Gina Colburn

The Weight of a Loud World

Last week, the whole world seemed heavy—outside and inside.
The weight of global events, compounded by the happenings in my own life, felt like a cloak of despair wrapped so tightly I could hardly stand.

And yet, I kept putting one foot in front of the other.

With little to no sleep, I wrestled with the images burned into my mind—watching two people murdered in real time through a social media app. The anguish has lingered, seeping into my waking hours and shadowing the nights.

This Monday morning, the heaviness still hangs on, but now it’s coupled with something else: the noise.

The world is loud.
Everything seems to be screaming for our attention—urging us to pick a side, shout louder, and plant our convictions more boldly. I just want to silence it all. Maybe you can relate.

The Overload of Noise

I’ve been looking inward to process and plan, and upward for clarity and conviction. But even there, the noise presses in.

How can we, as individuals, ever find the quietness necessary to process the relentless stream of information? Each hour brings a new tragedy. Each tragedy brings commentary layered on commentary. With every scroll, post, and reel, the heaviness grows louder.

Today, I made a decision: to stop the noise—if only in my own head and heart.
I deleted apps that no longer bring joy, peace, or even value. I clicked unfollow. I pressed delete.

This isn’t putting my head in the sand. I am fully aware of what’s happening in the world around me:

That someone’s child carried a gun into a school, killing innocent children and scarred countless lives.

That an 11-year-old boy, just playing ding-dong ditch, was shot and killed—a tragedy that struck me deeply as I remembered my own boys once playing the same harmless game.

That a young girl, riding public transportation like my own daughter does daily, was murdered while others watched in silence.

That senators in their own homes were gunned down.

That a young political figure, imperfect but professing faith in Jesus, was shot in front of hundreds and replayed for millions.

I am painfully aware. Families are shattered everywhere.

And yet, through it all, the loudest voices keep chanting us versus them.

Choosing Silence

So today I chose a different way.
I choose to quiet the noise where I can.
To unfollow what stirs more division than healing.
To delete what doesn’t serve peace, joy, or clarity.

This doesn’t mean I don’t care. It means I care deeply enough to make space to truly process, to pray, and to keep walking without being drowned by the screaming of the world.

Maybe you need that, too.

✨ Friend, if the noise has grown too loud for you, I invite you to take one small step toward silence today. Close an app. Step outside. Breathe. Whisper a prayer. Let quiet in.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

✨ Exciting news! ✨
I just signed my first publishing contract — a dream years in the making!

I can’t wait to share more details soon, but for now I’m simply celebrating this milestone and feeling so grateful for the opportunity ahead.

Stay tuned… the story is just beginning! 📚🎉

We went to dinner tonight and I met someone who's son used to go to the church that I pastor at.

She said I'm so glad to finally meet you and so sad that you aren't there. I was so happy because you gave my son a place where he was safe, seen and loved.

I went back to my table and cried in my dinner. Sad that somehow the atmosphere changed when I wasn't there. There is a whole world of people out there who just want to be seen and loved.

The gospel really is summed up just like this Love one another, as Christ loves you.

He loves you just as you are. Our messes, our bad decisions, our brokenness, our gifting, our talents, our joys, our losses. All of it. He loves you!

I don't have a stage or a building...
But my calling remains.

Love one another!

It's been quiet here. The platform shrinks, the numbers get lower and the power of influence fades.

What once was is no longer, and what could be lingers in the future.

Snow falls, the sun rises, and time passes.

2025's word has slowly made its way to the surface.

Release - Let Go. "Be still and KNOW that I am God."

The Hebrew word here is rāp̄â, which means to sink, withdraw, relax, let go, abate, abandon, drop.

2025 is calling me to do just that. Rapa - release.

- Release what I thought would be.
- Release people and relationships.
- Release my expectations.
- Release fear.
- Release shame and regret.
- Release what was.
- Release beliefs and teachings.
- Release my failures and shortcomings.
-Release what others think of me and say about me

In order to know God properly, I can't hold on to so many of these things we all tend to hold tightly to.

While I focus on releasing, I will embrace the gifts that I have.

Family: I have the best—Jason, my beautiful kids, and grand babies.

Friends: The ones that stick no matter what.

Faith: The small mustard seed kind.

Community: The space I live and new friendships were formed.

The lessons I've learned and am learning on the journey.

2025, a whole month in, I pray will be one of release and freedom to know God better and more. To grow and move forward in places where I have been stuck and paralyzed.

What do you need to release?

Matthew 1:23 NLT
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

Christmas hits a bit differently this year, even so Jesus, Immanuel has been with us.

My goal this Christmas was to give my family one of the best. It's been tough in so many ways and I wanted us to end the year with a few days of celebration and fun.

As we were simply attenders/worshippers at the Christmas Eve service ( a first for us) I was overwhelmed with Immanuel, God with us. While at times it has seemed he gave up or abandoned our circumstances I know he did not.

And while this Christmas week maybe wasn't a Hallmark movie ( snow did not fall when Jason kissed me under the mistletoe) it was full of laughs, tears, worship, hugs and more food than anyone should eat. New memories were made and joy was found.

May I never lose my wonder of Jesus, Immanuel, who came to give me life. The one who never gives up on me or my family. May I carry the peace, joy, love and hope with me all year.

From my family to yours Merry Christmas, and may you experience Jesus in your life and home!

Fun little tree I got to decorate where I work!

How do you bring holiday cheer in the places you work?

A few years ago, I did a 25 Days of Christmas. This year, I will post a picture a day of Christmases gone by. Since I am on day 3, today you get 3. The one with all the kids is at my Granny's house, Oh how I wish I could go to Granny's house for Christmas! Life was simpler then! Aunt Aletha is hugging Kailyn in this one!

Then a couple of years later, Dad Chas with Tiffanie and Kailyn.

Holidays always make me miss the ones that aren't here anymore a little more.

How do you remember those who once were around the Table?

Could I possibly list all the ways I'm thankful for this guy?

Probably not... So I will simply say this. He loves me well. He works hard. He's a great dad and JayJay. My life is better because he is in it.

I'm eternally grateful for this amazing gift wrapped up as my best friend, and husband. I love him with all my heart and love this life we live together.

I'm thankful for the small ways Jason takes care of me. I wanted to watch the parade but was stuck in the kitchen! So Jason moved a TV to the kitchen table so I could cook and watch the parade! ❤️

Grateful for opportunities to travel and see beautiful Christmas trees in beautiful places.

This will be the first year in many I won't see them in person! But love the memories!