May we choose to live beyond ourselves in our lives, as they did in theirs.
With gratitude and respect,
Shawn
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.” - John 15:13
A Renewed View
One of our children randomly asked Alexa how many days it’s been since the day this quarantine started for us.
“64.”
As our child stood there, shocked at the number of days they’ve been home, Stephen’s days in the Navy crossed my mind. I was curious about the number of days in a row he had been out to sea on the submarine before surfacing, so I asked him.
He replied, “62.”
Then he added, “At least through this we have windows, the sun and fresh air.”
His words made me pause.
Windows.
The sun.
Fresh air.
Yep, these three things I realized I have been taking for granted.
I share this with you today in case you too have not paused to think about these three blessings we have in the midst of this quarantine.
I invite you to join me to...
pause. breathe. pray.
There are many things we don’t have right now yet staying focused on those does not benefit us. Instead, may we open our eyes to see, and give thanks for, what we do have during this time; even the simple blessings of windows, the sun and fresh air.
Also, may we be willing to open our ears to hear someone else’s perspective. Sometimes that may be what we need to help give us a renewed lens to look through in our current circumstances💕🙏💕
With love and hope,
Shawn
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God.” - Romans 12:2
As We Are Beside Them, He Is Beside Us
As a Mom, I want my kids to know that I am here to walk beside them along the plateaus, through the valleys and to the mountain top views.
Sometimes I forget that God is saying the same thing to me every day.
I share this with you today in case you also needed that reminder. I invite you to join me to...
pause. breathe. pray.
May we open our eyes to the truth that we don’t need to go at this day alone. May we remember God is beside us, offering His presence and love our way, just as we do to our children. And may we also remember that God isn’t just walking beside us, He is walking beside our children too.💕🙏💕
With love and hope,
Shawn
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:7
Be Rich In Love
This picture perfectly describes her love.
Her love is so big, so wide, and so rich, it is felt so deeply. “We are rich in love,” are words she said to us as kids that continue on as I now share the same truth with our kids.
Her deep faith and authentic love inspire me.
I know we don’t all get to be with our Moms, or children, today for various reasons.
Yet may the richness of the love we share bridge our hearts, no matter the distance.
Happy Mother’s Day to my sweet Mom, and to all you Moms out there.
Thank you for the love you share everyday. 💕🙏💐
With gratitude and love,
Shawn
“Her children rise up and call her happy, her husband too, and he praises her. Many women have done excellently but you surpass them all.” - Proverbs 31: 28-29
Look at the Heart
May we always look first into the heart of one another.💕🙏💕
With love and hope,
Shawn
“God does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7
Be Quick to Listen and Slow to Speak
“Hey Mom, it’s my bus,” Matt said excitedly as he pointed towards his bus on our walk last night.
In my head I created a story how he must be missing school, his teacher, classmates, recess with his friends, etc.
Then this morning we got word that our schools will be doing online learning for the remainder of the year.
When I shared the news with my kids, one cheered, one smiled and Matt said he was mad.
Replaying the story I created in my head from last night, I was preparing myself for a hard conversation about dealing with disappointment, and letting him know it’s okay to be mad or sad, etc.
Then I heard him say, “I am so mad the pool is closed.”
😳
I realized he misheard me so I let him know it was school that was closed. He cheered...
until I told him that the pool is currently closed too.
I am sharing this with you today because I had created stories in my head for my child that wasn’t his truth. As adults sometimes we may unintentionally do this to our kids. I invite you to join me to...
pause. breathe. pray.
May we do our best to listen to our kids before we are quick to assume what they are thinking and/or feeling. May we be willing to listen to hear the truth of their heart, and from there respond with love.
With love and hope,
Shawn
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak...” - James 1:19
Seek the Blessings In the Dark Cloud
“Regardless of how dark the cloud, it contains blessings.” - CH Spurgeon
May we never forget each day to seek, and give thanks for, the blessings that are in this dark cloud.
With love and hope,
Shawn
You Never Walk Alone
here to walk beside you.
Stay well, friends💕🙏💕
With love and hope,
Shawn
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Let's Lift Our Eyes Up
This weekend our family went for a walk at a local lake where there is a dam. We stood at the base of the dam looking up at this hundred year old wall.
As I looked at the wall, my gaze kept moving up, and up, and up. This wall is enormous, and standing next to it, I felt so small. As I gazed up though something happened, the beautiful blue sky above grabbed my attention. In that moment all I could think of was a something I heard on a podcast a number of months ago...
When you come to a wall in life, rather than staring at the wall, look up. Look up for the hand reaching out towards you over the wall to help you climb over it. - Christy Wright
I share this with you today because this whole situation may feel like a huge wall in front of us. Or maybe we had already been facing a wall in life and this has made the wall grow taller. When we look at the wall in front of us, we may feel small and wonder how we are going to ever get to the other side of it.
I invite you to join me to...
pause. breathe. pray.
Yes, there is a wall standing before us. Yet we have a choice, we can stand gazing at the wall, entranced by its enormity; which, let’s be real, happens sometimes. Or instead, we can choose to direct our gaze up above the wall and seek what is above. May we seek God who is reaching out to help us in this time. May we extend our hand His way to receive wisdom to conquer this wall before us, and lead us to the other side.
With love and hope,
Shawn
“I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.” - Psalm 121:1
Humbled By A Balloon
Yesterday I went to blow up a balloon for an activity for Matt, our youngest. As I held the balloon to my lips, I took a deep breath and blew out.
Nothing.
I tried again.
Nothing.
And again.
Same result, a deflated balloon.
Ugh. My obturator (aka my artificial palate). Sometimes I forget about it. And the reality is, when it isn’t suctioned right, things like blowing up a balloon, making a fishy or puckering up are simply not possible.
So I had to humble myself and ask our son to blow up the balloon for me.
I am sharing this with you today because we all have our limits. We all have areas where receiving help from someone else would benefit us. Yet it can be humbling and hard to admit our limits and to invite someone in to help us.
I invite you to join me today to...
pause. breathe. pray.
May we be willing to accept our limits and invite someone in to help us when we need it.
As humbling as this moment was to ask our son to blow up the balloon for me, my hope it gives him permission to ask for help too when he has met his limit, and needs an extra hand.
With love and hope,
Shawn
“God is our refuge and strength an ever present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1