I recently heard Kirk Cousins, quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, share an interesting story about the significance of the number 8 in his life. It’s a story that particularly inspires me going into a brand-new year in 2025.

If you were to miss Christmas, would anyone miss you? That’s the question behind a short story written by John Edgar Park, a New England minister and college president during the Great Depression.

Earlier this year, my grandson Baylor came home from kindergarten with a note from his teacher. It was a good one.

Working in a wash bay is no dream job. But for Taylor, it’s the second chance he never could have dreamed of.

The way our community united to support our neighbors devastated by Hurricane Helene was truly inspiring.

“Dear preacher,” the simple note began. “I know God wants us to make peace with everyone, but He never met my sister.”

Thankfulness and forgiveness go hand in hand. It’s better to take the high road and forgive rather than hate.

Wow. It’s a line from Buffalo Springfield’s hit song from years ago. But if you didn’t know better, you might think that line referenced our current political environment.