Out for a run today, thinking about the year past, I was
humbled at all of the ways I was blessed in 2012. So, for every mile I ran today, I thought of
a way my life was blessed in 2012.
- God’s Faithfulness: Although I have called myself a Christian almost my entire life, this year I think I finally began to understand, accept and revel in the gift God gave to me in His Son, Jesus Christ. Even though I gave up so many times, God never did. I encourage you to continue seeking a genuine relationship with Him. He is closer to you than you think.
- Greta: My wife, who puts up with all of my crazy ideas, running, work, ministry and half-baked ideas. She is my perfect partner and one true love. I am blessed every day to have her in my life. I encourage you to recognize how much the one closest to you puts up with, but still loves, the hot mess that you are.
- Our Daughters: For the beautiful lover of life that Maddy has become; the zestful liver of life that is our Rachel; the gentle learner of a life unfolding who is Eliza. I encourage you, in a renewed way, to open your eyes, mind and heart to the children in your life and the simple beauty they bring to your world.
- Grandma Bonnie: Although she left this world in March, we celebrated her life many times over. Her life taught us all the meaning of what love really means. She loved us more! I encourage you to…simply…love more!
- Uncle Paul: When you develop a new facet of your relationship with a person you have known and loved your entire life, that is a special thing. I am thankful for knowing my uncle in a new way as my Christian Brother with a shared passion for serving the “least of these”. I encourage you to never underestimate the ways God can work to expand and change relationships with those closest to you and to seek out these opportunities for newness in relationship.
- Family: Moms & Dads, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandparents, in-laws… I continue to be amazed at the power which exists in having a family who loves, encourages and supports you. In so many ways this past year, knowing my family was always there for me kept me focused on the right things. If you are blessed with a great extended family, I encourage you to lean on them and let them lean on you. If you don’t have that kind of relationship with your family, I would ask you to consider, are you the one to make it happen?
- Prison Ministry: It may sound crazy, but spending time with my Brothers at Pendleton State Prison, Hamilton County Jail and Hamilton Community Corrections were some of the most meaningful and blessed times of my year. I encourage you to never underestimate who can bless you and to whom you can be a blessing.
- Leaving APAC: After 8 ½ years of hard work, I was blessed with the opportunity to “move on” and seek out my next adventure, with some cushion and time on my side. I encourage you to never hold on too tightly to something that seems safe and secure when you may be called into something new.
- The Journey of Summer and Fall: Faced with the prospect of “what comes next?”, I set out to tell my story to as many people as would listen. My vision…what I felt was a calling…to combine my work life and my service life as an employee or owner of a local company. The process of a couple dozen meetings for breakfast, coffee, lunch or a beer, meeting new people and renewing relationships with old acquaintances, was a ton of fun. I encourage you to never stop building new relationships or seeking out new ones by telling your story, giving your testimony or listening to others’.
- DAST Consulting: Meeting my new business partner and Brother in Christ, David Sexauer, and becoming a part owner in the wonderful company he has built over the past 4 years. Our shared passion in building wealth to fund ministry, while providing excellent service to customers and serving those whom Christ called us to serve, will bring exciting things in 2013 and beyond. I encourage you to look past what the world defines as success and discern God’s calling to you, allowing Him to bring peace where the world would find none.
- Holy Family Episcopal Church, Fishers, IN: In my opinion, one of the best community of faithful believers I have ever experienced. The best part of my year with these friends and Brothers and Sisters in Christ was spending time with their kids teaching the Bible lesson every day at Vacation Bible School back in June. I encourage you to experience the faith of children and celebrate with joy its purity, simplicity and abiding love.
- Running the Pocatello Marathon: Besides having a fun weekend with Greta in Jackson, WY, one of the more beautiful places in America, the race in Pocatello was an important learning experience. Running downhill for 13 miles, starting at 6500 feet elevation, then running 13.2 miles of rolling hills at 4500 feet elevation, is not the same as running 26.2 miles in the flatness of Indianapolis. I encourage you to look at situations you think you have figured out and recognize that without proper consideration, you may be in for a few surprises.
I am excited to see what 2013 will bring and what the 13
miles on Dec 31 next year will mark what I was thankful for!
