To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Simple Thoughts Sunday

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Abundance is…

Abundance is… Fill in the blank for yourself and for your family today. What does that look like and feel like?

Here’s the thing, I truly believe in the idea that God wants us to experience abundant life – fully in, fully giving and receiving all the love that we can handle. The scripture, “His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine,” from Ephesians 3:20 is so strong in revealing that what we think is likely not even scratching the surface of what we can experience through the gifts He has given us. I love that.

So, back to the first question: What is it for you? Where’s a solid place to start this week? Abundance to me feels like so many things, but it starts with the people God has put in my path. It continues with nurturing those through encouragement, listening, healthy conversations, a ton of fun and a lot of just doing life together.

Abundance is in the everyday to me, whether it’s strolling through the market, watching the children giggle, or the older couples hand in hand, wondering what journey life has taken them through. Abundance is travel and admiring other cultures for their traditions and witnessing unbelievable joy in those who might not have much, and yet they have everything.

Abundance… what is it to you?

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Be a torch bearer

Goodness… This quote hits all of my emotions.

As a gal with a ton of faith (or rather “wannabe faith”), I’d be all over the fact that God has showed up with all manner of light and fire or “torches” in my times of need. He (or She, if that’s your narrative), has come to me in my darkest hours to provide the exact amount of hope and light I needed to move forward one step at a time. It’s a promise in the Bible, and one of the best Psalms: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.” (119:105) SO TRUE. SO PROFOUND.

Here’s my belief: God provides that light most often through the light of another human who crosses our paths at the exact time we need their support, energy, humor, positive affirmation and inspiration. I can provide a list of those people in my life without hesitation. How about you?

On this Sunday, this day that we have the opportunity to reflect and focus on gratitude, my hope is that we are inspired to take some time to send a quick note to those “torch bearers” in our lives. Those that reflect God’s goodness and pave our paths with their light. I am forever indebted to these people that have most literally made my life as bright as it is today. Through their encouragement, they have helped me to shine my own light for others.

Have the most incredible week. Let’s make it so… starting with all of the gratitude we can extend!

“I am your provision”

Wow! I heard the most powerful message this week – captured in the photo above – that I just had to share since I talk faith on the blog on Sundays. I tested it with much of my “tribe” this week and the feedback is strong – so I hope you find it to be a blessing!

My take after listening all the way through this video (twice!) was just the clarity I needed. God has given me the exact provision I have needed each and every day of my life, and He continues to do so. Right now, this is clearer than ever.

Do you feel that, too? Is it clear that you have JUST what you need?

In the Bible, there are 18 direct passages where God flat out says, “I am your provision.” His message is that If you trust Him, He will show you the next step; and then the next step (note that this doesn’t mean 1,500 steps, or a mile, or a year ahead, which is often where my mind wants to go…). He will provide for you exactly what you need, one step at a time.

Folks, we can trust Him with our hearts. His promises include that He IS the light of the world, the bread of life that we need, the gate that protects us and opens up when we are ready. His presence and provision are always in today!

Have a crazy-amazing week! May God bless you and those you love in the most incredible ways. My prayer is that you stand in absolute awe watching god reveal His wonder.

And the greatest of these is indeed love! Congrats, Sam and Katie!

As if i wasn’t blessed enough by my boys – three amazing young men – my oldest (by 2 minutes, but whose counting… other than Tucker and Joe), Sam, proposed to the beautiful Katie Knapp on Tuesday.

Sam and Katie are the very definition of this verse (1 Cor 13:13). I know from experience that young love is powerful. I can only wish I was as smart as these two in their commitment to following God’s plan for their lives at such a young age. They are a role model for how to invest your energy into where God wants you to be this season. As best as they can, they are both striving to surround themselves with things that will help them make great decisions, including how to love and serve well with God at the very center. Watching them shine together gives me such hope.

So, for today’s “Simple Thoughts Sunday,” it is really quite simple: Love, my friends, is the greatest of all things, and I believe that like no other.

Love is the very fuel of this universe. If we can get love right, we can do things we could never imagine. Love is what brings peace and joy. Love creates a culture of what is good and right. It builds our communities, homes and even our workplaces. Love brings out our best selves. It showcases the good in the world and ensures that we not only nurture safe places, but create thriving environments all around us.

Love is everything. Let’s bring on the love this week! Let’s launch into the second half of 2019 with a commitment to have love shine above anything else! Who’s with me?

Here is a perfect pic to wrap up this post. My handsome young man and his bride-to-be! Katie, if you read this, I’m so grateful. I know that this tribe of mine is praying that your year ahead of wedding preparations is all that your heart desires!

Love is the greatest.

God wants more for you than an “almost” life…

“Almost.” The word may perplex you, like it did me.

If you are a person of faith, you know deeply that God wants us to have a full life… One full of extravagant love, meaningful relationships, purposeful careers, and surrounded by what is good.

Why then do we often settle for “almost?” As in…

  • “I almost eat right…”
  • “I am almost where I want to be financially…”
  • “My partner is almost the person I know I’m supposed to be with…”
  • “I almost have a spiritual life that I’m growing from daily…”
  • “I almost spend time with the people I love as often as I want to…”

We all settle for different reasons, be it lack of discipline, lack of belief that there really is something better, lack of faith that God could orchestrate the impossible in [name the area].

This idea of “almost” recently hit me squarely where God needed it to. I have had some areas where “almost” was starting to ease its way into my daily routine. I’m not willing to have an “almost” life and I know for absolute sure that is not God’s plan for me – or you.

If you think you may have some areas that you need to stop “settling” in, my prayer this week is that you will seek God’s plan full on with a spirit of both joy and accountability. You deserve to have all that is yours!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: God’s timing – it’s perfect & it may be here now

(Photo credit to @ig_minimalshots)

God’s timing on [fill in the blank] is perfect. Does it sometimes seem unattainable? I mean… what does “perfect” really mean? And …could it actually arrive sooner than I think? I think the whole idea is actually a bit of a challenge to comprehend, or at least that has been my experience. I believe that “perfect” is really what is “perfect” for you… at a specific time and a specific season in your life. The notion is such a wonderful thought.

To me, God’s timing is the only avenue to what is perfect for my life. Looking back, when God was involved it ended up being the right time and the right place – even if the reason was for a big ole’ lesson to be learned by yours truly! Be it a career choice, a relationship, or even the decision to make a major purchase, if I actually listened and was obedient to what He was trying to get through my sometimes-thick skull, then I have found myself fully in His timing… which is right where I’m supposed to be! How do I know? Because quite simply I am at peace about it!

I don’t know about you, but I want that… FULL ON PEACE and a KNOWING! Unfortunately I, like you, am human, which means I often don’t listen fully and certainly am not as obedient as I really would love to be. It is an aspirational goal I constantly work toward. I want to be the best listener, and to have God’s direction guiding my life. How about you?

My insight for today is that sometimes God’s timing may seem really far away, but quite possibly, it just may be closer than you think. I know personally that it is quite likely right in front of you. Do what you can (surround yourself with encouragers, read the scriptures, listen to messages that inspire, etc.) to submit yourself to what you know God is calling you to do and muster up some deep courage to go in that direction. Make that call, send that message, stop that bad habit, move forward on that idea you have…

If you are able to take action and be obedient, you may just fast forward ahead, and your dreams just may be here now.

Have the best week ever! It is a beautiful time to create the world you desire.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Bring your energy this week.

ENERGY! We need it, we desire it, and it makes us all better.

The trainer I love via Peloton, Robin Arzon (@robinnyc on Instagram) has a 2019 goal which I think is worth sharing:

“If it’s doesn’t raise my spirit, I’m unavailable.”

(She also adds if it doesn’t raise her bank account – ha!) She is spot on! Positive energy is what brings a positive spirit into our lives. This happens on every single path we take…

In the workplace? Yep for sure! Have you ever walked in and felt a dull sense of enthusiasm (AKA none)? It feels like everyone dredged in and doesn’t want to be present. That is so sad.

Alternatively, I hope you have walked in and felt that vibration… the power of energy… high enthusiasm… passion for great teamwork and work itself… a noticeable environment of purpose. It makes a big difference, doesn’t it?

What makes this happen? What makes it happen is YOU.

Creating culture and a positive experience is everyone’s role. It is walking in with encouraging words, smiles, hugs (when appropriate), and a constant focus on bringing up the level of energy and therefore success! I have seen everyone from new employees to leaders bring this spark.

This is true in the home, in classrooms, in the corridors of our community… everywhere.

Let’s bring the energy this week. Let’s shine that light that ignites a fire of awesome all around us!