Category: Uncategorized

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Happy Valentines Day from the Worst Wife Ever

I have been married for 11 years, and I just realized something the other day.  Two days ago was the first time I have ever really prayed for my husband.  How selfish can a person be to withhold such a thing from their beloved?!

My husband has demonstrated his unwavering love for me in so many ways over the years.  He, I know for a fact, has prayed for me on countless occasions.  He sacrificed so much time with me while I worked full-time and schooled for two degrees.  He is doing more of the same even now for another degree.  He is here with me on this military adventure, supporting me in long work hours and stressful challenges.  He represents our family proudly as an ambassador of Godly love and neighborly-ness (I probably made up this word, but my husband made up the action!).  He sacrificed his F150 to get me a minivan…and he will be getting a new F150 soon because only a real man would do such a thing!  He is an amazing cook and baker and everyone benefits from that!

He is my best friend on earth.  He is my confidant, my partner, my mentor, my sounding board, my inspiration. 

I have a lot of time to make up for in prayer for my husband.  He makes me laugh, too, and he will likely give me a hard time about this prayer thing, saying sarcastically how great it is to find out like this that I have not prayed for him.  To which, I will respond:

Happy Valentines Day from the worst wife ever!

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Goodbyes from Years Ago

The more bases I am stationed at, the more plaques and framed tributes I amass on my office walls.  It makes me feel all warm and tingly inside to be surrounded by the memoirs of my history in the Air Force.  Feeling especially worn today by the seemingly monumental task of taking the next few months to pass the torch of my duties in preparation for moving on to yet another assignment, I stopped on my way out of my office to read the things that were written on my going away gift from the previous base.  “Thanks for all your hard work”, “You will be missed”, “Keep in touch” are written by various hands around the picture in the center.  Those were heartwarming, but the best messages were “You presently sing off key, so work on that at your next base”, “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know how to properly peel a banana”, and “I will miss you the most out of everyone–don’t even test me”.  There was one sentiment that the person didn’t even sign their name to, so I don’t even know who wished me “much luck in the faraway land of Turkey”.

I starred up at that frame until I had read every message.  Oddly enough, it made me a little nostalgic about my current location.  People come and go.  The landscape completely changes every couple of months and work goes on.  Work just.  Goes.  On. 

It’s not about the work anyway.  It’s about the people.  It’s about that guy who talks to inanimate objects like he is going to convince them to do something.  It’s about that lady who always seems to want to ask you a question right when you are in the middle of something.  How about that girl with the squeaky boot that provides the signature announcement of her arrival?  Or how about that guy who goes way overboard with the holiday decorations in the office? 

As I finally turned off the light and left my office, I felt a bit more relaxed and less weighed down.  In a few months, I’m going to acquire another going away gift.  People here will ink their goodbyes on it and I will display it in my new office.  In a few years, when I stop to read what was written on it, I won’t remember all of the work I did.  I will remember the people, and I will feel amazing.

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Fire Fighters and Fire Marshals

Sometimes the fires ignite and we have to be ready to put them out.  Our days can actually get quite consumed by fires.  Just when we stamp one out, another one crops up, and before we know it, the day draws to a close and we feel we have virtually nothing to show for it.  Increasingly, people in all industries are consumed with burdens, fabricated out of misguided perceptions, burnout, and unrealistic expectations.  Because of this, people face the fires at a deficit.  When the fires ignite, it becomes increasingly more difficult to keep up.

Long before a fire ignites, the fire marshals survey the area.  They learn the layout and identify where everything is.  They ask questions to understand why things are the way they are.  They plan.  They create guidelines and make signs to warn against potential fire conditions.  When fire marshals do their part, fires can be less frequent and more manageable.  The investment in marshalling is worth the payoff.

Every industry needs good fire marshals. 

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CCSH

Many Americans are likely familiar with Patient-Centered Medical Home, or PCMH.  As the title indicates, it is a concept of operations that should center around the needs of the patient.  The “Medical Home” part describes the doctor’s office as the “base of operations”.  Home is the place where someone feels the most comfortable, the most accepted, the most in control.  Home is where you hang your hat and get your rest to recharge, enabling you to face challenges out there.  Home is where the people are who care for you the most.  Think about your doctor’s office as your home for healthcare, and now you get it: Patient-Centered Medical Home…

This inspired a thought.  How about another “home” concept: Christ-Centered Spiritual Home–CCSH.  It is a place of existence where it’s all about Christ…all about what Christ wants and what benefits Him.  To the best of my knowledge, that would be praise, honor, glory, and fellowship.  A Spiritual Home would be one where God lives.  The welcome mat is always out, the kitchen always smells of freshly-made food, free for all, and He is ready to invite you in for a warm and entertaining conversation.  (He has quite the sense of humor and is the most amazing and intelligent being I know!)  Please note: You don’t have to pay any insurance premiums to belong to CCSH…it was already paid in full, and bonus–He wants you to come home.

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Dear Dad

Dear Dad,

I think I’ve been doing alright.  I’ve been really busy with work and school.  I can’t believe I’m 40 years old.  I see the grey and the wear around my eyes, but I haven’t changed much on the inside.  I know it’s this human condition that we are all subjected to, but I just can’t get used to not having you around.  I wish I could talk to you.  You always helped me make sense out of chaos and confusion. 

In case you were wondering, the world is still a hot mess.  And in the midst of it all, I can still have a moment of utter silence and a soft breeze when I get to witness the splendor of God’s Glory in a colorful silken flower.  It’s as if nothing exists in the world except that moment and that flower and I am nowhere but in that bubble, not wanting to snap out of the trance.

Dear Dad, I wish I could share my experiences with you.  Those things I find unbearable or not particularly interesting would take on a whole different meaning if I could tell you about them…I know they would!  I guess you’re never ready to lose someone, but I thought I could be much more resilient.  I’m not terribly sentimental about things, but I can’t ignore the hole in my life that you left. 

I’m going to be okay.  That’s the truth.  I miss you so much, but I will see you again in the sweet by and by.