This September, journey with us as we learn to notice the holy invitations God is placing before us—and find the courage to faithfully respond.

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Prayer

God,

Give me courage to say no when no is the faithful answer.

Help me release the need to be needed.

Help me stop measuring my goodness by how available I am to everyone around me.

When something is not mine, give me the grace to let it go without guilt.

And when saying no feels uncomfortable, remind me that I am not responsible for making everyone understand my obedience.

Teach me to protect the things You have entrusted to me by releasing the things You have not.

Amen.

Verse of the Day

Reflection

There is a kind of courage required to say yes.

But there is another kind required to say no.

And sometimes I think we celebrate the first while overlooking the second.

We talk about bold faith.

Taking the leap.

Walking through the open door.

Following the dream.

Saying yes to the invitation.

But what if God is inviting you to close a door?

What if the faithful response is to decline?

To step away?

To disappoint someone?

To admit that something that once fit no longer does?

A no can be an act of obedience.

It can be an act of stewardship.

It can be an act of trust.

Because every yes costs something. Every yes takes up space in our lives, our calendars, our minds, our creative energy.

And sometimes the only way to protect what God has actually asked us to tend is to say no to something else.

You don't need to make your no harsh. You don't need a five-page explanation. You don't need everyone to understand.

A faithful no can be quiet.

It can simply be: “This isn't mine.”

And then you can release it.

There is freedom in knowing that faithfulness isn't measured by how many people you can help, how many opportunities you can accept, or how much you can accomplish.

Sometimes faithfulness looks like knowing what is yours to carry.

Encouragement

Invitation

Is there a place in your life where you already know the answer is no—but you've been afraid to say it?

Bring that honestly before God today.

From our Community of Creators...

Poetic Desperation: As Deep Cries Unto Deep

In this book, Rachel Ann Dittmer invites you into her personal journey of longing, faith, and the deep cries of a soul seeking connection with God. Spanning 25 years, this collection of poems reflects the raw and unpolished moments of her life—from the pain of feeling lost and stuck to the joy of gratitude.

Growing up, one of Rachel’s favorite things to do was read the perfect lyrics that she could relate to. Finding the right words to put a name to her thoughts and voice her feelings made her feel a bit less alone, and seeking out truth in light of her circumstances helped her stay grounded. It is her hope that these poems do the same for you.

Whether you’re wrestling with doubt, longing for purpose, or searching for a sense of belonging, may you find comfort in knowing you’re not alone on your journey.
May these pages be a friend that meets you where you’re at and walks alongside you, draws you closer to both God and yourself, and echoes your ache and longing to know and be known by a God who sees you fully and loves you deeply.

Available here!