Tag: Bible

The Greatest Joy of My Life: Gratitude Sunday and My Son

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Day 39 of the 7-40 Challenge
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Gratitude Sunday – The Thank You Campaign

Hello and welcome to Day 39. It’s Gratitude Sunday, and another post in my Thank You Campaign.

The topic of today’s post is my son.

The Dream

When my wife and I first got married, we dreamed about our future. We talked about the size of the family we would want. We made plans and looked forward with expectancy for when our children would arrive.

When we were younger, we dreamed of having a very large family—as many as God would give us. That’s what I used to like to say.

We were married when we were 20 years old. We weren’t quite ready to start having children right after getting married, so we waited around five years before we began planning for our children to arrive.

The Threat

It was about that same time that I had my first bout with testicular cancer.

To say that this was the opposite of what we wanted is a very true statement. Because of the part of the body that cancer attacks, and because of having to have that tumor removed, we were uncertain if we would be able to have children at all.

So we went from praying and hoping for a very large family to the very real possibility of just it being a family of two—just my wife and me.

By God’s grace and through His healing, I was cancer-free by the middle of 2005, with a new lease on life and hope that we would be able to, in time, have the children we had prayed for.

The Moment

Fast forward to the fall of 2007.

I remember very clearly lying in bed and seeing the bathroom light come on. And watching my bride stand there with that little indicator in her hand.

It was finally time. It was finally real.

We were going to have a baby.

It was almost five years after we had first started praying and almost ten years after we had gotten married. But our baby was on the way. And we were so excited.

The Birth

Fast forward to the day of his birth in 2008.

After a very long labor period—two and a half days—he was born. When he was delivered, he had an Apgar score of one. They were very concerned about him.

I wasn’t in the room when he was born due to complications. I didn’t find out about the Apgar score until they handed him over to me.

But within minutes, that score had improved to an eight.

Answered prayer. Confirmed relief.

And very soon, Mama, baby, and me were in our hospital room.

The Joy

I will never forget the look of joy and absolute elation on my darling wife’s face.

She had just been through two and a half days of labor, trying to have our son naturally. She had endured a lot of physical duress. She was exhausted. She was beat up.

And you would not have been able to see any of that at that moment. She was transfixed. She was in love.

I wish I had several photographs of that little moment in time to show the picture I have burned in my memory. (Thank God, the iPhone had been invented by then—I do have one.)

She had finally become who she was meant to be in one regard. She was my wife, and now she was our son’s mother.

And the world was right.

The Reality

Fast forward all these years.

The family we thought would be very large is just the three of us. We will still take whatever God gives. But at the same time, I can’t neglect to say: our son has been one of the greatest joys in our lives.

He is so smart and so funny. He is so kind and compassionate. He’s full of character and resolve. He is a perfect blend of his mother and me—and he’s becoming so much more than we are.

It has been such a privilege and a joy to watch him do that.

We tell him from time to time how grateful we are for him. How proud we are of him.

What He Changed

This young man changed my life in so many ways.

He has been one of the catalysts that brought out my work ethic in my late twenties and early thirties.

I remember holding him for the first time, not long after he was born, knowing I would work myself to the bone to provide for our family. That I would do whatever it took to make sure they are taken care of.

I think every parent goes to that moment—where you realize that no matter what it takes, you’ll do it to provide for your family and children. That translated into me getting much more focused on the opportunities I had in front of me in my data career, which I’ve had since before he was born.

And that determination has only intensified over the years.

I now look forward to getting to support him even more as he becomes an adult, as he finds the things he is even more passionate about.

Son

If you’re reading these words, know this:

Your mother and I are so proud of you. We’re so thankful for you. We are so grateful that you are our son.

Not a day goes by that I don’t feel that gratefulness in my heart.

It is one of the greatest joys of my life to be your daddy. I am proud of you and who you are.

Day 39: Complete ✓

All seven habits executed. Gratitude Sunday honored.

Round 1 Progress: 39/40 days (97.5%)

One more day until Round 1 is complete.

See you tomorrow for Day 40.

Do Not Grow Weary: Day 28 and the Setback That Won’t Stop Me

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Day 28 of the 7-40 Challenge
Wednesday, January 28, 2026

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.”
— Galatians 6:9

Yesterday, I wrote about the rules that make excellence possible. I laid out my seven daily habits—the clear structure that is helping me become the husband, father, and professional I’m meant to be.

I know what I need to do. I’ve set the rules for myself. The system is working.

And then life threw me a curveball.

The Setback

A few days ago, during the winter storm, I fell. Hard. I landed on my right hand.

To say it’s bruised is an understatement.

I’ve been trying to push through. I modified my workouts. I adjusted my grip. I told myself it would get better if I just kept going.

Today, my chiropractor told me the truth: I need to lay off lifting weights for at least a week to give my hand a chance to heal.

And here’s the question I had to ask myself: Do I let this setback derail me, or do I keep moving forward?

Why Getting Fit Isn’t Optional

I’m 47 years old. Getting fit is a must because getting older is no joke. I don’t move like I used to.

This isn’t about vanity. This isn’t about looking good for summer. This is about being able to show up fully for my wife and son. This is about not being the guy who can’t play with his grandkids someday because he didn’t take care of himself now.

Time is precious. I can’t afford to waste it.

And that’s what makes this setback so frustrating. I know I need this. I know every day counts. And now my body is telling me to stop—temporarily, but still.

So what do I do?

The Wisdom of Having a Plan

Here’s what I’ve learned over 28 days: If we’re smart, we have a plan in place for setbacks because we know setbacks are coming.

That’s what setbacks do. They come.

In my 2026 Vision Doc, I wrote out a crisis management protocol:

  • Family crisis: Full priority override
  • Personal illness or injury: Keep all habits except exercise if rest needed
  • Everything else: Spit out the blood and keep going

Today falls into category two.

My hand needs to heal. My chiropractor gave me professional guidance. Ignoring that isn’t toughness—it’s stupidity.

So I’m resting today. No exercise. No weightlifting. No yoga. Just rest.

But here’s the key: I’m still doing everything else.

✓ Bible study
✓ Calorie tracking
✓ Water
✓ Reading (Talk Like TED is firing me up)
✓ Gratitude
✓ Creative work (writing this post)
✗ Exercise (resting today)

Six out of seven habits completed. The system holds.

Tomorrow: Back to Forward Momentum

Day 29, I’ll pick up with a full hour of walking or walking and yoga. No weights until my hand is healed and my chiropractor clears me.

The weightlifting will wait. The 13-week plan will adjust. The rules I set for myself yesterday? They’re still in place. I’m just applying wisdom to how I execute them.

Because the goal isn’t to prove I’m tough by ignoring my body. The goal is to become the best version of myself for my family—and that requires sustainable health, not reckless pushing through pain.

Do Not Grow Weary

Paul’s words in Galatians 6:9 keep echoing in my head today:

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.”

The setback is frustrating. The pause is annoying. The lost week of lifting feels like wasted time.

But I’m not giving up.

I’m not growing weary.

Because I know the harvest is coming.

Twenty-eight days of consistent execution. Weight loss trending in the right direction. Novel revision progressing. Social media breakthrough in motion. Daily blog posts stacking up.

One week of modified exercise doesn’t erase 28 days of proof.

The rules are still in place. The system is still working. The mission is still clear.

I just have to be wise enough to know when to rest so I can keep going for the long haul.

What Do We Do When Setbacks Come?

We do what we planned to do.

We don’t panic. We don’t quit. We don’t let one obstacle derail the entire mission.

We adjust. We rest when needed. We keep moving forward with what we can do while we heal what we can’t.

And we remember: The harvest is coming if we do not give up.

Day 28 looks different than I wanted it to. But it’s not a failure. It’s wisdom in action.

Tomorrow, I walk. Next week, I lift again. The long game continues.

Do not grow weary of doing good.

The harvest is coming.

Day 28: Complete ✓

Six out of seven habits executed. Resting wisely to fight another day.

Round 1 Progress: 28/40 days (70%)

See you tomorrow for Day 29.

Thank You Campaign: The Mentor Who Saw What I Couldn’t See

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Today is Day 25 of the 7-40 Challenge—Sunday, January 25th, 2026. I’ve marked out every Sunday this year as my day to express gratitude for someone or something specific. I call it the Thank You Campaign.

I truly believe that gratitude—keeping a grateful heart—is one of the things that leads to personal happiness, fulfillment, and in many ways, success. I also think it’s something God wants from me: to be grateful. And I am so incredibly grateful for so many things.

Today’s topic is mentoring.

Why Mentoring Matters More Than Ever

Over the years, I’ve had some very good mentors—professionally, through books, and teachers I’d consider mentors. But that role of stepping alongside someone and helping them become more than they are is powerful and so very much needed in today’s world.

We get lost in the idea that technology will be able to do almost everything we do today. I think we forget that with the advances of technology, we have to become more human in our interactions if we truly want to be happy. This is nowhere more real than in being a mentor or having a mentor.

When I Didn’t Know My Own Potential

When I was a younger man, I did not know my own potential. I think that’s the case many of us find ourselves in.

I was a music major in college, and not long after meeting and marrying my wife, I realized music was no longer what I wanted to do. So I went to the counselor’s office and asked for “the quickest route to victory.” I know—stupid as that sounds. I went to a 4-year university and played either-or with my major. They gave me two options: sociology or journalism.

I should have chosen journalism. With my interest in writing, fact-finding, and working through details, that would have made great sense today. But I chose sociology. At that time, I was a youth pastor, and the idea of studying groups of people and understanding how they work together made sense. I thought it fit where I was in my life.

Not long after I had my degree in sociology, I was no longer a youth pastor. I had absolutely no idea professionally what I could or wanted to do.

The Wilderness Years

So I did what many people do—I took a series of odd jobs.

I worked as a salesman for the Thomas Kinkade Gallery. Not really my speed. Beautiful art, but I didn’t have much fun selling it.

I worked as an assistant manager at Pizza Hut, where I ate entirely too much pizza over six months. Not my dream job. A very thankless position. It makes me incredibly grateful now when restaurant service is stellar, because when people are hungry, man, they don’t treat you well. Did I see that firsthand.

I also spent time spraying yards at a grass company. That was horrendous in so many ways—not just the job itself, but some of the characters I worked with. I’ll talk about that some other time.

Then I worked as an office manager at an insurance claims firm. This is where I actually started paying attention to my skills and trying to get better at what I was doing.

Enter David

While at that job, I was attending a church in Northwest Oklahoma City. I told one of the pastors that I needed a mentor—I wanted a Christian businessman to come alongside me and help me see the things I wasn’t seeing, help me reframe where I was in my life.

Through this connection, I met a man named David.

David was a salesman—a very successful salesman. He was also a dedicated and devoted husband and a very good father. He was just generally a good dude.

He quickly took me under his wing. Met with me week over week. Did his best to show me what the stability of focusing on your current position and becoming excellent at it could do.

As I watched him, as we studied parts of the Bible together, as we talked about business and life, I started to grow more confident in myself. I started to understand that I had agency and the ability to choose how I reacted to my situations.

Did that make things automatically better? No, it didn’t.

But it gave me hope where I had previously been hopeless.

What His Belief Changed

I was so beat down. So desperate for change.

Having somebody take me seriously—somebody see that I could be more than I was—meant more to me than I can describe.

Not long after we began meeting together, I switched jobs into the career field I’m in now. David was one of the people who helped me see that I could actually do something new, that I could do more than I had expected, and that I had agency where I didn’t realize I did.

I’ve been in my current career more than 18 years now.

The Echo of Influence

I look in the mirror, and I no longer see that person I was back then. Much of it has faded away.

Every once in a while, though, I still see him in there. He still wonders if he’s good enough. He still wonders if he has what it takes to do these things well.

And I can remember David’s example—and many others—showing me that yes, I do have what it takes. Yes, I can make good choices. And yes, the work that I do matters.

Thank You, David

David, if you’re reading these words, know that I appreciate you, my friend. Even though we haven’t talked in quite some time, you hold a very special place in my heart and in the path I’ve been on and the person I am today.

Thank you for your influence. Thank you for your example.

I appreciate you.

The 7-40 Challenge: Embracing Progress Over Perfection

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

“Success is not the absence of obstacles, but the courage to push through them.” – Joshua J. Marine

Four weeks ago, I embarked on a personal journey called the 7-40 Challenge—seven daily habits over 40 days to transform my routine and mindset. Today, on day 28, I’m reflecting on the progress I’ve made, the lessons I’ve learned, and the beauty of embracing imperfection in pursuit of growth. This isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s about finding balance, staying productive, and learning to roll with life’s ebb and flow.

The Seven Habits of the 7-40 Challenge

For those just tuning in, here’s a quick rundown of the seven daily habits I committed to:

1. Bible study and prayer to grow closer to God and center my day.

2. Counting daily calories to stay mindful of my nutrition.

3. Drinking 100 ounces of water to keep hydrated.

4. Working out for an hour to stay active.

5. Practicing gratitude to cultivate a positive mindset.

6. Reading for 30 minutes (audiobook or paperback) to feed my mind.

7. Writing or working on business goals to move my projects forward.

These habits are my roadmap to becoming a better version of myself. But as I’ve learned over these four weeks, progress isn’t always linear, and perfection isn’t the goal—productivity is.

A Day in the Life: When Life Becomes the Workout

Today was one of those days that reminded me flexibility is key. I accomplished nearly all my habits, but the “workout” box didn’t get checked in the traditional sense. No gym session, no structured exercise routine. Instead, life itself became my workout.

After breakfast and church, I tackled mowing my sprawling yard. Riding the lawnmower? Easy. But the weed-eating? That’s where the real work kicked in. An hour and 45 minutes under the blazing sun left me sweaty, grimy, and physically spent. Then, I dove into a woodworking project, hauling a 6-foot butcher block countertops, measuring, cutting, and carrying materials back and forth. Add in a Costco run, helping with dinner, and knocking out a hefty to-do list, and my body was screaming, “You’ve done enough!”

Did I have a “workout”? Not in the conventional sense. Did I work out? Absolutely. My body was tired, my tasks were completed, and I felt accomplished. As Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Today, I lived that truth.

The Lesson: Balance Over Burnout

The 7-40 Challenge isn’t about being perfect every day—it’s about staying committed while giving yourself grace. Some days, life’s demands take precedence, and that’s okay. The key is finding a sustainable balance that allows you to pursue your goals without burning out. As Aristotle wisely noted, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

I’m learning that there’s an ebb and flow to challenges like this. Some days, you nail every habit. Others, you adapt, prioritizing what needs to be done while still moving forward. For me, that meant recognizing that mowing, carpentry, and running errands were just as valid as a gym session. It’s about progress, not perfection.

Why This Matters

If you’re reading this, you might already be a pro at balancing life’s demands with personal growth. Or maybe, like me, you’re still figuring it out. Either way, I’m sharing this journey because I believe in the power of small, consistent steps. The 7-40 Challenge is teaching me to celebrate the wins—big and small—and to keep going even when things don’t go as planned.

What’s Next?

With 12 days left in the challenge, I’m more motivated than ever to keep pushing forward. I’m learning to adapt, to listen to my body, and to prioritize what matters most. Tomorrow is day 29, and I’m excited to see what it brings.

Does this resonate with you? Have you ever had to pivot your goals to fit life’s demands? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts, tips, or experiences. Let’s keep the conversation going and inspire each other to keep moving forward, one productive day at a time.

Here’s to progress, balance, and the courage to keep going. See you tomorrow for day 29!

Day 14 of the 7-40 Challenge: Becoming Who I’m Meant to Be

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Good evening, my friends! As the sun sets on week two of the 7-40 Challenge—that’s 14 days straight of committing to seven daily habits over 40 days—I’m filled with a profound sense of gratitude and excitement. This isn’t just a checklist of tasks; it’s a bold pursuit of personal growth, a relentless chase after my goals, and a test of how far I can push myself when I truly set my mind to it. If you’ve been following along, you know this challenge is about more than achievement—it’s about transformation. And today, I want to inspire you to join me in that transformation, because every small step today shapes the extraordinary person you’ll become tomorrow.

Picture this: It was a fantastic weekend, capped off by a powerful sermon at Life.Church that hit me right in the soul. The pastor’s words echoed like a clarion call: “It’s not as much about what you do in the future as who you are becoming today.” Wow. In that moment, everything clicked. For years, I’ve known the “right” things to do—heck, most of us do. But knowledge alone doesn’t build empires or change lives. It’s discipline, that quiet, daily grind, that forges us into something different than we could have ever imagined.

Let me be real with you: I’ve never struggled with understanding what needs to be done. My Achilles’ heel? Actually doing it. Sound familiar? You know the drill—losing weight seems straightforward on paper. Track your calories, burn more than you consume, lace up those sneakers for an hour of exercise, and steer clear of those late-night temptations. The math is simple, but execution? That’s where the battle rages. For me, food has been a crutch during stress, a comforting escape that’s led to too many high-calorie slip-ups at the worst times. It’s a classic story, one shared by so many of us.

But here’s the game-changer: Committing to this daily practice—counting calories, hitting that workout, and sharing my progress here for accountability—has shifted everything. It’s not about the distant finish line; it’s about the person I’m sculpting right now, in these small, consistent moments. As Aristotle wisely said centuries ago, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Those words from ancient Greece resonate deeply, reminding us that true greatness isn’t born from grand gestures but from the habits we nurture day in and day out.

Now, don’t get me wrong—the pastor wasn’t dismissing big dreams. Far from it! Life is fleeting; tomorrow isn’t promised, as I’ve learned through my own brushes with mortality. Yet, in acknowledging our fragility, we’re also awakened to our immense potential. We’re crafted in the image of the ultimate Creator—God Himself. Genesis 1:27 declares, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” And Psalm 139:13-14 beautifully affirms, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

If we’re made in the likeness of the One who spoke the universe into existence, then we’re wired to dream, to innovate, to build beauty from chaos. We’re born creators! But with that comes a sacred balance: chasing audacious goals while cultivating the character that sustains them. The Bible is rich with guidance on this. The Ten Commandments outline boundaries to protect our integrity and to honor God, while Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 calls us to be the light of the world—merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, holy. And in his letters, the Apostle Paul urges us in Ephesians 4:32 to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” And so much more. 

So, who are we becoming? Are we trustworthy people that others can lean on? Dependable friends who show up in the storms? Uplifting voices that inspire rather than tear down? These are the qualities my 7-40 Challenge is honing in me, rooted in daily Bible study and prayer. I want God’s Word to mold me to make me more like Jesus. As Proverbs 4:25-27 instructs, “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.”

You might be reading this and thinking, “That’s great for you, but faith isn’t my thing.” I get it. Yet, I think we can agree on this: Small, intentional actions, repeated daily, propel us toward the best version of ourselves, whatever that looks like for you. Whether it’s conquering a fitness goal, advancing your career, or nurturing relationships, consistency is the secret sauce. As the great inventor Thomas Edison once said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” It’s that daily sweat equity that turns dreams into reality. It is doing what needs to be done every day to become who we are supposed to be.

What are you working on right now? Who are you becoming in these everyday moments? How will the habits you’re building today carry you into a brighter future? Drop your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear your stories, your struggles, and your victories. Let’s motivate each other, inspire one another, and remember: The masterpiece you’re creating isn’t just what you achieve—it’s who you become along the way.

Keep pushing, keep growing. You’ve got this!