Baby Steps - Making Peace with Slow Progress

Fresh out of college, idealistic and somewhat naive, I had a conference wish. I hoped that Monday morning at work, after our weekend church services, my face would be all shiny like Moses. My co-workers would bask in the glow and ask, "Lynn, what is this glorious light emitting from your countenance? " It would open a door for me to explain the reason for the radiance and share my faith. 

It never happened.

There have been few overnight changes, giant leaps, or God "POOF'S" in my life.

Change is so daily. Incremental. Little by little.

It seems like God is into this little by little personal growth plan:

"Wealth gained hastily will dwindle but whoever gathers little by little
will increase it." Proverbs 13:11

The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you,
little by little.... Deut 7:22 

Not a very marketable plan. Can you imagine signing up for the Little by Little Seminar. Join us Friday and Saturday, your life might take one teeny tiny baby step forward. 

No one would pay a penny for that conference ticket.

And yet this is how I experience life change. Little by little.
One foot in front of the other. (Click to Tweet)

What if we celebrated these changes they way we celebrate a child's first steps? Clapping. Smiling. Snapping pictures to capture the amazing moments, the slow progress.

If you have visited my website today after the Shine Women's conference, I want to encourage you to take a deep breath and plan for the long haul of gradual growth.

Try these post conference strategies:

1. Review & highlight your notes
2. Compile all your highlights into a summarizing list of stand outs
3. Create a separate list of action items
4. Schedule coffee with a friend to talk about your take away
5. Map out one idea to focus on in each of the weeks ahead
6. Set a date (mine will be Nov 22) to reflect on how you are implementing what your learned
7. Watch for and celebrate your baby steps
8. Join the conversation and share a conference keeper in the comments below:

Know Your Purpose and Live Your Dreams - an interview with Lynette Lewis

I had the pleasure of interviewing Lynette Lewis this summer for Created Woman magazine. She is a fellow ORU grad and former alumni director. I remember climbing the stairs with her up to the Spiritual Life Department during my student days. She always wore the loveliest perfume and her fragrance lingered long after she passed by. She is the featured "Created Woman" in the July/August 2013 edition.  In the article Lynette shares a wealth of wisdom for professional women and any woman who wants to pursue her dreams, live a life of hope and never give up on the way to becoming all she can be.

The feature article is on pages 44-51. Click HERE to read the online issue.

Country Music Jesus

Eric Church went for a run with me tonight and I must say, I enjoyed his company. I’ve heard a few of his tunes on the radio but most of the songs on my son’s ipod were new to me. I laughed and cried and replayed Country Music Jesus over and over, my feet hitting the pavement in gospel rhythm. I thought about how great this country music Jesus is and how much I need him in my life.

Let me tell you a little bit about this Jesus through the songs I hear on country radio:

1. Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood – Country Music Jesus will hear you when you cry for help. But not only does he hear you, he shows up. He rescues. He will always give you one more chance and he doesn't keep track of how often you bow your head to pray.

2. I Saw God Today by George Strait- His finger prints really ARE everywhere and if you just open up your eyes – I know you’ll see him loving you today. If you are lucky enough to have a child in your life it will be so much easier to see this Jesus.

3.  I Believe by Brooks & Dunn– You will find Country Music Jesus in times of loss. He is present in the middle of our pain. There IS more to life than what we see, than the day to day stuff. There is eternity and Jesus will be waiting for you.

4. Me & God by Josh Turner – He is a Father and a friend, someone you can talk to. Country Music Jesus forgives. He is a strong arm to lean on when life gets hard. You’ll be amazed by what you can accomplish walking with God.

5. He Ain’t the Leaving Kind by Rascal Flatts– Country Music Jesus is with you through thick and thin. He promised he would never leave you, never abandon you. Whatever you do, wherever you go, whether or not you believe – he is there!

6. Country Music Jesus by Eric Church– This Jesus doesn’t mind it LOUD – shouting, screaming & banging drums.  He comes. He saves. He revives.  Country Music Jesus is strong.

I’ll be honest; I really love classic, corny country lyrics. They make me smile and giggle. But what I really love about country music is that it is so connected to the soul of humanity. It’s not unusual to hear inspirational songs on country radio and even the name of Jesus. Brad Paisley put it so well, “Tellin’ folks Jesus is the answer can rub ‘em wrong, …this is country music – and we do.” My hat’s off to all the country artists who do. Thank you.

Losing Limbs and Finding Joy

I have the opportunity to write for a couple of magazines and although I enjoy it, it does seem to keep me from posting here :(

If you wonder what I've been writing, here is a link to my latest piece for Created Woman magazine.

My story: Losing Limbs and Finding Joy can be found on pages 50-52 of the May/June issue.

Inspired by my growing boys

and the wonderful children's story The Giving Tree

this article addresses one of the most challenging aspects parenthood - LETTING GO.

How are you preparing for the day your children leave home?

Don't Steal Your Joy Moments

It's a gorgeous fall day in Texas. I just finished writing the first draft of an article due Dec 1st, which is something to be proud of seeing it is only Nov 16th. I went for a walk with my best buds Big Daddy Weave (loving their latest project). A flock of red-winged black birds flew overhead and all I could think was God, I feel so alive! But before I could draw my next breath another thought hit, I wonder what hardship is around the corner that will suck the life out of me.

It made me so mad I wanted to swear. 

I hate that I do this - miss out on the glory of a moment wondering what event might steal the moment from me.  I am the one stealing those moments from myself. In her book Daring Greatly, Brene Brown talks about foreboding joy, approaching joy with the sense that surely this won't last long. Thinking that if I don't give myself completely over to the joy of this moment, then difficulty won't cause quite as much pain.

I'm done with this!

I want to live EACH DAY and feel EACH MOMENT fully!

I had an opportunity to put this new mindset into practice a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to go for a walk but didn't want to go alone so I extended an invitation to the whole household. My dear 12 yr old accepted. He rode his bike beside me on the way out, but on the way home when he stopped to check out the erosion that is talking place by our neighborhood lake, I climbed on his bike. He ran to catch up and jumped on the pegs. For a few precious moments, I pedaled while he stood over me with his hands on my shoulders. I leaned back to feel his nearness. We talked and I soaked it in, until we hit a patch of slick algae-infused mud and the bike slide out from under us. I scraped my knee and hit my cheek on the sidewalk. 

I was determined not to let this accident overshadow the joy of being with my son. I hugged him and told him how grateful I was for our time together. 

Sure there are bumps on the road of life and road-rash really hurts. I refuse to be consumed with the cautious apprehension of "what's next". When life happens, I'll get back up. If I can't get myself back up, I have friends who will help me. When the world slips right out from under me, I have a Savior to carry me.

Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd 

and carry them forever.  Psalm 28:9

Don't steal your own joy moments. Don't let the "what ifs" sentence you to a life of self-protection. Get back on the bicycle and REALLY live today!

Shine like the Summer Sun

Summer officially begins on June 20th, 2012 at 6:09PM Central Daylight Time with the summer solstice - the moment when the sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator. Unofficially all Texans know that summer is here today. School is out and the sun is shining. Who needs a date and time? That sounds like summer to me!

I love the sun. Perhaps my affection could be attributed to my growing up years far from the equator in Bismarck, North Dakota. We see the sun a bit less up there. I think I was meant to be a southern girl.  I can't wait to get out in the summer sun.

I read this verse a few weeks ago in Judges 5:31"...may those who love the LORD be like the sun when it rises in all its brightness..."  It stirred up my longing for summer.  Another translation says may those who love you shine like the unclouded sun. How can we bring the glory of summer to those around us?

1. LIGHT -  Shine in the darkness. Share the light of truth today. Be bright!

3. LIFT - Sunlight is an all natural mood booster. Laugh. Play. Tickle someone. Have some fun!

2. WARMTH - Love is understood by all. Show some kindness. Hug someone. Share a smile. 

How can you be the sunshine in your world today?

I know the sun gets a bad rap sometimes and sunburn is a miserable thing but check out this article for 25 Health Benefits of Sensible Sun Exposure. Slap on some sunscreen. Grab a water bottle and enjoy!

Goals and Wishes

Goals are way too much like expectations and expectations can lead to disappointment, so for years now I've flat refused to set them.

I was on the elliptical the other day listening to an audio book on my ipod. Well, it's not my ipod. It's my husband's and its chock full of all kinds of leadership books. Normally, I would never listen to stuff like that. I don't know what got into me.

I was walking, running, ellipicalling away and I agreed with the gal reading the book. "I really should set some goals," I told myself. As quickly as the thought sprung up in my mind, tears welled up in my eyes. "I don't want to set goals, whenever I do that I just end up disappointed." I pedaled a little slower. Thankfully I was the only one in our neighborhood gym.

I do what I can to avoid disappointment. What seems to work really well is squelching expectation.

I had this little thought - mostly what I've done in the past is make wishes not set goals. There is a difference. Wishes are just floating out there. I"m learning on the audio book, which just grabbed my attention again, that goals need to be measurable.

I decided to give it a shot and just to hold myself accountable - I decided to share my plan with you.

I am setting a goal to exercise for at least 30 minutes 3 times a week - that sounds both reasonable and measurable, doesn't it?

I am also making a plan to track and celebrate this goal.

I will write down each workout on my closet calender. I'll number them each week Sunday through Saturday.

If I make it to three - I will celebrate reaching that goal for the week with a smiley face on Saturday.
If by some crazy scheme I over reach that goal I will be incredibly happy of myself, and I might tell a friend.
If I don't reach the goal - I promise to be kind to myself. I'll evaluate my schedule and spend a few minutes looking at what other thing became a priority in my life that week.

In three months I will look over my progress and adjust the goal or add structure.

This is my gentle approach to goal setting. What is your approach?