Writing from the Whisper: How to Clarify Your Message in a Noisy World

When the feed gets loud, your story can get lost. But the message you’re carrying wasn’t meant to compete—it was meant to cut through.

Here’s how to realign your writing with your authentic voice.

  1. Get clear on the message.
    Nothing gets drowned out by the noise more than an unclear message. If you can’t hear the message, then no one else will. This is, in fact, the greatest struggle of many writers. They begin to incorporate the sound of the world around them into the messages that were never supposed to be there in the first place. Your message must be unique to your voice to make it authentic. Does that mean you don’t borrow stats, research, or quotes from others? No, it means that those things you borrow don’t alter what you are meant to carry. If you are unsure about the message, spend some quiet time getting clarity. Go to a place where you can be still, and hear the whisper, for me, that is prayer.
  2. Know your “audience of one.”
    Too often, writers focus on the masses. Selling books in bulk and reaching the world is a lofty goal. I am NOT saying that we shouldn’t have big goals for our writing, I am saying that we lose sight of the one person we are writing to in an effort to reach them all. When I coach authors, the one thing I ask of them is to find their audience of one. It’s your avatar. The one person that you are targeting to pick up the book and read as though it had been written personally to them. When we write with such focus, it will eliminate the worry about all people. The stress lessens, and we can flow with the whisper.
  3. Care less about what others think.
    Confession here, I struggled with his one the most and can still struggle to this day. The number of authors with this problem is insurmountable, and it keeps them from wanting to publish what they have spent hours, days, and months writing. We know that others will read our work, and they will form an opinion. Some good, and definitely there will be critics. When we care so much about what others think, it can paralyze our voice and impact the message we are trying to convey. Instead of standing boldly in our message, we cower to the pressure of their voices. Yes, criticism can be healthy and even necessary for an author, but when it keeps us from hearing the whisper, it overtakes us and the message.

Cutting through the noise requests you to push. Push into who you were called to be as a writer and what you were called to carry in a message. When you do that, the noise will be silenced and the whisper will be the only thing that matters. Write from that place.

How Writing Can Be Healing

How Writing Can Be Healing: Telling the Truth Out Loud

Lead with the truth—unfiltered and full of purpose.

There are some things you can’t shout in a room, but you can whisper them to the page.

Writing has a way of holding space for what your heart hasn’t figured out how to say out loud yet. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about making room for the questions. The ache. The grief. The anger. The healing.

When I started writing, I wasn’t trying to be brave—I was just trying not to break. Every word became a lifeline. Not because it made the pain disappear, but because it gave it purpose. And somehow, that purpose turned into power.

Writing is healing because it allows us to name what hurt us and still declare that it didn’t kill us. It helps us place periods where trauma tried to leave commas. It’s the place where silence loses its grip, and shame loses its voice.

So, whether your page is messy, tear-stained, or prayer-soaked—write. Let your pen be the scalpel in the Healer’s hand. You don’t have to be perfect to begin, just willing.

Your story may have broken you once, but your voice will rebuild what hell tried to tear down.

5 Quotes to Kickstart Your Creative Week

Many of us seek that spark of inspiration to ignite our creativity and set a positive tone for the days ahead. Whether you’re an artist, writer, entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to infuse fresh energy into their daily routine, the right words can serve as a powerful catalyst. Inspirational quotes have long been a cherished source of motivation—distilling profound wisdom into succinct phrases that resonate with our experiences and aspirations. In this article, we explore five carefully curated quotes designed to kick-start your creative week. Each quote not only encapsulates the spirit of innovation and self-discovery but also urges you to break free from the confines of routine thinking. As we explore the thoughts of renowned figures and visionary minds, we invite you to reflect on how these insights can transform your perspective, encourage experimentation, and ultimately pave the way for your most imaginative self.

The Power of Inspiration: Why Quotes Matter
Quotes have a remarkable ability to create connection and community. When shared or discussed, they foster dialogues about shared experiences and values. For instance, quotes from influential leaders during times of social change, such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” have inspired collective action and galvanized movements toward equality and justice. These words create a sense of unity among individuals striving for common causes, reinforcing the idea that we are not alone in our struggles or aspirations.

Setting the Tone: How a Quote Can Shape Your Week

In a world bustling with noise, deadlines, and relentless schedules, words have the power to both uplift and inspire. One particular literary vehicle that can instigate extraordinary transformations in our mindset is the quote. Quotes carry the wisdom of ages, encapsulating profound thoughts into brief, poignant statements. With their remarkable ability to influence our perspectives, a well-chosen quote has the potential to set a positive tone for our week.

Quote 1: Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. Benjamin Franklin
**Key Aspects of Writing Words Worth Reading:**

  1.  Authenticity
  2. Substance
  3. Craftsmanship
  4. Impact

Quote 2: There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed. Ernest Hemingway

**The Act of Writing**

Hemingway’s choice of the word “bleed” introduces a visceral element to the writing process. To “bleed” implies that writing involves pouring oneself onto the page — one’s thoughts, emotions, struggles, and triumphs. It suggests that the act of creation is not devoid of pain but, instead, is intertwined with personal sacrifice. This portrayal of writing reveals that authors often put their innermost feelings at stake to create authentic narratives that resonate with readers.

Writers, like Hemingway himself, often draw from their own life experiences, embedding fragments of their own stories within the fabric of their fiction. For Hemingway, this was especially true; he lived a life filled with adventure, war, love, and loss, all of which became catalysts for his prose. Understanding this context allows readers to appreciate why he communicated writing as a process fraught with emotional investment.

Quote 3: I’m writing a book. I’ve got the page numbers done. Stephen Wright

**Writing as a Technical Task**

The quote suggests that writing a book can often feel like a mechanical task, one where the author may find themselves engaged in mundane details rather than the vibrant act of creation. Writers frequently report feeling overwhelmed by the sheer structure of writing, which includes outlining, drafting, and editing. Wright’s humor lies within the acknowledgment that while authors may consider themselves “writing” when they focus on these technicalities, the heart of a book—the narrative, characters, and themes—remains untouched. The quote also prompts reflection on the writing process itself. The journey of bringing a book to life is typically fraught with challenges, and it can often involve a back-and-forth between creative exploration and structured planning.

Quote 4: The most difficult and complicated part of the writing process is the beginning.  A. B. Yehoshua.
The Psychological Barriers of Starting

**Fear of Judgment**

One of the most significant psychological barriers that writers face at the outset is the fear of judgment. This fear often leads to self-doubt and anxiety. Writers may worry about how their work will be perceived, leading to paralysis. The constant questioning—“Will anyone like it?”, “Am I good enough?”—can prevent them from putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

**Overwhelm and Perfectionism**

Starting a new project can evoke a sense of overwhelm, particularly in the face of vast possibilities. Writers may struggle with perfectionism, feeling the need to craft an impeccable first sentence or paragraph. This can result in excessive time spent on the early stages of writing, often leading to frustration and eventual abandonment of the project altogether.

**The Challenge of Clarity**

Crafting an opening also demands clarity and direction. Writers may have a plethora of ideas swirling in their minds, but they often find it challenging to crystallize these thoughts into a coherent starting point. Without a clear vision of where the piece is headed, the beginning can feel futile.

Quote 5: If uncovering the truth is the greatest challenge of nonfiction writing, it is also the greatest reward. Candice MillardThe Rewards of TruthDespite these challenges, the pursuit of truth in nonfiction writing yields significant rewards:

  1. **Fulfilling Reader Curiosity**: At its core, nonfiction serves the purpose of informing. When writers uncover truths, they satisfy the inherent curiosity of readers, engaging them in subjects they may not have previously considered. A well-researched narrative can open doors to new ideas and perspectives.
  2. **Empowerment Through Knowledge**: Nonfiction has the power to educate and empower. By presenting facts and truth faithfully, readers are equipped to make informed decisions in their lives and communities. This transfer of knowledge can inspire movements, galvanize communities, and foster change.
  3. **Legacy of Truth**: Nonfiction contributes to a collective memory. Documenting historical events, personal stories, and scientific breakthroughs ensures that truths are preserved for future generations. Writers of nonfiction play a vital role in shaping history and offering lessons learned for the future.

Harnessing the power of inspiration through quotes can serve as a transformative catalyst for creativity. The five quotes highlighted in this article not only provide motivation but also invite reflection on the myriad ways in which we can approach our creative endeavors. Each quote encapsulates a unique perspective on the creative process—whether it’s embracing failure as a stepping stone to success, acknowledging the importance of originality, or reminding us that creativity thrives within constraints.

As you begin your week, let these insights guide your thinking and inspire your creativity. Consider keeping these quotes close at hand—post them on your workspace, reflect on them during morning routines, or share them with fellow creatives. By allowing these words to resonate with you, you cultivate an environment that not only nurtures your ideas but also empowers you to take bold steps and explore uncharted territories in your creativity

YOU ARE A SUPERHERO

36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long;  we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  ~~ Romans 8:36-37

In our society, we label those who are strong and invincible as “Superheroes”, they are able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, more powerful than a locomotive, faster than a speeding bullet, or walks on water.  Those are the people we look up to or call upon for help.  We rarely look at someone with an affliction as a Superhero.

Even Superheroes don’t have it all figured out. While they may be a beacon of hope for the rest of the world, it doesn’t mean that they are the most upright people. As a matter of fact, many of them have serious issues. Some of them have gone through extremely horrible events that had lasting effects on their mental and physical well-being.

Even those Marvel Superhero we looked up to as children dealt with various issues with their health or mental state.

  • Spiderman had PTSD – Peter Parker was scared and grieving over his losses. While they motivated him to become a better hero, he was still affected by them negatively.
  • Captain Marvel had Cancer – He found himself face to face with many unnatural foes and locations, and this resulted in him getting cancer after being exposed to the “Compound 13” nerve gas.
  • Superman suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder – Before he had a chance to get attached to his parents and world, everything he knew was destroyed and he was sent to a different environment. As Clark Kent, he was the clumsy news reporter who worked with Lois Lane, while Superman was the confident hero who could face anything head on.

Those were the Superheroes of the TV and in Comic Books, I’ve had/have a few Superheroes in my life.

  • Ivory Mae Olden – She was my mother, and a superhero in her own rights. She single-handedly raised 10 children, giving us an example of how to work hard and never give up on our dreams.  If we let her know that we wanted to pursue music or other extra-curricular activities, she would make sure we had the resources to make it happen, that wasn’t easy for her, but she made it work.  She was not perfect, nor did she have it all together, but when I look back on how she prepared us for life, I am very proud of the woman that she was.
  • Jim Albo – My Manager for 8 years – He was a hot-blooded Italian who was intimidating to most people, but he taught me so many things about Corporate America and life. We made a pact in the beginning of our working relationship that carried us throughout our time together.  I have remembered many the things that he taught me and that has made me successful and a great asset to other companies.
  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg – Supreme Court Justice – RBG fought most of her life for the safety and equality of all people. She passionately fought for the rights of the LGBTQ   community, undocumented people and those with disabilities.  She also fought for voting rights, women rights, the poor, and many other marginalized groups.  She did this throughout her lifetime, and still her voice reverberates, there are laws in place because of her, and we all benefit because she graced our presence.

Last, but certainly not least, my Superhero is Jesus Christ, who paid the ultimate price.  He gave his life so that I would have a right to live.  There is no greater love and not enough words to express how much he has done in my life

Superheroes come in many different personalities; they are not always perfect.  They don’t always look the way others expect them to look, but they hold a very special place in our lives.  They help to shape who we are and where we will go in life.

You are a Superhero; someone is looking to you and how you navigate through this journey.   This could help them with direction or solutions to help them in life.  It’s ok to don your cape and let it be known who you are.  Remember –   13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. ~~ Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

Take the time to reflect on who your other superhero is or was and then honor them by being your best self.

Rise UP!

 Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law.  Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” ~~ Ezra 10:3-4

When the people of Israel, did not separate themselves from the people of Canaan, which the Lord has warned them about, they did things that were displeasing to God.  It was bad enough for the people of Israel to break God’s law and marry the heathens around them, but it was even worse that even the priests and the Levites were involved in this, as well.

They had taken on husbands and wives of the land which eventually caused the grief of Ezra.  When they heard his prayer to God to forgive them, they too realized the seriousness of what they had done, and they began to weep. It was not just the men who were disturbed by this, but all of the people.

 They decided to make a covenant with God to repent.  This would be a drastic move on their part since some of these people had children with their heathen wives, or husbands. But it didn’t matter, they were willing to make a covenant with God, to divorce the wives that were not Hebrews, and even give up their children that were born of them. Although it was drastic, this would be a real effort to make things right. Ezra believed this would be enough repentance for what they had done, to keep the LORD from killing them.

When we have disobeyed God, there are consequences and we can’t just sit around and allow things to continue to spiral out of control. We have to take action. True repentance will require us to do things that may be uncomfortable, almost unbearable, like walking away from those we think we love in order to do the will of God.

As in Ezra’s case, he was not alone in his effort to turn things around, the people were willing to join him in the renewed covenant to God. We too have to know that we are not alone, there are those who will come along beside us, they will pray with us and encourage us! They will also hold us accountable to keep our covenant.

But it starts with us; we have to RISE UP!  Take hold of what has taken hold of us, one step at a time, rising higher and higher, knowing that every step we take, every prayer we make, there is help. The Father will send us the Holy Spirit, called the “Paraclete,” who is a Helper, Advocate, Encourager, and Friend who comes alongside us to help us.

The Psalmist also says in Psalm 121:7-8, that the Lord is the source of our strength, so we have another helper.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

When we rise up, He rises up!!

Radiating with Joy

The world is sometimes an ugly place to view. The news of events around us is heartbreaking. It can be hard to see the joy in any of it. BUT what if we focused on finding the beauty. Joy is not dictated by what is happening around us but by what is happening within us. We can’t control all the events in the world, but we have full control over how we respond to those events, the amount of beauty we find, and the joy we release. This is never about dismissing what we see or ignoring it. It is about having compassion and empathy without sacrificing who we are on the inside.

If you find yourself without the ability to express joy, then that is something that needs to be worked out. Joy comes from a greater place than us. As a matter of fact, in Galatians 5:22, we discover that the fruit of the Spirit is joy, among other things. So a lack of joy could correspond to a lack of the Spirit or, better yet, our lack of surrender to the Spirit. You can’t give what you don’t have.

Take inventory today. How is your joy level? Not your happiness because that will always depend on your circumstances, but joy is lasting beyond circumstances. If you find yourself lacking joy, then sit with the Father and ask Him to give you more. Take some time to laugh. Yes, laugh! You don’t need a good excuse to laugh; do it. You have full control over when you laugh. Go ahead, try it now. It releases the feel-good hormones that help calm us and alleviate stress. It helps us focus. Joy and laughter are great tools to battle depression and help change your mindset. The next time you see ugly or heartbreaking news, allow your joy to radiate, knowing that you are never alone and will get through it.

Meditate on that Scripture. Pray that Scripture for yourself. Then laugh!

Love the Unlovable

Loving others is not always easy. However, there are some that make it a delight to love them. Those that we share the same interest and passions. Even when situations are challenging, these individuals are still worth the fight, so love prevails. But what about those that are just difficult people to start with.

Difficult people are not only difficult to love; they are also difficult to be around. We go to great lengths to avoid these types of people. We hide when at work. We tell our children to say we are not home when they call. We even walk the other way at church, pretending we didn’t see them.

The worse may be those you want to love, but they find it hard to accept that love. So they do whatever they can to sabotage the relationship. No matter how hard you try or how many times you forgive and restore the relationship, they reject that love. They find every flaw in the relationship and pick apart themselves, giving every excuse as to why they don’t deserve that love.

No matter the type of difficult person you encounter, loving the unlovable is just hard. But what if we made it easy. What if we didn’t view others as difficult to love but as those most deserving of our love. Maybe they are being difficult because they have never experienced real love. They could be in your life for just that reason, to experience real love.

From some personal experience, those I find difficult tend to reflect some difficult characteristics in me. Yep, difficult people can be a mirror. Wouldn’t you want others to view you as deserving of love if you were difficult to them?

I challenge you to love those difficult people with the love that has been shown to you. Love them as you would love yourself. And if loving yourself is difficult, start there by showing yourself some grace.

We all deserve love.

Loving Your Partner

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

True, genuine love begins after the spell wears off, after the actual or relational honeymoon ends and real life begins. If you know that loving someone starts at the end of the buckling knees, then you’re prepared, you don’t give up. You don’t think, Oh, no, it’s over! My heart doesn’t flutter anymore, and the butterflies are gone.

When you love your partner, you do what needs to be done to nurture what’s most important to you by being fully invested.  That means that you care about the relationship, and you’re invested in relationship health. If problems arise, being invested means you will work with the other person to solve them.

Small investments in your everyday relationships can offer huge benefits when you most need them.

Here are some things you can do in your relationship

  1. Commit to Your Relationship

Decide that you are going to be in the relationship; that you are going to work toward its growth; that you will nourish it to the best of your ability.  Without that commitment, you don’t have the necessary foundation to build a loving relationship. That is why this first step is crucial.

You have to know that loving partners are not secretive; they’re open about where they are and who they’re with. If their plans change, they’ll call you or send you a text. Because, in their excitement of being with others and whatever they’re doing, they haven’t forgotten about you. They’re thoughtful.

  1. Invest Time

The workaholic who works 60 hours a week might say, “I love my partner so much. I’m working hard to provide for them.” That’s not love. Remember, love is not a feeling; it’s not words.  It’s an action that you decide to take.  Take the time to create a more intimate relationship with your Partner. Prioritize a routine date night to fan the flame of your relationship.

Take Time to:

  • Talk with each other,
  • Communicate and share things that are important,
  • Build connection and intimacy,
  • Ensure you see and notice your partner, appreciate who they are and all the things they do.

Invest time in your relationships.  In your marriage, make sure to go to bed together, make and eat meals together, write small love notes to each other, love one another.

PRAYER:  Lord, our prayer is that you help us to truly cherish our partner and that you teach us what it means to put them on a “Faith Supported Pedestal”. We need your Divine support to transform our hearts to ensure our partner will always feel loved and respected.

Do Something New – Take Care Of You!!

(SELF CARE IS NOT JUST A BUZZWORD)

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

The word self-care in the bible looks a little different than what we may practice today, nevertheless, God’s word is clear that we are to take time for ourselves in order to draw near to Him and care for ourselves.

In the past year, self-care has become a buzzword for some, but for others, it is a real necessity.  You see big-time athletes and entertainers walk away from their sport or craft to get the care they need.   Unfortunately, this has not always gone well with the media and others who feel they are being “too weak” or “selfish”, as if they owe their lives to those who are entertained by what they do.

Despite what others think, self-care is important to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself as it produces positive feelings and boosts your confidence and self-esteem. Also, self-care is necessary to remind yourself and others that you and your needs are important too.   People are dying because they ignore the need for self-care.

To administer self-care takes discipline, respect, and tough-mindedness to do the things that are good for you. When you take care of yourself, you will have more energy to take care of others joyfully.

Are there people that misinterpret self-care and turn it into so much self-focus that they become selfish…yes for sure!!  This doesn’t apply to everyone.  Those of us who need to take care of ourselves, be it physical or mental health, should do so without fear of conviction or judgment from others, those who can’t possibly know how we feel.

I for one, have the appearance of always being strong, able to take care of everyone and everything around me.  Well truth be told, it can take a toll on your life, I haven’t made a resolution yet, but I plan to take better care of myself and in doing so I’ll be better equipped to help others do the same.   One of my favorite books from the Psalmist is Psalm 46 – vs. 5 tells us that “God is within her; she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”  When self-care is my priority and God is with me, there is nothing I can’t do.  When I try to keep up the rapid pace, in fear I may disappoint someone, I only hurt myself.  There is a fine line I must walk to ward off a mental collapse.

I challenge you today, take the time you need to take care of yourself, it’s not only beneficial to you, but to those around you.

I found these 10 Easy Habits To Get You Started On Self-Care, I’m sharing them with you and I hope you find them helpful.

  • Go for a walk or a light jog
  • Meditate or do deep breathing for five minutes
  • Take a break when you need it
  • Choose who you spend time with
  • Laugh heartily at least once a day
  • Eat healthy meals
  • Avoid emotional eating
  • Start a journal – write what you are feeling
  • Learn to say ‘No’
  • Stop overthinking everything

REMINDER:  Self-care is necessary to remind yourself and others that you and your needs are important too.  It produces positive feelings and boosts your confidence and self-esteem.   Smart self-care habits like eating healthy, connecting with a loved one or, practicing meditation cuts down the toxic effects of stress by improving your mood and boosting your energy and confidence levels.  Lastly, nothing helps the mental state more than spending time in the presence of the Lord.

Take time in 2022 to TAKE CARE OF YOU!!

We have new opportunities this New Year!! Be Blessed My Friends!!

Love – The Ultimate Fruit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit is the evidence—the outward display—of the Holy Spirit’s work within a Christian. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The fruits of the Spirit demonstrate the character of a life submitted to God.

 

For the next 5 weeks we will look at the Fruit of the Spirit, Week 1 is that decisive fruit – LOVE.  The famous expression, ‘love conquers all,’ which is credited to the Roman poet Virgil, speaks volumes.  It suggests that there is no force in the world that cannot be overcome by love

 

For the sake of time the remaining fruit will be grouped together in twos.  It is my prayer that you will be encouraged and inspired and begin to see God working in and through your diligence to live for Him. After all,” we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

 

As I get started, I first must ask the question, what is Love?

Love is defined as a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person. 

There are different kinds of love, the bible speaks of the different kinds of love, the most familiar ones in the Greek are Eros, Phileo and Agape.

  • Eros is the sexual or romantic love, it is not used in the New Testament but may have been used in the Septuagint translations of the Old Testament.
  • Phileo is the friendly or brotherly love or a love shown to a friend closer than a brother, we see this in John 5:20 and John 16:27

  • Agapeis the self-sacrificial love, that’s important in the New Testament. This word speaks of a mindful action rather than an emotional feeling.  It describes the love God has (1 John 4:8) and shows his Son, (John 17:26) and Christians (John 14:21).  It is also used in describing God’s love for the entire human race (John 3:16) or (Romans 8:5).

When we seek love, especially earthly love, it may fail us. When we love imperfect broken people, the love can also be imperfect and broken. But when we seek and find love with the creator God, we find a perfect selfless love that is eternal.  The kind of love, that loves us through our mess and restores us into a person who is lovely and love who can love others.

One of my favorite scripture give us a glimpse of what love is – 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  8 Love never fails.

I could go on and on about this topic but as I bring it to a close, I pray that we understand what love truly is or is not and that we will choose love over anything else, because as scripture says, “Love Never Fails”.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father thank you that you loved us so much that you sent your only begotten Son Jesus, to die for us.  Even when we were sinners, He was willing to give His life to reconcile us back to you.  We could never repay you for the sacrifice, but what we can do is love at all time, the way you do.  It’s in the matchless name of Jesus, we pray!  Amen