Back when I was working at Bath & Body Works in Kerrville—during the short-lived season when the company carried makeup—I learned one of my biggest lessons about not judging a circumstance by its cover. We sold everything from lip gloss to mascara, all under $8. One day, a little girl—maybe 8 or 10 years old—walked in and started filling a basket. She was deliberate, studying each item before adding it in. At first, I thought she was just playing, but her choices looked serious enough that I decided to step in. I went over to help and asked who she was with. She told me she had come with her parents but didn’t give me much more. I tried to gently guide her—asking what colors she liked, if she was shopping for herself or for gifts, and trying to figure out what her budget might be without embarrassing her. Each time I circled back, she had added more. By the time she finished the first basket, she picked up a second. Then a third. These weren’t careless grabs—she was pausing, comparing shades, and making thoughtful choices. Still, in my mind, all I could see was a mountain of product I’d have to put back. When she finally walked out without saying a word, leaving three overflowing baskets behind, I was frustrated beyond belief. I gave her about 30 minutes to come back, then reluctantly began putting things away, starting with the lotions so I could concentrate later on the 150+ tiny pieces of makeup. That’s when she returned—with her parents. Her dad chuckled and explained everything. She was headed to Camp Waldemar in Hunt—a very well-to-do girls camp about 30 minutes away. She wanted to bring matching gifts for her friends from the previous year. Her parents hadn’t set any parameters, so she simply pulled everything she thought would work and waited to show them when they arrived. And here’s the kicker—they bought every single thing she had picked. All but the lotions I had already put back. The total? Just over $800. On items averaging $5 each—between 150 and 170 products.

🪞 Opening Thought We all hit moments where prayer feels hard. The words don’t come. Our hearts feel numb. Or honestly—we just don’t want to.The good news? God knows that too. He doesn’t condemn us for the struggle—He invites us closer. 📖 Key Scriptures - Romans 8:26 – “The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” - Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - James 4:8 – “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” 💡 Practical Steps 1. Pray HonestlyTell God exactly how you feel: “God, I don’t feel like praying today.”Honesty is still prayer. 2. Pray SmallOne sentence is enough.Example: “Jesus, I need You.” 3. Pray with ScriptureOpen Psalms or the Lord’s Prayer and pray the words that are already written. 4. Pray with Others’ VoicesListen to a recorded prayer or let someone else’s words carry you. 5. Pray with Worship 🎶Turn on a worship song and start singing along.Let the lyrics become your prayer when you have none of your own.✨ Song Suggestions: 6. Pray with SilenceJust sit in His presence. Sometimes prayer is listening, not speaking. 🌿 Reflection Question for Skool Comments - Have you ever had a season where prayer felt hard? - What helped you through it? ✨ Wrap Up Prayer isn’t about performance—it’s about relationship. Even when you don’t feel like praying, showing up with even the smallest whisper—or even a song—keeps your heart connected to Him.