Life Lessons – Long walks and dark chocolate

August 12, 2026 5 Comments

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

This morning I woke up with a few things on my mind. There are several moving pieces regarding our property. There were questions about permits, electrical inspections, a 911 address, and other things I can’t control. I never like being in that place where I don’t know the exact timeline or outcome.

On top of that, I needed to call several printing shops to find a way to help my husband get a piece of his artwork printed. The canvas material we had purchased wasn’t compatible with our printer, and we had a shipping deadline. This had to be resolved today.

My husband and I did our morning devotions, reading from the Old and New Testaments and spending some time in prayer, and then he headed off to work. As I continued to pray, I found my mind constantly wandering back to all those details.

I opened my Bible app to see the verse of the day, and lo and behold, there it was:

“But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41–42, NLT

Immediately, my mouth broke into a grin. I think I even chuckled out loud. This type of thing happens often.

The Lord and His guidance never cease to amaze me. That verse meant more to me sitting on the couch, anxious and distracted, than I think it ever had before. It was personal. It was relevant. And its truth dug into my very soul.

I’m so grateful for the Word of God. It is indeed living and powerful. It pierces through the noise and exposes the thoughts and intentions of my heart.

The things requiring my attention that morning were real. They still needed phone calls, decisions, and follow-up. But somewhere along the way, I had allowed details that needed my attention to become details that consumed my attention.

Jesus reminded me what mattered most.

Permits would get handled. Phone calls would be made. The printing problem would eventually be solved. Some things would happen on my timeline, and others wouldn’t.

But none of those details deserved the place in my heart that belongs to Him.

Reflection: What details are consuming my attention today? Have I allowed something that needs my attention to take my attention away from the Lord?

Looking Up

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2

My husband loves to fish. He enjoys fishing from the shore, and here in Tennessee that often means navigating large rocks, boulders, and steep inclines just to reach the sweet spot.

The other day, while telling me about one of his latest adventures, he said, “I was looking down and lost my balance for a minute, but when I looked up, I found it again.”

Immediately, I could picture it — his footing becoming uncertain, the awareness that one wrong step could lead to a painful fall, and then the simple act of lifting his head. Somehow, looking up helped steady him again.

As soon as I heard it, I thought about how often the same thing happens spiritually.

Life can feel unsteady, uncertain, and unsafe. When my focus stays fixed on the obstacles beneath me, fear has a way of creeping in. But when I lift my eyes to Jesus, I find my footing again.

He steadies what feels shaky.

He quiets my fear.

He reminds me that I was never meant to navigate life alone.

(From a new project I’ve been quietly working on lately.)