"What does love require of me?"

Today I was sitting by the pool. After last night, life on the outside seems the same yet under the surface it feels different.

Can you relate?

As I was reflecting on why things feel different, it came down to the idea that there is a new unknown ahead of us.

The unknown has been and will always be a part of our lives. So what can we do when we are experiencing an unknown?

I don’t have answers.

But I do have a question that I ask myself to help me stay anchored when the world feels untethered.

“What does love require of me?”*

I share this with you today in case you too feel unsettled within and want to anchor yourself rather than allow the unknown to rule your heart and mind.

I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we recognize we cannot control what happens outside of us but we can control what happens within us. Let’s take a moment to ask this transformative question, “what does love require of me?” so that we remember that no matter our circumstances, we can still be a vessel of love. May we be prayerful of how we can live out love in small or large ways each day so that love rules our hearts and minds and not the unknown. And when we choose love, it will not only transform our hearts and minds but when more and more of us choose this path, it will transform homes, communities, and beyond.

With love and hope,
Shawn

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. - 1 John 4:16

There will ALWAYS Be Obstacles

This morning I got all geared up to hit the trails. When I arrived at the trail, two trees were down across the trail.

I had to do a long run and as someone who doesn’t like running, I could have easily looked at this as “a sign” to go back home, but I didn’t. Instead I saw the trees and laughed. What I have learned in life is there is will be obstacles between us and our goals. And rather than seeing the obstacle and giving up, it’s so important we prayerfully look and seek the way around or through it. And when we find a way, let’s take it instead of giving into the temptation of giving up all together.

I share this with you today because I know you too meet obstacles along the way to your goals. I invite you to join me today to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we not allow our mind to talk us out of what we need to do when the obstacles present themselves. Instead, may we pray, and invite God in, to help us find a way through so that we can accomplish what we know we need to.

With love and hope,
Shawn

Prayer for those missing their loved ones

This past month while I’ve been walking beside Gavin through the end of his senior year, there have been a few families on my heart.

Sadly over the past few years we have lost a few people we know to cancer. And this week their kids will graduate. I wanted to take a moment to shine a light on these families so that we take time to pray for the kids, the siblings, and the spouses and what they are internally navigating not only on their gradation day, but every day, and with each special event, where the presence of their loved one is missed.

So if you would take a moment to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

Let’s pray for the families however we feel lead. And if there is more for us to do beyond prayer, may we do it to shine God’s light and love their way. And may we also remember, sometimes saying and doing nothing is a way to express God’s love towards someone too. May we be prayerful in our interactions with each person, honoring them for who they are and what their needs are in moments like this.

With love and hope,
Shawn

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. - Romans 12:15

Thermostat vs Thermometer

This past month has been a wild ride. It’s been exciting and also emotional as life is changing with Kate and Gavin heading off to college in the fall.

Yet life is full of ups and downs.

If we simply read the news each day and we see this. 
So how can we handle the changes and ups and downs in life without feeling like we are on an emotional roller coaster?



Author Tim Elmore gives powerful insight into this by discussing the difference between a thermostat and a thermometer.


As you know, a thermostat is the device on the wall in our homes that we set the temperature on. The temperature is set and no matter what the outside temperature is, it doesn’t impact or change the temperature on the thermostat. 

This is unlike a thermometer which doesn’t have an inner temperature established. Instead, the temperature wavers based on the environment it is in.

Do we want our inner world’s “temperature” to be determined by our outer circumstances - or - do we want to establish our internal temperature so that that we live with greater peace even when our circumstances waver?

I am guessing you, like me, seek to live like that latter.

But how?

By setting our inner temperature by praying and meditating on God’s Word throughout the day.

When we do this, it doesn’t mean we won’t experience the ups and downs of life, but our inner world will be more steady like the thermostat. I know from experience, the more rooted I am in God, the more calm I am within. The less rooted in God I am, the more I am like a thermometer.


I share this with you today in case what is happening in your world, or the world, has your inner temperature rising and falling, like I do at times. I invite you to join me to...



pause. breathe. pray.



May we listen to this wisdom from Tim Elmore and consider not being a thermometer, but instead be a thermostat, setting our inner temperature in alignment with God, above all else. And by doing this, with God’s Word as the meditation of our hearts and minds, we can have a renewed perspective and great peace within, no matter our external circumstances.

With love and hope,
Shawn

Happy 18th Birthday, Gavin!

🎉Happy 18th Birthday to Gavin🎉
This weekend we celebrated Gavin’s birthday! I am forever grateful for who Gavin is and what he brings to our lives; his genuine heart, care for others, loyalty, quick wit, sense of humor, patience and so much more! Here’s to another awesome trip around the sun🥳🙏💙

For Gav, and others who are turning the page to this new chapter of adulthood, I just wanted to share a few encouraging words that, when practiced, I have no doubt will benefit your current and future self🙏

Be still and get to know God.

Be quick to listen and slow to speak.

Incline your ear to wisdom and your heart to understanding.

Use your words to speak the truth in love and to build others up.

Know you were made on purpose with purpose.

Live out love towards yourself and others each day.

Have a gentle and humble heart.

Know not everyday will be good but there is something to be grateful for every day.

Allow the trials to refine you not define you.

You will be tempted to do things that don’t serve your future self, seek and take the way out.

Use the innate gifts and skills you’ve been given.

Commit your work to God and trust your plans will be established.

Make your plans and let God direct your steps.

Be generous with your time, energy and resources.

Be strong and courageous, trusting that God is with you wherever you.

Forgive yourself, and others.

Pause. breathe. pray.

Always remember that God is for you, as am I and so many others.

With love and hope,
Shawn

Scripture references ⬇️

#pausebreathepray #liveoutlove #livefromtheinsideout
#psalm4610 #1john48 #matthew633 #james119 #proverbs22 #ephesians415 #ephesians429 #ephesians210 #proverbs163 #1Corinthians1013 #1corinthians1348 #1timothy414 #proverbs1125 #matthew1129 #joshua19
#romans831

Poise and Purpose Interview

I am honored to have been asked by Seshu from @picseshu to be a part of his project with Dianne Bennett, “Poise & Purpose.” The interview came out today and I thought I’d pass it along in hopes my story may encourage someone else. You can read the interview HERE.

I share this also as a reminder that you have a story to share as well that can encourage others. I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

Let’s be prayerful about how our story may encourage someone else. And then let’s have the courage to share it so that our story grows into part of our purpose in loving others.

With love and hope,
Shawn

Happy 75th Dad!

🎉Happy 75th birthday, Dad🎉

My Dad grew up in Staten Island. One of his HS friends let us stay at his house the night before the marathon. I was hesitant at first to accept the offer but my Dad insisted. The idea of staying closer to the starting line was comforting and my Dad offered to drive me over the night before. I told him I could go solo but he really wanted to go with me.

I was transparent with him that my nerves were high and I may shut down at some point and not talk with him. He knew this, as he was there the night before my surgery in 2017 as well. He said he was fine with that. So together we drove into to Staten Island the night before the marathon.

He gave me a tour around. We went by his childhood home, which also was the home he and my mom first lived in when they were first married. He showed me the schools he went to and had such joy taking me around his hometown.

Then, we went to visit the graves of all my grandparents. My Dad is a big family man in part because his dad passed when he was only seven. While we stood there together, I saw my strong father show his boy’s heart that day.

Even without the example of of father himself, my Dad became a great one. One who loves his family deeply, shows up to support his kids and his grandkids, and who chose to get stuck in Staten Island the day of the marathon so that his daughter could have greater peace.

Thanks, Dad for loving us deeply and for teaching us (with all your motivational tapes in the 80s) that with determination, drive, a plan (on a steno pad), the right attitude, and faith we are capable of doing things we didn’t think were possible.

Love you, Dad💙🙏🎉

PS In his retirement, he has written a trilogy of historical fiction books. Visit his website at www.peterjmarzano.com to learn more📚

It's Been a Joy of My Life

Gavin’s last High School baseball game was tonight. It’s such a bittersweet feeling. Gavin’s love and appreciation for the game runs deep.

We jokingly put him at home plate when he was a baby not knowing he was going to grow up and love the game as much as he does, as a player and fan.

From the moment he could, he’s been playing catch and swinging his bat. It’s a bit unbelievable we are here today.

#5, it’s been a joy of my life to watch you play the game you love all these years.

As they say, “every end on the diamond is a new beginning.” Here’s to your new beginning, Gav⚾️

Psalm 139:14

Last week Kate and I went to a local home that had each room decorated by different designers in the area. It was beautiful to walk through and see the different expressions and styles of the various designers.

Stepping into each room and seeing each new design made me think of each person we meet in life.

Each person has their own unique gifts, skills and beauty they bring to the world.

I just wanted to share this today as a reminder that you are beautifully and wonderfully made, you add value and beauty to the spaces you go each day.

May we not hide who we are, pretend to be someone we aren’t or try to be like someone else.

Instead let’s…

pause. breathe. pray.

Remember that God made each of us so uniquely with purpose. Not only that, He designed us to live in community to value each other’s strengths and support one another’s weakness. When we are ourselves, and we work together, we can create beautiful homes and communities, as these designers did in this beautiful home.

With love and hope,
Shawn

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made -Psalm 139:14

Do not neglect the gift that is in you - 1 Timothy 4:14

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Psalm 23:2-3

Last night while Matt was at soccer, Stephen and I took a walk. On the edge of the fields there is a pond and as we walked by this spot, it made me pause.

The clarity in the water doesn’t happen when the water is in motion. The clarity comes when the water grows still. And in that stillness it is able to reflect the beauty around it.

Isn’t the same true with us, and our minds?

If you’re mind can be muddled like mine at times, I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we take time to be still, even if not in our bodies, in our minds. In that stillness may we be prayerful when it becomes uncomfortable to not escape it. Instead may we invite God in to help us calm our muddled thoughts so that we can grow in clarity and peace.

And when we are in this still, calm place, may we pray to see, and reflect, the beauty that is around us, like the still water did last night.

With love and hope,
Shawn

Be still and know that I am God - Psalm 46:10

He leads me beside still water, He restores my soul - Psalm 23:2-3