Sometimes working with the Anabaptist culture feels like starring in my very own “Jerry Maguire” movie moment…IYKYK “Help me… help you!” Because the truth is — growth is slow. Trust requires relationship and even then is squirrelly…. Especially if we’re not “in person”. Assumptions and Offense are normal and Fear is extremely crippling. Often it feels like pulling teeth.. which, if it can be avoided.. it will be. So the Freedom takes huge amounts of time and energy. Walking through layer after layer of unlearning and breakthrough is exhausting. What makes it really wild is how often the growth doesn’t get recognized. Huge shifts happen, but it feels “normal” to them now. They forget how shut down or stuck they were. Meanwhile, we’re on the sidelines like: 👉🏽 “Did you just hear yourself? That’s freedom talking!” 👉🏽 “You made that decision without worrying what others think of you — that’s HUGE.” 👉🏽”You’ve increased your income, gotten married, and are growing your family! *Big Wins!” 👉🏽 “You felt the fear, and did it anyway, well done!” And the list goes on.. Theres nothing glamorous about it… and often its navigating a mess. But when the lightbulb finally turns on and they see it for themselves — that’s the GOLD🌟 Exhaustion turns into joy. And suddenly, the marathon was worth every step. #HelpMeHelpYou #EpicYourLife #amishmatchmakers #trauma #freedom #control #healing #mindset #awareness #growth

“When you hear the word love, what comes to mind? Attendees at a conference were asked this question. One immediately said family. The other, just as quickly, said pain. Isn’t it interesting how the same word can hold such different meanings depending on our experience? The difference between the love the world describes and the love God offers is what I call counterfeit love versus covenant love.” Covenant Love Defined (Truth)“God’s love isn’t fickle or based on feelings. It’s steadfast. Unchanging. Eternal. Romans 5:8 says, ‘But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ That is covenant love, a love sealed not with words, not with promises we might break, but with the cross.” Counterfeit Loves (Contrast)“The problem is, we’ve all been handed filters that distort our understanding of love. Culture, songs, movies: they’ve taught us counterfeit versions of love. - A song says: ‘I can’t live if living is without you.’ That’s dependency, not love. But Philippians 4:19 says, ‘My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.’ - A movie once told us: ‘Love means never having to say you’re sorry.’ But 1 John 1:9 says, ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.’ Love always makes room for confession and forgiveness. - Whitney Houston sang: ‘I will always love you.’ Beautiful words, but human love fades. 1 Corinthians 13:8 says, ‘Love never fails.’ Only God’s covenant love truly lasts forever. - And who remembers Jerry Maguire? ‘You complete me.’ It sounds romantic, but Colossians 2:10 tells us, ‘In Christ you have been brought to fullness.’ We are already complete in Him. Do you see the difference? Culture sings about love, but only God is love. (1 John 4:8)” The Cross as the Anchor ()“Every counterfeit version of love leaves us empty eventually. But the cross—oh, the cross—is God’s eternal anchor.

When you get hurt physically, you don’t just slap a band-aid on and ignore it. You pause, identify where the pain came from, what caused it, and then you step into healing — slowly, intentionally, and with gentleness. It’s the same with emotional wounds. A trigger points us back to an old injury. First, we identify the real issue and where it started. Then we begin the healing process: forgiveness, grace, gentleness toward ourselves and others. And just like rebuilding strength after an injury, healing isn’t complete without movement. The mindset work. Choosing to move forward in ways that make us stronger, creating a new story, a new experience. The trigger doesn’t have to keep defining you. It can be the signal that your healing is ready to go deeper. #Healing #TriggersToTriumph #EpicYourLife #intentional #mindset #lens #amish #amishmatchmakers #marriage #life #personalgrowth

After 11 years with kids in the “System” and 5 years walking with the Amish, one truth has become undeniable: The deepest trauma rarely comes from the behavior itself… it comes from the response to the behavior. A parent’s response. A sibling’s response. A teacher’s, a pastor’s, a community’s response. That moment of reaction doesn’t just correct behavior — it cements belief. • When the response is shaming, harsh, or rejecting → the belief becomes, “I’m bad. I’ll never be enough.” • When the response is steady, compassionate, and curious → the belief becomes, “I can grow. I’m still worthy. I’m loved.” Psychologically, it’s the response that shapes the story we carry into adulthood — the story about who we are, what we’re worth, and whether we belong. Our responses matter more than we think. Because they don’t just end a moment… they echo for a lifetime. *Is there a response you’ve experienced that caused a harmful belief about yourself? Please share🫶🏽 #ThePowerOfResponse #EpicYourLife #HealingGenerations #flipthescript #createanewstory #mindset #personalgrowth #amish #amishmatcmakers #fostercare #fosterkids #trauma #response

This sermon came up on my feed and I thought it was very interesting because what is being taught is a lot of what Chantel and Carlos have been teaching us over the years about being triggered is linked to trauma. Maybe you can give it a listen when you have a chance.