Inspiring Cancer Warrior - Jen

This is Jen. She amazes and inspires me.

Jen ran the Berlin Marathon with cancerous tumors in three different areas of her body.

Running is Jen’s therapy, and getting to know her the past year has been a blessing.

She is one of the kindest, selfless, caring people I have ever met who, in the same breath, has the strength of a lion at heart.

At the marathon, I watched Jen make sure a friend we made that morning was with us at the starting line.

As we started the marathon, Jen ran ahead with another friend we were there with who was struggling. Jen ran beside her to help her get settled into her pace.

We went back and forth being with them along the course. Towards the end, we reconnected with Jen briefly but somehow lost her.

After we got to the finish line, we couldn’t find Jen, and it turns out Jen literally stopped on the course to wait for us to cross the finish line together - and sadly, we didn’t know and somehow missed her

And this is Jen, a beautiful soul who is aware of the people around her, and she does what she can to show up and love on others.

Jen’s kind, caring, selfless heart reflects the love of God. She was more concerned about others around her getting to the finish line rather than herself.

This isn’t how she always has been. She used to run for time, and she has shared that a few years ago, her perspective about racing shifted for her, as did the purpose of running for her.

And to me, her perspective on the course that day represents how we are meant to live our lives every day, doing what we need to do to fuel ourselves in mind, body, and soul, so that we can be outward-facing, showing up, and loving on others along the way.

I share this with you today with the hope that Jen’s loving heart and strong soul will inspire you to.

I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we learn from Jen’s example that we can’t always control our circumstances, but we can control how we choose to love others through them. May we be inspired by her beautiful example to keep our eyes and ears open to ways we can love others along the way, even if that means we need to speed up, slow down, be present or wait, like Jen for each of us on the course that day.

With love and hope,

Shawn

God's Way Is Better

This is Jess. Kylee and I met her somewhere before the halfway mark.

It was a hot day, and I was trying not to allow myself to ruminate on how hot it was. I remember when the first clouds covered us, I was overcome with gratitude. I shouted out loud, “Thank you, God, for the clouds! Woohoo!”

And the next thing I knew, someone else was celebrating the clouds with me!

It was Jess.

She came beside Kylee and me and said she needed that energy as she was feeling done already. She had gotten sick a little while back and was trying to push through.

Jess joined Kylee and me.

The three of us ran beside each other, going the pace the one struggling the most in the moment needed to go.

It was beautiful.

When we met Jess, Jess was the one who needed the encouragement.

By the end, I was the one who was in my head after having a dizzy episode.

Jess and Kylee were the hype girls, and I was in full prayer mode to get to the finish line.

Running beside Kylee and Jess was a reminder to me about some of the principles God calls us to live out in life; to carry one another’s burdens, encourage one another and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Kylee and I knew nothing about Jess except that she was struggling in her mind to keep going. And by the end, Jess was in her zone and could have run ahead, but instead, she chose to be sure I got to the finish line.

And this, my friends, is life in God’s eyes.

It’s not about getting ahead but about carrying each others burdens with one another and encouraging one another. It’s about treating one another the way we want to be treated and being willing to slow down from where we are heading to help those who need it. And by doing so, we may find in our time of need, when we show up for others, they also show up for us, like Jess and Kylee did for me.

And the circle of love flows around and around.

I share this today to invite you to join me in…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we not be so focused on where we are heading today, this week, or in life, that we forget to hear the voices of others who have needs. May we be willing to slow down our pace and come beside them to help them. Because in God’s eyes where we are heading is less important than how we live on our way there. And this experience with Kylee and Jess will forever remind me of this truth.

With love and hope,

Shawn

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

Inspired by Claudia Wolfe

This is Claudia Wolfe. I met her in the bathroom at the expo. I saw her Boston Marathon jacket and asked her if she was running the Berlin Marathon that weekend. She proceeded to tell me she was and that it would be her 92nd race and that she’s run all 6 World Marathon majors. Claudia completed the Berlin Marathon in 6 hours and 7 minutes at 74 years old👏

I wanted to share her inspiring story as a reminder that we are capable of more than we give ourselves credit for.

Our minds naturally talk us out of things rather than into doing what will benefit us.

I am not saying sign up for a marathon, but let’s be willing to say yes to what will benefit our future self in our mind, body, and soul, even when it’s challenging, not convenient, or the last thing we want to do.

May we begin with the end in mind and do what we need to do to grow into the full version of who God made us to be - even if that requires hard work, sacrifice, talking back to the excuses we come up with, pushing through hardships with prayer, trusting that if it’s God’s will, He will make a way and if it’s not, He will show us the way out.

The easy way is always an option.

Not doing is always an option.

Yet when I get to be 74, like Claudia, I would love to be filled with stories of what I have done for God, rather than be filled with things I wish I had done.

If you too want to be filled with stories instead of wishes, I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we pray about what is ours to do today to grow into a fuller version of who God made us to be. And may we remember His way may not always be the easiest in the short term. It will likely be challenging and refining. Yet let’s live with our future selves in mind rather than for our current self. So one day we get to look back with gratitude and appreciation of all that God has done in us and through us, like Claudia gets to.

With care and hope,
Shawn

We did it! In His strength, in His Word, in His ways, in His Will

This morning in my prayer time, I was reflecting on this weekend and how thankful I am for the opportunity to have run with these two in the Berlin Marathon.

A scripture that kept repeating itself in my readings was “wait on the Lord.”

This made me think about how often in life I don’t allow myself to wait on God. I do things in my timing, in my strength, in my thoughts, in my ways, in my will.

Yet marathon training has taught me to come to the end of myself. It is there when I start relying on God and doing things in His strength, in His thoughts, in His ways, and in His will.

This can happen at mile 1, 12, 22, or whenever. You never know when it will happen, and the waiting isn’t always easy, but there is a shift that happens when I know I am no longer doing it on my own. And sometimes I go back into doing it in my own strength only to be reminded I need to wait on God again.

I share this because we are all chasing after dreams, or something. I don’t know what you are going after, whatever it is, I want to invite you to join me in…

pause. breathe. pray.

Whatever it is God is leading us to, may we know that yes, it may bring us to the edge of ourselves, our comfort zone, and our own strength. Yet what if we need to get to that place so that we are no longer doing things in our ways and will but in His?

Let’s do what we are being led to do.

Let’s be willing to endure the trials that come and wait on God, trusting that He will give us what we need, when we need it - and a humble heart so that we receive what we need to finish the race He has called us to, as thankfully Jen, Kylee and I were able to do on Sunday🙏

With love and hope,
Shawn

🎉Happy Birthday to Stephen🎉

🎉Happy Birthday to Stephen🎉 When I realized the marathon was over his birthday weekend I was ready to say no. When I told Stephen about the opportunity he said there was no place he’d rather be for his birthday but in Berlin with me💝…and maybe the pretzels and beer were appealing too😉
I love celebrating my guy and am forever grateful for the way he loves me, and our kids.🎉🙏

Scared of flying? I get it...

I have dealt with flying anxiety for decades.

Choosing to say yes to do a marathon in Germany was a choice that involved conquering layers of fears, including my fear of flying.

Last year, I had a paralyzing panic attack before a flight home from Nashville after visiting Kate’s school. I told Stephen to rent a car that I couldn’t fly home. In his calm way, he listened and helped me through it, and we flew home.

After that flight, knowing that going to see Kate at school would require me to fly, I have been praying for relief from my anxiety.

The next flight I took was with Kate, who would fly around the world if she had the chance. I asked her to talk me through her travel experience so I could hear her joyful point of view.

Listening to her was like a light shining into darkness. She truly had joy every step of the way.

I’ve prayed so many prayers over this. And for decades I’ve had no relief. I know God hears me but his timing isn’t always our timing.

I’ve continued to pray for relief and also for a shift in my thoughts and my perspective. I have started a new inner dialogue that is scripture-based and singing a song to myself by Jeremy Camp, “ Out of My Hands,” as I take off. The lyrics are a reminder that my life is really in God’s hands, no matter where I am.

I’ll own it. It’s cheesy. Yet my two flights to Germany were my 6th and 7th flights without anxiety. I even had dinner before I flew, which is wild because I usually wouldn’t eat the day of the flight and even lose my appetite the day before. And on my second flight here, I fell asleep before take-off!

I share this with you because I am not the only one who has a fear of things like flying. If you can relate, I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

Let’s look to see who has joy where we have fear and consider sharing our fear with them. Let’s invite them to share their perspective with us as well. And may we continue to pray to be released of the fear, and in the wait, rather ruminating on the fear, let’s practice meditating on words, like that song, that remind us that God has us in His hands and is in charge of the outcome of our lives. And in time, I pray we all find rest in our souls as we trust in that truth.

With love and hope,

Shawn

“Be strong and courageous to not fear or be dismayed for the Lord is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9

Walk the Talk

One week from today Jen, Kylee and I will run the race before us, the marathon in Berlin, Germany for Brave Like Gabe to fund rare cancer research.

This is so much more than running a race. Yes, it’s about raising funds so that one day we will have a cure for ACC, Adenoid cystic carcinoma.

But for me, this is also about a being a mom living out principles I have taught my kids.

Through the years I have told Kate, Gavin and Matty things like:

- growth is often found outside your comfort zone
- small deposits over time add up
- when you meet a pain point find solutions, don’t make excuses
- let your struggles refine you not define you
- talk to yourself like you would your best friend
- be a part of the change you want to see
- No discipline is pleasant while it’s happening but in the end is worth it
- Short term suffering often leads to long term freedom
- be willing to serve others, even if it costs you something
- pray
- live for an audience of one, God

…and more.

I say these but the questions I am left with are:

Am I willing to put these same principles into practice in my life?

Am I willing to walk the talk?

This marathon training leaves me no choice but to put these principles into practice, and I thank God for that.

I will never be a perfect parent yet I will always aim to live out the principles that I encourage our kids to. And when I fall short, I will own it, because that is something that will benefit them to do too.

I pray that by running this race, my kids see more than their mom running a race. I pray they see these principles in practice to get me to the starting line, and prayerfully the finish line, so that they can be encouraged in this marathon of life to take these truths and put them into practice themselves.

With love and hope,
Shawn

PS To donate to our team’s fundraiser, please visit the link in my bio💙🙏💙

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Pause. Breathe. Pray.

No better way to start - or live - our days💕🙏☀️

This morning in my prayer time I was reminded that trials of any kind are an opportunity to refine us, and our faith. It’s understandable when things happen to us or others that we would question God - or even if there is God. Yet time after time when I am tried, from small trials to bigger ones, I am reminded that being in prayer with God is the one thing that brings me the comfort, peace and wisdom I seek. Those doesn’t stay forever, and honestly I can leave my prayer time and in two minutes I am uprooted again from the grounding love of God, His Word and His truth. That’s why this practice is that, a practice. A moment by moment, day by day practice to pause my natural reactions, breathe myself into the present moment, and pray, inviting God in to help me.

I share this today in case you too need to bring calm into the storms of your thoughts or life. I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we put these three words into practice over and over and over again to help us be rooted in God’s love and truth instead of the unsettling thoughts or trials we find ourselves, or others, in.

With love and hope,
Shawn

Thank you + A Reminder

Frankie and I wanted to say thank you for your prayers, love and encouragement. Also, thank you to all who shared your shingles and messy mind stories with me. It’s refreshing to connect with people beneath the surface and be real with one another.

This was a reminder to me that everyone is dealing with something and that there is someone else dealing with, or who has dealt with, the same thing.

With that said, I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

Let’s remember it’s a strength not a weakness to reach out and let others in. May we grow stronger within, and in community, by being real with one another and remember we are never alone. God is always with us and he puts others beside us to help us through.

With gratitude and hope,

Shawn

A Messy Mind + Scriptures to Pray

Yesterday my mind felt messy in a way it hadn’t in a long time.

I unexpectedly found out I have shingles. I’m not sharing this for sympathy, but to shed light on how hard it can be to keep our thoughts rooted in truth and above life’s waves sometimes.

The other day, I woke up with swollen lymph nodes around my left ear. Having had salivary gland cancer, it’s hard not to cycle through the “Is the cancer back?” thoughts. Fearful ideas started taking root in my mind, and I was having trouble not running away with those stories, especially when they had to check to see if the shingles had spread to my optic nerve (thankfully, it hadn’t).

ACC travels along nerves.
Yes, there’s no logical correlation between shingles and ACC, but I wasn’t thinking from a grounded or rational place. My thoughts were rooted in worry and fear of the unknown.

And not even fear of cancer, really. I moved past that eventually. But I started fearing how this would impact things I have planned, like my training for the marathon coming up in a couple of weeks.

My thoughts were running away on an emotional train, allowing the stories I was creating and the emotions they bring with them, making my mind messy.

And yesterday, that’s exactly where I was. Messy minded and it was unsettling.

What I’ve learned over time is that I need to ground myself back in what is true. Yes, God gave us emotions, but they aren’t meant to lead our thoughts. His truth is. So I spent some time rooting myself in that truth - again.

I prayed over my mind, asking God to take every unproductive thought captive and root my thinking in what is true.

I prayed for eyes to see my stories as just that - stories. I needed to rewind my mind to the present moment and take this experience one step at a time.

I prayed over my heart, too, because it felt messy.

How did I know?

Because from the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks, and mine was speaking fearful words and I was irritable.

So I prayed for a clean heart. For God to pour His love into me and cleanse me from the inside out, so that my heart would no longer be rooted in fear, frustration, or worry, but in love and truth.

By the time I went to bed last night, I had greater peace in my mind, heart, and soul, even though my head and eye were still very uncomfortable from the shingles.

I share this in case you, too, have messy thoughts and struggle to sift through the fear, stories, and worries, just like I did yesterday.

I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

Let’s remember it’s okay to not be okay. May we reach out to people who will hear our messy hearts and meet us with love and not judgment. May we turn to God, using His Word as an internal cleanse to help us live from a place of truth rather than from our stories, emotions and fear. When we do this, we will experience greater peace in mind, heart, and soul, like thankfully I am experiencing today.

With love and hope,
Shawn