I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day! Only 4 more days until Christmas Day! The excitement in the air is palpable.
This week I just want to share a few thoughts/insights from the week:
- I still can't get my mind around what happened in Newtown, CT last Friday...how can you? How do you explain or understand the loss of sweet, precious, innocent lives - young & old? I feel a searing sorrow to the depths of my soul. My heart literally aches. Initially I have a lot of questions for God. How? Why? Where were You?! My Pastor talks last Sunday about how he felt the same things. He said doubt is o.k. and, if there were no doubt, there would be no faith. This makes sense to me. I still don't understand. I still hurt. I still believe that God is in control and He will use all things for good...sometimes saying and believing these things strictly by faith. I think of and pray for the families, for the loss, heck, for the whole town, numerous times during the week.
- I was on Facebook earlier this week putting my daily quote on there and I see a post from one of my former players. He says that he is dumb because he failed a test. He is one of the smartest, hardest working people I have ever met in my life. I am reminded that we all fail the tests that we don't prepare for. Whether in life, in the classroom, on whatever field you play, if you don't prepare you will fail. This does not make us failures, these are simply failing moments. Question to self; are you preparing for the test that certainly lie ahead?
- I am walking through the streets of downtown Seattle - down 6th Avenue to be specific - on the way to a dinner. It is raining. It is cool. People are bustling around everywhere. I look up and see big trees with beautiful white lights, in the distance the Space Needle. I am struck by the beauty. The rain hitting my face feels good. The cool air feels refreshing. I wonder how come I don't always notice these things. I see little kids in the window at Nordstroms sitting in Santa's lap. I think of the kids in Newtown...I pray.
- I have a friend, who for two weeks has known that on the 20th he will find out whether or not he will keep his job or be laid off. I pray for my friend, his bride and their daughters. I pray more than anything that God's peace will be upon them, that they will truly trust and believe that God is good, that He has a plan for their lives, that He will take care of them. I pray this for my family and I. On Wednesday night the 19th I am climbing into bed. My heart feels heavy for my friend and my spirit convicts me to get up and reach out to him. I email him, I tell him I love him, I share some scriptures with him that I feel might be meaningful to him and I pray for him, typing it as I pray. On Thursday morning I pray for my friend several times. I look at my watch several times between 10 - 11 in Seattle. His meeting started at 10 Seattle time. Each time I look at it I think, "he should know by now." I don't try to guess what might or might not be happening...I pray. A little after 11 I receive a text from him...he still has his job. I smile, I thank God.
- During the week I receive an email from a friend. She had taken a great leap of faith in her career because she felt it was the right thing to do. She waited patiently, faithfully for the job she felt was right. She was emailing me to let me know that she had in fact found a great job and that she would be starting the next day. Her walk, her testimony of faith, speaks to my heart. My heart is genuinely happy for her. I thank God that she had the strength, the courage to walk it out faithfully.
- Still reading Joyce Meyer's book about the words we speak, being mindful of breathing life or death with each one. As I workout and pray, asking God to lead me, guide me, give me the right words, my spirit convicts me. I don't want to just say the right things or not say the wrong things. No, I want to think the right things. I claim the truth of God's word when He says He will renew our minds. Yes, this is what I ask Him for. I want to see what He sees. I don't want to just say nice things I really want to see the good in people, in situations. I pray more.
- I love Seattle...it is so beautiful. You want to talk about the rain? Why do you think it is so green? I had the privilege of talking to so many neat, unique people this week. What a privilege! I fly home. As much as I really do love Seattle, Phoenix is home and my heart genuinely feels happy as my plane slowly descends. I hustle to baggage, to the shuttle, drive home as quickly as I can. I see my Beautiful Bride and 3 Tender Warriors...yes, this is where I belong. This is my calling. I truly am blessed.
Have a great night, a wonderful weekend & a very Merry Christmas. And, if you are a praying person, I respectfully ask that you pray for peace, strength & courage for those in Newton, CT. Cherish those precious families and friends!
Kev
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