Letter From the Editor: Fall 2026

Hello LR Friends,

Welcome to our Sweet Sixteen Celebration issue! We wouldn’t be celebrating this milestone without you, our readers and sponsors. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you.

When God directed my path to publish this magazine, I never imagined how much joy it would bring or the mass numbers of people it would reach. These 16 years have been full of learning and growing in Christ as well as in the world of Christian publishing. It has not always been easy, but every issue is a tribute to God’s faithfulness as our team has leaned on Him rather than our own understanding. He’s repeatedly fulfilled His promise from Proverbs 3:5-6.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. (emphasis mine)

It’s been awe-inspiring to see how the Lord orchestrates the culmination of hearts and stories for each issue of Living Real. No two are ever the same, yet each one brings praise, honor, and glory to one Person—Jesus Christ. That’s why Living Real exists. 

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17, ESV

As we crafted this celebration issue, I began to wonder if the number 16 has any spiritual significance.
In my research through biblestudy.org, the number 16 represents love and loving. It’s the sum of 8 + 8. According to biblical numerology, the number 8 represents Christ. God’s ultimate goal for His children is to be perfected in love; perfected in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Paul defines God’s perfect love with the attributes of Christ. Want to guess how many attributes he lists? You guessed it. Sixteen.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

As Living Real continues its mission of displaying Christ through real life, real faith, and real people, my prayer is that we all continue moving toward the goal, perfection in love—the image of Christ. The Sweet Sixteen.

Keepin’ it Real,

Melanie