I know I have been absent for a hot minute- but I have good news! "Spud in the Mud" is now available for purchase!! 😄 One of the things God taught me while writing my newest book surprised me. The world tells leaders that visibility equals impact. But the Kingdom rarely works that way. Most of the things God grows in us happen underground first. Roots grow before fruit appears. Character forms before calling expands. Faithfulness in hidden places prepares us for influence later. While writing Spud in the Mud, I kept coming back to this truth: God doesn’t waste seasons. Not the quiet ones. Not the frustrating ones. Not the seasons where it feels like you’re buried instead of planted. If you’re mentoring leaders, discipling others, or carrying responsibility in ministry, remember this: The seasons where you feel unseen are often the seasons where God is strengthening the roots that will eventually hold the weight of greater fruit. Leadership in the Kingdom isn’t built in the spotlight. It’s grown in the dirt. So if you’re in a “mud season” right now, stay planted. God is still working underground.

Let’s all just take a collective breath for a second. January came in hot. Cold. Long. Emotionally aggressive. And for the record… I did not have “get knocked flat by sickness” on my bingo card. 😅 But here’s the win: we’re still standing. Maybe a little tired. Maybe a little behind. Maybe still in sweatpants. But standing nonetheless. So before we rush into “February goals” and “let’s crush it” energy, I want to ask you one simple thing: 👉 What’s one thing you did in January that you’re proud of—even if it feels small? Showed up anyway. Didn’t quit. Rested when you needed to. Set a boundary. Survived something hard. Drop it below. Let’s mark the moment. We build momentum by acknowledging survival first, not pretending January didn’t try to take us out. February, we’re coming—but we’re doing it wiser, softer, and stronger. 💪✨

Leadership doesn’t eliminate followership. It reveals it. Every leader is being led by something—a voice, a value, a reward system, a fear, a desire. The real question isn’t “Who are you leading?” It’s “What are you following?” Is it God—or money? Is it the Kingdom—or comfort? Is it obedience—or applause? Is it calling—or control? Is it humility—or pride dressed up as ambition? You can lead people while quietly following the wrong thing. And eventually, whatever you follow will shape where everyone else ends up. Titles don’t determine direction. Allegiance does. Strong leaders pause long enough to audit their motives: - What actually drives my decisions? - What do I protect at all costs? - What would I compromise if the pressure increased? Kingdom leadership requires clarity before credibility. You don’t drift into alignment—you choose it. So today, leader—who are you following? Drop a word in the comments: God. Growth. Approval. Security. Calling. Control. Comfort. Faith. Name it honestly. Alignment starts with awareness.

When we talk about the table, we’re not talking about people’s worth. We’re talking about where your energy goes. Every leader has a limited amount of attention, emotional capacity, creative effort, and spiritual focus. Your table is simply the place where those resources are spent. Jesus cared for everyone, but He did not expend equal energy everywhere. He healed crowds, taught the twelve, and invested deeply in a few. That wasn’t favoritism. It was wisdom. If you give the same level of effort to every demand, every voice, and every need, you won’t multiply. You’ll fracture. Leadership isn’t about doing more. It’s about directing effort where it actually bears fruit. As we step into 2026, the question isn’t, “Who do I love?” It’s, “Where is my energy meant to be multiplied this season?” You can care broadly while investing narrowly. Reflection: Where did most of your energy go in 2025? • things that produced fruit • things that maintained the status quo • things that drained you Response: Name one area, role, or focus that deserves a seat at your table in 2026 — and one that doesn’t. (You can answer publicly or privately. Both count.)

What are the attributes of a great leader- in your opinion?