To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

To Serve Well

Simple Thoughts Sunday: What an unbelievably beautiful world

I am fairly sure I could write on that blog headline alone for months. So many ways to approach that.

On this Sunday, I am struck by the beauty surrounding us all. The people God has surrounded me with alone showcases his absolute goodness. How about you? Who in your circle brightens your world? Isn’t it an amazing thought to consider? My head swims with why I am gifted with such incredible people. I know for certain I have done nothing to deserve that, and yet…

In Ephesians 3, verse 20, we find that God promises that he will provide more than “all” we can ask or imagine. Folks, I, like many of you, have faced many trials and sometimes the logical mind just cannot wrap it’s simple thinking to create a narrative you or I can understand. Many hard realities just flat out don’t make sense, and YET, we are promised good. Over and over in my 53 years, I have witnessed this truth. It makes my head spin with joy really.

Today’s simple thought is a call to stop and truly look around and take inventory. No matter where you find yourself, at a mountain top moment in life, or in a “WTH” moment (Google it if you need to ? ), your mind will be blown away by the beauty surrounding you. I went to a church for a season that always ended the service with “God is good all of the time, and all of the time, God is good.” That is true.

Have a wonderful week ahead and enjoy every last bit of this delightful season we find ourselves in.

Called to write again: Imagining the impact we might have

Happy Wednesday, everyone! My last post on June 9* shared that I was in construction/remodel mode, which is true in almost every aspect of my life. The remodel at home is 90+% complete and the other parts of my life are clearly on their own time table. Those who have been a student of life for more than a few decades, know that we are always in some type of “updating” as we navigate the journey God has for us, and that, my friends, is by grand design and that is absolutely wonderful to know and live out. However, we must acknowledge that the path is not always well laid out and often is full of debris and weathered. (And thank God for the times that the same path is clearly marked, smooth and even sunny with birds chirping as we stroll by.)

Let’s chat about that for a moment. We all seem to hear over and over again that the last 19 months have been unprecedented. The reality it, we don’t know the full extent and impact of this to our wellbeing quite yet. We actually have no real way to know if or when this will return to the way of life we knew prior to March of 2020.

Adam Grant wrote a great piece in the New York Times, identifying the feeling as “languishing.” The term is defined by not really making progress, stagnating and watching what is happening, almost as if you are an outsider looking in at your life. If you dig a bit deeper, you will also find that languishing can mean the “absence of mental health,” and is synonymous with “sinking, weakening or wilting.” Humans were created with a mind for forward progress and momentum, so this feeling takes us off our center.

The Bible (my go-to) is clear that we are to be productive and to contribute, so when we get stalled, this feeling is real and supported. Everyone I know seems to have this deep knowing that something is not quite right, and the idea of “languishing” resonates some days.

So, how should we think about this reality we find ourselves in? What options do have to not just endure them, but to make an impact and the best kind of forward progress? I’m not an expert of course, but a midwestern lady that happens to have a passion for learning and also for loving people, so I’ll give it my best shot today.

Here’s what I think God wants me to share: Humans may have been created for forward movement, but above that we are called to honor. My life verse is Romans 12:10, “Outdo one another in showing honor…be affectionate to your brethren and love one another; be preferring and honoring of one another…” It’s the most clarifying thought to me, regardless of where we are in the pandemic or our construction process. No matter what, we are given truly wonderful guidance to honor, to love and to serve each other. (Side note: Keep your eyes and heart open for
who God lays on your heart. It might be someone unexpected.)

So, what if today we all just focus on that? What would happen if we all brought forward our full selves in not just a spirit of honor for each other, but in faith in action? My friend Joey, is my mentor on this topic. Where can your actions support your faith and your desire to honor, love and serve? Who needs a bit of your joy today? Imagine the impact that would have?

Thank you again for following this writing. I am trying to up my prayer game, so I am committing to you today that I am doubling down on prayer for each of you and cheering you on wherever life finds you today!

Quick closing note: I mentioned in my post from June that I want to do things differently, and that’s still in the works. If you or someone you know is interested in helping with design or in getting a newsletter format off the ground, please let me know!

Under construction: Currently in design mode

So thankful today for the many readers who have reached out to ask if I’m still writing. Why YES, I am! I should have posted something to let the group know that I am “remodeling” the writing model.

I started writing the blog initially in May of 2015. Six years have flown by. I initially started 3 days a week and then went to 2 with less than a handful of short breaks. It has been an incredible adventure. So many of you have provided such wonderful insights and encouragement to me along the way. I often have someone tell me they share this weekly with their entire team, which brings me incredible joy. It’s often the posts I worry didn’t resonate where I have someone reach out to me with a heartfelt thank you as it somehow met them at an important time on their journey. That’s the whole reason I feel God led me to do this and continues to lead my ideation and content creation.

Over that time, we have posted more than 750 blogs, tens of thousands of email newsletters opened, and too many emails and comments to list, but the engagement is appreciated and so helpful to everyone reading. The power is in us not feeling alone as we navigate the complexities of life.

The next version will be a bit different but same goal! 

In preparation for that, I would love for you to go to To Serve Well and sign up to become an email subscriber. Google analytics gives us great data, but we really need those with emails to sign up formally. As I prepare to publish my book, the industry uses email subscribers versus Facebook, Instagram or Twitter followers as their “true” followers guidelines. The goal is to reach more people in hopes of providing words that uplift us all and give us thoughtful questions to consider as we strive to serve the best in our homes, communities and workplace.

One more thing… These are always intended to be super brief, because we all know time is precious. Feeding our minds with what is good and helpful is critical. All said, I know many have converted to listening to short video format on podcasts or other mediums. If you are one of those please let me know. I am in the “design” mode and definitely thinking through a short-form podcast, but want it to truly be in the spirit of this blog. (Think a one-minute read or listen.) Let us know! Ashley, (my superstar editor and publisher) and I would love nothing more than to meet you where you are in reducing the noise to only the work that actually helps achieve our purpose in life.

Thank you so very much! Still praying for you all daily, still cheering you all on! I hope to be back up around back-to-school time!

“Bring My People Together”

My takeaways from Mindy Corporon’s new book, “Healing a Shattered Soul.”

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book from Mindy, and I want to share some thoughts I had after I closed the final page. Although I walked some of this journey with Mindy, there was an enormous part I had no idea about, and I am incredibly grateful that she wrote this book. It is a must read for anyone who has had a major loss. Even for those of us who have not, the book helps us to be a better friend for those who cross our paths who have.

The purpose of this blog is to focus on “serving well.” Just how do we do that in our homes, workplace and community? This books brings forward so much good in answering that question in perhaps the toughest challenge we face as humans. Just how can we do that in a crisis? One where there are no words, and often so incredibly uncomfortable that you don’t even want to lean in at all for fear of somehow making it worse. As Mindy shares, those people that leaned in actually helped her and her family through the most painful days. And still today – 7 years later – provide them energy, prayer and the strength to use their story to better our world. Leaning in is important and the stories weaved throughout this book offer us countless ways to do just that. It’s powerful.

The title of today’s blog pivots to the center message that Mindy has heard God speaking to her since that tragic day: “Bring your people together.” The work that Mindy and her family have led over the past several years has done just that.  Their desire to bring together people to develop knowledge and an understanding of our interfaith differences has been timely for where we find ourselves in at this point in our nation’s history. If you aren’t familiar with the work, check out Give Seven Days. Their themes of “Love, Discover, Others, Connect, You and Go,” provide a basis for the mission which spans both interfaith and multi-generational opportunities to better our community.

The significance of how God has orchestrated this tragedy for good in this world is further evidence that good can and will come out of the bad if we listen and commit our actions to the work.   Mindy shares in the book this quote, “It was clear to me that following His (God’s) direction that night immediately gave me strength and comfort.” I love that, because I have found that be true, and a constant reminder is helpful. Somehow, when we listen to God, the peace and strength that gives us is second to none. It’s a beautiful experience and one I have realized a few times in my life. I need to listen more.

I could go on and on with insights today, but I want to leave it with what I feel is the perfect wrap-up quote from Mindy’s book. The message brings together this idea of service and also her mission to make good come…

“Just as family and friends were instruments of God, available to breathe life into me, I have picked up my own cross to pay it forward to help others find healing, hope, and inspiration.” 

My prayer is that we will all be able to be instruments when the need arises and that we will have the courage to pick up our cross in whatever areas God sends us and act boldly, knowing God is with us. If you follow Mindy’s story (and I hope you do from now on if you haven’t) you will see a life well-lived, in action. She is an absolute inspiration for me and gives me courage and bravery along life’s twists and turn. I am forever grateful.

I hope you will pick up this book and both learn and then share it with anyone you know who might have experienced a serious loss. It will be very useful to them as they process their grief and find themselves on a path to healing.

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!

Stretch your body…stretch your mind

Stretch your body…
Stretch your mind…
Stretch your impact!

Happy Sunday! I’m all in on the blue zones and this wonderful photo of an older man stretching was just the inspiration I needed for today’s post. 

It’s spring, which is such a refreshing time, in part due to the ability to get outside more and move our bodies. Once we amp up the movement, it becomes clear fairly quickly that we might benefit from stretching to alleviate tight and sore muscles. It’s no surprise that one of the guiding principles of aging according to Blue Zones is stretching in order to maintain flexibility and mobility. Believe it or not, it also improves our energy levels. I’m all in for natural energy boosters! 

This idea of stretching has my mind bending toward what areas of life would also benefit from stretching. To me, knowledge is what I hope to stretch in the most. I am an avid reader already, which is the single best thing I can do to expand how I think, and learn from brilliant minds in so many areas. In today’s world where we are hit on all sides with headlines or just short bursts of information it’s really hard to know what to believe without diving in. To me, this is among the top five challenges of our life time. We all would be better if we committed to actually exploring and thinking  deeply about topics that impact our conversations and lives. We would be better yet if we actually study different points of view so we can embrace a larger perspective.

All in, I believe we can make a great impact by stretching! I am praying I can do so in the right directions and that God will lead me at every turn.  Have the best week!

Strengthen your spirit today

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

What a lovely scene in the picture above. The sun and the strength of the thoroughbred painted across a beautifully calm pasture.

Today’s post is around this idea of how we “steward” our light… What we offer up to our own souls and those God has surrounded us with on our journey. So, how well are you stewarding today?

By the way, a quick Google search helps frame up this role of a “steward” as: “A person who looks after the passengers on a ship for example… A person responsible for/managing…” Essentially, a person faithfully looking after what God has given him or her to protect and even grow.

Shaping the path of any given day requires a commitment that we make to ourselves. We make this silently, in the quiet of our meditations or prayers as we go to bed and rise each day. The thoughts that we allow to run wild as we drive, or walk or otherwise navigate our cities and communities. Pastor Adam Hamilton shares that he asks each morning that God would be with him on his mission for the day. I find that to be profound. I find that any power to steward well comes from God speaking through me, whether by word or action.

We have this enormous opportunity to “be the light.” As we go into this week and this season, let us be mindful that this is a gift and that it requires a steadfast dedication as it has for centuries on end, for everything and everyone from thoroughbred horse breeding operations, to NFL football clubs, to local business owners; to teenagers, seniors and every age in between… We collectively can bring the brightest light together if we choose. I pray that our actions bring forward the most powerful joy and light to all around our community.

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!

It’s time to add some fun to your calendar

I was in a conversation recently asking a friend what they are excited about. They honestly couldn’t think of anything. Have you ever been there? It’s been a long year plus and endless unknowns have created many to pause on planning pretty much anything!

I was thrilled to see that schools are actually planning to have graduations this year. The bottom line is that big and small “events” alike are important and are a significant part of the human experience.

“Studies from Cornwall University have found those who (for example) plan a trip in advance, experience better feelings about their social situation, economic means, state of health and life life in general.” (via goodnewsnetwork.com). When we have something to look forward to, we are filled with a sense of anticipation and even excitement. It can make the days leading up better and brighter.

Todays’ brief insight is focused on our mental health. Sure, it takes intention and planning, but regardless if it’s a staycation, a weekend getaway or a lifetime trip, (or not even a vacation at all, but a fun lunch or day out with those who bring you energy!) we will be happier and healthier if we take time to add some FUN AND JOY to our calendar. If you happen to take care of parents or loved ones in anyway, or even have young adults in your life, it would be good to see what they are planning, or help them come up with something to look forward to! There are so many opportunities at all price levels from free (well, maybe some gas in the car…) on up, so don’t let that be a deterrent.

I for one have a wedding I get to attend this weekend and I couldn’t be more excited to share in this love story. Praying for you all as you wrap the week and hoping to hear your adventure stories along the way!

Simple thoughts Sunday: The more we learn, the more we don’t know

Nature. Isn’t is fabulous? Spring offers us this amazing opportunity to witness new life and to revel in it’s magic. The complexity of life seems to become more intriguing with each year. Those in the field of science, are learning that what we we were taught in high school about the basic structure of protons, neutrons and electrons, is perhaps only the tip of the iceberg. They have discovered a new level of dimension through the “muon” particle, and what that tells us that there are more forms of matter and energy that are still yet to be discovered. It’s pretty cool. (I hope that energy is the kind I need more of! :)) I stand in amazement and AWE of God’s design work.

That may seem “heady” to many, but I hope it’s simple enough to explain the intended insight today, which is that life, in all of its form, is complex and beautiful and that we should not stop discovering at any age. God continues to teach me and that is often done thru reading, the stories of others, and simply observing the amazing orchestration of the world around me.

One of the fun parts of our expanded universe – thanks to the online community – is that we have a whole world at our fingertips… literally. I learned this week about some live nature webcams, that are fascinating, whether you are simply intrigued, or if you want to just sit in simple amazement.

For my sister, who loves hummingbirds…(if you see her, ask her about her incredible hummingbird story!). You can find three different live hummingbird cams here.

For those sea adventures, watch sharks in the Atlantic, among other amazing creatures here. (You can also view the Redwood Forest, California on this site also…very cool.)

And of course, our national parks are perhaps our greatest asset as a country. (It’s also one of my dreams to adventure through them all via an RV with some good friends and family!) You can access their many nature livestreams here.

With the weather warming up, you could also find your own adventure in your own city. According to KC Trail Link, here in Kansas City we have 71 trails and 508 miles of parks, trails and stream to explore. Get out there and look up, look down (hint: turn over the rocks and see what interesting animals you might find…). and allow your soul to be immersed in God’s most beautiful work. Indeed, the more we learn, the more we realize that this universe is only a hint of what there is to know. I kind of love that truth!