To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Simple Thoughts Sunday

Simple Thoughts Sunday: HAPPY NEW YEAR

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Happy New Year everyone.

Today sets forth a blank page and new path. I prefer my paths fairly straight, with few rocks and beautiful scenery. Mountains, rivers, friends, fresh air… That’s good because God promises us paths that drip with ABUNDANCE.

As we all know, life has many paths and some are what I fondly refer to as “ass kickers” – and that’s okay. We don’t reach our highest potential, or enjoy life’s true beauty without some effort and “STRETCH.”

I’ve been putting together my 2017 plan over the last few days (while dealing with this awful cold that some handsome college kid delivered to my door step). I will pray over this plan today and in the days to come, and what I know is that God will put me on many paths this year. I need to follow his guidance and not my own desire to take the route of least resistance… To put on my explorer hat and be ready, fully knowing that whatever the path looks like, He’s right there with me, along with some really great friends and family He has put along the trail!

I pray that you’ll join me throughout the year as we find out what’s ahead and together, and fully know that whatever it is, the year is promised to be “CROWNED with GOODNESS.”

Simple thoughts Sunday – Love BIG

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Advent week 4 – LOVE! The final week as we prepare our hearts for Christmas. How perfect is it that LOVE is the focus this week?

I think all of my boys would say Christmas is the best time of the year, but one of my sons REALLY LOVES CHRISTMAS. I bought him a sign with a message that says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” a few years ago and he proudly hung it in his room everyday of the year until he went off to college. I love that he did that, and I love that he understands the message of Christmas and that it’s truly all about LOVE. My mom-heart hopes that he will hold on to this truth all through his life.

Loving well is central to our hearts as humans. We are meant to love and often we get it right, and sometimes we don’t love as well as we can or should. Regardless, we strive toward LOVE and the world usually magically gives it back to us.

As we head into this week, my prayer is that we love well – the best we can! Even when the world sometimes doesn’t give it back, we press forward and continue to love. Thanks to the Christmas story, we know the truth is that God so loved the world, and he gave us his only son…

And our hope in this wacky wonderful world is real and beautiful. Enjoy every minute of this week leading up to the MOST WONDERFUL DAY OF THE YEAR.

Love my friends! Love well!

Simple thoughts Sunday: JOY

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I love the JOY of this picture. I’ll never forget the first real snow my dog experienced years ago. She ran, galloped, rolled and literally jumped INTO THE JOY. This is our opportunity this week. It’s Advent week three and the theme is JOY.

As Christians, we begin to let the season sneak into our hearts. No matter your faith, we all find ourselves singing along to favorite Christmas songs… ‘Baby it’s cold outside,’ ‘Mary did you know,’ Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas is you,’ and the ol’ faithful songs like ‘O Holy Night.’

Those famous lyrics seem to GENERATE JOY and a feeling that something “is different” about today – about the season we are in. It IS DIFFERENT. It’s special.

As you go into your week, my prayer is that you will not only find JOY AROUND EVERY CORNER, but that you will EMBRACE the reason for this season.

For those who want to go deeper, the following is the Prayer of Peace of St Francis of Assisi (St. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in Roman Catholic history (had to look that one up). Even though this was written likely in the late 1100s, it stands true today.) 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is discord, union.  Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, HOPE.

Where there is darkness, LIGHT.

Where there is sadness, JOY.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Peace through obedience

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(Photo Creds: Billy Graham advent devotion)

Advent week two: Last week was focused on ARRIVAL.  The meaning of the Advent season and how to begin to prepare our hearts to truly understand the significance of this season in our lives. Week two is officially focused on PEACE, a truth that is top of mind for people all over the world. How do we get more of this? How do we participate in ensuring or improving PEACE? Big questions, without a straightforward answer. For that reason alone, we are compelled to go to God in prayer for his direction and guidance.

While preparing for this blog, I found this wonderful insight from the Reverend Billy Graham. His wisdom has always created a stir in my heart. This idea that we need only look at the beginning of the Christmas Story, where Mary and Joseph showed us how to gain peace around what seemed to be an impossible situation. What did they do? They listened and were obedient to God’s call on their lives. Please know that this was not without some initial push back (Joseph wanted to cancel their engagement), however, ultimately both followed the plan and had faith in the unknown. The result was a situation that escalated from unbelievable to scary to creating absolute wonder and awe.

As we think about the season we are in and try our best to embrace the moments of quiet, and those of joy and yes… even chaos, I pray that we remember that we can achieve PEACE throughout the year by being obedient. By listening and using our gifts that he gave us to best serve our communities and families.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Expectancy

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

What a terrific photo. I love the expectancy of children. As we grow older – and especially because I have the joy of watching my boys come of age – I am more and more aware of how we lose this feeling of excitement.

This season quickly consumes us with apps eagerly sharing the greatest new “deal,” dinners, shopping, movies, etc.  As cool as that can be, I long for deeper moments of connection and a true focus on the meaning behind this incredible season. (By the way, it may be slightly more than a longing… a bit more like a full-out sprint from the “mall,” so to speak, and into the welcoming refreshment of reveling in sheer HOPE. Hope for a world free of illness, sadness and brokenness in general.)

For Christians, the Advent season starts today, signaling the four-week countdown to celebrate the birth of the messiah, who brings us this hope. For others, the season is equally rich in meaning and I love that I am a part of a diverse community. Most of all, we all come together to unify around family and the best parts of the human spirit: giving, celebrating… enriching our world.

My great hope today is that we will all choose to make this year, 2016, the year we truly take this time and this season to become as expectant as children. To relish in what the season has to offer.

Dear God, provide us with your heart, and the joy and expectancy of a child.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Flip the script

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I listen almost weekly to a pastor from Charlotte, NC, Steven Furtick, via ElevationChurch.org.

His message this week resonated with me in a terrific way and I knew I had to share it with you. In essence, he was challenging us to STRETCH and GROW OUR CAPACITY. He talked about how we often wait for “ideal conditions” but as a result we often don’t experience the fullness God intended for our lives. The segment that “got me” was this:

“I would if I could.” A phrase no doubt we are all familiar with.

What if however, we flipped the script and it was “I could and I will.” Some examples to get you thinking…

I could forgive, if I WOULD forgive…

I could have joy, if I WOULD decide to be JOYFUL (in all circumstances)…

I could move forward, if I CHOSE TO LET GO…

Folks, I hope this is as powerful to you as it was to me. It truly is a “simple thought,” and I hope that you might join me in flipping whatever script you need to this week. It’s Thanksgiving week and a really perfect time to make a CHOICE to fill our empty jars, by stretching and choosing to be all he intended us to be.

Wishing you so much joy this week!

 

 

SIMPLE THOUGHTS SUNDAY- WHY WE MUST CELEBRATE

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(Photo Creds: Senior pics… Kia Bondurant…sorry for the outdated pics boys, but they are really good!)

It’s birthday weekend for our family! My dad was 75 on Thursday, my grandma 95 on Friday and my boys 20 yesterday! I am always “alarmed” (that’s an overstatement but I really am stunned…) when people say they don’t celebrate birthdays! My thought is: WE MUST CELEBRATE!

God gave us each other as gifts, and we simply must take the time and truly we should be EXCITED ABOUT THESE SPECIAL DAYS! Heck, I even think it’s perfectly acceptable to celebrate yourself on your special day and honor your accomplishments and pray for God’s favor over your next year!

My boys have been such an incredible blessing to me and our family. After years of being told I probably wouldn’t be able to conceive a child, with the miracle of modern medicine, our family received a triple blessing!

Today I am CELEBRATING THEM and I hope that you will also CELEBRATE those you love in an EXTRAORDINARY WAY THIS YEAR!

Simple Thoughts Sunday- When you know something magical just happened

image(Photo Creds: My own!)

Magic. Pure magic. This wall, which is on the outside of the famous Wrigley Field in Chicago, was turned into a tribute wall, after the Cubs broke the 108-year “curse” and clenched a World Series victory on Wednesday night. More specifically, people wrote the names of loved ones that didn’t live long enough to see this happen in their lifetime! Seriously, how cool is that? I saw taped pictures of grandfathers, and the very best of our nation shined thru the chalk filled wall. (I was there very briefly for a meeting…)

I couldn’t let this week go by without a mention of this … What I think of as, “PURE MAGIC.” The KC Royals fans felt this last year and most all of us were more than thrilled to see Chicago experience this coming to together in VICTORY. In my opinion, there has not been a better time for American’s to see this and my hope is that at least for a brief moment, you joined in and reveled in this American experience.

I also realized that this was a gift from God. As if God was saying, “Hey, despite the election and the many issues we confront, STOP AND LOOK AT WHAT IS GOOD… What is not just GOOD, but AWESOME. Humanity at It’s BEST.

As we enter this historical week with another national election, may we all remember all that is MAGICAL about our country and know that God himself has promised that the nation’s are under his control.

Here’s to an AMAZING WEEK.

It’s LAUNCH TIME!

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(Photo Creds:Rodrock Homes)

New seasons of life are fun, exciting and also scary! My family and I just “dug dirt” on a new home last month, and today I am launching my new and improved website. I call it phase 2.0. I think maybe I should call the move something else, something clever. I’m open to ideas! I tell my friends that this is my “big girl” house, complete with a guest bedroom that is actually safe from kid toys, teenage God-knows-what and most importantly, a lovely refuge for those I adore to get a good night’s sleep. It’s definitely a time of “ground breaking” all the way around, and a season that I am really looking forward to seeing where God takes it all (but it is a bit scary… needless to say! But what’s life without a little risk taking?).

If you, or anyone you know is in a season of “ground breaking” — change in any way, shape or form — I have found the following to be helpful when thinking about change:

1. It’s an opportunity for personal growth
If you’ve read my blogs at all you probably know that I am big on this need to constantly learn. I’ve heard it from wise teachers, centurions and respected leaders… That’s enough for me. Personal growth is critical to our happiness and change provides the occasion for us to dive in and grow. The “STRETCH” that happens with change gives us what we need to move toward our potential.

2. It provides a platform for re-evaluating life’s priorities
Whenever you are starting something new, you naturally think through how this aligns with your personal values and priorities. With the blog, well, I knew I wanted to continue to grow in that area so that was fairly easy. With the house, I had to put it to prayer for quite some time before I had discernment. At the end of the day, I want a home that my boys and eventually their families and my grandchildren will find refuge and fun in. I want to entertain and bring in community, to provide a refreshing place for all. (Oh, and I also want my guest room!)

3. Change adds EXCITEMENT
Without a season of planting we wouldn’t have the harvest. I can only imagine how boring the farmer’s market would be without HARVEST. Without change, we’d have a bunch of ugly caterpillars and no beautiful butterflies — you get the picture. One brings the other, and the other is often MORE EXCITING!

As I embark on this new “season” you can rest assured I’ll be focused on both the growth and the “STRETCH” that surely will come. I hope to share words of inspiration and insights along the way that I hope will also expand your personal growth.

I WOULD BE HONORED IF YOU WOULD ENTER YOUR EMAIL ON THE RIGHTHAND SIDE OF THIS POST AND SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE BLOG ALSO BY EMAIL.  

Some notes about the blog…

I kicked off the website and blog in June of 2015 with the goal of just taking the step to get started. I have known for quite some time that I am meant to write, and blogging gives me an opportunity to do that on a consistent basis. I am also about 70 percent through my first book, To Serve Well.  (I have no specific time that I want to release that but I feel like it will be before my big 50, so I have one year and five months, but who’s counting!)

I hope that the fresh look on this site will not only be more visually appealing, but allow those that land there to find posts and other resources or materials that will enrich their lives. SERVING WELL in this world is so important, and what we are all called to do. Having others come alongside and help us so that we can achieve that is a key of this site. I love it when folks take time to comment and share their thoughts on whatever the topic is so that others can learn and grow from each other.  

I will still be posting three times a week, with Simple Thoughts Sunday being posted on Sunday early evening with the goal of inspiring your week. This posting generally has spiritual content. I also post on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and those are intended to focus on serving well in the community, home and workplace. If you have any ideas for me, I’d love to hear them! If you want to write a guest post, I’d also love that!  

I’d love to give a shout out to my design team, Ruthie Stark, photographer and Andrea Corless, MO Design & Illustration — Both of these ladies are beyond amazing and have made me better through this process. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Simple thoughts Sunday: Thank you for bringing me through

blog_852686_2973785_1477837915(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

There is a phrase that I like to share… “If God brings you to something, he’ll bring you through it.” I think that sometimes God didn’t really bring us there, but nevertheless, there is no denying that we are FRONT AND CENTER in a battle.

There are biblical references for a few of these situations, temptation- 1 Cor 10:13, protection -Psalms 91, and I’m sure many more.

I happen to like this thought because sometimes we find ourselves in situations or places and we just can’t understand why we are there. It can be downright surprising. In those times, we have to realize that once there, we need to focus our mind on embracing the concept that “we are going to get through this!” Preferably with a positive state of mind. I for one need to thank God today for bringing me THROUGH so many things….

… A childhood that was anything but fun, yet the character-building, the redemption and reconciliation that followed has been an incredibly important part of my life/growth/learning. I wouldn’t be who I am today without it.

…Infertility, which ended with a biggest blessing of all, and a story to help other young women.

…A marriage that didn’t quite work but resulted in so many blessings.

What in your life do you need to THANK GOD for bringing you THROUGH? Perhaps you are still “GOING THROUGH” and you were just faced with the beginning of something that scares the hell out of you. Whatever the case may be, Thank God for bringing you there and be CONFIDENT that he WILL BRING YOU THROUGH IT!

Here’s to an AWESOME WEEK launching into November!