Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Sigh. I sit at my desk and feel tired right away. There is a lot of paperwork that needs to be done. But I will ignore the papers for now and do something I enjoy—genealogy.

A friend recently asked what I find so fascinating about researching people who are gone. I realized then that I don’t see it as finding the dead—I see it as honoring the living heritage they left behind. I love telling their stories so they remain a part of our family for years to come. It is especially joyful when a new photo appears on a profile; it makes me stop and wonder about the biological threads that connect us across time.

My reasons for digging into the past are endless, but today isn’t about me—it’s about you. I want to encourage you to follow your bliss. Don’t let the fear of judgment keep you from your favorite hobby. When you stop worrying about ‘them,’ you finally start living for you. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, thank You for the gift of today. We pray that You would mute the opinions of others that try to drown out Your purpose for us. Grant us the clarity and focus to stay in Your will and the race to live a life of constant joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen!