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While We Still Can

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We rush through days, forgetting how fragile breath really is… until we lose someone who once filled the room with laughter. Death has a way of slowing everything down. It takes the noise of life – the busyness, the endless to-do lists, the minor frustrations, and quiets them all in one uninvited moment. Suddenly, the things we argued about don’t seem worth the energy, and the things we never said echo louder than ever.

It’s strange, isn’t it? How easily we assume there will always be another day. Another phone call, another visit, another chance to say “I love you.” But one day, there isn’t. One day, the chair stays empty, and the voice we took for granted becomes a memory we’d give anything to hear again.

Loss has a way of pulling life into focus. It strips away the unnecessary and leaves us staring at what truly matters, love, forgiveness, connection, kindness, and faith. We start to realize that life isn’t about how long we live but how deeply we love while we’re here.

Maybe that’s why death hurts so deeply –  because love was never meant to end. It reminds us that we were created for eternity, for relationships that outlast time. The pain we feel is proof that we loved, and that’s something sacred.

Too often, we wait.
We wait for the right moment to say what’s on our hearts.
We wait until “things calm down” to visit that friend.
We wait for special occasions to show affection.
And in the waiting, time slips through our fingers.

So maybe the lesson is simple – stop waiting. If there’s someone on your heart today, call them. Send the message, say the words, and visit while you still can. If forgiveness is long overdue, offer it, even if it’s not asked for. If gratitude has been waiting for the “right time,” say it now. Don’t let pride, fear, or routine rob you of connection.

The truth is, none of us know how many more mornings we’ll wake up or how many sunsets we’ll get to see. But guess what? We do have this moment. This one. The one where you can choose to love deeper, speak kinder, and live with intention.

And for those who are grieving, may you find comfort in knowing that love doesn’t die. It transforms. It becomes the quiet reminder in your chest that the person you lost left something eternal behind – a piece of who they were, planted in who you are.

Maybe that’s what we carry forward: the laughter that lingers, the lessons they taught us, the warmth of their presence that time can’t erase. Maybe the best way to honor those who’ve gone is to love more fiercely, forgive more quickly, and live more gratefully.

Because life is shorter than we think. I am reminded of the words of a song, “Life at best is very brief, like the falling of a leaf….” With that in mind, love deserves to be spoken while we still can.


As we reflect on how brief and precious this life is, may the words of Psalm 90:12 steady our hearts:

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Each day is a gift. Each conversation, a chance. Each heartbeat is a reminder of God’s grace in motion. Don’t let today pass without love being spoken or shown.


If this spoke to your heart, take a moment today to reach out to someone you love. Say the words, make the call, or send the message you’ve been meaning to send. Tomorrow isn’t promised, but this moment is. Use it well.

Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

🇯🇲 As the Hurricane Nears Jamaica….

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There are moments when the sky darkens not just above us but within us. When the air feels heavy with uncertainty, all we can do is watch the clouds gather and pray they pass quickly. As I write this, some parts of Jamaica are already feeling the rough seas and early winds of a Category 4 hurricane, and my heart goes out to every family bracing for what may come.

Hurricanes have a way of humbling us. They remind us that despite all we build and plan, there are still forces beyond our control. The winds don’t ask permission to blow. The rain doesn’t wait for our schedules. And yet, even in the chaos, God remains unshaken.

Scripture reminds us that “He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey Him.” (Luke 8:25)
That same power that can calm the storm is the same power that holds us steady through it.

For every mother stocking up on food, every father securing the windows, every child sensing the tension in the air, God sees you. He hasn’t turned away. His eyes are on that island, His heart near to every cry whispered in fear or faith.

Sometimes, faith isn’t about standing tall in the storm; it’s about standing at all. It’s holding onto hope when the news feels heavy, when the wind howls louder than our prayers. It’s believing that even if the night grows long, morning will still come, and God will still be good.

In times like these, we are called to remember not only those directly in the storm’s path but also those who will wake up tomorrow trying to rebuild what was lost. Our prayers, though unseen, can be like hands stretched across the waters lifting, strengthening, comforting.

So today, I’m inviting you, wherever you are,  to pause and pray. Pray for protection for Jamaica. Pray for calm in the hearts of the anxious. Pray that homes will stand firm and that hope will not falter. And if the winds rise, may faith rise higher.

Because even when we cannot see what’s ahead, we can trust the One who walks upon the waves.

Let this be more than a passing thought. Let it be a movement of compassion. Check on someone. Send a word of encouragement. Be the light in someone’s darkness.

Storms remind us that life is fragile, but they also remind us that faith is fierce.
And in every gust of wind, there is still a whisper of grace.

#StepsOfPurpose | #PrayForJamaica | #FaithInTheStorm | #GodIsWithUs | #HurricaneJamaica

🪝 The Pull of Faith: When God Tugs at the Line

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There’s a moment in every fishing trip that makes your heart race – the tug on the line. The reel sings, the rod bows, and everything inside you comes alive. After minutes and sometimes hours of stillness, that sudden pull breaks the silence. It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for.

But as every fisherman knows, that’s also when the real work begins. You have to reel, steady your grip, and battle the desperate efforts of the fish. The catch doesn’t come easy, and the outcome is never guaranteed.

Life feels a lot like that sometimes. We cast our prayers, hopes, and efforts out into deep waters, trusting that something good will come. We wait. We watch. And then, just when we’re ready to give up , we feel the pull.

That pull is faith in action. It’s God’s gentle reminder that He’s moving, even when we can’t see what’s happening beneath the surface.

The Pull of Faith

When a fish takes the bait, that first tug is a signal – a call to respond. In our walk with God, there are moments when we feel that same spiritual tug. Maybe it’s a call to take a step of obedience, to forgive someone, to start something new, or to simply trust again after disappointment.

Romans 5:3–4 reminds us, “We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Faith pulls us out of comfort and into growth. Growth rarely comes without resistance. The tug isn’t meant to break us. It’s meant to build us.

So when you feel that pull, don’t ignore it. Lean in. God might be inviting you to something deeper.

Fighting for the Blessing

Reeling in a fish takes patience and strength. Sometimes, you have to fight against the current, adjust your position, and stay steady even when your arms ache.

That’s how it is when we’re believing for a breakthrough. We do everything we can – pray, obey, serve, wait, and still, the blessing doesn’t come easily.

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Some blessings require endurance. Not because God is cruel, but because the process prepares us to handle what we’re asking for. The wait strengthens our faith. The resistance shapes our character. The struggle refines our hearts.

And sometimes, the biggest catch isn’t the blessing itself. It’s the perseverance we develop in the process.

Trusting the Process

The fisherman who gives up too soon never knows what he almost caught. The same is true for us. Many give up when things feel hard, not realizing that the moment they stop is often right before the breakthrough.

Faith calls us:

1. To keep reeling, not in our own strength, but in God’s.

2. To stay steady when it feels easier to let go.

3. To trust that even when the water looks calm, something’s happening beneath the surface.

Maybe you’ve been waiting for your own “catch” – a promise to be fulfilled, a prayer to be answered, or a door to open. Keep trusting. Keep reeling. God sees your effort, your faith, and your patience.

He knows exactly when to bring what you’ve been waiting for to the surface.

Reflection:


When you feel that tug, the stirring in your heart that says “keep going”, don’t fight the process. Let it strengthen you. Sometimes, the pull you feel isn’t about the catch at all but about the person you’re becoming while you wait.

If this post spoke to you, it’s actually an excerpt from one of the chapters in my upcoming book, Lines in the Water. This book dives deeper into the lessons of faith, patience, and purpose we find in life’s everyday moments. Stay tuned! I can’t wait to share more soon. 🎣

Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

God Will Set Things Right

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Living out our faith in this world is not always easy. Sometimes, it brings misunderstanding, mockery, or even outright persecution. From the earliest days of the church, believers have known what it feels like to be opposed simply because they belong to Christ. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about this very thing, reminding them and us that hardship is not the end of the story.

“So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:4–6 (KJV)

Paul’s words carry both comfort and courage. They remind us that when the world presses against us, God is not absent. He sees. He knows. And He promises justice.

The Thessalonian believers were under constant pressure. Their faith made them targets. Yet Paul didn’t point them to an escape; he pointed them to endurance. He praised their perseverance and their faith, not because they were avoiding trouble, but because they were standing strong in the middle of it.

That same call comes to us today. We may not face imprisonment or physical persecution like the early church, but many believers endure rejection, slander, ridicule, or hostility simply for following Christ. Taking the pressure, carrying the weight of insults, and still choosing faith is the mark of true discipleship.

The heart of Paul’s encouragement lies in simple words: “God is just.” Those words change everything. They remind us that injustice does not go unnoticed, and suffering for Christ does not go unrecognized.

We don’t have to fight for revenge because God Himself has promised to set things right. Every cruel word, every act of hostility, every injustice faced by His children is seen by the God who judges rightly. He keeps record, and He will hold accountable those who trouble His people.

This is not a call to gloat or to wish harm on others. Instead, it is an invitation to release the burden of justice into God’s hands. He alone can judge perfectly. We can trust Him to defend us in His time and His way.

So, how should we live while waiting for God to act? Paul gives us the example: perseverance and faith.

Perseverance means we don’t give up when life is hard. We hold on to Christ even when the world pushes us to let go.

Faith means we trust God’s character even when we don’t see immediate answers.

Together, perseverance and faith become our testimony. They speak louder than words. When others see us remain steady under pressure, they see evidence that our hope is real.

Paul’s words also carry a promise: “God will give relief to you who are troubled.” The suffering we endure now is temporary. Relief is coming. Justice is coming. Vindication is coming.

That relief may come in small ways even now – God’s peace in our hearts, His strength in our weakness, His comfort in our sorrow. But ultimately, the full relief will be revealed when Christ returns and every wrong is made right.

It’s easy to lose heart when we face opposition for our faith. But passages like this lift our eyes beyond the immediate. They remind us that:

God sees what we endure. Nothing escapes His notice.

God strengthens us to stand firm. We are not left to fight alone.

God vindicates His people. He has the final word.

So we can face hostility without fear. We can carry the weight of insults without breaking. We can hold on with courage because we know the story doesn’t end here.

If you are facing pressure today at work, at school, in your family, or even in your community, remember this: your endurance is not wasted. Every tear, every prayer, every step of faith under trial is precious to God. And the day will come when He will set things right.

Until then, keep standing. Keep believing. Keep trusting. God’s justice is sure, and His relief is promised.

Take the pressure, endure the ridicule, and bear the weight of opposition with faith. You don’t have to fight for yourself because God has already promised to fight for you. And when His time comes, He will bring relief to His people and justice to every wrong.

✨ Hold on. God’s got you, and He will set it all right.

Becoming the Answer to Someone’s Prayer

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Sometimes we pray for God to move, but forget that He often moves through us.

Every day, there are silent prayers being whispered around us. A single mother asking God for strength to make it through the week. A young man praying for direction. A neighbor quietly asking God to send someone who cares enough to notice. And often, without realizing it, God positions us right beside those very people, not by coincidence, but by calling.

🌿 God’s Hands in Human Form

When Jesus fed the five thousand, He could have sent bread from heaven like in the days of Moses. But instead, He looked at the disciples and said, “You give them something to eat.” (Mark 6:37)

That’s the nature of God. He involves us in His miracles. He lets our hands hold the bread, our voices speak comfort, our hearts reflect His love.

Sometimes we wait for God to fix what He’s already empowered us to change. We pray, “Lord, help them,” when He is whispering, “You help them.”

You may not be able to solve every problem….well of course not.., but you can be someone’s answer in a moment of need –  a listening ear, a timely word, or a helping hand that reminds them: God still cares.

💡 You Don’t Need a Platform –  Just a Willing Heart

It’s easy to believe that impact belongs only to pastors, speakers, or people with influence. But Jesus didn’t need a stage to touch lives. He met people where they were.

Sometimes, your kind word at work, your prayer over a friend, or your simple act of generosity carries more spiritual weight than you’ll ever realize.

Being the answer doesn’t always mean giving money or grand gestures – sometimes it’s:

* checking in on someone you haven’t seen at church

* sending a verse to someone who’s struggling

* offering forgiveness before it’s requested

* volunteering your time when it’s least convenient


These moments seem small, but they echo in eternity.

🔥 A Life That Reflects His Love

In Matthew 25, Jesus said, “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat… I was a stranger, and you invited me in.” The people were surprised; they didn’t realize they had ministered to Jesus Himself.

That’s how quiet obedience works. It doesn’t seek recognition. It simply loves, gives, and serves because that’s what Jesus would do.

Each time we choose compassion over convenience, its like we mirror the heart of God.

🌻 The Ripple Effect of Obedience

You never know how far one small act can travel.

That person you encouraged might find the strength to keep trusting God. The meal you shared might give someone hope to face tomorrow. The prayer you whispered over a friend might be the very turning point they’ve been asking God for.

When you step out in obedience, you create ripples that only Heaven can measure.

💭 Closing Thought

6a often pray for revival, but revival begins when ordinary people choose to live extraordinary love.

Sometimes, the miracle someone’s praying for isn’t a thing… probably it’s a person who shows up with love.
Be that reminder that God still cares.

✨ Thank you to everyone who connects daily through the blog and our Steps of Purpose WhatsApp group. Your support and encouragement mean so much. 🙏

If today’s message spoke to you, subscribe to the blog so you never miss a post and follow Steps of Purpose now on Twitter (X)@StepsPurpose for more faith-filled inspiration throughout the week! 💫

🌿 Let’s keep walking in purpose together.

Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

More Than a Flag

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Last week Monday, Dominica celebrated Flag Day –  a moment to reflect on the symbol that represents our nation’s identity, resilience, and unity. The green, yellow, black, red, and white colors with the image of the Sisserou parrot in the center, aren’t just pretty designs; they tell a story of courage, hope, and community.

As we wave our flags and join in celebrations, there’s a deeper lesson to take home: just like a nation, our personal lives and faith journeys have colors, symbols, and banners that represent who we are and what we stand for.

🌿 Standing for Something Greater

The flag stands tall even when the wind blows. Its presence reminds us that some things are worth holding onto. In the same way, our values, our faith, and our commitments are the banners we raise in daily life.

Psalm 20:5 says, “May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.”
When we live boldly according to God’s guidance, we lift our personal banners –  visible signs of faith, hope, and love that inspire others.

Standing for something greater also means making choices that honor God even when no one is watching. Our integrity, patience, and willingness to serve quietly are all ways we uphold our “personal flag” of faith.

🌼 Unity in Diversity

Our flag combines colors, symbols, and patterns, each with meaning, yet together, they create a strong and beautiful whole. Likewise, our communities, families, and churches thrive when we embrace the diversity of gifts, personalities, and callings.

Unity doesn’t mean everyone is the same. It means we work together for a greater purpose – just as Dominica’s journey to independence required collective effort and shared vision.

When we recognize the strengths in others and use our own gifts wisely, we reflect God’s design for harmony. Every act of encouragement, support, or collaboration is a thread that strengthens the fabric of our lives and communities.

💡 Lessons from the Flag

1. Resilience – The flag waves through storms, just as we are called to stand firm in trials. Life will bring challenges, disappointments, and moments that test our faith. But God’s strength allows us to endure and grow through these experiences.


2. Identity – Our flag represents who we are as a nation. Our faith, values, and character represent who we are in Christ. Standing firm in your identity allows you to make decisions that honor God and inspire others to do the same.


3. Visibility – Flags are meant to be seen. Likewise, acts of kindness, encouragement, and integrity are ways our faith is visible in the world. Even when you feel unnoticed, God sees, and your actions can ripple far beyond what you imagine.


4. Hope and Renewal – Just as the flag symbolizes a vision of a better future, God gives us hope to persevere and renew our strength. Each day offers a chance to raise our banners higher, showing resilience and trust in Him.

🔥 Applying the Lesson

As we reflect on Flag Day, ask yourself:

What banners am I raising in my own life?

Are my actions showing the love, hope, and faith I profess?

Am I standing firm even when life’s winds blow hard?


Sometimes the smallest acts – a kind word, patience, a prayer for someone — are like little flags raised quietly, yet their impact reaches further than we can see. Take a moment to encourage a friend, show compassion to someone struggling, or walk faithfully in your commitments.

Remember, the flag reminds us that freedom, unity, and identity are precious. Likewise, your faith, character, and choices are sacred banners – symbols of what God is building in and through you.

💬 A Simple Prayer

“Lord, thank You for the symbols of hope and unity that remind us of Your presence.
Help me to stand firm in my faith, to live with integrity, and to raise banners of love, kindness, and courage.
Let my life reflect Your glory so that others may see Your goodness and be encouraged.”

💭 Closing Thought

Flags remind us of who we are, where we come from, and what we stand for. Let’s carry that symbolism into our daily lives. Stand firm, act boldly, and let your faith wave high –  a visible testament to God’s work in you.

Celebrating Flag Day is more than waving a piece of cloth. It’s a call to reflect on our identity, our unity, and the freedom we have in Christ. Let every banner you raise, in your words, actions, and choices, be a declaration of hope, faith, and courage.

Raise your banners high, and let God’s light shine through your life.

Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

When Greed Blinds The Soul

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There’s a subtle danger that creeps into the heart long before it ever shows on the outside. It doesn’t roar like anger or sting like envy – it whispers quietly, convincing us that “just a little more” will finally make us happy. That danger is greed – the silent thief that blinds the soul.

Greed isn’t always about money or possessions. Sometimes, it’s the craving for attention, control, or constant validation. It can appear in comparison, in our reluctance to share, or in the restless pursuit of what we think will complete us.

The Illusion of “More”

Jesus warned in Luke 12:15, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
It’s a reminder that life is not measured by what we own, but by what owns us.

Greed blinds us with the illusion that happiness is always one step ahead, one promotion, one purchase, one achievement away. But when we get there, it’s still not enough. The appetite grows. The satisfaction fades. It’s like trying to quench thirst with saltwater  the more we drink, the thirstier we become. Greed doesn’t satisfy; it consumes. It eats away at peace and gratitude until we’re chasing shadows, empty yet endlessly wanting.

When Vision Becomes Clouded

Spiritually, greed is dangerous because it distorts our vision. We stop seeing God as our source and start seeing ourselves as our supplier. We hoard blessings meant to be shared and measure success by what’s visible instead of what’s eternal.

God isn’t against wealth. He’s against worshipping it. The danger lies not in having things but in allowing things to have us. When our hands are too full of temporary treasures, there’s no room left for eternal ones.

1 Timothy 6:9–10 warns, “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare… For the love of money is the root of all evil.”
It’s not money itself but the love of it that becomes the root of many sorrows. Greed turns blessings into burdens. It makes us ungrateful for what we have, resentful of what others receive, and blind to what truly matters.

A Heart of Gratitude

The cure for greed is not poverty — it’s contentment. Paul said in Philippians 4:11–12 that he had learned to be content in any circumstance. Gratitude opens our eyes to see how rich we already are. It shifts our focus from what’s missing to what’s meaningful.

When you start thanking God for what you have, you realize how much you’ve overlooked. The breath in your lungs, the people who love you, the grace that keeps you going. These are treasures money can’t buy. Contentment isn’t settling; it’s seeing through heaven’s eyes and realizing that Christ is enough.

Giving: The Antidote to Greed

One of the surest ways to break greed’s grip is through giving. Every time we give, whether time, resources, or encouragement, we declare that our trust is in God, not possessions. Generosity pries our fingers from what we cling to and reminds us that everything we have is from Him.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
If we want our hearts near God, we must place our treasure, our focus, and our generosity in His kingdom. When you give, you open a window for blessings to flow not just to you, but through you. You stop hoarding and start helping. You move from greed to grace.

Seeing Clearly Again

Greed blinds, but grace restores sight. When we surrender our desires to God, our vision clears. We begin to see that true riches are found in relationships, not possessions; in serving, not storing; in loving, not accumulating.

The more we cling to “more,” the emptier we become. But when we release it into God’s hands, we find what we were searching for all along – peace that doesn’t depend on possessions and joy that isn’t tied to gain.

So today, pause and ask yourself:
What am I chasing?
What am I afraid to lose?
And what might I be missing because I’m too focused on more?

Let God open your eyes again. Because when greed no longer blinds you, you’ll see how rich you already are in grace, in love, and in Him.

Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

Don’t Underestimate What God Can Do in Your Life

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“How could God ever use me?”

It’s a thought that many believers wrestle with at some point in their journey. Maybe you’ve asked it quietly in your heart, unsure if you were worthy of God’s calling. Maybe you’ve looked at your past mistakes, your weaknesses, or even your ordinary life and concluded that God must have better candidates. It’s a heavy question. One that can leave us feeling sidelined, discouraged, and unworthy of purpose.

But here’s the truth: that thought is not from God.

The idea that you are “too small,” “too broken,” or “too ordinary” for Him to use is a lie meant to keep you stuck. If the enemy can convince you that you are unusable, then he can keep you from stepping into the very plan God designed for you. The reality is this: God delights in using the unlikely, the overlooked, and even the unqualified.

Look at the pages of Scripture, and you’ll see a clear pattern.

Moses tried to disqualify himself because of his speech. He told God in Exodus 4:10, “I am slow of speech and tongue.” Yet God raised him up to deliver Israel out of Egypt.

Gideon saw himself as the weakest and least in his family (Judges 6:15). But God called him a “mighty warrior” and used him to lead Israel to victory.

David was just a shepherd boy, overlooked by his father when Samuel came to anoint a king. Yet God chose him to defeat Goliath and eventually sit on the throne of Israel.

The disciples were ordinary men – fishermen, tax collectors, far from religious elites. Yet they were the ones Jesus handpicked to carry His message to the world.

Paul once persecuted Christians with zeal, but God transformed him into one of the greatest apostles who spread the gospel across nations.

These stories show us something powerful: God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies those He calls.

We often think our weaknesses disqualify us, but in reality, they’re the very things God uses to reveal His strength. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Your limitations don’t scare God. In fact, they’re opportunities for Him to show His glory. Where you see “not enough,” God sees a space for His grace to fill. Where you see brokenness, He sees a testimony in the making.

When we say, “How could God ever use me?” we are, in essence, underestimating Him. We’re placing limits on a limitless God. We look at our own abilities, failures, or insecurities, and we forget that the God who created the heavens and the earth is the One who has chosen us.

Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Notice that it’s His power working in us, not our own.

The question is not, “Am I enough?” The question is, “Am I willing?”

If you’ve been battling the thought, “How could God ever use me?” Here are some truths to hold onto:

1. Remember your identity. You are a child of God, chosen and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12). Your worth is not based on what you’ve done but on who you belong to.


2. Stop disqualifying yourself. If God has already qualified you through Christ, why should you keep saying otherwise? Romans 8:30 says that those He called, He also justified.


3. Start small but stay faithful. Don’t wait for a grand stage to begin serving God. Sometimes, it starts with a kind word, a small act of obedience, or faithfully doing what’s before you. God often multiplies small beginnings.


4. Trust God with your story. Your past mistakes don’t cancel your purpose—they often prepare you to reach people who need to hear your testimony.

A Final Reminder

The next time that thought crosses your mind, “How could God ever use me?” Silence it with truth. If God could use Moses the stammerer, Gideon the doubter, David the shepherd, Peter the impulsive fisherman, and Paul the former persecutor, He can most certainly use you.

Don’t underestimate what God can do in your life. The very areas you see as weak, unworthy, or insignificant may be the very places God wants to shine His light the brightest. All He asks is your surrender, your willingness, and your faith to step forward.

Because when you place your life in His hands, He will do more than you could ever imagine.

Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

The Prodigal Son

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I left at dawn with hope in my pocket,
and sunlight dancing in my chest,
believing the world held wonders
beyond the father’s rest.

The roads were long, the dust was thick,
streets shimmered with borrowed gold,
I ran through laughter, ran through
thinking I was bold.

Days bled into nights,
and nights whispered sharper than knives,
I feasted on fleeting pleasures,
yet starved for the true life.

I became a shadow of myself,
unknown even to my own gaze,
friendless among the crowd,
lost in the city’s maze.

Hunger gnawed at ribs and soul,
emptiness clawed at the core,
I begged for scraps, envied the pigs,
and still, I reached for more.

I lay in filth, the sun too harsh,
the moon, too pale and cold,
every voice around me hollow,
every hand I touched felt old.

The laughter I had chased
turned bitter on my tongue,
my dreams, once bright with hope,
now whispered, weak and young.

I spoke to the wind, the stars,
“Have I wandered too far, my son?”
The silence answered only dust,
and shadows mocked the rising sun.

Yet even in the darkest dust,
even in hunger’s cruel bite,
a quiet voice whispered softly,
“Child, your home waits tonight.”

I rose, ragged, trembling, worn,
each step a prayer unspoken,
each breath a fragile hope,
each heartbeat a vow broken.

And there He stood,
not with anger, not with scorn,
but arms wide as the heavens,
welcoming the lost,
calling the weary home.

No burden could hide me,
no pride could stand,
His mercy poured over me
like waves upon the sand.

I fell into the ocean
of love deep and wide,
and in that sacred presence
I had nowhere to hide.

The road had been fierce,
the journey long and wild,
yet every desperate step
had led me to the Father’s smile.

Now I walk forward,
not running, not hiding,
resting in the arms
of a love abiding.

And in my heart, a whisper:
“I am found, I am known,
I am cherished, I am home.”

There are times in life when we feel far from home, walking roads that seem endless and heavy. We chase what glitters and follow whispers that promise more, yet find ourselves empty, hungry, and lost.

This poem is a reminder that no matter how far we wander, there is a love that waits patiently, arms open, ready to meet us exactly where we are. Every step of the journey, even the painful, lonely, and messy ones, carries us closer to the grace that never leaves, the mercy that never fails, and the home where we are always known, cherished, and safe.

Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

Dear God……

Steps Of Purpose Leave a comment

Dear God,

I don’t know where to begin, except to say thank You. Thank You for carrying me through seasons I never thought I would survive, for taking the pieces of me that pain shattered and weaving them into something that speaks of Your grace.

I remember the nights when tears blurred every thought, when all I could ask was Why?
And yet, even in those moments, You were not absent.You were preparing me, shaping me, teaching me to lean completely on You, to trust when I could not see, to rest when I could not understand.

Thank You for using my pain as a tutor,
for teaching me to depend on You alone.
Thank You for allowing me to encourage, to inspire, to preach, to exhort, things I never imagined I would be doing.
Even while I was still healing, You let my words reach hearts, my presence lift spirits, my journey point others back to You. That is grace that I cannot explain.

You remind me that every tear watered something in me that could not have grown otherwise. The weight I once despised became the very pressure that formed endurance, patience, and unwavering faith.


I see now Your fingerprints everywhere  like in the nights I prayed for relief and found peace instead, in the moments I wanted to give up and found strength I didn’t know I had, in the unexpected ways my story began to touch others’ lives.

Lord, You could have let me break quietly, but You built me quietly instead.
You healed me while I was still aching,
used me while I was still fragile, and let me speak life even when I could barely breathe. You did not wait for perfection; You used the cracks, the ache, the story I thought was over, and turned it into a testimony that keeps breathing.

Thank You for showing me that weakness can become a witness, that scars can become stories, and that total dependence on You is not a cage. It is freedom. You turned my trials into tools, my struggles into sermons, my pain into purpose. Even when I doubted, even when I trembled, You trusted me enough to let me be a vessel of Your love.

Every day now, I wake with new faith.
It grows quietly, like dawn, steady, alive, sure. I do not have all the answers, but I have You, and that has proven to be enough. I don’t ask for an easier road, nor do I wish to bypass the lessons,
because I see now that each step, each tear, each moment of surrender has built a foundation stronger than I could have imagined.

So here I am again.
I am not asking for the road to be easier. Keep using me, refining me, and letting my words, my life, my tears, and my faith be vessels for Your glory.

Let the ones who hear my voice hear You.
Let the ones who read my words feel Your comfort.
Let the ones who cross my path see Your light.

I cannot promise perfection, but I can promise pursuit.
I will keep walking, keep trusting, keep showing up, even when it hurts, because You have proven Yourself faithful.

And if this pain has built faith in me,
if this journey has drawn me closer,
if my scars have become stories that lead someone back to You…
then it was worth it all.

Tonight, I do not ask why anymore.
I only say thank You. Thank You for being patient, for being present, for being enough. Thank you for taking my brokenness and turning it into something beautiful. Thank You for using me in ways I never imagined, for letting my story speak, my words inspire, my faith light the path for others.

You have been my strength, my calm, my guide, my every reason to keep going. As long as I have breath, I will speak of You not because I am strong, but because You are.

With all my heart,
Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

Dear Reader,
Tonight, write your own letter to God. Reflect on what He has done, how He has used your life, and how He continues to grow your faith. Don’t focus on requests. Simply pour out gratitude, and let your heart speak.