When The Treadmill Stops Suddenly – 5 Tips For Handling Life Stopping Experiences

I’ve been logging running mileage again, and it feels great.  Most of my miles these days are happening on the treadmill at the gym thanks to the cold weather and early morning darkness that blankets our area at this time of the year.

The other day, I was up early running a quick 4.5 miles at our local YMCA.  I had the treadmill ramped up to 7.8 miles per hour (which for me is a pretty decent pace).  While I’m on the treadmill, I listen to podcasts and glance up at the televisions to see the latest sports highlights and news updates.  About a mile into my run as I was lost in my own world, the treadmill suddenly stopped.

Imagine driving your car at 65 miles an hour and it suddenly stops completely.  Or imagine riding your bicycle at 15 miles an hour when someone jams a stick in your spokes.

This is how it felt when the treadmill stopped for me.  I somehow managed to catch myself before a complete catastrophe occurred.  The guy running next to me commented, “Wow!  Nice catch.”  I tried to get the treadmill back up and running, but it wouldn’t power up and restart.  I switched treadmills and continued my workout.

Sometimes life is like this.  We are coasting along when something happens in our lives that brings things to a screeching halt.  It’s happened in my life a few times – like the time I crashed my car two weeks before my wedding, like when my wife was rushed to the hospital shortly after our son was born, and like the moment I learned that my grandfather had passed away six years ago.

I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I’ve learned a few things through life events like these.

1. Hang on.  Sometimes this is all we can do.  When we don’t understand, when we don’t know the plan, we can trust God and hang on to His hand.  I remember asking during these times, “Why?”  Even in the toughest moments, we must remember that He will never leave us.
   

   “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Joshua 1:5

2. Trust God.  In times like this, I’ve gone back to Proverbs 3:5-6 as a promise that God will make my paths straight even when life doesn’t make sense.
   

   Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

3. Lean into family and friends.  I can’t tell you how much family and friends have meant to our family when life’s train seems to have derailed.  It helps to know that someone is praying for me, is willing to talk or listen as I wrestle through the challenges of life, and is willing to be there when I can’t fully focus on my daily needs.  If you’re missing this in your own life, I’d encourage and challenge you to seek out this kind of friendship.  Our church small group experience has provided many of these types of friendships.
4. Consider a change.  Sometimes a life stopping experience can be the catalyst to positive change in our lives.  This week, I switched treadmills.  Maybe these experiences are a call to change direction.
   

   “See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”  Isaiah 43:19

5. Learn and grow.  Life halting experiences can be life altering experiences if we take time to learn and grow.  This is why I recommend a journal or even a blog as a way to record life’s happenings.  I have learned so much through the major speed bumps of life and the blog and my journal have become great places to record and process these experiences.

I returned to the gym this morning to run more on the treadmill.  I’m sure I was a bit more cautious, but I’m ready to keep going.  I’m thankful for the reminder that a simple treadmill experience can provide.  I have no idea what the rest of the day holds, but I look ahead with confidence knowing that it will be okay no matter what transpires.

What have you learned from a life stopping experience?  What other tips do you have for handling these kinds of times?

Say What You Need To Say

Last year at this time, I was in the Chicago area for implementation training and brainstorming for a new company initiative. I haven’t been out to our home office for a few years and to be honest I wasn’t crazy about leaving my wife and kids for the better part of a week.

The time at the Chicago area office went very well, but the highlight of the trip was my visit with my Grandma Stolpe. Grandma will turn 93 in early April. The last few years, her health hasn’t been great. Many in my family wondered if she would make it past the Christmas holidays.

It had been a few years since we last visited in person, so it was real special when I walked through the doors of the nursing home where she lives and I saw her waiting for me to arrive. We ate dinner together in their cafeteria, and we visited for a while back in her room. Though it had been three and a half years since our last face-to-face visit, it seemed like we just saw each other last week.

My Aunt Elaine and Uncle Max stopped by for the last hour of our visit. We talked more and shared details about our families. We also talked about memories and family traditions.

A few times, Grandma mentioned that she was ready for heaven whenever God decided it was time. She expressed hope that it wouldn’t be much longer. It was clear that she was content with the life she had lived and hopeful for the future in heaven.

I will remember a few details about this visit: Grandma’s Bible on her nightstand, her family tree of pictures on the wall above her bed, her thoughts on the economy and politics, and her joy in spending time with me (her oldest grandson).

I don’t know when or if I will see Grandma again on this side of eternity. As we said our goodbyes (which took a while), I hugged Grandma, and I told her I loved her. She reciprocated as only a small 91-year-old women could with a broken arm. She said, “I love you too, Jon. Thank you so much for the visit.”

As I walked to my car, I sniffled a bit. I’m not sure I’ll have that chance again. The visit was great – and the goodbye was perfect whether it was the last or not.

Driving back to my hotel that night, I heard the song “Say What You Need to Say” by John Mayer. The song talks about saying what needs to be said – not regretting holding back – making sure things are right with our loved ones and that we express our love, appreciation, and respect for each other.

I said what I needed to say.

Is everything good between you and your family and friends or is there something you need to say?  What do you need to say?  To whom do you need to say it?

Be Still and Know – 5 Thoughts On Finding Stillness In A Busy World

My weekday reality often feels like I’m running from one place to the next.  It often seems as though I take little time to be still.  And even when I’m sitting down or laying down to sleep, my mind is in motion.  Yet the Bible clearly calls us to be still and know that He is God.

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 46

Lance Armstrong, Barack Obama, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Lance Armstrong, Barack Obama, and Martin Luther King Jr.

These three names are near the top of the search charts these days.

For Lance Armstrong, he’s facing the aftermath of his admission to doping during his career as a cyclist.  This past week on the Oprah Winfrey Network he came clean about years of “systematic doping” which led to winning the Tour de France seven consecutive years.  He had his Olympic bronze medal stripped from him this past week.  And I’m guessing that he opened the door for countless lawsuits in which people and companies will seek to be compensated for the damage they faced as the hands of Armstrong to their finances, their reputations, and their careers.  It could get pretty ugly for Lance.  I’m sure he could use a little grace and mercy as he faces the penalties and ridicule that he certainly deserves.

For Barack Obama, he’s being inaugurated today for his second term as President of the United States.  He certainly faces some uphill battles of his own in the coming four years.  I’m sure he’s made plenty of mistakes throughout his life including during his first term.  No matter what, some people will love him and some people will dislike him.  With the state of the economy, the situations overseas, and the decisions to be made within our borders, it could be a pretty tough four years for Barack and his family.  I’m sure he could use a little wisdom to go with some grace and mercy as he faces the challenges that await him.

For Martin Luther King Jr., this is a day we remember.  Many will be talking about his famous “I Have A Dream” speech today as they celebrate the man who spoke openly about a dream for equality for all people regardless of race or gender.  Many strides have been made in this department since King said these words as evidenced by the election of Obama to the highest position in our country.  But I’m sure more could be done to bring about equal opportunities for education and career/jobs.  For me MLK Day reminds me that there is still work to be done for his dream and for my own dreams.

So how do these three people fit together.  In a way, I can identify with each of them on small levels.  While I haven’t committed the highly public mistakes that Lance Armstrong admitted to this week, I’ve made my fair share of blunders over the years.  I could definitely use some grace and mercy.  While I don’t hold the responsibility of leading our country, I am a leader in my home, at work, and in my church.  I could definitely use wisdom to go with the grace and mercy.  And as for the MLK Day reminder, I have dreams.  I must continue to go after these dreams with a passion and drive that is relentless.  And I must continue to standup for the rights of those who can’t speak for themselves.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:8-9

What are your thoughts on Lance Armstrong, Barack Obama, and Martin Luther King Jr.?  How do you identify with them?  What’s your dream?

You Are Here

I took this picture a couple of years ago at the Franklin Institute.  This sign was located in a stairwell between exhibits.  I just thought it was funny.  What can I say?  This is my humor, and you’re stuck with it if you’re still reading my blog.

As I think about the sign, “You Are Here,” I think it’s a good reminder for me.  Sometimes, it can be easy to get stuck in our past –  where we dwell on either our victories or defeats.  Let’s face it, we often like the way things were just because that’s what we’re used to.  Does that make sense?

On the other hand, sometimes, it can be easy to get caught up in the worries (and hopes) of the future.  I think it’s good to have hopes and dreams and to go after them.  But sometimes, we deal with anxiety because we’re so focused on what might happen in the future.  We are crippled by questions which have answers that are out of our control.

As I think about this, two passages come to mind:

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:10

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Matthew 6:25-34

These offer great reminders to rejoice in today – this moment in time when the past is in the past, and God holds the future in His hands.

I am here.  Where are you?

On The Receiving End – Pay It Forward Comes Back

A simple act of kindness can shift your perspective. [Click to Tweet]

Earlier this week, Leanne and I were out at lunch time as we were dealing with the aftermath of her accident.  As we entered the nearby Subway to grab a quick bite to eat, there was a lady in front of us getting ready place her order.  When we joined the line behind her, she immediately let us go in front of her which initially caught me off guard.  From there, Leanne and I ordered our sandwiches.  Just as we were about to pay for our lunch, the same young lady handed Leanne a coupon for a free sandwich.

She asked for nothing in return.  She simply provided a small piece of generosity that brought a huge shift to my perspective.  You see, we were so focused on the accident and the details related to how it impacted our family.  Honestly, I wasn’t thinking of other people at the time.  But this young lady changed my thinking.  We had an opportunity to thank her as she was getting her drink from the self-service beverage dispenser.  As we briefly exchanged words, we all agreed that the world needed more people who offered this type of simple kindness.

Late in November of last year, I wrote about starting a Pay It Forward Revolution.  I shared that the idea may be utopian, but I’d love to see it work.  The response to the post of okay, but it wasn’t overwhelming.  I suppose I had resolved myself to the fact that this idea was stupid – or just too idealistic.  Maybe I really didn’t believe it could work.  After Monday’s lunch, I changed my mind.  I don’t know if this young lady was part of the Pay It Forward Revolution or not.  I do know that it felt refreshing to be on the receiving end of such simple generosity.  It felt reassuring that it just may work.  Her simple action reminded me that I can do my part through simple Pay It Forward actions every day.  Perhaps, I can make a difference for one person today.

Describe a time when your perspective has been shifted by generosity.  How can you make a difference in someone’s life today through simple kindness?

CRASH! Accidents Happen – And God Still Shows Up

Sunday morning, my wife had an accident on the way to church.  Without going into tons of detail, she lost control of the vehicle when she hit a long patch of snow and ice as she came around a turn.  No one else was involved.  Leanne escaped with some scrapes, abrasions, and soreness, but the car didn’t fare so well (as you can see by the picture above).

What started as a normal winter Sunday morning quickly turned traumatic.  We were quickly reminded that accidents happen.  When I received a call while I was eating my breakfast between a workout and getting ready for church, a hundred thoughts went through my head.  Why am I getting a call at 9:15AM on a Sunday morning?  What do you mean my wife had an accident?  Is she okay?  She is, then how’s the car?  What do I do next?  My head spun from there.

After the call, I quickly jumped in the shower, threw on some clothes, and ran to the car.  Driving to the accident scene, I experienced a mix of other thoughts.  “Don’t drive too fast.”  “Get to Leanne and the accident scene as soon as possible.”  “Watch out for snow-covered roads.”

The rest of the events on Sunday morning were somewhat surreal.  Throughout the entire experience I was reminded that God still shows up when things get crazy.  Leanne had an accident, but it wasn’t an accident that we have friends who live two houses away from the accident scene.  These friends were amazing in helping Leanne, contacting me, and talking to the police officers.  Leanne’s parents were here at the time of the accident.  This meant that Leanne’s dad could go with me to meet Leanne, and Leanne’s mom could stay with the kids.  The accident has obviously created a wave of inconveniences and unanswered questions, but I have found peace trusting that God will provide the answers for how we should proceed – will our car be totaled and how will we pay for a replacement vehicle?

On Monday, we began to get answers as we talked to insurance people and lined up a rental vehicle while we wait for word on the car.  As the day continued, we saw God showing up in calmed anxieties and a clearer picture of the protection that He had provided to Leanne during this accident.  When we visited the yard where the car was being stored, it was unbelievable to see the amount of broken glass and damage to the car and to realize that Leanne had somehow crawled out of the vehicle and avoided more significant injuries.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23

 

Over the years, I’ve learned (and learned again) that we can’t always explain why things happen.  But we can always remember that God is there no matter what.  When things are going well, God is there.  When things are mundane, God is there.  And when things get bumpy, God is there too!

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39

Accidents have happened and will happen again.  This is part of life.  I don’t think God causes these accidents, but I’m confident that God still shows up whether accidents happen or not.

How have you seen God recently?  When has God shown up for you in the rocky dtimes of life?

In The Wake Of The Newtown, CT Tragedy – Turning To The Psalms

In life, we experience many ups and downs.  While yesterday was a day to focus on an uncontrollable and everlasting joy (see my advent post from yesterday), it’s also been a weekend of such sadness following the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.

I can only imagine the despair that must be in the hearts of those in the community and in the homes of those who lost loved ones.  I’m sure I cannot fully relate to their sadness.  Having said that, I’ve experienced my own ups and downs.  One place that I’ve found solace is the Psalms.  In the Psalms, the writers express joy, happiness, exaltation, hope, and utter despair.  As we all process this week and life in general, I’m thankful God’s Word.  The Psalm below speaks to the emotions of this weekend.

God, you’re my last chance of the day.
    I spend the night on my knees before you.
Put me on your salvation agenda;
    take notes on the trouble I’m in.
I’ve had my fill of trouble;
    I’m camped on the edge of hell.
I’m written off as a lost cause,
    one more statistic, a hopeless case.
Abandoned as already dead,
    one more body in a stack of corpses,
And not so much as a gravestone—
    I’m a black hole in oblivion.
You’ve dropped me into a bottomless pit,
    sunk me in a pitch-black abyss.
I’m battered senseless by your rage,
    relentlessly pounded by your waves of anger.
You turned my friends against me,
    made me horrible to them.
I’m caught in a maze and can’t find my way out,
    blinded by tears of pain and frustration.

I call to you, God; all day I call.
    I wring my hands, I plead for help.
Are the dead a live audience for your miracles?
    Do ghosts ever join the choirs that praise you?
Does your love make any difference in a graveyard?
    Is your faithful presence noticed in the corridors of hell?
Are your marvelous wonders ever seen in the dark,
    your righteous ways noticed in the Land of No Memory?

I’m standing my ground, God, shouting for help,
    at my prayers every morning, on my knees each daybreak.
Why, God, do you turn a deaf ear?
    Why do you make yourself scarce?
For as long as I remember I’ve been hurting;
    I’ve taken the worst you can hand out, and I’ve had it.
Your wildfire anger has blazed through my life;
    I’m bleeding, black-and-blue.
You’ve attacked me fiercely from every side,
    raining down blows till I’m nearly dead.
You made lover and neighbor alike dump me;
    the only friend I have left is Darkness.

Psalm 88 (The Message)

 

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

The other day in the lunch room, I was talking to one of my colleagues.  He’s getting ready to become a grandfather for the first time and for the second time as his daughter and daughter-in-law are both expecting babies to arrive in the new year.  As we talked, we both agreed that time was going by so quickly.

He commented that the days go by so fast.  He is trying to enjoy each day.  He said, “Yesterday is gone.  I can’t get it back.”

A couple of verses came to mind as I pondered this conversation:

All people are like grass,
    and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    because the breath of the Lord blows on them.
    Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    but the word of our God endures forever.

Isaiah 40:6-8

 

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Ephesians 5:15-16

 

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 

Colossians 4:2-6

 

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6:34

 

Life truly is short.  We get 24 hours a day.  We get 365 days in a year.  And we get approximately 85 years in our life time.  If we blink it will be gone.

We have a choice to make.  We get let these numbers depress us.  Or we can use them as a reminder to make the most of the days we’ve been given.  What’s your choice?

Here’s a few thoughts that might help you change your thinking:

1. “Have To” versus “Get To” – Do you have to go to work today?  Or do you get to go to work today?  Do you see how changing one word in that question can change the whole thing?  I get to go to work today.  I get to work with a great team as we wrestle through some great challenges.  I get to go to my son’s basketball practice tonight.  I get to finalize our Christmas letter tonight.
2. Celebrate the past and move forward.  There are many things from our past that deserve pondering and celebration, but we need to keep moving.  I’ve been guilty of dwelling on the bad things from my past.  It’s kind of like stepping in a pile of dog poop and deciding to stand there.  We need to move away from the pile.  Sure, we need to clean up our messes, but we then need to move on.
3. Plan for the future, but be present today.  I believe that good stewardship involves planning for the future, but we must not get so focused on the future that we forget about today.  How can we be more intentional with the time we’ve been given this day?  How does this impact my family, my job, and my other areas of passion and interest?  Am I making the most of these moments?  These are important questions to answer.
4. Live like we’re dying.  How would you change the way you live today if you knew you only had limited time left?  Thinking this way brings perspective and a sense of urgency.  Let’s make the most of these days!

What do you think?  What other ideas can you add to the list above?  Are you stuck in the past?  How are you being intentional today?

I’d Rather Have A Root Canal (10 Things Worse Than A Root Canal)

Yesterday, I had my first root canal.  I’ve heard mixed things about this whole procedure.  We’ll see how my recovery goes, but so far it hasn’t been as bad as I might have expected.  It’s amazing what they can do with some Novocaine and a bunch of drills.

As a fun way to commemorate my first root canal experience, I thought it would be “fun” to list a few things that  are worse than having a root canal procedure.

Here’s my Top 10 list of “fun” things worse than having a root canal:

1. Going shopping at the mall on Black Friday – I made it to a grocery store and the Goodwill store this Black Friday.  I can’t imagine subjecting myself to the swarms of mad shoppers looking for deals and big televisions and socks.
2. Colonoscopy – I haven’t had one yet, but it doesn’t sound like fun.
3. Sit through another round of negative presidential campaign advertisements – Don’t get me wrong here.  I’m thankful for the right and privilege to vote, and I’m glad we get to select a new president or re-elect a president every four years, but the negative campaign ads drive me nuts.
4. Cleaning up dog diarrhea all over the living room carpet – Yep.  I’ve done this before.  Trust me it was not fun.
5. Throwing up – I don’t like to throw up.  Cleaning up someone’s puke is also not high on my list.
6. Listening to John Madden – Okay, so I’m exaggerating a bit here, but you have to admit.  His announcing skills could use some refining.
7. Sitting through a Roger & Me movie marathon – I watched Roger & Me with some buddies when I was in high school.  Was it just me or was this a dumb movie for teenagers to be watching on a free Friday night?
8. Migraine headaches – I’ve had more than my fair share of migraines this past year.  It’s been getting better, but I still can’t stand them.
9. Watching the Yankees win another World Series – This one’s for my buddy, Dan Reischel.  I’m sorry, but I’m tired of seeing the Yankees win.  Let’s go Phillies!
10. Paying for a root canal – I don’t know how much the crown will cost yet, but the root canal procedure itself wasn’t cheap (even after insurance).

What do you think?  Have you ever had a root canal?  What would you add to the list?

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4