The older I get, the more I realize how much I don’t know — and how much of life is unpredictable, messy, and constantly changing. But even in the chaos, there are a few things I’ve come to know deep in my bones. These aren’t guesses, and they’re not opinions I’m still workshopping. They’re solid. Unshakeable. The kind of truths that shape everything else.
Here are ten things I know for sure:
1. God is real.
This isn’t up for debate in my world — it’s the foundation everything else stands on. As the Nicene Creed says, I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. That simple but profound truth has carried me through every season.
2. I’m saved, and I’m certain of it.
Grace isn’t something I have to earn or manufacture. It’s a gift I’ve received, and it gives my life purpose, peace, and direction.
3. My wife Daryl is my soulmate.
When I met Daryl in 2015, something just clicked. We were married at the courthouse on August 10 and then again in the church on October 10 — two moments that confirmed what I already knew: we were meant to do life together. She’s my partner, my best friend, and my greatest earthly blessing.
4. Being a father is the best thing that ever happened to me.
My daughter, Lizzi, was born in 1998, and nothing has brought me more joy. Watching her grow, supporting her, learning from her — it’s been the most rewarding role of my life.
5. Being a grandfather is the second-best thing.
When Sully arrived in September 2023, my heart somehow stretched even further. There’s a different kind of joy in watching your legacy continue, and I feel it every time I see him smile.
6. Technology is making the world lazier.
I see it every day in the classroom. For all its incredible benefits, tech can short-circuit initiative and critical thinking. The easier things become, the easier it is to forget how to think. That worries me.
7. Bourbon has never been recalled for E. coli.
Just saying. It’s nice to know that in a world of recalls and warnings, there’s still a dependable glass of goodness waiting on the shelf. A little humor — and maybe a little truth.
8. The only thing better than meat… is more meat.
This is a culinary principle I live by. Steak, brisket, ribs — you name it. Some truths just taste better than others.
9. Procrastination is a liar.
Putting off what should be done today only multiplies tomorrow’s stress. That’s a lesson learned the hard way — more than once — but one that’s now deeply ingrained.
10. Love really is the answer.
Todd Rundgren sang it. The Apostle Paul preached it. And life keeps proving it. Love is the thread that runs through all these truths — the reason for grace, the strength in family, the hope in every challenge.
These are the things I’m sure of. My compass when things get confusing. My anchor when the winds pick up. In a world where almost everything changes, I’m grateful to stand on a few things that don’t.
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
