Episode 00012: Your Dots Will Connect
December 16, 2025
Greeting
Welcome back to The Daily Spirit. Tuesday, December 16th, 2025. Five minutes of spirit-filled encouragement to start your day.
Opening Hook
Have you ever looked back at your life and realized—oh, that's why that happened?
Those moments when you can finally see how the painful detour, the closed door, the confusing season was actually setting you up for something you couldn't have planned yourself.
I want to tell you a story. Because I'm living proof of this right now.
Scripture & Core Message
Jeremiah 29:11: "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."
God is an orchestrator. He's weaving things together in ways we can't even imagine while we're in the middle of it.
The Story
One year ago—almost to the day—I nearly gave up.
December 2024. A major digital transformation project with a huge faith institution was falling apart. Family and friends were asking what I was up to. I didn't have a good answer.
But I did what my currently unbelieving parents wouldn't have advised. I prayed. I didn't lean on my own understanding. I trusted God that there was a reason He had put me on that project—that it wasn't wasted, even if I couldn't see where it was going.
Then something appeared. A new AI engineering program called Gauntlet. An all-expenses-paid bootcamp. It honestly could have been a scam. But I had chose to apply and got in.
Through that program, I met people who changed my life.
Lamar—if I hadn't met him, I probably would have dropped out. Dallas—he made me want to show up to the coworking space every day. And others like Tim and Rostam.
That program led to a staff engineering role at a major education company. And even when that job turned out not to be the right fit, the experience pushed me forward.
So I mentioned Tim and Rostam right? Tim and I stayed in close touch. Recently he reconnected with Rostam who's been doing incredible AI consulting work. Then Rostam invited me to do a hackathon with him.
This past weekend? We won. Grand prize for our track at the NVIDIA x ASUS x ARM hackathon.
I could not have planned any of this.
Exhortation
Here's what I want you to hear.
The dots only connect backward. You can't see the pattern while you're in it. You just have to trust that God is placing each dot with intention.
That job that didn't work out? A dot. That relationship that ended? A dot. That confusing season you're in right now? A dot.
Don't give up. Stay in the game. Because God's imagination for your life is bigger than yours. He's connecting you with people and opportunities you can't even fathom yet.
I'm living proof. One year ago I was ready to quit. Today I'm standing in gratitude, overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of God.
Affirmations
Let's declare this over your life. I'll say it, you repeat.
[Pause after each for repetition]
My dots are connecting.
God is orchestrating my path.
I will not give up.
Every season has purpose.
I trust God's plan over my own.
The best is yet to come.
Closing
That's it for today.
Keep trusting. Keep showing up. The dots will connect. God is with you. Talk tomorrow.
Substack Post Copy
Title: Your Dots Will Connect (Tuesday, December 16th, 2025)
Subtitle: A story one year in the making. And why you shouldn't give up.
Body:
Good morning!
Have you ever looked back at your life and suddenly seen how it all fit together?
One year ago, I almost gave up. Today, I'm standing in awe of how God orchestrated everything—the closed doors, the random connections, the moments that felt like setbacks but were actually setups.
"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."
— Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG)
Hit play. And remember that God is with you today.
Love, Gary