One of Those Moments #3...

It is officially fall and I can't resist being outside. As I

approached an older couple on a walk, this is what I observed. This is what I appreciated.

They walked slowly, no rush, arm in arm, taking there time to look around. Light conversation took place between them as they glanced and smiled at each other. Every few steps, he lightly patted her hand, almost seemed to indicate..."I'm here with you."

They approached a busy intersection and she hesitated. He stepped out, looked both ways, and when it was clear, stretched his hand out inviting hers to join his so that he may lead her. As she took his had, he squeezed it tight and led her across the street safely until they reached the other side where they rejoined their arms.

I turned down another street, remembering the sincerity of this moment.

He still leads and protects her, and she still trusts. They Love.

I've Got My Stone...

and I'm not backing down.

I remember the week George R. came to share with us, to teach us, and to challenge us in our dreams and plans. He made us think. He guided us. He questioned us to see if we would back down. Some felt it was an intense week, others felt ready. Either way, it was great preparation.

For now I'm home, still carrying out the plans laid out, still pressing on, still very much passionate about that dream in my heart which will be reality, and yet still living in the present. But, lately I've faced some challenges. In a particular area of my life, I've felt as though I have been asked to jump through certain hoops, put through one test after another. And it continues...

I'll admit, I struggled a bit with the pressure and frustration of it all. But as I ran today, I began to really take my thoughts captive. I know this is part of the path, and how could I consider turning away because it gets a little challenging?

I saw the stone in my hand.

When David faced his giant, he used one stone. So what is my stone?

HIS purpose for my life.

I saw the preparation GOD provided as last night I had the amazing opportunity to share of my experience at the G42 Leadership Academy, to share my passions and dreams, to share my heart with some great women.

I've got my stone. I have purpose. And I declare now that I will not back down. I declare that I will give my all without complaining. I declare now that I will persevere with appreciation and gratitude for the great things around me, in me, and through this experience.

I've got my stone...what is yours?

Who We Are

It's been one of those weeks...one of those weeks where everything hits you, doubt can sink in, and there are moments where you just battle with the reality of where you are. Hope and faith exist and remain, but must be held tightly for it would be easy to let go.

And there she was. My sister, who even through her own pressures of life and family, looked beyond herself to an awareness of me, reaching out to me with such encouragement which has always been evident in who she is. She provided such uplifting words, challenged me and held me accountable, and made time to sit and listen to me, to understand.

I heard her words, which were what I needed to hear, but mostly it was what was in her presence that kept me grounded in the truth I know, the acceptance I have, and the person I am. It was the hope that was coming off of her. It was the peace the was overflowing from her. It was the love which she freely gives that was coming through her. It was just simply her.

And I found this to be true even with friends who are miles away from me. Friends who provided specific words for me this week, shared them willingly, who were aware of what they needed to speak, and what I needed to hear.

I was so appreciative of such love that I reflected on the question Andrew Shearman would ask us, "What is coming off of you?" and

I ask, "What is coming through you?", because it is the core of who we are that is to be seen, to be given, to be shared...for Christ is in us.

Sometimes we let fear hold us back from this awareness of others, reaching out to others, trusting the Spirit to guide us. We try to think of something wise and profound to say or we keep silent. We don't have a plan of action to help someone, so we do nothing. When most of the time, what is needed is simply...WHO WE ARE.

One of Those Moments #2...

Needing some time to clear my head, to sort out some thoughts, to just be, I went for a walk around the river walk. With our fall like temperatures lately, it was a beautiful day to do this and was greatly needed. I found myself a somewhat secluded area to just rest, think, and listen.

And there he was.

I looked to my left to see an older gentleman possibly in his late 80's sitting on a bench just watching the water. In his lap laid a notebook just waiting to be used. I watched him for a bit as he was similar to that notebook as he too was just waiting for something...maybe for someone particular, maybe just someone to talk to, or maybe he too just needed some time away to think, to be.

And then he came.

This younger gentleman approached the bench, yet sat on the very opposite side of the bench as far from the older man as possible. His music heard loudly through his headphones that even I could make out the song and at the same time he was texting someone on his cell phone. He sat there for a minute or two oblivious to those around him until the old man shifted causing the bench to shake a bit. The young man looked up at the older gentleman and they both smiled. He took off his headphones and put his cell phone away. And they sat there quietly.

The old man then began conversation with an introduction and pleasant greeting in which the young man replied with niceties and so the conversation continued. Before I knew it, they had moved closer together and they were laughing and having an interesting debate on the best way to make paper airplanes. With the young man contributing his knowledge on the advances of science, the older gentleman sharing his wisdom and firmness of the true and steady classics, and the papers of the notebook being ripped out and used one by one to prove one another's point, it seems that a simple interaction as this, can turn any day around. Even just by my observance of it, did I remember the way can choose to live...by seeing the one right next to us!