Apr5

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful To Have Known Him

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Here is a fair warning to those of you reading. Today’s post will be personal in nature, and not bright and cheery. It is, however, life. Life is unpredictable, and life carries no guarantees. Today I got a very sad telephone call, and it has caused much reflection on my part.

You see, my best friend (spanning decades now) sent me a message to let me know that they had bad shocking news, and that I needed to call. I know her well enough to know this was bad. My heart was heavy. So, I picked up the phone and called, and learned that my lifelong friend – that her brother unexpectedly passed away this morning.

While there is no part of me thankful for his passing, I AM ever so grateful to have known him. George was a unique soul. He was fun, twisted even. He had such a warped sense of humor. He was one those people who always had some new or ingenious way of putting a smile on your face. Growing up, we very much enjoyed picking on him, playing jokes, and just generally being silly. He was a silly human being, turned into a daddy, and also a husband. He knew the meaning of love, and loved his family like no tomorrow. While he always enjoyed being unique, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his family and friends. His passing away took everyone by total and complete surprise. He had just celebrated his 42nd birthday. My heart breaks with my best friend, and her entire family. Today we said goodbye far too soon to a friend, a brother, a daddy, a husband, and a son – an amazing person we all knew as George.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my friend today. As I mentioned, it breaks my heart that he is gone, but definitely thankful to have known him.

For those of you reading, if you have lost someone close to you – know that my heart goes out to you. I’d love the opportunity to pray for you, or to talk about your loved one. Please feel free to leave a comment or send me a message via my “contact me” page. I look forward to connecting with you.

Also, I’d like to take this moment to encourage you to do something I hope you already do regularly. Hug your loved ones. Tell them how much you care and love them. Never go to bed angry, and love like there is no tomorrow. For some, that is all too true. Tomorrow isn’t a guarantee. Live and love.

Apr5

Quick Update

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I just wanted to post real quick. I have been having computer issues, and also blog admin issues. I wanted to let those of you who have contacted me via email that yes, I’m still here! I have been making entries still daily, but haven’t yet been able to upload. I will pretty soon. They are just on a separate hard drive at this point. Long story, and several blue screens later, I have had some technical issues. I will post continue daily posts still moving forward, but will (hopefully soon) be able to fill in the gaps and upload the missing dates.

Thanks again for all who have reached out! I love you guys!

Mar20

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Kind And Compassionate Dentists

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Yes, two “dentist” posts in one week. This one is different from earlier this week. Today, I am just grateful to and for a new (pediatric) dentist. My youngest needed to see a pediatric dentist because her current dentist simply wasn’t comfortable working on her. She’s small, and needs some dental work. Nothing major, but he basically didn’t want to hurt her. I could tell that he didn’t want her to not like dentists because of him. Truth be told, I am grateful for his honesty. That said, one referral he gave us was a great match. We were greeted with a very pleasant office staff who made my little one feel important. They took the time to be nice to her, and to make her (and of course me) feel welcomed. She had no issues or fear related to the dentist going there, but that visit strengthened her idea that they were there to help her, and that they were nice people. I’m grateful for medical professionals that take their jobs to heart and care about what they do. Thankful today for kind and compassionate dentists, and their friendly office staff.

Mar19

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Whole Hearts Foundation

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Today, I am thankful for Whole Hearts Foundation. From their website:

Their mission is

to share God’s love by providing education, support, connections and innovation of families of a child living with pediatric congenital heart disease – without boundaries of faith, culture or economic standing.

Also, from their website, a little bit of background on their founder, and what led him to start Whole Hearts Foundation:

Whole Hearts Foundation was established by Matt Hammitt, lead singer with the Christian rock band Sanctus Real, whose son Bowen was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) in 2010. “Because we’ve had the experience ourselves, we understand the practical, financial, emotional and spiritual needs these families have. Whole Hearts Foundation is dedicated to assisting these families, and these hospitals that provide the life-saving care to our children. We have a huge vision for the foundation and supporting families in their local community.”

Because of Whole Hearts Foundation, I have been able to connect precious little children needing prayer with resources readily available to them through Whole Hearts. What I have found is that people need to know they aren’t alone – even in struggles as painful and heartbreaking as watching a child struggle with congenital heart disease. It’s not an easy road, but it’s one no one needs to walk alone.

Today Whole Hearts is in my thoughts because something pretty amazing happened this evening. In a small group of less than twenty people, there were four people in the room who had very real life experiences with congenital heart disease (CHD), all of which were specifically HLHS. While it broke my heart to think about, it made me so grateful to be armed with the knowledge about CHD – and to see people sharing their own stories of hope and inspiration in the face of heartbreak and triumph as well. “Heart” families never cease to amaze me. Their strength, though it may not always appear as such, is phenomenal. To watch them support one another through the midst of sometimes pure chaos is something not many people can even begin to understand.

This evening, I am grateful for Whole Hearts Foundation, and for all the ways they strengthen “heart” families, and those who support and love them.

Mar18

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Appointments And Cancellations

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This morning was pretty interesting. I was taking my oldest to the dentist for a checkup and to check on some pain he was having. As we sat there, a nice and sweet tech came in and asked if I wanted to be seen as well – since I was due a checkup as well. Well, how exciting. They could fit me in. That said, I went ahead and got my teeth cleaned and my six month checkup. Would you believe it, but before the end of my appointment, another tech comes in and mentions having a cancellation or two this very afternoon. As luck would have it, it seems the other lucky recipients in my family would now also get the opportunity to get their teeth cleaned. One appointment turned into four – all by the end of the afternoon. Hey, whatever works. It’s now out of the way – for the most part – for six more months. It was good to be able to make it all work out.

So, yes, today I am thankful for whatever cancellations happened that allowed for us to all get our appointments in, all in one day.

Mar17

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For The Ability To Love Our Enemies

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Today was definitely convicting. The message at Skyline today made us look internally and ask some pretty intense, and important questions. One such question just asks if we are living such a way that we are known for the way we love? Is your life so different that people will be prompted to ask why you are different? Is that difference one that will share hope, grace and love with others?

I encourage you today to live life in such a way that you will make a difference in the lives of anyone you come across – family, those you call friends, and – GASP – those you aren’t so fond of. Forgive. Love recklessly – through the differences.

Mar16

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful Today For Community And Love

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Today’s post is a going to be a little bit different. Today I am grateful for something I talk about often – love. More specifically, love that is evident by watching people band together in support of something more than themselves.

Today, I had just such an opportunity to watch an outpouring of love. A funeral. A friend’s mother passed away, and today was the visitation and funeral service. The love shown was all around, but referring to the love shown for the family. There were several people who showed up to simply show their support for the family and let them know how very loved they are. It just struck me as beautiful to watch a community rally around people in their time of mourning. No one wants to go through a death in the family, and even moreso, no one wants to go through such heartbreak alone. It was heartwarming just to watch and know our friend was not alone.

Many times, people will not step out of their comfort zone to support another person – but on this day, it was honored to watch a bunch of people recklessly loving others. Thanking God for community and for His love being shared in such real ways.

Mar15

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Beremedy

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Have you heard of Beremedy? Beremedy is an organization that exists to helping others…at the speed of social media. It connects those who are in need with those who can help. The mission of beremedy:

Our Mission
beremedy connects those in need with the individuals who have the means to fulfill them.

So often, community and social service organizations have no expedient outlet for their clients’ requests. They spend countless hours tracking down resources to fulfill basic human necessities. Those in need suffer because there is no quick or efficient manner to replay their message.

On the other hand, so many individuals and organizations want to help, but don’t know how. beremedy provides them with a reputable source for their resources and efforts. People give knowing their donation is going directly to those who need it most!
By taking all these needs and matching them with people who can help, we’re streamlining the process and making it easy for both sides to benefit.

This is an organization that I believe in. They are currently in the midst of an Indiegogo (non-profit) campaign raising funds to try and take beremedy from an Atlanta-based organization to a platform which will make it have a much larger footprint – a nationwide impact. They are working on a technology which will make this dream into a reality. A nationwide platform where you can see the need, and be the remedy. How can you help? Would you consider supporting beremedy? Any and all amounts will go a long way in making a difference and sharing hope in real, practical ways all across this nation. You can find more information about this effort by visiting their fundraising campaign.

What is beautiful about Beremedy is the selfless heart and passion that drive it. No matter who you are, the view is that you are important. Whether it is a pair of shoes, a bed, toys for Christmas, clothing — when there is a tangible need, the opportunity is available to be the remedy. They harness the power of social media and reach people in more places with whatever the need is. You will often see strangers from across the area responding in support, to show hope and help in practical ways.

One thing I believe to be true is that people need people – no matter who you are. I do, and you do too. You do not need to walk through life alone. If you need help, reach out. If you are able to help, be the remedy. Will you join me today in being the remedy? Even if you cannot financially support Beremedy at this time, I know they would value the prayer support and spreading the word about what they are doing.

Please spread the word.

Mar14

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Tears

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Tears are such an interesting thing. They can signify both happiness and sadness – and an array of emotions in between.

Today was quite an emotionally draining day, a day which included many tears. Tears are not always bad. They allow an expression of emotion. They provide a release. During a few moments where I had no words, the tears said what needed saying.

I am not always fond of tears. Though I am exhausted, I am thankful that God gave our bodies the ability to express emotion via tears.

Mar13

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Social Media

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Social Media is a powerful tool, and can be leveraged to build up, or to tear down. I am grateful right now for social media because God is able, through it to foster friendships and cultivates relationships in places otherwise unlikely.

I just sit here right now, grateful. I am able to chat with a friend in a different continent, clear across the ocean – all courtesy of social media. Many relationships can be torn apart, or strengthened by resources online. I choose social media to be a platform to spread love, to reach out, and to connect with people globally.

When I see someone hurting – whether I know them or not – I do not hesitate to reach out and let them know they matter, and that they are loved. Likewise, I have had much encouragement, support friendship and prayers courtesy of the internet.

Social media isn’t evil. It’s all in how you use it. Use it as a tool to strengthen others, to share love, hope and grace. Treat others how you’d like to be treated. It really is that simple.

So yes, I am grateful today for social media – and the relationships, friendships, support, encouragement and prayers that happen as a result.