peace

Take The Good With The Bad…

/ The WheatandTares / Leave a comment

I went for a walk the other day, actually two days in a row, and I caught a glimpse of beautiful sunsets both nights. The pictures I was able to capture just really didn’t do great justice to the reality of the moments because they were truly breathtaking.

Yet literally 2 minutes before each of these sunsets, I ran into this. Both nights. Almost in the same place. Had I not been on high alert, watching each night, those moments could have ended so differently…

The first night, I looked down, saw that little guy almost under my foot. And I jumped over him like a gazelle! Talk about an adrenaline rush. I turned around just to make sure it wasn’t a stick I’d imagined. Nope. It was real. He looked at me with his menacing, beady little eye. I laughed at myself minutes later, thinking if anyone had seen me, they might have wondered if I just had a sudden hurdle-jumping-imagination. Haha. Surely, they couldn’t see what I saw right there on the pavement.

The second night, right about the same time, I was looking and searching, just to make sure there wasn’t another. Lo and behold, there he was again. Pretty sure it was the same little guy. I walked clear around him this time and circled back, thinking he must be dead and just simply stuck on the road. Nope. He turned his head to look my way. I skedaddled quickly out of range.

Got the pictures to prove it, though. And you better believe that third night, I went way on the other side of the road. Nope. I’m not gonna give him a chance at “three times a charm” to strike me! I actually don’t think he was still there, but nope. Not gonna take a chance!

However, here is my whole point in this story: I have a choice to dwell on the beauty of the sunset or the anxiety producing copperhead. I can think about the endless possibilities of running into that little game changer again, or I can reminisce about those golden pink streaked skies and search for another awestruck evening. It’s my choice.

And that’s exactly how life is. There’s always going to be good and bad. There always going to be days when everything seems to be beautiful, and we feel like we are “topping trees.” And then, there’s gonna be others when we’d like to be buried under those trees. Those marks on our calendar will appear when we wish they’d never have come to us and when we’d like to see them never come again.

And every single time, we will have a choice to decide what and where we will place our focus. We get to determine what stays in our realm of contemplations and what we toss out.

And what stays often establishes what we see tomorrow and the next day and the next.

See, even though that third day, I cautiously walked on the other side of the road, even though I might have fought a little internal flutter of trepidation, I was intentionally going to look for that setting sun to show out just a little brighter. And just as I got ready to go chasing that sunset, my eye caught movement up on the little incline. Right about the place that mean ol’ juvenile was the night before…

(A little out of focus, but a sweet memory still.)

Had I stayed away out of fear, walked by too quickly out of anxiety, or just simply looked away to avoid the horror, I would’ve missed this new little guy who came along to visit.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things arejust, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

Quiet Constancy

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

You are a quiet constance in my life. 

Always there. Always filling space. 

Quiet, calm, and steady. 

Never imposing. Never crowding. 

Simply there awaiting my awareness. 

Awaiting my world to settle back to You again.

You are a peaceful Journey in my life. 

Always present. An always consuming pace. 

Tranquil, serene, and still. 

Never invading. Never intruding. 

Simply there awaiting my attention. 

Awaiting my mind to turn back to You again. 

You are a compelling Force in my life. 

All encompassing. All enveloping. 

Strong, encouraging, and favored. 

Always faithful. Always true. 

Simply there awaiting my realization. 

Awaiting my heart to yield to You again. 

You are a commanding Voice in my life. 

All protecting. All consuming. 

Fierce, advocating, and victorious. 

Always trustworthy. Always just. 

Simply there awaiting my revelation. 

Awaiting my soul to surrender to You again. 

5/2/26 – MG

Be still and know I am God.

Psalm 46:10

Allow for Some Goodbyes

/ The WheatandTares

Change brings adjustments in relationships.

Adjustments bring uncomfortable conflicts.

Conflicts bring choices to remain or walk away.

When you are seeking to better yourself, sometimes, it will irritate those who want to remain the same.

When you are moving beyond the trauma, sometimes, those who enjoyed the drama will want to stay.

When you are healing and pursuing something better, sometimes, those who liked you broken cannot handle the new strength.

And that’s ok.

Keep walking ahead.

Keep healing from the past.

Keep moving forward toward wellness, peace, and joy.

Those who are meant to go with you will arrive.

Those who aren’t will remain where you were.

And that’s ok.

To thrive, sometimes you have to say goodbye to the old you and also to the old them.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14

Distance From Stupid

/ The WheatandTares

Distancing yourself from stupid people requires fortitude and repetition.

I’d have to say distancing yourself from dramatic people is even more essential

For often, stupidity and drama seem to go hand in hand, and these seem to multiply when you’re not looking.

But if you’ll take a moment to assess your surrounding and evaluate your relationships, stupidity and dramatic response can be weeded out and set apart.

You just must decide if you want peace or attention and popularity.

If peace is your goal, then the distance is an easier trek than if your desire is to people please.

If peace is your ambition, you will embrace it with vigor and pursue it with passion.

And where peace abides, stupidity and drama are closed out by the gates of solitude and tranquility, and shadowed by an overwhelming shield of calm.

So truly, the decision lies within your making.

What do you seek?

Peace or chaos.

It’s yours to choose.

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

Isiah 26:3

Messages From a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares

Day 11

Learning to walk away can be both liberating and terrifying.

No matter the conditions, being in dysfunction or toxicity over a period of your life can almost feel comfortable.

It’s the known. It’s the “normal.” It’s the understood.

Stepping out of that can create anxiety, fear and even grief within.

But if you’ve come to that point when walking away is necessary, rest assured it will be good.

Momentarily, it may be uncertain. It may be unpredictable. And it may even feel unsecured.

Yet, the longer you walk away from the dysfunction, the clearer you’ll see.

The longer you stay away from the toxicity, the deeper you’ll breathe.

So, walk bravely through your door to a new tomorrow.

Stand boldly on that threshold between the known and unknown and begin dreaming of the good that may come.

And then, run swiftly toward freedom that is begging you to come.

Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 

1 Corinthians 15:33

Make no friendship with an angry man,
And with a furious man do not go,
Lest you learn his ways
And set a snare for your soul.

Proverbs 22:24-25

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares

Day 4

My thoughts for today…

What unsettles you? What brings you panic? What brings chaos to your mind?

What disheartens you? What brings you deep sorrow? What brings you guttural pain?

What creates apathy within? What brings aloofness? What brings neglect and avoidance to your soul?

The answers to these question can be found more in your actions rather than your words. As the old adage goes, “Words are cheap…. (But) Actions speak louder than words.”

Seek out those answers with passion. And then, turn to the One who can bring peace that surpasses all understanding. He can settle all that unsettles you.

…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares

Day 3

Where is your hope today?

Where is your promise?

Is it in the stock market, your bank account, or you job?

Is it in your friendships, your families, or your loves?

Or is it in your education, your wisdom, or your intellect?

All these things will pass away on this earth. All these things will be in vain.

If you will but trust in the One who created all things.

If you will but trust in the One who gave you breath and strength to breathe.

He will be all you need. ❤️

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:7-8

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

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Day 2

My thoughts for the day…
If we are to be Salt & Light, how salty and how bright should we be? Salt cures food from rottenness (dying). A light shines to dispel the darkness. If we are to be Salt & Light in this lost, dying and dark world, we may need to evaluate our hearts and our intent.

If our intent is to live without conflict, peace with everyone, never causing a stir, we may be serving the wrong God. Jesus was so bold and told so many of their wrong that they killed Him just to get Him to shut up.


Salt can bring life, flavor, and enjoyment to a midday meal. It can also be bitter, irritate and bring sting to a wound, but it will bring healing through the pain. Light can bring comfort, strength, and clarity to eyes in a darkened room. It can also be glaring, burning, and explosive to those same eyes when concealment is desired.


May we be the Salt & Light that brings life, that brings healing, that brings strength, and ultimately, brings redemption and hope to a lost and dying soul.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men,that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares

Starting a new blog “series,” if you will, with thoughts and messages that I hope will stir your own heart. I hope these will challenge your thinking, convict your heart when needed, and deepen your search for truth. Our world needs hope, and I’ve found the One who can give it. I hope you will indulge me while I introduce Him to you… ❤️

Day 1

The message of my heart this morning…
To gloat or to groan today exposes the character of our heart. To have withdrawal or move toward action in this era exposes the intent of our purpose. Apathy, anger, or adoration toward our King in this moment exposes the very foundation upon which we stand.


May we, as Christians, be who He called us to be. We are to pray and to put our faith into action that many may know Him so that our God may be glorified. We are to pray for our city that it may prosper. We are to pray for our leaders that their hearts may be turned toward our King.


May we praise Him today for what He’s done, celebrate what He’s doing, and give Him glory for what He’s yet to do! He is a GREAT God who was and is and is to come!


Let us now not grow comfortable or neglective of the assignment He has given us. We are called to walk out our faith in action that our testimony may be evident to those who would believe. May we bust through the gates of hell fervently, and may we set the captives free by His power alone. We’ve been silent and distracted for too long. It is time for the Church to be the Church.


May we bless our neighbor, bless our nation, and bless our God as we join shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand to fight the good fight of faith!! It’s not time to take a break.
We’ve got work to do. ❤️🇺🇸❤️

Numbers 6:24-26:
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Small Southern Town

/ The WheatandTares / 4 Comments

What do you love about where you live?

I love where I live because it’s beautiful, quaint, and comfortable. It’s also filled you all kinds of options. I’ve always been a “small town girl,” and while growing up, I always thought I’d live in the same small town forever, raising my kids and living in a “little white house with a little white picket fence.”

Well, God kinda had different plans for me. Since moving from my home town, I’ve lived in 2 states, 5 towns, and 1 city. I’ve gone to 3 schools, lived in 12 houses, and have been actively involved in 6 churches. And 3 of those towns have been while raising our sons. But each have been small towns, at least in the scale of metropolitan areas.

And truthfully, I’ve loved every town I’ve lived in. That’s just being content in where you are and who you’re with, but that’s another blog for another day.

So, you ask why I love where I live… it’s a small town that really has grown quite a bit since we moved here. However, we live on the outskirts of town, and we don’t normally deal with the busier side. Our city officials have taken great care to beautify the downtown, moderate what comes in and out, and worked hard to keep that “small town feel” to the area.

I love our church, the people, and the atmosphere of community and family. I love our neighborhood that is well kept, and the people are always friendly. I love that we’re located just minutes from the lake, a few more minutes from the mountains, and less than an hour from a major city. So, you can be anywhere you want within a short amount of time. And I love that we live in an area where people still long for togetherness and a sense of camaraderie among the (smaller) masses.

And I believe that’s what builds love for where you live. When it’s all about you and yours and competition, stress, strife, and success, I believe you loose that sense of community and forsake care and compassion for cutthroat self ambition and ego.

You don’t have to live in a small town to achieve this, but I think it helps. However, I’ve had friends who live living in a big city, and they have still accomplished this by creating a community of family, whether it be in their neighborhoods, churches, or workplace. Where it is doesn’t matter as much as with whom it is. If you are gathered together with likeminded people, accomplishing a common goal for a greater purpose, that sense of family and belonging will naturally arise.

So, what about you? What do you love about where you live?

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:15-18