I just wanted to write a quick post to say how truly blessed I am and to encourage each and every one of you to stop for just a minute and be thankful for everything- yes everything- that each day brings. I know the holiday season brings a lot of emotions and feelings out of people, and I am no exception. Its something about this season that really gets me to stop what I am doing and evaluate all the blessings in my life, as well as my extended family and friends'. The past week, I have made it a point to just get out of my comfort zone and read and explore people's situations from all walks of life, all religions, all nationalities, all circumstances. Some have been a good experience, made especially easy during the holiday season with all the media coverage of good deeds, warm fuzzy feel-good stories, family get-togethers, etc... Videos that brought good tears: Of military families being reunited by surprise; people loving on those less fortunate, sacrificing time, money, and resources to help those in need; families receiving "Christmas miracles" for medical diagnosis of a loved one; and even from something as an ordinary hug from one of my boys. But my heart also hurts for multitudes of people who are hurting, who don't know the peace and love that this season represents, that need a break, that are desperately hanging by a thread. It doesn't seem fair to me, and I know I'm not the first to struggle with these issues, but life is too precious to take it- and all the little moments in it- for granted. This week I have been gripped by the images and stories of orphaned, forgotten children. Some of the stories have been from other countries. You've seen them: the starving, neglected children on tv that just rips your heart out. But mostly I have been burdened by the domestic stories, the kids growing up with no "forever family." YouTube video after YouTube video of their stories and perspectives that just puts a lump in your throat seeing their spirits crying out for love and acceptance, only to bounce around from temporary house to another, year after year, slowly losing hope. I have read accounts of terror from across the globe. Children losing their lives because of their religious beliefs, law enforcement murdered by madmen, people fighting, injuring, and even killing each other because of different viewpoints. Lives of families and loved ones changed forever because of incidents out of their control. We had a customer of ours at work lose everything he owned in a freak house fire a few weeks back. It was just story after story of people that are hurting this time of year, and in the midst of all the good, fun, joyous festivities that my family and I have been privileged enough to enjoy, I miss so many opportunities to help those in need.
I didn't write this to dampen any holiday spirit that you may have, but just to encourage you to stop right now and appreciate everything that you have been taking for granted. Your spouse perhaps. (Lord knows, when I have to take care of my boys alone, my appreciation for all she does goes out the roof!!!) Your children. (Those little boogers can drive me crazy sometimes, but they are the most precious gift I have ever been given...) Your job, your health, your freedom, your talents. Even the experiences of a tough time in your life that has made you who you are today. Hold tight to those things and don't take them for granted.
Take a few minutes to step outside of your comfort zone and "Google" some people, topics, news events, and societal situations today. Maybe find a cause that you can help out with, an organization you can support, a living hell that you can lift up in prayer, a child that you can adopt.
And go hug your little ones...
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Matchbox cars and mutual funds
Sometimes life is so hectic that when moments of silent reflection come, those moments hit you like a ton of bricks. We forget that we are programmed to get away from it all and reflect on things from time to time. Meditating, reflecting, whatever you want to call it, hurts sometimes. I am not saying it is all bad things, but that it is sometimes a very personal, painful reminder of the humanity and fragility of our situations. I think that is why we stay so busy, so preoccupied with activity, so that we will not be haunted by the voices of our shortcomings as they can be usually drowned out by life and leisure.
Tonight I was sitting on my couch, with my entire family sound asleep, and just had some music in the background. (Ok, so this is pretty much every night of my life) I usually take this time to read, to write music, or browse social media, but tonight, I just took some time to stop and meditate on life, and where I am on my journey. Career, finances, family, calendar events, social responsibilities, personal struggles, reflections on scripture, regrets, everything was on the table. Things I said to my boys today, how I handled my tone in disciplining them, how I treated and if I brought honor and respect to my wife, how I conducted myself at work, how I honored (or didn't honor) Christ with how I handled my money, how I budgeted my time, how I conducted myself in those times when no one but God sees what I do, what I am doing to establish and cultivate a cultural/spiritual/family heritage to pass along to my children and hopefully their children down the road, and so on... To be honest, I really don't know what to do with this much information all at once. How in the world am I really supposed to even kid myself about worrying about mutual fund growth, and navigating the financial landscape for my family when I cannot even navigate around my living room without having to avoid land mines of die-cast cars? How are Daddys supposed to instill values character and have all the right answers for two little boys that look up to him when Daddy is just as unsure as they are? Sure I know most of the words to say, know how to handle myself in most situations, but the reality of life is, (I'm finding out) is that everyone is just as dependent on grace and mercy as anyone else, no matter where they are in life or spiritual journey. Humility in regard to my spiritual leadership, as Matthew 18:2-4 reflects, must be modeled in my life with humility. I am learning to treat every new day with the same fresh child-like humility when it comes to my need of His grace and mercy in my life.
This being said I still am scared to death of screwing up. I stay up many nights thinking of my life, and how one little slip, one mistake would devastate my life, and impact the life of my family. I am to much of a realist, and not naive to think that I am above anything. One look, one bad decision could ruin my marriage. One decision, one moment of indiscretion could cost me my job. One act of carelessness could impact the lives of my wife, my children or complete strangers. I think this has been a reason, in the past, that I have typically been afraid of church leadership, of commitment, of radical faith. I know myself, how bad of an addictive personality I have a tendency to lean on, and I still struggle with these things to this very day. Not just for me, but for the reputation of my family as well, I still struggle with the thought of screwing up so badly that a lifetime of hurt and consequences follow. I know this may not be the best way to approach his story, but because of all this, I love to read the story of Peter. Bold, boisterous, headstrong, a born leader. And also the biggest failure when the first true test of faith and loyalty came. Peter, the rock that Christ built his church upon, and how Christ reconciled him, his story is just so encouraging to me when I get overwhelmed with the many responsibilities I have as a father, husband, manager, and child on God, and how no matter what comes in life, what decisions you make, and what regrets you have, His forgiveness will always be more than enough to reconcile you back to Him. This does not guarantee a lifetime of success or holiness, but it does provide hope to me knowing how desperate I am for His guidance and help.
This is just but some of the thoughts I had tonight, and much more is running through my head, but I just wanted to share some of my thoughts on this to encourage someone to just slow down and really see what God is trying to tell you. Sometimes He works through grand events, and huge plans, and sometimes He uses the small things in life to refocus our lives. It doesn't have to come from careers, but sippy cups. He doesn't always get your attention with mutual funds, sometimes He uses Matchbox cars...
-Trey
Tonight I was sitting on my couch, with my entire family sound asleep, and just had some music in the background. (Ok, so this is pretty much every night of my life) I usually take this time to read, to write music, or browse social media, but tonight, I just took some time to stop and meditate on life, and where I am on my journey. Career, finances, family, calendar events, social responsibilities, personal struggles, reflections on scripture, regrets, everything was on the table. Things I said to my boys today, how I handled my tone in disciplining them, how I treated and if I brought honor and respect to my wife, how I conducted myself at work, how I honored (or didn't honor) Christ with how I handled my money, how I budgeted my time, how I conducted myself in those times when no one but God sees what I do, what I am doing to establish and cultivate a cultural/spiritual/family heritage to pass along to my children and hopefully their children down the road, and so on... To be honest, I really don't know what to do with this much information all at once. How in the world am I really supposed to even kid myself about worrying about mutual fund growth, and navigating the financial landscape for my family when I cannot even navigate around my living room without having to avoid land mines of die-cast cars? How are Daddys supposed to instill values character and have all the right answers for two little boys that look up to him when Daddy is just as unsure as they are? Sure I know most of the words to say, know how to handle myself in most situations, but the reality of life is, (I'm finding out) is that everyone is just as dependent on grace and mercy as anyone else, no matter where they are in life or spiritual journey. Humility in regard to my spiritual leadership, as Matthew 18:2-4 reflects, must be modeled in my life with humility. I am learning to treat every new day with the same fresh child-like humility when it comes to my need of His grace and mercy in my life.
This being said I still am scared to death of screwing up. I stay up many nights thinking of my life, and how one little slip, one mistake would devastate my life, and impact the life of my family. I am to much of a realist, and not naive to think that I am above anything. One look, one bad decision could ruin my marriage. One decision, one moment of indiscretion could cost me my job. One act of carelessness could impact the lives of my wife, my children or complete strangers. I think this has been a reason, in the past, that I have typically been afraid of church leadership, of commitment, of radical faith. I know myself, how bad of an addictive personality I have a tendency to lean on, and I still struggle with these things to this very day. Not just for me, but for the reputation of my family as well, I still struggle with the thought of screwing up so badly that a lifetime of hurt and consequences follow. I know this may not be the best way to approach his story, but because of all this, I love to read the story of Peter. Bold, boisterous, headstrong, a born leader. And also the biggest failure when the first true test of faith and loyalty came. Peter, the rock that Christ built his church upon, and how Christ reconciled him, his story is just so encouraging to me when I get overwhelmed with the many responsibilities I have as a father, husband, manager, and child on God, and how no matter what comes in life, what decisions you make, and what regrets you have, His forgiveness will always be more than enough to reconcile you back to Him. This does not guarantee a lifetime of success or holiness, but it does provide hope to me knowing how desperate I am for His guidance and help.
This is just but some of the thoughts I had tonight, and much more is running through my head, but I just wanted to share some of my thoughts on this to encourage someone to just slow down and really see what God is trying to tell you. Sometimes He works through grand events, and huge plans, and sometimes He uses the small things in life to refocus our lives. It doesn't have to come from careers, but sippy cups. He doesn't always get your attention with mutual funds, sometimes He uses Matchbox cars...
-Trey
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