Tag: Thriving

A Choice

Two photos. Two choices. The picture of me with the oxygen mask is from this past Friday. After dealing with a debilitating headache for a week, I had to spend the day in the ER. After many test, I was diagnosed with Cluster Headaches. Not fun. The photo of the 🌞 is from this morning. If you have been in South Florida the past few days, you know the sun even if only for a moment is a beautiful sight

Both photos represent an opportunity to look at the bright side of any circumstance. Spending the day in the ER was not fun, but it allowed me to share the love of God with several staff. It allowed me to thank some healthcare workers for all that they do. My attitude on Friday could have been like the weather we have been dealing with lately. Gloomy, nasty and not very inviting. But I chose to share a little sunshine with everyone I came in contact with on Friday.

When we are dealing with the storms of life, we have two choices. To look at the negatives or try and find some sunshine in the midst of the storm. Our choice. ~OC
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Hope

Today’s a new day! Hope. A simple four letter word that carries so much meaning and power. Hope is beauty. This word inspires images of joy. Images of a more peaceful, loving world. The word hope brings Images of a world filled with people who genuinely care for each other; regardless of culture, ethnicity or the color of their skin. Regardless of political beliefs. Hope brings to mind a brighter future—filled with less of the problems that we see in the world today. There is a reason politicians, businesses and charities use the word hope to try and grab our attention. We all long for a world filled with hope. Deep down, we all know that hope is what this world truly needs.

However, for many of us, hope is something that seems out of reach in the world today. A dream. When we turn on the news, scroll through social media we see images that do not bring us a lot of hope. Everyone is dealing with their own struggles in this journey called life.

I have always been affected by the stories that I hear around me. If someone mentions they’re struggling with something, I want to jump in to help and encourage them. I want to bring them hope. I am sure you can relate. As humans, we are naturally affected by the stories we hear in the world around us. As humans, we are affected by those whose situations look hopeless. However, as Christians, we also posses the one thing that can truly bring change to the lives of those hurting around us. Hope.

I remember when my crazy beautiful health journey first started, I did not want to share my struggles. I did not want to burden anyone. Then a few years into my health journey, God shared with me how our stories can help encourage others walking through their own experience. Our testimony. The power of our testimonies can be life changing. But only if we are willing to share our story. I must admit, when I first started sharing my health battle with others it was a little scary. How would people react? Would people treat me differently? But as I began sharing my story, people began to ask how they could help. People began to pray for me. People started sharing my story with others. People started contacting me and sharing that my story and the way I was living it out brought them encouragement. Brought them hope. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people who seemed lost, broken and struggling with their own problems. I thought how can my little story make a difference? As more and more people began to reach out to me for help, I was tempted to shrink back. To escape. Thankfully, instead of escaping, I began to lean into this crazy beautiful journey God has me on. And what a ride it has been.

As Christians, we have the hope that this world is desperately longing for.
It is far too easy to be silent. To let fear dictate us and stop us from doing the one thing that we have been placed on this earth to do. To believe that this world is too broken, too far gone, too far beyond hope. To forget the words of John 1:5, which says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” I don’t know about you, but I want to bring hope to the broken and light to the darkness in this world. I want my life to point back to the One who has put breath in my lungs and given me life.
I want to exude joy, hope, and love even in places that seem to lack all three of these. I desire to be everything that God has called me to be, and never miss an opportunity to share His love with the people He has placed around me. 

At your job, at school, and in your community, I want to encourage you to live with hope in your sphere of influence. In the places where God has led you. To never be afraid to step out in boldness, and share the love of God with those around you. I want to encourage you to love your fellow students, neighbors, co-workers and bosses in such a way that it points back to God—and “work as if you’re working unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). Wherever we go and whatever we do, let us never be afraid to reflect the hope that lives within us. Let us never let fear hold us back from sharing the hope of God. Let us never let fear hold us back from sharing this amazing love. ~OC

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ~Matthew 5:13-16

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What Is A Good Friend?

Today’s a new day! As we celebrate this Christmas season, hopefully we will be surrounded by good friends. Which begs the question, What is a good friend?

We all have heard the saying “You don’t know who your true friends are until life smacks you in the face.” True friends will reveal themselves during the storms of life.

As I have traveled my crazy beautiful health journey, I have been blessed with a few friends who have never left the boat. Friends who have truly went to battle with me.

Here are a few lessons I have learned about holding on to the real, ride or die friendships.

First, who are the true friends sitting in the boat with you during the toughest times? Take time to think back on the worst times in your life and who are the friends that never left your side? Also think about those friends you expected to be by your side, but ultimately they were not. Do not spend too much time dwelling on those friends. Let it go.

Second, think back on those true friends who have walked through the fire with you. Give those friendships the time and nurturing they deserve. Embrace them. I love 1 Thessalonians 5:11 which states “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” Are we doing this?

Third, never take those true friendships for granted. Sadly, too many people take friendships for granted. True friendships are a beautiful gift from God. He designed each of us for relationship. Never overlook the importance of genuine friendship.

When you find God-ordained relationships hold on to them. Embrace them. Treasure those friends who treasure you. Build into those friendships that will bring enrichment to both parties.

Have you been blessed with real ride or die friendships? If so let them know. Give thanks for each of them. ~OC

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Thorn In The Flesh

Today’s a new day! If I tried explaining this crazy beautiful health journey to myself before this journey started, the former me would have been confused and most likely skeptical. That’s the most difficult part of living with a chronic illness. Unless you’ve walked the road, it’s nearly impossible to understand.

No amount of words can describe how completely this health journey has affected my life. My body’s tired. It longs for relief. I hear its cries. I used to force my body to keep moving, angrily ignoring its groans. Then I realized my body didn’t ask for this. We live in a broken world. Everyone’s body breaks down at some point. Mine decided to break down at 35. That was twenty-one years ago. Supposedly I was in the prime of my life. But through the years, I have come to realize I’m not entitled to perfect health. No one is. Sometimes the body suffers the effects of brokenness much earlier than it should.

I share the above not to bring anyone down, but to hopefully bring hope. Hope might be the most important tool in the Christian arsenal. Hope is not circumstantial. It is a firm conviction, a way of seeing the world. Hope is what sustains us through difficult times. We know God is in control, regardless of what our circumstances might lead us to believe. We trust suffering is temporary and that God will use even the worst of situations for good. Evil might have the first word (cancer, chronic illness, divorce), but we proclaim boldly that God will have the last.

Many times in the last twenty-one years, I have found encouragement in 2 Corinthians Chapter 12. In verses 8 and 9, Paul talks about his thorn in the flesh that tormented him throughout his life. He prayed multiple times for God to remove it. Here was God’s response: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

I may experience another miracle along this journey. I may not. Either way, God’s grace is sufficient. It’s enough for me. I pray it’s enough for you too. ~OC

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Resiliency

Today’s a new day! Nothing is wasted by God and that through all things, God is working for the good of those who love Jesus and for His ultimate glory. If we truly lean into the truth of God’s word, there is not a single circumstance that happens outside of the sovereignty of God’s authority and if it is not outside of His authority, it is being used by Him for our good and for His Glory. Resiliency.

Cancer, Parkinson’s, Myasthenia Gravis, Gastroparesis, Covid Long Hauler’s all under God’s authority. All the storms of life under His authority. As I have walked through the above health issues, I have chosen to totally put my trust in God. Leaning into the amazing truth, that God has used every health issue I have faced and am currently facing for His glory. I want to be in the middle of everything God is doing in my life. Because if it’s for His Glory, it is inherently for my good. If it is for my good, I can keep persevering through the tough moments. That is resilience. Course correcting through the storms of life, through hardships, through trial after trail … being brought back to the foot of the Cross with the truth that it is all for His Glory and my good. Resiliency. ~OC

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Total Freedom

Today’s a new day! There is complete and total freedom in Jesus. We will never experience true freedom in our finances or social status. No, true freedom and joy comes from surrendering our entire lives to Jesus.
We will still have aching questions and burning disappointments that we will bring to God. We still do not understand all the mysteries of life. Our future is still full of questions and imperfections.

But that doesn’t have to hold us back from continuing to lean into the promises of Jesus. When we have faith that He is working, even now, we are filled with peace. It’s out of our hands and it’s in the hands that were pierced for each of us. In the midst of the storms of life, our Jesus continues to work. He is focused on our now and walking with us through the storms. Do not miss the lessons He has for you in the valley moments. Jesus is focused on the big picture. The results are going to be glorious. Keep leaning in. ~OC

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New Book

Today’s a new day! The new book is out. Thanks for all the love and support. This book is 20 years in the making. The majority of the book was written from my hospital room on 4South at Good Samaritan Medical Center. A fun fact. I have written both of my books on my Apple iPhone. I continue to live a blessed life. ~OC

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Hope

Today’s a new day! To be honest, there are moments when I would like nothing more than to walk away from battling the storms of life. Walking away can sound so much better than this journey of building endurance, character, and hope. How many storms do I need to face in life? But in those tough moments, hope reminds me that I am not its source. The hope I walk in does not come from me, but from God who is compassionate, loving and faithful.

Opening up my eyes, God encourages me to look at the world with more hope. To look deeper and see more than what is and more of what could be. To hope.


Taking a deeper, more honest look at the realities of a hurting world can also become an act of hope. I believe in the power of love and peace. My hope is in God who is filled with love, mercy and compassion. My faith always leads me back to hope. This hope is real and available to each of us. Today, I encourage you to take a step towards Hope. ~OC

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Hope

Today’s a new day! As we walk through the storms of life, hope is something we must continue to hold onto. Hope is not based on our circumstances. It is a firm conviction, a way of living out this journey called life. Hope sustains us through difficult times. We know God is always walking beside us, regardless of what our current circumstances might lead us to believe. We trust suffering is temporary and that God will use our storms for good. Even during our biggest storms in life, we boldly proclaim that God is in control. He never leaves the boat.

Many times in the last 21 years, I’ve found encouragement in reading in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, where Paul talks about the thorn in his side. God responded by saying these powerful words, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Those words give me hope. Those words give me strength. Those words guide me to encourage others as they walk through their own crazy beautiful journey.

I do not know what my future holds health wise, but I do know who holds my future in His strong nail scarred hands. I will continue to believe God’s love and grace is sufficient. It’s enough for me. I pray it’s enough for you. ~OC

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Men and Friendships

Today’s a new day! Hello men. This post is for us. I want to get real about friendships. Based on my own experience and talking with other men, we are mostly failing in the area of friendship. Most men I have talked to share they have many surface friendships, but lack deep meaningful friendships. Can any other men relate?

I personally want to have intentional friendships that have meaning and depth. It appears so many men are happy with surface friendships. They fear deep intimate friendships. The casual version of friendship is sadly repeated over and over again and not just with guys outside the church. Men in the church are not doing much better. From my own observation, most men lack true friendships and happily settle for less. We use phrases like he’s my buddy or bro. These are not bad relationships, but just other men who do not understand the importance of having intentional friendships.

I could go into deep reasons why so many men lack deep friendships with other men, but so many of them are just excuses. Most of the time it comes down to laziness. Men like to use the excuse of being too busy. But that doesn’t fly. Go check with your wife or girlfriend. Their schedules are just as busy if not busier than yours, but they still find time for deep and meaningful friendships. As men we settle for less because we do not want to put in the time and effort.

Where are your friends that you can lean on and that can lean on you? Can you pray with them? Can you talk about real life with them? Your failures and successes. Over the years, I have observed too many men are scared to share their wounds, emotions, or real life issues with other men. The best example of a man we have is Jesus. He cried, he got angry, he had a tender heart. He chose to invest in real relationships with 12 other men. He dared to hold those men accountable. To walk through life together. The good and bad. To serve together. Do you have those type of men in your life? We all need men we can challenge and men who will challenge us to be better men. We need to be intentional in our friendships with other men.

So I want to encourage you and myself to do the following:

*Chose to take a risk and open up to some of the men in your life. See what happens. Jesus was not afraid to be vulnerable.

*Chose to be a better friend. Start to be intentional and sacrificial for other men. Asked the tough questions. Listen without interrupting or trying to fix the problem. Share your hopes, failures and dreams. Pray together.

*Chose to pray that God places Godly men into your life, then be on the lookout for them.

Notice how Jesus chose to be open and honest with the disciples. He chose to serve them and together serve others. Jesus chose to be intentional with these 12 men. Are we willing to do that with the men in our lives? It might not be easy, but I promise it will be life changing if we choose to put in the time and effort. No more excuses men. ~OC

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