So this morning—as many of you know—I went out to feed the crows in my field. They’ve become so used to it that every single morning, without fail, they come back, waiting to gather up all the yummies I leave out for them.

Years ago, the Lord spoke to me and said, “Mandi, if you feed them, they will come.” Amen.

But this message isn’t really about the crows—it’s about people. Amen.

Last night, I didn’t get home until around 9 PM because I was at church. Every first Tuesday of the month we have a night called Encounter. It’s such a powerful time of teaching on the gifts of the Spirit—how we use them for the Lord and also to edify and lift up others. There’s prayer, worship, and a beautiful atmosphere of God’s presence. A time to get filled up. Amen. My niece Karissa and I went together.

As I was pulling into the driveway, I saw this cute little skunk that hangs around our house (lol), so I decided not to take the trash out as I usually do at night.

Well, fast forward to this morning—as I was walking out to the field to feed the crows, I had the trash bag with me. I didn’t even realize it at first! I got halfway down the field and looked down and thought, “Oh my goodness, I’m carrying the trash bag!”

I laughed to myself and thought, “I wonder what the neighbors are thinking—me carrying trash into the field!”

But then the Holy Spirit whispered to me, “Mandi, drop the trash off.”

And let me tell you something—when He speaks, it speaks volumes. Amen.

Because we do this, don’t we? We get so used to ourselves—our habits, our hurts, our past—that we just pick things up and carry them with us every day like it’s normal. All that “trash”… all that baggage.

It’s unbelievable what we hold on to.

And we carry it as if we have to… as if it’s somehow sinful to lay it down—when the Lord has commanded us to do just that.

Even small things—like a cup of coffee—can feel heavy if we carry it around too long.

And in life? It’s not just coffee—it’s pain, trauma, shame, expectations, regrets… even hopes that feel unfulfilled.

We carry burdens—some from the past, some from today—and we never stop to realize how heavy they’ve become.

And I’m not saying the things we carry are worthless. No, much of it is real—justice we long for, forgiveness we crave, wounds we haven’t forgotten.

But even so, we’re not meant to carry it. That’s God’s job. Amen.

We cannot sleep well, live well, laugh well, or be well when we’re burdened by the weight of things that God has already taken from us.

The Bible says in Psalm 103:12:

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

So why do we keep playing our mistakes over and over again in our minds?
Why do we relive the pain, the words spoken, the hurts endured?

Because when we do, we live there—mentally, emotionally, spiritually, even physically.

But God is trying to do a new thing.

Isaiah 43:19 says:

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth—do you not perceive it?”

Amen.

So I ask you this: Are you, like me, carrying around some trash that you simply need to drop off?

Leave it at the feet of Jesus. Let Him deal with it. He’s more than excellent at doing so.

And when He takes it—leave it with Him. All of it.

And know this: the enemy is crafty. He loves to bring up our shortcomings, to make us dwell on what we’ve been through, to keep us talking about it—not for healing, but to keep us stuck.

But if the Lord wants you to speak about your past, trust that He will use it for good—to help someone, to bring breakthrough, to speak truth into another heart.

However, if you’re just replaying your pain and beating yourself up—then it’s time to guard your lips, guard your heart, and begin to speak well over yourself. Amen.

Quit belittling the person you are now. That old version of you is gone—along with the mess, the shame, and the trash. Amen.

You are in a new chapter. God is doing a new thing.

So step into it today. Step into God’s goodness, His love, His grace, and mercy.

Step into the song that Jesus is singing over His sons and daughters. Amen.

Live this beautiful life well. Know that you are blessed. And let it all go.

Be free.
Trust God.
And move forward—because there’s a mighty work to be done, and you and I are called to do it.

Not looking back.
But walking boldly into the new. Amen!”

“For it is in His name, Jesus’ name, that I do ask and pray..Amen and Amen..Be blessed today my dear sweet friends and remember wherever you go and whatever you do, Be a light for our Father, Much love to you all, Mandi ❤