"I'm Home...It's OK"

Over the past week, my wife and I have been overwhelmed by the kindness, prayers, messages, and comments so many of you shared after the loss of our precious EpoNee. After 14 years together, the grief hit harder than we ever imagined. Thank you for allowing us the space to mourn — and thank you for loving us through it. We’re doing much better now, and our remaining little companion, Snappy, has been right by our side through it all.

One moment in particular brought an unexpected peace. Friday, we received EpoNee’s ashes back home… and honestly, when she was “home” again, something changed.

The heaviness seemed to lift. It was almost as if she was quietly telling us, “I’m home now… it’s OK.” That may sound strange to some, but for us, it brought comfort, closure, and peace. We will always miss her, but we are deeply thankful for the 14 wonderful years God allowed us to share together.

I will always cherish the kind words and thoughts you shared with us. Thank you!

I will now “attempt” to get back into the flow of the daily devotionals so we can let the “Red Letter Words of Jesus” bring His peace and comfort to us all.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:20)

Reflection

Jesus directs attention to results rather than reputation. In business and ministry, presentation can be polished while substance quietly weakens. Christ’s standard evaluates consistent output, not verbal claims. Organizational culture eventually produces visible fruit—either integrity, service, and stability, or confusion and compromise. Leaders cannot sustain image without authentic structure beneath it. Healthy fruit develops from disciplined roots: clear values, steady leadership, and consistent accountability. When leaders focus on cultivating internal health, external evidence follows naturally. Fruit exposes alignment between stated mission and daily practice.

Implementation Tip

Examine the measurable outcomes of your leadership over the past quarter. Review employee retention, customer trust indicators, financial consistency, and team morale. Compare those results carefully with your stated mission and declared values. Identify one area where fruit does not match intention and document the gap clearly in writing. Adjust systems, communication rhythms, leadership expectations, incentive structures, or oversight procedures accordingly. Establish quarterly evaluation processes that prioritize substance over presentation and long-term stability over short-term optics. Invite objective input from trusted advisors who can assess results honestly and challenge blind spots. Leaders who measure fruit with transparency protect credibility, reinforce alignment, strengthen accountability, and cultivate sustainable long-term growth across the organization.