Grace Begins Where Judgement Ends

 “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” ~ James 4:6

He slipped through the church doors sixteen minutes late, his breath still catching from the hurried walk. Heads turned. Eyebrows lifted. A few people sighed. One woman shook her head with a disappointed look that felt heavier than any shouted rebuke. The usher hesitated as if deciding whether he even belonged, then he pointed him to an empty pew.

Luke sank into it, heat creeping up his neck. He’d already missed almost half the sermon. He tried to pray, to listen, to be present… but all he could feel was the weight of being noticed, judged, and quietly dismissed.

After the service, no one spoke to him. They brushed past with polite smiles. He walked back out into the gray morning feeling smaller than when he arrived.

Luke almost didn’t go to his next stop. He knew he'd be thirty minutes late if he did.

He sat in his car for almost ten minutes staring at the brick building. There were no stained glass windows or statues here, only a hand-lettered sign and a tired coffee maker that hadn't brewed any hope for years.

He thought about driving away; about stopping at a bar instead. He fought the urge to surrender to the storm tearing him apart inside.

But when he opened the door, the room fell silent. Chairs scraped back. People stood. A friend said his name, relief thick in his voice. “Luke! Welcome brother… we’re glad you made it.”

They didn’t glare. They smiled. They didn’t pull away. They leaned in. They didn’t judge his lateness. They celebrated his arrival. One by one, arms embraced Luke. A few eyes betrayed the emotion they tried to hide. They didn’t need to ask why… they knew.

Here, being late wasn’t failure. It was survival. It meant he’d nearly lost… but showed up anyway, fighting for life over alcohol.

Quivering, Luke lowered himself into a seat and felt a quiet peace seep into his chest. The leader nodded gently. “Let’s pick up where we left off.” And the meeting continued - not because they had paused for a problem. But because they’d just witnessed a small miracle.

We never know what battles people fight just to show up. Some arrive late to church, to life, to hope… not from indifference, but because they almost didn’t make it at all.

What if instead of measuring worth by punctuality, polish, or perfection, we measured it by courage? What if we paused, opened our arms, and welcomed people as if their very presence might be a victory? Because sometimes, the greatest miracle isn’t who arrived on time… it’s who arrived at all.

Lord, thank You for places where grace beats judgment, and love is stronger than shame. Teach us to welcome one another as You welcome us - patiently, gently, and with open arms. Give us hearts that rejoice when the broken come seeking hope. Amen

Sacred Inheritance

 “Grandchildren are a gift to the aged and reveal the beauty of family legacy.” ~ Proverbs 17:6

The first time Jon cradled his granddaughter, profound wonder flooded his heart, like a sacred hymn sung in a breathtaking new key. Her tiny fingers curled around his with a soft, trusting grip. His soul cracked wide open to a tenderness he never knew was possible.

But even more than the miracle of this perfect new life, it was the sight of his own daughter crossing the threshold into motherhood that shattered his composure.

He remembered her childhood: chasing fireflies on summer evenings, braiding her dolls’ hair, whispering prayers at bedtime. He recalled scraped knees and Christmas mornings, recalled the way she once clung to his hand as though his grip could steady the entire universe.

Years passed the way they often do, slow and sweet as honey. Then, almost suddenly, she stood before him no longer his little girl, but as a woman, radiant in ways he’d yet to fully comprehend.

Nothing prepared him for the glow in her eyes now.

He saw it the instant she lifted her daughter—the awe softening her features, the gentleness reshaping her posture, the quiet resolve threading through every breath. She held her baby as though receiving a gift entrusted to her by God.

As Jon watched her settle into the rocking chair, humming the same lullaby his late mother once sang to her, a reverent stillness filled the room.

In that soft glow, he realized he wasn’t simply watching his daughter become a mother. He was sensing God’s faithfulness passing from one generation to the next.

He saw that her tenderness soothed the baby’s cries. He saw it in her selflessness through sleepless nights. He saw it in her devotion, in the way she memorized every eyelash, every expression, every miracle of her newborn child.

Gratitude washed over him like a wistful tide. All the years - the hard days, the whispered prayers, the hope that she would one day know the kind of love that both humbles and sanctifies - had brought him to this sacred moment.

“Dad?” she whispered, catching the tears pooling in his eyes. “You okay?”

Jon nodded, “Just proud of you!” his voice thick with emotion. “More than you’ll ever know.”

She smiled with the same sweetness she once offered him as a child, now fortified by a woman’s strength. “I learned from the best!”

He reached for her hand, once small and trusting, now steady and sure. She was holding her own child with a confidence that nearly paralyzed him with joy.

And in that moment, peace washed over him. Becoming a grandfather was more than welcoming a new life to cherish. It was witnessing God’s faithfulness unfold from one generation to the next.

So Jon whispered this prayer:

“Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of witnessing my daughter become a mother. Bless this little one with health, joy, and love. Thank You for the gentle ways You reveal Yourself in these quiet moments. Amen

Under the Sycamore

 “You are never alone, for I am always here.” ~ 41:10

Laura came to the park most afternoons, settling on the same bench under the old sycamore tree. Its branches stretched skyward as if in silent prayer. She carried a solitude that felt both sacred and heavy—a quiet isolation sharpened by modern expectations.

The weight of being a thirty-something, single woman applauded her independence yet questioned her choices. She owed her strength to her voice, yet society's unspoken judgments sometimes made the room feel smaller, as if others shrank away from her self-reliance.

Among the branches and benches, Laura’s loneliness echoed softly. Watching life unfold was safer than joining it. She observed the world, aching at times, burdened by the weight of her own distance.

Couples laughed in a language that seemed just beyond her reach, while families moved together in a rhythm she hadn’t yet mastered. She watched children chase birds and wondered whether she would ever feel that free, that safe, that noticed.

Laura listened to the wind rustling the leaves, to the gentle rhythm of her own heartbeat, to the whisper in her soul. In the stillness, she felt God’s call: “I am here. You are not alone.”

Looking closer, Laura truly began to notice those around her—a mother soothing a fussy toddler, an old man feeding ducks with focused attention, and strangers passing with silent burdens of their own. Life began to flow back in.

She started with small steps: a warm smile to the mother, a polite nod to an old man, letting her presence quietly acknowledge theirs. Subtle, yet each became a tiny conduit for grace.

Over time, her presence stretched outward. She offered a spare blanket to the mother with the restless toddler. She shared coffee with the old man by the pond, listening intently as he spoke of a love that endured beyond loss. Laura smiled at a weary stranger on the path, and occasionally, a small spark of connection flickered back.

She felt God’s hand guiding her, showing that grace was not meant to be hoarded, but shared through small acts of kindness. What had once been a wall of isolation was becoming fertile ground for compassion and empathy; a bridge reaching outward to a broken world.

The bench beneath the sycamore had become more than a place to rest; it was a sanctuary from the constant demands of life’s expectations. In the patient rhythm of stillness, God was shaping her into someone whose quiet presence could meet others right where they were.

In the hush of the park, Laura realized that her loneliness carried purpose. Even in solitude, she was never abandoned. Her quiet moments were rich with possibility—a space to root herself in God’s peace, cultivating the courage, patience, and empathy her voice needed to truly flourish.

She lifted her face to the sky, letting the breeze brush her cheeks, and whispered a prayer:

‘Heavenly Father, turn the ache of my loneliness into a channel of Your love. May it become a bridge that points others to You. Amen"

Bubbles Up

 “He reached down and pulled me from deep waters.” ~ Psalm 18:16

Caleb had weathered storms before, but nothing like the one that struck that afternoon. The sea had been calm, almost serene, until the horizon darkened without warning. Winds surged. Swells rose violently, as if the ocean had come alive, heaving and surging with a fierce, relentless vigor.

The first wave struck with crushing force. The second flipped the small boat. A third pulled Caleb into the dark, icy depths, swallowing all his senses.

Panic stealing his breath, Caleb tumbled in the darkness. He kicked blindly, unsure if he was swimming toward the surface or plunging deeper into the sea’s merciless depths. The deep disorients quickly.

Somewhere in the chaos, a memory pushed through, the faint echo of his grandfather’s steady voice standing on the harbor dock years ago: “When you’re lost underwater, forget your instincts. Breath Out! Watch the bubbles. They always rise.”

It seemed crazy to release precious air, but with the only guidance he had, Caleb exhaled. For an instant, nothing happened. Then silvery bubbles drifted upward through the darkness, fragile but unstoppable.

Caleb followed, kicking weakly at first, his lungs begging for air. He kept his eyes focused on the tiny messengers pulling hope upward with them.

As dizziness threatened, the blackness loosened. Then light - murky and fractured - but definitely within reach.

He broke through the surface, inhaling air like a man reborn. Rain hammered the waves. Lightning tore open the sky. But he was alive, clinging to a floating fragment of his shattered boat.

Hours later, a searchlight swept the waves. Rescue had arrived. Yet Caleb knew the true saving began long before, down in the silent depths. Rising bubbles pointed him toward Light with something as simple as rising breath.

Caleb survived only after surrendering fully to the One who not only commands the oceans but also gently guides His followers through them. In that instant, he understood that even in the darkest times, even when storms terrify, God’s hand guides toward the Light.

Salvation doesn’t always come with thunder. It never splits the sky. Sometimes it comes quietly, as a gentle lift toward hope, a whispered direction when our strength fails. This is the way He works, steady and unseen.

The One who parts seas is the same One who lifts us when we sink. The Light above the surface, the Light we pursue even when we can’t yet see it… is Christ Himself.

So, follow the rise. Follow that gentle pull. Pay attention to the small, faithful signs He sends through the depths of despair. Even the tiniest bubble is a reminder that God is near. Every step toward His Light brings life, protection, and hope far greater than we can imagine.

Father God, when the waters rise and the way grows dark, remind us that You are always near. Teach us to release our fear, to look for the signs You place before us, and to follow the gentle nudge of Your Spirit toward Your light. Amen 

Never Meant For Keeps

 “Use your gifts to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.” ~ 1 Peter 4:10

The 7-Eleven parking lot glowed under tired streetlights, softening the harsh edges of the night. His boots felt heavy after a grueling construction shift, his body tired in a way that made everything slow down. Luis Alvarez stepped inside for a quick bite and a moment to breathe.

In the restroom, a splash of cold water on his face brought him back to life. That’s when he saw it: a black nylon fanny pack sitting entirely alone on the counter, no one around. He waited, listening to the quiet hum of the building, but its owner never appeared.

Curious, Luis opened it.

Inside lay a thick stack of cash—thousands of dollars bundled together with rubber bands. His breath caught. Heart pounding, he zipped it shut and stood frozen, staring at his reflection.

He thought of his own endless bills and his truck that barely ran. But a deeper conviction anchored him. Instead of leaving with it, Luis carried the bag to the manager, who placed it the store’s safe.

Miles away, the owner of the bag had no idea it was missing. At twenty-four, he was running on fumes, driving blindly down the highway when panic forced a cold sweat across his neck.

The money wasn’t just savings—it was everything. He’d sold his entire Pokémon collection, years of rare cards and childhood memories, to help pay for his sister’s urgent medical procedure. Now he’d carelessly thrown it all away.

Luis spent the next several days trying to find him, armed with only the manager’s vague memory of a man in a light green shirt. He kept returning to the store after work, asking questions and hoping for a miracle that didn’t seem likely.

On the fourth evening, the glass doors flew open. A young man rushed in, visibly shaking, asking in a trembling voice if anyone had found a black fanny pack.

Luis stepped forward quietly and said, “I’ve got it.”

Outside in the parking lot, Luis handed it over. The young man unzipped it and immediately broke down, sobbing at the sight of the undisturbed cash. Relief and disbelief washed over him as he choked out the story of his sister's illness.

He tried to offer Luis some of the money, but Luis stepped back, a warm smile filling his face. "Keep it," he said kindly. "Take care of your sister.”

Long after the young man's car vanished into the horizon, Luis stood beneath buzzing streetlights. He thought about how strange life could be—how a single unwatched moment could reveal a person’s true character.”

He hadn’t done anything heroic. Faced with a choice in an empty room, he’d simply chosen the path that kept his soul clean before God.

Loving Father, give us the courage to do what’s right even when it’s difficult, and the wisdom to value people over possessions. When temptation speaks louder than truth, strengthen us to act with integrity in every hidden moment of our lives. Amen

Prepping the Heart

 “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”~ John 7:24

Mark arrived early, steam rising from his coffee, whispering a prayer, offering the day, the sweat, and his own his own clumsy heart to God. “Lord, let this service be more than manual labor, let it be a reflection of Your love.”

But the moment he stepped inside, his devotion seemed to vanish. A teenager slouched near the drop cloths, his oversized hoodie pulled low, earbuds sealing him into his own world. Hands buried deep in his pockets, he didn’t even glance up.

Great, Mark thought, cynicism flaring hot. Another kid who’ll disappear the moment heavy lifting begins. “Morning,” Mark offered, weaker than intended. The kid gave a silent nod.

Mark instantly formed an entire opinion from a single snapshot: lazy, unmotivated, entitled. “Was this court-ordered community service?” he grumbled silently, aggressively rolling a stipe of color onto the drywall?

Sometime later, Fran burst through the door, radiating her usual sunshine. “Wonderful, you’ve already met Jacob!” she beamed. “He sneaked in at dawn to prep the entire room before we arrived. He even brought his own supplies from home,” she added.

Jacob slipped out one earbud, offering a tentative smile. “The sanding’s done; all the border taping too,” he muttered. “I didn’t want to interrupt while you were painting.”

A flush crept up Mark’s neck—the stinging heat of shame and revelation. His rigid assumptions crumbled like dry plaster. All he’d seen was a slouch and a hoodie, mistaking shyness for arrogance. He had overlooked the hands that rose early, the unseen hustle, and the devotion poured into God’s house of worship.

Mark parked his roller, his tone quieter now. “Jacob… I completely misread you. I’m so sorry

Genuinely unbothered, Jacob shrugged “It’s alright. I’m not good with new people. I just… like to work. Helps me feel useful.”

They painted in tandem, their brushes striking a steady rhythm of grace. With every sweep of new color, Mark felt the Holy Spirit’s gentle pressure on his heart. He recalled a familiar verse: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

How often had he failed to see others through Christ’s eyes?

Sunlight flooded the sanctuary, warming the freshly painted walls. Mark knew he’d received something more precious than a lesson in painting. The Holy Spirit had stopped him in his tracks, forcing him to look closer, and to see through the lens of Grace. Bowing his head, he breathed a prayer that wasn’t flashy or polished… just deeply honest. (below).

When he opened his eyes, the room seemed much brighter. As if God’s invisible Hand had brushed a coat of mercy across the walls, leaving a vibrant, lingering warmth echoing in his chest.

Heavenly Father, teach me to see as You see, to love as You love. Let my hands follow Your will and my heart mirror Your grace. Strengthen me when I falter, open my eyes to the faithful work done in silence, and let me reflect Your love in all I do. Amen

True Blue

 Do to others what you would have them do to you!” ~ Matthew 7:12

The day felt like a sauna. Heat glimmered off the pavement like a Sahara mirage; weather that invited deep calm and shady rest. By early afternoon, Lupe’s day was nearly half done. Despite the oppressive heat, the 85-year-old pushed a mower across an emerald-green yard, intent on keeping it looking beautiful.

His labor was no longer by youthful vigor, but of sheer discipline and pride that honest work etched onto his soul. His work ethic was driven by a deep sense of responsibility and resilience.

Two patrolling officers, concerned about Lupe’s safety, decided to stop and check on the elderly man. Extreme heat can be dangerous - even fatal for someone his age.

So they offered to do the job for him. The octogenarian appeared visibly relieved and grateful for their help.

Turns out, Lupe was actually mowing a friend’s lawn in the oppressive heat. The policemen finished that yard, then proceeded to mow Lupe’s yard, prune his bushes, and complete other random work around his home.

Neighbors gathered, impressed by the officers’ commitment to serving their community in more ways than just enforcing the law. They explained why Lupe was so exhausted. He’d been tending their yards and watering plants, from sunrise to sunset, since moving in thirteen years ago. Expecting nothing in return, Lupe worked from the goodness of his heart, and also to make their entire neighborhood more beautiful.

They praised him as more than a neighbor, but as a friend and role model, embodying the very essence of community spirit and kindness. They likewise found inspiration in the officers’ humility and selflessness. It was the perfect example of the Golden Rule unfolding in real time.

Kindness is a virtue pleasing to God and a spiritual gift. Kind-hearted people are the glue that keeps society from imploding. They seek bonds and purposely work at maintaining them. When we acknowledge them, nurture and support them, the entire community rises. Helping others at the right moments creates powerful waves into future generations.

Yet, life can sometimes be the hardest for the kind-hearted. Generously giving to others makes them wonderful - a blessing to everyone in their orbit. But it can take a toll on them too. Motors in constant motion, they seldom take enough time for self-maintenance and refueling. As such, they can be prone to exhaustion, burnout, and compassion fatigue.

Think of the people in your life who continuously give to others in need. They’re probably the most empathetic, emotionally intelligent, and sensitive souls you know.

The care they give others must come back to them. Love them the right way or lose them. So, encourage them to occasionally shift their focus and recognize that their needs must also be cared for. Help them remember why they’re valued beyond their ability to serve others.

Almighty God, Your Golden Rule stands as a timeless reminder to love and respect others. It's yet another call for empathy and understanding another’s situation and point of view, especially when different from our own. Amen

A Field of Flags

 "Jesus came not to be served, but to serve others." ~ Mark 10:45  

The flag snapped in Arlington’s late May wind, but Malik barely noticed it. He never believed in war. To him, the cemetery’s vast expanse wasn't a site of honor; but a map of human failure. He saw the white headstones not as monuments, but as a ledger of lives traded for pride and slogans.

He looked down at the crinkled photo he’d found in his grandfather’s old cedar chest. He hadn’t meant to open it, but once he did, he couldn’t forget it.

Three young men leaned against a jeep, grinning with hope, or courage, or simply naivety. Malik stood among the graves, uneasy in a way he couldn’t explain.

“First time?” an older man in a worn military cap asked.

Malik nodded. “Yeah. probably my last. I don’t believe in any of this. The flags, the parades... it feels like we're dressing up a tragedy and calling it victory.” His words hung in the air, sharp and unfiltered.

The man studied him somberly. “Son, the soldiers buried here knew war was ugly. We’re not here to celebrate it, but to honor the ones who walked into the fire so we wouldn’t have to.”

The words landed heavier than Malik expected. Before he could answer, the first notes of “Taps” drifted across the hills.  The melody was haunting—a slow, fragile climb that seemed to suck air from his lungs. He looked down at the photograph again—three young faces frozen in time.

“I still hate war,” Malik whispered, the words losing their edge.

“You should,” the man replied. “Just don’t let that hatred blind you to the ones who paid for it.”

The music moved through the rows of headstones, touching each one the same—without rank, without distinction. Malik’s gaze followed, and something shifted. These weren’t symbols; they were endings—lives interrupted, futures erased.

It was sacrifice. And that made it heavier, more real.

He stepped forward and knelt at a nearby grave. He didn’t recognize the name, but it no longer mattered. Brushing away a stray leaf, he felt his throat tighten as the truth settled in. He had spent so long rejecting war that he’d never considered the people inside it.

“I thought this day was about justifying it,” he said.

The older man shook his head. “Not at all. It’s about remembering those who never got to come home and argue about it.” Then he turned and quietly walked away.

The final note faded into the silence of the Virginia afternoon, leaving something deeper behind. Malik looked out over the sea of white markers, the flags waving in unison, and felt the tension in his shoulders ease.

He still didn’t believe in war, but he believed in them, and now he understood why he’d come.

Lord, help us remember with gratitude, honor with humility, and live in a way worthy of the sacrifice given. Bless the peace-makers that drive us toward harmony requiring no more headstones. Amen

Lifting the Fallen

 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.” ~ Proverbs 116:15

As Memorial Day approached, the small town prepared for its annual remembrance ceremony at the Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery. Rows of white crosses and fluttering American flags stretched across the green hillside, each one bearing the name of someone who had given everything for others they would never meet.

This year, forty-seven year old, Staff Sgt. Daniel Reeves would be remembered after dying in Iran earlier that year.

The Mayor worried there would be no family present. Both of Daniel’s parents had since passed and his only daughter was overseas serving as a military nurse, unable to return home in time.

A few aging veterans planned to attend, but the forecast promised heavy rain, and many feared the ceremony would be sparse. So the town invited anyone who felt moved to attend.

At first, only a few gathered beneath gray skies—an elderly veteran in dress uniform, a teacher with two students, even a young man who’d received a second chance that Daniel never spoke of.

Then more people arrived.

A waitress from the diner came carrying flowers. Teenagers from the high school football team stood shoulder to shoulder in silence. A mother brought her young son so he could “learn what courage looks like.” Even travelers passing through town pulled over when they saw the flags and joined the growing crowd.

By the time the ceremony began, the hillside was filled.

Rain fell softly as the chaplain stepped forward. He looked across the sea of umbrellas and bowed heads. “We were told Sergeant Reeves might have no one here today,” he said gently. “But looking around now… I believe an entire nation showed up.”

Stories surfaced—Daniel repairing a neighbor’s roof after a storm, visiting lonely veterans at the nursing home, encouraging military families through handwritten letters. Piece by piece, people realized heroism is often found in quiet acts of sacrifice, kindness, and love.

When the ceremony ended, no one rushed away. Veterans saluted. Children placed flowers beside weathered stones. Some simply stood in silence, letting gratitude say what words could not.

As the honor guard deftly folded an American flag, Daniel’s daughter watched by livestream from her military base overseas. Tears filled her eyes as she saw the crowd stretching far beyond her wildest expectations. “He’s not alone,” she whispered. And he wasn’t.

For a moment, political differences and personal worries seemed smaller than the truth standing before them all: freedom has always been carried by ordinary people willing to give extraordinary things for others.

Today they remembered more than one soldier. They remembered sacrifice, unity, and that courage leaves fingerprints on generations it may never meet. Beneath rain and waving flags, strangers stood together—not bound by blood, but by gratitude.

Gracious Lord, on this Memorial Day, help us never forget those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. Teach us to honor their sacrifice with lives marked by courage, compassion, and service to others. Amen

The Finisher

 “He’s refining you, not with silver, but by the furnace of affliction.” ~ Isaiah 48:10

As a child, Sheri loved reading stories—but hated waiting for the ending.

She’d eagerly devour the opening chapters, quickly falling in love with the characters, only then surrender to impatience halfway through. Unable to bear the suspense, she’d flip straight to the final pages.

Would they survive? Fall in love? Find what they were searching for?

The moment she discovered the ending, relief would wash over her. But, the magic evaporated, too. Once the mystery was solved, the tension faded, the stakes softened, and the beauty of the journey was  lost beneath the comfort of certainty.

That same impatience followed her into adulthood. Now in her thirties and single, she yearns to know how her story ends. She dreams of marriage, of children, of where her calling will lead. She watches her parents age and quietly wonders how many chapters remain. She prays urgently for nonbelievers, longing to know whether faith will ever find them.

Like a detective searching for clues, she looks for reassuring signs that everything will work out. If only she could turn to the last page and see that it does.

That craving for certainty is an ancient echo - the same murmur heard in Eden: “God is holding the best parts back from you.”

So often, we believe peace comes from knowing the plan rather than trusting the Planner who walks with us through the fog.

Our stories are not autobiographies. We aren’t holding the pen.

We belong to a deliberate Creator who wastes nothing—not a heartbreak, not a delay, not even a season of silence. Every unexpected twist, every unanswered prayer, and every painful chapter becomes a tool in the hands of a loving Author who sees the entire story from beginning to end.

In the messy middle—where the sentences are unfinished and the ink is smeared with tears—God does His best work—refining our faith, teaching us endurance, and shaping character that can handle the epilogue’s glory. He already knows its beautiful conclusion.

So don’t lose heart, no matter how messy or uncertain the current chapter reads. Life may look like a book of tattered pages and unfinished sentences, but the pen has never left His hand.

Maybe your pages hold financial struggle, relational heartbreak, illness, or dreams that seem to drift farther away with every passing year. Maybe you’re discouraged by heaven’s silence. The weight of it all may tempt you to close the book.

But don’t close the book. Your story isn't over; the Author hasn't walked away from the desk.

The Finisher is faithfully weaving every broken thread, every delay, and every unanswered question into a conclusion more beautiful than anything you could have imagined for yourself.

Heavenly Father, I know You’re writing my story with wisdom and grace. Disorder is not my ending… but my refinement. Teach me to rest in Your authorship, knowing that You are weaving every chapter into a masterpiece of hope, redemption, and purpose. Amen