a step further.

What if you put a recurring reminder in your phone to take 5 minutes to be thankful each day?

What do you think that would give to you?

How would it enhance your life?

To take time to be thankful?

It might give you an opportunity to slow down and take a deep breath.

It could be a mindfulness exercise demonstrating that you have a lot more going right in your life than what you what is going wrong.

Our human brains tend to focus on what is going wrong. Therefore, it takes conscious effort to look at what is going right and be thankful.

A very wise friend once shared with me that because we focus so much on the complaints in our lives that it’s not enough to hold complaints in one hand and the positives in the other.

Rather, we have to hold the positives with both hands to truly acknowledge them.

What would it mean if you put down the complaints you have about your life for 5 minutes?

And then held what you are thankful for in both hands? What if you did this everyday?

You just might be surprised that little by little over time your mood and outlook shift to thankfulness.

So, let’s recap. Here’s your challenge:

  1. Put away any distractions.
  2. Take 5 minutes.
  3. Take a deep breath.
  4. Put down your complaints about life for those 5 minutes.
  5. Ask yourself, “what am I thankful for?” “What is going well right now?”

Bonus!

Set a recurring reminder on your phone to be thankful daily for 5 minutes each day.

Would starting your day being thankful work well for your schedule?

Or, would ending your day being thankful work better?

You decide.

Let’s start being thankful right now, today. Ready? Set. Go!

For other exercise prompts for greater overall personal well-being, check out this post about Feelings and Resiliency.