Should I Stay? Or Should I Go?

If you are like me, the anticipation of a thing can seem better than the thing itself. Until you get there.

I love the idea of going places -- The excitement of potential adventure -- Seeing something new. Experiencing a “never done that before.”

And then the day comes to PACK. And get the house ready to leave it. Clean out the fridge. Take out trash. Reorganize your purse to fit the 3-1-1 rule for the airport x-ray machines.

That’s when the I start to wonder if I really want to go. Is all this prep worth it?

The answer is YES!

Getting out of our comfort zone (or even our comfortable routine zone) is always a good thing for us to do. There are other euphemisms for this: Get out of your box. Get beyond your church’s four walls. Get outside yourself.

When I do something that upsets my normal routine (which I like – because I love my life), it changes my thinking and expands my world. It allows me to see the possibilities. It gives room for new relationships. It reminds me that the need is great for us to touch others. Hear their stories. Be an influencer. Be influenced.

Years ago, my son said something quite profound (especially for a young teenager): “You need to get outside of your comfort zone to make one for someone else.”

Are you willing?

I'm not eating with you if you're gonna be a Meanie!

If you been married for any length of time (beyond 2 weeks), you have probably had a conversation something like this:


We are funny creatures - you and me. In our efforts to be unselfish, easy to be around, we often frustrate those closest to us by our mere "kindness."

It's really okay to make a decision. Voice it. Then see what happens. Sometimes it's just what your spouse needs. Be authentic. Be honest. (But don't be a meanie).

Snowed in and glad there's no place to go

We have been iced then snowed in for 4 days, and I’m honestly a little disappointed to see this hibernation period come to an end. While some struggled after Day 2 or Day 3, I settled into the embrace of the escape a little bit deeper.

Even now in Day 5, as the snow disappears as quickly as it came, I’m sipping a decaf Almond Joy Creamered coffee, my Volcano candle from Anthropologie burning nearby (the best scented candle there is I think) and apart from a quick run to the post office and grocery store today, could easily do it all over again.

Unplanned and forced upon us – it required us to slow down, stop, and rest. And the beauty of it was the fact that all those close to us were required to do the same – family, friends, co-workers, bosses, leaders. Each one of us exiled, at least for a few days, to our own private worlds.

Peaceful. Productive. Simple. Restful. Energizing. Sweet. Home.

For me, the interruption to our daily lives came right on time. Now the challenge remains to hold on to the lessons learned from this week. Sometimes, it’s really ok to just settle down, ignore the busy-ness, spend time with God, play games with family, and relax. Rest. No one knows better than Him how badly we need it. It’s really all God asks of us. Draw near. Be still. Know.

Every Little Boy Wants to be a Super Hero!

If you have not seen the Volkswagen: The Force “Darth Vader” commercial yet, you need to watch it here:



If you are the parent of a boy – no matter how old he may be today, you probably have seen bath-towel super hero capes, made a batman mask (or two or three or four, as in our case), and watched and listened to the exploits of a small boy on a mission. You have witnessed full blown, no holds barred imagination at work.

Is there anything better?

The hunger for adventure. We all have it. Yes. Every one of us. What are you willing to do to step out of your box, as you so comfortably know it?

Take a few minutes. Imagine. You were little once. You can still do it.