Together

From an outside perspective, today might not have seemed uniquely special to anyone else. In fact, the events of the day were rather ordinary. The key to my contentment was found in who I shared my day with--my wife.

Even mundane activities like grocery shopping, eating lunch, and playing with our dogs is better when I share it with her. A day that starts with coffee and conversation on our back porch and ends sitting quietly together (with a couple of dogs joining us) is a good day. This is a reflection of our deep love and shared comfortability which has been forged through years together. It reinforces my belief that ordinary moments shared with the right person are better than extraordinary moments alone. I'm just fortunate these moments are best with her.

Intersection

Social theory states we are never more than six relationship connections from anyone on the planet (often referred to as six degrees of separation). This is evidence of our human connectivity and the smallness of the world around us. I fully recognize this and yet still enjoy seeing it become a reality. 

This week at the Next Level Conference further cemented that while providing me with evidence of the impact we can share when those relationship lines intersect. It reminds me to be intentional in my interactions and to pay attention to the stories people share. Not only will there be crossover in people groups , but the chance of future impact will increase as well. It helps to shape a mindset of genuine human compassion when we realize we are all connected. 

The Simple Life

My wife and I spent a few hours together in Nashville today while visiting family. We didn't have any major objectives, but wanted to grab a bite to eat and wander around some. We both remarked on how much we enjoyed our afternoon even though there was nothing grand in the planning. It's often the simple things we share together that mean the most.

We agreed that it may not have always been that way when we were younger, but we have grown to appreciate the simplicity of spending time with each other. Our years together have helped to develop a relationship that is content with so many small things that bring us happiness just because we are with each other. I'm thankful for the gift of time that allows us to have afternoons like today.

Then You Will Know

I am reading through the book of Ezekiel and there is a lot of it that isn't pretty. God is more than a little ticked off at His people who are not following Him and is predicting the exile and destruction that is on the way. As He prophesies through Ezekiel, He continually uses the phrase, "And they will know that I am the Lord." It is as if the people have forgotten who God is and what He has done for them. They have turned their backs on Him to focus on other passions and objects of worship. It has reached a point where the alternative in front of them is unpleasant.

Even today God will do what is necessary to get our attention. He doesn't do this because He is vindictive, but out of the purity of His nature and the truth that He is what is best for us. He actually reveals Himself to us in many different ways each day-through creation, divine appointments, moments of worship, His Word, quality time with our families, and the kindness of others. When we miss the message or become calloused to it then He will use other methods to pull our focus back to Him. Those methods are not always comfortable or pleasant, but God's desired objective is to remind us that He is the Lord. It is only in following Him that our paths are made clear and our worship made true and complete.

I would prefer to acknowledge His Lordship on my own instead of needing a Jethro Gibbs head slap from God to make it known.