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Purpose Isn’t a Destination – It’s a Daily Decision

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Living on purpose right where you are.

We often imagine purpose as a mountaintop moment, some big, bold calling where everything clicks, and life finally makes sense. The truth is, purpose isn’t a one-time destination. It’s not something we stumble upon by chance or finally “arrives” when everything is perfect.

Purpose is a daily decision, a choice to live intentionally, to trust God in the small things, and to walk in obedience even when the path isn’t fully clear.


Purpose Begins in the Present

Too many people delay walking in purpose because they’re waiting for something else:

“When I get the job…”

“When I feel more confident…”

“When I have more time…”


God’s call however isn’t always about later. It’s often about now.
Purpose begins with what’s in front of you – your current season, your current relationships, your current responsibilities.

You don’t have to be on a pulpit or on a platform to walk in purpose.
You just have to be present and willing.


The Power of Obedient Steps

In the Bible, we admire the big moments David defeated Goliath, Esther standing before the king, Paul preaching to the nations. It’s important, however, to note that behind every bold moment was a series of obedient steps:

David was faithful in the field before he ever faced a giant. Esther followed God’s timing before she ever saved a nation.
Purpose unfolds when we show up every day with a “yes” in our spirit.


“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

Remember, Small Doesn’t Mean Insignificant

The enemy wants you to believe that unless it’s big, it doesn’t matter.
But Jesus said:

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10 (KJV)

That “little” thing you’re doing today, sending the encouragement text, making time to pray, and writing your blog post, it’s shaping you for more. Don’t despise small beginnings. Purpose is being built in the shadows.


Purpose Is Shaped Daily

Purpose is not a spotlight moment. It’s the quiet faithfulness of your decisions:
When you choose to forgive, that’s purpose. When you resist the urge to give up, that’s purpose. When you encourage someone else, even when you’re discouraged, that’s purpose. When you choose integrity over comfort, that’s purpose.


These choices may not feel grand, but they are seeds of destiny.
Every act of faith, no matter how small, draws you closer to the fullness of God’s plan for your life.

Final Thoughts

Purpose isn’t out there somewhere. It’s right here. It’s in how you respond, how you show up, and how you surrender your day to God. Don’t wait for the big break or the perfect moment. Choose purpose today…and then again tomorrow, because when you live with intentionality and walk with God, you’ll look back and realize:
You didn’t just find purpose. You lived it.

What’s one “small” thing you can do today to live a life of purpose?

Leave a comment below, or share this post with someone who needs the reminder: You are already walking in purpose step by step, day by day.

Life-Encounters with God

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Have you ever had a moment where it felt like God stepped into the room?

I am not talking about an emotional high, not just goosebumps in worship, but a quiet, deep awareness that He is here and this moment is different.

These moments can change everything. They shift our direction, heal what we’ve been hiding, stir what’s been asleep, and remind us that we are not forgotten. In the most ordinary of settings, God can reveal His extraordinary presence. And when He does, our steps are never the same.

Let’s pause for a moment and clarify something important.

I’ve often reminded you, and will keep reminding you, that God is always present. He promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” Hebrews 13:5 (KJV). His presence surrounds you when you’re strong and when you’re weary. He is Emmanuel, God with us. That’s a promise you can stand on every single day.

But there’s something special, something distinct, about a divine encounter.

God’s presence is constant. An encounter is catalytic. It’s when the God who is always near reveals Himself in a personal, powerful way. It’s when something in your spirit awakens or shifts. It might be through a word, a vision, a sense of deep peace, or a sudden clarity that you didn’t have before. It’s more than comfort. It’s commissioning.

So while we live daily in the comfort of His presence, we also stay expectant for those encounter moments, moments where He calls, corrects, affirms, redirects, or reminds us of a greater purpose.


Let’s turn to one of the most profound encounters in Scripture: Genesis 32.

Jacob was about to face the consequences of his past, meeting his brother Esau, whom he had deceived years before. Alone, afraid, and full of anxiety, Jacob stayed behind while his family crossed the river.

And then, God showed up.

That night, Jacob wrestled with a man until daybreak. The man, later revealed to be God, touched Jacob’s hip and dislocated it. But Jacob didn’t let go.

“I will not let You go unless You bless me.”  Genesis 32:26 (KJV)

Jacob walked away limping, but he also walked away blessed. He received a new name and a new identity. Here’s the truth: a real encounter may leave you with a limp, but it will also give you a blessing. Sometimes God strips away our strength so we’ll lean on His.  Jacob entered that night as a deceiver. He left as a man who had seen God face to face and survived.

You might not be by a river or alone in the wilderness but your heart may be filled with the same mix of fear and hope. Maybe, like Jacob, you’re facing something that feels bigger than you. Maybe you’re worn out from pretending to be okay. Maybe you’re hiding pain no one sees.

In the middle of that, God can step in.

He might not wrestle you physically, but He might stir your spirit in the night. He might press gently on a wounded area through a sermon, a verse, or a moment of stillness. The fact is that encounters are not just spiritual thrills. They’re turning points.
They are meant redirect, to realign, to remind you that you belong to Christ, and He still has plans for your life.

Let me paint a picture.

A mother stands at her kitchen sink, tears silently falling into soapy water. The weight of life is crushing. The bills, the silence in her marriage, the ache in her body… it’s all too much. She doesn’t pray out loud. She doesn’t say much at all.

Just three words leave her lips: “Help me, Lord.”

And right there, in the quiet of her kitchen, He shows up not in a flash of lightning, not in a dramatic sign, but in peace, in a sudden calm that tells her:
“You are seen. You are loved. You are not alone.”

That is a divine encounter.
That is God showing up.
And for her, life didn’t magically get easier, but something shifted. Her step changed. Her spirit revived. Her purpose was renewed.

We however need to make room for these divine moments. God often reveals Himself to those who are seeking.

Here are a few practical ways to position your heart:

✦ Be Still

Make space in your life for silence. Not every moment needs noise. In the stillness, you might hear what you’ve been missing.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10 (KJV)

✦ Stay in the Word

God’s voice is clearest in Scripture. Sometimes, your encounter will come not through thunder, but through a single verse that grips your heart and won’t let go.

✦ Ask and Expect

Pray boldly. Ask God to reveal Himself to you in a way that you’ll recognize. Then live with expectation. Be alert. He often comes in ways we least expect.

✦ Don’t Rush Away

If you sense something stirring, pause. Don’t be so quick to move on. What feels like a small nudge may actually be the beginning of a divine encounter.

The woman at the well left her water jar and ran back into town changed.

Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, and his entire life direction reversed.

Encounters change things. But more importantly, they change you. When God shows up, your next steps aren’t just ordinary steps anymore. They are steps of purpose.


So this week, let’s consider the following:

Reflect:
Have I had an encounter with God that I’ve dismissed as a coincidence?

Respond:
Where can I carve out space this week for silence, reflection, and seeking?

Reignite:
What areas of my life need to be surrendered again, so I can truly say: “Lord, I’m ready to meet You here.”

“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” — James 4:8 (KJV)

God is not far. He’s not silent. He’s not withholding. He still shows up. Maybe tomorrow is the day He meets you in the hallway or in your car, or while having your morning coffee. Will you be ready?


📩 If this post spoke to you or if you’ve had a divine encounter you’d love to share, send me a message or leave a comment. Your testimony might encourage someone else’s breakthrough.

Because when God shows up… everything changes.

You Are Making a Difference (Even if you don’t see it)

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Someone sent me an image via WhatsApp last week which reminded me of something that is many times overlooked or underestimated. I immediately took a decision to create a this post to remind you my readers that you are making a difference even if you don’t see it.

There are moments in life when we wonder if what we’re doing really matters. Maybe you’ve poured yourself into others, encouraged, supported, prayed for them, and yet, no one said thank you. You’ve given your heart, your time, your strength, and yet there’s this lingering question:

“Does anyone even notice?”

If you’ve ever felt that way, I want you to know you’re not alone. And more importantly, What You Don’t See Still Matters

You may not see the ripple effects of your kindness, but they are there. You may not hear how your smile lifted someone’s day. You may never find out how a word you spoke planted hope into someone who was secretly hanging by a thread.

Let me say this boldly:
Your life has left fingerprints on hearts you didn’t even know you touched.

We often assume that impact has to be loud, public, or praised, but God works powerfully in quiet spaces.

The Word of God is filled with reminders that even small acts, done in love, carry eternal weight.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

You may feel weary. You may feel invisible, but God sees your labor. He sees the moments you chose to forgive. He sees when you encourage others while quietly battling your own struggles. Your decision to be kind, even when you could’ve been bitter, has not gone unnoticed in the courts of heaven.

“God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love…”  Hebrews 6:10 (KJV)

Think of how a seed grows. It’s buried, hidden, and unseen, but it doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Your life is like that. Your words, your prayers, your gestures  are like seeds. Quiet,invisible, forgotten by you maybe, but growing in someone else’s life.

There are people who look back on something you said and still feel warmth.
There are hearts you helped heal, just by being present. There are lives redirected simply because you dared to speak truth in love.

Even your smallest efforts, the text you sent, the prayer you prayed, and the comfort you gave may have been someone’s turning point.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”Proverbs 25:11

When the enemy whispers that your life is insignificant, remember this:


* God never creates without purpose.
* You are not a mistake.
* Your existence is not random.
* You were designed with intention and equipped with a light the world needs.

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.”

Matthew 5:14

Even when it feels like your light is flickering, it’s still shining. Even when you feel unseen, God sees. When you feel your efforts go unnoticed, God is keeping record.

Here’s the thing : you might never hear “thank you.” You might never get tagged, reposted, or celebrated, but that doesn’t mean what you did didn’t make a difference.

A comforting word spoken in a hallway,
a meal shared when someone had nothing or a moment where you listened when someone felt invisible. These are sacred things. In a world rushing for attention, choosing to quietly serve is one of the loudest declarations of love you can make.

One of the greatest lies the enemy tries to plant in our hearts is that we are insignificant, that unless we’re known, liked, followed, or praised, we don’t matter. God reminds us in Psalm 139:14, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”

Your value is not up for debate. Your life ,even in its quietness, is a vessel of influence. Your impact, though sometimes invisible, is very real.

So today, be encouraged:
The hugs you’ve given. The prayers you’ve whispered. The patience you’ve shown. The wisdom you’ve shared.
They all count.
They all matter.
They all bear fruit some now, and some in seasons you’ll never see.

Keep going. Keep shining. Keep loving.
Your life is purpose in motion.

If this reminded you of your worth or someone else’s, don’t keep it to yourself.

🙏 Take a moment to thank someone who’s made a quiet difference in your life.
📩 Share this post with them. Let them know they’re seen.
💬 Or leave a comment below: What’s one way God reminded you that your life matters, even in small moments?

Let’s keep lifting each other up one purposeful step at a time.
You are seen. You are loved. You are making a difference.

A Message for the Financially Weary

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Faith When Money Runs Low

“But my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (KJV)


There’s a kind of stress that doesn’t always show on the outside.

You smile through it. Keep going. Keep hoping.
But inside, you’re doing the math in your head, wondering how you’re going to pay the next bill, buy groceries, cover rent, or stretch what’s left of your last paycheck.

Financial struggles don’t just affect your wallet. They touch your sense of security, your confidence, and even your faith.

And if that’s where you are today, walking through the silent, exhausting battle of not having enough, this message is for you.

💔 You Are Not a Failure

Let’s start here: you are not failing.

The enemy would love to convince you that struggling financially means you’re somehow broken, irresponsible, or unworthy. That you’re falling behind while everyone else is getting ahead.

But here’s the truth: life is hard sometimes.
Prices rise. Hours get cut. Jobs are lost. Emergencies happen.
And yes, sometimes, despite doing everything right, you still come up short.

But God does not measure your worth by your bank account.

He sees the effort, the late nights, and the sacrifices.
He sees how you give when you barely have? how you pray when you don’t know what else to do or how you push forward even when fear sits heavy on your chest.

You are not forgotten. You are not less than. You are deeply loved.

🌧 God is Not Limited by What You Lack

It’s hard to hold onto faith when the numbers don’t add up. It is challenging when your needs outpace your resources and all you hear is “not enough.”

But the good news is this: our God is a Provider, not just in abundance, but in lack.

Throughout Scripture, we see a pattern:

A widow with just a little oil? God multiplied it.

A crowd with only five loaves and two fish? God fed thousands.

A nation in the desert? God sent manna, every single day.


He doesn’t wait for perfect conditions to step in.

No, it doesn’t always look like a check in the mail or a sudden windfall, but it might look like unexpected help, a small open door or a sense of peace in the chaos.
Provision comes in many forms, and God is faithful in them all.

💪 Your Faith Is Stronger Than You Think

It’s easy to feel weak when money is tight.
But showing up in the struggle is a kind of strength the world doesn’t always recognize.

Every time you refuse to give up…
Every time you pray instead of panic…
Every time you give thanks for what little you have…

That’s faith.

Not flashy, not loud, but strong, tested, and real.

Jesus said that even mustard seed-sized faith is powerful. And that means the little faith you’re holding onto today? It’s enough for Him to work with.

🙏 A Prayer for You

Lord, for the one reading this who is financially stretched, breathe hope into their heart today.
You know every need. You know the bills waiting to be paid and the burdens they carry silently.
Provide in ways only You can.
Give them wisdom, favor, and opportunities.
Calm their anxious thoughts and remind them: they are not alone, not forgotten, not without hope.
Be their source. Be their peace.
And even while they wait, let them see glimpses of Your provision, one day at a time.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.


🤍 You Are Seen. Help Is Closer Than You Know.

Dear friend, this may be a hard season, but it is not a hopeless one.
God’s faithfulness doesn’t stop when funds run low. His goodness doesn’t depend on the size of your income. His promises are still true.

And even if you can’t see the way forward yet, He already knows the path.

Keep going. Keep trusting.
Keep bringing your needs to the One who owns it all.

You may feel like you’re walking through lack, but you’re actually walking with the One who never lacks.

You are loved.
You are not alone.
And your story isn’t over.

💬 Share this post with someone who’s quietly struggling. Your encouragement might be the miracle they need today.

Yours with love,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

A Message for Caregivers

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When You’re Pouring Out and Feeling Empty

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Caregiving is love in motion. It’s waking up early to prepare meds. It’s staying up late to hold a hand through the pain.
It’s wiping tears – theirs and sometimes your own.


It’s making endless decisions, showing up again and again, even when your body aches and your heart feels heavy.

You do it because you care.
But that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

And if you’re feeling weary right now, if you’re wondering how long you can keep this up, this message is for you.

💔 You’re Doing More Than Anyone Sees

The truth is, most people will never understand the full weight of what you carry. They might see a quick snapshot –  a hospital visit, a grocery run, a moment of kindness, but they don’t see the hours upon hours of unseen sacrifice.

They don’t see how much you’ve put your own life on hold.
How you pray for wisdom while masking your exhaustion.
How guilt creeps in when you feel tired or frustrated, even though you’re doing your very best.

But God sees.

And not only does He see, He cares. He notices every act of compassion, every whispered prayer, every meal made, every tear wiped, every breath held in anxious waiting. Nothing is missed by Him.

🤲 You Weren’t Meant to Run on Empty

Somewhere along the way, caregivers start to believe they have to be superhuman – no breaks, no complaints, no margin for weakness. The truth is however, you need love and rest also.

Jesus didn’t call the strong to Himself

He called the weary. He didn’t say, “Come to Me when you’ve figured it all out.” He said, “Come to Me, all you who are burdened…”

That includes you.

It’s okay to need a break.
It’s okay to step away and breathe.
It’s okay to feel worn out.

You are not a machine. You are human with a heart that’s been giving and giving.
The only way to keep pouring out is to also be filled up with grace, with peace,and with the presence of God.

💪 Love Doesn’t Always Look Like Strength

Love sometimes looks like soft sighs in quiet hallways or holding your emotions until you’re finally alone or even saying “yes” when your body screams “no.”

But love also looks like letting others help,like trusting God with what you can’t control or allowing yourself to grieve what you’ve lost along the way.

You’re allowed to feel. You’re allowed to struggle.

You’re allowed to cry.
These don’t make you weak. They make you real.

🙏 A Prayer for You

Lord, I lift up the one reading this who is caregiving, whether for a parent, a spouse, a child, or a friend.
They are pouring out love, time, and energy with everything they’ve got.
Wrap them in your arms today.
Restore what has been depleted.
Lift the guilt, silence the inner critic, and remind them: they are doing holy work.
Be their rest. Be their strength. Be their peace.
Let them know that even when no one else says “thank you,” You are smiling over them.
And may they never forget that they are not alone.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

🤍 You Are Not Forgotten

Dear caregiver, you may not get awards.
You may not get long breaks.
You may not hear the words “you’re doing enough” as often as you need.

But the Lord is watching.

And God, who sees in secret, is with you in every room, every drive, every night, every sigh.
You are not just supporting someone else’s life. You are reflecting the very heart of Christ.

So today, take a deep breath.
Let yourself rest.
Let grace wash over your weary soul.

You’re not failing.
You’re faithful.
And that matters more than you know.

📖 This post reflects the spirit of the book, “At the Bedside”  a reminder that there is sacred beauty in serving others, even in quiet ways. The book will be available soon on Amazon

💬 Know a caregiver who needs this? Send it their way. You might be the encouragement they didn’t know they needed.

Yours with hope and grace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

A Message for Single Parents

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Grace for the Strength You Don’t Know You Have

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9(KJV)

You’re doing more than anyone sees.

You’re waking up early, going to bed late, stretching what little you have to meet the needs of the people who rely on you. You’re answering every “Mom, where’s my—?” or “Dad, can you…?” while carrying burdens that would overwhelm most people.

You may not wear a cape, but make no mistake. You are showing up with the kind of strength only grace can give.

This message is for you, the single parent who feels like you’re barely holding it together, and somehow, still holding everyone else together, too.

💔 You Weren’t Meant to Do It All Alone

Let’s be real. Some days, it feels like you’re running on fumes.

The to-do list never ends. The money doesn’t stretch. The emotional load, worrying if you’re doing enough, being enough, it weighs more than you can say out loud.

There are moments you break down after everyone’s asleep. Moments you question if you’re failing. Moments you ache for support, for someone to notice how hard you’re trying.

If no one’s told you recently: you are seen. You are valued. You are not invisible.

God sees what no one else does; the tears you cry behind closed doors, the hard decisions you’ve had to make, the energy it takes just to get through the day. He wants you to know something powerful:

You don’t have to carry this alone.


🙌 God’s Grace Is Not for the Perfect. It’s for the Weary

You may feel like you have to be everything: the provider, protector, nurturer, counselor, disciplinarian, and friend.

But listen: God is not asking you to do the impossible. He’s inviting you to lean on Him for the strength you don’t have.

The beauty of grace is this: it meets you right where your strength runs out.
You don’t need to have it all together. You don’t need to fake your faith or hide your exhaustion.
You just need to come as you are.

When your heart is overwhelmed, His peace steps in.
When your energy is gone, His Spirit sustains.
When you feel like you’re failing, His grace whispers: You’re doing better than you think.

🌱 Your Children Are Seeing More Than You Know

You may wonder if your children will remember the moments you got tired.
But what if they remember the moments you never gave up?

What if they remember the love that tucked them in, the prayers whispered over them, the resilience you lived out in front of them?

Yes, there may be gaps. But God is a gap-filler.
Yes, you may not have all the resources. But God provides manna in the desert.
Yes, you may fall short, but He is a faithful Father to both you and your children.

What you’re planting now in tears, in prayers, and sacrifice, will grow into something beautiful. You may not see all the fruit yet, but God is nurturing it in ways you can’t imagine.

🙏 A Prayer for You

Lord, I lift up every single parent reading these words.
You know the weight they carry. You see the quiet courage it takes to show up every day.
Be their peace when they are overwhelmed. Be their strength when they are empty.
Let them feel Your presence in the chaos and Your comfort in the quiet.
Remind them they are not forgotten, not failing, not alone.
Speak encouragement to their heart that You are helping, guiding, sustaining.
And may their children grow up knowing not just how much their parent loved them but how deeply they were loved by You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

💛 You Are Stronger Than You Know Because You Are Not Alone

Dear friend, this season may be stretching you in every way: emotionally, physically and spiritually. But you are not walking through it by yourself.

The God who watches over the sparrows is watching over you. The God who multiplied loaves and fishes can multiply your strength. The God who walked on water is still able to carry you above the storm.

You may feel tired, but you are not defeated.
You may feel weak, but you are not without help.
You may feel unseen, but God sees and honors every step you take.

You are not “just” a single parent.
You are a vessel of love, resilience, and grace in motion.


💬 Do you know a single mom or dad who needs this encouragement? Send it their way today. A little hope goes a long way.

Yours with gratitude,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

A Message for the Grieving Heart

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God Still Sees Your Tears

“You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Psalm 56:8


Grief doesn’t follow a schedule.

It doesn’t come and go neatly.
It lingers. It shows up when you least expect it, in a song, a scent, a place, a photo. Sometimes, it rushes in like a wave, and other times, it just quietly rests in the background, dull but ever-present.

If you’re grieving, whether it’s been days, months, or even years, this message is for you.

You may not feel seen right now. You may feel forgotten by the world, misunderstood by friends, or exhausted from pretending to be “okay.” But I want you to know something deep and true, something that might be hard to believe when the ache in your chest is louder than anything else:

God sees your tears. All of them. And He is not distant from your pain.

💔 Grief is real, and so is God’s Nearness

There are no shortcuts through loss. No quick fixes for a shattered heart.
Whether you’ve lost a parent, a spouse, a child, a friend, or even someone you never got to say goodbye to, the pain is real. The world may keep spinning, but your world might feel like it’s standing still.

Grief can make you feel isolated, like no one truly understands the depth of your sorrow. And sometimes, you don’t even understand it yourself.

But listen: God is not uncomfortable with your grief.
He doesn’t flinch at your questions or your tears. He doesn’t walk away when you’re angry or numb or tired of trying to move forward. In fact, His Word tells us that He collects our tears. Not one drop of pain goes unnoticed by Him.

He’s not waiting for you to “get over it.” He’s sitting with you in it quietly, faithfully and tenderly.

🤲 You’re Not Weak for Feeling Broken

People might say things like, “Stay strong,” or “They’re in a better place.”
But sometimes those words fall flat, don’t they?

Because the truth is, strength isn’t about smiling through sorrow.
Strength isn’t pretending nothing happened.

Sometimes, strength is simply getting out of bed when your heart is heavy.
Sometimes, it’s breathing through the memories that come without warning.
Sometimes, it’s just letting yourself cry.

And God honors that kind of strength –  the quiet, unseen courage of someone who is broken but still holding on.

Jesus Himself wept at the tomb of His friend Lazarus, even though He knew resurrection was moments away. Why? Because grief matters, pain matters, and  love lost matters.

🌅 There Is Still Hope, Even Here

Hope doesn’t mean you’ll forget. It doesn’t mean you’ll stop missing them.
It doesn’t mean you’ll never cry again.

But hope means this: your pain has a companion. Your sorrow is seen by a Savior who still walks with you, still holds you, and still promises to bring beauty from ashes, even if you can’t imagine how right now.

The emptiness may not disappear overnight. But God can fill it gently, patiently, over time with peace and purpose.

He fills it with the kind of love that reminds you that you are not walking through this valley alone.

You will smile again. Not because you’ve forgotten. But because God is able to give joy even in the land of sorrow.

🙏 A Prayer for the Grieving

Lord, You see every tear, every ache, every whispered “why?”
You know what it’s like to grieve, to feel the sting of loss.
Today, I lift up the one reading this who is carrying a quiet pain.
Wrap them in Your presence. Give them permission to feel.
Give them space to grieve and comfort that doesn’t run dry.
Remind them that it’s okay not to be okay… and that You are patient.
Remind them that their loved one is not forgotten, and neither are they.
And when their strength is gone, carry them.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

💛 You Are Seen. You Are Loved.

Dear friend, grief may be part of your story right now, but it is not the whole story.
God walks beside you, even through the darkest valleys.
He is not rushing you. He is not disappointed in you.
He is simply here, steady, kind, patient, and  present.

He knows the depth of your love. And He understands the weight of your loss.

You are not alone.
You are not forgotten.
You are held.

📖 If this encouraged you, share it with someone who is hurting. We grieve differently, but we all need reminders of hope.

📘 This post is in line with the themes of “Grace Heals”  a tender story of restoration and faith beyond pain coming next week on Amazon.

With gratitude,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

A Message to Cancer Patients

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Hope in the Hardest Fight

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” —Psalm 34:18

Some battles feel too big.

Too long. Too dark. Too lonely.
And cancer? It often feels like all of those at once.

If you’re reading this, maybe you’re sitting in a hospital room. Maybe you’re lying awake at 2 a.m., staring at the ceiling while the “what ifs” run wild in your mind. Or maybe you’re just trying to hold it together for everyone else, while inside, you feel like you’re barely hanging on.

I don’t know the full details of your journey — how it started, what stage you’re in, or how much has changed since that first diagnosis. But what I do know is this: you are not alone, and you are not forgotten.

This isn’t just another feel-good post filled with clichés and tidy answers. Because cancer doesn’t fit neatly into inspirational soundbites. It interrupts. It hurts. It drains. But even in the thick of it, there is hope. A kind of hope that doesn’t shout, but whispers. A hope that doesn’t depend on test results, but is anchored in a God who never lets go.


—

💔 God Sees the Weight You Carry

Let’s be honest — cancer isn’t just a medical issue. It’s a lifequake.

It shakes everything: your emotions, your relationships, your finances, your dreams, even your sense of self. It brings fear that creeps in at night. It brings tears you try to hide during the day. And it brings questions no one can fully answer.

People around you may say things like, “Stay strong!” or “You’ve got this!” — and while their hearts are in the right place, sometimes those words just don’t land. Sometimes what you really need is someone to sit with you and say, “I see you. This is hard. And I’m here.”

Friend, God does that.
He doesn’t rush past your pain. He sits with you in it.

He sees every tear you cry. He hears the prayers you can’t find words for. He understands the fear you’re too tired to explain. He’s not waiting for you to pull yourself together. He’s with you, right now — in the treatment room, in the car ride home, in the silence after everyone else has gone to sleep.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted…” — that’s not just a verse. It’s a promise.
A personal, powerful promise just for you.


—

💪 You Don’t Have to Be Strong All the Time

Maybe you’re tired of pretending to be okay. Tired of putting on the brave face. Tired of being the “inspirational one.”
Because truthfully? Some days you don’t feel strong.
And that’s okay.

God never said you had to be unshakable. He never asked you to keep smiling when it hurts. He doesn’t demand perfect faith or flawless prayers. What He offers instead is presence. His presence.

> The world may say, “Be strong.”
God says, “Let Me be your strength.”



Even if all you can manage is a whisper — “Jesus, help.”
That’s enough.
He hears it.
He answers it.
He moves toward it.

So if today your faith feels small, your body feels weak, and your heart feels overwhelmed… you’re still held. You’re still known. You’re still His.


—

🌱 God Is Still Working in the Waiting

Waiting is one of the hardest parts of the cancer journey, isn’t it?

Waiting for test results.
Waiting for treatment.
Waiting for strength to return.
Waiting for healing.

It can feel like God is quiet. Like nothing’s happening.
But I want you to know — waiting does not mean abandonment.

Sometimes, while we’re waiting for healing in our bodies, God is healing other places too — deeper places. The places where fear has taken root. The places where disappointment lingers. The places where weariness has settled.

And slowly, gently, He begins to restore peace… joy… perspective.
He turns pain into purpose.
He redeems what we never thought could be used.

No, He doesn’t cause the suffering — but He enters it and brings meaning to it.
He doesn’t waste a tear. Not one.


—

🙏 A Prayer for You

Lord, I lift up the one reading these words right now.
You know their heart. You know the battles they’re facing.
You see the days they’re fighting to get out of bed and the nights they cry in silence.
Wrap them in Your presence, Lord. Be their steady hand when everything feels shaky.
Be their peace when fear starts to rise.
When they feel weak, be their strength.
When they feel forgotten, whisper that You see them.
When they feel afraid, remind them You are near.
You are still the God who heals, who comforts, who stays.
And even here — even now — You are working.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.


—

🤍 You Are Not Alone

You are more than your diagnosis.
More than your lab results.
More than your scars.
You are a child of God — deeply loved, fully seen, fiercely held.

Cancer may have touched your body, but it cannot steal your worth.
It cannot silence your spirit. It cannot change God’s promises.

There’s still beauty in you.
There’s still purpose for you.
There’s still hope — not the kind that fades with time, but the kind that’s rooted in eternity.

So hold on, dear friend.
We are praying with you. Walking beside you in spirit. And believing with you that even in the hardest fight, hope still rises.


—

📖 Inspired by the heart behind “Chemo and the Cross” – a story of faith through suffering.

💬 If this spoke to your heart, share it with someone else who needs encouragement today.

With gratitude,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

Wait With Hope

Steps Of Purpose Leave a comment

Strength From The Psalms – Day 5

Psalm 27:13–14

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”


Waiting is one of the hardest things we’re asked to do in life. Whether it’s waiting for an answer, a breakthrough, a healing, or a change, waiting tests our patience, stretches our faith, and often confronts our deepest doubts.

But Psalm 27 doesn’t just speak to waiting. It reframes it. It takes our weary sigh and turns it into a declaration: “I remain confident of this…”
Confidence, not in the timing, not in the outcome, but in the goodness of the Lord. This is what holds us steady when everything else feels uncertain.

Hope Isn’t Wishful Thinking. It’s Anchored Faith

There’s a difference between worldly hope and biblical hope. Worldly hope often sounds like, “I hope things work out,” laced with uncertainty. But when David says, “I will see the goodness of the Lord…” he’s not hoping in vague possibilities. He’s holding on to a certain promise grounded in God’s character.

This is hope with substance. Hope that believes even in darkness, that light will break through. Hope that whispers, “This won’t be the end of my story.”
Because God is still writing it.

If you’re waiting right now, let this sink in: you’re not forgotten. God hasn’t abandoned your prayers. He hasn’t turned a blind eye to your pain. His silence does not equate to absence. His delays are not denials.

In the Land of the Living

David’s words are specific. He doesn’t just say someday in eternity. He says, “in the land of the living.” In other words, “I believe I’ll see God move here!

That’s powerful.

Yes, some promises will be fulfilled in eternity. But many of God’s mercies show up in the here and now, in ordinary days, unexpected provisions, quiet peace, and moments of breakthrough when you least expect it.

Keep your eyes open. Look for His fingerprints in your today, not just your tomorrow.

Be Strong and Take Heart

Waiting doesn’t mean sitting still with hands folded. It’s an active faith. It takes strength to wait. It takes courage to trust when you don’t see.

“Take heart,” David says. Don’t lose heart. Don’t let the delay lead to despair. God is still in control, and He knows exactly when and how to move. What feels like a holding pattern is often a preparation ground.

You’re not being punished. You’re being positioned.

What Are You Waiting For?

Maybe it’s healing, a relationship provision, direction, or maybe it’s just the peace of knowing God is near. Whatever it is, this verse is for you.

It reminds us that we don’t wait alone. We wait with God. And more than that, we wait on God. He is not just the One who answers our prayers. He is the answer our hearts need.

So, wait with expectation. Wait with bold trust. Wait with the quiet assurance that His goodness will meet you again. Because it will.


Take a moment today and name what you’re waiting for. Speak it out, or write it down, and then allow the words of Psalm 27:13–14 to be the source of atrength while you wait, be strong. Take heart. Keep showing up with faith because hope is never wasted when it’s placed in Him.

I hope you were encouraged by this week’s “Strength from the Psalms” series. If you did, feel free to mention this in the comment box, share the posts to your friends or even to your group chats to encourage or inspire someone who is silently challenged by the rigours of life. Feel free to add anyone to the Steps of Purpose WhatsApp Chat Group. Most important, subscribe to the website to guarantee that you receive the posts daily (Monday to Friday) at 6am. Subscribers get the posts automatically sent to their emails daily.

Coming next week to Amazon from the author of Steps of Purpose, “31 Day Devotional from the Book of Psalms.”

It will be available in both ebook and paperback versions. You will be informed as soon as its published.

Many thanks to the encouraging words from readers who join in daily from my home country, the Commonwealth of Dominica, United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Australia, USVI, United Kingdom, Ireland, Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and..well the list goes on. I appreciate the support. You all are responsible for taking the total view count to over 1000 last week.

With gratitude,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

The Lord is Closer than You Think.

Steps Of Purpose Leave a comment


Its Day 4 of our week-long “Strength from the Psalms” series and today, we are looking at Psalm 34:18.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Some kinds of pain don’t come with words. They just sit in your chest heavy, sharp, and aching. You smile in public, you nod when people ask if you’re okay. But deep down? You’re not okay. You’re just trying to make it to the next moment without falling apart.

Sometimes, life hits you in a way that knocks the wind out of your spirit. Maybe it was a loss you didn’t see coming, or one you saw coming but hoped would never arrive. Maybe it’s a betrayal that cut so deep it changed how you see the world. Maybe it’s loneliness that feels like it’s hollowing you out from the inside.

And in those moments, you wonder: where is God?

That’s why Psalm 34:18 doesn’t just read like a beautiful verse, it reads like oxygen to the soul: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

This isn’t just poetic language. It’s a holy lifeline.

God isn’t watching from a distance, waiting for you to get over it, waiting for you to “have more faith” or “move on.” He’s close. Right there. In the thick of your pain. In the silence of your tears.

When Pain Doesn’t Make Sense

There’s a kind of brokenness that doesn’t even know how to pray anymore. A type of sorrow that makes you feel like you’re coming undone at the seams. And the world, though it may mean well, doesn’t always know what to do with that kind of brokenness. People say things like, “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” or “Everything happens for a reason.” Those words often fall flat because sometimes what you’re facing feels like way more than you can handle, and you’re struggling to find any reason at all.

But God doesn’t come with clichés. He comes with presence, with comfort, with strength. Not strength that demands you to be tough, but strength that holds you when you’re too weak to stand.

He’s not waiting for you to pull it together.

He’s already pulled up a chair and sat down beside you.

Lets pause for a second to drive this home. We often say this to others “God is with you always. Yes He is ALWAYS. That means He is there with you right now! He never leaves our side. So, right now, where ever you are reading this post from – your bedside, in your office, your vehicle, God is right there with you. So just thought I would just drop that reminder in.  So let’s proceed!

Crushed in Spirit,  And Still Seen

The phrase “crushed in spirit”  is much more than sadness. It’s more than a bad day. It’s describing the moments when your heart feels shattered and your hope feels out of reach. When breathing feels like effort. When even talking to God feels like a mountain too steep to climb.

But the promise in Psalm 34:18 doesn’t stop at understanding. It goes further: He saves those who are crushed in spirit.

He doesn’t just sympathize with your pain. He acts. He rescues. He lifts. He rebuilds.

That doesn’t always mean your situation will change overnight. But it means you will not be overcome by it. It means that God is already at work behind the scenes  redeeming, restoring, and renewing what you thought was lost. He’s weaving hope back into the places that feel hopeless.

Even if you’re at the end of your strength, you’re not at the end of His.

What Does “Close” Really Mean?

Think of someone sitting beside you, shoulder to shoulder. Someone who doesn’t need you to speak, but still understands. Someone who notices even the slightest tremble in your voice or the quiet tear slipping down your cheek.

That’s the kind of closeness God offers.

Not theoretical. Not distant. But real. Present.

Jesus understands pain. He was betrayed, rejected, mocked, and crucified. He wept for His friends. He knows grief. He knows abandonment. And because He knows it, He can walk with you through yours.

He’s not a faraway deity expecting perfection. He’s the Savior who comes close enough to whisper peace to your soul when all you can do is cry.

And if you find this amazing, wait till you hear this ( or read this) : You don’t have to clean yourself up before you come to God. You don’t have to hide your tears or pretend you’re okay. Your vulnerability doesn’t repel Him. It draws Him in.

If all you can pray today is “Help me,” that’s enough.
If all you can offer is your brokenness, He will take it.

He isn’t asking you to carry the weight alone. In fact, He’s asking you to stop trying and let Him carry you.

That’s grace. That’s love. That’s what Psalm 34:18 is all about.

An Invitation to Rest in Him

So today, if your heart feels like it’s breaking…

If your spirit feels crushed beneath the pressure…

If your tears are flowing faster than your words…

Lean in. Don’t pull away.

Whisper His name in the quiet. Sit in His presence, even if it feels like nothing is happening. Because something is happening. Healing is happening. Comfort is happening. God is moving, even when you can’t see it.

And if you’re reading this and you’re not in a season of brokenness, think about someone who is. Maybe it’s a friend who’s grieving. A neighbor walking through divorce. A co-worker hiding silent battles behind a tired smile.

Reach out. Let your presence remind them of God’s nearness.

Final Thought

You are not alone. Not for a second. Not in the dark. Not in the silence.
He is close. He is with you. He sees the tears you don’t tell anyone about.
He hears the prayers you’re too exhausted to speak.

And when the world moves on, God stays.

He stays with the broken. He stays with the crushed.
And He will stay with you through it all.

I hope these words from the Psalms encouraged you today, feel free to subscribe for daily inspiration and encouragement at 6am from Monday to Friday.

I encourage you to also share this with your friends, your WhatsApp groups etc to spread the message of hope to others.