Today’s a new day! As I run this crazy beautiful health journey, there is nothing I can do to change my current prognosis. But there is something I can do as I continue to battle with my health. Every morning, I get to choose how I deal with my current health issues. I can choose to let this journey be all about me and walk around in victim mode or I can choose to look at the beautiful opportunities this health journey has created for me. Opportunities to share my health journey, my faith and hopefully to encourage someone running their own crazy beautiful health journey. Each morning, I get to choose how I live. You have that same choice every day. Choose wisely. ~OC
Reading and Traveling
Reading and Traveling
Today’s a new day! I encourage everyone to read all types of books and travel to all kinds of different places,
If you choose not to read or travel, you may end up believing your story is the only story,
If you choose not to read or travel, you may end up believing
that your skin color is the only one
that matters,
that your language
is the one everyone else should be speaking,
that your opinions are the only ones that count,
Reading and Traveling,
allows our hearts and minds to be moved, challenged and changed,
Reading and Traveling,
allows us to experience the beautiful diversity of the world,
to experience the beauty of another culture,
Reading and Traveling,
allows us to learn that people from around the world are not that different,
We all dream and want the best for our families,
Reading and Traveling,
allows us to experience truth for ourselves instead of believing everything someone tells us or we see online,
Reading and Traveling,
allows us to see what people are capable of beyond our borders,
Reading and Traveling,
teaches us to go beyond what we think we’re capable of,
to keep dreaming,
Reading and Traveling,
unites us beyond our differences,
Keep Reading and Traveling. ~OC
Lessons Learned
Today’s a new day! I have learned a few lessons as I have run this crazy beautiful health journey. I thought I would share a few with you. This journey called life is not easy. It never has been. Embrace the challenges of life and learn from them. Never stop learning. I do not care if you have multiple doctorate degrees, there is always more to learn. Never stop dreaming. I do not care how young or old you are. Keep dreaming! Find your purpose in life. I have learned when you find your purpose you find your peace. And never let anyone or anything steal your peace. Finally, be kind. This is one of the most important lessons we can learn in life. Just being kind can totally change your life and the lives around you. ~OC
The 4th Quarter. Finish Strong!
As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I look at my race like a football game. A football game is made up of four quarters. As Laura and I discuss the current state of my health, we both believe I have entered the 4th quarter of my health journey. We do not believe there will an overtime. This is not us giving up, but being up front and honest about my current situation. We are so excited to see how God is going to use this 4th quarter.
A side note: Laura and I have to laugh when my medical team continually makes the comment “Todd you look really good for someone who is dying.” It reminds us of the promise God made years ago that I would never act or look sick.
As I run this 4th quarter, I want to make the most out of whatever time I have left. Not a second wasted. I want every moment to matter.
I believe I am in the most important quarter in life. The 4th Quarter. It does not matter how I started the game, but how I finish is what truly matters.
A lot of people look at my current health condition and encourage me to slow down. But that is not what I am hearing from God. No, what I am hearing from God is to keep running. To keep playing the game. To press in even more to share the story God has given me with more urgency. To continue making champions for God.
So, I will continue to run the race God designed for me. I will continue to spend time with family and friends. I will continue to have beautiful moments of conversations. I will continue to invite friends over, to sit on the balcony and hear their stories. I will continue to share love and encouragement with everyone God brings my way. I will embrace the beautiful interruptions of life.
Though my body may be quickly declining, my faith is growing stronger every day. I am spending more time in prayer and God’s word. I am excited to see how the Holy Spirit is working like a skilled surgeon and digging out any junk I might be holding onto. I continue to pursue righteousness and purity. I am more dedicated to prayer. I am thankful for those friends who chose to run the race with me. I continue to desire good fruit. I still desire for God to use every part of my life. To continue sharing the hope and love of Jesus with everyone.
I believe God is most pleased to use a willing heart. A willing vessel. My hope and prayer is that I finish the 4 Quarter strong. With nothing else to give. Amen. ~OC
Faithful Friend
Today’s a new day! Sadly, as I have run this crazy beautiful health journey, several friends decided to walk away. But this is not about them. No, this letter is for you.
Dear Faithful Friend, I want you to know you are one of the greatest blessings God has ever given me. Coming from a person who has watched many friends walk away, I am thankful that I never had to see what it would look like as you walked away. You have been a constant. You have been persistent. You have been faithful. You have constantly showed me that people are capable of caring unconditionally. Friends like you are hard to find these days, even in people who call themselves Christians.
I am thankful that you have never left, as I have run this crazy beautiful health journey. You haven’t just stayed during the good times, you have decided to run with me even as my body has went through one trial after another. You care for me even when I have nothing to offer.
You have seen the worst parts of this health journey. You know the good and not so good in this season. You know God gives us things exactly when we need them… that’s proven to be true because of the fact that He has blessed me to call you friend. Our paths crossed because God saw that I needed a faithful friend. He was right. I needed someone who intercedes in prayer on my behalf without me asking. I needed someone who would sharpen me as I walk through this journey.
I have studied the Bible to see what it means to be a good friend and most of the things I have read are qualities that you possess. I have seen you run with me at my weakest moments. You have been an honest voice. I have seen you build me up and encourage me. You have had my back in ways I will never be able to truly thank you for.
I am so thankful for your friendship.
I can only pray that I have had a small impact on your life. You have helped me become a better person as I run this crazy beautiful health journey. I pray for you and your family on a daily basis and I hope you know that I am here in all seasons for you, just like you have been there for me. I do not write any of this lightly. Thank you for being a faithful friend. I am thankful for your friendship in my life. ~OC
Life Buckets
Today’s a new day! Too much selflessness is not always healthy. We must keep our life buckets filled or serving others will be unsustainable.
As I have walked this crazy beautiful health journey the last 22 years, most eyes have been on me. How I am feeling and what I need. All too often my bride and caregiver has been overlooked and overwhelmed. Her life buckets tend to run on empty. I believe that’s true for most caregivers.
Caregivers usually take a backseat to those they’re caring for and rarely do caregivers have caregivers of their own.
Thankfully when I got sick back in 2002, God helped me realize that Laura could not and should not have to do everything on her own. She needed people to come along side her and make sure her life buckets didn’t run dry. I am thankful for those who have decided to be Laura’s caregivers.
God also helped me realize that Laura needed breaks from being my caregiver. So over the years, I have encouraged Laura to plan trips with family and friends. To find things that fill her buckets. To live and embrace life away from my crazy beautiful health journey. Thankfully, Laura has found many things that help fill her life buckets.
I pray if you’re a caregiver or know a caregiver, you will take the time to check out the life bucket situation. To make sure no one’s buckets are running on empty.
This post is geared towards caregivers, but we all need to keep an eye on our life buckets. Because if we truly want to serve others, we need to make sure our buckets are full. What fills your life bucket? ~OC
God’s Word
Today’s a new day! As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I cling to the promises of God’s word. One of those promises is found in Isaiah 40:29, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Even when our bodies are struggling to find strength, God lifts our hearts with hope and comfort. He gives strength to the weary and weak. If you have ever felt weary and weak you qualify.
The astonishing thing is the way He chose to do it. It does not take the mending or healing of our bodies. We do not have to be propped up with the comforts of this world. God did it all with the power of his word. It is true, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4). If your soul is starving today, find nourishment in the reading of God’s powerful words and promises.
Today, if you find yourself weary, worn, and ready to throw in the towel, I want to remind you that He gives strength to the weary. My prayer is that you’re experiencing God’s strength and peace this very hour. Know this, one day, you will look back on your troubles, whether in this life or on the beautiful shores of eternity, and you will say, “God pulled me through. He gave me the strength I needed.” The One in whom you trust does not faint or grow weary, and his understanding is unsearchable. ~OC
Seeds of Hope
Good morning God. I come with a heavy heart this morning. I am tired of all the hate and violence in our world. It hit home this morning, as I watch a loved one and his family struggle with the grief of violence.
This morning, I lift prayers up for this family and every family walking through pain and loss today caused by hate and violence. We know life has always been a struggle between peace and violence. Good and evil. We know love and peace give hope to a broken world. That is something that so many of us are striving for in this world. We also realize that there is a group of people spreading hate and violence to destroy peace, hope and love. Good and gracious God, we know hate and violence tries to shatter love and hope. We know hate and violence can tear apart people, families and communities. But we also know that by loving and caring for the hurting, we can bring hope and love back to broken relationships and communities.
In each of us, is a seed of peace and love. It calls out not only to be recognized, but to be nurtured and cared for. As we scroll through social media or turn on the tv, we see what seems like an endless stream of hate and violence. Dear God, help us hold on to those seeds of peace, hope, love and unity.
As fear and violence try to destroy and divide us, may our repulsion of these actions turn us to the soil of our souls. May we instead plant seeds of hope, love and peace. May we work together to nurture those seeds of change. Regardless of skin color, different faiths, cultures or political views may we work together to create change. Not just change for this generation, but for generations to come.
Dear God, do not allow us not to buy into the lies that resistance of violence requires anger, aggression and animosity. No, keep reminding us that peace, prayers, love and community are the ways to achieve the positive changes we cry out for.
Dear God, remind us that love and peace are a constant pursuit and they only grow when we nurture and care for them. Peace, hope and love require constant tending, mindfulness in every moment, and a willingness to see each person as a reflection of You. Amen. ~OC
Bend, But Don’t Break
Today’s a new day! You may see me bend, but you’ll never see me break. Not by my strength, but by the love, strength and grace of God. ~OC
Take a Risk
Today’s a new day! As I was praying this morning, God brought a phrase to my mind. That phrase is “To love is to risk.” With everything going on in the world, that phrase really spoke to me. I had to asked myself, Do I take enough risk in loving people? Do I take enough risk in letting people love me back? Do I take enough risk in reaching out to those I would not normally reach out to and love them – love them like Jesus would love them? Am I happy not to risk being rejected and just sit in my comfort zone and only love those around me I am comfortable with?
Taking risk can cost:
To reach out for one another is to risk involvement.
To expose one’s feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams before people is to risk their loss.
To live is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
But I believe risks must be taken, because the greatest pitfall in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.
They may avoid loss, suffering and hurt, but they miss learning, growing, and truly loving.
Chained by their fear a person who refuses to take risks, misses out on freedom. Only a person who takes risk in life is truly free.
I choose to be a risk taker. I do not want to be someone who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing. I want to be free – free to go and love on people no matter how they respond. Free to risk showing love, hope and forgiveness even if I am not shown this in return. Free to reach out to people even if it does risk being rejected. I want to love even if it comes with risk. Who will join me?
The light of God’s love shined within us when he sent his matchless Son into the world so that we might live through him. This is love: He loved us long before we loved him. It was his love, not ours. He proved it by sending his Son to be the pleasing sacrificial offering to take away our sins. Delightfully loved ones, if he loved us with such tremendous love, then “loving one another” should be our way of life. ~1 John 4:9-11
What would the world look like if we all took the risk and truly loved people – all people no matter their color, their political beliefs, spiritual beliefs or their cultural background, the kind of love we as Christians are called to show to all around us? I just wonder. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 