Last night I dreamed of a familiar face—someone who once walked away, cut off contact, and built walls where there had once been friendship. In the dream, they showed up at my house while we were getting ready for church. They looked me in the eyes and said, “I need help. I need community. Will you forgive me?”

It felt so real. But instead of coming with us to worship, they wanted us to follow them—to their church.

So we did.

What we walked into was chaos. The so-called pastor stood on the stage bare-chested, speaking untruths, and then lit up a joint as if it were part of the service. My spirit recoiled. This wasn’t worship. This wasn’t truth. This was heresy dressed up as church.

When we left, I told my friend: This isn’t about preference. It’s about truth. Discernment matters—not only for you, but for your children.

Outside, a young man sat by our car in a small box, inhaling drugs to numb whatever pain he carried. My heart broke. How many prodigals are right outside the doors of false teaching, boxed in by lies and addiction, just waiting for someone to stop and see them?

And then I woke up. The clock read 4:44.

The number 4 in Scripture speaks of God’s created order: four seasons, four corners of the earth, four living creatures around the throne (Revelation 4). In triplicate, it felt like the Lord was whispering, “My order will stand, even when the world descends into chaos.”

A reflection on silence, sorrow, and the God who still sees.

A reflection on silence, sorrow, and the God who still sees.

On memory, movement, and the soft start of restoration.

Finding encouragement in unlikely places—and staying faithful in the wait.