Tomorrow is my mother’s birthday. And if you’ve been part of this community for a while, then you already know—Barbara Jones went home to be with the Lord in 2021.

If you’ve ever walked through the grief of losing someone you love deeply, then you know the truth: grief doesn’t keep a calendar, but it sure does highlight certain dates.
And for me? Birthdays are hard.

Now, I’m not going to sit here and pretend like I’m all smiles and sunshine today. That wouldn’t be honest. But what I can say with confidence is this: my mama is still with me. Every single day, I see pieces of her reflected in who I am and how I show up in the world.

She had the biggest heart. She loved people well. But what I now understand even more in her absence is this—she didn’t love people well because she was just a naturally sweet person. She loved people because she truly loved God.

As her relationship with Christ deepened, loving others became her natural response. And I’m so grateful that I got to be one of the main recipients of that kind of love.

And today, as I sit with all the emotions, I’m holding tight to Psalm 34:18:
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

I’ve felt that nearness. I’ve lived it. He has truly held me up on the days when I didn’t think I could hold myself together.

So on the eve of my mama’s birthday, I just want to share with you what she would’ve told me—and probably you too:

• No matter what life throws at you, God is still good.
  
• His love will keep you—through your highest highs and your lowest lows.
  
• Put Him first in all you do. Life may not be perfect, but He will see you through.
  

He saw my mom through.
He’s seeing me through today.
And Bestie—He will see you through, too.

Your Real Estate Bestie,