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This year has been one of peaks and valleys. In un

Waiting can be hard, can't it? We've done a lot of

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anyth

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7  Praying peace over you all. Praying for renewal.
For hope to flood your souls as we near the half-way point of the year.

This mid-point of 2020 is a chance for us to mark a new start. A chance to choose hope. A chance to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. A chance to take new steps forward. A chance to grow something good right where we are. (Join me for the Mid-Year Refresh starting June 22 - MidYearRefresh.com.)
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P.S. I’ll be back next Wednesday to share the children’s book with you—a little book about planting seeds, enjoying the wait, and believing in what we can’t yet see. 💛
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(Our baby giant pumpkin above - learning these lessons of faith every day as we tend to the garden and watch God bring things to life.)

Every day, we make choices—choices that add up o

Every day, we make choices—choices that add up over time. White friends, our choices are made in privilege. And our choices can bring good change. Our steps forward may not be perfect (all progress is imperfect), but they are essential. Not because they’re what everyone else is doing or because of fear of man or because they’re the right thing to do right now, but because one day our life will end on this earth. I say this with confidence in Him. We get this one life, and only He knows how long it will be. There will be a whole lot of things we spent time on that didn’t matter (I have my own list of those things) and some that very much did. Things that last longer than us. I have, as a gross understatement, so far to go, but I trust Him. I know His power to change people, including myself. God knows we won’t be perfect, but perfect isn’t the goal -- He wants our hearts.

Heart change happens in two ways: either something changes our hearts and our actions follow (God opening Saul’s eyes and changing him to Paul), or our actions change and our hearts follow (Matt 6:21). Either path, changed hearts can change things.

I have been listening, specifically to our Black friends here in person. I have let God search my heart and know my ways and He continues to. Don’t be afraid to do the same. In listening to Black friends and their stories, your heart may change, or in taking steps forward, your heart may change (or both). Change CAN happen. You may feel hesitant, but don’t let an imperfect start hold you back from taking your next best step - especially the things done in secret that the world won’t see, but that make a world of difference.

And if you feel like your actions could never make a difference, listen to the words of @MorganHarperNichols: “Engage in the long, faithful work.” Small steps (and big leaps of faith) add up.

We have an opportunity to choose good change right now. We will not go back to normal, but instead work toward creating something better as we engage in the long, faithful work. It starts with one step.

Muted, listening and learning online and offline a

Muted, listening and learning online and offline alongside @cultivatewhatmatters — highlighting resources from black voices there this week in our stories. 🖤🤎 #blackouttuesday

Black lives matter, and racism has no place in cul

Black lives matter, and racism has no place in cultivating what matters. It is ugly and evil and we have a long way to go in the world and in each of our hearts to defeat it.

Cultivating what matters in our lives means thinking big picture and taking small steps. It means living for something bigger than us and growing what lasts far longer than us. Fundamental to that is putting others above ourselves.

Cultivating what matters means humility.
Cultivating what matters means learning and seeking to understand.
Cultivating what matters means taking steps forward for the good of others and our world.

If you're looking for a place to start, @latashamorrison and @beabridgebuilder have taught us much over the years. We are still learning, and will continue to do so.

Our world, our children, our black cultivators need us all to take that first step, or that next step. Let's begin today.

To the many incredible black women in our community: You matter. You inspire us. Your voice is important here. - From what we shared on @CultivateWhatMatters this morning. Words in an Instagram post will never be enough and they will never be perfect, but my earnest prayer is that words with action will bring change. Ari and I are committed to more of the latter for our family, our black brothers and sisters, and our world. God, lead us. Change us. Mold us. Shape us to be more like You.

I’m keeping THIS. Just wait—you’ll feel the

I’m keeping THIS. Just wait—you’ll feel the world try to speed you up again. And when that day comes, be ready. Know what you’re keeping from this time - this great pause.
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-I’m keeping the closeness our children have.
-I’m keeping the love I have for the man sitting next to me right now - who told me he’s keeping the slowness that brought us together as family.
-I’m keeping the lawn chairs in the front yard.
-I’m keeping the connection with our neighbors. “Hello” means more now.
-I’m keeping the thirst I’ve had for the Word.
-I’m keeping my new love of bird watching (and the embroidery and knitting by my bed).
-I’m keeping the moment, right before we send Ari off to the hospital each morning, when I let go and choose to trust Him. My faith has grown.
-I’m keeping the hours and hours spent outside finding rolly pollies.
-I’m keeping the faith in what I can’t yet see.
-I’m keeping the extra grace for myself and everyone around me.
-I’m keeping the gratitude for another day of life.
-I’m keeping this view of the big picture, cultivating what matters, and planting legacy (read my last blog post).
-I’m keeping the daily phone calls with my mom that seem more important now.
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I think every moment gets a little more important after something like this.
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FaceTime Photo session by @ginazeidler. I’m keeping these printed so our children can hold them and remember this time and the hope that grew here.
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This time is heart-wrenching and faith-stretching and, yet there is light in the darkness. And we’re keeping it beaming. What are you keeping?

My ears used to turn off when I heard the word “

There is no fear in love...

1 John 4:18

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