Learning From The Waves Of Life

I moved from Illinois to New Jersey when I was 8 years old.  I had never seen the ocean before we moved.  I remember my first trip to the beach with my Mom and my brother, David.  We visited some friends who were vacationing near the shore (this is what we call the beach in New Jersey).

I remember digging a deep hole in the sand.  I kept digging until I couldn’t get my arm any deeper.  In my memory, I recall actually reaching water at the bottom of my whole (although I’m not sure that is possible).

I also remember playing in the waves for the first time.  They scared me as they knocked me off-balance.  The force of the waves was too much for my little 8-year-old body to withstand.

As I grew older, I continued to take trips to the ocean.  Over time, I became more and more relaxed swimming in the powerful waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and I soon mastered body surfing.  I started by swimming out past the breakers.  There I waited for the perfect wave.  As the wave approached, I started swimming for the shore.  Just as the wave reached me, I took one or two more strokes and let the wave carry me to the shoreline.

The feeling of catching the perfect wave is exhilarating.

While I was in Ocean City, MD last weekend, I enjoyed time on the beach where I had the opportunity to do some body surfing.  The waves were especially strong this time.  Lifeguards had to pull a few small kids in who were caught in a rip current.  Nonetheless, I entered the waters with excitement as I anticipated riding the waves.

I caught a few magnificent waves at first.  I could tell the force of the waves was powerful as I struggled to keep swim back out beyond the breakers.

And then it happened.

I found myself face to face with the biggest wave I had seen all day.  My heart skipped as I began the process of lining myself up for the wave.  I was expecting a great ride.  I took my customary strokes as the wave caught up to me, and I was off and gliding towards the beach.  Suddenly, the wave collapsed on top of me, and I felt my head thrust hard into the sandy bottom of the ocean floor.  As I twisted and turned in the water, I thought I might have a concussion.  The wave then turned me around and rubbed by shoulder against the sand.  The feeling on my back felt like the pain of a good rug burn.

The wave pushed on, and I found me footing and the ocean floor.  I stood up grabbing my head.  My neck ached with pain as I tried to catch my breath.

After a few minutes, I gingerly headed back out beyond the breaker line.  I couldn’t end my body surfing experience without catching one or two more good waves.

After a few more waves and one last wave ride to the beach, I stepped out of the water and headed back to the beach chairs where our group was gathered.  The waves brought a smile to my face, and they also humbled me.

In life, we face ups and downs.  We face extreme joys one moment, and we face the jolting feeling when something unexpected gets in our way.  We can choose to bury our heads in the sand when we experience life’s pains, or we can walk back to our friends and family with our heads held high knowing we have been shaped by our experiences.

What waves are you experiencing in your life these days?  How are you finding joy?  And how are you being shaped by the pains of life?  Tell me about it in the comments.

Guatemala Photo Of The Day – Finding Home In The Streets Of Xenacoj

Every day between 1PM and 3:30PM (or 4PM), we stopped for lunch and a siesta.  Our second working day, our family decided to use the siesta time to walk to the other side of town to visit a family we have come to know through our past visits to Xenacoj.  As we were walking down the street, we ran into Zully, the young daughter of the family.  She was heading home from school, and we happened to run into her walking along the road.

She was surprised to see us.  In fact, when she saw Hannah is was as if she had seen a ghost.  I know she remembered us from before, but I think she couldn’t believe we were back again for a visit.

Once our introductions were out of the way, Zully along with our kids walked ahead chatting on the way back to Zully’s house.

The Long Walk

He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. 

Micah 6:8

For the past couple of months, I have been taking a walk in the early morning hours.  The walk helps me wake up, but it also helps me to get my head and heart in the right place as I start my day.  Usually during this time, I listen to the Daily Audio Bible Podcast with Brian Hardin as I’m walking along the streets of my neighborhood.  Each day, Brian reads a passage from the Old Testament, a passage from the New Testament, a part from Psalms, and a verse or two from Proverbs.

I’ve been listening to the podcast for a few years, and I appreciate the opportunity to walk through scriptures each year with the “Daily Audio Bible Community.”

Today marks a special day for this community.  On July 7th for the past several years, listeners from all over the world take time today to take a long walk.  Brian lays out some thoughts about The Long Walk on the podcast website.  He encourages participants to take the day off to intentionally walk with God.

I won’t be taking the whole day off today, but I will be using my morning walk to intentionally connect with God.  In fact, it’s my intent to forgo my time at the gym to take an extra long walk today.

God is always walking with us, but the walk is so much better when we intentionally unplug from the distractions of life so we can plug into God.

I’d encourage you to join others from around the world by taking time to walk with God today.

How do you intentionally connect with God?  Are you up for a long walk today?  If so, tell me about your experience in the comments.

Guatemala Photo Of The Day – Dogs

If you walk the streets of Xenacoj, you will not see any rats.  You will not see any cats.  But you will see many, many dogs.  Some people own pet dogs.  Many wild dogs roam the streets of Xenacoj eating trash, fighting with one another, and looking for a good sunspot out of the way.

The large population of wild dogs keep the cat and rat population to a very small minimum, but it also means you need to watch your step as you walk through Xenacoj.  Otherwise, you might end up stepping in you know what.

Small Steps To Big Leaps – Getting Outside Our Comfort Zones

I consider myself to be fairly athletic.  I can hold my own on the basketball court, the football field, the baseball diamond, and the bowling alley.  I even do well in the swimming pool.  I can post up a player or block a shot in a basketball game thanks to my height.  I love running a fade pattern to the corner of the end zone while playing a game of pickup football.  I can hit a line drive up the middle for a single.  And with a little practice, I’m pretty sure I could bowl over 200 again.

Despite my athletic abilities, I am terrible when it comes to board sports.  I can’t skate board.  I’m fairly shaky on snow skis and water skis.  And ice skating and roller skating are just as bad.  Part of it has to do with my high center of gravity.  When I fall, it’s a long way down and a painful landing.

Needless to say, I’m more than a little timid when it comes to trying any kind of new board sports.

Have you ever been scared to try something new?

Maybe your past experiences have left you feeling hesitant to cross the boundaries of your comfort zone.  Your fears and anxieties may be preventing you from having the time of your life.

I went to Ocean City, Maryland this weekend with my family to relax and spend time with some good friends.  The weekend included many memorable moments.

My friend, John, has a paddle board, and he was insistent that I give it a try.

A paddle board looks like a long, wide surfboard.  Riders stand on the board and use a long paddle to maneuver the board through the water.  Balance is essential to successfully staying on the board.

I watched him try it first.  Then I encouraged my younger and more agile daughter to give it a try, and she did a great job navigating the calm waters of the lagoon behind John’s house.

Next, it was my turn.  I voiced my concern about trying this new thing.  The sight of jellyfish in the lagoon did not do a lot to comfort me as I considered the strong possibility of me joining them in the water below the paddle board.  Nonetheless, I had to give it a try.

I found my way from the dock to the board, and I quickly started to tip the board.  I sat back down on the dock for a moment to reconsider my decision.  I decided to give it another try, and I stood back up on the board.  I gently pushed away from the dock, and I felt my legs shaking as I tried to stay on the right side of the paddle board.  I made a small circle, and tried to come back to the dock, but John wouldn’t let me.  I looped around again, and I went a little further out into the lagoon.  Before I knew it, I was standing up a little straighter, and I was beginning to lift my head up so I could enjoy the view.  I stayed out in the lagoon for ten or fifteen minutes (maybe it was only five minutes), but I did it!

I could have said “No” when John asked me to give it a try, but I’m glad I said “Yes.”

It’s natural to be afraid of trying new things like this.  We all have boundaries in which we feel comfortable.  Sometimes though, it’s necessary to get outside of our comfort zone.  Taking an adventure on a paddle board is something that will help me overcome my hesitations when I face a bigger fear in the future.  The paddle board experience is really just practice for getting outside my comfort zone.

I don’t know what fears and anxieties you face today.  I don’t know where the boundaries are on your comfort zone, but I’d like to challenge you today to take one small step to push the boundaries on your comfort zone.

Get off the dock and onto the paddle board.  Take a leap of faith and try something outside your comfort zone TODAY!

When was the last time you pushed the limits of your comfort zone?  What is your next step in getting outside your comfort zone?  Tell me about it in the comments.

Guatemala Photo Of The Day – Entrepreneur

Walking through the streets of Xenacoj, you probably will see many signs that look like this.  The signs are posted outside of homes, and they indicate the locations of entrepreneurs.  The person who lives at this residence sells various items including soda, coffee, and ice cream.  Other entrepreneurs in Xenacoj sell tortillas or firewood.

I love the spirit of these people in Xenacoj.  They have a desire to provide for their families, and they have an instinct and courage to try something bold and different – even if it means starting with a few items, a piece of construction paper, and a black marker.

Guatemala Photo Of The Day – Parking For Ponies

This is not something you see every day in your hometown.

The streets of Xenacoj are filled with people, horses, stray dogs, and a few vehicles.

Recently, construction vehicles have been navigating the narrow streets of Xenacoj on their way to building a highway around Guatemala City.  A child was hit by one of the construction vehicles a few weeks ago which led to protests and road closures throughout the village.  I don’t know the condition of the child who was hit, but I have come to understand that the construction crews agreed to follow another route to their desired destination to minimize traffic through Xenacoj.

Please pray for those who walk and drive the streets of Xenacoj that they would be safe.

Guatemala Photo Of The Day – Sign Of The Times

Not far from German’s house, I snapped a picture of this sign.  It’s a new sign in Xenacoj where a gas station was built sometime between our 2013 visit and our 2014 visit.

I had the chance to hang out with Dave Sgro from GO! Ministries earlier this week, and he explained that small restaurants are starting to pop-up throughout the village.

Things are moving forward (or are at least changing) in the village we love.

Pray for the people of Xenacoj as they prepare to elect the next mayor of the village.

Guatemala Photo Of The Day – German

German represents Christ well in all he does.  He has a hunger and passion to know Him more and to serve Him more deeply.

During our week in Guatemala last summer, German kept a feverish pace as he ran around transporting supplies and people and coordinating as we served in Xenacoj.

Please pray for German that he would be strong and courageous as he serves the people of Xenacoj.

Are You Fully Committed To Achieving Your Goals?

I go to the gym on a daily basis.  I’m there for an hour, and my workout routine typically includes 40 minutes of cardiovascular training and 20 minutes of strength training in the wellness center.

When my workout is done, I sometimes stop to look into the basketball gym before heading out for the rest of my day.  There is always a group of guys playing basketball.  I used to play with these guys.  In fact, I was one of the original two founding members of the early morning basketball games.  I’m pretty sure my friend, Joe, and I started playing over ten years ago.  We would usually play once a week.  Eventually, other guys started coming into the gym to play with us.  Before we knew it, we had enough guys for a full court game.  Then we added more and split into two games going on simultaneously.

I stopped playing several years ago when I sprained my ankle one too many times and my lower back “complained” too much about the pain caused by playing.  It was a hard decision as I have always loved the game of basketball, but I needed to modify my workout routine to keep me healthy for running and for life.

Yesterday as I was leaving the gym, I looked through the window into the basketball gym just a little too long.  The guys waved me in as they needed one more guy to even up the teams.  Before I knew it, I was running full-court four-on-four basketball.  Despite my running shoes and my rustiness, I was able to keep up and contribute to the game.  After fifteen minutes of playing, it was time to head home so I could get ready for work.

When I arrived home to shower before work, I was floating.  I’m pretty sure I was smiling ear to ear when I told Leanne I had done something crazy at the gym that morning.

If you look back to the first Ice Breaker of the year, you may remember I set a fitness goal for 2015.  The goal was to dunk a basketball by the end of 2015.  Since writing that post on in early January, I have discovered that achieving this goal is going to take a much bigger effort than I could have ever imagined.  Besides adding a few pounds over the past few years, I have lost a lot of my explosive leg lifting strength as a result of focusing on running for so long.  My first efforts to dunk earlier this year were embarrassing and enlightening.  Dunking used to be pretty easy, but now it was next to impossible.

In March, I started adding consistent strength training to my morning workout routine.  Once I started working on my legs, I could see how much work I had ahead of me.  I am noticing improvement, but I still have a lot of leg strength to rebuild before my goal will be achieved.

As I ran back and forth on the basketball court yesterday, I tried to be careful not to turn my ankles as running shoes are not ideal for playing basketball.  When I left the gym, I started to consider the possibility of purchasing a pair of basketball shoes.  This would be an investment for sure.

Achieving our goals requires investment and sacrifice especially if they are stretch goals.  Making the necessary investment into achieving your goal will help you cross the line from casual pursuit to all-out commitment.  I’m guessing basketball shoes will cost $100.  If I make this purchase, I will be making a statement.  I will be telling myself and the rest of the world (for those who care) that I am serious about dunking a basketball again.

We can talk the talk, but it doesn’t mean anything unless we walk the talk.

Looking back on the goals you set at the beginning of the year, how are you doing?  What investment have you made to take your goal pursuit to the next level?