Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

Follow the Breadcrumbs

Dr. Tammi Love standing next to her chest filled with precious memories.

This past week, my husband and I took on a DIY project at home. A few joint aches and sore muscles later, we stood back, pleased with the finished product. After snapping the before-and-after photos, we faced the next reality: cleanup. A cleanup we were determined not to let spill into a new week.

Little by little, we cleaned the space, which included relocating some furniture, namely a chest filled with precious memories. Determined to sort through it before moving it, I began uncovering its contents. That’s when I saw the breadcrumbs.

Nestled between old photos and historical documents were printed firsts. Some were in plain sight, others carefully tucked away in folders and envelopes, protected from wear and tear. I read through each one, gathered each memory mentally, physically, and spiritually. It was a full meal that nourished my soul in one sitting.

Each breadcrumb was significant: my mother’s 1997 written speech from our first family reunion in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The program from her homegoing service. My old newspaper articles from South Carolina. Our children’s first award certificates. Church bulletins. Ministry reports. High school photos. Family portraits.

Every breadcrumb affirmed my present and reminded me of a past I could only know through my mother’s storytelling. In her 1997 speech, she wrote of her Southern upbringing, the family tree, the nicknames that carried stories of their own, and her unwavering encouragement to know who we are and where we come from.

That was the breadcrumb of all breadcrumbs. Though her physical presence is gone, her wisdom remains, preserved in ink and paper. I just had to find the breadcrumbs… and follow them.

God often leaves trails like that for us, footprints in the sands of our wandering, guiding us back to Him.

Jeremiah 29:13–14 reminds us:

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.”

We are liberated when we stop pretending and abandon superficial quests. There is no weakness in seeking God, no shame in longing for truth. You don’t have to wander any longer. You still have meaningful work to do.

This is your breadcrumb: a reminder that fulfillment is found in the seeking, in the journey, and in the One who waits to be found.

Follow the breadcrumbs.

Be well, y’all, and much love!

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

Pay It Forward

Dr. Tammi Love participated in a local flower shop’s Petal it Forward tradition.

Last week, I participated in a local flower shop’s beautiful tradition of spreading kindness — Petal It Forward. The shop’s owner reached out to our café, which my husband and I co-own with another couple, and invited us to take part. She provided a bucket of flowers for customers to pick two — one to keep and one to share with someone else.

Throughout the day, it was heartwarming to hear how people planned to share their extra flower. Children said they would give theirs to a teacher. Others mentioned a parent, a friend, or a coworker they wanted to surprise. Listening to their intentions to pay it forward recharged my hope in humankind — a hope that, I’m learning, requires daily pursuit and a renewed mindset. Acts of kindness are made possible when someone chooses the courage to do something decent — to pay kindness forward, pay courage forward, and pay decency forward.

The rat race of our daily rituals can easily sweep us into a whirlwind of unfeeling and exhausting tasks — unproductive meetings, passive-aggressive emails, and endless chatter about who said what. But fearless acts of kindness, no matter how small, have the power to reset our perspective and remind us of what truly matters. The impact grows when someone takes the goodness they’ve received and passes it on. That goodness gives and gives until, suddenly, our homes, schools, workplaces, communities, houses of worship, businesses, and even governments are transformed by courageous, radical kindness.

While we may not always have something physical to pass along, we can still commit to the thought of paying it forward. In Scripture, a Samaritan woman shared the good news about Jesus after receiving it from Jesus Himself. He told her everything about her life and revealed that He was indeed the Messiah:

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?’ They came out of the town and made their way toward him… Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’
— John 4:28–30, 39

Last week, I was able to pay patience forward. On my life’s journey, I strive to pay love forward — because God saw it necessary to be both patient and loving with me. And that is what truly matters. What will you pay forward today?

Be well y’all, and much love.

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

Prove Nothing

Dr. Tammi Love welcomes 1Love Basketball campers at the check-in table with the signature 1Love gesture.

This past weekend, my husband and I had the joy of supporting our oldest daughter, Lexi, at her foundation’s first girls’ free camp in the U.S. (www.1lovebasketball.com). She chose to host the free camp at the middle school where she once attended and played basketball during our years living in Douglasville, Georgia—more than a decade ago.

The journey back to the place where our daughter experienced so many of her early “firsts” was more meaningful than we could have imagined. From highway to byway, from familiar neighborhoods to familiar faces, we embraced the journey down memory lane. As we retraced our steps through Atlanta, we found ourselves reflecting and exhaling in celebration of who we were then versus who we are now. Looking back, we agreed—in spirit and in truth—that we are grateful for the lessons learned: to prove nothing to anyone, but to stay committed to God.

The phrase prove nothing isn’t new, but for us, it carries deep personal significance. It empowers us to remember where our validation comes from. If you’ve ever chosen to walk the path less traveled while others tried to pull you toward crowded trails, then you know the freedom that comes from clinging to God—despite the noise of popular thinking, living, or believing.

This weekend reminded me that proving nothing is not defiance—it’s perseverance. It’s trusting God’s direction even when the path feels lonely. Hebrews 10:36 reminds us: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”

We moved to South Carolina the day after Lexi’s 7th-grade basketball championship win at Chapel Hill Middle School—the school she chose for her camp. Leaving mid-school year, right after accomplishing such a major milestone, was hard on both of our daughters. A new ministry assignment required the move, but that didn’t make the transition any easier. Yet with God’s help, they persevered. When giving up might have seemed easier, they pressed on to fight for what they knew to be nobody else’s but theirs – their unique giftings and callings. 

Lexi’s return to her middle school this past weekend—now as an Ivy graduate, accomplished basketball player, and founder—was a powerful testament to perseverance, integrity, and favor. It was a full-circle moment that reflected God’s keeping power and her steadfastness to “prove nothing.”

Are you weary from trying to prove yourself to people who will never fully value your journey? Stop. Make the course correction. God has already provided the escape route from that exhaustion. Take it. Choose the road less traveled.

Prove nothing to others. Prove everything to God. He will fulfill His promises.

Be well, y’all, and much love.

(Pictured: Dr. Tammi Love welcomes 1Love Basketball campers at the check-in table with the signature 1Love gesture.)

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

I’m Still Amazed

Workshop Presentation Cover

I still find myself amazed at the move of God. Just when I think I’ve figured out how and when He moves in my life, He surprises me with sudden moments and topsy-turvy experiences that could only be orchestrated by an all-knowing, all-powerful, omnipresent God who loves His creation. God has a pristine way of positioning His children to arrive at truths that break barriers and annihilate dangerous cycles.

This past weekend, I led a women’s workshop on reclaiming our narrative of success – We’re Gonna Be Alright. True to form, I toiled over the research and allowed myself to be vulnerable to the process—tapping in, recalling, and recording on a digital notepad what God was leading me to see. It was slow work that required both patience and discernment. I had to get out of my head. I had to starve distractions. I had to ignore the bait of the enemy. I had to walk with God and trust Him to make good on His promise—to never leave nor forsake me.

While it wasn’t easy to fight for focus, it finally came when I stood still in a quiet place, laid down all the weight I was carrying, and let God have His way. By the time I finished the written work, the graphic design work, the social media campaign work, the prayer work, the presentation work—I recognized the lesson God keeps teaching me: He’s enough.

God’s lesson of sufficiency is both soothing and settling. God’s Word is enough. His Way is enough. His counsel is enough. His call is enough. His mercy is enough. He’s enough because He is the Creator of the universe—including us. He knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb. He knew our journey before we could dream it or live it. And because He does, He sits us down in quiet spaces to show us that nothing compares to His might—and when He’s ready, God will amaze us once again.

I’m deeply grateful for the women who attended my online workshop from across the globe, for their openness during the session, and for their private sharing afterward. I’m grateful for those who choose to trust me—and the God in me. And yes, I’m even grateful for those who refuse me because of the God in me. God has ways of teaching that lesson, too. Through it all, God still amazes me.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

Without question, the weight of life can get heavy as we do our best to honor God and our callings. Yet, the work of sharing His way remains to be done. The truth is—there’s no time for giving up. God still has plans for us. He still desires to amaze us.

So let Him have His way.

Be well y’all, and much love!

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

Be Mindful in Your Modeling Moment

Dr. Tammi Love at 5 years old, modeling in her preschool’s Fashion Show.

My preschool years were quite memorable. My siblings and I attended Kiddie Kollege, a Black-owned school in Kansas City, Kansas, where Mrs. Williams, the owner, reinforced many of the same values our parents instilled at home. Two of my favorite lessons were the simple joy of volunteering to set the table at lunchtime and the wonder of learning to type on an old typewriter, certain keys marked in bright colors, all under the patient guidance of Mrs. Williams. Both helped me to appreciate the care in serving others and the importance of accomplishing what others say cannot be done – I learned to type as a preschooler!

Another highlight was the school’s fashion show. Though I don’t remember every detail, photos help me recall my “modeling moment” on stage before a crowded room. I especially remember the yellow outfit my mother handpicked for me (as seen in the photo), and the gentle reminders from my teachers to smile.

The act of modeling naturally places a spotlight on an individual. How a model moves, gestures, responds, reacts, and stands are on display for others to ridicule or to imitate, should others choose to do so. In much the same way, the practice of Christian living is an act of modeling. Choosing to model Christlike living is the testimony we offer without ever speaking a word. Our actions form the manuscript.

How many of us raised our hands in allegiance to God? Raising our hand to commit to walking in God’s way is not putting on a cape and presenting ourselves as superhuman or super-Christian. Rather, our hands raised to God indicates our determination to model grace, resilience, selflessness, love, trust, joy, forgiveness, and much more, despite who we used to be and who we struggle with becoming – one day at a time. 

1 Corinthians 11:1 reminds and motivates: Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 

As we navigate our modeling moment – on stage, in front of a crowded audience – be mindful:

  • Not to be consumed by the flashes of the cameras or lured by flowery accolades. 
  • Not to be discouraged by the intentional oversight from others or the disrespect from those who disregard decency and order. 

The above comes with the territory God has given you. Keep your focus on God, the One who found you and lifted you from desolate places. Model your life on His teachings and watch how He uses you to impact not just individuals, but crowds, regions, and even nations. And don’t forget to smile. It is so.

Be well y’all, and much love!

(Pictured: Dr. Tammi Love at 5 years old, modeling at her preschool’s Fashion Show.)