Journal: Swords, Sighs, and Everyday Survival

Matthew 10:34 - "I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."

These words echoed in my mind today as I sit with people in their ordinary struggles. Not the dramatic, earth-shattering moments. Just life. Real, raw, everyday life.

Kay who is a new mom who is struggling with postpartum and anxiety. John who is in the army is navigating a difficult work transition. Sarah's struggling to balance working as a police officer and fighting with her emotions and memories of a bad relationship .

The "sword" isn't always a dramatic cut. Sometimes it's just a gentle nudge of truth. A moment of clarity. A breath of understanding that separates what is from what could be.

My work isn't about solving everything. It's about being present. Listening. Helping people see their experiences a little differently. Cutting through the noise of their own internal narratives. Not to wound, but to help them breathe.

A sword can be compassionate. It can be a tool of precision that helps people see themselves more clearly. Today, that looked like sitting with Mrs. Thompson and acknowledging her fear. Helping John recognize his own resilience. Giving Sarah permission to feel overwhelmed.

Ministry happens in these quiet moments. No grand revelations. Just human connection. Just being fully present.

The sword of Christ? Maybe it's just the courage to sit with someone exactly where they are. To listen. To see. To understand.

Not every day feels significant. But every day matters.