Back in Texas

Well, after three days in a truck, with a labradoodle who thinks she's a lap dog between Jack and I, and Rochelle and her mom in our Sequoia, with two dogs of their own in tow, we've made it to Amarillo. We were able to unload a U-Haul and fill our new house (thanks Rusty and Donnita) with more boxes then I remember going into the truck, set up beds, meet some neighbors, pick up a car that Shawn bought (and then take it back... that's another story), get Jack to baseball practice, enroll him in school, put up blinds (thanks Mema), unload more boxes where Shawn's office will be, navigate torrential rains, and stuff I'm not even sure about that Rochelle and her mom have been doing, Rochelle is making a house a home!

As Rochelle and her mom work hard turning a new house into a warm home I have been able to be with Megan as she runs from doctor to doctor, and early this morning to day surgery for a port replacement. Her treatment schedule is exhausting, but she navigates it like a pro. I'm proud of her!

Life is precious and when I find myself anxious about trying to accomplish more than I can, I am grateful for moments when God says, "be still." Well, to be honest, I'm not really grateful until I actually obey His words and "am still" in His presence. Being still is not comfortable, or really all that pleasant. But, heeding His words and working at stillness is not just about slowing down, or stopping what you are doing. Come on, let's face it, we all have  a lot to do. Rather. being still is about doing all that you have to do and recognizing His presence all around you, empowering you to do (or not get done) all that you need to accomplish.

I know you're busy today, and slowing down is probably not an option! So, instead, try to "be still" in His presence in the midst of your busyness. Don't know how? Take a deep breath, hold it... hold it..., now as you exhale whisper the words, "thank you Jesus for Your presence." And go on about your day.

Inhale... hold it... whisper, "thank you Jesus for Your presence."

Blessings,
Shawn

I really did make a commitment to be better at writing in 2017. I really want to be a writer that people want to read and are anxious for my musings put down on paper. Well, it's now March, almost April, and this is my second post of 2017. Epic fail!

Have you ever really wanted to make something a part of your life? Lose weight? Exercise? Make more money? Be a better spouse or parent? Read more? Write more, ugh! Be a better Christian, not that we compare ourselves to others or anything? And you've done all the right things to make it happen. You committed it to paper, because we all know how well that works. Maybe you even scheduled it into your daily routine, but you still control your schedule. The original desire was there, but somewhere along the way your dream got relegated to the "I wish I would have pile in your life."

So, the big question is, "what do we do about it?" How about this simple trick, do it again. Yeah, pick up where you left off and start again. And that voice in the back of your head that tells you that you'll never finish this. Well, tell the voice to... well, you know!

One more thing, start over for you. Ultimately, I don't really write hoping others will read this mess, I write for me. Don't go to the gym for someone else, go for you. Don't be a better spouse or parent for others, be a better spouse or parent for you. Sounds selfish? Not really, when you make the decision to start again for you you'll be surprised at how others benefit too. When I choose to be a better spouse or parent for me of course my wife and kids benefit. When I go to the gym and exercise regularly not only do I get healthier but my family has me around that much longer. When I choose to dive deeper into my relationship with God I become a greater witness for the Kingdom.

So, here I go again. Will you start again with me? Let's do it for ourselves so that others benefit. Now I can hear the voices of the super-Christians out there; "we are supposed to do everything we do for the glory of God." I agree, but unless I do it God gets no glory. So, join me today, pick up where you left off and let's do this. Get into the gym. Spend more time with your wife and kids. Dive into God. Pick up your pen and write. Just start again.

I'm sharing your struggles, but let's start again right now. It's not too late. The world is waiting for you and you have something to offer.

Let's go, let's do this thing...