Don’t “Should” on This
We moved our daughter back into the dorms recently. After months of being at home, the students were thrilled to be back together. You could hear the excitement—laughter, exclamations, hugs, high-fives—across the parking lot. The joy was contagious.
It reminded me of something I’ve been reflecting on lately:
What if we approached our time with God that way?
“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”
— Psalm 61:4
“Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
— John 16:24
We often talk about joy as a fruit of the Spirit, but there’s something powerful about realizing that our joy becomes complete in the presence of God.
And yet, how many times have I treated quiet time like another item on the to-do list? Something I should do. Something I need to squeeze in before the kids wake up, or in between client calls, or at the end of a long day.
That “should” mindset can suck the joy right out of something sacred.
But I’ve been shifting.
Instead of coming to God out of obligation, I come with expectation.
With a journal.
With a blank page.
With a simple prayer: “What do You have for me today?”
And often—I leave with clarity.
Sometimes it’s a word of encouragement I didn’t know I needed.
Sometimes it’s an idea for a client, or a blog post, or a launch strategy.
Sometimes it’s just stillness… and peace.
Business Application: Show Up for the People You’re Called to Serve
Just like our relationship with God grows deeper when we want to spend time with Him, your business relationships thrive when you want to serve your clients.
That’s why I believe in showing up authentically. It’s not just a branding strategy—it’s a reflection of what matters most.
If you’re attracting the wrong people (the ones who don’t respect your boundaries, don’t value your expertise, or drain your energy), take a look at your messaging:
- Are you being clear about who you help—and how?
- Are you communicating values that resonate with the people you want to work with?
- Are you showing up as yourself—or who you think you’re supposed to be?
When you speak with clarity, the right people recognize themselves in your message. And the wrong ones quietly step away.
Both are blessings.
Don’t Worry About the Numbers
A friend of mine recently said, “I know I should email my list more often—but I only have about 100 people on there.”
Let’s reframe that.
If you had 100 ideal clients standing in your living room, eager to hear from you, you’d probably feel a little differently about sending that next email.
Big numbers don’t guarantee big results.
Aligned messaging + genuine connection = real growth.
If your list is small, use that as a gift. Reach out. Invite conversations. Learn what your audience needs and how they talk about it.
And if your list doesn’t feel aligned right now?
It might not be a list problem.
It might be a message problem.
Let’s Wrap This Up
You don’t need to “should” on yourself to make progress—in your faith or your business. Show up. Be real. Trust that God can do something beautiful with your small steps.
Feel like your message could use a little soul and structure?
I work with service-driven professionals who want their copy to reflect both their expertise and their faith.
If that’s you, let’s have a conversation.
👉 Book a Clarity Call
(Photo by Jiawei Zhao on Unsplash)
