With My Love, 2025

One of the verses from the Bible that has stuck with me is from Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV). It says:

“…He will quiet you by His love…”

That line always makes me pause. What kind of love could actually quiet someone? Not just calm us down in the moment, but reach so deep that it stills all the noise inside—our fears, our questions, our need to prove or explain ourselves. It’s a love that doesn’t demand, but embraces. A love that doesn’t shout, but gently covers and quiets.

Detail image of With My Love, 2025

I don’t claim to fully understand or experience the fullness of what people call God’s love. But I’ve tasted it—just a glimpse. And even that glimpse was enough to shift something deep inside me. It didn’t come in a moment of fairytale sparkle or sudden transformation. It came quietly. Sometimes through tears and surrender, sometimes in the middle of an ordinary day, sometimes in unexpected discoveries out in nature. In prayer, in reflection, in stillness—there were moments when I could feel that love pressing in, gently but powerfully.

Took an impulsive right turn and found a GIANT rainbow in Detroit, MI (2022)

There’s a story in the Bible where a man named Peter encounters something so overwhelming, so clearly outside of what he expected from life or himself, that his only reaction is to fall to his knees and say, “Go away from me—I’m not worthy.” It wasn’t shame, really—it was just the weight of realizing he was loved more than he thought possible, despite everything.

With My Love, 2025

One of the verses from the Bible that has stuck with me is from Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV). It says:

“…He will quiet you by His love…”

That line always makes me pause. What kind of love could actually quiet someone? Not just calm us down in the moment, but reach so deep that it stills all the noise inside—our fears, our questions, our need to prove or explain ourselves. It’s a love that doesn’t demand, but embraces. A love that doesn’t shout, but gently covers and quiets.

Detail image of With My Love, 2025

I don’t claim to fully understand or experience the fullness of what people call God’s love. But I’ve tasted it—just a glimpse. And even that glimpse was enough to shift something deep inside me. It didn’t come in a moment of fairytale sparkle or sudden transformation. It came quietly. Sometimes through tears and surrender, sometimes in the middle of an ordinary day, sometimes in unexpected discoveries out in nature. In prayer, in reflection, in stillness—there were moments when I could feel that love pressing in, gently but powerfully.

Unexpected encounter from an impulsive right turn during a trip in Detroit, MI (2022)

There’s a story in the Bible where a man named Peter encounters something so overwhelming, so clearly outside of what he expected from life or himself, that his only reaction is to fall to his knees and say, “Go away from me—I’m not worthy.” It wasn’t shame, really—it was just the weight of realizing he was loved more than he thought possible, despite everything.

1 3

And I think that’s what this kind of love does. It breaks through all the striving and masks, and suddenly, you stop talking. You stop running. You kneel, not because you were told to, but because you again realize that you are a sinner before Him.

It’s good to be quieted.

1 4

And I think that’s what this kind of love does. It breaks through all the striving and masks, and suddenly, you stop talking. You stop running. You kneel, not because you were told to, but because you again realize that you are a sinner before Him.

It’s good to be quieted.

1 2

Before wrapping up, I’d like to share a piece of beauty I encountered during my first 4-night solo trip near Lake Michigan. I had no preplanning—just booked each hotel the night before checking out. Every day was an adventure, a surprise gift waiting to unfold.

To be honest, even in the midst of jaw-dropping scenery, I still found moments to complain.

On the third day, I was sitting by the water, watching the sunset, when a huge cloud formed and blocked the breathtaking view. The wind turned chilly, and I murmured to God, Why did You put the cloud in front? I needed the warmth of the sun.

I’m sorry, I whispered, for being so self-centered. But… if You could remove it, please.

Believe it or not—in a minutes there was a poke in the cloud. Then the Sun came back.

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Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

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Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

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