When I read this, I smiled a little and shook my head because it always tickles me to pieces how God places things in my hands when I need them most.

As a writer, recently a story I wrote surprised me with the comments and misunderstandings that flat out assumed I was someone that I’m not by a long shot.

But there’s another part that stings quite a bit- I am healing from an injury to my central nervous system and one thing that is really noticeable is a limp that I never had before.

Someone made a remark that I probably shouldn’t be doing what I love until I’m “ stronger and more balanced again,” and when I was told that, tears welled up in my eyes and I got all riled up.

I wanted to prove myself- that I am still strong, still capable, still good enough, still worthy.

I wanted to pull on my boots and sashay and show the doubters that I’m still Jeanna’ Mead.

But God told me to hold my horses and to let Him speak for me, to hold my hands up instead of clenching my fists, to let the words that hurt me roll off my back and watch who stands up for me and walks with me.

It’s been one heckuva ride.

I’ve learned a whole lot and I can honestly say that all these things that has happened might have been intended to break me but God sure has a way of turning things into good.

There’s a song in this story, there’ll be dancing real soon, too.

Every step, every word comes down to this- I believe and God’s got these reins.

I’m going to hold on to Him.

❤️ Few things trigger the nervous system like realizing someone has spoken falsely about us.

Not just a misunderstanding — but a lie.
Misrepresenting us.
Tarnishing our names in rooms we weren’t in.

The instinct is immediate and human:
Defend ourselves.
Correct the story.
Confront the person.
Make sure the truth is known.

There’s nothing wrong with that instinct.
It’s a natural human response to want to protect our integrity.

But wisdom asks a harder question:

Is this a moment to speak — or a moment to trust?

Scripture tells us that God is not only our defender, but our vindicator.

“He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn,
and your justice like the noonday sun.” (Psalm 37:6)

Vindication doesn’t require urgency.
It doesn’t demand our emotional labor.
And it rarely happens on our timeline.

When someone lies about us, we have a choice:
We can rush to clear our name —
or we can stand still and let our life speak.

Silence, in these moments, is not weakness.
It is restraint.

It is saying, I trust that truth has weight.
I trust that character cannot be undone by rumor.
I trust God more than I trust my ability to control perception.

Confrontation can feel empowering, but it often keeps us tethered to the very thing trying to pull us off course.
Peace comes when we realize we don’t have to attend every accusation.

People who know us will know.
People who don’t — will believe what they want anyway.

And God?
God sees it all.

He knows the truth of our heart.
He knows the story in full.
And He is faithful to bring clarity without us having to force it.

There is a quiet strength in letting it rest.
In choosing dignity over defense.
In trusting that our names are safest in His hands.

We don’t need to prove or shout the truth.

We only need to live it.❤️