In the wait, I am personally needing this reminder. I thought I’d share in case you needed this reminder today too. May we...
pause. breathe. pray.
And remember that God is always present with us. May we also remember to be present with God so He can help us sift through our thoughts/emotions and settle our hearts and minds with His wisdom and truth. 💕🙏💕
With love and hope,
Shawn
“I am always with you” - Matthew 28:20
Patrick, Donna, Joey, Michael, Sheila, Diane, Dr. E., Patrick L., Dr. G., Matt, Janelle, Courtney. These are some of the people who came beside me the other day while I was in Boston. Each had a unique role, from parking our car, getting my iv bag ready to being there beside me as I woke up. Each person’s name is written in my gratitude journal for the gift they were for me that day.
Something God had taught me is to know the names of those who come beside me. I am not perfect at this yet I do my best to call people by their name.
What I have noticed is that by calling people by their name, they know that I see them. What I find even more beautiful is that God knows each of our names. He knows your name. He knows my name. And I believe it’s important to Him that we know each other’s names and give thanks to one another for the unique roles we have in each other’s lives, whatever that may be.
I invite you to join me today to...
pause. breathe. pray.
May we make a point this week to not just pass by people, or allow people in our lives to just to pass by us. May we make an effort to get to know the names of the people along our path, from the security guard at our kid’s school, our mailman, the person checking us out in the grocery line, etc. May we let these people know that we see them, by calling them by their name and thanking them for their part in our day.
It may seem simple and even trivial. Yet I have witnessed the positive impact it has, and how this simple act of love opens my eyes to see beyond myself and grow connections, even if for a moment, with someone else. And in these unique times, this type of small connection can make a huge difference.
With love and hope,
Shawn
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
- Isaiah 43:1
Hi friends,
Do you remember that ct sinus scan I had a couple of weeks ago? Well, I went into it not thinking much about it other than that I would need sinus surgery. Yet when the doctor called me, he shared that on the ct scan there was an area of inflammation that they needed to look into to see if it’s cancer free, or if the cancer is back. Rather than having the sinus surgery in 2-3 months, I had it yesterday, and it included a biopsy.
After the surgery the doctor spoke with Stephen and the news was encouraging yet we still need to wait to receive the pathology results to confirm that all is well.
I’ve been hesitant to share this because I like to come here to encourage you. I like to get to the other side of things and see what I’ve learned so I can come beside you and encourage you on your journey. Yet something happened yesterday that opened my eyes and heart, and what I don’t often give others the opportunity to do; be there for me.
Only a small circle of family and friends knew what was happening. Yet before surgery there was a pull on my heart to ask for prayers. I didn’t understand it but I followed where God was leading and reached out and asked for prayers from others.
After I sent the prayer request their way, I handed Stephen the phone and was soon called to go back for the surgery. As I laid on the bed waiting for the nurse to come in, I felt a wave of lightness come over me.
I laid there and smiled at God.
I realized that because I chose to share my struggle and ask for prayers, the prayers of others helped lighten my burdened heart.
I share this with you today for a couple of reasons. One being to share with you what the truth of my heart is and to ask for your prayers as we await the pathology results. And secondly, to ask you if there is something you are dealing with that you too are holding tight to your chest? If so, I invite you to join me to...
pause. breathe. pray.
May we be willing to share our brokenness with others. I know how hard it is as I even hesitate sharing this with you now. Yet what I experienced yesterday showed me, and I wholeheartedly believe you will experience too, is when we allow others in beside us, their prayers help lighten the weight of our burdens. So thank you for being there for me and my family, and know I am always here to listen to your heart. In our sharing, may we receive the light of Christ, as we lean into the body of Christ to lift us up when we need it.
With gratitude, love and hope,
Shawn
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
- Galatians 6:2
With Stephen being a veteran, and having dated during his six years of service, we know what life in the service is like. Ever since our kids were little, when we see someone wearing a veteran’s hat, or a serviceman or woman, I encourage them to say “thank you for your service.”
A number of years ago, we had little cards made that said, “thank you for your service” that the kids would hand veterans, or the servicemen and women.
One day, when Gavin was little, we were in the store and Gavin saw a man wearing a Vietnam hat. He asked me for a card and went over and handed the man the card. We continued on shopping when I heard a person say, “excuse me.”
I turned around and it was the man Gavin had given the card to. Holding it in his hand he asked if it was my son who had handed him the card. I said it was. Then with tears in his eyes he said, “no one has ever thanked me for my service until now.”
I stood there in shock at that truth and asked if I could give him a hug, which he agreed to.
I could see Gavin’s eyes light up when I told him how his act of love truly helped that man’s heart feel loved and appreciated.
We went our separate ways but that moment has always stayed with me.
I share it with you today to invite you to join me to...
pause. breathe. pray.
May we give thanks for, and to, our veterans in our life. Give them a call, send a text, go over and say hi, etc.
And the next time you see someone wearing a hat from the service, consider thanking them for their selfless service. You never know, you too may be the first person to ever say those words, “thank you,” to them, and make them feel loved and appreciated.
With gratitude and respect,
Shawn
PS Let’s say thank you to the veteran’s in our life today. Feel free to pass this along to them, or tag their name below.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
- John 15:13
I invite you to join me to...
pause. breathe. pray.
May we remember this truth throughout our day💕🙏💕
With love and hope,
Shawn
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” - Hebrews 6:19
Sometimes it takes rising above and widening our lens to see the bigger picture that will bring peace to our soul💕🙏💕
With love and hope,
Shawn
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11
What to do in the wait, when things are uncertain, as we are experiencing today?
As someone who has experienced waiting, and not knowing the outcome of results more than I’d like to, here are three tools that help me, that I pray help you too.
1. Pause
We need to press pause on the stories, the fears, the worries, the google searches, refreshing websites, the scrolling social media. Instead may we choose to read, listen to, watch or do something that will diffuse the heavy and nourish our minds with truth and peace.
2. Breathe
May we take deep breaths and give thanks for the breath in our lungs. May we remember it is a gift to be here on this day. May we not allow the external circumstances that are out of our control to rule our hearts and minds and rob us this beautiful day we have been given. Instead may we take deep breaths to decrease the stress and increase our calm.
3. Pray
May we pray and have a conversation with God, sharing the realness of our hearts and the hope of the outcome we desire. Yet may we then open our hands and hearts and not cling to our desired outcomes, instead trusting His will.
And whatever the outcome is, may we go to God with whatever emotions we experience so we can sift through them. May we harness those emotions for good, and not harm. And may we remember that no matter our circumstances, our purpose to love God and love our neighbors remains the same💕🙏💕
With love, peace and hope,
Shawn
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” - 2 Timothy 1:7
💕🙏💕
With love and hope,
Shawn
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”
— Colossians 3:15
Happy Halloween🎃
Love,
Georgia🐾
Sometimes it requires taking a step back, and seeing life through someone else’s eyes, to discover the wonder and the joy in the day❄️🎃
With love and hope,
Shawn
“And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”
- Luke 5:26
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