A few hours after our sweet little boy was born, I experienced a severe postpartum hemorrhage. My peaceful delivery room turned into a chaotic operating room in a matter of minutes. I laid in my bed helpless, surrounded by doctors and nurses who worked quickly and confidently to bring God’s own healing. In the uncertainty and pain, the words of Isaiah 43 were scrolling through my mind on repeat. “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine”… and so on. (Memorizing Scripture is worth the effort!) In that moment, those words reminded me that Jesus was holding me close — nothing else mattered.

Discipleship is not a burden—it is a life given to Christ in faith. Luther reminds us that our good works do not save us, but faith in Christ frees us to live according to His will. Even in busy seasons (like when caring for a newborn!), we can follow Him in joyful, practical ways—through our daily tasks, relationships, and responsibilities. A quiet moment of prayer in the morning, singing a lullaby to a child, washing a load of laundry, putting another meal on the table, and rocking a baby to sleep—these are all ways of “carrying your cross” and living out your God-given vocations. Our most important discipleship happens...

When evil strikes, hearts break and the question arises: “Where is your God?” We recently heard that chilling question written on a weapon meant for destruction. It is not a new question. The psalmist lamented, “My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me continually, ‘Where is your God?’” (Psalm 42:3). The enemies of God’s people have always mocked us with that taunt. But God has answered—and not with silence, but with His Son. Where is God when the world grows dark with sin and violence? He is not absent. He is not indifferent. God is truly present in Christ Jesus. He stepped into our darkness. He bore our griefs...