EN ROUTE

How we respond during a crisis, challenging, stressful situation absolutely makes all the difference. It helps to initially set the tone, atmosphere. There is a way to express urgency, seriousness without inciting panic. Of course as leaders, we cannot control how people subsequently react, respond but I think if you are a leader, you can help first by bringing calm, stability. This goes for anyone who has people "under" their care - it's parents, teachers, babysitters. I am no leader expert. I actually share from a place of someone who has been on both sides of having good leaders and poor leaders. I have also learned I know nothing about de-escalating a 4 year old's tantrum! Good leaders acknowledge, state the facts truthfully with appropriate emotion as the situation warrants without overreacting, exaggerating. Leaders report truthfully and authentically. As they consistently do so, trust is built over time. Once I can trust them with the facts, I then feel safe ...

"What a glorious God!  He gives us salvation over and over,  then daily he carries our burdens!"  Psalms 68:19 (TPT)  I love everything about this verse. Talk about waking up on a Monday morning and being reminded of this powerful and timely truth that I am not alone. I am not without help. I am not left to fend for myself and figure out the scary and uncertain parts of my life.  For anyone who may feel helpless, overwhelmed, worry or fear, may this Psalm breathe life into your lungs and give strength to your bones. For anyone who may feel as if your life is out of control, or somehow you have made such a mess of things that it is beyond repair. May this truth wash over your fear and guilt, give you courage to lift up your head and be reassured that nothing is beyond God's reach or his saving.  God saves us over and over- reaching down to whatever pit or trouble we may find ourselves in and he rescues us. He see us. He knows how to find us. A...

Song: It Is Well Grander earth has quaked before Moved by the sound of His voice Seas that are shaken and stirred Can be calmed and broken for my regard And through it all, through it all My eyes are on You And through it all, through it all It is well And through it all, through it all My eyes are on You And it is well with me And far be it from me to not believe Even when my eyes can't see And this mountain that's in front of me Will be thrown into the midst of the sea And through it all, through it all My eyes are on You And through it all, through it all It is well And through it all, through it all My eyes are on You And it is well It is well So let go my soul and trust in Him The waves and wind still know His name So let go my soul and trust in Him The waves and wind still know His name So let go my soul and trust in Him The waves and wind still know His name The waves and wind still know His name And it is well with my soul (sing it everybody)...

In a world of social media, Pintrest and the likes, it takes great effort and in my opinion, incredible restraint to not compare, and to reject those feelings of insecurity, doubt and feeling less than that can easily creep in. My prayer  is that we would hold and use social media, and the likes in the right framework and perspective. Again, I’m not ragging online platforms, see my previous post. Especially since I’m using one to write, and the platform for which I am being spiritually nourished in this season. I’m simply talking about making sure we’re building our life and habits on the right foundation. Keeping the main thing, the main thing.  I love this John Piper quote, “ God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in him.”   God is not anti fun nor is he this rigid and stiff Father. God is a loving, and kind Father. He gives good gifts, and desires for his kids to experience the full riches of being his kids. And like any loving father, I think God ...

As many of us are social distancing and in quarantine, I'd be very curious to know if the time spent on social media has exponentially increased, and if so, how are we feeling today?   Social media is powerful, and I think it is an amazing platform to reach people, and connect with others. It can be a place of encouragement, and inspiration. Especially during times like we are experiencing today.  It can also be an effective avenue to connect with and further the things we are doing, and a resource to come along side of our passions and dreams.  My hope is that we would continue to use social media as a resource, tool and give it its proper weight and place in our lives. So let's clarify, I am not antisocial media. Social media is not inherently bad. I like it, and to be frank, this is not even a post about social media - though I'm using it as an example. So you can replace social media with whatever thing, person, activity that captures your time, attention, devo...

"No one can do everything, but everyone can do something."  Max Lucado  Every act of generosity and kindness counts. It is significant. It is needed. It does not go unseen. So please, try not to measure or compare your offering or gift to the person next to you. If you are serving and giving from a sincere heart of generosity, it's making a difference. I believe this is true for any context, moment or opportunity, not just navigating COVID-19.  So what are some ways we can join and be a contributor to the world, not only amid COVID-19 but everyday?     We can pray, constantly and specifically.  We can volunteer our services (food pantry, deliver food or resources to the most vulnerable).   We can donate food or make a charitable donation to a service organization.  We can spread kindness and hope with our words, actions, and especially with what we put online.  We can choose to believe and look for the good a...

For our family, our routine and daily activities have not changed much compared to pre-COVID-19, with of course the exception of abiding the "Stay Home, Work Safe" guidance and social distancing. However, while our daily routine has not changed, it is not business as usual for us.  This is not a vacation. Not because our schedule is unaffected or I am against taking this opportunity to rest, but because I choose to stay engaged.  It's not just about me.  And right now, my fellow brothers, sisters and neighbors are still affected and many of them are on the front lines of this fight. While I am incredibly grateful that my family and I are safe and well, I am not content and satisfied with just that. I want to do my part in fighting alongside my neighbor, until we are all okay.  So as we continue with our work, homeschooling, family routine, and all that is in between, I am still very much engaged and attune to what is taking place in our world presently. M...

Perhaps you've heard this saying, or some variation of it but it goes something like this,  "You are either going through something hard, coming out of something hard, or getting ready to step into something hard."   Well, perhaps like taxes and death, none of us are immune from hardships, challenges and trials. So the question is not whether we will face hardships, or when will we experience heartache, but the more important and active question is, what will we do and how will we respond when it comes. Is it possible to suffer “well?” Is it reasonable to believe that somehow we can not only survive it, but come out stronger and better?  I am a "feeler, " deeply and passionately.  So when hard times come, it really gets me and sometimes super hard. And there have been one too many times I have felt like a total mess and barely keeping it together. However, even me, even I still believe it is not only possible to suffer well (despite you feeling like you are fa...

Song: Great is Your Faithfulness Verse 1 Great, Your faithfulness Oh God my Father Oh God my Father Your love it never fades And so I'll love You, until the end Pre-Chorus When shadows fall, You never change From age to age, You never change Chorus Great is Your faithfulness, Your faithfulness Through the years You've always been there Great is Your love for us, Your love for us Through the years You'll always be there Verse 2 Great is Your kindness God You are our shelter, our dwelling place Your presence like a fire Hope for tomorrow, strength for today Bridge We will stand, we will stand Upon Your promises We are strong, we are strong Because our hope is in You We will run, we will run, we will run We belong, we belong, we belong to You, to You Ending Through the years You'll always be there Through the years You'll always be there How great is Your faithfulness By: Martin Smith 

Navigating COVID-19 (coronavirus).  The new normal. And prayerfully, a temporary new normal in regards to quarantining, business and school closures, shortage of supplies, stockpiling, job loss, travel restrictions, financial loss, and those likes. The ripple effect is heartbreaking, and the uncertainty and angst are real and valid. Undoubtedly, the recovery process and rebuilding will take time. Those are the facts. But as we are still in the middle of this fight, I'm reminded, again and again, we can get through this. We are not those who are without help or hope.  So how is our family navigating COVID-19? Honestly, the only way we know how, taking one day at a time and the same way we've lived and led our family over the years, digging deep to stay above the fray. Make no mistake, we are not elite, immune or unmoved by the images and reports we see and hear in the news. And by no means have we "perfected" any of this (if that is even possible), but we choose ev...

Grey.   According to Wikipedia, "Grey or gray is an intermediate color between black and white. It is a neutral color or achromatic color, meaning literally that is a color "without color," because it can be composed of black and white."  I like wearing grey. It's versatile, pairs well with many things, and compliments any color. It's a good staple and base to build upon. The options are limitless. However, wearing the color grey is one thing, and navigating the parts of life that can oftentimes seem "grey" is entirely two different things. Decisions, decisions, options and more options.   "Grey" can be challenging at times. Maybe even messy, confusing or overwhelming. Or perhaps that's just me. But at this point in my life,  I'm certain of this, oftentimes the blessing is in the process, and the journey is the gift. So we embrace the grey - the process and the unknowns of life because we look to a God who does not change ...