Dear friend, welcome to the final “Sam Says” podcast episode and love note in this current format. It’s been my absolute joy and privilege to share these love notes for the last 3.5 years and, over 800 love notes later, I’m feeling nudged to change things a little.

I’m still sitting with Sam to hear the specifics of what that’s going to look like but the one piece I do know is it’s going to continue to involve audio, probably weekly rather than daily, at least while we get things established.

(You don’t need to do anything in order to enjoy whatever comes “next”, it’ll be shared here via the blog and direct to your inbox like you’ve been enjoying thus far.)

Thank you so much for journeying with me over these days, weeks, months and years. I’m full of anticipation for what’s next!

With all of that said, here’s today’s love note …

Your legacy isn’t about projects, it’s about people. Legacy is always about people because people are my priority, relationship is what I’m really focussed on. And so your legacy is every person you’ve impacted in both seen and unseen ways.

Yes, there will be specifics to how the peopling will play out but don’t worry about the specifics. I can show the specifics very easily when we keep doing life together like this. When I know that I have your heart and ear, there is nothing to stop me whispering specifics.

But specifics are always centred around people, relationships, and so that is ultimately your legacy: doing life with me, all in, loving and living with joy, being who I created you to be unapologetically, and loving others into a closer relationship with me in the process. Being who I created you to be, in relationship with me - Youier! That is your legacy!

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” Psalm 28:7 NIV

Journal prompt: Are there any specifics you want to share with me today?

There’s a way through. There’s always a way through - or over or under or round! There is a path already prepared for you and no matter how overgrown it looks to you, trust the process. Trust that you are never traveling alone. Trust that I am with you always.

Sometimes you’ll feel like you’re skipping along very happily, enjoying every moment of the journey, until something catches you off guard and suddenly you feel like you’re falling. Nothing ever catches me off guard and whilst yes, I will sometimes allow you to fall, I’m right there with you. Where would I go? How could I go? You in me and me in you. Where you go, I go, always.

So whether you’re dancing along happily or feeling your way forward, one tenuous step at a time, I am with you and I have prepared a way forward for you. Everything on your heart has a solution and you are a part of the solution!

“You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past.” Psalm 139:5 TPT

Journal prompt: What are you inviting me to know about our journey?

Awareness is half the battle in this journey you’re on with me. There are things I’m shining light onto today that have been an issue for a long time. I hadn’t yet shown you those things from my perspective and, as a result, there was a grace on them.

Yes, I’m talking about those things you label as “mistakes” and “mis-steps”. All things, every thing is an invitation into deeper relationship. Nothing is worthless or wasted. I have been getting you ready for this moment your whole life!

You don’t need to be afraid of anything I’m inviting you into. Yes, there’s an opportunity to tweak and adjust some things in your life but this is about moving you towards my best for you. I’m not trying to catch you out or make you miserable!

What do you really want from your life? How do you want to move through the world? What kind of an impact would you like to make?

Every adjustment is about moving you closer to the person I created you to be. This is all about growth and maturity. I’m doing this with you and for you - not to you! You have a choice, you always have a choice. Who do you want to be?

“Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it.” Colossians 3:10 MSG

Journal prompt: What do you really want from your life? Who do you want to be?

You’re wonderful and brilliant, I’ve given you so many gifts and talents and you cannot do everything today. This is not an invitation to idleness, this is a call to rest. Rest can be active and energising. It fuels you and helps bring clarity to everything you’re working on and towards.

It’s great to have those longer-term goals and plans that we’re exploring together. Without vision, you will wither. And, let me help you action those plans in a way that will life-giving for you and the people you care about.

I repeat … this is not about powering through and checking everything off in one day. Let me be your pacer. I know the very best way to move forward into everything I’ve put on your heart. Everything needs to be anchored in our time together. Without that nourishment, you will lose sight of why any of this is important.

Without nourishment you will grow weary and lose heart. You’ll find yourself trying to carry burdens that were never yours to carry! Do all of this with me. That’s vital! You are where you are today because of every whisper and you hear the whispers in the quiet place. Keep seeking my heart. I am your lifeblood.

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11 MSG

Journal prompt: Are there any goals that I’ve been trying to action on my own?

When I tell you not to be worried about anything, what do you think I mean? Is it possible that there are exceptions or caveats to that invitation? Maybe there are situations you face in your current modern age that were not an issue two thousand years ago and so they’re not covered? What nonsense!

Everything that concerns you is ultimately about people and I know people, I made people. Every person is made in my image and every hair on every head is accounted for. Do not be worried about any person in your life.

Instead, give them to me. Let me help you love and nurture them in the most appropriate way. And remember that these people you love are loved infinitely more so by me! You think you can love but you’ve not seen anything yet!

Let me pour my love into your loved ones. Trust that you really do not need to worry and instead, love each and every person, me-helping you. I am love and I know exactly what I’m doing.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6+7 NLT

Journal prompt: What worries have I been hanging onto?

We’ve explored this before but it’s important for you to remember that you can always hear me. Those little nudges that lead to incredible conversations are from me. It really doesn’t need to feel complicated or confusing to hear me!

And no, you don’t need to announce, ‘thus said the Lord’ every time you follow a nudge. Let me help you share my heart in ways that can be received by others. I love the world, I want to woo everyone into relationship, and I am playing the long game. You don’t need to crowbar mention of me into every conversation.

Instead, follow the nudges, allow me to move and show up in ways far beyond your imagination - and then tell the stories of my goodness. Allow us to journey together, trusting the process, and when anyone asks you about the source of your joy, then you have the opportunity to share my love and goodness in a deeper way.

Light every moment of your day with my love and you’ll never grow weary and lose heart. Moving and living and navigating your day through the lens of my love brings lightness and joy to your soul in a way that nothing else can. Live in my love!

“Worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” 1 Peter 3:15b

Journal prompt: What story would you like to tell through me today?

You set yourself incredibly high standards and whilst this is to your credit, you have got to be kind to yourself! You expect things from yourself that you would never expect of other people so give yourself the same grace you extend to the people around you.

One of the joys of doing life in community is the impact you can make on others - and the impact they make on you. One of the challenges of doing life in community is that you get to make mistakes out loud, in public, in real-time! Transparency and vulnerability can only be earned by modelling it to others. If you refuse to let people in, how can you possibly expect to see it returned to you?

This is not about washing dirty laundry in public. This is about nurturing a safe space. Safe for the people around you and safe for you too. You don’t have to be perfect so stop trying so hard!

“You must love your neighbour in the same way you love yourself.” Mark 12:31 TPT

Journal prompt: In what specific areas of my life do I need to extend myself grace?

Never underestimate or forget the impact of love and kindness on someone’s day. You are the only bible some people will ever read. Your words carry weight. Your kindness softens hearts. Every act of love helps usher in the Kingdom.

You don’t see all of the ripples but all of it makes a difference in ways far beyond your imagination. You shift atmospheres and break strongholds with your love. Reject any whisper that suggests your actions don’t matter. Everything makes a difference. 

And that’s why it’s so important for us to have this time together. Time together allows us to deal with any heart issues before they start to impact how you show up in the day. Bring every pain and frustration to me and allow me to soothe and calm you. This isn’t about playing pretend when you have legitimate worries and concerns. This is about bringing everyone into the light of my love. Light is the only way to dispel darkness!

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:5 NLT

Journal prompt: Is there anything on my heart right now that I’ve been refusing to explore with you?