A Quick Note From Nick:

Today’s blog post is extra special. It marks the 100th post since I started this journey. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (ESV) “Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction…”

What began as simple obedience—just putting thoughts into words—has turned into something far more meaningful than I ever expected. The messages, the conversations, the quiet encouragement shared… it’s been incredible. Hearing how these posts have met people in real moments—bringing hope, clarity, or even just a reminder that they’re not alone—has meant more to me than I can fully put into words. And honestly, it’s those stories that have fueled me to keep writing. Through every season—whether full or stretched, clear or uncertain—this space has become a reminder that God is always working, and His Word always lands where it’s needed most. So thank you. Thank you for reading, for sharing, for reaching out, and for allowing these words to be part of your journey.

But in addition to this being the 100th post… today is also a first. For the first time, I’ve asked a guest to write—and it couldn’t be more meaningful. Today’s post comes from my incredible wife, April. As I look back over these 100 posts, she’s been there for all of it. The late nights, the early mornings, the moments of inspiration, and even the seasons where writing didn’t come easy—she’s been right by my side through it all. Constantly encouraging, praying, and reminding me to keep going. And so today, I wanted you to hear from her. I truly believe she carries something that will speak directly to someone reading this.

The way she sees, the way she loves, and the way she follows Jesus—it’s real, it’s grounded, and it’s powerful. So take a moment, lean in, and receive what she’s sharing. My prayer is that it blesses you the same way it has blessed me. And by God’s grace… we’re just getting started. Philippians 1:6 (ESV) “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us—yes, establish the work of our hands!” — Psalm 90:17 (ESV)

Aprils Blog Post

God gets the final say…

Have you ever walked through a difficult season? When I look back at those times in my life, I can see that I learned the most, and my relationship with Jesus grew the deepest, and the most refining took place in those moments. Honestly, what is there to refine when everything is going great? When life feels easy, when you’re living your absolute best life and everything is going just the way you want it? Then all of a sudden, your fairytale life takes a pause or a drastic turn. Insert real-life circumstances—Tragedy. Heartbreak. Loss. Disappointment. Financial issues… the list goes on.

Circumstances you never saw coming. So many questions start to rising up…Why is this happening? How am I going to do this? What am I going to do? Where do I run for help? When you face the fire, what do you reach for first? Is it your own strength—that says “I’ve got this, how hard can it be?” Is it a friend, a coworker, someone who always seems to have the right words? Or do you run to Jesus?

If I’m being completely honest, I haven’t always run to Jesus first. I’ve leaned on my own strength, understanding and my own ability to just push through many times. I’m a mom…we are, by nature, problem solvers. Over time, I’ve learned—and I’m still learning—something that is both humbling and freeing: I can’t do much on my own… Not really. Sometimes life brings you into the kind of trial that no amount of strength, logic, or determination can fix. It's the kind that is meant to take you out. The enemy would love that.. he wants the pressure to finally crush you. He wants the fire to consume you, and for the pain to be the end of your story. BUT the pressing doesn’t get the final say. What the enemy tries to use for evil… God WILL use for good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

In those moments when it feels unbearable and you’re trying to wrap your mind around going through your trial for one more week, a month, or a whole season… and it just feels IMPOSSIBLE…. I get it! I was encouraged by a friend who said something simple that changed a lot for me…. “I can do anything for a day.”Ohhhkayyyyy… that clicked. So let’s just do today. So often, when we’re walking through hard things, we want to know the next step…How long will this last? When will the miracle come? When will the healing happen? When will the finances show up? (Insert whatever your question is here.)

If I had known on the day of Nick’s stroke that he would be in the hospital for almost three months, that he would go into a coma, that we would almost lose him, and that he would struggle to walk and eat for months… I think I would have lost my mind. I could NOT have handled that. But I didn’t know—and honestly, thank You, Jesus, that I didn’t. I just had day one. “I can do anything for a day.” And I did. One day at a time, God carried me through every single one of those 72 days. Even though it was one of the hardest and darkest seasons of our lives, I saw God show up for us in tangible ways every single day. Whether it was encouragement from a friend, a phone call, a text, a scripture, or a message… God kept confirming His Word over and over and over. Watching God show up like that is an incredible experience. I was in a place of desperately needing to hear from Him—and He showed up for me every single day. God told me on day one “Nick is going to be okay. I am going to work it out.” Ephesians 3:20. Day 3… bad news hits. Things look real cray cray .“God, where are You? You said it was going to be okay.”God: Ephesians 3:20. Okay, God, I got it.. I won’t forget! Day 7… “God, are You sure? It looks bad!” God: Ephesians 3:20 Day 20… discouraged at no progress. “God, You said it was going to be okay. This is taking a long time!”God: Ephesians 3:20 And it was like that EVERY SINGLE DAY until God healed him. In a single week - these things happened.. one for every single day that week. Turn worship on—“More Than Able” is playing. Phone goes off—friend texting to tell me their pastor closed the service with Ephesians 3:20.Listening to a message on the way to the hospital— Pastor: “We are going to look at Ephesians 3:20!”Open Instagram— “Are you going through a hard season? God is ABLE. Ephesians 3:20.”Get home and there is a package in the mail .. framed picture of Ephesians 3:20 You cannot make these things up. Over and over, God was constantly reminding me that He was in control.. He was working.. even when everything around me seemed chaotic.

2 Corinthians 4:8–9 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

We see here that every single hard thing is met with a “but not…”
 What an incredible reminder that just because you feel the weight… doesn’t mean you’re being taken out by it. Even in the pressing, God is still working—still holding you, still sustaining you, still proving that He is the one who carries you through. The pressure doesn’t win.
 The pain doesn’t get the last word. God gets the final say…

God will get the victory!

-April Lemau