forevergrateful2016

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More Than Enough: How Grace Shapes What We Build

Money isn’t the real test.It’s how you show up when you don’t have much—And how you keep choosing each other, even when the numbers on the bank app aren’t kind. Some couples live paycheck to paycheck and still find ways to laugh.Others have bigger paychecks but feel miles apart.Because it’s never just about the income.It’s about the quiet decisions you make—together.The small acts of discipline…

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50 posts!

[forevergrateful2016]

The Time We Think We Have

We cling to it like a safety net, reassuring ourselves that tomorrow is guaranteed.That there will always be another chance, another day, another sunrise.But the truth is, there’s no promise in time. Time doesn’t stop for anyone.It doesn’t grant second chances.It just keeps moving—swiftly, silently, without hesitation.One moment we’re here, and the next… it’s gone. We measure our lives in…

[forevergrateful2016]

The Day My Phone Became a Stranger to My Children

I came across a post on Facebook today that stopped me in my tracks. It was a simple story, yet it hit me with the weight of a thousand truths. A teacher read an essay from her student, a child who wished to be a phone. Why? Because if they were a phone, they would have their parents’ full attention. As I sat there, phone in hand, I couldn’t help but think of my own children: my curious toddler…

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Hope, Grace, and Boundaries That Heal

Most parents never intend to damage their relationship with their kids—it just happens. Life gets busy. Words get sharp. Emotions rise. And before long, the connection that once felt close starts to feel strained—or even broken. But there’s a story that reminds us that no relationship is too far gone for restoration: the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32). This story isn’t just about a son who lost…

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The 4 Qs Every Kid Needs

As a father raising a teenager and a toddler at the same time, life feels like a daily dance between two worlds. One child is learning to walk, the other is learning to fly. One needs me to help him put on his shoes; the other is asking for money to buy new shoes. But beneath the different stages, I find myself circling around the same core question: What do I truly want to equip them with for…

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You Didn’t Choose Wrong — You Chose a Person, Not Perfection

You know, somewhere along the way, we started believing that love meant finding the perfect fit—the person who just “gets” us, who never lets us down, who feels easy to love. But here’s the thing: that person doesn’t exist. No matter who you marry, you’re marrying a flawed, complicated, growing human being. And they married one too. I get it—it’s tempting to wonder if you picked the wrong…

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Raising Brave: How Our Fears Can Shape (or Shatter) Our Children’s Potential

I used to ask my daughter Liyah, “Why are you always scared?” And recently, it hit me—it’s us, her parents, who may have planted that fear in her heart and mind. Now that she’s turning 14 and I’m also raising a 3-year-old son, I’ve had time to reflect deeply on the kind of environment we create for our children. I’ve come to realize that if there’s one thing that can truly hold a person back from…

[forevergrateful2016]

Healing Starts at Home: Understanding the Why Behind Our Actions

As a father and a husband, I’ve come to realize that many of the struggles we face in life—both in our homes and within ourselves—aren’t always what they seem on the surface. I used to think procrastination meant laziness, but I’ve learned it’s often a sign that we’re out of ideas or feeling directionless. I’ve seen that ingratitude doesn’t come from what’s lacking, but from a heart not grounded…

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Is it half full or half empty?

Lately, I’ve been thinking about that old question: Is the glass half full or half empty? It came to me not during a quiet moment of reflection, but in the middle of real life—when I was looking at my daughter’s latest school report. She’s struggling with some of her academics. Math has been tough, and her grades show it. But at the same time, she’s thriving in music, surprising us with her…

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Speak Like It Matters—Because to Your Family, It Does

The Power of the Pause Before I speak—especially in the heat of the moment—I’m learning to pause. Breathe. Think. It sounds simple. But those few seconds? They can change everything. Because yes, the anger fades. But the words?Our kids carry them. Sometimes for years.Our partners feel them too—in the tone, the tension, the distance that follows. More Than Just a Provider Fatherhood isn’t…

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🚪 "What if closed doors weren’t the end, but a redirection? What if failure wasn’t a verdict, but a lesson? Too often, we let setbacks define us, forgetting that God’s plans are always greater than our own. Your dreams didn’t die—they’re evolving. It’s time to shift your perspective, trust the process, and dream again." ✨ 👉 Read more: https://forevergrateful2016.wordpress.com/?p=8968

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The Freedom of Not Caring What Others Think

Daily writing promptDescribe one positive change you have made in your life.View all responses One of the best changes I’ve made in my life is learning not to care so much about what others think—about me, my family, my work, or how I live. Not in a way that rejects people, but in a way that filters noise from truth. I’ve learned to welcome genuine advice and ignore empty criticism. If I know…

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Together To The Future

Daily writing promptWhat’s the most fun way to exercise?View all responses Exercising is often seen as a solo pursuit—a commitment to health, a journey of self-discipline. But what if it became something more? Something deeper? What’s more fun than exercise? Exercising with someone you want to grow old with. Not just sweating side by side, but laughing through the struggle. Pushing each other…

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POV: Best & Worst Pets

Daily writing promptWhat animals make the best/worst pets?View all responses In my experience, dogs make the best pets, while cats—well, let’s just say they’re a bit more complicated. Here’s why: when you feed a dog, they look at you with eyes full of gratitude and loyalty. To them, you’re not just the one who fills their bowl—you’re their whole world. They follow you around, protect you, cheer…

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Life isn’t just a series of random events—it’s a part of God’s greater story. Sometimes, it takes life’s hardest moments to remind us of what truly matters: humility, gratitude, and faith. Let go of control, embrace the journey, and trust the Author of your story.

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Are you serving for praise or to send praise?

I remember when my daughter asked me, “Tay, why did you stop doing Limitless Fridays?” I wanted to say, “I just got tired.” But the truth was deeper: I stopped because I was doing it for the wrong reason. At first, my heart was in the right place—I wanted to serve God. But somewhere along the way, I started watching the numbers. Views, reactions, engagement. And when they didn’t meet my…