Month: November 2020

November 14, 1939 a little boy entered this world in Overschie, The Netherlands. How I wish I could hear my Oma or Opa recount the events of my Dads birth. There is something in the pictures we have when he was a child that always draw me in. He often had a look as if he was up to something and/or had something to say.

For those who knew my Dad, might agree with the idea that he was often up to something or had something to say. This did not wither away in his childhood.

My Dad was a man who was profoundly shaped by his story. There were key events such as war, immigration, education, work ethic, love ❤️, travel and The Church were all significant contributors to how he engaged all he believed about God, himself and others.

As life went on in years, my Dad enjoyed the growing up of his grandkids. He would tease them, ask questions, pray for them and always share his pipe with them. He loved one on one times and I am so grateful for the memories we have from times shared together

My Dad was a well known and well loved guy. He traveled the world, but his favorite space was to be home with my Mom. We all miss him in so many spaces we once shared.

This is his 3rd birthday since he died. We will spend time celebrating his life with a game of pool or ping pong. We will tell stories and laugh and honor the ache that is ever present.

How we wonder what he would say about all that is unfolding around us. My Mom says it well, “he struggled to wear a seatbelt, how would he ever wear a mask?” He would grieve the division in our Nation. He would call God’s people to join together and rise up.

Our world gained a change agent on November 14, 1939. We lost a man we deeply loved in May of 2018. He lived with courage, conviction and boldness. He died with a deep sense of peace. Our parents taught us about a strong foundation and a deep and wide understanding of Jesus and His love.

So many things surround us that remind us of his life and goodness. One can not remember my Dad without his pipe, his love for family happy hour or his reminder to us, during the hardest of days when my brother was killed in a car accident, that the birds will sing in the morning.

Happy 81st birthday Dad. You are always in our hearts!

Blessed be his name!

How can our nation be so divided?

Many people voted in the United States during this 2020 election, and the race was close in so many States. It is projected that 160 million people voted of the 239.2 million people eligible to vote.
For me, in this blog, it is not about who won and who lost, but it is so important to recognize and name and discuss that we are a nation divided.
President-elect Biden addressed this tonight in his speech, and to me, it sounded honest and trustworthy. But I know those same words to someone else do not carry the same tone. Reflecting on the last four years and as I look ahead to 2021, I am struck by the mystery of this reality. I do not want to be a part of a community where everyone thinks alike. I do not want to create a circle of people who only see things in similar ways. That is not life; that is an easy way out.
And so, I plead with you to have understanding and grace for those who see things differently. Commit to curiosity and ask questions. Believe the best in each other, and don’t let lies tear down the good you know to be true in someone. And do not be silent, be courageous in sharing your own views. Be willing to disagree but still respect one another. Be ready to struggle but know when to speak and when to remain silent.
Be aware of the words you are speaking, the energy you are putting out, and your voice’s tone and volume.
Be passionate and be understanding.
Be truthful and be kind.
Be willing to consider that someone else’s opinion is theirs to own and to live with.
Be willing to say, I can not agree with you on that, and remember that it does not mean you must end a relationship or speak disparagingly about the conversation to others.
It is my most profound prayer right now that we can be a people who act responsibly with maturity and an understanding of one another. It is not time to point fingers or stand in judgment. It is time to own our own passions, words, thoughts, and actions and invite others to do the same.

May love abound,

Blessed be His name!

Do you ever have it when you are listening to a song, and somehow it feels like you hear the lyrics in a new way. We have been busy at Visiting Angels, and this week the music has seemed like a distant and faint sound in the office. My thoughts are filled with advocating for clients, recruitment of Caregivers, gratitude for our great multitude of angels, politics, COVID, and so much more.

And yet today, these words by Tim McGraw came through loud and clear. It sounds simple, and yet it sometimes feels like a fading practice. It seems like something we all learned and know, and yet, it feels foreign in our daily routine.

What does humble and kind look like?

Maybe we can only answer it for ourselves. Perhaps this is yet another area we should not be defining for someone else. It is not a time to point fingers or discuss who isn’t humble and kind. After all, that would not be humble or kind.

Listen to these good words and reflect on how Humble and Kind look like in your life today and tomorrow and the next day. 

How can you shift into an intentional action plan for humble and kind?

I had to smile because, of course, these ideas won’t quite work during COVID.

Go to church ’cause your mamma says to

Visit grandpa every chance that you can

It won’t be wasted time.

Always stay humble and kind.

But these are pretty good places to start:

Hold the door, say, “please,” say “thank you.”

Don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie

I know you got mountains to climb

But always stay humble and kind

And so, inspired by Tim, I share my closing thought with you

And I believe that there are about 1000 options each day,

don’t close your eyes and be blind

Be bold, and strong, and courageous

Always be humble and kind.

I remember singing this as a child. Somehow it was so factual as we bellowed it out in Sunday School or at school or in bed at night where my sister and I would sing together before we drifted off to sleep.

“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” is a traditional African American spiritual, first published in 1927. It became an international pop hit in 1957–58 in a recording by English singer Laurie London, and has been recorded by many other singers and choirs.

I am fascinated that this song is a traditional African American spiritual. And the kids in this video sure do know how to sing it.

Tonight, I find myself wondering what tomorrows 2020 election outcome will bring.

I am listening to the police radio as another shooting occurred in my neighborhood and wonder when the violence will come to an end. 

I am wondering how my Uncle, who is awaiting his COVID test results, is feeling.

In all of this, I wonder what does it mean that He Has the Whole World in His Hands?

When I sang this as a child, it felt amazing and beyond comprehension. How did God hold everything in His hands?

As an adult, I believe this song means that God holds the scope of all that is unfolding. In his infinite presence, God knows and cares. It doesn’t mean that in holding, all is healed. But to me, it does mean that:

the uncertainty and the disruption

the violence and the turmoil

the sadness and the joy

the laughter and the celebration

the loneliness and the depression

the grieving and the sick

the believer and the agnostic

the atheist and the people of all tribes and nations

all people of all sexual identity and all of his Creation

Are Held in His hands!

I had not thought of this song in a while, and yet as I was signing off on a text conversation tonight, I said this: “sleep well, my friend. Love to you. Grateful that I know, no matter what happens, God holds us in his hand.” It seemed the right time to write a blog.

As you navigate tomorrow with your friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family:

As your heart feels all the feels related to the election, polls, and results;

As you feel the ache of loneliness of your loved ones due to COVID or are grieving the absence of loved ones recently lost;

As you hold so much more than I could ever name in this short blog,

I hope and pray that you will find just a small bit of comfort in knowing that whatever your situation, you are held, in the rugged and scarred palms of a Jesus who understands.

May peace be yours today,

Blessed be His name!