Sometimes you must say “no” to say “yes” to what matters most.

I stepped away from an Equipped Disciple commitment and a birthday party this weekend. Not because the ministry and birthday weren’t valuable—they are. But because the Spirit gently convicted me: your first ministry is your marriage. Laura and I needed to recalibrate. Not just emotionally, but spiritually. We are taking this weekend to slow down, listen, and re-center our hearts on the Kingdom of God. And in the stillness, we have discovered something profound:

Providence can often be disguised as clarity.

We started with simple self-awareness: Where are we? What are we building? Are we seeking the Kingdom first? Those questions became sacred ground. And the Lord is meeting us here.

Initially, a weekend of commitments turned into a vision summit for our family. The Lord gave us clarity on four primary areas:

1. Children – We’re moving into our third round of IUI. It’s not just a medical procedure. It’s an act of faith. We’re trusting God’s timing, His mercy, and His power to open the womb.
2. Debt – We’re budgeting $625 per month to pay down debt. In two years, we believe we will be free from it. Not just for financial freedom, but so we can be more freely available to give, serve, and go wherever He sends.
3. Work – I’m refocusing my efforts and approach as Facility Coordinator by strengthening the areas where I am weak; I need to educate myself on a few systems and practices. God is maturing me in excellence as I process what it looks like to succeed in problem-solving.
4. Writing – I’m intentionally writing to publish my first book. God’s providence isn’t abstract. It’s personal, tangible, and present. This blog is the soil where those truths first took root.

What I want you to see is this:

Self-awareness becomes sacred when it leads to transformation.

Providence isn’t always a lightning bolt. Sometimes, it’s a whisper that comes when you make space to truly see your life through God’s eyes.

“And behold, the Lord was passing by! A great and powerful wind was tearing out the mountains and breaking the rocks in pieces before the Lord—but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind, an earthquake—but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, a fire—but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, a still small voice.”

^{— 1 Kings 19:11–12 NASB95}

So let me ask you:

• When was the last time you paused to reflect on your spiritual condition?
• What are you building right now? And whose Kingdom is it really for?
• Is there anything you need to say “no” to in order to say “yes” to what truly matters?

Providence is waiting to be discovered—not just in the future, but here in the present.

He is not just Lord of what comes next. He is Lord over your now.