To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Inspiration

Simple Thoughts Sunday: The many faces of “mom”

There are way too many days to pick just one to honor the moms out there. Alas, today in America we pay a special tribute.

I am incredibly grateful to have my mom still. She is strong and courageous, and I hope to celebrate her often!

In today’s blog, though I thought we should look a bit broader.

I love this picture because it reminds me of one of my favorite roles: dog mom! That’s a fun example of one of the many mom roles that happen across our communities. We have the teachers and nurses (a special shout out to both professions that we recognized this week across our country) who nurture and hold us accountable to grow in knowledge and health. Needless to say, this was highlighted tenfold this past year!

We have the “bonus” moms and grandmothers who didn’t physically carry a child, but who stepped into a role that they embraced daringly. (God bless you all!) We have the aunts, the co-workers, the neighborhood moms, and a host of other women who play a big part in helping raise our younger generations. It takes a village, after all.

Today, I hope you will reach out to the ladies who have helped you out along the way. Perhaps also to someone you know others may not think to honor. (I guess I may even have to acknowledge the “cat” moms out there?! Kidding, kidding!)

Have the best week!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Acts of kindness belong at the top of our to-do list

“Outdo one another in honor.” Romans 12:10

This verse… is my life verse. This verse has the power to change the world alone. It gives us clear instruction to be devoted to one another in love and honor. It showcases that our humanity is here to help each other rise above and face both challenges and celebrations by turning our attention off of ourselves and on to the people God surrounded us with…even if we may not support their approach or their actions.

My dear friend Mindy Corporon is the most courageous and honoring person I know. Mindy’s story is known by many in our community, and now around the world. Her son and father – along with another lady in Kansas City – were brutally killed by a man whose life was infiltrated with hate. Her choice was to focus on the above – to love and to develop understanding, ultimately allowing her to get to honor. That’s a heavy story and the boldest example of what it means to love even though we flat out don’t want to. The significance of that cannot be described.

A part of this journey has resulted in the Faith Always Wins Foundation and Seven Days – Make a ripple, change the world. This week (or in a pandemic year- a couple of weeks …) is set aside each year to bring our community together to focus on how we get to love and honor by raising our awareness of our differences and embrace all who are walking this journey with us.

Acts of kindness are the ultimate example of living this out. They bring hope to the room, elevate the energy around us and even save lives.

So, what’s your act of kindness going to be? I think we need to start each day with this at the top of our to do list. There is no better time to spread love in every space we enter. Have the best week!

When the student is ready, the teacher appears

One of the most remarkable movies of all time to me has been Karate Kid. Mr. Miyagi and Daniel “son” were the classic student/teacher duo. Mr. Miyagi’s creativity and patience were lessons for all of us on so many levels. But in this blog, to me, it was all about Daniel. He showed a desire to learn… He may have grown inpatient with the manner of which he was taught, but nonetheless, he showed up, was relentless in learning and his outcomes showcased the effort. The ideal example of possibility when we are ready.

One example in the “adulting” phase of life is the many important conversations that need had, or new approaches that need taken as we move toward our best self and best life. The need to dive into our own back story to learn how history and/or context may have shaped our initial thoughts and narrated our early opinion is essential, as it gives us context. This type of learning and the work that goes into it is always worth it in the end, but feels a lot like Daniel’s experience in being asked to “wax on, wax off…”confusing and grueling at times.

Most importantly, this is what I feel is the idea example of the Buddhist principle, “When the student is ready… the teacher appears.” We can only find this type of teacher when we are ready for it. The good news, the universe delivers us up some excellent teachers and they come in the forms of books, podcasts, movies, friends, family, mentors, colleagues, and of course professional help. I so love it when the world shows up for me just when I need it. (Chances are, they were there all along, I just wasn’t ready to listen.)

Is there any area of your life where you are ready for a teacher? You might not even know the answer. I know I want to elevate my financial understanding this year… investment options, etc. I have found that just when I started honing in on that, Twitter has served up some excellent resources and those have resulted in a couple of new books, podcasts etc. The world seems to shine right when you are ready.

If you have any similar examples or stories we’d all love to hear them! I hope that this idea is as useful for you as it has been for me. The old quote showed up in my world a few months ago and I knew I wanted to write about it, and it just keeps showing up. I’m hopeful that just the right person finds this to be a helpful sign at just the right on time!

What stories call you to action?

(Photo courtesy of every other media outlet in America… Thank you, Google.)

This blog title has been on my phone and ready to use for quite some time. It turns out the time is now.

So, what stories call you? I mean, what stories, keep you thinking… they aren’t fleeting, and have staying power. The stories from the past that you share with mentees, children, colleagues, friends? The stories that light a fire and capture your imagination? Both types create life and those stories are what bring us together. In telling our stories, we are able to share what we’ve learned, bring laughter, healing and meaning to others. In hearing a story that ignites a flood of hope and makes us want to jump in, we are compelled to act.

If you haven’t yet heard Amanda Gorman’s poem, “The Hill We Climb,” that she read at the inauguration last week, stop what you are doing and watch. After that, spend some time researching her story. I didn’t see any other part of the events on Inauguration Day yet, but a clip on Twitter left me wanting more. I found myself sending it to my tribe and running to Amazon to order her upcoming books. It left me with such hope for this coming generation, that I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Amanda Gorman represents what is good and what is the America that I know and love. I know I’m only one of many new fans* of Ms. Gorman. I hope the message she shared sits with our country for eternity. The multiple messages speak to life in general and to a nation’s opportunity ahead. (*She went from a few thousand followers on Twitter to 1.4 million this week –– and 2M new instagram followers, according to Buzzfeed.)

No matter what stories call you to action, it is helpful to identify them. Are there themes? Your dad’s classics? A story of how someone helped you grow? A story of a prayer warrior that inspired you to know the value of praying for others? Themes perhaps of humor, purpose, inspiration? Tell those stories. Share them early and often. Take time to honor new ones in the mix. Stories are how we learn. Every worthy book, ancient and new, brings us to the table through story. Stories call us to action and, like Gorman’s beautiful reciting of meaningful words, give us hope and meaning. What could be better?

Here’s to a wonderful week ahead! So thankful for the Kansas City Chiefs and their AMAZING game Sunday and the spirit of our great city.

Spiritual formation is a slow process: Finding the “something more”

I am amazed at how much I have learned over the years. It seems that at some point –– and I have no idea when that is –– you would pretty much know what you are going to know. I can confirm that is, of course, absolutely not true. (Relax, younger readers!) Our journeys can include endless learning, if we choose to make it so.

Today’s post is on the idea that spiritual formation is a slow process. I could easily say the same for our understanding of financial or relationship matters. We evolve, learn, grow, and are able to be better for it.

I am not sure how I got on this idea of “spiritual formation.” Perhaps it started with Rachel Held Evan’s book, “Inspired,” which is a story of how in her 30’s she pretty much started to second guess everything she had learned in church. She wanted “something more” and was willing to be intentional about finding out what that was. She found out that if she really started to go deeper, that the (what she calls) “magical stories” in the Bible make more sense when understood within proper historical background, and context. It feels like, that for the most part, the vast majority of people (including me until a few years ago) thought the stories in the Bible progressed chronologically somehow, which honestly doesn’t even make sense, but they don’t teach you that in Sunday School. There is so much left on the table.

“Spiritual Formation” speaks to the ordinary maturing of our faith in the context of our personal beliefs and values, no matter what those may be. For me, it’s the Christian faith. But again, it stands true regardless. (I should point out here, that I am not using the same spiritual formation term that some religious groups feel is controversial, i.e. trying to suggest a change to the doctrine.)

For me, it is clear that God gave us these amazing human minds, and he wants us to use them so that we can grow and help others grow. The primary form of educating is storytelling in the New Testament and in that, Jesus is often found asking thoughtful questions of the people. This was clearly what he felt was the best way to get them actually “thinking” and exploring the truth and meanings and better yet, how those learnings inform and impact their lives.

Today’s insight is to simply point out that our progress is indeed a lifelong and “slow” process. We have the power to develop our thinking through solid information, reflection, collaboration and prayer. I believe we would evolve in a positive way within our societies, communities, work places and homes if we ask of ourselves to go deeper and begin the long road of learning with the intent to understand and not merely accept all that we hear, read, etc at face value. Praying for you all and our country during this historic week.

Let’s AMPLIFY together in service to others

Happy New Year! The energy the turn of a page brings cannot be understated. The opportunity to start fresh is powerful, regardless if you are moving from second to third grade, into a new career or simply turning the calendar day over, launching into a new year ahead. A full 365 days to move toward your dreams and calling.

I was so inspired over the past few days while reading “Our Better Angels,” written by Jonathan Reckford the CEO for Habitat for Humanity. I am well aware of the organization, but have not been involved and honestly had no idea of the stories that he unfolded in the book. Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Ruth, have been vested fully in this work for many years, and their work on homes while well into their 90s was enough to give me a swift kick in the pants (as my grandmother used to say).

Sometimes, we all need to a bit of a shake up to realize we can make a difference no matter what resources, circumstances or age we find ourselves at.

The title came from President Lincoln’s first inaugural address, he expressed hope that we could all remember our shared unity if we would hearken to “the better angels of our nature.” I felt like that was a solid statement as we launch into the year. My mind tends to go to the “What ifs.” As in… What if we all chose 2021 to focus on each other... for us all to make a commitment to serve others every single day? What if we all found ourselves stopping by a nursing home with a cheery card for the resident who needs it most? What if we stopped to listen, made that call, committed to sending messages of appreciation out each day? What if we truly went on a mission to understand poverty –– how it happens in our country and what needs to happen for us to collectively and meaningfully move toward a better world? What if?

I am in the midst of my 2021 planning and I don’t know yet how often I’ll blog, but I do know that God continues to call me to do so. I have changed over the years from 3 times per week to 2, for example. I would love to hear any feedback you have so I can learn from it!

What I do know is this idea of “To Serve Well” was a God-delivered title and a focus that I will likely always have. I may finally push my small book off to print this year. The manuscript has been sitting dormant for I think 2 years now… I’m not sure what the world needs, but I do know that I hope to do my part. I would love nothing more than to know I served well. It is my belief that we were all put here to do just that and to live out being the hands and feet of Jesus to all that God has placed in our path.

Have a truly great celebration this week, regardless of how small it might be… I’m praying that the intimacy of the moment as we transition to the new year brings you great joy.

Don’t miss the present –– the now

Today is the opportunity we have been granted.

This month is a great time to recommit and be fully awake to what is going on around us, and be completely open to living in the moment.

Tom Peters has a thought that “Excellence is the next 5 seconds…”

I want to be excellent. I want to be IN this moment, not OUTSIDE of it.

I want to be fully aware of the lights on the tree, the anticipation from the children for the holiday festivities, the tears that are hidden behind my friends smile, the extra-tight hug that shows a friend needs a little extra support right now… all of it.

I want to be fully awake. Don’t you?

I believe that if we can get better in this area, we will be closer to being fully alive.

Who’s with me on this?

(Rewind! This is a throwback post that felt like just what we needed right now.)

What one word sets your soul on fire for the best year ever?

I really love this topic. My mind runs amok with the possibilities. Where in the world does God want us to go in 2021? It’s a whole new decade… the possibilities are endless! How do we best achieve our personal goals and purpose? How can we show up with excellence at home, in our neighborhood, as a friend, for our community and in our careers?

Now, of course I know “one word” doesn’t capture it all, but what would one thought be that galvanizes and energizes? Is there a specific area in your life that needs a specific focus? Do you need to for example cultivate your relationships? Do you need to have more days of connection and joy? Are you being called to adventure, travel or exploration?

So many ideas. Here are a few…

Discipline – This was my first “one word” from back in 2012, and it was the year I started working out on a regular basis and focusing on personal health. Total game changer.

Also… Elevate, trust, joy, stretch, acceptance, happiness, freedom, momentum, growth, unstoppable, shine, minimize, rebuild, peace, silence, brave, curious, perspective, thrive, aware, fresh, quiet, travel, adventure, journey, accelerate, game-changer, win, search, commit, dedicate, meaning, true, love…

If you choose to jump on this train, I highly recommend that you share your word with a few members of your tribe, write it down and put it front and center somewhere you see often. There are also other resources, including a website, which lets you join others across the world in the process.

In closing, I will share that selecting a word could be a challenge. Since I’ve done this a few years, I always want to give it some real thought and try to hear from God on what would be the most powerful word to help direct me. That said, my word for 2018 was “revival,” and I didn’t really understand it fully at the time, but felt it was clearly supposed to be my word.

Here is what I wrote in 2018 on this topic (referencing a message I had just heard at that time about “revival” being a “season of reintroduction”): “Revival is a time where God reintroduces himself, exposes you more to your next assignment, and gives you insights to conquer that next level.” As it turns out, it actually was a year of reintroduction, but in many ways not at all how I would have even began to predict or understand January 1. I think that is a fun part of this journey… sometimes what you think at the onset is not how it ends up.  

What we can count on is that 2021 will be an adventure! Have a terrific wrap to your week everyone!  

A day of honor: Veteran’s Day 2020

Today is always one of my favorite days of the year. I don’t think anything captures the heart of America like Veteran’s Day.

The men and women who have served, their families, and the communities that circle around to honor them, all give me pause and the inevitable lump in your throat response. One of the most powerful scriptures says that “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

Today, we honor your great sacrifice, your willingness to immerse yourself and your families in what truly is the greatest display of love.

Our country has been built on the backs of men and women who have served with honor. There is no doubt in my mind that this required pushing through fear and all manner of stress as they faced the unknown. That level of commitment and honor for America is why we are all in a free democracy today, in what I believe is and always will be the greatest country in the world. My heart is overflowing with gratitude. I hope that we will all let this day live on day after day as we strive to serve well with love for our country.

Rooted: Pursuing gratitude

November is an amazing month. It has so much to offer us that my heart might burst. I get this crazy smile thinking about the beauty of this life. The faces of those I love cross through my mind and I just can’t get over God’s goodness. I then skip to the open skies, ridiculously amazing sunsets, the Kansas farm fields, vast oceans and peaceful lakes. Those, of course, simply scratch the surface.

Sometimes I need to pinch myself to be sure I’m alive and this is real. We are literally surrounded by joy at every turn. Even a routine trip to the local Walgreens can confront us with warmth as we watch a mom and their child walking the candy aisle with excitement. That is, if we are paying attention. We need not go on a well-manicured and planned vacation to receive all of this outrageous glory. It’s right in front of us.

This November I’m committed to pursuing being ROOTED deeply in gratitude. I’m committed to all manner of attempts to truly embrace and offer my full thankfulness regardless of what the month brings.

Thank you for being a part of my story and my prayer is that each of you will let the love literally pour over your souls… let it seep into your every thought. Don’t let the days pass without feeling how incredible this life is and all that we have been given.