It's All Write With Kristi – Kristi's Life Morsels

There is a lot of ground to cover in the word of God.

There are many things we face in life – seasons of joy, uncertainty, grief, growth, and waiting. And in every one of those places, there is something for us in Scripture. When we allow God to guide us through His Word, it begins to meet us right where we are – in the middle of our real, everyday circumstances.

This year, I want to challenge us with a simple but meaningful question:
“Where in the Word am I?”

It might sound like an unusual question at first – but pause and think about it. Are you in a season that feels like wilderness? Renewal? Waiting? Restoration? Learning to trust again? The Bible is full of people who stood exactly where we stand now.

So I’m beginning a new series centered on this question. A future book project? You betcha! 😄

The objective is to help us recognize ourselves in God’s Word, grow in understanding, and walk together as we let Scripture speak into our everyday lives. No matter what you’re facing – a situation, problem, worry, or unknown – God’s word has something to say about it.

If you’d like to follow along, I’d love to have you. Feel free to share, reflect, and invite others.

Let’s discover together where we are – and where God is leading us. 🤍

It’s that time of year – the season when FedEx, UPS, and the postal service are running at full speed, working double shifts to get everyone their Amazon orders and packages from all over the world.

People are anxious. We’re all saying the same thing we say every year: “Next year, I’ll be more prepared.” And yet somehow, we blink – and it’s just weeks before Christmas and we haven’t started, or we’re barely halfway done.

Stress kicks in. We gamble on shipping times. We track packages like hawks. We worry if things will arrive on time, if we remembered everyone, if we chose the right thing. Then the deliveries start showing up.

Some are delayed. Some arrive right on time. Some surprise us in good ways. And some… not so much.

You finally open a package you’ve been waiting for – only to realize it’s not what you expected. Maybe the item you ordered was out of stock, and a replacement was sent instead. You didn’t approve it. You didn’t choose it. You just got handed something close enough and told to deal with it.

And immediately you think:
I didn’t order that.

Isn’t that a lot like life?

So often, we find ourselves opening seasons we never asked for. Circumstances we didn’t approve. Outcomes that feel like substitutions for what we were hoping, praying, or believing for.

We ordered peace – yet received chaos.
We ordered clarity – yet received confusion.
We ordered healing – yet received waiting.

And just like those unexpected packages, we’re faced with a choice:
Do we accept the substitute simply because it showed up?
Or do we pause and ask whether this is really what we’re meant to receive?

This season reminds me that not everything that arrives at our door is meant to be kept.

Sometimes God allows delays – not to punish us, but to protect us from settling. Sometimes what looks like a replacement isn’t His provision at all, but a test of our patience, trust, and discernment.

Because faith isn’t about grabbing whatever arrives first – it’s about trusting God with the delivery time, the method, and the outcome.

Maybe as this year slowly comes to an end and we begin thinking ahead to next year, instead of rushing to accept what’s handed to us, we slow down and ask:
Is this really what I ordered?
Is this what God promised?
Or am I tempted to settle because waiting feels too hard?

Sometimes the greatest act of faith is returning what isn’t ours to keep and trusting that God’s timing is better than overnight shipping. Sometimes that person, situation, or opportunity is not part of His perfect plan for us – and we have to swallow our pride, take a risk, and trust that what God has for us is actually better. Just because something shows up in our lives doesn’t mean we’re required to keep it.

Not everything that arrives belongs in our hands or in our hearts. Discernment matters – especially as we wait on the Lord and seek His direction. As we push through the rush toward Christmas, may we remember that God never sends substitutes for His promises. His timing is always perfect, and what He has planned may take longer than we want – but it will always be worth the wait.

And sometimes, faith looks like saying,
“I didn’t order that.”

When you hear the word “incoming,” what comes to mind? Maybe it’s an incoming call, a message, an email, or even an incoming train or tide. Depending on the situation, it could mean urgency, movement, or something headed your way—fast.

But what if we applied the word “incoming” to our faith? When the next wave of stress, anxiety, or unexpected circumstances rush in—could we maybe have a surge of incoming faith?

If you think about it… where does our faith even come from? Is it really ongoing? Is it on the inside us or outside? I’ve heard some might say you don’t really need faith until you need it. So, what is faith in those quiet moments before a crisis? Is it like a spiritual ointment—something you apply when there’s a wound? A sort of medicine cabinet remedy, tucked away until the moment we whisper, “God, I need You now.”

Can we keep our faith on standby like that or does faith need to be alive, stirred, and always active in our lives, even when the skies are clear? In Hebrews 11:1 the word tells us that “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Do we need faith for our faith though?

Do We Need Faith… for Our Faith? This is big. Deep. Because if it’s the evidence of things not seen, then faith must go deeper than what we feel. Deeper than what we fear. It’s not just a hope—it’s a spiritual posture. But here’s the thing: even faith itself takes faith.

It takes faith to trust that faith will work. It takes trust to believe that God is who He says He is, even when everything around you says otherwise. When you’re walking through that foggy season—the one where clarity is nowhere to be found are you wondering when your faith is going to show up and make it better? Or do you turn on that activation of it…and let it rise from within you, even in the cloudy environment.

“Incoming!” — When Faith Must Be Activated I once went through something painful—messy, confusing, faith-shaking. And someone told me, “This is where you need to use your faith.” My faith? It caught me off guard. Because you can believe in people… in time… in logic. But when you’re told to use your faith, it’s not about having it—it’s about invoking it. Activating it. Faith doesn’t just sit still. It responds.

But how does it stay activated? That’s pretty straightforward- by relying on God daily—not just when the crisis hits. And by refusing to deactivate it with doubt, discouragement, or pity.

Is Your Faith Alive… or Asleep?
Ask yourself:

• Is my faith bold? Or passive?
• Is it stirred when life feels unfair?
• Do I speak up for God when people mock faith or say, “So much for your God”?

Living faith is outgoing. It moves. It flows. It doesn’t stay boxed in when life gets hard. Outgoing faith means living like we trust God—even when the outcome is unclear.

Faith Is sor tof like Driving a Car Think about getting into your car. You turn the key or push the button and…you expect it to get you from Point A to Point B. That’s faith. But guess what? You also need:

• Gas
• Working tires
• Brakes
• Oil

Faith is all those moving parts. It’s not just belief—it’s preparation.
And when the tire blows? When the journey stalls? That’s when you shout, “INCOMING!”
And that’s when your faith rushes in—for an outgoing trust that keeps you going.

So… Is Your Faith Incoming or Outgoing?

Maybe it’s both.

• Incoming when it washes over you in surrender.
• Outgoing when you live it boldly and trust God in the dark.

Faith isn’t a button we press or a light switch we flip. It’s a relationship, a rhythm, a lifeline—and it’s meant to be used. So, the next time you feel the pressure coming… don’t panic.

Just whisper,
“Incoming…”
…and watch your faith rise to meet it.

When you see her, does she stand and show the way to the Word — in the ways of God?
Or does she make you question what God is all about?

When you see her, and she sees that lady begging for money,
does she yell at her and call her a coward?
Or does she show compassion and love, offering hope to a soul that feels forgotten?

When you see her, does she gossip about her coworkers,
plotting revenge in her heart?
Or does she say, “I pray for them every day, and I thank God He placed me here for His glory”?

When you see her, does she ridicule and tear down people
because they don’t vote like her or believe like her?
Or does she say, “I long to see them come to know Christ, because He loves them too”?

When you see her,
do you know — without a doubt — that she is saved by the blood of the Lamb?
Or do you find yourself questioning who she really is at all?

I want to share something that recently stirred my heart, something God revealed through a writer’s group I’m part of. It’s about placement—where we are putting ourselves, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Sometimes God works in unexpected ways. But often, it’s not about what He’s doing—it’s about whether we’re in the right place to experience it. Picture this: I’m sitting on my porch, rocking in my chair, resting. And suddenly, God shows up on a motorcycle and says, “Let’s go. I’ve got something to show you. I’m doing something in you.” The problem is… are we even in the chair when He pulls up?

One of the biggest things I’ve learned lately is the need to lay even our everyday things before Him as offerings. We tend to think only the big spiritual moments matter, but God is in the little things too. The getting up, the morning coffee, the commute to work, cooking dinner, folding laundry, sweeping the porch—those are all part of the offering. And when we treat those moments as unto the Lord, like Colossians 3:23 says, about doing everything (even the task of laundry) it shifts our entire perspective.

We get so caught up in the hustle and routine that we forget to rest. And when we don’t make intentional time to slow down, how can we make space for God? No wonder we’re anxious. No wonder we’re overwhelmed. Sometimes, it’s not that God isn’t speaking—it’s that we’re too busy to hear Him.

What if the answer is simpler than we think? Maybe it’s about turning off social media. Maybe it’s about stepping outside for a walk in the park. Maybe it’s just clearing off the porch so we can sit in the rocking chair again. There is such freedom in getting away from the noise—the people, the posts, the comparisons, the things that pull us in the wrong direction. There is peace in the presence of God, but we have to choose it. We have to let go of what’s not good for us. That’s where trust comes in.

He’s not going to force us to follow. He’s not going to drag us out of chaos. But He will invite us into something better—if we’re paying attention. And this message isn’t just for one type of person. It doesn’t matter how old you are or if you’re male or female—this is for all of us. God is moving in the lives of those who make themselves available. He’s working in unique ways with each of us, and no one is left out.

We always have free will. But if we don’t ask for His direction, if we don’t get into His Word, if we don’t make time to be still, we might just miss that moment when He pulls up and says, “Let’s go.” So I encourage you: make space. Clear the porch. Find your chair. Sit. Rest. Because the ride might be to free your mind… Or it might be a mission. But either way, you won’t want to miss it. Take a moment to reflect on that. It’s deeper than it seems.

The bird sings a tune because it simply has to.
As it awakes and takes each step,
There’s a song deep inside—waiting to rise.

It might not always feel like the brightest shine,
but as it rises from within,
it breaks through —
slowly, steadily.

And then,
you begin to see the light’s reflection
has made it’s way —
a realness that is
genuine, true, and honest.

Not because the world is perfect,
But because it was made to sing.
Even after the storm,
Even when the sky is still gray,
It lifts its voice anyway.

So must we.

What do you represent?
What is your cause?
What fills your feed, your thoughts, your conversations?
What spills out from your mouth, your keyboard, your presence?
Where does your focus rest when no one’s watching?

In a world saturated with politics and parties,
With playlists and pop culture,
With movies, meals, and macro-tracking,
What is it that you greet the world with each morning?

Do you share your recipe for pot roast—
or stir the pot to keep the drama hot?

Is it joy you carry?
Or judgment?

Are your posts a breath of fresh air…
or a storm people brace for?

Do you build up with kindness,
or tear down with criticism?
Do you bring peace like a steady flame,
or ignite division just to watch it burn?

Do you light a candle—
or blow someone else’s out?

Are you a smooth, beautiful rhythm—
or a clanging, chaotic noise?

Because whether you realize it or not…
You represent something.
You are leading someone.
The only question is:
Where are you leading them?

If you call yourself a believer—
Who do you truly believe in?
Whose voice is loudest in your heart?
Who is your master?

Your posts may say one thing,
But they reveal something deeper—
Where your hope lies.
Where your compass points.
What kingdom you’re really serving.

There is a higher purpose.
There is a higher calling.

And yes, we can all be better.
We can choose to do better.
To see the better.
To be the better.

To find something good in every single person—
Even those we disagree with.
Can we? Sure we can.
But will we? That’s the real question.

Because we choose, every single day.
With every comment, every post, every pause, every prayer…
We choose what kind of light we bring into this world.

So… what are you choosing today?

Today, I’m frustrated.
It’s been so hard to keep my feelings in and not respond to what some of my fellow so-called Christian brothers and sisters are posting. They just keep adding to the uproar. But honestly—it’s not even about what I feel.
I can only imagine how deeply Jesus must grieve when we squander the opportunity to be carriers of hope and healing… choosing instead to air grievances and tear each other down.

Someone recently asked me, “Did you see so-and-so’s post? Aren’t they supposed to be a Christian?”
That question stopped me in my tracks.
People are watching us. They’re looking for something real—truth, consistency, and hope. But our hope doesn’t lie in politics, heated opinions, or online debates. It’s found in Jesus alone.
And if our actions are just constant reactions to everything that’s stirred up in the world, then maybe we have some heart work to do.

I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of reacting in frustration too.
But God is teaching me to pause, to pray, and to let go.
If someone’s heart isn’t aligned with Christ, no argument will win them over.
Only love will.

That doesn’t mean we ignore truth—it means we speak it with humility, not hostility.

The enemy thrives on confusion, division, and destruction.
That’s why we must be vigilant—not just in what we believe, but in how we live and love. Every post. Every comment. Every share.
It all matters. It’s all part of our witness.
And if our words aren’t leading others toward Jesus…
then what are we even doing?

If your social media is filled with loyalty to a political figure—who, like all of us, is flawed and fallible—then how much more should your loyalty to God be reflected?

Jesus loves all people—on every side, from every background, with every story.
May we begin to hope again for a world that reflects that love.

And until that day comes, may we pray for unity, speak with grace, and reflect the light of Christ in a world that so desperately needs Him.

Friendship can be a beautiful blessing, but sometimes we walk into relationships that slowly drain our spirit, blur our peace, and test our emotional resilience. I’ve recently walked through such a situation, and if you’ve ever felt guilted, manipulated, or spiritually stretched in the name of “being a good friend,” I pray this encourages you.
It took me some time to realize the patterns in this particular friendship. I started noticing a cycle—every time I couldn’t fix a situation or give an answer fast enough, it led to arguments or emotional outbursts. At first, I thought: “They’re a Christian, they just need support. Maybe I’m supposed to be the person who helps them change.”
But the truth is, people will only grow if they want to. And no amount of effort on your part can transform someone who is comfortable staying the same.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23
There comes a danger when taking sides honestly. When they had issues with another mutual friend—someone I had no problems with—they wanted me to choose. They nudged, hinted, and even twisted my words when I wouldn’t speak badly about that person.
I chose to stay neutral. I encouraged prayer, accountability, and humility instead of gossip and judgment. And because of that, I was labeled disloyal. Within two weeks, the two of them made up. Had I taken a side, I would have been caught in unnecessary drama, emotionally worn and relationally fractured.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
Emotional Manipulation in Disguise Over time, I noticed this person often shared my private struggles with others and later used them against me in arguments. When they felt I wasn’t giving them enough attention, they would make passive-aggressive comments like, “Oh, I guess you’re mad at me,” or “You must be having problems with so-and-so.”
What became clear was that our friendship operated on conditional support. If I wasn’t available when they needed me, I was made to feel like I was the problem.
“Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37
I finally stepped back (and this was okay)—not in anger, not with bitterness—but for my own peace and my walk with God. There’s a difference between helping someone through a struggle and being pulled into the very chaos they refuse to surrender to God.
Even Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16). We are not less Christian when we draw healthy boundaries; we are actually walking in wisdom.
I offered prayers, I typed them out, sent them, and sometimes never even received a “thank you.” And though I know prayer isn’t for praise, their disregard told me they weren’t seeking God—they were seeking control. They wanted me to fix things they hadn’t even handed over to Him.
At one point, they said I wasn’t a “real friend” for choosing to spend my only free time with my family instead of listening to them vent. That was a hard line for me.
Sometimes people operate from wounds they haven’t addressed, and while we can empathize, we cannot fix them. That’s God’s work.
We must understand: Not everyone who walks with us is meant to stay forever. You are not the enemy for creating space to breathe. You are not wrong for choosing peace. You are still a loving friend—even when your love requires distance.

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” – Romans 12:18

“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” – Amos 3:3

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

In the spirit of Mother’s Day, I find myself reflecting on my mom—a vibrant soul whose presence is deeply missed. As this special day comes around each year, the sadness washes over me because I can’t spend it with her. We always made it a point to visit, to spend time together, and I’d search for the perfect gift to make her smile.

In those last few years, it was either a charm for her Pandora bracelet or one of those Willow Tree figurines she adored. I’d look forward to finding just the right one—something that held meaning for both of us. Now, that anticipation has been replaced with emptiness.

I still have her bracelet, and on Mother’s Day, I’ll wear it. Each charm tells a story, a piece of her heart in every link—a reminder of the woman she was and the love she gave so freely. That’s just who my mom was—a woman who carried her love and her memories like charms on a bracelet, each one precious, each one irreplaceable.

I miss hearing her sing or share her latest favorite song with me. I miss her being there for my kids’ sports games and school events. I miss our little chats. So many things that might seem small—but were actually so big.

Times like these, I can’t help but wonder what heaven is like. What is she doing? Who is she spending time with? Grandma and Grandpa? So many family members and friends who have gone before us. There is no absence quite like that of a mom.

I’ll spend time with my kids, and they always try to make the day special for me. But amidst all the celebrations is that lingering longing for the days I spent with my mom. I wish I had surprised her with flowers more often, with little treats and spontaneous visits. Those opportunities are gone now, but the memories remain.

If you still have your mom, embrace her. Love her. Celebrate her. And don’t wait for a special occasion to show her how much she means to you.