Vacation Reflections…

·         Don’t take anything or anyone for granted. I had a great time on vacation and in the moments when I was doing absolutely nothing, I found myself staring at my husband or my children and just exhaling because it wasn’t too long ago that I almost lost my youngest son on Mother’s day and a few years earlier my husband. Splashing water, squealing in delight over dolphin play, kissing my little guy and smelling his breath (which only a mom can do and love) and just holding hands with my honey as the sun was going down are things that were almost taken from me. So I ask, what are you taking for granted that you almost lost and have let the day to day grind make you forget?

·         I’m grateful for what I have even if I sometimes cry about the things I don’t. I realize in today’s harsh economic times that I am in a handful of people who don’t have to worry about a mortgage and although at times I still  get panic attacks about making ends meet, I know I am blessed even though my blessing came at a cost, the disability of my son. Sometimes things look wonderful on the outside with people in your church, neighborhood, etc. but you just don’t know if they only have $25 until the next payday. So I ask, who can you invite over for dinner, bless with tickets to something, etc. because although you may cry about some things you don’t have (like I do),  as God’s children, He always comes though for us in some way, and you may be the “the way” for God to “come though” for someone else.

·         What makes special kids so special is that they trust unconditionally because they need you. I am blown away by the helplessness of my son DJ. My husband and I carry that sense of responsibility everyday and while most parents know they will eventually have an empty nest, we know we never will, unless DJ goes home to the Father. Which means, for us to have what most parents get we will have to suffer another loss. What I’ve learned from DJ is that we need each other a lot but we are not willing to trust unconditionally with no agenda. I’ve made a few “special” friends and I’d like you to meet them. They are Peter and Debbie, we just met officially at the recent vacation trip we had but they immediately let me in on their life. My goodness, I so wished I could be half the people these two are. They are special indeed.

Excited About…

·          I was just asked to become a Contributing Editor for Outreach Magazine. I’ll be joining these guys Anthony Coppedge (church media expert), Brian Mavis (creator of Sermon Central), Brad Powell (Sr. Pastor of Northridge Church in Michigan), Sam S. Rainer (Pastor & Pres/CEO of Rainer Research), Thom S. Rainer (President/CEO of Lifeway Resources and author of many books including Simple Church), Steve Sjogren (Servant Evangelism idea guy, pastor, planter, and church planter coach), Lee Strobel (former pastor at Willowcreek and author of many books including The Case for Christ, The Case for Easter and many more), Marlon Hall, and Ed Stetzer (former church planter, author and church planting coach). I’m honored.  I hope I do some justice to the role and they don’t regret asking me!

Perplexed About…

·          A friend of mine is getting ordained next month and I’m really happy for my friend. That is not what perplexes me. What is perplexing me is that I wasn’t told about it by my friend even though the planning has been going on for a while. I can’t be there anyway because I will be travelling to much that month.  I happen to find things out because I do J but I don’t want people feeling sorry for me because I am no longer pastoring. I know that this is a season for me. I know that God’s call is irrevocable and that something somewhere will open up for me one day so I am not sweating the roles. I’ve been on both sides and trust me, I am enjoying the break from the executive pastor role I played. I know what I am doing right now is where God wants me in this season of my life. I may never pastor again or maybe I will but is that really important? I think my friends don’t know how to tell me that their life is “going on” as “planned” while my life has went off on a detour so to speak.

Note to all who read this: My entire life is a detour. I celebrate, I don’t hate.

 Final Thought…

·         We are the ones we have been waiting for. Have you read this before? It was spoken by the Elders Oraibi of the Hopi Nation.          

We Are the Ones
We’ve Been Waiting For 

·        You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour. Now you must go back and tell the people that this is The Hour.And there are things to be considered:·       

So I say…It’s time to take a stand. Say what you must.Do what you will.Walk in your destiny.

Don’t be ashamed of your past.

Let your pain point you to your purpose.

And be the glorious you God intended.

Don’t wait for someone else to be “the leader” perhaps YOU ARE THE ONE YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR.