But in recent years, I prayed for something different. My New Year’s resolution was something else. 

I wanted to draw closer to God. 

I had followed Him from childhood, some years more intentionally than others. I had read through the Bible many times. I served where I thought I was called, and wrote inspirational messages and articles, which all necessitated doing mounds of research, and tons of prayer. 

But, I wanted to know Him, not just know about Him. 

Want to know something totally off-the-wall that I have learned? When I am in earnest pursuit of God, those other things, like finishing education, caring for someone chronically ill, and better marriages, they often become easier or fall into place. 

I don’t ignore them, but I prioritize God. When my to-do list has Him at the top, what needs to get done, will get done. There have been days when He has shifted my list to move something to another day. But it got done when it was needed. 

As I pursued Him, made time for Him, studied His word, the rest of life was taken care of. I had energy when I hadn’t before. I possessed patience when it was strained before, and somehow deadlines moved. It didn’t usually make earthly sense. But it didn’t have to.

Are you willing to let 2025 be the year you prioritize God? 

But Stefanie, you may say, I really don’t’ have time this year. My days, my hours are filled. 

I relate.

What if you tried ten minutes a day, for three weeks? 

Read a gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) for seven minutes a day. Then pray for three minutes a day. You could even use a Bible app on your phone. Most of them will read a passage to you. You can have it read to you while you tidy your living space, sort laundry, or cook a meal.

Not sure you can pray for three minutes straight? Divide it into three, one minute segments.  For the first minute of your shower, pray. (My youth leader encouraged us teens to cleanse our souls while we cleansed our bodies.)   

Pray before two meals. (For those of you who skip breakfast!) The first meal of the day, praise God for your blessings and your meal. The second, thank Him for the meal and lift the concerns weighing your heart. 

You get the idea.

At the end of three weeks, evaluate how your days go. Did you miss those ten minutes? Do you need them back? 

I wonder if you may find what I have:  I can’t outgive God. When I would surrender just minutes a day, He would turn around and abundantly bless my efforts. 

Ten minutes a day is 3650 minutes a year. That’s almost 61 hours a year. Imagine investing 61 hours into a relationship with someone you only know on the surface. Would you guess you might know him a lot better?

We are instructed in Zechariah 4:10 to “not despise small beginnings.” If you don’t currently have a time when you meet with God daily, I encourage you to try it this year. If you click the link here you can get a free pdf of easy Bible reading resources in your inbox. I also commit to praying daily for you for these next three weeks, as you try it out.

Prayer: Lord, I want to know You. I want to prioritize You. I am so easily distracted by the people you’ve given me to love and the tasks You have blessed me to do, please forgive me. Guide me into a correct prioritizing of my day. God, I want to know You, not just know about You. Please help me achieve just that over the next year. Thank You Lord, In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Maybe Mary was sick from this pregnancy and all the uncertainty.  Maybe she tired of the wondering stares, the darting glances, the whispers behind hands. Maybe Joseph’s reaction was just too much.

Maybe she just felt alone. The angel’s visit was so long ago. The honor placed on her seemed anything but. Confused, tired, and misunderstood, she needed someone, anyone, who would understand.

Maybe Elizabeth was her favorite aunt.  Maybe Mary assumed Elizabeth would understand her situation, as Elizabeth herself was pregnant with a miracle child. Not through immaculate conception, but a child for an older woman who was said to be barren.  Just maybe, Aunt Elizabeth could understand. And just maybe, Mary needed a breather.

Whatever prompted her to visit her aunt, we know Scripture says she hurried. She must have felt compelled to propel herself toward Aunt Elizabeth.

In Luke 1: 39-45, we read:

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Elizabeth’s greeting must have been such a breath of fresh air!  First, she was obviously glad to see her!  And, this pregnancy was known, and celebrated! Elizabeth had no trouble believing Mary was carrying her Savior!  Elizabeth knew first-hand how God could work. And she knew God worked behind the scenes, beyond human comprehension.

How appropriate that God would send young Mary to this older, wiser woman.  This wonderful relative would completely understand and encourage this mother of Jesus.

God provided for Mary’s emotional needs.  He provided for her spiritual needs.  He provided her with encouragement, just when she needed it. God fulfilled his promise that “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Because even then, He was the God who sees. (Genesis 16:13)

What are you looking for this Christmas? A respite? Understanding? Simple getting a breather? Maybe you wish you too, had an aunt Elizabeth who would shout a greeting before you even entered, welcoming you inside, a shelter from the world which doesn’t seem to understand.

God sees you.

He knows how you are feeling. He comprehends what you wish, even when you yourself struggle to put it into words.

He will meet your needs.

He will stand in the gap.

Trust Him, as Mary did.

You don’t need to imagine just how He’ll work it out. You don’t have to author advice. You simply need to trust. Claim the promise that “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.”

The promise He sees.

The promise He will meet every need.

The promise He will never leave you alone.

No matter the year it’s been, there is much indeed to celebrate this Christmas.

Because we need reminded that we are not alone. We are loved indeed.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you that You are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. You are indeed the God who sees. You promise to meet every need. Just as You did for Mary. I need to recall when You call me to tough things, You will provide for every need each step of the way. Thank You, In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Maybe Mary was having a bad day. If you’ve ever been home with a busy toddler, you know you can’t get a thing done until nap time. (And that’s assuming you stay awake yourself!)

I imagine life was not easy for Mary and Joseph.  Their needs were met, but there were probably not many extras.

I wonder how her walk with God was.  By this point, have she and Joseph settled into a routine, doing life together? Did the miracle of her pregnancy fade into the demands of daily life?

Maybe, life felt somehow, ordinary.

Unbeknownst to her, there were wealthy wise men making their way to worship her boy.  While she was washing clothes and cooking meals for her family, God was sending these men to her, guiding them with the godly GPS of a golden star.

Mary was doing her calling. Although it may have felt mundane and even ordinary, she was where God wanted her.  He knew her heart’s desire was to serve her God by serving her family.

He also knew her thoughts. Her insecurities. Her wondering mind. Her unfounded shame. Her lonely sadness of not being recognized by people as she was by God.

He was and is a just and loving Father. He was and is an adoring Daddy He was and is a Patriarch of His word. Let’s look at some of what God did that day when the wise men arrived.

The wise men’s arrival probably served many purposes:

• It most likely financed the family’s flight to Egypt.
• It offered eye-witness accounts to be taken to a foreign land whose inhabitants had yet to learn of Jesus.
• And, I imagine, it was another confirmation to a weary momma, that yes, God had given her a miraculous baby and He was indeed the Son of God.
• And God saw her. He knew her heart. He knew her thoughts. Not only would He provide for her and her family financially, He would provide spiritual encouragement and confirmation to her. He reminded her that He was performing the extraordinary in the midst of her ordinary.

The wise men’s visit probably encouraged Mary greatly. She was reminded that she was a daughter of God, and she was dearly loved indeed.

Reflections:

In what way can you relate to Mary- feeling ordinary and misunderstood?

How has God performed the extraordinary in the midst of your ordinary?

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, Thank You for the reminder that You love us more than we can imagine. When You call us to do the seemingly impossible, You provide whatever we need; be it physical, emotional, or spiritual. Thank You that You never let go and that You fulfill Your promise that You will never leave nor forsake us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Mary knew her life path had veered into unchartered territory.

I knew Gabriel had visited me and I clearly recalled his pronouncement. It was just so hard to believe God was doing this, and doing it to me! It was also a heart-wrenching experience as others mistook my divine assignment for something much less holy and much more ugly.

At moments I was so at peace, so joy-filled, I wanted to serve my God! I wanted to be a vessel for Him.

But, other times, outside my family’s sheltered walls, I could feel the weight of the condescending stares and hear the whispers that loudly echoed in my mind.

No, the people were quite good at gossip and my name was not revered as God saw me, but soiled and tarnished and dirty among the people.

And I hadn’t even done anything wrong!

But God knew.

And I knew He knew. But with my changing body and changing plans I needed somewhere to go, somewhere to get away from it all. Somewhere where someone would understand me.

I know I haven’t had the toll of a divine assignment as heavy as birthing the Savior of the world. But I know a burdened heart, heavy with the weight of trying to do what’s right. I bet you do too. After the our prayers have been whispered and we get up and back into our day- who should we turn to? Who do we trust as a traveling companion on our divine assignment?

God knows our need for a companion with flesh on: He created us! He knows the need for a human heart holding a hurting soul up to the Father in prayer- just as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knows when our souls turn to Him, trusting Him. He also knows when we need a little earthly understanding.

Mary had a relative that she knew would comprehend what she was enduring: Elizabeth. The angel had even called Elizabeth by name, as one who was miraculously expecting a child of her own.

Mary knew where to go for human companionship, who would provide spiritual support and encouragement: Elizabeth.

Elizabeth confirmed Mary’s divine assignment by her greeting the moment Mary entered her home.

What reassuring bliss to know someone understood.

And, Elizabeth desperately understood. She knew about whispers and judgment. She had been subjected to years of condescension herself for supposed sins, which reportedly rendered her barren. Yet, now, in her old age, God had redeemed her infertility. and resurrected her reputation.

She knew the heartache Mary must face before the people.

She also knew God was doing a miraculous work, not just in their lives, but for everyone to ever live.

Father God gave me shelter from the gossip storm brewing back home. He also provided confirmation to my weary heart with Elizabeth’s greeting. Her words soothed my very soul.

God used her to give me the courage to hold my head high, even when others whispered shamelessly about me.

With God’s help I would accomplish His divine assignment, trusting Him to provide my needs each step of the way.

For you and me, it has been quite a year. A year of solitude, heartbreak, and confusion. Maybe like me, you yearn to run into the arms of a friend, finding a warm hug, a listening ear, and an open heart.

I pray that you find that friend. God promises He will never leave us nor forsake us. He also promises to provide for all our needs. Yes, even that need for human connection.

He knows our hearts’ desires, and wants to give them to us. Trust Him.

He knows.

He cares.

He is already working.

Like Mary, we may know God as a Father and a friend. Just as God loved Mary and provided for her, He loves you and me, and will also provide for us.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, How easily overwhelmed I can become by Your assignments. Yet as Mary trusted You, and You always supplied her needs, You want to supply mine.  Please help me to discern whom to trust, and may those interactions be glorifying to You, In Jesus’ name, Amen

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

“The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Holy Spirit will overshadow you.  So the holy one born to you will be called Son of God. Even Elizabeth you relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered.  “May it be to me as you have said.”  Then the angel left her. Luke 1:29-38 (NIV)

I can’t imagine being in Mary’s shoes.  A young lady, pledged to be married to a God-fearing man.  Can you imagine all the dreams the each held for their future together?

A visit from an angel changed everything. Mary was told, although a virgin, she would be with child before her marriage was finalized.

I imagine many of us would respond with- “Uh, thank you, but could God please use someone else?”

Instead, Mary response was “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.” Luke 1:38.

What caused Mary’s response?  Many changes were taking place: her fiancé would question their intended marriage, she would be treated as an outcast in her society, and even her body would begin all the changes associated with pregnancy.  And, oh, can you imagine the emotions?!?

I think her great love for and unwavering faith in God prompted her response. “I am the Lord’s servant.”

How often do I look at what I am called to do in such a light?  Do I focus on doing whatever God calls me to do with a servant’s heart?  Am I willing to submit all my hopes and dreams and surrender them to Him, accepting His plans in exchange?

And yet, here was Mary, with a monumental change in her life, one she did not design, or seek out.  When I think of all Mary sacrificed for God, I am in awe of her faith.

Mary’s story certainly shows us that God can, and should, be trusted completely. Even when we cannot imagine we heard Him right!

But God did not just send His message and leave her hanging.  Just like a loving Father, which He is, He sent her a confirmation, and then a large dose of encouragement!

In Luke 1:39-45 Mary visited her aunt Elizabeth who confirmed that Mary would give birth to the Lord.  She also received encouragement from her aunt in verse 45, “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.”

How like a loving Father to equip His daughter with everything she needed to accomplish her calling: understanding the calling, confirming the calling, and then He giving her encouragement.  In this case, someone believed her and in her: she was blessed indeed!

Prayer: Lord, Thank You for Christmas. Thank You for Mary’s response to Your calling on her life. Lord, please help me to love you and obey You, even when You author plans that surprise, even shock me. May my obedience bless others and grow my faith as You did for Mary. Thank You for her example, In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Soon, those of us in the United States will celebrate Thanksgiving.  We remember what the Pilgrims did, thanking God for seeing them through their first year here in their settlement.  They were thankful for God saving many of them, although not even half their original number.  They were grateful for the crops they harvested, after suffering from hunger the year before.  They were thankful for friends they had made, although many of their Native Americans neighbors were first seen as potential enemies.

God had indeed blessed those who remained.  And they were thankful.

Do you ever wonder if some of those few First Thanksgiving attendees were still stewing over all that was lost? 

Did they truly feel thankful in their heart of hearts?

Did they desperately miss their former way of life, if for nothing else, that their precious loved ones were still with them, they ate familiar foods, and they knew what to expect?

Maybe you have had a wonderful year, and your heart is bursting forth with thankfulness.  If so, I am so happy for you!  God has indeed blessed you richly! 

For those who are struggling to feel thankful this week, you are not alone.  Often, in the midst of thanksgiving, pain is present.

I imagine for those remaining Pilgrims, that Thanksgiving was a day they simply focused on what blessing they had right then and there.  Maybe that present picture was not what they had imagined, or had hoped for, when they set out to cross the ocean, (life rarely is!), but after that challenging year, they clearly saw the evidence: God truly loved them. 

They sat next to their neighbors, even those they might have originally labeled as enemies, and drank in the beauty of the colorful harvest.  Their stomach eagerly anticipated what their noses already detected: a feast was on the way.  A feast with unknown foods, but they would be feasting just the same.

They would be feasting as God had planned.

We are to bring our requests before God, not with worry, but with thanksgiving.  When we ponder that, is there a mental murmur of grumbling?  If we have a request, it is usually not something we are joyful about.  Most of our requests are concerns.  Yet, the Bible is quite clear: we are to be anxious about nothing.

That includes not being anxious if we don’t feel all the warm fuzzies of thankfulness. 

God appreciates it when we can list our blessings even in the midst of brokenness and pain. He appreciates when we can honestly list our human limitations and ask for His help and grace.  When we are at the end of ourselves, and still can’t get to a place of peace, then, He can reveal Himself to us.

We can acknowledge the blessings of today and still be mourning the loss of yesterday. We can miss someone dearly, and yet still praise God with whole hearts.

He loves us.

It’s a simple sentence, but not a simple concept to wrap our minds around. He does loves us, and yet He still allows us to have challenges in this life.  He does that so we can learn to trust Him, no matter what.  He promises He will redeem everything, (Romans 8:28) and He does.  Even when it takes a lifetime.

I pray each of us can name the blessings of the present, no matter what we may have lost in the past.  I pray as we each search for how to present attitudes of thanksgiving, our hearts will heal and we will indeed see the blessings of today.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You are indeed a good Father, even in the tough times. As our focus this week turns toward Thanksgiving, direct our hearts to recount our blessings, even amidst the pain of recent loss. Help us to support those who are struggling to find joy and rejoice with those who have much to celebrate. Thank You, that we not only can, but should, eagerly come to You. You promise to carry our burdens and give us that peace that passes understanding. Thank You, In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“It was a decorated shoe box we would fill with strips of paper outlining what we are thankful for. We’d fill it all year long and then open it on Thanksgiving Day.” Our seventeen-year-old recounted with a nostalgic smile on her lips.

“Why don’t we do that today?” her younger sister asked.

The long answer to that question involves a move, a new baby, and a cancer diagnosis all within one year.

The short answer: We got out of the habit.

As I overheard the above conversation I smiled, also taking a walk down memory lane. I joyfully recalled some of those Thanksgiving readings. The answer to the question “What are you thankful for,” went something like this:

A job,

My (stuffed) dog Beethoven,

My friends,

My family,

Hot dogs,

Marshmallows,

Living in the US,

My bicycle,

The (swimming) pool,

Jesus dying on the cross.

As I reflect on those memories, I agree it’s a shame we don’t have a “Thanksgiving Box” anymore.

Not only was that time we set aside to answer the question imperative to keep us focused on our blessings, the memories of reading the responses proved to be a priceless treasure to each family member.

Thankfully, we can certainly resurrect an old habit. I know just the shoebox we can use…

“Thanks to God for His inexpressible gift.” II Corinthians 9:15

Prayer: Dear God, Thank You for the innumerable blessings You’ve gifted to me. Thank you for the things I’m so accustomed to having that I take them for granted and forget how blessed I am. Above all, I thank You for Your great love for me personally, that Jesus surrendered His life so I might choose to be reunited with You. Amen.

 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 NIV, emphasis mine.

I arrived at a relative’s house, happy for the holidays.  The cheery decorations, scrumptious food, and visits with family we see far too infrequently, created a magical moment.

Entering the bedroom my husband and I would occupy, I noticed the fresh vacuum marks on the carpet.  I set down a suitcase as the light fragrance of lilac permeated the room with its welcoming scent.  Then my eyes drifted to where I always set my Bible and notebook while visiting. I was surprised to see dust.

My gaze glanced to all surfaces, and yes, each had its own little supply of dust.

I chose to accept the dust as a welcome gift.  If my family didn’t feel the need for perfection with company coming, then neither should I.

How liberating to excitedly anticipate a visit without the stress of pulling together a ‘perfectly’ clean and organized home!

I do still try to make my guest feel welcome.  But I don’t worry about attempting any Martha Stewart moments. I’m just not willing to give my house constant attention day in and day out all year round.

I could, but I’d miss character building conversations with my girls. I could constantly clean, but then the only communication I’d have with Christ might be frazzled, incomplete sentences. (Not that Jesus minds incomplete sentences, but I do!) And, when I’m in perpetual motion, I tend to not hear Him, so my communication becomes a monotonous monologue.

But a surprise blessing of forgoing the ‘perfectly kept house?’ The blessing it is to guests who drop by unannounced. Not only is our time together spent with a more focused mind and heart engaged in the moment, but just maybe the state of my home alleviates a friends’ stress toward the striving of perfection. Maybe she is blessed by the fact I’m content to invite her in, parading her through the chaos. Blessed that I am treasuring her company over a completely clean house.

No, my house has never been a health hazard, but worrying about it could have been.

Visiting with family, encouraging people, and spending precious moments with others is such a better use of my time most days. And I’m certain it’s what Jesus would want me to do and what He has authored for me.

If you, like me, struggle with keeping a perfectly clean house and a perfectly sane mindset, can we just encourage each other?

The holidays are meant to be celebrated and enjoyed by everyone. That means moms too. We also can treasure the moments of joy, the meaningful conversations, and the hilarious shenanigans of children this joyous season. Our homes, menus, or presents do not have to be perfect to perfectly treasure the celebrations of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Won’t you join me in a prayer to remind us each how to truly celebrate?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for clearly outlining what is important. That You know what is in our heart: creating great family memories of celebration. You know that’s why we tend to get caught up in the moment and maybe go overboard, placing too many demands on ourselves. Please help us to remember what Jesus reminded Mary and Martha, that the best moments are not spent on housework, but at Your feet. The best moments are spent with others, encouraging them and taking time for them. Thank You, for this instruction. Please help us each to treasure it and implement it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Oh, I know, He already knew. In fact, He’d authored it. But I had to share it with Him anyway.

“Thank You Lord for this! I know I never could have done it without You.”

I recalled a few years earlier. A time of crisis. When I had major decisions and it was truly just me and God. As I cried myself to sleep almost every night, I still believed God had me. I knew He was getting me through. And even though I didn’t understand, couldn’t comprehend why in the world He was leading me through that, He was leading me, not letting me wallow there all alone. It took time, but after I looked back, I saw there were reasons to praise Him during that particular storm.

I trusted Him then, and I trusted Him now. And both times, I knew inside me that I had to thank Him for what He was doing.

Some of my favorite Psalms, which ring in my heart as songs set to literal music, exhort offering thanksgiving to praise God.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4 NIV

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make my faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.” (Psalm 89:1-2 NIV)

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps with joy, and with my song I will praise him. (Psalm 28:7 NIV)

God created us to experience emotion.  He also created us to express that emotion. He desires we communicate our emotions to Him. The Good. The Bad. And even, the Ugly. And when we’re happy? He loves to hear about it! He loves to see His children wild with wonder at what He has done. He loves to hear us praise what He’s doing- whether we understand it or not.

Do you, like me, sometimes wonder how on earth can I praise Him in this storm? 

Even in the bad circumstances of this moment we can praise He who will guide us through it. The One who promises to redeem it. It may not feel all warm and fuzzy. It may feel downright dirty and desperate and despicable. 

But praise God, He is God. He knows how to deal with even this. And He never reneges on His promises.

So I have learned I can praise Him, I can learn to be thankful in all circumstances because I know He is with me and is holding me and has even this.

Maybe you, too, have struggled to find a word of praise. Or, forget to even think of praise at times like that. Or fight to find that knee-jerk reaction to good news as praise to God, who authors everything. That’s okay. We’re all learning!

Let’s encourage one another in prayer:

Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for always being here beside me. For authoring all that happens, including the sweet endings and the ‘how-to’ through hard times. Thank You that You redeem everything, and even author moments of celebration into our lives. Lord, let us learn how to praise You in everything. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He dearly loved the Lord. And that love overflowed onto any person in his path. It wasn’t his life goal to serve as many people as possible. It was his life goal to serve the Lord. And his serving the Lord led to him serving people.

Most of us serve others in some capacity. Are you married? Are you a parent? Maybe, you’re a caregiver? What is your occupation? Many have service built directly in! 

Do we make it a daily goal to serve our family or designated demographic? Or, like my friend, do we make it our goal to serve God? And in serving God, if He instructs us to serve others, then we serve Him throughs serving others.

Psalm 100:2 instructs us to, “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence singing.” (ESV)

I have learned that while there is value in assessing my skills and abilities, I can learn just about anything, especially when I sense God directing me to glorify Him by performing designated tasks. I am happy to try a new skill or attempt novel undertakings so I can worship Him through my work.

I have learned it may not be vital which activity I perform, as long as my heart is truly in the act of service. Deuteronomy 10:12b (ESV) reminds me to “ serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” 

It’s not about a checklist, but it is all about His love overflowing from my heart into my willing hands to accomplish something for Him. 

How about you? Do you sometimes tire of a to-do list you may feel you have to do? Would you rather serve because you know God and want to serve Him and share His love because you get to do it? 

He wants to help our hearts get to that place. Let’s ask Him for help with just that.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Allow me to worship You. Pure, unadulterated worship. As I worship and just take pleasure in Your presence, please gently show me how I can serve You. May my service to You flow from Your love and reflect You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.