Heaven’s Blueprint

Forgiveness and Boundaries A Devotional Reflection There have been many moments in my life when I allowed things to be said or done to me—and instead of addressing them, I simply swept them under the rug and kept walking forward. Actually, that was  most  of my life. I didn’t believe in myself or my worth. I accepted anything and everything others pinned on me—whether it came from a parent, a teacher, or a bully. I carried it all. In my generation, we were raised not to talk back, and certainly not to question anyone in authority. That left many of us wide open to harm—especially at the hands of people who were supposed to protect us. But I’ve learned something powerful. I’ve learned how to forgive... and how to move forward. In just the last five to seven years, I’ve also learned what  boundaries  are—why they matter, and why it’s not only okay to have them, it’s healthy. It’s holy. We all make mistakes. We all have moments when we don’t shine our best light or spea...

Permission to Parent Differently I parented the way my mom parented—until I hit my late twenties or early thirties. That means our oldest child experienced a more traumatic upbringing than I ever intended. Not because we were abusive on purpose or set out to cause harm, but because we parented the way we were parented. My mom was a single mother after my parents’ divorce. I believe she thought she had to be tough to raise us right. And while there’s a difference between being firm and being harsh, that line often blurred. As the oldest, I bore the weight of her frustration and aggression. I pushed her buttons—I was strong-willed and outspoken—and while I needed boundaries, I didn’t need the moments that went too far… the ones that left invisible bruises on the inside. Though I didn’t repeat the exact things with my kids—thank God—I still see ways I fell short, especially with my daughter. There were a few moments I deeply regret. I wish I could go back and change them… but I can’t. And...

  I’m so glad you loved it! Here’s the updated devotional with   scripture ,   reflection points , and a   closing prayer , while keeping your original voice and flow intact: Time to Take Back My Life As I approached 53, I found myself reflecting on this decade—my 50s. I had high hopes for this chapter. I wanted it to be the one where I finally found  me —the real, true me. It’s been a process, and this year, I heard the Lord whisper something simple but profound: “Build you. Let Me handle the others. Put yourself first.” It sounded freeing, even exciting… but also a bit terrifying. How do you untangle years of false hope, responsibility, and control to truly put yourself first—especially when you’ve been the one holding everyone else together for 35 years? The truth is, I  do  trust God. I’ve watched Him work miracles time and time again. And He reminded me— I’m not the glue. He is. But if I’m honest? I might be part of the problem. That overwhelming ...

God Always Confirms So many times in my life, I’ve run ahead of God—trying to fix or control situations, thinking I was doing the right thing, even believing I had heard from Him. But the truth is,  God never hurries , and He always confirms His word. Yes, there are moments when immediate obedience is required—a quick “yes” in faith. But more often than not, God nudges us and then sends confirmation, usually more than once, especially when we ask Him to. He’s faithful like that. When I’ve rushed ahead in my own strength, even with good intentions, I’ve often found myself exhausted, confused, or needing to backpedal. It’s not that God didn’t give the word—it’s that I forgot to sit with Him long enough to get the full set of instructions. This week, I had the honor of a deep encounter with God. In this moment, He handed me a vision—blessings wrapped in silver and gold, presented on a platter. At first, it felt strange to receive such things. I wasn’t sure how to process it. I’m still...

Fresh Oil So, you’ve stepped into the new wineskin. You’ve broken through the barriers. But now… you feel empty. Depleted. Why? Because the fresh oil hasn’t yet come to fill the wineskin. Here’s the thing—oil takes time. A long time. In the natural, it begins with a single olive seed. That seed must be planted, nurtured, and grown into a tree. It takes seasons to bloom, time to bear fruit. Then comes the harvest—only when the olives are ready. And even then, there’s still the pressing. The crushing. So don’t lose hope. Your oil is coming. It may not feel like perfect timing. It might even seem late. But God is never late. He is always right on time. Keep praising. Keep prophesying to your own heart. Fresh oil is on the way. And when it comes, it will fill you to overflowing— enough for your new wineskin and more. Scripture "But my horn you have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil." —Psalm 92:10 (NKJV) Reflection Points What “pressing” season have you b...

Devotional Title: One Man’s Trash Sometimes I wonder why people hold on to things others would quickly toss away. A friend of mine once saved the cereal box from the first time her son ate solid food. I remember thinking,  I would’ve never even considered keeping something like that. But the truth is—we all value different things. Some people cling to physical mementos, others collect photos, and some hold their memories quietly in the corners of their minds. Lately, the older I get, the more I crave simplicity. I don’t want clutter—physically or emotionally. It actually unsettles me. My husband, on the other hand, is a collector by nature. He doesn’t always need a reason; he just gathers and holds onto things. We joke that he’s hoarding, but in truth, I believe part of it stems from a mindset rooted in fear—fear of not having enough. For me, my love of open spaces and clean lines comes from a deep faith that God will always provide. I don’t need to cling to things because I trust ...