Gym Life Lesson #3

Gym life lesson #3

Forgiveness is healing

In one of my lower elementary classes a boy accidentally bumped into another classmate. She was okay but I asked for him to make sure she was okay and to apologize for accidentally bumping into her.

Asking for forgiveness is awkward and hard sometimes so I gave him the words, “will you forgive me for accidentally bumping into you?” He looked her in the eyes and repeated the words.

The little girl stood before him and listened as he spoke and then said, “of course, I forgive you.”

I could see the boy was relieved to be forgiven and the girl appreciated the apology. They heaviness that was there before was lightened by this small interaction and they both ran back to participate in the activity. Their small but heartfelt interaction warmed my heart.

Sometimes people accidentally hurt others and sometimes it’s purposeful, either way forgiveness is an essential part of the healing process to restore the relationship.

I share this with you today, inspired by these two younger students. I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

If we have purposefully or accidentally hurt someone, I pray we can humble ourselves to ask for their forgiveness. And if someone asks us to forgive them, may we forgive them to help heal our own heart and to mend the relationship.

Yet please know if someone has repeatedly and purposefully hurt you, forgiving them will help cleanse your heart whether they ask for forgiveness or not. Also, forgiving someone who repeatedly and purposefully hurts you doesn’t mean you have to make yourself vulnerable to the same hurt again. Pray about if space is needed in that relationship to help the healing. If so, may God give you the wisdom and courage to take that necessary step.

With love and hope,

Shawn

“…forgive each other, just as God through Christ forgave you.” - Ephesians 4:32

See and Hear Others

With love and hope,

Shawn

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. - Phillipians 2:4

Walk Beside One Another

Love isn’t about agreeing about everything but to walk beside one another in love not matter what the other thinks is best.

With love and hope,

Shawn

Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. - John 13:34

Every Day is a Gift

Happy Monday, friends! May we give thanks and make the best of this day we have been given

With love and hope,

Shawn

This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24

Gym Life Lessons #1 and #2

Gym life lessons #1 and #2

Persevere when challenged &

Celebrate one another’s successes

This week we had a fire drill during a class. I didn’t have enough time for the lesson I planned so I introduced knock out to the students so we could play for the few minutes left in class. For those of you who don’t know, knock out is a basketball shooting game where you attempt to knock out another player from the game by making a hoop before them.

As we began playing there was a student who had trouble getting the ball near the hoop. The student could have easily just put in no effort and thrown in the towel but instead the student persevered and kept at it. It was awesome to listen to the rest of the class cheer her on as well.

After a few rounds the student made a hoop and the class cheered!

It was a beautiful moment.

What made the moment even more wonderful was the person who was knocked out of the game because the hoop was made stepped aside and clapped for their classmate, celebrating her success with her.

I am sharing this with you today because we all meet challenging in life and we all know someone who is succeeding in an area of their life. I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we choose to persevere when we are challenged. It’s amazing what we can learn about ourselves in the process. And when we see someone else succeeding, rather than getting stuck in the comparison trap and feeling down because someone else is doing well, may we step aside and celebrate their success beside them. May we put these life lessons into practice so we too can experience joy in our hearts like these students did.

With love and hope,

Shawn

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope - Romans 5:3-4

How Can I Help?

Tonight when Stephen came home he asked how I was doing. I was transparent and shared I am overwhelmed today with things I need to get done.

His response was four simple words, “how can I help?”

These words softened my heart. The load I was carrying on my shoulders was lightened knowing I didn’t have to carry it all alone. To have him walk in from his busy day and offer to lend a hand was a gift I didn’t know I needed.

I am sharing this in case you have a loved one who is overwhelmed too. I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

If we have a loved one who is overwhelmed, may we offer these four simple words their way in hopes to help share the load they are carrying. And if we are the ones who are overwhelmed and someone asks us how they can help, may we not say we are fine or try to do it all alone. Instead may we share with them something they can do that would help us and lighten our load.

Four simple words can make all the difference.

May we speak them, and/or receive them, with love and gratitude.

With love and hope,

Shawn

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:2

Be Rich In Wisdom and Love

Has anyone ever tried to give their children advice and they completely resist it?

Me too. 

Recently when this happened rather than pressing my point I let it go, walked away and…

paused, breathed, and prayed.

This analogy came to mind that I went back and shared with my child. I am sharing it with you today in case it may be a bridge in a conversation between you and your kids too.

I asked my child if I was to offer them a handful of money would they take it?

Naturally they said yes.

Why?

Money makes you richer.

I then shared that when I am offering advice, it is something to make them wealthier too, not financially though, but richer in wisdom. They have a choice to take the advice or leave it. I can’t control what they choose. Yet to leave behind sound advice is declining something that will make them richer within.  And although that may not be the riches they seek or want, being rich in wisdom and love is what we all really need in life.

Whether our children receive our advice, or not, may we continue to plant seeds of wisdom into their hearts and minds and trust that God will help those seeds grow within them in time.

Also, may we recognize that who our children are to us if often who we are to God. May we too be willing to humble ourselves to receive God’s wisdom. His truth and love are the true riches we need in our life.

With love and hope,

Shawn

God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

- Psalm 145:8

May We Never Forget...

May we never forget…

…every life lost that day.

…every family impacted by the loss of a loved one who carries the memories of them in their hearts everyday.

…every survivor and their visible or invisible wounds.

…every selfless soul who ran towards the danger, including every first responder.

…every person who was a part of the rescue and recovery.

…the empathy and the compassion we had towards one another.

…we didn’t see each other’s race, ethnicity, religion, political views, etc, that day.

…we saw each other as the human beings we are.

…we stood beside one another in solidarity.

…and out of this tragedy, we united in love.

I invite you to join me to take 9-11 minutes to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we pray however the Spirit leads us. And as we look to the past may it give us wisdom for the present.

With love and hope,

Shawn

“…mourn with those who mourn.” -Romans 12:15

*posted on 9/11/21

I am Not their Only Teacher

Today when Matt was tying his shoes, I had a flashback to years ago when I had tried to teach him to tie his shoes. There was frustration on both our parts at times. He really wanted to figure it out on his own and I really wanted to show him how to do it. The process was long until one day we were at a store getting shoes and Gavin randomly said, “Hey Matt, want me to show you how to tie your shoes?” Matt accepted Gavin’s offer.

Matt tied his shoes in one try.

This was one of many moments I’ve had as I Mom where I realized that I am not the only teacher for my kids. I may plant the seeds, but others reap the harvest.

Can any of you relate? If so, I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we give thanks for all the people God has placed in our kids lives to teach them along with us. May we continue to plants seeds but remember it doesn’t matter that we are the one that get credit when they learn. What matters most is that they eventually learn whatever it is they need to.

With love and hope,

Shawn

Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true.

- John 4:37

Heading to HS

I am having a mom moment - this guy started high school today!

Watching our kids grow is a gift, I just wish time would slow down a bit.

Here is to a new adventure!

Gav is ready.

I’m working on it

With love and hope,

Shawn

Teach me to number my days so I may gain a heart of wisdom. -Psalm 90:12

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