Happy Friday Friends!
I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day! I have no shame...a Happy Friday on Tuesday!!! Truth of the matter is I knew what this Happy Friday was on Friday, didn't get around to writing it over the weekend and then it became painfully obvious this evening that I had to write it. You see, this is a testimony.
I have three men who I have the privilege of being with on this life journey. We encourage each other, we joke & laugh, we pray for each other, we joke & laugh, we challenge each other to be the men, husbands & fathers we were created to become, we joke & laugh, we give each other advice, we joke & laugh...you get the point. I am going to share some text messages one of these Brothers and I have shared with one another over the past couple of weeks.
2/27/14
My Bro
"I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." - Isaiah 22:22 NIV
Notice this Kevin. YOU hold the keys. Pray what needs to be opened in your situation and pray what needs to be closed. :)
Me
Wow, incredibly powerful. I am gonna be thinking on this one for a while...
*Seems I am always the one doing the thinking!!! Seriously, I am blessed to have men in my life that feed me this kind of stuff.
My Bro
I'm not a name it and claim it person but there are some things you DO Know. We can pray - Lord unlock the doors that would allow Kevin to be a Division I AD [my goal, my dream], unlock the doors that continue to create future opportunities for his sons. Lord, lock the doors that would hinder Kevin's family's dreams and desires. Stuff like that. :)
Me
Amen! I receive all that. Wow...
*I would pray this prayer - that doors would be locked and unlocked - leading, guiding and directing me according to the will, calling & purpose God has placed on my life several times over the next few days. You ever heard the expression, "be careful what you pray for?" The next time the topic pops up in our text exchange is nearly 2 weeks later.
3/10/2014
Me (in part)
It was funny, when I first heard [a door had been firmly slammed shut...loud bang and all!] there was a moment of disappointment. Then I remembered your text, that I had been praying for doors to be locked and opened...I realized that the prayer had been answered. In an instant I went from disappointment to praise. :)
My Bro (in part)
Wow. That's cool.
*He's so dramatic.
*The topic returns for us four days later.
3/14/2014
Me
Answer this: If we know - we truly believe - that He is locking and unlocking doors for us [please note that it is FOR us, FOR our good...so we can fulfill the calling the purpose He has for our lives] what in the world do we have to fear or worry about?
My Bro
I know the biblical answer - nothing. But here is what sometimes messes with me. I know God puts responsibility on us in this partnership with Him and I second guess my part sometimes. :)
*Ever feel that way? Me too...all the time!!! See Friends, we are all the same.
Me
We all do! Here is the deal, our responsibility is to knock on the door, to turn the knob. Here is what I think is the key: what we do when we get the answer at the door. What we want is not always what God wants for us. I wanted to be at ____, I didn't want to have to move my family, I didn't want to have to "start over" in a new town. He very clearly locked the door. I had done what I was supposed to do and He did what He promised to do, what I asked Him to do. When I remembered that I felt an incredible peace. Because he didn't do what I wanted didn't mean He wasn't there...it meant that this was not the door that leads to where I am called to go, what I am called to be.
You know what I struggle with as much as the locked door? The unlocked one! I get hesitant, finding it hard to accept that God would want to bless ME. When I think about it, this is a lack of faith also...just disguised differently. Think Daniel when He was appointed. Be strong & courageous, be confident. Yes, this is where I need prayer. He has very clearly unlocked the door at _______ and yet I am taking baby steps, turning around after every step essentially asking God, "You sure?"
Wow, thanks for listening to my conversation with God! :)
My Bro
Dang, that was GOOD! The door knob is one of those perspective changes for me. :) I'm going to be rereading this today. Thank you!
A few things I want to share with you:
1. Bro's and Sis's are a blessing. If you don't have one, I really want to encourage you to find one. A true Bro or Sis is one who loves you just the way you are, they see all your yuck and find the beautiful you. They help you become all that you were created to become. They are there for you when you need them and they turn to you when they are in need...or just to celebrate. It was really neat to just type the above and see the ebb and flow...the times I was leaning on my Bro and the times he was leaning on me. Bro's and Sis's are blessings...and I am triple blessed!
2. You can pray for doors to be locked and unlocked for you too according to the will, calling & purpose God has for your life. He will uphold his promises...He will lock and unlock doors. If you choose to pray this prayer, to give God the leadership of your life, please don't get discouraged when a door is locked...remember it is an answer to prayer.
3. It is easy to say these things when we are on the mountain top isn't it? How about when we are in the valley? When I typed my last text - all full of the Holy Spirit and everything! - I might not have been on the mountain top but I could darn sure see it! What if I told you that the door I mention being wide open got slammed in my face tonight? That, perhaps, there was a double door? (I am just kidding about that part...don't freak out and worry about praying for multiple doors!) That by definition right now, in this moment, I am in a valley. Everything I hoped for, that I thought was going to be is...gone. Now, I am not going to lie to you...at first I felt like I got shot right through the heart. I hurt...bad. May I please tell you that now, after talking to God, praying and being reminded again - by the Holy Spirit and by typing these text exchanges - that I realized that a door was simply locked. Nothing less, nothing more. It isn't all about mountain tops Friends...great testimonies are professed in valley's as well. I know that God has a plan, I thank Him for faithfully answering my prayers - even when I don't like the answer...initially anyways! - and I look forward to tomorrow, for I know that God is already there, ordering my steps.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always be willing to help you any way I can.
Have a great evening, a wonderful rest of your week and please cherish your precious families.
Kev
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Saturday, March 8, 2014
25 Years
Happy Friday Friends!
I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day and that you had a wonderful week!
This week was a huge week for my Beautiful Bride and I; on Tuesday we celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Four days later and I am still catching myself pausing, saying "Wow!" It is not because of the actual day itself - it was spent like any couple with 3 boys would spend it...I was at Gehrig's baseball scrimmage, she was at Landry's baseball practice - but rather the reflection on what God has done in and through us, how much we have grown, the thought of so many memories - both the good times and the bad times and a great appreciation of this incredible woman who I am honored to call my wife.
Kath and I met in high school when she was a sophomore and I was a junior. Our first date was Homecoming my senior, her junior year. We officially became boyfriend & girlfriend on October 22, 1984. From the very beginning I always wanted to be with her. My high school buddies would give me a hard time about not wanting to hang out with them because all I wanted to do was be with this girl with these amazingly beautiful eyes. Even when I would give in and go out with my buddies I would find myself late at night tapping on the screen to her bedroom window, waking her up, talking to her for a few minutes and telling her goodnight. It always felt good to talk to her, to hear her sweet, sleepy voice.
Kath and I have literally grown up together. Remember all those stupid things you did when you were 16, 17, 18-years old? Yeah, unfortunately we did those stupid things too. There was a period of about 8 months - still to this day the darkest time of my life - when we broke up. God brought us back together, it was very clear that it could only be God...a fact I stated during my speech on our wedding night.
When we got married I had no clue - absolutely no clue! - what it meant to be a husband. While I certainly loved Kath and liked all the benefits of being married, I did not have any understanding of my responsibilities as a husband. I was a young, immature kid and unfortunately, I acted that way. The truth of the matter is I don't think I fully understood what it meant to be a husband - that does not mean I live it out perfectly every day though I do strive to do so - until about 8 or 9 years ago. Along the way I was learning, I was growing but full understanding, appreciating and accepting really didn't occur until then.
I say this all the time and I mean it to the depths of my soul - it is an honor & privilege to be Kathy's husband. I now fully understand that it is my responsibility to love her unconditionally, honor her at all times, to protect her in all ways, to provide for all her needs, to help her find the greatness that is within her and to help her become the best that she is capable of becoming, to lead her and this beautiful family we have created together at all times and in all ways. I have learned that it is my role to sacrifice for her - to put her wants, needs, fears, concerns above my own. I wish I could tell you I have always found these things easy to do however that would be dishonest. I can tell you that I am inspired every day to lead this precious family and I know that I am incapable of doing this in my own knowledge, wisdom, strength and courage. Accordingly I meet with God every day and ask Him to lead my life, to lead them through me and to be the Lord of our home, of our lives.
There are a couple of things that I have learned that I would like to share.
1. To love is a choice. Kath and I have both given each other more than enough reasons, excuses to not love each other. Thankfully we have both chosen to look past those reasons and to love one another any ways. As I reflect back there have been times when she has stopped loving me but I carried the love for us and times when she has done the same. We got to a point, probably 10, 11 years ago when talking about getting out of the marriage, even uttering the word "divorce" was not an option. We committed that we would fight for this marriage no matter what, that we would love one another even when we are unlovable. Getting out, having other options was not an option. We then chose to love one another each and every day...even on the bad days.
2. We can choose not to be offended. People say things all the time like "you two are perfect" or "you always get along." Seriously?!?! I wish - no, wait, I don't wish...If you only knew some of the dumb, stupid, hurtful things we have said and done to one another. Just crazy, stupid, immature, it's all about me, stuff. But here is the thing, we can choose not to be offended. Because Kath has a bad day and is grumpy, it does not change who she is. Her failing moment does not make her a failure. Now, I can grab ahold of that moment, bring it up time and time again but for what? We will sometimes look at each other and say, "what are we fighting for?" Not "why are we in a fight?" but "what are we trying to accomplish?" I have found that it is in the moments when I am fighting for me, for my rights, for my wants, etc. that the most damage is done. When I stop, shut up and think about what is best for my Bride, my family...now we fight together for us. This too is a choice. The choice to forgive which, in my opinion, is the choice to give life.
I am awed by my Beautiful Bride! I do look at her and wonder how did I ever get so lucky to have such a beautiful woman - on the inside and out - fall in love with me? I still get that giddy, excited feeling when she will show up someplace where I do not expect to see her. Everything feels right in the world when she slides her hand into mine or when she will gently wrap her hand around my arm as we walk through the store. I am amazed that she has never given up on me though I have given her countless opportunities to do so. The sweet Spirit that resides inside that precious body speaks to me and teaches me things continually...gently instructing me, encouraging me to be the man God created me to be.
Tonight we will go out to dinner to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. The dinner will last a long time as we will sit for a few hours, reflecting and giving thanks for the life we have lived, for what God has done for us, in us and through us over these past 25 years. When we leave we will hold hands as we walk to the car, everything will feel right in the world - I will have my Sweet Girl by my side, just as she has been, where I have always wanted her to be, since 1984.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always be willing to help you any way I can.
Have a great day, an awesome weekend and please cherish your precious families.
Kev
I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day and that you had a wonderful week!
This week was a huge week for my Beautiful Bride and I; on Tuesday we celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Four days later and I am still catching myself pausing, saying "Wow!" It is not because of the actual day itself - it was spent like any couple with 3 boys would spend it...I was at Gehrig's baseball scrimmage, she was at Landry's baseball practice - but rather the reflection on what God has done in and through us, how much we have grown, the thought of so many memories - both the good times and the bad times and a great appreciation of this incredible woman who I am honored to call my wife.
Kath and I met in high school when she was a sophomore and I was a junior. Our first date was Homecoming my senior, her junior year. We officially became boyfriend & girlfriend on October 22, 1984. From the very beginning I always wanted to be with her. My high school buddies would give me a hard time about not wanting to hang out with them because all I wanted to do was be with this girl with these amazingly beautiful eyes. Even when I would give in and go out with my buddies I would find myself late at night tapping on the screen to her bedroom window, waking her up, talking to her for a few minutes and telling her goodnight. It always felt good to talk to her, to hear her sweet, sleepy voice.
Kath and I have literally grown up together. Remember all those stupid things you did when you were 16, 17, 18-years old? Yeah, unfortunately we did those stupid things too. There was a period of about 8 months - still to this day the darkest time of my life - when we broke up. God brought us back together, it was very clear that it could only be God...a fact I stated during my speech on our wedding night.
When we got married I had no clue - absolutely no clue! - what it meant to be a husband. While I certainly loved Kath and liked all the benefits of being married, I did not have any understanding of my responsibilities as a husband. I was a young, immature kid and unfortunately, I acted that way. The truth of the matter is I don't think I fully understood what it meant to be a husband - that does not mean I live it out perfectly every day though I do strive to do so - until about 8 or 9 years ago. Along the way I was learning, I was growing but full understanding, appreciating and accepting really didn't occur until then.
I say this all the time and I mean it to the depths of my soul - it is an honor & privilege to be Kathy's husband. I now fully understand that it is my responsibility to love her unconditionally, honor her at all times, to protect her in all ways, to provide for all her needs, to help her find the greatness that is within her and to help her become the best that she is capable of becoming, to lead her and this beautiful family we have created together at all times and in all ways. I have learned that it is my role to sacrifice for her - to put her wants, needs, fears, concerns above my own. I wish I could tell you I have always found these things easy to do however that would be dishonest. I can tell you that I am inspired every day to lead this precious family and I know that I am incapable of doing this in my own knowledge, wisdom, strength and courage. Accordingly I meet with God every day and ask Him to lead my life, to lead them through me and to be the Lord of our home, of our lives.
There are a couple of things that I have learned that I would like to share.
1. To love is a choice. Kath and I have both given each other more than enough reasons, excuses to not love each other. Thankfully we have both chosen to look past those reasons and to love one another any ways. As I reflect back there have been times when she has stopped loving me but I carried the love for us and times when she has done the same. We got to a point, probably 10, 11 years ago when talking about getting out of the marriage, even uttering the word "divorce" was not an option. We committed that we would fight for this marriage no matter what, that we would love one another even when we are unlovable. Getting out, having other options was not an option. We then chose to love one another each and every day...even on the bad days.
2. We can choose not to be offended. People say things all the time like "you two are perfect" or "you always get along." Seriously?!?! I wish - no, wait, I don't wish...If you only knew some of the dumb, stupid, hurtful things we have said and done to one another. Just crazy, stupid, immature, it's all about me, stuff. But here is the thing, we can choose not to be offended. Because Kath has a bad day and is grumpy, it does not change who she is. Her failing moment does not make her a failure. Now, I can grab ahold of that moment, bring it up time and time again but for what? We will sometimes look at each other and say, "what are we fighting for?" Not "why are we in a fight?" but "what are we trying to accomplish?" I have found that it is in the moments when I am fighting for me, for my rights, for my wants, etc. that the most damage is done. When I stop, shut up and think about what is best for my Bride, my family...now we fight together for us. This too is a choice. The choice to forgive which, in my opinion, is the choice to give life.
I am awed by my Beautiful Bride! I do look at her and wonder how did I ever get so lucky to have such a beautiful woman - on the inside and out - fall in love with me? I still get that giddy, excited feeling when she will show up someplace where I do not expect to see her. Everything feels right in the world when she slides her hand into mine or when she will gently wrap her hand around my arm as we walk through the store. I am amazed that she has never given up on me though I have given her countless opportunities to do so. The sweet Spirit that resides inside that precious body speaks to me and teaches me things continually...gently instructing me, encouraging me to be the man God created me to be.
Tonight we will go out to dinner to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. The dinner will last a long time as we will sit for a few hours, reflecting and giving thanks for the life we have lived, for what God has done for us, in us and through us over these past 25 years. When we leave we will hold hands as we walk to the car, everything will feel right in the world - I will have my Sweet Girl by my side, just as she has been, where I have always wanted her to be, since 1984.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always be willing to help you any way I can.
Have a great day, an awesome weekend and please cherish your precious families.
Kev
Sunday, March 2, 2014
There Is No Off Day
Happy Friday Friends!
I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day and that you are enjoying a wonderful weekend! It is an absolutely beautiful weekend in Arizona.
You ever wake up and feel like, "I am tired, I have my issues, I have things on my mind and I really don't want to be intentional and I definitely don't want to be positive...I just want to survive this day!" You ever have a day like that? Yeah, me too. The thing about our lives however is we don't have that option...the option of not being influenced or influencing other lives. Unless you live completely by yourself, without any human interaction whatsoever, you are being influenced by what is poured into your life and you are influencing other lives by the things you say and do, and the attitude that you do these things, each and every day.
My Beautiful Bride is getting really tired of me saying this however it is true; "We are going to go through this time regardless. Our only choice is how we are going to go through it." Whatever your "it" is, it too shall pass. How you choose to go through it - your thoughts, your words, your actions & your attitude, are going to greatly impact the type of influence you have on others and as a result, the relationship you will have with them. Whether we are experiencing a mountain top or valley moment, this too shall pass. And when it is said and done, we will be left with the relationships that we have created in part due to the choices we made during this times.
Life is hard. We all get tired, weary, discouraged & fearful. It is at precisely those moments that we need to become more intentional, when we need to closely guard our hearts & minds lest we wind up on a path that we never intended, leading us to a place that we never wanted to go.
Whoever you are and wherever you are on this beautiful morning Friend, please know that your life matters greatly. There are people who need you and lives that can be changed forever - for good or bad - by the words you speak, the things you do and the heart with which you do them. The first, the most important choice, begins with you. Ultimately, each one of us only controls ourselves...if only we could learn and truly understand this point. You can choose to be intentional, to be positive regardless of where you stand today. While you can't make those whose lives you are privileged to speak to choose the same, your life will influence theirs.
I also wanted to share a real quick quote with you:
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always be willing to help you any way I can.
Have a great day, enjoy the rest of your weekend and please cherish your precious families.
Kev
I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day and that you are enjoying a wonderful weekend! It is an absolutely beautiful weekend in Arizona.
You ever wake up and feel like, "I am tired, I have my issues, I have things on my mind and I really don't want to be intentional and I definitely don't want to be positive...I just want to survive this day!" You ever have a day like that? Yeah, me too. The thing about our lives however is we don't have that option...the option of not being influenced or influencing other lives. Unless you live completely by yourself, without any human interaction whatsoever, you are being influenced by what is poured into your life and you are influencing other lives by the things you say and do, and the attitude that you do these things, each and every day.
My Beautiful Bride is getting really tired of me saying this however it is true; "We are going to go through this time regardless. Our only choice is how we are going to go through it." Whatever your "it" is, it too shall pass. How you choose to go through it - your thoughts, your words, your actions & your attitude, are going to greatly impact the type of influence you have on others and as a result, the relationship you will have with them. Whether we are experiencing a mountain top or valley moment, this too shall pass. And when it is said and done, we will be left with the relationships that we have created in part due to the choices we made during this times.
Life is hard. We all get tired, weary, discouraged & fearful. It is at precisely those moments that we need to become more intentional, when we need to closely guard our hearts & minds lest we wind up on a path that we never intended, leading us to a place that we never wanted to go.
Whoever you are and wherever you are on this beautiful morning Friend, please know that your life matters greatly. There are people who need you and lives that can be changed forever - for good or bad - by the words you speak, the things you do and the heart with which you do them. The first, the most important choice, begins with you. Ultimately, each one of us only controls ourselves...if only we could learn and truly understand this point. You can choose to be intentional, to be positive regardless of where you stand today. While you can't make those whose lives you are privileged to speak to choose the same, your life will influence theirs.
I also wanted to share a real quick quote with you:
"Listen earnestly to anything your children want to tell you, no matter what. If you don't listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little, they won't tell you the big stuff when they are big, because to them all of it has always been big stuff." - Catherine M. Wallace
This is so powerful to me. Such a great reminder. While my thoughts, worries, concerns, etc. are so real to me, it is so easy to look at my little 8-year old and think, "Geez, I wish my problems were as easy as his problems are." In reality, his issues are every bit as big to him as mine are to me. To validate his thoughts & feelings, to come alongside him on his journey is an honor & privilege...something I definitely don't want to miss. It is only in keeping things in perspective - true perspective not just my perspective - that I will get to be able to enjoy the most gloriest ride of all...doing life with my Beautiful Bride and 3 Tender Warriors.Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always be willing to help you any way I can.
Have a great day, enjoy the rest of your weekend and please cherish your precious families.
Kev
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