The Farm Wife Sagas

If you’ve been reading here for a while, you’ve probably noticed that a lot of what I write about comes straight from church. Honestly, I’m just so thankful that my family and I finally found a church home that feels like home. Every Sunday I walk away with something…whether it’s encouragement to share God’s word, a new perspective on life, or just that little nudge I need to keep growing in my faith.

If you know me in real life, you know my walk with Christ hasn’t always been picture-perfect. I’ve always believed, but I’ve also gone through seasons where I wasn’t in church regularly. That’s why it means so much now to be plugged into a place where I’m actually learning, being challenged, and coming out better each week.

This week’s sermon hit me with one simple but powerful reminder: I’m not who I once was.

And wow, is that true. When I look back, even just six or eight months ago, I can see how much I’ve grown. I feel like I’m walking closer with Christ these days, and I hope that shows in the way I live, the way I treat people, and the way I try to spread kindness wherever I go.

But here’s the thing, I don’t always notice those same changes in other people. My pastor used the example of a high school reunion, where everyone still remembers you as who you used to be instead of who you are now. And I’ll be honest, I’ve caught myself doing the same thing. It’s so easy to think, “Well, back in high school they were like this…” instead of saying, “Wow, look how far they’ve come.”

The truth is, we all slip into judging people by their past. We remember their mistakes, their rough patches, their mess-ups, but forget to look at the growth, the changes, and the progress they’ve made.

And let me just say this: I love seeing how so many of my friends from high school and from different seasons of my life have turned out. I’m proud of them. I love watching the families they’ve built, the goals they’ve crushed, the faith they’ve found. It makes me smile to see how God has worked in their lives, just like He has in mine.

So here’s a little challenge for us this week: if someone comes to mind while you’re reading this, stop and think about how far they’ve come. Don’t lock them into who they used to be. Instead, celebrate who they are now. See them the way God sees them…growing, learning, and becoming.

Because here’s the beautiful thing about walking with Christ: we’re not who we used to be, and thank God for that.

Takeaway for the week: Pay attention to the progress in people around you. Notice the changes, celebrate them, and don’t be afraid to cheer someone on. You never know how much they might need that encouragement