the family story...

This morning I went to church for the first time in two years... or, at least I think it’s been two years, I can’t exactly remember. Anyway, I’m always apprehensive about opening myself up like this -praying and singing in public- takes a confidence in myself and moreover a confidence in my faith. And so, with most things that force us outside our comfort zone, I was rewarded. I left with new thoughts, a new point of view, a weight lifted and a heart lightened.

Today- a young woman stepped outside of her comfort zone and delivered her testimony to a congregation of strangers. A testimony involving a father sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl. A testimony involving a mother’s disregard for a daughter’s mental and physical health by withholding much needed love, affection and understanding. A testimony involving a broken child who blamed herself. A testimony where a fathers sickness and lust forced actions that sent him to prison, breaking apart a family and taking from his children a vital piece of childhood. This young woman rose above all of the pain in her life and with God's love was able to forgive her fathers actions, her mothers inaction, and eventually herself. This choice released the guilt that masqueraded as clarity, seemingly holding her world together. This young woman may not have been given the choice of who her family is, but she was given the choice to rise above hate, pain, abuse, remorse, unfairness, and embrace the people in her life with a Christ-like love.

A love without agenda or motives.

She embraced forgiveness and in doing so, she embraced love.

We all have a family. We all have a story. It may or may not involve abuse, or neglect, or pressure to succeed or certain shoes to fill…. Whatever the plot, our stories are all different. Our families are all different. The common ground is that we are also given the choice to look past the flaws and love without needing that identical love returned.

As the holidays approach, and families make plans to gather together, whether out of obligation or expectation or out of love and desire for unity, and gifts will be exchanged, sometimes heartfelt, sometimes void of meaning or worth, I pray that I can let go of the pain I hold when it comes to my own family. My own story is different than that young woman’s – However, it is not, and never will be perfect…

I pray that I am able to give love as my gift to my family. My love. My time. My forgiveness. I pray that I choose to embrace the characters God has penned into my story, because we haven’t yet reached the end and there are many more pages and many more chapters left to write.

"Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present, and future."

-Gail Lumet Buckley

lightning could strike

One of my favorite speeches from one of my favorite movies. Delivered by Anthony Hopkins to Clair Forlani, playing his daughter. Every time I hear it, I am reminded never to settle for anything less than I truly deserve...To throw practicality, rationalization and the realistic thoughts that hold us back , to the wind. Because the greatest rewards come when we take chances on that which is a risky! When we are bold. When we try, when we stay open....

"I know it's a cornball thing but love is passion, obsession, someone you can't live without. If you don't start with that, what are you going to end up with? I say fall head over heels. Find someone you can love like crazy and who'll love you the same way back. And how do you find him? Forget your head and listen to your heart. I'm not hearing any heart. Run the risk, if you get hurt, you'll come back. Because, the truth is there is no sense living your life without this. To make the journey and not fall deeply in love -- well, you haven't lived a life at all. You have to try. Because if you haven't tried, you haven't lived... Stay open. Who knows? Lightning could strike."

Anthony Hopkins "Meet Joe Black"

Walk in the good way.

I have a friend who is taking a risk and walking across our country in hopes of connecting with as many souls he can, but also I am sure in a sense, to find himself somewhere in the earth that is stretched between two oceans.

Reading in my bible this morning I came across this passage and was instantly reminded of this amazing guy. I pray for him everyday and can confidently say that out of everyone I know, he is the most capable of making huge changes in the way the world loves. His faith in God and in people continue to drive me to be a better man myself.

Jonathon Stalls is an incredible force of inspiration that I have been lucky enough to know if only for a brief minute of time. Im looking forward to hearing about the roads he will travel, the lives he will change, the blisters he will get, the hope he will spread...

"stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for you soul"
Jeremiah 6:16

To follow Jon's 'walk' check out the various websites [linked below] that detail what he is doing.
If you can, give a little to help him on his way but more importantly... be open to the risk that is inspiration... you never know where it might lead you to walk.




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