I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend - whether you spent it grilling with family, soaking up the sun, or simply resting and recharging. There's something beautiful about those moments when we pause and remember what matters most.
As I sit here reflecting on the month of August, I'm reminded of how life can be such a beautiful tapestry of joy and sorrow, celebration and loss, all woven together by the steady thread of God's faithfulness.
A Month of Mountains and Valleys
August has been one of those months that reminded me why I'm so grateful to have the Lord walking beside me through life's ups and downs. You know how life can be - beautiful moments woven together with challenging ones, each teaching us something new about faith and resilience.
The month started with pure JOY! My husband and I went to see the new Superman movie, and I loved how it highlighted themes of selflessness, justice, and sacrifice. (Superman has always been one of my favorite superheroes!) Then my aunt came to celebrate my mom's 81st birthday with us. Watching Mom's face light up when her big sister walked through the door… that's the kind of moment that fills your heart to overflowing.
We all went to see the new Naked Gun movie together - Mom, my aunt, my husband, and me in those wonderfully comfortable reclining theater seats, laughing until our sides hurt. Mom especially wanted to see it since she loved the original with Leslie Nielsen. Sometimes the simplest pleasures bring the greatest joy.
My brother took Mom and my aunt on a trip to their hometown of Fort Valley, Georgia, where they drove around to see how everything had changed and visited with long-ago friends. There's something precious about those moments when we get to reminisce about how good God has been over the years.
When Life Gets Heavy
But August also brought its share of valleys. My aunt, who had brought such joy to our family gathering, is now in the hospital and not doing well. We're holding her close in prayer and trusting God with her healing.
Mid-month, we received word that my husband's older brother had been hospitalized with a poor prognosis. He passed away just a few days after being placed in hospice care. His memorial service was beautiful and uplifting - one of those celebrations of life that reminds you how precious our time together really is.
Finding Light in the Darkness
Through it all, I've been amazed by my husband's strength and steadfast faith. Even while mourning the loss of his brother, he keeps reminding me that "life is for the LIVING!" We continue to grieve and pray for healing where it's needed, but we don't lose sight of the FAITH we have that GOD is in CONTROL.
Our Labor Day weekend was exactly what our hearts needed. We spent three glorious days with my husband's family in Atlanta - starting with a fish fry and fireworks over the lake, continuing with a park picnic complete with DJ and dancing, and ending with an energizing worship service and the most incredible brunch. Joy, laughter, and togetherness - that's what family gatherings should be.
Lessons from the Journey
As I write this, I'm struck by how perfectly this month illustrates what I try to capture in my faith-based romance novels - the reality that life is complicated, beautiful, and messy all at once. We don't get to choose whether we face valleys, but we do get to choose how we walk through them.
What I've learned this month:
- Joy and sorrow can coexist - We can celebrate Mom's birthday while praying for my aunt's healing
- Family is everything - Whether biological or chosen, the people who show up matter
- Faith isn't about avoiding pain - It's about having Someone (Jesus) to lean on when pain comes
- Life really is for the living - We honor those we've lost by fully embracing the life we've been given
A Gentle Reminder
If there's someone in your life you've been meaning to reach out to, or if there's a barrier between you and someone you care about, I encourage you to take that step. In the scheme of eternity, this earthly life is too short to hold grudges. Love wins, always.
About My Writing Journey
This month's experiences have deepened my commitment to writing stories that reflect real life - stories where people face genuine struggles, lean on their faith, and discover that love really can conquer all. My upcoming Christian inspirational romance novel (releasing December 2025) explores these very themes through characters who look like the diverse, beautiful family of God we're all part of.
If you'd like to follow along on this writing journey, I'd be delighted to have you join my email community, where I share updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and more personal reflections, like this one. [You can sign up here and receive a FREE novella as my thank-you gift!]
