Reader,
Over the weekend in St. Louis, I took a 2 mile walk with my dad at his favorite park.
He shared so much with me but there was one underlying thought that I want to share with you today:
Don’t ever settle for less than what God showed you. The relationships, the location, the life, the money, the path forward, the journey, don’t. settle. ever.
My dad has been encouraging me this way all my life. He’s always told me to reach for everything and settle for nothing. I remember when he would take me to Forest Park in St. Louis and challenge me to try new things. Like riding my bike farther than I really wanted to go, or racing him up Art Hill in front of the St. Louis Art Museum.
One of my least favorite things to do, I might add.
I didn't realize it then, but now I see that he was teaching me to push past what I thought my limits were. He would let me get mad, frustrated, pick up the biggest stick or rock I could find and throw it with hot tears in my eyes, but he would never - and I mean never - let me say what I couldn't do OR quit.
Like literally, never.
So, while the morning walk with him this past weekend, I shared some of the things on my heart and he began to do what he always does: challenge my perceived limits.
And this time, as a 40 year old woman, his message hit different.
It’s the same message I’ve heard since I was a girl but this weekend, I heard a different tone in his voice.
A different level of intensity and grounding.
There was a moment when he turned to face the sun, squared his shoulders, took a breath, and said "what have I told you?"
I received that. What he was saying, and what he wasn't saying 🥺
Essentially, it was this: 'Beautiful girl, you CAN do hard things.'
I wanted to send you this note to pass the word along. It came through my natural father, but I believe it came FROM our Father in Heaven.
And it is a word for many of us right now.
Yes, seasons change. And it's hard. It's confusing. It's scary.
And it can challenge your very thoughts, feelings, and perceived limits but,
Beautiful girl, you CAN do hard things.
I want to share three things before I go:
1. Adult daughters, don’t forget to hold space for your dad when you can. Especially black dads. They carry so much. 🥺🙏🏽
2. Don’t miss the moments. Heads up, pay attention. God is working in the details.
3. My newest Bible plan, Good Fruit Takes Time: A 5-Day Guide to Growing With God When Seasons Change', is up in the Bible App, if you're in a season of change and need encouragement for the journey - I encourage you to read it.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Porscha Fryar
P.S. Remember the word from the top of the year: we are in a season of acceleration and that can sometimes bring about a change.