During the month of April, I’m writing 30 Words for 30 Days: Thoughts from Six Feet Away, one topic per day. Find out why here.
“LIFE”
Today is the day.
Today is my birthday.
Today I celebrate 47 revolutions around the sun (or sun around the Earth if that’s how you see the solar system).
Forty-seven years is a lot of time to take in some life and think some thoughts about it.
So, in honor of that, I’d like to share Shawn’s 47 Thoughts About Life:
Don’t be afraid to change. You never know what can happen on the other side of fear.
Don’t waste your life trying to like kale chips. Spoiler alert: you never will.
Enjoy beating your boys in basketball when they’re little. Once they’re bigger than you, it won’t happen very often… but it will still happen 🙂
Take time to do the things you enjoy. It will energize you in ways you didn’t anticipate and fill your tank.
Friends are a gift. Find ones that value you and build into those relationships.
Listening is a skill. It’s not about just hearing words, it’s about caring about the one who is sharing them.
Eating green beans as a kid won’t keep you from going bald. And sometimes bald grandpas lie to their grandsons. Just saying.
Rainbows are like a glimpse into an alternate universe.
I’ll always be amazed by how a newborn comes out and can put a death grip on your finger without even trying.
Laughter truly is the best medicine. Next time you’re down, watch a movie that will make you laugh until you cry.
No matter how you’ve screwed up today, tomorrow is always a new day with new opportunities to make things right.
Question the status quo. Be willing to step on toes when they need it. This is where breakthroughs happen.
Learn about the Five Love Languages and how you’re wired. It will help you understand so much of life and relationships.
Don’t let the fact that “someone is already doing it” keep you from trying something new. If ten different pizza places can coexist in a small city, then there’s room for your take on your idea.
Being a dad can be hard and you may not know if you’re doing it right. Just pray, love well, be there, encourage and know that those seeds will grow.
Always believe that there are things you can learn. From any situation. From anyone. At any time.
You were created for a reason. You were God’s idea and your value comes from Him. No one can take that from you.
When you feel like giving up, don’t… yet. Pray first. Seek wise counsel. Sometimes we need to end things. Other times we need to push through.
I believe in Heaven, all food will be fried but will also be good for you. It just makes sense.
I think parts of Heaven will look familiar. I believe that the best things about Earth will be in Heaven. Just without all the junk.
When this world fails to satisfy us, disappoints us, lets us down… as C.S. Lewis puts it, “the most probably explanation is that we were made for another world.
Always be curious. Never stop asking why. Turn over the rocks in life and see what is underneath them. Find out what makes the world tick.
Encouragement is one of the greatest forces we possess. You never know the power of your words to change the course of someone’s day… or even their life.
Be a reader. Learn from your peers, from those who have gone before, from those who think differently than you. Be willing to be challenged.
If you’re feeling stuck, try a new perspective. Go take a hike, go for a drive, take a walk. Spend some time away. Then approach with new eyes.
Marriage is a blessing. And marriage can be tough. Give the benefit of the doubt. Love well. Always put your spouse first. Don’t hold grudges.
None of those things are easy. But worth it. Even if you feel like the only one fighting for your marriage, don’t give up. Keep loving and trusting.
Make plans. But make them subject to change. Don’t miss the journey on the way to your original destination.
Sometimes this world won’t make sense. Remember that it is a broken world and not how it was designed to be.
Bacon is amazing. That’s it.
I’m a few years past 45, but Five for Fighting was right that I often feel like I’m “chasing the years of my life” (from 100 Years)
When I feel lost in life, God always brings me back to the Bible. Everything I need to hear is there if I’ll listen.
Music has a way to move us that few other things can. Let it move you.
We were made to create by a Creator. It’s in our DNA. Whatever that is for you, get busy and do your thing. Share your gift with the world.
Forty seven thoughts is a lot. I thought I’d be done by now, but I’ve still got twelve more. So here goes…
If you love someone, don’t waste an opportunity to let them know. You don’t know which time might be your last.
Never forget your firsts. They hold a special place in your life. First car. First job. First love. First time eating bacon (which might have been your first love).
Don’t be selfish with what you’ve learned. Find people coming behind you to build into. Teach, encourage and inspire.
Look for opportunities to serve. And then do so without expecting anything in return.
Take risks. Try something new. Push your boundaries. Mental and physical.
Take time to rest. Take a nap. Sleep longer. Don’t over commit. Unwind.
No one will understand you like Jesus. No one will give as much for you as He already has. No decision will be as important as following Him.
Begin each day by surrendering your plans and asking God what’s next. You never know how He’ll impact your life or others in the hours that follow.
Treasure your kids. Find out what makes them unique. Love them where they are, unconditionally. Be there for them. Have fun with them. Listen to them. Laugh with them. Trust them. Lead them.
Life is happening all around us. Slow down or you’ll miss it.
Make a difference in life. Leave a lasting imprint in the lives you encounter.
Trust God.
What would you add from your years on this earth?
If you’ve never thought about it, take some time and write out your own.
I’ve been so blessed to be a #girldad, to come home to her hugs and leave for work with her goodbye kisses, to laugh and play and tickle and wrestle and just enjoy life with her.
She makes me proud and I love the way she just attacks the world head-on, with a strength and zeal and love for life and the people she meets.
When I’ve had a tough day, she has a way of warming my heart and reminding me that things are OK.
Happy Birthday, precious one. I love you!
And along those lines, I’m so thankful that even when I’ve lost hope, I serve a God who has enough to spare and graciously pours it out on us.
And in these days of COVID-19 and quarantines and lock downs and masks and uncertainty… we can all use a little hope.
So, if that’s you, and you don’t have an Eden to remind you or fill up your hope jar, maybe this will suffice….
One of my favorite verses in the Bible related to hope comes from the letter written to the church in Rome. It goes like this:
“and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
-Romans 5:5
Fresh off of Easter Sunday, one of the most amazing things about Jesus was that even though he would eventually leave this earth, he sent the Holy Spirit to be our comforter.
I love this verse because of the idea that “hope does not disappoint us”. Others maybe might think you’re holding on to false hope, but hope is something that is never wasted.
So, if your world is shaken right now, know that it hasn’t shaken our God. And hope in Him is never placed in vain.
I’m writing 30 Words for 30 Days, one topic per day. Find out why here.
Today is my dad’s birthday.
Yep, April Fool’s Day. No kidding.
Of all the years of pranks, the best one ever would have been for him to wake up today and realize that this whole last month had been some kind of prank. Some kind of twisted joke being played on the world that had now been revealed.
Maybe, too, that it was 76 degrees outside, sunny and with a slight breeze blowing out of the west, perfect for RC airplane flying. Rarely happens at the beginning of April though.
Unfortunately… instead he’ll be ordering take out and celebrating with my mom and sister at home as they try to steer clear of the virus and party like it’s 2019.
So, while I can’t change any of that, what I can do is help celebrate him by sharing some of my favorite memories with you dad. So, here goes…
Of course, one of my favorites has always been time shared flying together, such as in this post about 5000 feet. Growing up, I can remember heading up to Marion, OH on some Saturday morning with the warm summer air blowing across the field. Riding shotgun with you in the tow plane as we towed up countless sailplane riders and cut them loose and dove back down to grab another. And then getting our chance to fly the sailplane together as well, searching for those thermals, gazing down on the world below as if in slow motion.
Whenever I work on home projects, I’m so thankful for all the things you showed me growing up. How to figure things out, use the right tools, not give up. I remember working together fixing a toilet, getting my hands dirty working on the car (even though I used to hate the feel of grease on my hands). Household assembly projects, working in the attic or or wherever. You taught me to be curious and do what I can for myself.
I’m thankful for all the hours you spent watching me play sports… badly. Honestly, I was pretty awful. But you sat through all the soccer games, the basketball (briefly), the track meets and more. You were there when I missed the mat (but cleared the bar) in high jump and went home with a concussion. You were there when I tripped over the first hurdle in my regional 300m race, hit the track and then got up to come back and finish strong. You were always there.
You were so instrumental in teaching me how to really care about others. I can hear your voice sometimes echo in mine with my own kids. But you challenged me to think more about others than I was about myself. To put myself in their shoes. It always bugged you when I would just be selfish in how I responded to someone or treated someone. And even though, especially as a teen (what is it about those teenagers? :), I often didn’t want to hear it, those words sank in deep and made a difference.
You gave me a love for video, writing and creativity. From those stop-action super 8 movies you made of the Fisher Price airport set to the countless projects we worked on together, I know now you were enjoying them as much as I was. And when I write an ode or craft a video or do something creative, I’m thankful for those seeds and encouragement and your vision.
You taught me how to work hard and were my partner in lawn mowing and paper routes. One of my favorite snapshots in time is how you’d pick me up at the bottom of the street on my paper route on those cold winter mornings, we’d stop to get doughnuts and then eat them at the top of the next street in the car before I stepped back out into the cold. White frosted raspberry filled is still one of my faves.
Finally, I’m thankful for showing me how to be a dad. As I’ve passed through the stages of new dad, dad with young kids, teenagers and now with an… yikes… adult in the house, I’m thankful for what I’ve learned from you in the past
about how to build into my kids, encourage them, and help spur them on to do what God has called them to do.
So thanks dad, for all the ways you’ve built into me and memories you’ve given me to cherish. I look forward to being able to celebrate together when all of this is over. Let’s find a nice open field and a warm summer morning….
It seems just yesterday I was scared to death as we left the hospital and I wondered if I would have what it took to take care of this precious little human.
He’s the one who first gave me the title “dad” and I’ve watched him pave the way over the years, as we’ve added two more sons and a daughter to the mix behind him.
I watched him learn to say “NO” (pretty easily), learn to walk (not as easily), and learn to laugh (a lot).
And yet it seems like I blinked and my little dude holding his favorite stuffed dog as he drifts off to sleep has turned into a grown man who is bigger and stronger than I am (I’m still trying to hold on to the smarter category…).
As this day has been approaching, there have been so many thoughts in my head, so much I want him know as I can feel the next chapter coming on him quickly.
And though I’ll never be able to get it all down in a post like this, I thought I’d at least give it a try.
So, here are 18 Thoughts For My Son On His 18th Birthday:
I love you
Maybe you won’t ever truly understand the depth of this until you’re a father as well, but I love you deeply and would do anything for you.
Being your dad is one of the highlights of my life and I’m so blessed to be able to call you my son. Know that whatever happens in your life, I’m here for you, I am for you, and I love you.
I’m proud of you
As I see the man that God is growing you into, I’m thankful to have been able to play a small part in that but know that it is God who has made you into the leader that I see before me.
I’m proud of the way you live your life, how you inspire and share with others, care for those around you and pursue life with a passion. Your smile is a reflection of the the big heart that is inside.
I pray for you
One thing I’ve learned is that God not only knows you better than I ever will but He also has the power to be what you need in your life. The more I’ve felt inadequate over the years as your dad, the more I’ve been reminded that pray is my first priority with you.
God knows what you need and the plans he has for you. My role is to pray for you, love you well, and trust Him with you. I pray that you will trust Him as well.
Use your gifts
God designed you uniquely with things you do well. Take advantage of those and use them wisely and often. When you do, you’ll be energized and will know that you are doing what you were meant to do.
Your gifts are God’s unique investment in you. He loves to see you using those both to enjoy life and to pour out into others.
Love others well
You’ll never regret the investments you’ll make in others. Look for ways to lift others up, go the extra mile, and defend those who can’t defend themselves. Speak words of life and encouragement to ears that desperately need to hear them and offer your time, energy and heart to a world that is hurting.
I already see this in you and get excited for the lives you’ll impact in the future.
Have fun
One of my favorite things as a dad is to watch you enjoying life. Whether it’s watching you hit a jumper in basketball, spike a volleyball or down a box of mac-n-cheese in one sitting, you make life fun. Continue to pursue things that you enjoy and have fun with those around you.
Live life to the fullest and bring others along with you.
Go make a difference
You aren’t here by accident. God has so much in store for you. New stories to tell, places to discover, memories to make. Along the way, make your mark and make a difference. Whether in big ways or small, the lives you impact will cause a chain reaction.
Don’t give up
Life can be hard. You’ll face setbacks, disappointments, pain, frustration, depression. There will be times when you want to give up, when you don’t feel like it’s worth it. Don’t give up. Press through.
Trust that each day brings a new hope and often the breakthrough is just on the other side of the wall. It will be worth it. Don’t stop.
Do life with people who appreciate you
Life is too short to invest it in relationships with people who don’t get you or are secretly out to tear you down. You are worth more than that. Find those people who understand you, who encourage your passions and celebrate you. And who are willing to tell you truth when you need it as well.
Let them into your life and trust their wisdom and thoughts, both in their encouragement and in their constructive criticism.
Take risks
As you go through life, you’ll be presented with countless opportunities. And usually there will be a safe option and a riskier option. Make sure to do your homework to weigh them both out and know what you’re up against.
And whenever you can, take a risk. It will be stepping into the unknown and maybe you’ll fail. But be willing to take a chance and go for it.
Be approachable
Be someone that listens, takes comments to heart and is approachable. There’s always something you can learn, whether from those closest to you or from those who don’t like you. It starts with a heart that is open and transparent.
You will be able to learn and grow so much when people feel like that can come to you and share what’s on their heart.
Ask for help
Be honest with yourself and be willing to ask for help when you need it. I’ve often struggled with this and carried burdens that I didn’t need to carry. Give others the opportunity to pour into your life, to lend a hand or a word of encouragement.
True strength comes from knowing that you can’t do it all on your own. You need others in your life.
Live full out
One thing that I’ve always admired about you is how you live life full out. When there’s something that you’re passionate about, you go after it with everything you have. Never lose that. As your passions change and life turns pages, continue to follow your heart and pour yourself into what you love.
Not only will you enjoy those things, but you’ll help others to enjoy them as well.
Love yourself
This may sound strange, but don’t beat yourself up. There will be plenty of times that you’ll be disappointed in yourself, doubt your worth, get frustrated or wonder if things will ever change or even if God can forgive you for something. Be willing to listen to His words and love yourself.
When you love yourself and value yourself, only then will you be able to fully love others as well. God’s love for you is deep and unconditional.
Take time to rest
Sometimes, in the busyness of life, you may find yourself running ragged, pulled in many different directions. Know that God designed us to rest, to refresh, to recharge. Allow yourself to do that. Maybe it means getting away by yourself, relaxing, unplugging.
Trust yourself and fight for the rest that you need. It will help equip you to be your best.
Laugh often
This one shouldn’t be hard for you as one of your trademarks is your smile and your laughter. Never lose these. When you laugh, it’s infectious. Even if I’m having a rough day, your laughter has a way of lightening my load and I know it does this for others as well.
Your laughter is a gift to others in many ways, a powerful medicine that can brighten a day or bring joy to a heart.
Trust your gut
Life will throw you curve balls and there will be times when you just don’t know what to do. Take time to think through, get wise counsel from others and pray. But in the end, trust your gut.
More often than not, you know the right decision. Be willing to go with it and not second guess yourself.
Trust God
When it comes down to it, you are here because God put you here. He created you. You were His idea, His unique design. He takes pleasure in you, delights in you and has plans for you.
Don’t wait until you don’t know what to do to reach out to Him. Instead, keep short accounts with Him. Make Him a part of your joys as well as your trials.
Trust Him with your future, with your career, family, friends, plans, goals, dreams, setbacks, disappointments.
Trust Him with everything. He knows and He cares.
Eli, I’m so proud of the man God is molding you into and thankful to celebrate with you today as you take one more step into manhood.
Go take hold of life and live it to the fullest. I love you.
Today is my dad’s birthday.
behind him.