The Inkers Pen

“The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." (Proverbs 16:4 NKJV) Some truths in life are easy to swallow—like the fact coffee makes mornings better or fresh-baked cookies are little bites of happiness. But then there are those truths that feel like you're swallowing a dry cracker with no water in sight. Proverbs 16:4 is one of those verses: “The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” Wait … even the wicked? That’s not just a dry cracker you're dealing with, but also the crumbs that clog your windpipe. It might make us wonder why God allows certain people, circumstances, or even outright evil to exist. But here’s the thing—nothing in this world is random. Not the joys, not the struggles, and not even the people walking in the opposite direction of goodness. Which means this: not only do we have purpose, it's imperative we make good choices. Precious one, we are a walking-talking human puzzle, and every piece has a place, even the pieces that look like they don’t belong. Sometimes, the dark and strangely shaped make the picture complete. Dare I say: "even the wicked," the odd, the scary serve a purpose ... though we may not understand why or how. Their choices bring consequences, teach lessons, and often serve as a contrast that makes God's righteousness shine even brighter. But let’s not get stuck staring at the dark and odd puzzle pieces. Our job isn’t to decipher every mystery of God’s plan (which we couldn't even if we wanted to) it’s to trust we are part of it. We are called to be children of light, which reflects His goodness in a world that often feels clouded and shadowed with confusion. So, when life hands us a truth too hard to swallow—like the dry cracker—let’s remember God holds the cup. His wisdom quenches our doubts, and His purpose never crumbles under confusion. Every piece of our life and this world's puzzle (even the things we struggle to understand!) fits into His divine design. You see, God didn’t create us just to exist. We were created to shine—with His purpose, with good choices, with faith, and with the assurance that even when life feels uncertain, God’s glory shines in "all things for Himself." Heavenly Father, Some truths feel easy, and others feel like that sandpapery dry cracker—hard to swallow and harder to understand. But Your Word reminds me that You made all things for Yourself, and nothing in my life is without purpose. Quench my doubts with Your wisdom and steady my heart with Your peace. Thank You for purpose, even in the things I don’t understand. In Jesus' name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks What “hard-to-swallow” truth might God be asking you to trust Him with today, and how can you focus on reflecting His light? ~~We are a walking-talking human puzzle and every piece has a place.~~LM

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV) Ever have one of those life-pausing moments? You know the kind that shows up between a step, a breath, or a wandering thought. You freeze, take a long blink, and bam—it hits you: out of more than eight billion people on this big, round, spinning planet, God gave you a unique and intentional purpose for your life. It's a mind-boggling, humbling realization. Life isn't just a string of random events—like socks disappearing in the dryer or your WiFi cutting out right before an important Zoom meeting (which honestly feels a little personal, just saying). My friend, we are not a cosmic accident. We are a divine masterpiece, handcrafted by God and placed right here, right now, on purpose. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV). "Prepared beforehand" … think about that for a moment. That means before your first breath, before you ever took your first step, even before your first questionable life decision (that you may or may not regret), our God already had a purpose for your life. You didn't stumble into meaning. You were created with it. Dear friend, we are children of light, meant to shine in a world that often feels blanketed with confusion and noise and bad decisions. Our God doesn't just create us and step back. He shapes us, guides us, and walks with us, weaving purpose (His purpose) into even the smallest moments. You only have to let Him in. But let's be honest—this journey isn't a perfectly paved highway. It's more like a winding trail with unexpected turns, jagged rocks, and an occasional squirrel skittering out of nowhere like it has a mission of its own. So, when things don't make sense, when plans fall apart, when doors close, when relationships fail, when life feels as messy and unpredictable as your internet connection—God is still at work. Every step, every season, every moment is connected to something bigger than we can see or know. So, trust Him. You are but one life among eight billion other lives, and yet, you are fully known and fully seen by Him. Walk in the unique purpose He's already prepared for you. Heavenly Father, Thank You for creating me with purpose and intention. Help me to trust You, even when life feels uncertain or unclear. Open my eyes to the ways You are working in and through me each day. Give me the courage to walk in the path You’ve prepared for me, and the faith to follow where You lead. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks What gifts, passions, or opportunities might God be using right now to reveal part of your unique purpose? When life feels uncertain or off-course, do you tend to trust God’s plan—or try to take control? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? ~~We are created with purpose … use His wisdom wisely.~~LM

“He is not here, for he has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:6 KJV As the first rays of dawn pierce through the night’s veil, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (Matthew 28:1 KJV) make their way to Jesus’ tomb. The air is thick with dew and sorrow, and their hearts are heavy with grief. They carry the silent echoes of a lost love. Each step is slow, as if their souls are afraid of what they may or may not find. As they approach the tomb, Heaven shakes the earth and the ground trembles beneath their feet. A radiant angel descends, bright as lightning, clad in a robe as pure as freshly fallen snow. He rolls away the stone—not with effort, but with authority—and sits atop it, as though to say: The door to eternity now stands open and death lies dethroned. The women freeze in a storm of confusion and awe. Grief still clings, but something new flickers. As they peer inside the tomb—eyes wide, breath held—a spark of wonder ignites. The tomb. Empty. Desperation grips their gaze as the angel speaks words that turn the world upside down: “He is not here, for he has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:6 KJV). The stone slab on which Jesus laid, now a vacant space where eternity broke through time. The unthinkable made real! Death—rewritten by Love. Resurrection doesn’t just challenge faith. It invites us into a divine mystery—where God’s promises soar beyond all human doubt. You see, in a world obsessed with proof and logic, Matthew 28:6 is where the tangible embraces the Divine, where darkness bows before the light, where faith trusts a God who doesn’t just break rules—He breaks graves. This Easter as we kneel at the cross, weep at the tomb, and rise with the resurrection, let’s thank the two Marys. Despite their heartbreak, they showed up when all seemed lost. They found our Savior didn't just destroy death—He conquered it. Through His victory, we find redemption, rebirth, restoration. We find life without expiration. We find resurrection reality. Beloved, Jesus is alive. He is risen indeed. Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of eternal life, for the empty tomb, and for the hope resurrection brings. In moments of doubt or fear, remind me love conquers death and mercy owns the final word. Lord, shape my heart to reflect Jesus' peace, grace, and joy. Teach me to share Jesus' love in all I do and to carry Your light throughout this broken world. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Somewhere between Italy and Poland, a thief looked at twelve tons of KitKat bars—yes, 413,793 crispy, chocolate-coated sticks of joy—and thought, “This … this is my moment.” Not a jewel heist, not a bank job, but a full-blown cocoa caper. Like a squirrel hoarding loads of acorns before winter, this person didn’t just take a few bars—they took enough chocolate to make Willy Wonka raise an eyebrow. And then, as if the story needed more flair, the stolen KitKats were molded into race cars. Race cars. Because apparently, when you commit confectionery crime at this scale, you don’t just steal the normal. You innovate. I mean, can't you imagine the thief standing there, arms crossed, gazing at their fleet of chocolate Ferraris, thinking, “Yes … this is what greatness looks like.” Crazy, right? You bet. So, let’s talk logistics. Where do you even store 12 tons of chocolate? Your average kitchen pantry would lock its doors immediately. This operation would need a warehouse colder than a penguin’s pajamas, because one warm afternoon and suddenly your getaway cars turn into a sticky, melted parking lot. And heaven help anyone who forgets to regulate the temperature—nothing says “criminal mastermind” like slipping on a puddle of chocolatey crunchy goodness and regret. Then, there’s the money situation. No doubt the reason the product was stolen in the first place. If you sell each bar at two bucks—practically a bargain in today’s economy—then you’re staring at well over $800,000. That’s a lot of cash … and a lot of explaining when someone asks why your garage (or should I say semi-truck) smells like a candy aisle exploded. Now … should I even mention Easter? It’s about to hop into full view in less than a week. I mean, come on—somewhere out there, the Easter Bunny is pacing with an empty basket, wondering who made off with all the KitKat race cars. No pit stops, no chocolate checkered flags. Mr. Bunny is left to face a full-blown chocolate tragedy of teary-eyed children digging through their baskets only to find everything except the one thing they really wanted: a fun little KitKat race car. In the end, this wasn't just a heist. Nuh-uh ... it’s the sort of sticky misadventure that might end with the thieves sprouting orange tans, green hair, and a sudden urge to break into an Oompa-Loompa cautionary song about what happens when chocolate and bad decisions collide. Blessings ... and Happy Easter, Linda ~~Somewhere out there, the Easter Bunny and the Oompa-Loompas are trying to figure out how things went so deliciously wrong.~~LM

I admit: I am a slow writer. I may also procrastinate. Gulp. I’m not the poetic stare‑out‑the‑window‑while‑inspiration‑floats‑by slow. I’m more like my striped Nerite snail, happily-grazing-on-algae slow. You know the pace. Inch forward. Pause. Inspect the scenery. Inch forward again. I’m fairly certain my real problem is editing while writing. My brain is an overzealous editor wearing bifocals, clutching the red pen like a sword. Every sentence must pass inspection before the next one is allowed to exist. It’s exhausting. Meanwhile, some writers casually produce a devotion or blog everyday like they’re flipping pancakes on a Saturday morning. I, on the other hand, sit surrounded by my collection of pens. Because clearly the solution to slow writing is buying every kind of pen on the planet to unlock my writing genius. (If only that worked, right?) And then there’s the coffee. Writing without coffee is like trying to start a lawn mower with a strand of spaghetti. Might happen in a glowing green galaxy where spaghetti has horsepower. But here on earth? Not a chance. The good news? I’ve learned to never draft and edit at the same time. That’s a no‑no. It’s also a stubborn habit to break. Drafting is messy. Editing is tidy. Mixing them together is like mopping the hardwood floor while the dog is still rolling in the mud. And here's the thing: I never used to be that way. Drafting and editing slowly sprouted one day and it became an mountainous battle. I started rereading paragraphs, studying sentences, agonizing over finding the perfect word. Seriously, the thesaurus became my best friend. So, here’s my tried‑and‑true plan: First: music. Second: write the ugly draft. No polishing. No word wrestling. Just forward motion. Third: fix it later—but don’t procrastinate. Big breath. Think of writing as a sea turtle gliding through warm ocean water. No hurry. No panic. Just steady movement in the right direction. Turns out slow isn’t always a problem. Sometimes it simply means you’re taking the scenic route … and that’s okay. Never rush. Just put one word in front of the other. Blessings, Linda ~~Writing well isn’t about speed—it’s about moving forward at your own pace.~~ LM

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 NIV) Have you ever had one of those days, months (whole year!) when the pain in your heart feels like a clay pot collapsing on a potter’s wheel? One minute everything's holding its shape, and the next—splat—it caves in on itself. Emotional turmoil runs rampant in our world, and sometimes it feels like our hearts are the favorite target. Hurt, tears, and sadness have a knack for sneaking in through unguarded openings: a door slammed by someone you trusted, a diagnosis that dropped like a plate full of spaghetti, a dream that withers on the vine, a catty friend whose sharp words land like darts in the heart. I don’t know who out there is hurting, and I don't know if this devotional will help. But I do know this: God laid it on my heart to write these words for someone today. And here’s the cosmic plot twist: our Potter never steps away from the wheel. Ever. While the clay spins and wobbles and threatens to collapse, God's hands remain steady as He gently wipes away the weary tears. He understands your whys, your worries, and those lingering questions that circle your mind at 2 a.m. Your pain rests in the Potter’s hands like an unfinished vessel waiting to be shaped with grace and mercy. When you think no one notices the raw, bone-deep ache lodged in your chest, don’t believe that lie. Jesus feels your heartache. He hears those moans and groans masquerading as prayers. Even when you feel misshapen, brittle, or stuck spinning on the Potter’s wheel, remember this: His hands never abandon the work He is doing in your life. Never. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18 NIV). Dear one, the same God who “counts the number of stars” (Psalm 147:4 NKJV) also counts your tears. You're never forgotten, unseen, or alone. Our Potter does not discard His collapsed clay. He gathers it, presses it, reshapes it, and sets it spinning again. Then ... He lovingly forms you into something stronger, deeper, and more beautiful than before. Heavenly Father, When my heart feels like collapsed clay on Your wheel catch my tears, calm my heart, and shape my struggles into something meaningful. Even in the wobble, help me trust Your steady touch, and remind me You’re not finished with me yet. In Jesus' name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks Where in your life does it feel like the spaghetti just hit the floor and the clay collapsed on the wheel? How might God be reshaping something in your life that currently feels like a messy lump of clay? ~~Jesus' hands never abandon the work He is doing in your life. Never.~~LM

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 KJV If anyone would’ve told me I’d write a devotional one day inspired by Kid Rock, I would’ve laughed—probably loudly and without shame. Yet here it is, camped out in my head, looping like a song you can’t turn off. I remember some of his songs. They weren’t my favorite—I was never the rapper or heavy-metal type. Still, he carried a persona that was impossible to ignore: loud, cocky, unapologetic. He wore confidence like a sleeveless T-shirt and dared anyone to comment on it. That was part of his history. And if we’re honest, we all have a history. Back in the day, we talked big, listened small, and treated humility like an accessory we’d eventually outgrow. None of us wore the meek-and-mild sandals very well—only Jesus. He never needed a transformation-alignment. Our Jesus is perfect and sets the standard with a simple invitation: “Follow me.” As we age, though, something shifts. We become … well, we become humble. You see, life sandpapers the rough edges, and we look for answers. We take stock of the life we’ve built and begin longing for something better—for our children, our aging parents, and the world we all share. During a performance on Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show,” Kid Rock—Robert Ritchie—allowed us to witness his heart shift. He explained he awoke one Sunday morning with 'Til You Can't stuck in his head and “something or someone spoke to me,” inspiring him to write a verse to the song … and this is what Robert Ritchie wrote: “There’s a book that's sitting in your house somewhere that could use some dusting off/ There’s a man that died for all our sins/ hanging from the cross/ You can give your life to Jesus/ and he’ll give you a second chance/ ’til you can’t, ’til you can’t.” Those lines written by Robert Ritchie made my eyes leak and my heart cry. They carry the unmistakable marks of transformation. Each word carries a holy weight: redemption, repentance, urgency, salvation. Dear one, Holy doesn’t wait. He saves. When transformation triumphs, we stop chasing freedom and start longing for forgiveness. We crave unity instead of division, purpose instead of noise. It’s like finally coming home after wandering too long in the dark. You see, we don’t just want love—we want unconditional love. We want to intimately know our God, to feel Jesus in our hearts. Scripture says it best: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10 KJV). That’s the turning point. That’s when pride loosens its grip, grace steps in, and God rewrites the lyrics of a soul reborn in Christ. Father God, Thank You for being a merciful Savior who looks beyond our history and sees our future in You. When pride loosens and grace steps in, transform our hearts and teach us to walk humbly in Your love ... rewrite our story for Your kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen Spiritual Sparks As Robert Ritchie (Kid Rock) shared his turning point, where might God be quietly inviting you to share your own? What “dusty book” in your life needs opening so God can begin rewriting your story? ❤️ Holy doesn’t wait. He saves. ~~LM ❤️

Let’s talk about avocado toast—a breakfast superstar that’s taken over kitchens everywhere. This pear-shaped, alligator-skinned fruit is filled with a creamy-green goodness. It's packed with healthy fats (is that really a thing, tho?), vitamins, and enough potassium to make a banana blush. Inside rests a smooth, shiny pit about the size of a ping-pong ball ... and so stubborn that popping it out can turn into an Olympic event. I used to shun this fruit with a crinkled nose and squinty eyes. My morning coffee was enough. Until the avocado arrived one day on a slice of toast crowned with a sweep of lime green. Just looking at its freshness made my brain hum with a happy, leafy energy—traits my coffee and I could only dream of sharing. So, I took a bite, sipped my coffee, and since that day, the two have shown up each morning like a parade of champions. Now, I keep this bumpy and lumpy fruit ready for duty. I cut it open, pull the pit (bonus points if the pit pops out in one smooth move), and smoosh the lime green fun with a fork. I then spoon soft green clouds onto a plate, cover with cellophane, and place in the freezer. Voilà. Each scoop waits like a treasure for its morning thaw. Seriously, this buttery goodness paired with coffee is an unbeatable duo. It's healthy and offers comfort no breakfast-of-champion cereal can match. So, tomorrow when you crave something bright and satisfying, reach for an avocado—your taste buds and your morning will thank you. Blessings, Linda "Do you like your toast with green? The brightest breakfast ever seen! Spread on toast, it's so nutritious. Avocado: wonderfully delicious!" Sorry, my Dr. Seuss' muse kicked in. 😉LM

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "Isaiah 55:8 NKJV Anyone who has a heart for God or learning about Him will eventually become bombarded with a bucketful of "whys." They show up uninvited, like weeds creeping into a well-tended garden, tangling themselves through our thoughts. As we travel across our rose-covered roads, we will no doubt pick up a thorn or two. Each thorn has its own reason to jab and prick at our everyday situations. Trust me, I've stepped on plenty of those thorns. Sometimes life hands you a rose, but forgets to mention it comes from a complimentary thorn bush. When we're poked by our "whys," questions percolate, and we blame the obvious, the not-so-obvious, or whatever is nearby. We try to make sense of it all. We grasp for answers. Nothing. Then our imaginations throw a little pity party while we search for the reason behind the confusion of the "why." God helps us understand with this verse: " For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8 NKJV). But here's the thing—whether we're feeling like a leaky canoe in a sea of "whys", we are still God's vessels. We are undeniably NOT of this world (even if some days we feel like we belong at the bottom of a lost-and-found bin). You see, life's trials, big or small, are inevitable ... and your "whys"? Well, you're allowed to ask them. So, go ahead, lift your hands, bow your head to the Lord, and ask away. Dear friend, when life hits you hard, God's strength is critical for those desperate times. You see, God hears, God cares, and He's never stumped by questions that trip us up. Always remember, even if the road is thorny, He's already walked it barefoot … and He promises to walk it with us, every prickly step of the way. Heavenly Father, When our hearts overflow with questions, help us trust You more than our understanding. When the road feels thorny, remind us that You walk beside us. Give us peace when answers feel far away, and strength to keep moving forward with You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks 1. What “why” has been tangling your thoughts lately, and how have you been carrying it? 2. Where might God be inviting you to trust His higher ways instead of demanding clear answers? "God is never stumped by questions that trip us up."~~LM