May 16th: The Shift I Didn’t See Coming

This past Monday felt...off. I couldn’t explain it. Nothing was wrong, but I walked through the day like something was just out of sync. I was distracted. Unsettled. Even a little anxious. My fiancée, Faith, even noticed it that something was off in my character. And it wasn’t until late in the day that it finally hit me: I had rushed into my morning and skipped the one thing I never want to miss…spending time with Jesus.

No Scripture.
No prayer.
No pause to breathe and be still before Him.

I don’t say that to be dramatic. I say that because I noticed. I felt the difference. And maybe you’ve been there too. Those days when you just can’t find your rhythm, your thoughts feel scattered, and your soul is exposed to every little stress. That was me.

But the moment I opened His Word again—just a few verses, just a few minutes—it was like coming back home. I felt covered. Held. Protected. That peace that Philippians 4 talks about, the one that “surpasses all understanding,” wrapped around me like a warm blanket. It was so comforting!

It reminded me of Psalm 91:1. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

That’s what I missed that morning: the shelter. The shadow. The rest.

We often think we can manage our days just fine and squeeze God in later. But here’s what I’ve been learning: when I start my day with Him, I’m not just adding a spiritual task to my to-do list—I’m stepping into the covering of the Almighty. I’m placing my heart in His hands before the world has a chance to pull it in a thousand directions.

So if this week has felt off for you, maybe it’s time to pause. Re-center. Come back home. God is never mad when we forget—He’s just always ready when we return.

Let Him cover you today.

I hope you all have a great day, and God bless!

-Brady Baker