Gif by marko on Giphy
The Mess in the Middle
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the in-between—the glorious, frustrating hallway between “what was” and “what will be.” It’s the spiritual version of waiting for Christmas but it’s only March.
You know you're in the messy middle when what used to fit—work, friendships, even your spiritual goals—starts feeling like last year’s jeans. Not torn, not wrong, just… stretched out, worn thin, maybe a little judgmental around the thighs.
Luke 5:37 says: “No one pours new wine into old wineskins.”
Translation? God's not trying to patch your old habits with holy duct tape. He's offering new wine. Which is good, right! Until you realize it means letting go. Letting go of what felt comfortable is hard—even when it no longer fits, you still find yourself lying flat, sucking in your stomach, trying to zip up the metaphorical pants. Maybe that’s just me.
Lesson Learned: Change doesn’t come with elastic waistbands. You’ve got to make peace with feeling uncomfortable.
Helpful habits when nothing feels holy, here’s the trick: when life feels spiritually draining, lean in harder into the habits that ground you.
Morning prayer, even if it sounds like you have to convince yourself, say your prayers out loud to make them more real.
Gratitude lists, which occasionally include “I didn’t throat punch anyone today.”
Scripture reading or listening to, especially the verses that remind you God is in control not you.
Psalm 42:5 gives us this golden nugget: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Put your hope in God. ”David’s basically journaling his meltdown. It's comforting to know you can be overwhelmed and faithful. That counts, it’s all a part of the journey.
Lesson Learned: Sometimes “putting your hope in God” sounds like upper management saying, “let’s put a pin in this and circle back after lunch after the holidays” Don’t rush the miracle. We live in a world that wants results yesterday and sometimes need them. But God? He loves to cook spiritual blessings in a slow cooked crockpot filling the air with the smell of comfort food, you know the kind that brings a smile to your face and warms the heart.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
Which is deeply encouraging and also deeply inconvenient and I personally think God needs to invest in an Instant Pot.
Lesson Learned: If it’s not beautiful yet, it’s not time yet. Pause. Pray. and Breath. That’s a powerful realization and refreshing. My story isn’t about escaping the grind; it’s about embracing the truth and growth. I am not writing from burnout or longing for some idealized “purpose-driven” career pivot. I don’t have a dramatic exit from the 9 to 5, or a mission stamped with nonprofit credentials. I have quiet mornings layered with prayer. I have reflections born in the tension between faith and frustration. I give back in unsolicited advice that wasn’t asked for—but might be exactly what someone needed. My story isn’t loud, but it’s lived. And if impact means turning personal truth into shared healing, then maybe the mess in the middle has been worth it.
So, if you’re in that awkward, undefined space where nothing feels resolved, take heart: you’re not stuck—you’re being molded. The messy middle is where identity gets challenged, faith gets deeper, and divine humor is often needed.
So, breathe. Laugh. Cry if you need to. And keep moving forward.
From your friend, Me
