Moments Worth Mentioning

That was the question that was asked of me at 9am yesterday morning as I was piling fruit and a bagel on my plate while trying to balance all of that with a glass of OJ, a notebook and some plastic silverware.  The question was overly simply, yet very complicated all at the same time.  It caught me off guard and although I had done a few hours of pre-reading, filled out a lengthy application and been interviewed all in preparation for the meeting, I had never been specifically asked what my ultimate reason was for signing up.

The next 5 hours were spent discussing Foundational Truths and Relationship Principals.  Pretty deep stuff for a Saturday morning.  I walked into that room expecting to be taught how to lead.  Instead, I was given an eye-opening lesson on how the health of your own heart and soul greatly impacts those that you are trying to lead.  I was mesmerized by the simple truths being presented.  I love when my own expectations get blown out of the water and replaced with something far greater!

As my breakfast balancing act turned into a lunch box full of Chick-fil-A goodness, I went back to the individual that had asked me that simple question.  And, with a renewed determination, this is what I told him.

Everyone has a tendency to see their divorce as a huge black dot on an otherwise perfect white slate.  And while I am not dismissing the hurt and life-long scars, I don’t want to see my history as a black dot.  Instead, I want to use the past for a greater good.  I want to use my experience to help others get through the pain.  I want them to see how our God is bigger then any hurt and that is currently in their life, and that this is their opportunity to hand over the control, hand over the anger, hand over the agony.  I want to lead a divorce recovery class not to continuously rehash my past, but instead, to help others have a bright, better-then-they-could-ever-imagine-God-seeking-forgiveness-accepting future.

“Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain.”

Being that my education and career have taken me down the medical path, most stories of injuries don’t impact me a lot.  I have heard and seen some crazy things, and it never ceases to amaze me what people can do to themselves in a moment’s time.  And then there is the story of my friend Richard.

A simple plan to take an afternoon jog down a path that he had probably been on several times before lead to an unbelievable moment in which his whole life changed.  There was a split-second decision.  A miss-step of his feet.  And a fall.  An agonizing 50 foot fall.  And there was concrete.  ….And a guardian angel.

Richard is now laying in a hospital bed with metal in almost every bone in his body as he recovers from “some of the worst” orthopedic injuries the doctors have ever seen.  But, unbelievably, he suffered nothing internal, nothing that affects his brain or spine, and nothing that a lot of physical therapy wont eventually heal.  The boy is a living miracle.

Please keep him and his family in your prayers.  He has months and years ahead of him of healing.  Most importantly, I hope he finds his strength in knowing that his job here must not be done and that there is an amazing plan for him.

Its his birthday tomorrow.  Not exactly the celebration he was hoping for, but one definitely worth celebrating!

Follow his story here.

The new year has brought so many new things to my plate.  These new things keep me busy with books to read, bible studies to complete, scripture to memorize, biographies to write and a full schedule of meeting times.  I am in complete awe of the things that God has brought into my life recently.  These groups and opportunities have literally fallen into my lap and it excites me to no end to see what is in store over the next few months.

Last night at my ladies small group meeting we discussed Grace.  I have used, written and seen this word millions of time in my life.  Up until last night though, I don’t think I ever fully understood what exactly it meant.  We discussed how Gods grace is all around us and that we just have to train our eyes to see it.  I immediately thought of the amazing sunrise that meets me every morning on my commute to work.  Of course I see it as beautiful, and I am thankful for the view during an otherwise boring drive up 285.  But, that same sunrise takes on a whole new appearance when we choose to see it as a God thing!  The same can be said for the warm weather that greeted me this afternoon and the wind against my face coming in from my rolled down window.  For the friends that I spent the weekend with, for the warm bed that I will sleep in tonight.  It all takes on a different look, and different feeling.  Grace is easily defined as repentance and forgiveness…. but it is so much more. I think my heart grew two sizes last night with this realization.

Over the last 21 days, I have given up sweets, Starbucks and a few other frivolous foods as my church took it upon ourselves to really, really pray.  We had 300,000 people in mind as we spoke to God about the daunting task of reaching so many un-churched neighbors.  I quickly leaned that the praying was the easy part.  It was the listening that was more of a challenge.  The lesson of looking for God’s grace in our surroundings can also be used to teach us how to be still and quiet long enough to hear what He has to say.  We challenged ourselves last night to make a date with God.  To find a chunk of time when we turn off the cell phone, turn off the radio, turn off the TV, and just be. Scary concept.  Amazingly powerful opportunity.

Only when we learn to live in the grace of the Father’s house can we become like Him.  When our hands are filled with His blessings, we are able to relax our grip on our sinful pursuits of fulfillment, our prideful competitiveness, our inner complaints.

There are some days that I can’t type fast enough to get my blog thoughts on the screen.  There are other times that I can’t do anything more than give a summary of the days events.  Today, I find myself somewhere in between.

Its been a busy few weeks.  I feel like I can’t afford to even blink lately, in fear that I will miss something.  Life spins by so incredibly fast.  I run from one group meeting to another.  I get up early to finish the things that I couldn’t get done the day before.  Its one constant steady stream of activity that leaves me exhausted and completely satisfied all at the same time.

I really have to force myself to stop every once in a while.  Otherwise, an entire day…. or an entire week has gone by in a blur.  My time is filled to capacity with various groups, meetings, friends, dinners, lunches…. it goes on and on.  But, if I had to be really honest, I love every minute of it.  I feel like I thrive on a busy schedule, knowing that my time is limited and must be used wisely.  Idle time actually makes me nervous and anxious.  I worry that there is something that I should be doing.  It’s a crazy sickness!  I love being busy.

Tonight, I came home right after work.  It was a treat to not have anywhere to be. But, don’t think for a minute that I came home and sat on the couch and watched TV.  Instead, I spent four hours doing laundry, paying bills, cleaning, sorting, planning, cooking and even doing a little blogging.

Basically, what I’m saying is that I love having a night that I’m not busy so that I can make myself busy again.  I told you it was a sickness.

…Don’t say anything at all.  We all heard that as a child.  And after tonight…. I feel like it needs to be repeated.

After a truly marvelous weekend of family, friends and a little Andy Stanley, I sit here tonight a little bit sad.  After church tonight I went out to dinner with a bunch of friends.  It is always like a final goodbye to the weekend and a great way to wind down, catch up and share a moment or two of genuine time with the amazing people I have in my life.  Tonight was no exception.  Dinner was fun and I left feeling refreshed and energized… ready for the week ahead.  And then, within a matter of a few minutes that all changed.

It continues to amaze me how the lack of communication can rip us apart.  It makes me upset to know that people will lash out with their words without considering the lasting effects that they have.  I’m hurt that things can be taken out of context and spread like wildfire through a group that supposedly cares deeply for one another.  Bottom line, I’m sad that people won’t take the time and just confront each other instead of bringing others into the underlying issue.

I go to bed tonight praying that these two or three individuals can find their way back to each other.  That they all take a deep breath before lashing out, and that they take a look at a big picture.  My hope is that we all learn how to love each other a little better and treat each other with a little more respect.  And ultimately, learn how to focus on ourselves and our own demons before casting judgment on others.

To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. -Mark 12:32-34

Well here we are, in 2010.  Weird year to write… that’s going to take some getting used to.

Melissa, Kristin, Michele and I all smiles a few moments before midnight.

01-01-10 began with the sound of laughter from my living room.  I had two great girl friends stay with me and we woke up that morning feeling refreshed, happy and thankful.  We celebrated the new year with a few bagels from Einsteins and then they were on their way back in Gainesville.  I have adored those girls for 12 or 13 years…  It’s magical to me to still have them in my life and to spend the second year in a row bringing in the new year with them.

Next stop on this first day of 10′ was to see one of my favorites.  I threw on some jeans and a sweatshirt and make the 15 minute drive to a house that I know very well.  It’s the place where I met and fell in love with so many friends, a place where I have slept on sofas, where I have celebrated birthdays and the place where Austin lives(d).  I walked in and that boy was sitting at the computer… just where I had seen him sit 100 times before.  I immediately had flash backs and Remember When moments because Austin no longer lives at that house.  He now calls Maryland home and eventually home will be Afghanistan for him.  He jumped up, I ran over and I think we hugged for about 6 minutes.  I have seen him a few times since he left, but not in his house…. not in the company of some of the original circle of friends.  It made me miss those early days when I first moved to Atlanta.  I love the fact that I spent the first day of the new year with a guy that had such an amazing impact on the previous year.

Austin, back at "home".

To see Austin back in the house was that much more special because in a few more weeks those guys are moving out.  I feel like its honestly an end of an era…  I know that sounds dramatic, but its true.  So, after we said our goodbyes to Austin I went along for the ride as two of the guys went house hunting.  We spent the next three hours driving around Atlanta in search of a new home for them.  I laughed till my stomach hurt as we contemplated their new address.  We walked through and around a huge spectrum of homes…  Ones that had holes in roofs, others were million dollar estates.  If laughter is the best medicine, I surly will be able to make it through 2010 with amazing health.

As the afternoon winded down, an offer to venture down to see a Hawks game was put on the table.  The three of us that spent the day house hunting as well as four others found ourselves sitting at a great basketball game a few hours later.  You couldn’t help but get swept up in the crowds energy as the teams went back and forth, eventually going into overtime to dual it out.  It was a great way to spend a Friday night.  I love this city!!

The night came to a close with a few rounds of Rock Band (back at my favorite house).  This is also a tradition that always makes me smile.  Nothing quite like seeing adults play a video game…  I love it.

Here’s to 2010.  May it be half as fun as 01-01 was…