You know how I like to write out my thoughts sometimes when things get stuck in my head but I wanted you to know them so that you could hear my heart. So here goes.
Earlier today when you asked me what I was thinking about...I was just being thankful for you. I was thinking how awesome it is that I am married to a woman who cares as much about familes and communities as I do. We share passions. That's cool, and it's rare to be this aligned, so early on in life I suspect. When you told me what you shared at your bible study group with the girls earlier today I was proud and impressed.
I was also thinking about how interesting it is that you're...let's say "excited" by the fact that I did all that car work yesterday and today. I'm going to pocket that bit of insight and hopefully pull it out at a more useful time. Good to know though. My woman not only likes her man to look, dress, and speak well, but she also enjoys a good classic greese monkey in him every now and then. And I thought it was my brains that did it for you... lol.
Finally, I'm just tired. There's a lot going on. I feel like we're on the precipice of a lot of cool stuff with our purpose, with the couples, with our parenting, with our finances, with our dreams... and sometimes I get lost in just thinking about it all. I need you help to keep me grounded in the day to day reality of things (remember how I got lost in the 5 year budget plan yesterday?). That's one of the things I need you for- that grounded, down to earthness. Don't burst my bubble (you rarely do, so that's not a real concern), but help me appreciate the moments right in front of me. Even when I'd rather dream about the future...or reflect about the past.
Oh yeah, thanks for putting up with my moments of introspection. I realize now that when we as husbands do that, it's not always about pushing you away, sometimes its more about understanding ourselves so that we can ultimately connect better with you. think about it. Anyway, I love you.
SDW3
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Praying for you
Here's what I prayed for this morning:
I called you out by name in each of these prayers, and that in and of itself was special. Just saying your name in prayer.
I started by thanking God for Samantha Wakefield, thanking Him for bringing you and keeping you in my life. Thanking God for the gift of Samantha to our family, and the gift of Samantha to our marriage.
I then prayed that you would be empowered to do your work well- because when we do good work as Christians it makes room for us in front of important people. It gets us positively recognized.
That you would be encouraged about your self image, and trust that since you're created in God's image you're already beautifully and wonderfully made.
That we have the romantic relationship that we both desire, and I, as the head of our family do what's necessary to maintain and strengthen that relationship.
That a weight would be lifted off your shoulders today, and that you would be encouraged and empowered by the joy of the Lord today.
And then I thanked God for you again.
Monday, November 5, 2012
The beginning of our 2013 confessions
2013 confessions
Jesus is my peace
Set your affection on things above, not on the things on the
earth- Colossians 3:2
God has already blessed me with all spiritual blessings in
Christ Jesus. Because He loves me, He
had me on His mind and settled on me as the focus of His love to be made whole
and holy by His love- Ephesians 1:3
I pray today that God makes me intelligent in discerning and
knowing Him personally, my eyes focused and clear, so that I can see exactly
what He is calling me to do, grasp the wonderfulness of His way of life and
really trust Him- Ephesians 1:17-
Industry
God, endow my wife and I with an industrious mindset. We work as if we’re working for the Lord, knowing
that He is the one who brings our reward, no matter what we’re working on.
See a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not
stand before mean [obscure] men- Prov 22:29
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Thank You
First of all thank you for taking care of me the past few days. I know it's not been easy on you juggling work, motherhood, and at times a negligent husband. I apologize for making your job tougher.
Second, I'm sure you're realizing how hard this has all been on me as well, not being able to contribute and all. I've felt kind if useless at times, and we both know how I get when I'm bored ci find stuff to get into.
Finally, I have a request. Really a plea for help. You want me to relax, but the conditions for relaxation aren't ideal right now. I need our friends. Or your idea of a picnic. Something to take my mind off of what's going on. A shopping trip perhaps. I know it's a lot to ask, but unless you want to come home and see the garage cleaned out again...I need something to keep me distracted. A play date perhaps? Lol.
At any rate, this week has solidly affirmed for me how great you are. I hope you get some of the rest you need and deserve soon.
Second, I'm sure you're realizing how hard this has all been on me as well, not being able to contribute and all. I've felt kind if useless at times, and we both know how I get when I'm bored ci find stuff to get into.
Finally, I have a request. Really a plea for help. You want me to relax, but the conditions for relaxation aren't ideal right now. I need our friends. Or your idea of a picnic. Something to take my mind off of what's going on. A shopping trip perhaps. I know it's a lot to ask, but unless you want to come home and see the garage cleaned out again...I need something to keep me distracted. A play date perhaps? Lol.
At any rate, this week has solidly affirmed for me how great you are. I hope you get some of the rest you need and deserve soon.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
This I believe
So today we were prompted to write a story about something we came to believe in. Here's what I came up with.
Why I believe in the power of my own story:
It was the fall of 2002 and I was sitting in the downtown headquarters of the Coca Cola Company. I was going through some coke scholar applications, sorting, inputting data. There were stacks upon stacks if papers around me. From my large cubicle area, sitting in my oversized maroon leather chair looking out to the open center space, i could see piles more to open on the table. It was going to be a long afternoon. Mundane, boring stuff.
Except for the reading of the applications themselves. Now that could prove entertaining. Sometimes I'd get a kick out of what these young eager kids would write (who was I to talk? I was only months removed from high school myself!). Other times I was truly moved by the caliber of individuals applying. Sometimes it made me question the validity of my own acceptance to this prestigious program.
So one day, in the midst of opening other people's applications and reading their stories, for some reason I decided to read my own. Surprisingly it didn't take much effort to find my application from the previous year. I wanted to block out all the comparisons to these phenomenal applicants I'd just been reading about, but it was difficult to do. Instead, I found myself not measuring up in many categories. I didn't have the pedigree, SAT scores, or hadn't traveled extensively. However just when I began to feel "less than" I noticed a comment in my application by an evaluator.
It read:
"This young man has an inspiring story. We should give him a chance."
I think about how over the years that one line of recognition has been affirmed by countless others, myself included. Yet, how in that moment in 2002, when I felt most out of place, I was validated by my own story. That was the first time that I stopped viewing my past as something to run from or hide. And instead I began learning how to actively leverage my narrative towards productive ends. That's when I learned the power of my own story, and why I believe in sharing it.
Why I believe in the power of my own story:
It was the fall of 2002 and I was sitting in the downtown headquarters of the Coca Cola Company. I was going through some coke scholar applications, sorting, inputting data. There were stacks upon stacks if papers around me. From my large cubicle area, sitting in my oversized maroon leather chair looking out to the open center space, i could see piles more to open on the table. It was going to be a long afternoon. Mundane, boring stuff.
Except for the reading of the applications themselves. Now that could prove entertaining. Sometimes I'd get a kick out of what these young eager kids would write (who was I to talk? I was only months removed from high school myself!). Other times I was truly moved by the caliber of individuals applying. Sometimes it made me question the validity of my own acceptance to this prestigious program.
So one day, in the midst of opening other people's applications and reading their stories, for some reason I decided to read my own. Surprisingly it didn't take much effort to find my application from the previous year. I wanted to block out all the comparisons to these phenomenal applicants I'd just been reading about, but it was difficult to do. Instead, I found myself not measuring up in many categories. I didn't have the pedigree, SAT scores, or hadn't traveled extensively. However just when I began to feel "less than" I noticed a comment in my application by an evaluator.
It read:
"This young man has an inspiring story. We should give him a chance."
I think about how over the years that one line of recognition has been affirmed by countless others, myself included. Yet, how in that moment in 2002, when I felt most out of place, I was validated by my own story. That was the first time that I stopped viewing my past as something to run from or hide. And instead I began learning how to actively leverage my narrative towards productive ends. That's when I learned the power of my own story, and why I believe in sharing it.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Be of good courage baby
Awesome quiet time this morning. Here's what I learned:
Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait for Him to act. Psalms 37
When I asked God, what do I do while I'm being still, here's what I realized: I should be waiting.
What helps me be still? Getting my mind off the worries. But how? I could throw myself into my work, family, or some other fun activity. I could turn my attention to God...I could think about His goodness, think about His love for me, think about His favor, read stories (biblical or otherwise) about His redemption and salvation of others in tough times to encourage me and build my confidence in His ability to bring us through...
I would have lost heart, fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in my life. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart.
And then I started making my list, of all the goodness of the Lord I expect to see in my lifetime:
Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait for Him to act. Psalms 37
When I asked God, what do I do while I'm being still, here's what I realized: I should be waiting.
What helps me be still? Getting my mind off the worries. But how? I could throw myself into my work, family, or some other fun activity. I could turn my attention to God...I could think about His goodness, think about His love for me, think about His favor, read stories (biblical or otherwise) about His redemption and salvation of others in tough times to encourage me and build my confidence in His ability to bring us through...
I would have lost heart, fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in my life. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart.
And then I started making my list, of all the goodness of the Lord I expect to see in my lifetime:
- the realization of all of our life's dreams concerning YML, Marriage Mission, Sweets Plus, Mommy's Helper...God gave it to us- He'll bring it to pass
- the manifestation of published books
- being able to witness/minister to millions of ppl around the world about what God said is true concerning what God said is true about fatherhood, faith, and family
- raising a beautiful family that honors God with their lives through leadership and service
- living long, healthy, and faithfully in partnership with my wonderful wife
- reconcilation of lost family members
- my mother (and mother in law) discovering her life's passion and living it out
- my siblings (and sibling in laws) each discovering and living out their life's passions
- my grandmothers (yours and mine) each being able to have their bills paid off and live the lives they've always dreamed, made possible by God's favor on their grandkids
- my friends accomplishing their life's dreams
Baby- once I started thinking about all of these things, the list just keeps growing. And this more than compensates for the temporary tough spot that we're in financially. In the grand scheme of things, this is just a blip on our radar. God's constantly been in the business of blowing our minds our entire lives. We're His special ones. We're His favorite children. We're good to go.
PS- My life's purpose is to help others find theirs. I know that. That's why I love doing my leadership job- because I believe that when people discover where/how to lead- they're finding the sweet spot God created for them.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
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