Woo hoo!

Those who walk the fields to sow, casting their seed in tears, will one day tread those same long rows, amazed by what's appeared. Those who weep as they walk and plant with sighs will return singing with joys when they bring the harvest home. Psalm 126:5-6

I was blessed to attend the adoption ceremony of a little girl last Monday morning. As her new mom gave testimony on the witness stand, she was asked how she felt about being this little one's mom. Overcome with emotion and the lack of words for such a moment, her "Woo hoo!" said it all. Full faced smiles burst out across the stuffy court room from the judge, attorney, and all of us watching on with tear-filled eyes.

It was a crowning moment following many tearful seeds sown in the fields as this family walked many long and ordinary days treading the rows, planting and sighing their prayers. They hit every road block, detour, and even a dead end or two along the way. It was a difficult, sacrificial season. They gave when there was no promise of a return. They planted when the harvest was unsure.

And here they stand today, singing with joy as they bring their little girl home.

Living in sync with our best lives means believing in what our eyes can't see and trusting in the One who does see. It is courageously living with all the fears and doubts and not letting them shut us down. It is the ability to feel the disappointments and heartache, and at the same time be comforted and strengthened for each new day. It is a daily walk. A daily grace.

Never give up on your dreams. For those who sow in tears surely will reap with joy.

Live your best life today. Woo hoo!

A Happy Ending

But for all who did receive and trust in Him, He gave them the right to be reborn as children of God. John 1:12

My dad passed on to heaven over the weekend. While he had his share of illness and physical challenges, his death came suddenly after a day spent at an auction and then gardening in his yard. I am sad he is gone; yet comforted that he went quickly, enjoying life until his last breath. 

Dad battled depression and was an alcoholic most of his life until a massive stroke in 2007. Childhood for me was a mixed bag of good and bad times as the cycle of addiction seemed to be the chaotic rhythm of our family. 

A little over 10 years ago, after a long period of disconnection, my dad started reaching out to me. He wanted to talk and to meet my daughter, his granddaughter. To say I was hesitant would be an understatement. I had been really hurt by him and his choice to walk out on the family. I didn't have any desire to have a relationship with him. But in my heart as I talked to God about it, I sensed him telling me that as my father was taking a step towards me in relationship, I needed to reciprocate and take a step towards him.  

With tears running down my face, I drove to meet him. The first step which would lead to a series of steps in a remarkable story of redemption and a happy ending. 

Over time, we grew a relationship that I would have never ever imagined sharing. He asked me to forgive me for his wrongs, he blessed us in generous ways, and I heard those three words for the first time ever from him - I love you - followed with a hug. 

I am so proud of him. A stubborn old farmer who found the courage to make his last years his best years. 

Living your best life is never feeling too old or lost to make things right. It means choosing to let go of the past and embracing the present. It is living in sync with the greatest power known to us and given by Jesus Christ: redemption. 

Choose your happy ending today.  

Pretty Amazing

I am your example; keep doing what I do. John 13:15

Just a little over two weeks ago I closed on the sale of my condo and began the process of moving to our new home. Note the word 'process', as that is surely what it's been.

We have done amazing work in this time. Thoroughly washing down walls, woodwork, and windows, removing carpet, thick painted over wallpaper and all the glue as well as a '70's planter box in the living room, priming and painting all the ceilings and walls, changing outlet covers, installing new flooring, and even mowed the lawn three times. Still some odds and ends to do; like moving the furniture from the garage into the house and I imagine our home project list will be full for the rest of the summer. 

As I experience the transformation of this smoke-filled yellowish home into our beautiful home sweet home, I am well aware of how blessed I am to have such wonderful people in my life. I can't even imagine an undertaking of this size without the army of people it has taken who have sacrificed their time, muscles, and thinking into making this dream a reality. My count has us at 30 people coming alongside to serve us, not counting the people hired to do work. 

Pretty amazing.

I am in awe of people's generous labor of love and sweat on our behalf. A humbling moment that brings me to the story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. This is what these people have done for me, following Jesus' instructions - 'I am your example; keep doing what I do.' 

Thank you. You all are pretty amazing.

Here We Go

Our home is officially taken over by boxes. I began to miss some things within hours of putting them in the box. Moving is exciting and a bit disconcerting, too. 

The great part is there is no turning back. The closing is scheduled for today. All t's are crossed and i's are dotted and the key will be passed to the new owners. As challenging as it is to sort and pack day after day and plan for the work in the home we purchased; we've made most the major decisions and now it's a relief to just do it. 

There are still some unknowns, like the closing on the house I am purchasing. What will we discover as we move into the new home? Where will my new jogging route take me? Where will we buy our groceries? How soon will it actually feel like home to us? Here we go. 

As challenging as moving is, it does have definite external factors that keep it progressing and moving forward. It doesn't depend on my mood or motivation. I can't talk myself out of it. I think there is a life lesson here. 

To progress and live your best life, it will take more than your own internal motivation. Not discounting that - because this whole moving journey would never have started or moved forward without it. BUT, once you go so far - it's the external factors that keep things going and bring you to a place of no return. 

If you are truly committed to something, you will find yourself taking action. One step after another... a phone call, a conversation, an appointment, a purchase, etc. With continued decisions you will find you are building into your life the external structure that will get you where you dream of being. And soon you will be thinking... here we go. And there will be no turning back as you walk into the future you dreamt of living. 

Living in sync is a series of choices that open up the possibilities you carry in your heart and mind. It is a daily choice and there's no better time than each and every morning to make it. What's your next step? Live your best life and don't settle for anything else. 

You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment. Psalm 16:11