This morning, I was sitting in church with Liz and my daughter Bella. We were at Sandals Church in East Valley. We sat outside on beautiful southern California weekend with the mountains green from the recent rains.

It was one of those rare moments where the noise of the world got quiet–at least for a second.

And let me tell you… that silence hit me harder than a bag of bricks.

Because truth is, there’s a lot of noise out there right now.

  • The news is screaming about Donald Trump.
  • Everyone’s scared of a recession.
  • People are losing jobs.
  • Taxes are hitting harder than ever.
  • Health problems, mental burnout, spiritual exhaustion–it’s everywhere.

I know you feel it.
I feel it too.

But then… something simple, ancient, and soul-piercing came through during the message. It was a verse from the Bible I’ve read before, but this time, it landed differently:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” — Matthew 5:43-44

Let me ask you something:

Have you tried that lately?

I mean really tried loving people who disagree with you…
people who offended you…
people who ghosted you…
people who hurt you…
people you’d rather forget?

Because I’ll be honest: I haven’t always.

I get mad. I hold grudges. I avoid people I think “don’t deserve” my time or kindness.

But this verse… this moment… reminded me:
That’s not strength. That’s fear dressed up in pride.

Even the IRS Shows Kindness to the Ones Who Pay Up

Jesus says something that slapped me in the face:

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do that.” — Matthew 5:46

Dang. You know it’s serious when Jesus name-drops the IRS.

What He’s saying is this: It’s easy to love the people who are easy to love.

But real strength–real faith–shows up when you love the ones who make it hard.

  • The people who don’t vote like you.
  • The family members who disappointed you.
  • The ones who left when things got tough.

Hope Isn’t Found in Circumstances — It’s Found in a Savior

Look, I know this isn’t your typical marketing newsletter.

But some things matter more than headlines, conversion rates, or how many clients called this week.

What I realized this morning is that:

  1. Nobody’s perfect (least of all me)
  2. Nobody gets to Heaven except through Jesus
  3. And nobody is more worthy of your trust, your surrender, and your future… than Him

This week, I’m not going to pitch you a service or hit you with a call-to-action.

I just want you to do one thing:

Look up.

Fix your eyes on something higher than the chaos.

If you’re hurting, afraid, or uncertain–don’t run from it.
Invite Jesus into it.
Let Him carry what you were never meant to bear alone.

Because the IRS might take your money.
The world might take your peace.
But Jesus? He gives you back something better: Hope.

Happy Easter, my friend. From my family to yours.

From my family to yours,
Carlos Samaniego,EA