So its been a while and things have changed in all areas of my life. I can’t say that all is great, but God is definitely doing some pretty cool things. I am not sure I will like or enjoy all the upcoming changes, but I am ready for the ride. My relationships continue to get stronger with my children and I am seeing that patience is the key when dealing with a teenager. Elle, Jacob, Andrew and Kaleb… daddy loves you!

It’s amazing to me how those that used to be a part of your life but later make a choice “not to be a part of your life” , continue to do everything in their power to make your life miserable. Sometimes its better to just leave well enough alone and live the new life you now have.

Sometimes the best laid plans just don’t work. Sometimes regardless of what you “think you know”, life just shows you that you “really know nothing”. Good thing God gives us patience!

Over the past few few months I have been learning a lot about not getting caught up in “my plans”. As I consider upcoming moves, job changes and general life issues, it seems I am always required to adjust my thoughts and goals in regards to the plans I make. As much I try to schedule and plan out many areas of my life, I am always at the mercy of “Murphy” who seems to always show his ugly head and at the most un-opportune time.

Years ago I was told in regards to change, “It doesn’t matter what change is required, that just life! What matters is how you respond to it?” For me that has been true. No matter how much I fret or even get upset, in the end all I control is my reaction to it. There is no secret formula to the acceptance of change, you simply just have to do it!

Living the dream… So what does this mean anyway? Is it the pursuit of wealth? Is it the living out your desires ? Last night I rode along with the Salvation Army truck delivering items to the homeless. I was struck with the reality that living out the dream is not what we should be striving for but rather we should be content that we have warm socks on our feet, food on the table and a safe place to sleep.

Starting anew… It would seem that most things come full-circle in life pretty quickly. I think we all begin with high hopes that we will loose those extra pounds or that we will call our mother more often, but we eventually slide back into old routines and begin doing just what we said we would not. Its usually related to how busy our life’s are but in some cases, the circumstances of life just change.

So what then do we do? keep going I guess…

Opportunity comes in many forms. Most of the time we don’t recognize it until it passes. It could be a great idea for a iPhone app. It could be a new role or job that doesn’t exist. It could be a way to talk to your teenage daughter without having to go through the awkwardness of talking to your teenage daughter. I am struck today with all of the various “opportunities” that we encounter. Everyday we are given should be an “opportunity” if we keep our eyes open. We should always be seeking to learn from those things which were unplanned and not in our control. The trick in all this is to keep from being overwhelmed by all of it.

So I got new lights this week in the kitchen. It wasn’t really planned, but we needed to replace some lights in the rental to get it ready to sell. I also got new bulbs in my office space at work. As I am sitting here today (being very distracted), I was thinking about how bright it is in my office now. The new bulbs really make a huge difference in the space. My lights at home are more for show, but really set off the kitchen, (it also help’s that Melissa likes them!)

My point (if there is one), is that like new lights in our rooms, sometimes we need a subtle change in our perspective to see things a little different. Like adding a few more watts in a dimly lit room, sometimes we need to make small changes in order to prepare us for what lies ahead.

As I sit and listen to a song by Natalie Grant “Held“, I am inspired to write that even though times are tough, I am glad that I can depend on the Lord to always get me through the tough times. It’s amazing that He loves us though we constantly doubt, constantly question, and constantly complain! I wish I could remember the times I had as a child where I was held. I think the Father wants to do exactly that!

You ever wonder why we say we are going to do things but fail to execute? I feel like lately I start so many things, but fail to see them through. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily workings of life or simply take on more than you should. Why are we so quick to say “yes” when all it does take the only commodity that we have in common away.

Why do we need to be so busy all the time? Why do we fill our waking moments with so many commitments that we fail to even take time to take of even the basic needs? I guess I am feeling overwhelmed today.