People

Today’s a new day! As we continue to walk through this journey called life, people will come in and out of our lives.

People will come into our lives to teach us life lessons

People will come into our lives to inspire us

People will come into our lives to share truth

People will come into our lives for just a season

People will come into our lives to stand with us

People will come into our lives to try and divide us

People will come into our lives to bring us laughter

People will come into our lives to cry with us

People will come into our lives to face tough moments with us

People will come into our lives to teach us to live out our dreams

People will come into our lives to encourage us

People will come into our lives to share hope

People will come into our lives to teach to think outside of our comfort zones

People will come into our lives to help us stand up for what’s right

People will come into our lives to help challenge us

People will come into our lives to be part of our journey.

There is a reason for everyone God brings into our lives. Do not miss out on these beautiful opportunities. ~OC

My NYC Marathon Experience…Almost

Today’s a new day! The New York City Marathon is this morning. I will watch it on tv and root for each of the runners. I will also spend a moment reflecting on my NYC Marathon experience that never happened.

Back in 2010, I should have been in New York City with the other 45,344 runners competing that day. But on that Sunday morning, I was in the hospital fighting for my life. It would be another nine years before I would even have the ability to lace up my running shoes and attempt to run. Unfortunately, that would be a short lived experience as my health took another turn for the worse.

I still look back on my running days more with a smile than I do with disappointment, but I must admit missing that 2010 NYC Marathon is still one of my biggest regrets of my running career. The opportunity to be at the starting line with thousands of other runners, to experience the excitement of hearing the starting gun go off, to run through the streets of NYC with thousands of people cheering the runners on and crossing that finish line is a memory I miss from my running days. It is a moment I will always wonder about.

But this Sunday morning, like I have been doing for many years, I will be watching and cheering on each of the runners blessed with the amazing opportunity to run the NYC Marathon. There will also be a moment where I will imagine myself running through the finish line with my arms raised high. You can never really take the runner out of the runner.

Best wishes for all of the runners fulfilling your dreams of running in the NYC Marathon today. Embrace every minute of every single mile. I will be cheering you on. Go Get It! ~OC

Glass Houses

Today’s a new day!

Today we all live in glass houses

So we should all lay down our stones

And stop judging

In a world full of social media, our lives are on full display

Our thoughts, opinions, likes and dislikes are open for the world to see

We live with a digital footprint in our glass houses

Our lives become targets of the same things we judge, criticize, tear down or praise

Our voices lead us to either reason or hypocrisy when we click on those keys, when we leave a comment or choose to heart that image

We need not to be so quick to pick up that stone right after stepping foot outside our beautifully constructed glass home

Be mindful… 

Be careful…

Be thoughtful…

Be loving…

Be respectful…

Be kind..

Be forgiving…

Be slow to repudiate what we see in others…

Because we see clearly what’s going on in your home… it’s made out of glass. ~OC

Decency and Character

Today’s a new day! Good morning family, friends and anyone else who decides to read this blog post. This morning I want to discuss two words…Decency and Character. Both mean something to me.

During my career, I had the honor of interviewing many people for positions with the different organizations I worked for. Of course, I always looked at the applicants resume and qualifications for the open job position. But during the interview I looked for someone with character and decency. Not always the easiest thing to do in a short period of time, but I wanted to hire someone who would be a great worker, but more importantly I wanted to hire someone that would bring a positive impact to the team. A person with character and decency.

I believed then and I still believe decency and character matter. When we hire someone don’t we hope they will be a decent person? Someone we can trust. A person of high character.

Decency and Character matter to me as a human being and as a Christian.

I believe decency and character matters to you. We take note of the person who pays their debts. We appreciate the physician who takes time to listen. We appreciate the teacher who takes time for the struggling student, when the employee refuses to gossip about their co-worker, when the losing team congratulates the winning team, we can characterize their behavior with two words… Decency and Character.

We appreciate decency and character. We applaud those who carry themselves with decency and character. Parents teach their children the importance of decency and character. We seek to develop both. Decency and Character matter, right?

Then why isn’t decency and character a factor in the presidential race?

A former President, who is running again for the highest office in the land would not pass my decency or character interview. I would send him packing.

I do not personally know Donald Trump, but shutter at his antics. He ridiculed a war hero and has continuously mocked those in the military. He constantly makes fun of people and loves to pass out nasty nicknames. He has called his political opponents stupid and losers. He has shared a political opponent should have nine guns pointed at her. He has proudly shared these comments online and at his rallies.

Such insensitivities wouldn’t even be acceptable in a middle school student body election. But for the Oval Office? And to do so while brandishing a Bible and boasting of his Christian faith? I’m bewildered, both by his behavior and the public’s support of it.

I believe the explanation for his success is this: he has tapped into the anger of many American people. As one man interviewed stated, “We are voting with our middle finger.” Sounds more like a comment for a middle school fight than a presidential election. We can look back at Cain and Abel and see how anger has brought out the worst in people.

I continue to pray for the return of decency and character to the United States. I pray the American people will vote against hate on Tuesday November 5th. I pray the majority of Americans will remember the key role of the president is to be the face of America. When he/she speaks, he/she speaks for us. Whether we agree or disagree with the policies of the president, we hope that they behave in a way that is consistent with the status of the office of the President.

As far as I can remember, I never regretted turning away a applicant who did not show character or decency. The people I chose to hire were not perfect, but they were decent people. That was all I could ask.

It seems that we should ask the same on November 5th. ~OC

Joy Filled Life

Today’s a new day! I think most people want to live a positive, joy filled life. I know I do. Here are four things I believe can help us achieve that goal.

*Fill our hearts and minds with positive thoughts. Let’s refuse to allow our hearts and minds to be filled with negativity.

*Fill our speech with positive words. Let’s guard what comes out of our mouths and what we share on social media.

*Fill our lives with positive places and situations. Where are you spending your time?

*Fill our lives with positive, joy filled people. Remember, we get to choose who we allow into our lives.

I hope you will spend some time reflecting on these four points today. I pray your day is filled with amazing moments and God’s blessings. ~OC

A Good Day!

Today’s a new day! At the end of the day, if I can say I encouraged someone, made someone think, served someone and made life just a little better for someone else, I can say it was a good day. Make the most of your day. ~OC

Embracing Our Differences

Today’s a new day!

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” ~1 Corinthians 12:12 

I love hearing people’s stories. I love hearing what God is stirring in their hearts, and talking to them about God’s beautifully thought-out and purposeful design for them as individuals. I love the realization people have when God reveals this to them. We are all unique and different. How exciting is that! However, lately I have really been thinking more about this as it pertains to those in the Christian community.

How many Christians really take the time to think about diversity? Just for a moment, I want you to take some time, look around and asked yourself is my life full of diversity or not? If so, great. If not, ask yourself why not? Because a world filled with diversity is truly beautiful. A life full of diversity is a beautiful mosaic of amazing colors, gifts and talents. Throughout 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul talks about the many spiritual gifts that we have been given by the Holy Spirit. These gifts all vary person to person. My gifts and personality are not the exact same as yours. We are all different and we were made like this on purpose for a purpose. God did not create us all to be the same old boring carbon copies of each other. Praise God! Nor should we strive to be like each other. We should be living out who God called us to be and strive to be like Jesus. Together, we have unity in Jesus Christ.

Even so, our flawed human nature wants things our own way. A lot of times we see our differences, and they cause pain and dissension. But, is that really what God intended? Did God design us to be different and then fight one another to make the other fall in line behind us? No! We should not be calling for everyone else to be like us, we should be calling on Jesus to show us, together in unity, the way we should move forward. Together we can find a better way. Two minds are greater than one. Our differences make us stronger. Not weaker.

As Believers, we have a great opportunity to approach our differences and conflicts in a God-honoring way. Here are some lessons I have learned over the years. 1). To recognize that people are invaluable. They are children of God. He created them with love and intentionality. 2) To recognize that people might see things differently than I do, so I want to understand and see how they see. 3). To look to God and pray for wisdom. How do we move forward towards a common good for all? What is God’s best for this situation? 

There will be times that we’re in a tough spot and can’t see eye to eye, that might be a bigger discussion for another time. We cannot take control or responsibility for other people’s actions. However, we can control and take responsibility for how we approach the differences. 

Reflection:

Think about your current circumstances: What conflicts are currently in front of you?  Are you approaching them in a Godly way?  If not, what steps can you take to change your perspective, conversations, and actions?

Prayer:

God, we are incredibly thankful that you have created each of us uniquely and perfectly in your own image. We praise you today, that we have brothers and sisters who think and see the world differently, because together we are stronger. Help us to see this truth in every situation and conversation. We pray for your wisdom, your guidance, and your grace – that our words and actions are a reflection of who you are and what you have already done for us in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. ~OC

A Beautiful World

Today’s a new day! Throughout this journey called life we will come across people who look differently, speak differently, love differently, act differently, vote differently, and worship differently. But that’s what makes this wonderful journey called life a beautiful experience. So do not allow the differences in people to cause hate to stir up in your heart. Instead embrace and celebrate the beautiful diversity of this amazing world. ~OC

In the Boat

Today’s a new day! At one point during my beautiful life, my friendship list looked like a big cruise ship. Many people laughing and having fun. Life was great. Then I got sick and the boat began to get smaller. Of course that was tough to endure, but God gave me peace.

Then I experienced a beautiful miracle and all of the sudden the boat started getting bigger, but most of the relationships were not real. They were based on what God had done in my life. People cared more about the miracle than they did about me. Once again tough to endure, but God guided me through this trial. He even told me on a walk one early morning, that my inner circle would get even smaller. There would be fewer people sitting in my boat. This did not scare me. It actually gave me great peace.

Then a few months ago, I was diagnosed with dementia and more friends jumped off the boat. This time I was prepared for it. Less phone calls checking in or returning my calls or text. God had clearly prepared me for this time. That does not mean there was not some pain and disappointment. It hurt. Thankfully God continues to carry me through this season.

As I continue to walk through this crazy beautiful journey called life, I cling to the friends who have decided to stay in the boat with me. The ones who actually reach out to me without any prompting and reassure me they are never leaving the boat regardless of how big the waves get. We will endure together. How blessed I am to have these people in the boat with me. Beautiful bright lights to travel with on this beautiful symphony called life. It brings me great encouragement as I move through the different seasons of life.

As I wrote the words above, I realized I have never needed rescuing from the boat. God has always been in the boat with me. He has never thought about abandoning me. Once again, I am thankful for those God has chosen to ride the waves with me in the boat. But more importantly, my hope and peace comes from God who created the boat and me. The One who can calm the raging seas with just a whisper.

As you walk through the storms of life, look around and see who’s still in the boat with you. When you find them cherish them. Never take your tribe for granted. During the storms of life, learn to sit in the boat with others. Embrace those in the boat. Encourage those in the boat. Empower those in the boat. Live life together in the boat. ~OC

I Choose

Today’s a new day! As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I will strive to live out the following:

I will choose to stay in touch with friends

I will choose every day to be a better person

I will choose to be happy

I will choose to share hope and love

I will choose to look for the good in people

I will choose to forgive and share grace

I will choose to speak out against injustice

I will choose to encourage others

I will choose to have the courage to express my thoughts and feelings

I will choose to have the courage to truly live out the life I was created to live, not the life others except from me.

I will choose to begin and end every day with praise, prayer and thanksgiving. ~OC

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