Time feels different these days, doesn’t it?

Days move fast. Weeks disappear. And before we know it, another month has gone by. We live in a culture that applauds busyness—but then we wonder why prayer feels so difficult.

Have you ever prayed with all your heart—only to feel discouraged when the outcome wasn’t what you hoped for?

If we’re honest, most of us have been there. We love God. We believe in prayer. And yet there are moments when heaven feels silent, timelines stretch long, and hope feels fragile.

In every generation, we tend to assume the most powerful people are the most visible ones—politicians, celebrities, athletes, influencers. But Scripture tells a very different story. The most powerful people on the face of the earth are not the ones with the loudest voices or the largest platforms. They are the men and women who pray.

Joy was never meant to be something you manufacture. Joy is not a personality trait, a spiritual personality test, or a denial of pain. Joy—biblical joy—is a defiant, intentional choice to live aware of God’s presence even when life feels heavy.

Christmas is my favorite time of year.

I love the lights, the music, the traditions, and the sense of wonder that seems to hover in the air. But more than anything else, I love the miracle of Christmas—the quiet, holy truth that God chose to enter our world in the most unexpected way.

There is an old story—so old that it never grows old. It’s the Christmas story. And every year, I find myself drawn back to it, not because it’s familiar, but because it’s foundational. Christmas isn’t about glittering decorations, crowded malls, or perfectly wrapped packages. Christmas is about Jesus.

There’s something about the word home that stirs the deepest places of the heart. For many, it brings images of warmth, rest, and belonging. For others, it brings a quiet ache—longing for something they’ve never fully experienced. But Christmas whispers a truth we all need to hear: your true home has never been a place… it has always been His will.

Thanksgiving has always carried a certain hush for me—a sacred slowing of the soul. Long before the table is set or the big game begins, something in my heart pauses. Perhaps you feel it, too. This gentle invitation from the Holy Spirit to stop, to breathe, to look back with wonder at the fingerprints of God scattered generously across the months behind us.

A Note from Carol: I’m so delighted to introduce you to Rachael Groll—a dear friend and a woman whose life overflows with passion for Jesus. Rachael is an author, certified life coach, missionary, and podcaster with a heart for sharing the gospel with anyone who will listen. What I love most about Rachael is her authenticity. She brings the Word of God to life with clarity, compassion, and deep biblical insight. I know you’ll be blessed by her wisdom, encouraged by her faith, and drawn closer to Jesus through her ministry.

A Note from Carol: I’m so excited to introduce you to Susan Myers—the Creative Director at Carol McLeod Ministries. Susan is a gifted writer and communicator with a heart that beats for Jesus and a passion to help others know Him more deeply. Her love for God’s Word and her honest reflections on life and faith will encourage you to slow down, listen for His voice, and find joy in His presence. You’re going to love her authenticity, her wisdom, and her gentle reminder that our hope is always found in Jesus.

A Note from Carol: I’m so excited to introduce you to Heather O’Brien—a prophetic healing coach, minister, author, and host of the Heal with God podcast. Heather helps Christians overcome trauma, anxiety, and depression by learning to hear God’s voice. Her story of freedom from fear and addiction is a powerful reminder that God still speaks, heals, and restores. You’re going to love her heart and her passion for helping others experience true healing in His presence.

We have all been created on purpose … with purpose … and for purpose.  Why is it then that so few of us actually live in that sweet spot of God-given purpose? Why is it that we are content to settle for mediocrity, for half-a-life, for busyness rather than for usefulness?

A Note from Carol: One of the greatest joys of my ministry is introducing you to voices that inspire us to love Jesus more deeply. Today, I’m honored to share Myshel Wilkins with you—a gifted worship leader, songwriter, and speaker whose life radiates the beauty of trusting God through every season. Myshel carries a powerful testimony of faith, healing, and perseverance, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God is faithful. Her words and music invite us to draw near to the heart of the Father, to worship through the pain, and to discover the deep joy that comes from walking closely with Him.

I sit here as October stretches out before me, fully aware that this month is set aside in our nation and around the world as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. For many hearts, this month is raw with memory, grief, and unspoken sorrow. For me? It is sacred. It is a timeline of scars and stitches, tears and whispers, heartbreak and hope.

A Note from Carol: One of the greatest joys of my ministry is introducing you to voices that inspire us to love Jesus more deeply. Today, I’m honored to share Dr. Juli Slattery with you—a respected author, psychologist, and teacher with a deep passion for helping people understand God’s truth about intimacy and relationships. Juli speaks with wisdom and grace about topics many find difficult to discuss, yet she always points us back to the healing and wholeness found in Christ. Her words remind us that when we invite God into every area of our lives—including our deepest struggles—He meets us with truth, redemption, and lasting peace.