This article was originally published on raiseaman.com.
It has been republished here with permission._

Growing up, we had one morning ritual. My siblings, Chase and Courtney, and I would jump in the car, buckle up and wait. About that time, my mom would shift the car in gear and she would begin to pray:

Lord, we thank you for today. I thank you your Angels and hedge of protection are around Alex, Chase, Courtney, Neil and me, Granna and Grandma Jerry. I thank you that we are the head and not the tail, always the top and never the bottom. We put on the full armor of God ...

Then all together, we would begin to say out loud:

The Helmet of Salvation, the Breast Plate of Righteousness, the Belt of Truth, our feet are shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, we have the Sword of the Spirit, and the Shield of Faith, and we're ready to face the day. Praying always in the Spirit. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Somewhere between our house and our school, we began to believe what God offered us.

Before I knew Deuteronomy 28:13, I understood God's favor for those who followed Him. Before I knew Ephesians 6, I knew we could be Strong in the Lord. And, before I knew Philippians 4:13, I discovered who the source of my strength is.

When I was 10 years old, we moved from Daphne, Alabama, to Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was a big change in my young mind and going to a brand new school seemed intimidating. We got in the car on the first day of school and my mom began to pray - like she had every morning before. All of a sudden, I realized that one big thing did not change: the source of my strength was still the same.

Having the Word so foundational at a young age has given me the confidence to face new seasons - good and bad - knowing that nothing is bigger than the one constant: the source of my strength.