Life has a way of moving fast. We jump from one thing to the next; meetings, errands, phone calls, social media scrolls. Before we know it, the day has passed, and we’re left wondering if we ever really noticed it.

In a world that thrives on connection and community, the gifts we offer —our knowledge, skills, and heartfelt desire to serve —can sometimes be met with judgment rather than gratitude. For many, the act of giving selflessly, driven by love and respect, is mistaken for self-centeredness. This is the story of countless individuals who, like one woman in a vibrant, multicultural group of faith-minded business owners, find their intentions misread and their hearts unseen.

As a person who chooses to let the best of myself rise to the surface, I've learned to accept the unacceptable within me. Some things cannot be trained away, some cannot be dug into and weeded out, and some will always be there. But knowing that what we lock away is something God loves us for anyway, it's easier to put it down and focus on what God loves about us that we also love about ourselves. This acceptance brings a sense of liberation, a relief from the burden of self-

As we walk through this life and ponder our pasts, it should never be with remorse, sorrow, or regret; our past is gone in a moment, a spa