Honoring God With Our Homes: The Laundry Room

 

Honoring God With Our Homes: The Laundry Room

(A Homemaking Series — Room Five)
Theme: Faithfulness in Repetition

If the kitchen is the heart,
the living room the lungs,
the bedroom the sanctuary,
the garage the stress response we’re working on…

Then the laundry room is the spiritual boot camp.

Because nothing will sanctify you faster than folding the same people’s clothes again.

The Never-Ending Nature of Laundry

Laundry is the ultimate humbler.

You finish it…
and somehow it immediately needs to be done again.

Dirty → clean → worn → dirty.
Repeat until Jesus returns.

And here’s the thing:
God is not annoyed by repetition.

We might be—but He isn’t.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning.” — Lamentations 3:22–23

Laundry is living proof of that verse.

Grace does not get tired of starting over.

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God Is a God of Renewal

Throughout Scripture, God works in cycles:

• Morning and night

• Seasons

• Sabbaths

• Repentance and renewal

Laundry mirrors the gospel in the most practical way.

Things get dirty.
They are washed.
They are restored.
They go back into the world and get dirty again.

And God says, “Come back. I’ll clean you again.”

Not once.
Not twice.
Every time.

What Are We Supposed to “Clothe” Ourselves In?

Scripture talks a lot about clothing—just not the kind currently overflowing from our baskets.

“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” — Colossians 3:12

“Put on the full armor of God.” — Ephesians 6:11

Christians are called to dress their souls before they dress their bodies.

And yet…
we own an impressive amount of actual clothes.

The Clothing Situation (Let’s Be Honest)

I am not a minimalist.
But I am trying to find balance.

Because excess clothing brings:

• Decision fatigue

• Overflowing laundry

• Stress we don’t need

Too many clothes don’t simplify life—they complicate it.

Laundry gently asks us:

• What do we actually wear?

• What no longer fits this season?

• What could bless someone else?

Stewardship applies to closets too.

Laundry Is Service (And It Matters)

Laundry is one of the clearest acts of love we offer our families.

Clean clothes mean:

• Warmth

• Dignity

• Comfort

• Care

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” — Colossians 3:23

Even socks.
Especially socks.

This work may be unseen, but it is not insignificant.

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Laundry: The Perfect Place to Meet God

The laundry room is ideal for:

• Prayer

• Worship music

• Sermons or podcasts

• Quiet conversations with God

Your hands are busy.
Your heart is open.

Some of my best prayers happen while folding clothes—because my expectations are low and my honesty is high.

---

A Gentle Laundry Rhythm (So It Doesn’t Take Over Your Life)

Daily Laundry Habit

• One load a day
  Wash, dry, fold, put away.
  That’s it. That’s the goal.

Small faithfulness beats weekend overwhelm.

Weekly Add-Ons

• Catch up missed loads

• Wash towels and sheets

• Empty lint trap (seriously)

• Wipe washer and dryer

Monthly Tasks

• Declutter clothes

• Clean machines

• Organize supplies

• Donate unused items

Laundry becomes lighter when we own less.

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Worship Looks Like This Too

Worship looks like:

• Folding

• Sorting

• Matching socks (or giving up and moving on)

• Serving quietly

God sees this work.

“The Lord your God is with you… He will rejoice over you with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17

Even in the laundry room.

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A Prayer for the Laundry Room

Lord,
We dedicate this laundry room to You.
Bless the work done here—the washing, the folding, the serving.
Remind us through repetition that Your grace never runs out.
As clothes are cleaned and renewed,
Renew our hearts as well.
Strengthen weary hands and willing spirits.
We anoint this space for faithfulness, patience, and love.
May our service here reflect Your care for us.
Amen.

---

Laundry may never be finished—
but grace never fails.

And somehow, in this small room with its endless cycles,
God keeps meeting us again and again.

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S.O.U.P. & Small Groups: Why God Uses Crockpots More Than Microwaves

 

S.O.U.P. & Small Groups: Why God Uses Crockpots More Than Microwaves

Is there anything better on a cold winter day than a steaming pot of soup?
The kind that fogs up your glasses when you lean in for that first spoonful.
The kind that’s been simmering all afternoon, filling the house with that something good is coming smell.

I love soup season. Truly. If soup were a spiritual gift, I’d be operating in it heavily from October through March.

But here’s the thing—soup is not a one-ingredient wonder. Nobody craves a bowl of plain hot water. (If you do, please see a doctor or a pastor.) Soup needs carrots, potatoes, onions, spices, broth, maybe meat… or beans if you’re keeping it vegetarian and morally superior. 

All those ingredients matter. Each one brings something different. And when they’re tossed together and given time, they turn into something warm, comforting, and nourishing.

Small groups are a lot like soup.

One carrot can’t make a stew. One lonely potato isn’t a meal. And you and I—no matter how spiritually disciplined, Bible-reading, highlighter-owning we are—aren’t meant to walk this Christian life alone.

We need each other.
Our different gifts.
Our stories.
Our strengths.
Our quirks.
Even the ingredients we’d personally leave out if we were cooking the recipe ourselves.

God, however, is not afraid of a full pot.

This post is taken from my winter devotional, Sheltered in His Love.

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The Onion-Chopping Stage of Community

Here’s the rub, though—and this is where people start backing away from the pot like it might explode.

Just like chopping onions makes you cry, joining a small group can sting at first.

It means showing up.
It means being seen.
It means answering, “How are you really?” with something other than “Fine.”

It might mean awkward icebreakers.
Praying out loud when your voice shakes.
Talking to strangers who somehow already seem to know each other.
Wondering if you said the wrong thing.
Wondering if you belong.

But just like soup, the end result is worth it.

Because isolation might feel easier in the moment, but it doesn’t nourish us. It doesn’t warm us. And it definitely doesn’t sustain us through long winters of life.

What the Bible Teaches About Fellowship

From the very beginning, God said,

“It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18).

And that wasn’t just about marriage—it was about humanity. God wired us for connection. For community. For shared life.

When Jesus walked this earth, He didn’t travel solo. He called disciples to walk alongside Him. He shared meals with them (lots of meals—Jesus clearly valued food-based ministry). He prayed with them, taught them, corrected them, rested with them, and sent them out together.

And the early church followed His lead:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… All the believers were together and had everything in common.”
—Acts 2:42, 44

Notice what’s missing here:
No mention of just attending a service and heading home.
No “watch the sermon and ghost everyone until next week.”

They shared life.
They prayed together.
They ate together.
They confessed.
They encouraged.
They showed up when it mattered.

That’s not fast food faith. That’s slow-simmer discipleship.

Soup & Sisterhood (or Brotherhood… or Just Humans Trying Their Best)

A few years ago, I signed up for a women’s small group (MUMS) even though I felt overwhelmed and more than a little skeptical.

I’m an introvert.
I genuinely love studying my Bible alone.
And I was new to the church.

To make things even more awkward, I joined near the end of their season—so friendships were already formed, inside jokes already established, and I was fully prepared to feel like the crouton that didn’t belong in the salad.

But I knew God was nudging me. So I went.

I didn’t pray out loud.
I did bring store-bought sugar cookies.

And not the fancy bakery kind. The basic ones. I plopped them right next to beautiful from-scratch cinnamon rolls, homemade casseroles, and Pinterest-worthy fruit trays.

Who brings sugar cookies to breakfast?
Me. I do.

But here’s the wild thing—no one cared.

Instead, I found a circle of perfectly imperfect women who quickly became family. When Clinton got sick, they prayed. When someone faced a crisis, we rallied with meals. When joy came, we celebrated loudly.

I realized something important:
Small group wasn’t just another item on my to-do list.
It was the broth that held all the pieces of life together.

This post is taken from my winter devotional, Sheltered in His Love.

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S.O.U.P.: How Small Groups Nourish Us

Let’s break it down—spoon in hand.

S – Support

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Small groups remind us we don’t carry life alone. Sometimes support looks like prayer. Sometimes it looks like meals. Sometimes it’s just someone sitting with you in the hard and not trying to fix it.

O – Openness

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)

Vulnerability brings freedom. Healing happens when things are brought into the light. And James reminds us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. When we pray together—really pray—heaven moves.

U – Unity

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts…” (1 Corinthians 12:12)

Differences don’t divide in healthy community—they flavor the stew. We don’t all need to be the same ingredient to belong in the pot.

P – Prayer

“Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Prayer binds hearts. And as James reminds us with Elijah’s story, ordinary people praying earnestly can see extraordinary things happen (James 5:17–18).

Stirring the Pot: Small Group Ideas

If you’re ready to lean into community but don’t know where to start, here are some simple ways to begin:

Types of Groups

• Women’s, men’s, or mixed groups

• Young adult or college groups

• Marriage or parenting support groups

• Bible study or discipleship circles

• Service-oriented or outreach groups

Things to Study

• A book of the Bible (Acts, James, Ephesians are great starters)

• A topical study (prayer, forgiveness, spiritual gifts)

• Sermon-based discussions

• Devotional books or video series

Things to Do Together

• Share meals or snacks (food builds connection—this is biblical)

• Serve together

• Host worship or prayer nights

• Celebrate birthdays, show up in crisis, mark milestones

• Share testimonies and answered prayers

Small groups don’t need to look perfect. They just need space for authenticity, growth, and prayer.

Why Small Groups Matter

1. They move us from rows (Sunday morning) to circles (real life).

2. They give us a safe place to ask hard questions.

3. They keep us accountable when we drift.

4. They remind us we’re not the only carrot in the pot—we belong to something bigger.

Reflection

• What excuses keep me from joining or committing to a small group?

• How have I seen God’s presence show up in community vs. isolation?

• Which “ingredient” do I need most right now—support, openness, unity, or prayer?

• How can I be a faithful ingredient in someone else’s life this season?

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father, thank You for designing us for community. In a world that tempts us to isolate, help me lean into fellowship. Forgive me for choosing comfort over connection. Lord, small groups scare me sometimes—I don’t always want to be known or stretched. But I know I need it. Like soup simmering on the stove, blend my life with others to bring warmth and nourishment. Let prayer be the broth that holds us together. May my small group be a place where Your Spirit stirs hearts, Your Word anchors us, and friendship carries us through the winters of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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© 2025 Alissa Hill. All rights reserved. Please do not copy, reproduce, or distribute any part of this blog without written permission. Sharing direct links is always welcome and appreciated!

🐾 Pawverbs: What Man’s Best Friend Teaches Us About Wisdom, Faithfulness, and the Book of Proverbs

If Proverbs had paws, it would wag its tail while giving wise life advice.

The book of Proverbs is full of short, punchy truths—little nuggets of wisdom meant to be lived, not just highlighted. And honestly? Dogs get Proverbs in a way humans often don’t. They understand loyalty. They practice faithfulness. They respond to correction (most days). They live fully in the present. And they love with their whole bodies.

So today, let’s open our Bibles, grab a cup of coffee, scratch a dog behind the ears, and talk about Pawverbs—wisdom lessons from Scripture, illustrated by dogs who lived them well.

🐾 Pawverb #1: Faithfulness Is a Way of Life (Lucy’s Story)

“A righteous person cares for the needs of their animal.” — Proverbs 12:10
“Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?” — Proverbs 20:6

I have always loved dogs.

As a child, I wanted one desperately. Dogs represented safety, companionship, and unconditional love—things that felt fragile in my home growing up. My dad was unstable, and when caring for dogs became inconvenient or overwhelming, he would give them away. Over and over again.

Each time felt like a small heartbreak layered on top of the others.

So when I became an adult and got my first dog of my own, it meant everything.

Her name was Lucy, and she was a bearded collie—shaggy, expressive, and endlessly loyal. Lucy was my best friend in my early twenties, during the most difficult season of my life so far.

That season included:

• Chronic illness

• Loneliness that felt physically heavy

• Intense anger and spiritual warfare

• No money

• Dangerous and unstable living situations

• Painful, unhealthy relationships

And Lucy?
Lucy was always there.

Ready to play.
Ready to walk.
Ready to sit beside me when words failed.

She didn’t fix my circumstances, but she was faithful in them—and Proverbs reminds us that faithfulness often looks quiet and ordinary.

Lucy wasn’t thrilled when I had kids. (Toddlers are… a lot.) She tolerated them more than adored them, but she remained a good girl. Loyal. Present. Steady.

She eventually died from what was most likely a brain tumor. Losing her was devastating—but complicated. I had a three-year-old and a newborn, and life didn’t pause so I could grieve. I was heartbroken not only by her death, but by my inability to properly mourn her.

And yet—I hold this hope.

Scripture doesn’t explicitly say our pets will be in heaven, but Jesus does say:

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love him.” — 1 Corinthians 2:9

I believe Jesus is kind enough, creative enough, and loving enough to redeem even those losses. I believe Lucy is safe with Him. Waiting. Tail wagging.

Pawverb lesson: Faithfulness doesn’t require perfect conditions—only a willing heart. Dogs live this well. We are called to learn it.

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🐾 Pawverb #2: Loyalty That Doesn’t Leave (Hachikō)

“A friend loves at all times.” — Proverbs 17:17
“The one who is trustworthy in very little is also trustworthy in much.” — Proverbs 11:13 (principle of trustworthiness)

One of the most famous dog stories in the world is Hachikō, an Akita from Japan.

Hachikō walked his owner to the train station every morning and returned every afternoon to greet him after work. One day, his owner died suddenly at work—and never returned.

But Hachikō didn’t know that.

For nine years, this dog returned to the train station every single day, waiting patiently for the person he loved. Same spot. Same time. Same faithfulness.

People noticed. They brought him food. They told his story. Eventually, a statue was built in his honor at the Shibuya Station in Tokyo—a permanent tribute to loyalty.

Source:

• Smithsonian Magazine – “Hachiko: Japan’s Most Famous Dog”

Hachikō lived out Proverbs without ever reading it. His life reflected a truth we struggle with: faithfulness even when there is no immediate reward.

Pawverb lesson: True loyalty stays—even when it hurts, even when answers don’t come.

🐾 Pawverb #3: Steadfast Love That Points Us Home (Greyfriars Bobby)

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely.” — Proverbs 10:9
“Love and faithfulness keep a king safe.” — Proverbs 20:28

In 19th-century Scotland, a small Skye Terrier named Greyfriars Bobby became known for guarding his owner’s grave.

After his owner died, Bobby stayed by the graveside for 14 years until his own death. Rain, cold, loneliness—it didn’t matter. Love anchored him there.

The townspeople cared for him, and today there is a statue in Edinburgh commemorating his devotion.

Source:

• BBC Scotland – “The True Story of Greyfriars Bobby”

Bobby’s story reminds us that steadfast love leaves a mark. Proverbs consistently connects faithfulness with legacy—what we do with our love matters long after we’re gone.

Pawverb lesson: Love that remains becomes a witness.

🐾 Pawverb #4: Obedience That Saves Lives (Balto)

“The wise listen to advice.” — Proverbs 12:15
“Plans succeed with good counsel.” — Proverbs 20:18

In 1925, the remote town of Nome, Alaska, was facing a deadly diphtheria outbreak—especially among children. Medicine was urgently needed, but brutal winter weather made travel nearly impossible.

Enter Balto, a Siberian Husky who led the final leg of a life-saving dogsled relay across nearly 700 miles of frozen wilderness. Battling blizzards, whiteout conditions, and exhaustion, Balto followed his musher’s commands and instincts, delivering the antitoxin that saved countless lives.

Balto didn’t understand the full scope of the mission. He didn’t need to. He simply ran faithfully in the direction he was guided.

A statue of Balto still stands in Central Park with these words engraved:
“Endurance · Fidelity · Intelligence”

Source:

• National Park Service – “The Great Race of Mercy”

• Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art – “Balto and the Serum Run”

Pawverb lesson: Obedience—especially when the path is hard—can be the very thing God uses to bring healing to others.

🐾  Pawverb #5: Courage in the Face of Fear (Search-and-Rescue Dogs of 9/11)

“The righteous are as bold as a lion.” — Proverbs 28:1
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due.” — Proverbs 3:27

After the September 11 attacks, search-and-rescue dogs worked tirelessly at Ground Zero alongside firefighters and first responders. They climbed unstable rubble, inhaled smoke and dust, and searched endlessly for survivors.

Some handlers later shared that their dogs became confused or discouraged because they were trained to find living people—and there were so few survivors. So rescuers hid and let the dogs “find” them, just to keep their spirits up and help them finish the work.

These dogs didn’t flee from danger. They ran toward it.

Source:

• American Kennel Club – “Search-and-Rescue Dogs of 9/11”

• Smithsonian Magazine – “The Dogs Who Helped at Ground Zero”

Pawverb lesson: Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to keep going for the sake of others.

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🐾  Pawverb #6: Faithfulness in the Small Things (Pickles the World Cup Dog)

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” — Proverbs 11:13 (principle)
“Diligent hands bring wealth.” — Proverbs 10:4

In 1966, the original FIFA World Cup trophy was stolen in England just months before the tournament. Despite massive searches, the trophy was nowhere to be found.

Then one day, a collie named Pickles was out on a normal walk with his owner when he sniffed something unusual wrapped in newspaper under a hedge.

It was the stolen trophy.

Pickles wasn’t trained for international crime-solving. He was just doing what dogs do best—paying attention, being diligent, and using what he’d been given.

Pickles became a national hero and received a lifetime supply of dog food and a medal.

Source:

• BBC News – “Pickles the Dog Who Found the World Cup”

• FIFA Archive – “The Curious Case of the Stolen Trophy”

Pawverb lesson: Faithfulness in ordinary moments can lead to extraordinary impact.

🐾 Final Thought: Why Pawverbs Matter

Proverbs teaches us that wisdom isn’t just something we know—it’s something we walk out. Dogs don’t complicate wisdom. They live it.

They remind us:

• Faithfulness doesn’t need recognition

• Obedience matters even when we don’t see the outcome

• Love that stays speaks louder than words

• Small, daily faithfulness counts

“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” — Proverbs 4:18

         “Let love and faithfulness never leave you.” — Proverbs 3:3

Sometimes God uses sermons.
Sometimes He uses Scripture.
And sometimes… He uses a dog curled up at our feet to teach us what wisdom really looks like.

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© 2025 Alissa Hill. All rights reserved. Please do not copy, reproduce, or distribute any part of this blog without written permission. Sharing direct links is always welcome and appreciated!

What Do You Bring to a King Who Has Everything?

 

What Do You Bring to a King Who Has Everything?

The Christmas story is familiar—almost too familiar.

We know the nativity scene by heart. The baby. The manger. The animals politely gathered. The shepherds kneeling quietly. And somewhere nearby (usually right next to the stable in our decorations), three wise men holding shiny gifts.

But when we slow down and really study the story, the details begin to glow.

Especially the gifts.

Because the wise men didn’t bring random presents. They brought worship in physical form. And their gifts still ask us a question today:

What do you bring to Jesus?

Who Were the Wise Men, Really?

Scripture calls them Magi.

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem…” — Matthew 2:1

The Magi were likely scholars, astronomers, and advisers—possibly from Persia or Babylon. These were educated men who studied the stars, ancient texts, and prophecies. They were outsiders. Gentiles. Not part of Israel.

And yet—God invited them.

They noticed something unusual in the sky. A star that wouldn’t let them look away. And instead of dismissing it, they followed it.

Faith often begins like that—a holy curiosity that says, I don’t understand this yet, but I’m willing to move toward it.

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Did They Come the Night Jesus Was Born?

Probably not.

This detail matters—not to ruin the nativity scene—but to deepen our understanding.

By the time the Magi arrived, Scripture says they entered a house, not a stable.

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary…” — Matthew 2:11

Jesus is called a child here, not a newborn. Many scholars believe the Magi arrived months—possibly up to two years—after His birth. This explains why Herod ordered the death of boys two years old and under (Matthew 2:16).

Which means this:

The Magi didn’t worship Jesus in the excitement of the birth moment.
They worshiped Him when life had likely settled into ordinary days.

And that matters for us.

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The Gifts: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

These weren’t sentimental baby gifts. They were expensive, symbolic, and deeply prophetic.

Gold — Worshiping the King

Gold was a gift for royalty.

By offering gold, the Magi declared: This child is a King.

Not just a future king. Not a symbolic one. A real King—worthy of honor and authority.

“On coming to the house… they bowed down and worshiped him.” — Matthew 2:11

Before they gave gold, they gave worship.

Our gold today looks like worship, too.
Praise when life is good. Trust when life is confusing. Surrender when we’d rather stay in control.

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” — Matthew 4:10

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Frankincense — Worshiping God With Us

Frankincense was used in temple worship. It symbolized prayer rising to God.

This gift declared something astonishing: This child is not only King—He is divine.

God with us.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” — John 1:14

Frankincense reminds us that Jesus invites relationship, not distance.

Our frankincense today is relationship.
Time in His presence. Prayer that’s honest. Scripture read slowly. A heart that stays near Him—not just on Sundays, not just in December.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” — James 4:8

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Myrrh — A Savior Who Would Suffer

Myrrh was used for burial.

This gift whispers what no one wanted to hear yet: This child was born to die.

From the beginning, Jesus’ life was wrapped in sacrifice.

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering…” — Isaiah 53:4

The Magi couldn’t have fully understood this—but God did.

Our myrrh today is surrender.
Laying down sin. Letting go of self-reliance. Offering obedience, even when it costs us something.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” — Luke 9:23

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What Gifts Would You Bring to Jesus?

This Christmas—and every ordinary day after—we’re invited to bring our own gifts.

Not because Jesus lacks anything.
But because love always responds.

1. Gold: Worship

Not just songs, but a life that acknowledges Jesus as King.

2. Frankincense: Relationship

Time with Him. Talking to Him. Listening to His Word. Staying close.

3. Myrrh: Surrender

Trusting Him with your future. Your wounds. Your obedience.

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” — Romans 12:1

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The Invitation Still Stands

The wise men traveled far.
They followed light they didn’t fully understand.
They bowed low before a child who didn’t look like a king.

And Jesus received their gifts.

He still does.

Whether your faith feels strong or fragile.
Whether your worship feels confident or quiet.
Whether your surrender feels costly or incomplete.

This Christmas—and every day—bring Him what you have.

He is worthy of it all.
And He is gentle enough to receive it with love.

© 2025 Alissa Hill. All rights reserved. Please do not copy, reproduce, or distribute any part of this blog without written permission. Sharing direct links is always welcome and appreciated!

Rooted and Repotted: What God Taught Me Through My Plants

A devotional love letter to the plant moms who talk to their pothos

Some people collect mugs.
Some collect throw pillows.
I collect houseplants.

How many do I have?
Enough that I no longer answer honestly. Enough that my husband will walk into a room, pause, and say something like, “Was that plant… here yesterday?” Enough that I’ve said the sentence, “No, I didn’t buy it, someone gave me a cutting,” which is plant-mom code for I absolutely acquired another plant.

And yet—despite the dirt under my nails, the leaves I’ve accidentally killed, and the ever-growing jungle in my house—God has used these plant babies to gently teach me more about Himself than I ever expected.

Gardening (and plant parenting) turns out to be deeply spiritual. Who knew?

Here’s what God has shown me over the years of following Him… one leaf, root, and repotting at a time.

1. Sunlight: Where You’re Planted Matters

Every plant mom knows this truth: placement is everything.

“This one needs bright indirect light.”
“That one will burn if I put it there.”
“This one is dramatic and will absolutely let me know if it’s unhappy.”

Plants don’t thrive just anywhere. They thrive where they’re meant to be.

And wow—doesn’t that preach?

God has been gently reminding me that where He places us matters, too. Some seasons feel bright and sunny. Others feel like partial shade. But every placement is intentional.

“The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to work it and watch over it.”
—Genesis 2:15

Just like plants need the sun, we need the Son. When we lean toward Him—soaking in His presence, His Word, His truth—we grow healthier, steadier, stronger.

If a plant starts stretching desperately toward the light, it’s called leggy.
When I do that spiritually? Same problem.

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2. Watering: Too Much, Too Little, and the Living Water

Watering plants is an art, not a science.

Too much? Root rot.
Too little? Crispy sadness.
Just right? Growth.

I’ve learned this the hard way. Over-loving a plant can kill it just as quickly as neglect.

Spiritually, God has shown me that He is the only water that truly sustains.

“Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.”
—John 4:14

I can try to hydrate my soul with busyness, productivity, scrolling, or approval—but it never lasts. Only the Living Water brings real life.

And sometimes God gently pulls back the watering can—not to punish, but to strengthen roots.

3. The Right Potting Mix: Roots Need Support

Good plants need good soil.

Not just dirt—but a balanced mix: nutrients, drainage, structure. Something strong enough to hold roots, but loose enough to let them grow.

Faith is the same way.

We need the right environment to take root:
– the Church
– wise pastors and teachers
– Christian community
– sound biblical teaching

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him.”
—Colossians 2:6–7

When roots are healthy, growth is steady. When roots are unsupported, everything suffers.

God never meant us to grow alone in a windowsill with no soil.

4. Pruning: Cutting Back to Grow Forward

Pruning hurts.

Ask any plant mom who has stared at perfectly good leaves and said, “I’m so sorry,” before snipping.

But pruning isn’t punishment—it’s purposeful.

“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
—John 15:2

God has pruned habits, relationships, expectations, and even dreams in my life. Things that weren’t healthy anymore. Things that were draining life instead of producing it.

It never feels good in the moment—but pruning always leads to new growth.

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5. Repotting: When You’ve Outgrown Your Space

Root-bound plants look fine… until they don’t.

They stop growing. They dry out faster. They struggle—because they’ve outgrown the container they’re in.

Repotting is messy. Dirt everywhere. Roots exposed. Temporary shock.

But necessary.

Spiritually, God has moved me when I got too comfortable. He’s stretched me into new seasons, new callings, new obedience.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”
—Isaiah 43:18–19

Sometimes growth requires a bigger pot.

6. Propagating: Growth Was Never Meant to Stop With You

Propagation is one of the most magical things in plant parenting.

You snip a piece.
You place it in water.
Roots appear where none existed before.

One plant becomes many.

This is discipleship.

“Go and make disciples of all nations.”
—Matthew 28:19

What God grows in us isn’t meant to end with us. Faith multiplies when it’s shared—through conversations, hospitality, teaching, encouragement, and quiet example.

Healthy plants produce more plants.
Healthy faith produces more faith.

7. Family: Different Plants, Same Creator

Plants have families. Scientific ones.

You’ll hear words like genus, species, order, family—and suddenly realize not all plants thrive the same way.

Some like humidity.
Some hate it.
Some need constant attention.
Some thrive on neglect (rude, but okay).

God reminded me that His family works the same way.

“So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
—Romans 12:5

We’re different by design. Different personalities. Different gifts. Different growth patterns.

And yet—one family. One Gardener.

A Little Dirt, A Lot of Grace

Gardening has taught me that growth is slow. Messy. Seasonal.

Sometimes you’re thriving.
Sometimes you’re just surviving.
Sometimes you’re staring at a plant wondering if it’s dead or just resting.

God is patient in every season.

That’s why I wrote Seasons of Growth: A 92-Day Devotional for Spring—a place where faith meets dirt-under-your-nails living. It’s filled with what God has taught me through gardening, messy moments of life, and the slow, steady spiritual growth I’ve experienced since finding Jesus.

If you’re a plant mom, a faith grower, or just someone trying to keep both your houseplants and your heart alive—you’re not alone.

God is still tending the garden.
And He’s really, really good at growing things.

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© 2025 Alissa Hill. All rights reserved. Please do not copy, reproduce, or distribute any part of this blog without written permission. Sharing direct links is always welcome and appreciated!

What Coaching a Swim Team Has Taught Me

 

What Coaching a Swim Team Has Taught Me About Health (Body, Mind, and Soul)

When I agreed to coach a middle and high school swim team, I mostly imagined clipboards, wet towels, and yelling things like, “Kick, kick, kick!” from the side of the pool.

What I did not expect was that coaching would become one of the most stretching, sanctifying, heart-exposing lessons in health I’ve ever experienced—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I’ve learned a lot about swim strokes, breathing patterns, and why goggles always mysteriously disappear. But more than that, coaching has quietly discipled me in what it means to care for whole people—especially young ones who are still figuring out who they are and how to stay afloat in life.

Here are four things coaching has taught me about health.

1. Health Is About Showing Up—Even When It’s Hard

Let’s be honest: there have been parts of coaching I haven’t liked.

There have been awkward conversations, difficult situations, misunderstandings, and moments where I’ve driven home thinking, “Wow, I could have handled that better.” Leadership—especially as an introvert—does not come naturally to me. I’d much rather observe quietly from the corner than step forward and take charge.

But here’s the thing: kids need good leaders. They need consistency. They need adults who show up, even when it’s uncomfortable or draining.

Physical health works the same way. You don’t get stronger by swimming once and calling it good. You show up again and again—tired, sore, unmotivated—and somehow, over time, strength builds.

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
—Galatians 6:9

Mental and emotional health require the same perseverance. Sometimes health looks like faithfulness, not perfection. It’s showing up to practice. It’s showing up to prayer. It’s showing up for people—even when you feel like hiding behind a towel.

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2. Listening Is a Form of Care

One of the biggest lessons coaching has taught me is this: kids don’t always need answers—they need to be heard.

Their problems don’t always make sense to us adults. A missed text, a look in the hallway, a friend sitting with someone else at lunch—these things can feel small from the outside. But to them? They’re crushing.

And if I’m honest, we adults forget how hard being young actually is.

Or… is it that the same issues just move from the halls of school into adulthood? We still struggle with comparison. Rejection. Wanting to belong. Feeling unseen. The setting changes, but the ache doesn’t.

Mental health begins with feeling safe enough to speak.

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”
—James 1:19

As a coach, sometimes the healthiest thing I can do is stop talking. Put the clipboard down. Make eye contact. Listen without fixing. That kind of presence—calm, steady, non-rushed—is healing in ways no pep talk ever could be.

3. Bodies and Minds Are Deeply Connected

Swim practice makes this painfully obvious.

If a swimmer is exhausted, under-fueled, or stressed, it shows in the water. Sloppy strokes. Missed breaths. Frustration that bubbles up fast.

Our bodies and minds are not separate compartments. When one struggles, the other follows.

The same is true for us as adults. When we neglect sleep, movement, or nourishment, our patience wears thin. Our anxiety rises. Our joy feels harder to access.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit… Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
—1 Corinthians 6:19–20

Honoring God with our bodies isn’t about perfection or punishment. It’s about stewardship. Rest. Rhythm. Care.

Sometimes health looks like pushing through a hard set. Other times it looks like recognizing when someone needs a break—physically or emotionally—and giving them permission to breathe.

4. Leadership Doesn’t Mean Having It All Together

Leading as an introvert has been one of the hardest parts of coaching for me. I don’t naturally command a room. I second-guess myself. I feel deeply and process slowly.

But coaching has shown me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice—it’s about being a steady one.

Kids don’t need perfect leaders. They need present ones. They need adults who model humility, consistency, and care for both physical and mental health.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles.”
—Isaiah 40:31

Strength doesn’t always look like confidence. Sometimes it looks like faithfulness. Sometimes it looks like showing up to the pool again, trusting that God is working even when you feel inadequate.

Final Thoughts from the Pool Deck

Coaching has reminded me that health is holistic. It’s bodies in motion. Minds under pressure. Hearts longing to be seen.

It’s learning to breathe in the water—and in life.
It’s realizing that growth is rarely graceful at first.
It’s remembering that whether we’re 14 or 44, we all need someone in our corner saying, “I see you. Keep going.”

And maybe that’s the real lesson coaching has taught me:
We never outgrow the need for encouragement, care, and grace.

Not in the pool.
Not in leadership.
Not in life.

And thank God—He’s still coaching us, lap by lap.

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A Final Lap: Taking Scripture Into the Water

One of the most personal outcomes of coaching—and thinking so much about physical, mental, and spiritual health—has been a renewed desire to hide God’s Word in my heart.

Scripture memory has become a goal of mine, not in a “check the box” way, but in a carry it with me into real life way. Especially into the pool.

There’s something about the steady rhythm of swimming—stroke, breath, turn—that creates space to meditate. I find myself repeating verses in my head as I swim laps, letting God’s Word settle into my mind and body at the same time. It’s become prayer in motion.

That desire is what led me to create my book, Dive Into the Word: A SWIM Scripture Study.

It’s a simple, practical tool designed to help with Scripture memorization and meditation—whether you’re a swimmer or just someone who wants God’s Word to stick a little deeper. Each week focuses on seven Bible verses, and we slow them down using the SWIM method:

• S — Scripture: reading and writing the verse

• W — Wisdom: breaking down what it means and why it matters

• I — Identity: how this truth shapes who we are in Christ

• M — Meditation & Prayer: carrying the verse with us into daily life

Just like training in the pool, memorizing Scripture doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built lap by lap, repetition by repetition. But over time, those verses become strength you can draw on when life feels overwhelming—whether you’re standing on a pool deck, sitting in car line, or swimming through a hard season.

For me, Scripture has become breath. And my hope is that Dive Into the Word helps others experience that same kind of steady, sustaining health—for body, mind, and soul.

© 2025 Alissa Hill. All rights reserved. Please do not copy, reproduce, or distribute any part of this blog without written permission. Sharing direct links is always welcome and appreciated!