From favorite colors and numbers to a surprising encounter with a fennec fox at the zoo, favorites have been a major topic of conversation at our house lately. But the theme followed me all the way to Duluth this weekend, where a live podcast with pro runners Des Linden and Kara Goucher and a shoe coincidence had me asking a deeper question: Does God have favorites?

While the world runs on popularity, performance, and status, Scripture tells us a completely different story about God's heart. In this episode, I’m sharing childhood memories of climbing my grandma’s lilac bushes, a funny incident involving hungry parakeets at the zoo, and a look at Romans 2:11. We are diving into five specific things the Bible says God actually delights in, and how understanding them helps us know His character so much better.

In this episode:

• The 48th birthday milestone and why the number 8 matters.

  
  

• Zoo stories: Hungry parakeets, alligator ponds, and finding a fennec fox.

  
  

• Serving on the race support crew in Duluth and a live podcast connection with Des Linden and Kara Goucher.

  
  

• The truth about Romans 2:11 and why God doesn't play favorites.

  
  

• Five things God explicitly delights in and what they reveal about His heart.

  
  

If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more.

...#faith #devotional #romans211 #bibleverse #christianliving #motherhood #spiritualgrowth #godscharacter #deslinden #karagoucher #brooksglycerin #grandmashalfmarathon #makemondaymatter

What if the ordinary stories you tell have a much bigger destination than you think? This past week at the camper, a random encounter in a grocery store checkout line left my nine-year-old retelling a 50-year-old moon landing story to anyone who would listen. It got me thinking about the lasting impact of the words we choose to share.

In this episode, we are looking at the book of Acts to see why the Apostle Paul repeated his testimony three different times. I'm also sharing my personal come-to-Jesus moment—and how God used a coworker's grocery store invitation to change my life, even when she didn't show up to the retreat herself! If you've ever felt like your story isn't interesting or important enough to share, this episode is a reminder that our job is simply to share what God has done and trust Him with the rest.

In this episode:

• A campground grocery run and a surprise connection to the 1969 moon landing.

• Why the Apostle Paul never got tired of repeating his testimony in the book of Acts.

• Full-circle moments: How working at a grocery store led to a life-changing retreat invitation.

• A reflection on Psalm 66:16 and overcoming the fear that your ordinary moments don't matter.

If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more.

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#faith #devotional #testimony #bookofacts #psalm66 #christianliving #sharingyourfaith #motherhood #roadtodamascus #camperlife #makemondaymatter

Leviticus has a reputation for being the exact spot where annual Bible reading plans go to die. It’s full of mind-fogging rules, overwhelming instructions, and endless lists. But as I turned the page to start handwriting this notorious book, a daily battle with my daughters over the sound of buzzing bees completely flipped my perspective.

In this episode, we talk about why I started handwriting the Bible back in April, how a stressful mistake at work gave me unexpected peace, and why God's intense attention to detail proves He isn't hands-off. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by life's mundane details or stuck in a dry season of faith, this reflection is for you.

In this episode:

• The backstory: Why I started handwriting the Bible in April.

• Brain fog and how we find exactly what we are looking for (the bee principle).

• Why God is like a meticulous doctor who refuses to skip the small details.

• The difference between a simple work mistake and the weight of separation.

• Finding immense gratitude for living on the other side of the cross.

If you enjoyed this reflection, visit makemondaymatter.com for more.

#faith #devotional #handwritingthebible #leviticus #biblereading #spiritualgrowth #christianliving #motherhood #attentiontodetail #makemondaymatter