Hey there, sweet friend,

This month in Willow Creek has been full in the sweetest kind of way.

With the rodeo starting Thursday, Main Street’s been bustling with families coming for an early vacation. There boots on the sidewalks, folks peeking in and out of the shops, and that cheerful little hum that comes when a town is enjoying itself. I always love seeing Willow Creek come alive like that. There’s just something about it that makes you want to slow down and take it all in.

The other morning, I was over at Coffee With Your Cream Café on one of my dates with God.

Just me, my Bible, one of Lisa’s specials, and a little time with the Lord before the week gets too far along and my thoughts start running off in ten different directions.

Some mornings I come in settled.
Some mornings I come in carrying a little more than I meant to.

And that morning, I found myself in John 4.

The woman at the well.

I had been sitting there with that story open in front of me, thinking about how Jesus meets us in the middle of ordinary places, when I happened to look up and notice a young woman sitting all by herself.

She was just sitting there quiet, looking like she had a lot on her mind and was looking in her latte for the answers.

And I don’t know how else to say it except that I felt one of those Holy Spirit nudges.

So I got up, walked over, and asked her if I could sit a minute.

She smiled, sweet as could be, a little surprised, and said yes.

We got to talking, and she told me she was in town for the rodeo. Her boyfriend was competing, and you could just feel how much she wanted things to go well for him. She was nervous and hopeful all at once.

Oh, I remember those days.

Before we parted, I reached over and took her hand for just a second, looked her right in the eyes, and said, “Darlin’, win or lose, it’s all in God’s hands. And I promise you, He has great plans for you.”

She didn’t say much after that, but I’ve learned when the Lord puts a note on your heart to share, you share. 😅💁‍♀️

And I’ve thought about that little moment ever since.

We’re volunteering at the rodeo this weekend, helping with check-in, and I sure hope I get to see her again.

Well, sweet friend, that’s all I have for this month, but just know that note works for you too. It is all in God's hands and He has great plans for you!

With much love,
Glory

Hey friends, it’s Melissa Alyse.

Each month, Glory shares a note from Willow Creek to encourage us along the journey. If you’d like a little more Glory in your life, I highly recommend A Place to Belong.

I also wanted to say thank you for the grace after I accidentally sent next month’s Glory letter on Wednesday. 🙈 Never fear, you’ll still have a new Glory letter waiting for you at the end of May too.

grace + hugs,

Melissa Alyse ❤️