An Unexpected Gift

Sometimes an unexpected gift becomes the divine appointment you are needing.

The past few days have been wavy. I have had unexpected pain which lead me to having drs appts, labs and tests this week. Over the days I felt myself grow weary. I am tired that if something is off, I cycle through in my head wondering if the cancer is back somewhere else.

I think you all get a glimpse of it now with COVID, with a simple cough, you may find yourself asking, do I have COVID?

Well that is the life of many cancer survivors. With the new pain, or lump or bump, the question becomes, “can the cancer be back?” It admittedly sucks. Some people are past it, I pray I will get there at some point but am honestly am not there yet.

I knew my head was in a rough place this time. The physical pain was louder than my conversation with God, and started consuming my mind. I knew I had to shift my thoughts. I started with thinking of all I have to be grateful for. And although I told myself how grateful I was for my incredible, thorough doctors, having access to healthcare and insurance, my family, fresh air, and more, the words I spoke were true yet the feelings of gratitude haven’t been flowing as easily.

Then I arrived home to an unexpected gift from a friend. We haven’t spoken in a while and I was taken back seeing her name on the package. When I opened it I read her thoughtful note and pulled out this beautiful bag she made which reads...

“For every breath that you’re taking, it’s all in His hands.”

The timing of this gift and message in it couldn’t have been more perfect. I held the bag and read the words over and over again.

This truth was what I needed to hear.

Every breath I take is in His hands. Worrying doesn’t add one moment to my life, may I rest in His presence and care, once again.

I share this with you today in case there is some wrestling going on in your heart. I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May we all receive these words as the gift they are. May they get below the surface and into our hearts to pulse life and truth through us and rid us of fear and worry or anything else we are carrying.

And when we get that inner nudge to send that note, or gift, to someone, even if we haven’t spoken with them in a while, let's write it or send it. What we give may be exactly what their heart is needing in that moment💕🙏💝

With love, gratitude and hope,
Shawn

Ps Thankfully all the labs and tests have come out clear and am feeling better day by day💝

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? - Matthew 6:27

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Never Forget

May we never forget...

The day where everyone looked beyond the surface and felt each other’s humanness in our hearts.

The day where all barriers were laid down and our love for one another united us.

The day where selfless men and women ran towards the danger to help their fellow humans.

The day where people walked beside one another in their brokenness.

The day where hatred killed yet love prevailed in our hearts for one another.

The day we mourned together the loss of so many innocent lives.

The day courage showed its stripes and compassion shined bright.

The day we held each other close, and came together as one.

I invite you to join me for a moment of silence today to...

pause. breathe. pray.

And remember all the lives lost in NYC, PA and D.C., for all those we’ve lost since because of illness resulting from that day, for their loved ones, and for all the survivors who continue to live beside us.

May we never forget, September 11, 2001.

With love and hope,
Shawn

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Thank You, Specials Teachers

This morning as I drove our son to school I watched one of the PE teachers carrying equipment outside. As we sat in line waiting to drop him off, my heart extended to this teacher and all specials teachers. As a previous Health and Physical Education teacher myself, I have first hand experience of being spoken of as less than as a teacher, when we were not in a pandemic. Since March, I have heard many comments about specials during this time and see how the specials teachers, and the content taught, continue to be thought of as less than.

I will be real and share when everything went down last spring, I improvised for specials some days, just trying to adjust to everything, I too put specials on the back burner. Yet specials aren’t less than, they are a different way to engage our kid’s as learners. So I chose to put myself in those teacher’s shoes, and saw how they are doing their best to teach our children considering these unique circumstances. I soon got back on board with what the teacher’s assignments were and emphasized to our kids that these were important parts of their education too.

I feel compelled to share this with you today because with our kids being back in school, in person, or remotely, I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

And whether you agree with what the specials teachers are doing or not, or whether it is a necessary part of our children’s learning, may we put ourselves in their shoes. These teachers are doing what they can with what they have to best show up for our kids in these unique circumstances. May we give thanks for these physical and creative outlets given to our kids during their day that help teach the whole child. And if we find ourselves thinking of these people or subjects as less than, consider if someone was to treat our own careers the way these teachers and fields are treated at times. Then may we choose to treat them the way we’d appreciate being treated as professionals and remind our kids of the teacher’s, and subjects, value.

With love and hope,
Shawn

“Treat others the way you want to be treated.” - Matthew 7:12

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A Prayer for Teens

Our girl starts high school tomorrow. As she stands on the edge of this new beginning I pray for her, and all who stand beside her...

May you walk confidently into this new adventure, taking another step of faith forward into who God made you to be.

Look out at those around you, and seek to meet them beyond the surface at their heart, and I pray they do the same for you.

Be yourself. Your true, authentic, beautiful, visible you. If others accept you for you, those are the people to keep beside you. If others judge, know that weight of judgement is something on their heart, and not something for you to carry.

Choose friendships wisely. Choose the ones who will stay beside you through the good, the bad, the beautiful and the messy moments. And be that friend to others too.

Remember u’s are better than circles in friendships. With a “u” there is always room to invite someone else in and a space to leave if you see that is most beneficial.

Be the person who is present with who you are with, and not looking over to who else you could be talking with.

Express what you have to be grateful for daily, to keep your eyes on who, and what, is a blessing around you.

Walk beside people. Not in front of them, or behind them, but beside them. The best friends, and leaders, find themselves there.

Make wise choices, yet know there is abundant grace and forgiveness for mistakes. Be sure to receive those, and offer them to others, when needed.

Know you are a part of something bigger than yourself. That doesn’t mean that you are less than, but an important, valued part of a larger community.

Community matters. If you find yourself feeling like you are lonely on a island reach out.

It’s okay not to be okay. Asking for help when you need it is a strength, not a weakness. Be sure to ask for it when you need it.

Have fun. Laugh a lot. Find yourself on the dance floor having the time of your life.

Unveil your true potential, in the classroom, on the court, or in whatever else you choose to do.

Take time to rest, your mind and body.

Pause, breathe and pray.

Seek wisdom, be courageous, do what is right, even when it’s hard and may cost you something. - @andystanley

Speak the truth in love so that your words will benefit those who hear them.

Know you are fully known and loved by God, your family, and your friends. May that love fill you, and give you the source of fuel you need to grow into the person God made you to be.

Go shine the light of love God’s given you, and enjoy this new adventure☀️

“(May God’s) word be a lamp to (your) feet and a light to (your) path.” - Psalm 119:105

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Do Small Things With Great Love

Simple yet proud truth for our hearts and minds to meditate on as we enter this new week💕🙏💕

With love and hope,
Shawn

“Do everything in love.” - 1 Corinthians 16:14

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Who They Are Becoming

When I watched each of our kids walk into the unknown this week, heading back to school, fear and faith mingled together in my heart.

The unknowns are challenging and we are each navigating them day by day.

As challenging as this all is, something I think is so important to do is to reflect to our kids who they are becoming because of this experience.

They are growing in courage, bravery, patience, perseverance and resilience. They are becoming better listeners, friends, and community members because of their responsibility to care for others, as well as for self. They are refining their character, from the inside out, because of the challenges they have been facing.

Yes, this year has been messy on so many levels, and our kids have missed out on some things. Yet rather than looking at the mess and what they have missed, I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May we instead look at what they have gained and remind them who they are, what they have accomplished and who they are becoming because of all of this.

With love and hope,
Shawn

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” - Ephesians 4:29

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You Are Strong Enough

Today was our last day of summer break. We hopped on the lake today and keeping in alignment with 2020, we were going against the wind and current when we got on the water.

Our youngest was on the kayak giving his all. I found myself saying to him, “you were made strong enough for this moment.” He confidently replied, “yes, I was” as he paddled hard through the waves.

Although our conversation was about the waves he was physically fighting through, I couldn’t help but think of what tomorrow holds, with school starting. It got me thinking, “What if we believed as firmly as Matt did today that we were made strong enough for this moment?”

I share this with you in case you too need the reminder, like I do, that we, and our children, were made strong enough to tackle these waves before us in this new school year.

I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May we ask God for the courage and strength we need to step into these uncharted waters. May we trust He hears our prayers and has made us, and our children, strong enough for this moment💕🙏💕

With love and hope,
Shawn

Suggested song🎵
Strong Enough by @matthewjwest

“Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed, for God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9

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Lie down in Green Pastures

This is a field Georgia and I walk past on our walks. I paused in it the other day because there is a peace I get from this open space. As I stood there with Georgia, breathing in the fresh air, for a moment letting go of all that is happening in the world and the unknowns ahead of us, my favorite psalm which always soothes my soul, came to mind.

I am sharing this with you today in case these words may soothe your soul too.

I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May these words, and the truth in them, be a breath of fresh air for our hearts and minds today...

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. - Psalm 23

With gratitude, love and hope,
Shawn

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To those who Selflessly Serve, Thank You.

As we head into a new school year, may we time to...

pause. breathe. pray.

And give thanks for the selfless service of every...

#teacher
#paraprofessional
#custodian
#busdriver
#schoolnurse #specialeducationteacher
#artteacher
#peteacher
#musicteacher
#healthteacher
#technedteacher
#administrativeassistant #schooladministrator
#schoolsocialworker
#languageteacher
#ellteacher
#foodservicestaff #librarymediaspecialist
#occupationaltherapist
#physicaltherapist
#schoolcounselor
#speechpathologist #schoolpsychologist #schoolsecurityguard
(If I missed any please tag them below)

What they are about to do, they never signed up for, and yet they are choosing to show up for our kids, and our families, either in person or online. So much gratitude and appreciation their way💕🙏💕

With love and hope,
Shawn

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Patience and Faith

“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith.”

- Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift from the Sea

As we enter a new week, I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

Whatever is before us, may patience and faith be our compass, and wisdom be our guide.

With love and hope,
Shawn

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be faithful in prayer.”
- Romans 12:12

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