The Joy Of Giving

I know Valentine's Day is  a day that comes with mixed emotions, some people love celebrating it while others would prefer the day didn't exist. For me, Valentine's day is a fun day to express my love to my loved ones but one that I hold lightly to.

While Stephen and I dated, he was in the Navy and often we were not together for holidays, including Valentine's Day. During the six years he served, we learned to embrace the time we had together whenever we got it.  Growing in our relationship this way really taught us to embrace the time we had together, no matter if it was a holiday or not.  All these years later, we continue to hold lightly to Valentine's Day.

I share this with you today because sometimes we look to holidays as a time to celebrate our loved ones.  Yet the reality is, every day we get together is a gift.  If we look to just tell others we love and care for them when holidays tell us to, we are missing opportunities on a regular basis to share our love and appreciation with those we loves.

I was convicted of this a number of years ago regarding gifts. I have very much been a "kids put it on your birthday and Christmas list" type Mom. Yet when I look to God and see He pours His love our way daily, and gives us gifts everyday, it changed my perspective on gift giving.  Now don't get me wrong, I don't give my kids gifts every day that come wrapped in paper, but there are many other ways we can give gifts to our loved ones daily as God does to us. Our words, our time and our attention are all gifts we give our loved ones on a regular basis. And yes, here and there, surprising our loved ones with an unexpected gift, even something small like their favorite gum, or taking them for out to lunch, is fun to do.

I share this today as a reminder first, that God loves you.  And secondly, to invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.™

Whatever our view is about Valentine's Day, may we choose to celebrate those we love this week, whether is is with our words, time, attention, or a little gift. May we do this not just because the holiday tells us to, but because we get to spend this week with those we love, and that is worth celebrating every week.  And as we celebrate those we love, may we be reminded too of God's great love for us everyday too.

With love and hope,
Shawn

"A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
- John 13:34

Where Does Our Strength Come From?

This morning Matt was getting ready for school and he took his backpack off the hook.  The bag made a thud as it hit the ground.  Matt proceeded to pick it up and asked, "Why is everything so heavy?"

Without thinking I said, "to help us grow stronger."

I don't believe Matt acknowledged the comment, nor would I have as a 10 year old. Yet after I said those words, it made me reflect on some things I have going on in my heart, and some heaviness I have been experiencing.

In the Bible study I am in, we have been studying 1 & 2 Peter. They are not books to dive into if you've never read the Bible. I hadn't read through them since 2017, after I have finished cancer treatments. The books are heavy yet powerful; a reminder that our struggles serve a greater purpose, including to refine our faith by deepening our relationship with God and help grow us stronger within through the process.

I share this with you today in case you too have moments, days or are in a season that is heavy. I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.™

May we remember that when things feel heavy, God wants us to turn to Him and have us ask Him to help lighten the heavy. When we do, He will help strengthen us, from the inside out, through the process. May we entrust our souls to our faithful creator so when things feels heavy in life, like Matt's backpack did for him this morning, we can confidently say, this is making me stronger - through Christ who strengthens me.

With love and hope,
Shawn
 

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
- 1 Peter 5:10

The Sun Is Always Shining - Even Behind the Clouds

Recently Matt and I went skiing. On my final run, this was the beautiful view in front of me. It made me smile, not only for the beauty before me but seeing this reminded me of something I had read in my prayer time yesterday.

"The sun is always shining behind the clouds," are words that captured my heart. This statement is true, not only in our physical world, but in our spiritual world as well.

There are so many things that can become "clouds" in our lives; thoughts or things that cast a shadow in our hearts and minds that may fog our perspective and dim our days. As we enter this week, I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.™

May we remember that no matter what those clouds may be in our lives, the light of the world, Jesus, is always with us.  He wants to help lift the fogginess the clouds can create in our minds and shine a light on truth to give us clarity and perspective. May we begin this week, asking God that we grow more focused on Him than on the clouds to help us see our days, and lives, from a renewed perspective. And if we struggle to see beyond the clouds, may we pray to remember that God is always with us, shining His light and love into our hearts, even when we don't feel it.  And just like the sun is always shining behind the clouds, may we trust God's love is more infinite than the clouds that come and go in our lives, for His love and light are everlasting.

With love and hope,
Shawn

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
- John 1:5

What "Extras" Are We Carrying Around Today?

Recently I was reminded of a day when I watched Kate walk towards me after a game. She was carrying a backpack on her back filled to the seams with her school books and another full backpack on her front filled with her sports stuff. If that wasn’t enough, her hands loaded with a few extra items. When I saw all she was carrying, all I wanted to do was lend her a hand and help her to share the load and lighten the heavy. I asked her if she needed a hand but she said she was fine she continued to the car without receiving the help that was offered her way.

As we drove away my eyes were opened to how I am like my daughter.

Although I am not carrying around physical backpacks on my front and my back and extra items in my hands, every day I am carrying around all that I need to do as a wife, a mom of three, a daughter, sister, friend, neighbor, teacher, and a writer. Yet that isn’t all I carry with me. I also carry around what is happening with our family, friends, and all that is happening in the world. I saw how I am like my daughter, going through the motions, carrying more than I need to, saying I am fine, and doing things on my own strength.

I know we have a gracious God who sees me and wants to share the load and lighten the heavy. Yet I was humbled that day to see how I often can be towards God, how my daughter was to me.

Can you relate?

I share this story with you because so many of us are carrying so much on our shoulders. We do not need to go through this week powering through on our own strength while feeling overwhelmed and depleted. That is not how God designed us nor what He wants for us. We have a choice before us, to keep walking through our days with the weight of all we are carrying on our shoulders, or we can turn to God, who sees all that we are carrying and is asking us to come His way so He can help us.

I invite you to join me to…

Pause. Breathe. Pray.™

May we turn to God and accept His invitation. May we be willing to lay all we are carrying before Him. May we ask for wisdom and help to know what is ours to do and what is not ours to do.

God wants to lighten the heavy for us.

Let's let Him in so He will help us. 

With love and hope,
Shawn
 

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
- Psalm 46:1

7 Truths to Encourage You

January 25 is a day of reflection for me. Do you ever have a date that brings up a memory and causes you to pause? That is what today is for me, and why I am writing to you on a Wednesday instead of Monday this week.

Six years ago today I went to an ENT for sinus issues. I went into the appointment expecting to get nasal spray and I came away from the appointment learning that I had a tumor in my nasal cavity that grew in to my palate. I later learned that I had a rare salivary gland cancer called adenoid cystic carcinoma. I've been reflecting on this day for a couple of weeks as I had been asked to give a talk last week at the bible study I attend. The question I addressed in my talk was, "If you knew your time here on earth was coming to an end, what would you want to impart on those you love?" 

I always try and take my cancerversaries, or important dates from my cancer journey, and make something good out of them. So today I decided to share with you to the talk I gave last week in hopes one or more of the seven truths I share may resonate with you.

The talk is about 24 minutes. Take a listen while you're driving, pop in your airpods and listen as you do mundane tasks around the house, or cozy up with a cup of tea on the couch. However you listen, I pray that these seven truths may be a blessing to you for whatever struggle you may be walking through in this time. 

With love and hope,
Shawn



P.S. If you, or someone you love, is walking with cancer and could use more encouragement, Our Struggles Have Purpose, is a compilation of fifty-five lessons I learned during my walk with cancer to encourage you on your journey. You can learn more about it HERE.
 

Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. 
-  Matthew 11:28

Where are we looking?

This morning I took our youngest, Matt, to a local cafe because every Monday there are veterans that gather there. Matt loves history and has sat with the veterans before, listening and learning about their unique stories. To my surprise, getting Matt up this morning was easy. He jumped out of bed, got ready and was excited for his day ahead. I'll let you behind the curtain a little and share that our school mornings school are not always this smooth. 

On the way to the cafe I complimented Matt for getting ready so quickly and for his positive attitude while doing so. I asked him, "what made it easy for you to get ready this morning?"  He replied, "I had something to look forward to."

His comment made my heart smile and also gave me insight into his school morning struggles. I asked him, "on school days, do you look forward to your day?"  He replied, "some days when I have art, PE and library, but not the other days." I appreciated his honesty, and then I went into Mom mode saying, "everyday there is something to look forward to, we just don't always know what it is, but we have to trust that God has something good in each day waiting for us." Matt said, "I guess you're right." I then shared, "let's try that the rest of the week, saying something that we have to look forward to in the day to help us get up and ready with greater ease."

As these words exited my mouth, I knew I was not only saying them for Matt but that I needed to hear these words as well. 

Sometimes I enter my day, and week, seeing the lists and tasks, and my heart's posture may not be right and ready for what's ahead, just like Matt's on some school mornings.  It made me think of a quote that I heard yesterday that I had shared with my family,

"If you look at the world, you will be distressed. If you look within, you will be depressed. If you look at God, you'll be at rest." - Corrie Ten Boom

I share this with you today in case you can relate to Matt and me, and be looking at the day instead of at God and what He has in the day for us.

I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.™

May we not be so focused on our schedules, our to do lists, or our desires that forget the wisest place for us to put our focus; on God.  May we pray that we can be intentional, and directional, with our thoughts and remember to seek God first in our days.  When we do this, may He help remind us that we have breath in our lungs and therefore He has a purpose for us in this day. May we give thanks for the day, no matter what it holds. May we ask God to show us the blessings He has placed along our way during the day, and how we can be a blessing to others along the way; like the veterans were for Matt today, and I am sure he was for them.

With love and hope,
Shawn
 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
- Psalm 121:1-2

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Another year.  What a gift!

As we enter a New Year, I often feel a pull to change my outer being. For so much of my life I have lived believing if I looked good on the outside then I would be well within. I believed this to my core that I have spent much of my career in the wellness field teaching others how to do the same. For the majority of my life, I have been entangled in trying to look good on the outside but the interesting thing is, often when I have looked my best by the world's standards, I have not been well within.

I will admit, the temptation arises within me to go back to this belief and follow it to a new exercise routine, diet and to set goals for myself that often align with the “change the outside first” mentality.

Can you relate?

If so, I have good news for you that will bring you a renewed perspective for you to ring the New Year in with that doesn’t require you to change the outside of yourself.

The good news is that your wellness begins within.

Wellness is when we are well in our soul with God.

And when we are well, we will experience more of the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22)

How do we experience this nourishing fruit?

God says He is the vine and we are the branches, whoever remains in Him will produce much fruit. (John 15:5) Our wellness is not dependent on what we look like on the outside. Instead our wellness is something that grows from our deepening relationship with God.

Please know, I am not discounting the importance of taking care for our bodies, as they are the temple for the Holy Spirit. We need to treat them as we would any holy place, with dignity, honor and respect. And yes, I do love to exercise, eat well, drink plenty of water, get a solid amount of sleep, etc. Yet God’s Word tells us to be less concerned about the outside and more focused within,

“…our outer self is wasting away, (and) our inner self is being renewed day by day.” - 2 Corinthians 4:16

He wants us to be well in our soul with Him first, above all else.

So as we enter the New Year, I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.™

This year let’s choose to begin within. May we make our growing relationship with God our priority. Day by day, may we choose to give God the first fruits of our time so we can fill up on His Word and His Truth to nourish our hearts, minds and souls. May this New Year be a new beginning for all of us as we focus less on what is on the outside and instead choose to live from the inside out and align ourselves with God, and His divine design for us. The world’s messages of what will help us be well are ever changing. Yet God’s Word is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Let’s choose to root ourselves daily in His unwavering Word and Truth so we are well in our soul with God and experience more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, no matter what the year brings.

This will be a journey for all of us, myself included. Please know I am here to walk this truth beside you and encourage you along the way.


With love and hope,
Shawn 

What We Need Is Already Within Us

We were on a family hike recently and one of our kids said, “using the exercise bike has made my legs stronger.”

That comment made me pause. Was it really the bike that made a difference or was it that my child was choosing to use the bike, and put in effort, consistently?

In response to their comment I said, “no, the bike hasn't made your legs stronger, it's been your commitment, dedication, consistency and hard work that have made them stronger. The real difference was within you, the bike was just a tool.”

My kids cringe when I say things like this, but I want them to see that the true work begins within.

There are so many messages around us saying if we get this, then we will get better at (fill in the blank). I am guilty of falling into the trap myself. Yet what I am learning is that so many of the outcomes I desire truly begin with the work within myself.

Can you relate?

If so, I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.™

Let's take a moment to answer the question, what is it we are thinking we need to get that will help us get a desired outcome we are seeking in this season? 

(Please note: if what you have to get has to do with your health, please listen to your doctor about what you need, not me. There are definitely tools we may need for our health so let's do our due diligence to get what we need for that.)

Instead of rushing out and getting some-thing, let's pray and ask God to reveal to us what it is we really need in this season; is it commitment, dedication, diligence, effort, consistency, etc.? For when we see that much of what we really need are tools that are already available within us, then we can ask Spirit to help us take the tools and use them wisely so we are able to move towards our desired outcomes. 

May we see that much of the real work to achieve the outcomes we desire begins within, just as it was for my child's legs to grow stronger.

With love and hope,
Shawn 

Healthy Risks Help Refine Us

This was an unexpected moment. Kate and Matt enjoy skiing/snowboarding but Gav was adamant that he would never ski again after not enjoying it the few times we’ve gone as a family.

I had planned to take Kate and Matt last night to meet up with friends when Gav shared his friends had invited him to go. He said he was going to give it another try!

Needless to say, Gav had a great night with his friends. What made my heart smile was seeing his friends meet him where he was at and their willingness to teach him and help him grow.

When I saw Gav on his last run of the night, I saw a person who at the start of the night was so hesitant to even try skiing again grow into someone who had more confidence and who challenged himself, physically and mentally.

Growth doesn’t happen in our comfort zones.

I was so happy for Gav, yet witnessing this also made me take a look within.

Am I challenging myself or am I staying in my comfort zone?

How about you?

I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.™

May we take time to reflect on, and answer, that question. I will be honest, I am comfortable and I need to get out of my comfort zone more.

How about you?

This doesn’t mean we should be irresponsible, but we need to take healthy risks that help refine us more into the person God made us to be.

As we look to the new year ahead, may we choose to be more bold and courageous, like Gav was last night. May we invite the right people beside us who will meet us where we are yet will challenge us to grow, like Gav’s friends did. And may we ask God to help us grow stronger, from the inside out, so when we get to the end of our day, week and year, we are more fulfilled within, knowing we have taken a step in faith, outside our comfort zone, having trusted God to do His work in us, and through us.

With love and hope,

Shawn

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Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed, for God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9

Ignite the Light

This morning was dark. Like many, we had wind that caused our power to go on and off. We had the candles ready to light up our dark home. When I lit this candle, it made me think of church on Christmas Eve when each person holds an unlit candle. To light up the dark church, one candle is lit and the light gets passed from one person to the next. Slowly the space gets illuminated by the lighting of the candles. This thought made me pause…

In my yoga journey, we talked about the light in us.

My faith in Jesus now informs me that light in us is a gift from God; the Holy Spirit.

However we currently view the light within, I pictured each of us holding a candle as we walk through our days.

Is our candle lit? If not, are we looking to the right place to light it?

If so, are we more focused on keeping our light lit rather sharing the light with others?

Are we doing our part to light other’s candles?

Are we fanning the flame of other’s lights during our days with our words and actions to help them continue to experience that warmth and light within?

Could we be contributing to extinguishing that flame in others?

Looking at it through this new lens, I am encouraged to be a person who will help light and fan the flame in others for God, and I encourage you to do the same. I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.™

May we be sure we are igniting the light within us each day with our time with God. May we take the flame He gives us and use it throughout our day to help ignite, and fan that the flame in others. Like in church, may our homes and communities become brighter from the sharing of that light.

With love, light and hope,

Shawn

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Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12

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