I have a restless streak in me. I’m often chasing what’s next instead of enjoying what’s right here and right now. No matter how much I have, I find myself wanting more, better, or different.

The older I get the more I realize that God often moves in chaos, struggle, and ache. His best work seems to be in the places that are falling apart. 

I love a good plot twist! We have all had that experience watching a movie or reading a great book when all hope seems lost and you can feel the despair overwhelming you.

In Matthew 18, Jesus says, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” I don’t pretend to know everything Jesus meant, but spend five minutes with a toddler and you’ll notice some things: trust, dependence, a wild sense of wonder.

For a long time, my faith journey followed a similar pattern. I knew about God, but I didn’t actually know God. I could talk about God, but found it hard to talk with God. I read about God, but struggled to be with or feel close to Him.

When I first read this verse, it didn’t sit well with me. Another translation says, "you learn more at a funeral than at a feast." Talk about a buzzkill. As someone who resonates deeply with the Enneagram Type Seven—described as energetic, optimistic, and always seeking new experiences, I struggled to understand why mourning could be better than celebration.

Any good therapist will tell you that walking has profound psychological benefits when dealing with depression or anxiety. There is something about being outside with the wind on your face and a big sky above you that helps reorient our perspective.