Encourage, Equip, Empower

Each month our very own amazing writers from South Texas publish a series of blog posts written with you in mind. Our desire is to encourage, equip, and empower you through stories, experiences, and insights from our writers and from God’s Word.

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  • Peace In the Wild

    When I think about the phrase “peace in the wild,” I picture a leopardess in the middle of a jungle. I imagine the sound of monkeys hooting in the background while she cleans her paws. She’s laying down, feeling peaceful, she’s not worried about where her next meal will come from. She’s not anxious about…

  • Jesus

    At Christmas time for several years we have written about the different characters that have a part to play in the Advent story throughout the gospels on this blog.  It is one of my favorite times of year because it causes me to really dig deeper into a story that I’ve been told my whole…

  • Joseph-Beauty from Brokenness

    Matthew 1:18-25 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public…

  • Balancing Hats: Navigating Fear, Faith and People-Pleasing

    Once upon a time there was a little girl who loved to dance. She would move gracefully across the floor to each beat of the music. Her classmates would watch in awe and anxiously duplicate the routine along with her. She had the biggest smile on her face as she pranced around the stage. Dancing made her happy and she didn’t have a care in the world. Her heart was filled with dreams.

    Until one day that little girl grew up and became a young adult. Suddenly, she had more responsibilities- papers, assignments, projects, waking up on time, eating before the cafeteria closed and cleaning her dorm room. She didn’t dance anymore.

    At the age of 24, she became a wife and children’s pastor. This meant she was helping her husband lead their family and their ministry. Her responsibilities were more important than completing homework or making sure her room was clean. This is when the doubt would start to creep in. “What if I’m not good enough? What if I let everyone down?” were the questions rolling around in her mind.

    You probably have picked up on it by now that this little girl… is me. Today, I’m 38. I’m a wife, mother, co-pastor, teacher, writer, and an entrepreneur trying to balance all my hats on top of my head while riding a unicycle. If I lose my balance, even for a second, then all my hats will come crashing down, creating some sort of domino effect from the sky, leaving me to pick up all the hats and trying to find the courage to ride again. Just to clarify, I don’t even know how to ride a unicycle, therefore making the balancing a harder task to pull off.

    Thank goodness this is only an image in my head. But it’s an image I think about often. I just want to make people happy and not lose all my hats. I guess I never realized this about myself but I’m a bit of a people-pleaser. Ooh, I really don’t like that term. Perhaps we should use something else like accommodating. I tend to accommodate the feelings of others at the expense of my own, which further hinders my hat trick. Even though a new hat may bring me stress, anxiety, guilt, frustration, and fear, I wear it anyway.

    The fear of disappointing others, also known as atelophobia, is a common psychological condition characterized by an intense anxiety and fear of failing to meet the expectations of others. This fear can lead to significant distress and interfere with daily life. This type of fear can leave you feeling paralyzed.

    Not too long ago, this was how I felt taking on a new project. I started to look at all the steps that were involved, and that’s when the panic set in. I began to hear those questions of doubt: “What if I’m not good enough? What if I let everyone down?” The doubt quickly turned into fear, and it left me frozen. I was so overwhelmed by all the negative thoughts that I didn’t even try to accomplish anything.

    That’s when I should have held on to God’s Word. God hasn’t called me to be stressed, anxious or to have a spirit of fear.

    Psalm 139:14- “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

    If we break down this verse, fearfully means a sense of awesome wonder, respect, and awe at the Creator’s power, not being afraid. Wonderfully signifies being uniquely set apart, skillfully crafted, and marvelous, highlighting the distinct plan God has for us his children. We were created to do amazing things for him! But how can I accomplish these amazing things if I don’t even try?

    This year, my 6-year-old daughter started dancing. She was so excited! She was full of wonder as she watched her classmates do cartwheels and flips. Unfortunately, she had never done a cartwheel or a flip. She began to get nervous as the teacher called her name, I could see it in her eyes. She walked up to the mat and put her hands up. Her teacher was eagerly standing ready to help. She started to go down and couldn’t quite complete the move. She got discouraged, and said, “I can’t do it.” Just then her teacher looked at her and said, “Yes, you can because we can do hard things.” This is the dance studios’ motto: We can do hard things. They even made a neon sign to hang on the wall. A few weeks into tumbling and she’s gained confidence in herself. She’s trying and she’s not letting her fear get in her way.

    One evening, I received a text from a friend. She was explaining how she had been sick, and she felt like she was letting everyone down because she couldn’t meet their expectations during that time. She even confessed to me that she didn’t want to disappoint me because she was still sick and wouldn’t be able to attend an event. I immediately heard the Holy Spirit tell me to call her. I knew exactly what I was going to say, because I finally realized it for myself. I told her that she wasn’t responsible for my happiness, or anyone else’s. The only one she had to please was God. We get so wrapped up in what others expect of us that we lose sight of who really matters- God. He’s the one who created us to do wonderful things and to be fearless. I told her to take care of herself first, then she’d be able to take care of everything else.

    When was the last time fear stopped you from doing something new? Are your hats leaving you feeling paralyzed? It’s okay. Remember, you don’t have to do this alone.

    God is right there holding you up and saying, “You can do hard things.”  This week don’t give up and don’t quit. Give your hats to him and He’ll help you keep your balance. 

    Isaiah 41:10- “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

    Melinda Brown is a mother, co-pastor, entrepreneur, and now she can add author to her ever growing list of gifts. She and her husband, Jason, pastor Columbus Community Church in South East Texas and now, Melinda has agreed to come on board as one of our newest authors on the STXWM Blog Team. Her heart is to share the love of Jesus through her writing and to tell the world of the healing and comfort that can be found in a relationship with the Lord.

  • Rest In the Midst of the Storm

    Photo by Frank Cone on Pexels.com

    This past June, my husband and I bought our very first home. We prayed, begged, and believed God for this house. When He opened the door, we were thrilled. Answered prayer. Big blessing. Dream come true.

    And then reality hit.

    Week one, the AC went out. Not a great start in Texas in June. Then the washing machine decided to flood the garage, which at the time was still full of all our moving boxes. Surprise! Instant indoor pool. Next, we discovered the main bathroom shower didn’t have the right moisture barrier put in by whoever remodeled it before, which meant constant mold. Oh, and that shower will eventually have to be completely redone. Then termites showed up. Then rats. Then the washing machine fully broke. And when we got our first water bill (almost $400), we learned we had a huge plumbing leak. Meanwhile, the flooring still wasn’t done because of foundation work, the ceiling fans were broken, the light fixtures were faulty, and shower heads were literally snapping off.

    Welcome to homeownership. I heard that phrase repeatedly, and every single time, it felt like a punch to the face. I thought we we bought our home we had FINALLY become “real grown-ups”, and now I felt (and honestly continually fight the feeling) that we were in over our heads. 

    Needless to say, it has been a rough three months. And yet, in the middle of it all, God has been teaching me something so freeing: resting in Him has nothing to do with circumstances.

    This house is still my husband’s dream home. Built in 1965, it has so much character, and we know in our hearts this is the place God wanted for us. But we also know we don’t have the money or ability to fix everything overnight. And that’s hard. But instead of letting the weight of it all crush me, God keeps whispering, “I am your Provider. Rest in Me, not in the situation.”

    That’s not easy when life is full to the brim. Like most women, I wear a lot of hats. I’m a Campus Coordinator for a Christian-based nonprofit that gets to step into schools and share the gospel with students. That is an unbelievable God-given opportunity and honestly still blows my mind. I also work for a roofing company helping with social media, marketing, and basically whatever else they need done that day. On top of that, I’m a full-time student finishing my bachelor’s degree this December. Praise the Lord for that finish line! I volunteer at our church, I’m a mom to the most amazing 8-year-old, a wife to the most patient man in the world, and an active part of our community. Oh yes, we have pets too, and I somehow said yes to PTO.

    It’s busy. Good busy. Blessed busy. But still busy. And sometimes, if I’m honest, it’s just plain hard.

    That’s why I love the story in Mark 4 where Jesus is literally taking a nap in the middle of a storm. Picture this: the disciples, who were experienced fishermen, are freaking out because the waves are crashing, the boat is rocking, and they’re convinced they’re about to die. Meanwhile, Jesus is asleep on a cushion. As in, peacefully snoozing while water is splashing into the boat. They finally wake Him up shouting, “Don’t you care if we drown?” And what does Jesus do? He stands up, rebukes the wind, tells the waves to be still, and instantly the storm stops. Then He looks at His disciples and basically says, “Why were you so scared? Don’t you trust Me?”

    That scene gets me every time. Jesus wasn’t asleep because He didn’t care. He was asleep because He was secure. He knew Who was in control. He knew that the storm wasn’t stronger than His Father. He knew His purpose wasn’t about to be undone by some wind and waves. And because of that, He could rest, even while the boat was being tossed around.

    Honestly, I want that kind of rest. Because the truth is, my storms might not be waves crashing over the side of a boat, but they do look like broken washing machines, scary water bills, busy schedules, and the weight of trying to juggle all the roles I carry. Maybe your storm looks completely different, but the feeling is the same: overwhelming, exhausting, and sometimes terrifying.

    And in those moments, I find myself just like the disciples, crying out, “God, don’t you care?” But the same Jesus who calmed that sea is the same Jesus who is with me in my chaos. He does care. He is in the boat with me. And when the time is right, He speaks peace over the storm.

    That’s why His words in Matthew 11:28 are such a gift: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” He didn’t say, “Come to me and I’ll make sure nothing ever goes wrong.” He didn’t say, “Come to me and I’ll clear your schedule.” He said, “Come to me, and I will give you rest.”

    True rest isn’t when the house is finally fixed. It isn’t when the calendar magically clears. It isn’t when life is calm and easy. True rest is found in Him. In His presence. In His Word. In His promises.

    So if your life feels like one giant storm right now, remember this: you can still rest. Not because everything is easy, but because God is faithful. The same Jesus who took a nap in the storm is the same Jesus holding you steady today.

    It takes audacious faith to rest in God when the storms of life are raging. It’s easy to say “trust God” when the seas are calm, but when the waves are crashing and your heart feels like it’s sinking, choosing to rest is radical. It’s audacious to believe God for a promised child while you sit in the storm of infertility. It’s audacious to wait in hopeful expectation for the spouse God has for you when you feel painfully single. It’s audacious to trust Him with your finances when the bills stack higher than your income. It’s audacious to lean into His promises when the evidence around you seems to scream the opposite.

    And yet, that’s the beauty of faith. It isn’t blind optimism. It’s not pretending everything is fine. It’s the bold, countercultural decision to anchor your soul in the truth that God is who He says He is, and He will do what He says He will do. Resting in God when everything is in chaos is one of the most powerful testimonies of trust you can give. It’s saying to the world, “My peace doesn’t come from what I see, it comes from Who I know is in the middle of the storm with me.”

    Tracie Tevault is a recent addition to the STXWM blog team. Married for 15 years to her best friend, Tracie is raising one awesome son and three spoiled cats. With a heart for ministry, Tracie has served in many areas, but her true passion lies in reaching those who might not fit the traditional church mold. She’s all about showing people they are loved, valued, and created with a purpose.

  • Rest > Rush– The Slow Dance

    Living in SE Asia for ten years has changed me. I came overseas in typical fast-paced American style.  I was used to an agenda, an itinerary, a schedule, a checklist, a drive-thru and express lane kind of life. Here I’m living the polar opposite of that seemingly distant memory of my American life. Asia has made me come to a screeching halt and radically adjust to a new kind of normal. A slower kind of normal. A better kind of normal.

    I like to think of it as a beautiful slow dance.

    When you slow dance with someone you love, you forget about what’s going on around you. You look into their eyes and you lean into rhythm together. Your movements are slow and meaningful and gentle. You come into a new awareness of your partner as you savor their company and their attention. This is life in my little mountain town.

    Life here has taught me the value of rest > rush and how to prioritize people over productivity. When you lean into others through meaningful conversation and exchange, days become fuller and sweeter, like looking my sweet produce ladies in the eyes as I ask them how they are and we slow down to make time for gentle words. Or when my neighbor stops at the fence to offer to let my children play with her baby chicks, and even though I have chores to be doing I slow down to make time to smile and laugh and invest in community.

    A hurried life is not an intentional life.

    Nothing here moves quickly. Traffic is slow and steady. Ordering a meal at a restaurant is an evening affair. Shop owners and store workers stop their work to chat with the customers. Everyone takes a nap after lunch. People show up when they feel like it, which is not necessarily always when they say they will. There is no “fast”, “express”, “quick” or “instant” anything here.

    But there is beauty in the slowness.

    The hurriedness we feel in America is rooted in a sense of needing to perform. We haven’t learned to embrace our limits; we forget to rest in God’s deep love for us that isn’t based on what we do, but who we are. We don’t have time to truly connect with people because we’re trying to rush off to the next thing. But people here in my SE Asian home are not focused on productivity- they are focused on relationship. They understand what we westerners have sadly forgotten: true joy is not found in completing tasks, but in knowing and being known. They create open-ended time and space for people over everything else. And isn’t that how it should be?  After all, the first characteristic of love listed in 1 Cor. 13 is patient.

    “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matt. 11:28-30 MSG

    You may be thinking, Well, that’s nice for you, but I don’t live in SE Asia. And while it is easier to embrace rest > rush when a whole society lives that way, as followers of Jesus we are called to live in His Kingdom culture, even when it is opposite of our surrounding culture. Jesus invites us to rest in Him. To find our life and peace and joy in Him. To operate out of an unshakeable sense of belovedness in Him that isn’t based on our accomplishments or productivity, but simply being His child.

    We can find true rest when we remember that Jesus only asked us to do two things: love God, and love others.

    So, I invite you to this slow dance- to the delight of stopping the mad rush and slowing down to really enjoy God and those He’s given you to love. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it.

    It takes audacious faith to go against the flow and choose rest > rush. It’s going to require thought and intentionality to get out of the fast lane and join the slow dance. Before you decide that it’s impossible, I want to encourage you to try these three steps to bring you to a more rested, intentional life:

    1. Practice sabbath. Choose one day each week where you don’t do any work, but simply delight in Jesus and those He’s given you to love. This will take planning and preparation, but it is such a rich practice that brings true rest and is the catalyst for going into the rest of our week rested. If you can’t do a whole day right away, try a whole morning or a whole evening.
    2. Embrace interruptions. Jesus was CONSTANTLY interrupted, but never seemed irritated or rushed past those who interrupted Him. Look at your interruptions as opportunities to be present and ask God to show you what He is doing in that moment.
    3. Start your day with 5-10 minutes of silence. Sometimes the rush starts in our brains and as soon as our feet hit the floor in the morning, we are thinking of one million things we need to do. Starting the day with silence slows down our minds, bodies, and hearts and helps attune us to what the Holy Spirit might want to say to us.

  • Finding True Rest: Embracing God’s Presence

    Last week, I went to a ministry meeting with other local church leaders and the question was asked, “What do you do for peace, quiet, and rest?” I knew immediately what I was going to say. Only when it was my turn, I began to feel embarrassed. Perhaps, I misunderstood the question, because my answer was very different from the others. While everyone was talking about being in nature and reading their Bibles, I answered with “Going to the water park.” I know it sounds strange, but I really do find peace, quiet and rest when I’m with my family at the water park.

    Here was my reasoning behind it: as we’ve talked before, family is very important, and God can show you the beauty of life through them. Any time I can get away with my family is (for the most part) restful. My daughter is a water bug and has always been fascinated by the water. Unfortunately, her parents are not, until this summer. We found ourselves attending the water park almost every weekend. Mom and Dad may have even snuck away for a day of water slides and ice coffee alone. Now, even though it can be loud and somewhat crowded, I’m able to focus. I’m making memories with my daughter. We don’t carry around our cellphones, and I don’t wear my watch. I’m only focused on her, and what she wants to do. There’s no agenda.

    Around 9 years ago, my family and I took a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was about a 17-hour drive with a few stops along the way. We took turns driving and listened to Christian and 90’s country. But nothing compared to the sound of the crashing waves as we pulled up to our beach house for the week. I don’t know about you, but my experience with vacations is that you always have a plan. There’s a set schedule so that you can squeeze in every activity under the sun. This requires an early bedtime, setting alarms and creating itineraries. However, this vacation was different. We decided to make it a time of rest with no bedtime, no alarms, no time stipulations and no itinerary. We just enjoyed every day, whether we wanted to walk the beach, go to Ripley’s Aquarium, go to dinner, or watch a new reality tv show. We did it all and it was amazing! Hands down, this will always be one of my favorite vacations.

    But rest is more than just a vacation or a day of water fun. Rest often involves a deep sense of peace and renewal that comes from spending time in the presence of God. My colleagues understand the importance of stepping away, even if it’s just for a moment.

    Matthew 11:28- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

    There comes a time when we need to slow down and ask God what his will is.

    I found myself in a season of rest a few years ago. I thought I had everything under control, but the truth was, I was struggling. I continued to roll with the punches no matter how burned out I felt. My marriage, parenting, ministry and my own mental health were in trouble. This mostly stemmed from being in work mode all the time and not fully resting in his word or prayer. It wasn’t until I stopped that I realized I needed help.  

    I’m reminded of two sisters in the Bible. Their names were Mary and Martha. One day Jesus was coming to visit them. Naturally, when you know someone is coming to visit, you want to tidy up a bit and maybe make some food. But this wasn’t just any guest. This was Jesus! Martha wanted to be a good hostess and started to prepare for his arrival. Unfortunately, she almost missed Jesus’ visit.

    Luke 10:38-42

    38 “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ 41 ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”

    Martha was so busy concentrating on her work that she didn’t realize she needed to slow down and rest at the feet of Jesus.

    Recently, our congregation learned to listen to God and rest. Instead of being worried about the rain, lunch or taking a nap after Sunday service, we took that extra time to soak in his presence. It was a beautiful hour of listening, worshiping and being still. This was something all our souls needed at the time. We were in desperate need of refreshment, and God met us right where we were.

    The world tells us to go faster, do more, push harder. But the gentle whisper of God calls us to pause, breathe and to simply be in his presence. He’s willing to meet you right where you are. You just need to invite him.

    Melinda Brown is a mother, co-pastor, entrepreneur, and now she can add author to her ever growing list of gifts. She and her husband, Jason, pastor Columbus Community Church in South East Texas and now, Melinda has agreed to come on board as one of our newest authors on the STXWM Blog Team. Her heart is to share the love of Jesus through her writing and to tell the world of the healing and comfort that can be found in a relationship with the Lord.

  • The Lesson That Changed Everything: Grace

    Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

    Can I be honest? Of course, I can; I’m writing this and don’t have to wait for a response. The question I’m really asking is, will you think less of me when I share what I’m about to share? Even that isn’t entirely fair. How can you possibly answer without knowing what it is that I have to say? I could tell you that black licorice is my favorite candy, and there’s no possible way you couldn’t help but think less of me for that. (Of course, if you’re reading this and your favorite candy IS black licorice, both I and Jesus still love you, I just don’t trust your taste in candy.)

    Back to the matter at hand… What I’m going to share with you this month about what I’ve learned may shock you, and it may, in all actuality, make you think less of me. (However, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in these 41 years that I’ve been roaming the earth, it’s that people don’t think about you nearly as much as you think they do.) My name is Tracie, and I am not always the perfect Christian. Most of the time, I feel like I’m way closer to being a complete mess than a sanctified saint.

    That little confession may not seem like a huge revelation. You may even think that it’s a silly thing to have to “confess”. The problem is, I have a mind that works in absolutes and in black and white. Things are either entirely right or completely wrong. There is no middle ground. No gray area. No room for error. If you can’t do something right, then it’s better not to do it at all. 

    As a child raised in church, this caused quite a big problem. If I did something wrong or potentially sinful, my thoughts would tell me that I might as well give up. I just knew that what I had done (no matter what it was)  had made God absolutely furious with me. Like lightning-bolt-from-the-heavens mad. So, instead of running to Him, I would first try to “fix myself”. Kind of like when Adam and Eve made clothes out of fig leaves to hide their nakedness, I would sing louder, raise my hands higher, volunteer more, and make myself a really good Christian. Spoiler alert: I never managed to fix myself. So when I inevitably couldn’t do it “right,” I would just run from God entirely. Convinced that if I couldn’t be a “good Christian,” then I shouldn’t even bother. The thing was, I loved God, and I wanted a relationship with Him, so I just kept running in messy little circles of guilt, shame, promises to “do better,” and then failing again.

    At some point, I realized that while I knew in my head that God loved me, I was living as if that love was completely transactional. In my mind, His love came with fine print and stipulations. Read my Bible? Approved. Pray for the “right” things for an adequate amount of time? Accepted. Be meek and humble while simultaneously being bold and courageous? Gold star. But miss one of those things? Well, better luck next time, Tracie. You’re officially no longer the apple of His eye and are now the popcorn kernel in His teeth. (not Biblical, but what’s worse than that???) And every time I could picture it: The Father sitting up on his throne, rolling his eyes while sighing in disappointment, with Jesus looking away with secondhand embarrassment. Living that way was exhausting. And honestly, it wasn’t even biblical.

    Here’s the truth: I had grown up not truly understanding the love of God, and so I viewed him as some kind of cosmic dictator who was just waiting for my next mess-up so he could once again erase my name from the Lamb’s Book of Life. I had no grasp of who he really is: a loving Father who would literally give EVERYTHING to be in a relationship with me. Scripture doesn’t say, “For it is by your hard work and your perfection you are saved.” Nope. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

    Somewhere along the way, I forgot that Jesus didn’t just die for my “before I was a Christian” sins. He died for my Tuesday-afternoon bad attitudes, my snapping at my husband for getting the wrong frozen pizza, and even my stubbornness in trying to do it all on my own. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Nowhere does it add, “after you’ve punished yourself for two weeks and read six devotionals.”

    What I’ve learned is that God isn’t after my perfection; He’s after my heart. He’s after my effort, my honesty, my willingness to repent, and my trust in His grace. Like King David prayed in Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

    So here’s what I’m sharing that I learned after decades of trying to be a “good Christian”: Grace isn’t just for “getting saved.” It’s for every single day after that, too. God knows I’m a mess (He made me, after all), and He still delights when I come close to Him instead of running away.

    Now, am I still learning this? Absolutely. Sometimes I still try to earn God’s approval, and He gently reminds me, “Daughter, I already love you. Rest in that.”

    So, if you’ve been carrying guilt or trying to perform your way into God’s good graces, perhaps this reminder is for you, too: Jesus has already done the heavy lifting. Our job is to walk with Him, imperfectly but sincerely, trusting His grace to cover every stumble.

    And remember: nothing separates us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:38-39). Not even loving black licorice.

    It honestly took a great deal of audacious faith for me to let God completely transform the way I understood my relationship with Him. I had to allow the Holy Spirit to carefully untangle years of man-made misunderstandings about what God really wanted and expected from me. It wasn’t about rule-keeping, checklists, or proving my worth; it was about surrendering my heart. Scripture says in 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” That freedom is real, but sometimes it requires us to lay down the version of God we’ve been taught by people and let Him show us who He truly is. I had to let Him remake me into someone who lives in His love rather than fear, and maybe that’s the same challenge for you, too: to allow God to undo the man-made misunderstandings and lead you into the freedom only His Spirit brings.

    So if you find yourself dealing with this, feeling like God’s love is something you have to earn or that His grace comes with fine print, I encourage you to pause and let the Holy Spirit rewrite that story in your heart. Lean into His Word, ask Him to reveal the truth, and dare to believe that His love really is absolute. It’s not about getting it all right; it’s about letting Him have your heart, your effort, and your repentance. Grace isn’t a “one-and-done” gift; it’s the ongoing invitation to live loved, to be forgiven, and to be continually transformed.

    Tracie Tevault is a recent addition to the STXWM blog team. Married for 15 years to her best friend, Tracie is raising one awesome son and three spoiled cats. With a heart for ministry, Tracie has served in many areas, but her true passion lies in reaching those who might not fit the traditional church mold. She’s all about showing people they are loved, valued, and created with a purpose.

About STX Women

We are the Women’s Ministries branch of the South Texas Assemblies of God.

Women across South Texas desire a community where we celebrate each other and share each other’s burdens.

Together, we walk out our God-given purpose in our family, church, and community!

Our passion and love for Christ unite us to reach the lost at home and across the world. 

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