There’s something sacred about the kind of friendship that picks up right where it left off. That’s how it is with my friend Ray Carman. We met back in 2017 during Leadership Sumner, co-led the next year’s class, and ever since, we’ve shared the kind of connection where the Holy Spirit tends to show up—whether we’re catching up over coffee or now, on a podcast.
When Ray texted to say it was time for another check-in, I thought, “Let’s do this one on air.” Because sometimes the most ordinary conversations end up carrying the deepest encouragement. And I think someone out there might need to hear what it looks like when a friendship is rooted in faith and watered by years of shared prayers, life updates, and good work.
A Season of Change, A Spirit of Trust
Ray’s had a big year—his daughter got married, he officially became a father-in-law, and their whole family has been on what he lovingly calls a “fitness journey.” It started with his daughters getting into weightlifting and ended with the entire Carman crew working out together before sunrise. He jokes that the gym feels like church—and honestly, when people show up consistently and build each other up, it kind of is
Ray shared how his gym friendships have turned into ministry moments. One young man came to know the Lord through the relationships he built while lifting weights. That’s the thing about good work—it doesn’t always look like what we expect. Sometimes it’s a quiet seed planted in a barn-style gym in Sumner County.
The Word for the Year
I always ask my guests about their word for the year, and Ray’s didn’t disappoint: Follow. After spending the past year thinking through themes of faith, family, fitness, and farming, he said the word that finally came to the surface was “follow.” Not just hustle, not just perform—but sit still, listen well, and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd.
For me, the word this year is Multiply. And let me tell you, I made it clear to the Lord: we are not talking about babies. But the more I sit with it, the more I see how it’s not about adding more. It’s about letting the seeds already planted grow deeper and wider. It’s about looking at what’s already in your hands—and asking God, “How can this do even more good?”
Ray reminded me that we can’t multiply anything if we’re too tired or too distracted to notice what’s blooming around us. So much of what we talked about came back to presence. Being there for our families, for our communities, and for the people who just need to be seen.
Jesus in the Lettuce
One of my favorite moments in our conversation was when Ray talked about inviting Jesus into the ordinary. “If someone’s doing something with lettuce,” he said, “let Jesus hang out with you while you do the lettuce stuff.”
I mean—yes. Yes to that.
So often we compartmentalize our faith into quiet times and Sunday mornings, but Jesus wants to be part of it all—the meetings, the chaos, the gym, the grocery store, the lettuce. He wants to sit with us in the silence and celebrate with us in the joy. All we have to do is invite Him in.
The Power of Pause
We wrapped up the episode with a prayer. And in that moment, I was reminded again of the gift it is to have people in your life who ask, “How can I pray for you?” Not just “How’s business?” or “How’s the weather?”—but really, “How’s your soul?”
That’s the kind of friendship I want to multiply.
This conversation reminded me that good work isn’t always flashy. Sometimes it’s faithfulness in the quiet seasons. Sometimes it’s following when it’s easier to lead. Sometimes it’s just remembering that Jesus is already in the room.
So today, friend, before you go back to your checklist or inbox, take a moment. Invite Jesus into your lettuce stuff. Ask a friend how their soul is doing. And don’t forget to pause long enough to say, “Thank you.”
Because even in a busy world, that’s where the good life begins.