Tag: inspiration

Juneteenth…sacred liberation.

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I imagine the first moments of hearing freedom spoken aloud after waiting generations for it, was like breath loosening in the chest after being held for way too long, that first exhale brought a feeling of sudden, overwhelming physical relief. 

Juneteenth calls me to dwell in that sacred moment of liberation and to honor the courage, resilience and faith of those who held onto hope. It reminds me that freedom is not only a historical proclamation or a date remembered each year, it is a living inheritance, felt in the body and carried through generations.

That remembrance leads me to consider what freedom asks of us now, and how the meaning of Juneteenth continues beyond the moment freedom is declared. 

Liberation is not complete simply because it is spoken, it must be practiced, defended, and embodied. It is both memory and movement, honoring those who endured, while continuing to create a world where freedom can be fully lived.

Freedom is breathing deeply and remembering I belong to God, its releasing what no longer holds life and making room for what restores it, and it’s knowing that our “worth” was woven into the soul from the very beginning. 

May we remember, may we honor, and may we continue becoming people who choose truth, justice, compassion, and wholeness. 

– denise marie 

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”.  – John 8:36

Goodness & Mercy…follows me.

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“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…” – Psalm 23:6

There is something deeply grounding about this promise. Not that life will always be easy, but that God’s goodness and mercy are already moving with me. They are not distant, or waiting for me to earn them, but they are present in this breath, in this moment, in the steady rhythm of my heart.

As I inhale, I welcome God’s goodness.

As I exhale, I release all that I was not meant to carry and when my mind races ahead or my body feels unsettled, I gently return to this truth, that goodness and mercy are following me, God’s presence is behind me, beside me, and before me.

Today, I choose to notice the beauty around me, the sway of the trees, the warmth of the sun, the sound of birdsong, the quiet reminders that God is near.

Goodness and mercy are not just words on a page, they are a living promise, faithfully walking with me, one breath at a time.

– denise marie 

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

Planted deep…

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Yesterday on my walk, I was in awe of this tree, its beauty and strength drew me in, I felt so small, yet safe as I stood under the branches. While standing in its presence I felt Gods peace as He quietly spoke to my heart and inspired me to write this blog post. 

The roots of a tree run deep into the soil, unseen yet steady, anchoring it through storms, winds and seasons of change. What we witness above the ground, the strength of its trunk, the spread of its branches, the beauty of its leaves, all which flow from what is hidden below, in the depth of its roots.

So it is with us. When our lives are planted in God’s Word, when our trust and hope are rooted in Him, we are not easily shaken. Storms may come, winds may blow, and life’s circumstances may press hard against us, but we will not be moved. Our strength is not in ourselves, but in the One who nourishes us.

God’s Word is the soil that feeds our souls. His promises are the streams of living water that keep us flourishing, even in seasons of drought. His presence becomes the anchor that grounds us when everything else feels uncertain.

May we choose to plant ourselves where living water flows, to stay rooted in His truth, and to trust that He will hold us steady no matter what comes. 

Hold onto peace, hope, faith and love, because He cares for you.  – denise marie 

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

I rise…

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Some mornings, the battle begins before my feet touch the floor. Depression tries to creep in quietly, telling me it would be easier to stay down, to stop trying, to just surrender to the heaviness. But I remind myself, I am responsible for my healing. Not in a way that blames me for the pain, but in a way that empowers me to live the life God has promised me.

Healing is an act of courage. It is waking up and choosing to breathe deeply, even when my chest feels tight. It is drinking water, stepping outside and allowing the sun to lift my spirits, and whispering a prayer when the words feel stuck in my throat. It is saying, I will rise today, even if it’s slow, even if it’s messy, even if I stumble.

God does not leave me, His presence is the hand that lifts me, the voice that steadies me, the love that never lets me go. I rise because God has spoken life over me, I rise because healing is mine to claim, I rise because my story is not over, I rise because His light is stronger than the darkness.

– denise marie

    “So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

    Let my life be a reflection of love…

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    Enjoying a beautiful day in Seattle.

    May my life be a reflection of God’s love. 

    Not just in words, but in the way I carry peace, the way I forgive, the way I hold space for others. I want my life to mirror the tenderness You have shown me in my darkest hours, and the grace that lifted me when I could not stand on my own.

    Teach me to walk with a rhythm of gentleness and strength, to embody a love that is not fragile but eternal. Every breath is an invitation to lean deeper into God’s presence, and every step a chance to reflect the light He’s placed within me.

    – denise marie 

    “So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

    Each day, brings new hope…

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    There is a quiet comfort in knowing we are held, gently and securely by God. In the chaos of life, in the middle of questions, fears, and uncertainty, His presence comforts us and His peace surrounds us.

    – denise marie

    “So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

    I hope you can relate…

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    Un-rav-el: to free from complication or difficulty; to make plain or clear.

    Father God,

    I lay down what I can no longer carry, the masks, the striving, the silent weight. Help me to not fear the unraveling, but to trust that even now, You are near. Even in the undoing, You are making space for what is true. In Jesus name, amen.

    “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”. – John 8:36

    Beauty through my lens…

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    The beauties I found in my backyard.

    Lately, I’ve been learning to slow down and really see, not just with my eyes, but with my heart.

    The sky is soft in the morning, the flowers blooming by the sidewalk, and the wind brushing the trees like a song.

    But something inside me is changing.
    I’m learning to pay attention, to notice the light as it filters through the leaves, and to find beauty even in the ordinary and overlooked.

    This is the lens I’m choosing now,
    one shaped by gratitude, healing and hope. The more I look through it, the more beauty I see, not just around me, but within me too. – denise marie

      “So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

      Let His peace flow over me…

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      Enjoying the beauty of Kauai

      The ocean reminds me that even in chaos, I can trust that God is with me and will show me beauty in every situation.
      And when my heart may be troubled, He calm’s the storm within. Today I choose to let His peace flow over me like these waters, unshakable, strong, and steady.

      – denise marie

        “So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

          God…the source of my strength.

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          When I was out on a walk, I saw this tree swaying in the wind, moving from side to side, and at times the wind would increase and it seemed as if the branches would break, but the roots are deeply planted within the solid soil, and the palms have the ability to bend with the wind, rather then breaking.

          As the “winds” blow in my life, just like this tree trusts the hand that made it, I will trust God to sustain me, strengthen me, and carry me through.

          God, you are the source of my strength, and as creation reflects your power, your steadiness, and your grace,
          so will I. – denise marie

          “So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”.

          • John 8:36