three letters.

Yes...

Three simple letters.

Yes, I'll be there. Yes, I have time. Yes, I can. Yes, I am.

The word yes is small but carries great weight. Each day, we give our yes to people, opportunities, responsibilities, and commitments. A yes is our word. Yet what follows matters just as much as the yes itself.

Most of us know the disappointment of unmet promises—the frustration and hurt of broken commitments. Yet, if we're honest, we've all fallen short ourselves. Jesus addresses this in Matthew 5:37: "Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil."

Jesus wasn't simply teaching communication...He was teaching integrity. As believers, our words should be trustworthy. When we say yes, people should know they can count on it. Psalm 15: 1-2 asks, "Who may dwell with God?" Verse 2 says, "he who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart." We can interpret this as the one who keeps their word and speaks truth, no matter the cost. Not when it's convenient, or easy...But even when it requires sacrifice. Honestly, the most important yes we will ever give is our yes to God. With that being said, when was the last time you told God yes? Yes to His will. Yes to His calling. Yes to surrender?

Last year, my husband and I began praying for direction about relocating. One morning, he shared that the Lord told him our move would happen suddenly. I had plenty of questions, but I gave God my yes. I had no idea that one yes would change the course of our lives. Within four months, we made an interstate move. It stretched us financially and emotionally, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. On the other side of that yes, we found greater peace, deeper fulfillment, and a clearer path to the purpose God had prepared for us all along.

Throughout Scripture, we see examples of women who gave God their yes...

• Mary said yes or "let it be" to carrying the Savior despite the uncertainty and potential criticism she would face (Luke 1:38)

  
  

• Esther said yes to approaching the king, risking her life to save her people (Esther 4:16)

  
  

• Ruth said yes to following God and remaining faithful, even when the future was unclear (Ruth 1:16-17)

Their yes was costly, but it was worth it, and the same is true for us. Our yes to God may cost our comfort, convenience, or control, but it positions us to experience His presence, peace, provision, and purpose. And often, our obedience doesn't just bless us—it blesses those connected to us.

Let's remember the power behind this simple three-letter word and be intentional to keep our commitments and promises to the best of our ability. My prayer is that our yes truly means yes. And above all, I pray that we continue giving God our yes, trusting that He is faithful to every promise He has made.