With Regard To Life

Special People

Two thousand years ago, the Bible records the story of four able-bodied men and their disabled friend (Mark 2:1-12). They wanted their friend to see Jesus, who was the talk of the town in Capernaum. The men carried their friend on a mat to a home where Jesus was teaching. When the group of friends arrived, the crowd was so large that they were unable to get anywhere close to Jesus. Undaunted, they carried him to the roof where they cut a hole through layers of straw and hardened mud. They then lowered their friend to Jesus' feet. You probably know the rest of this story. Because of their bold faith, Jesus restored the disabled man to wholeness and health. No one who witnessed this was ever the same. The Capernaum Project is one of several ministries in Young Life. Capernaum focuses on teens and young adults with disabilities. They meet a couple of times a month. The club my daughter attends met this week. When our daughter was born, countless people told my wife and I that God only gives babies with Down syndrome to special people. They meant well, but there were a few times when I did not feel real special. No, the truly special people in this world are the large number of individuals who volunteer and serve the teenagers and young adults in Capernaum. And the thousands of young people and adults who volunteer and serve at Special Olympics events, or in some other way. Those are the special people. Today's Winning Thought: "When you are around people with special needs, you never stop learning. The relationship can change both lives." -- Maggie, a high school senior involved in Capernaum.

An Old Friend

I walked into a bank yesterday to visit a client. I noticed a man who looked familiar. I asked my client the man's name. He told me and it was who I thought it was. I had not seen my friend, Joe, for more than 20 years. I have thought about him many times. I will never forget him. He gave me some great advice when I was about to become a father. I asked him one day to share with me one great parenting rule. He did not hesitate one second when he told me, "Don't be afraid to let them fail." Good advice from an old friend. I have passed it on often. And I stand by it today if you are a new parent. Today's Winning Thought: One day our kids will be adults. What we do in their formative years matter - a lot. Remember, they are watching us when we succeed and when we fail.

Happy Birthday, Kyle

Happy birthday to my daughter and my sister, both of whom are celebrating birthdays Tuesday. I have started writing a book about my daughter. It is a story of how a child with Down syndrome changed a man and a family. It is a story of triumph, hope and faith. It is a story that I hope encourages the reader and touches their heart. And a story I am eager to share. Adversity is inevitable, but you can triumph over it. You can have hope and your faith can be renewed. Today's Winning Thought: There was a time when our family was down, but not out. You are never out until you quit.

Special Day

Days like today are rare. Our family spent a few hours today at Allen Fieldhouse on the campus of Kansas University, one of the most storied basketball arenas in America. We were there because the Kansas Jayhawks mens basketball team was hosting a clinic for Special Olympic athletes. It was the 28th year for event. Our daughter was thrilled to be part of it. The Jayhawks, every player and coach, were gracious hosts. They taught, they posed for photos, signed autographs - they gave back. These young men have been blessed with the health and physical skills to play in the one of the most prominent college basketball programs in the country. And today, less than 24 hours following a difficult road loss, they were there sharing with Special Olympics athletes. Both teams go back to practice tomorrow, the Jayhawks for their game this week against Oklahoma, and the Special Olympians, who are preparing for their upcoming games. But today, they shared some special moments together. Today's Winning Thought: Everyone on that basketball court won today.

Do Things Right

If you walked in to my home and turned on the television one of them will be on HGTV. I watch it just about every night while I write. One of the shows on the network is Holmes Inspection. Mike Holmes and his crew go into homes that have serious issues, or that are just poorly constructed throughout. They find the problems and correct them. You just cannot live with shoddy workmanship that does not meet codes. Many people's lives are like those homes. There are issues, some far more serious than others. They run the gamut. And if they are left unchecked, life will fall apart. In some cases, life can end. Some seek help to discover and resolve their issues. Others do not. Don't stay where you are. Seek the best life you can get. Today's Winning Thought: "Overcomers turn their greatest liabilities into their most powerful assets." -- Stephen Arterburn

Be Courageous

I am attending a four-week study on the movie Courageous. Tonight, we looked at Joshua, who assisted, and later succeeded, Moses. When God commissioned Joshua, he told him three times in four verses to "be strong and courageous." On one occasion, he even told him to "be strong and very courageous." It took courage to lead more two million people into the promised land. It would prove to be one of Joshua's biggest tests. Every day, we face tough situations or difficult people, or both. Having a strategy, being prepared for those challenges, and diligent in carrying out the plan, will help you become stronger and more courageous. Today's Winning Thought: Be strong and courageous - very courageous.

Thinking

I was back in my usual spot today at Starbucks, just thinking and reading. One article I read was the weekly business column written by Harvey Mackay. Mackay is a successful businessman, a New York Times best-selling author, and one of the top motivational speakers in the world. The article I was reading was on the subject of time management. He had interviewed Laura Stack, a leading time management expert, who said that the number one time management challenge is not taking time to think. I was pleased to read that because that is what I encouraged you to do in my previous post. (No, I had not read that article until after I posted my blog about taking time to think). Why is it so important to think? We need to concentration on strategy instead of putting out fires and dealing with distractions. Today's Winning Thought: "Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts." -- Charles Dickens (today's thought on the whiteboard at Starbucks).

Lost In Thought

There is a whiteboard on the wall of the Starbucks where I go often. On it is written a quote. There is a new quote every day. Here is today's quote. "The reason most people get lost in thought is because it is unfamiliar territory." -- Author Unknown. The author meant for that to be funny. But for many people, it is the truth. Reflecting and thinking is unfamiliar to too many people. I cannot operate without time to chill out, and read and think. If you are not in the habit of spending time every day just thinking, I would encourage you to consider it. Start with five minutes. Or ten. Schedule a time, find a place, grab a pad of paper and a pen and begin. Today's Winning Thought: Thinking is not wasting time. It is investing in yourself.

Retarded

I walked into a business this morning. There were three middle aged men visiting. I don't know who are what they were talking about. The first words I heard when I entered were, "They're just so retarded." I closed the door and walked to wait in line. The man who was talking to the others when I walked in looked in my direction and said something about how they were just talking about how this some people are so retarded. I said, "Oh, I don't know. I live with one who is pretty special. In fact, she has made me a much better person." It wasn't a few seconds until the topic of conversation changed. I wish they knew my daughter. She has Down syndrome, and I think she is pretty special. She is sensitive to others, loves everyone, will never forget a thing about you and could hold her own in most spelling bees. I have said before, and wish I would have told those men, that we all should have Down syndrome for a few days. The world would be a better place. If we all had Down syndrome, there would be unconditional love like you have never seen before. There would be much forgiveness, and everyone would get a minimum of one hug per day. Today's Winning Thought: I am not angry at those men. I just wish they knew someone like my daughter. Had she been with me, she would have shaken every hand, asked about their families, what they had for dinner last night, gave them a high-five, and probably hugged them. That is just who she is. She does not see skin color, or developmental delays, or any other difference many of us see. We think she is pretty special. And we think we are blessed.

Purpose

Purpose is defined as, "an effective focal point for your life, giving you a worthy goal to pursue in all your efforts."  And a Stanford professor named William Damon, defined purpose as "a stable and generalized intention to accomplish something that is at the same time meaningful to the self and consequential for the world beyond the self."

Author and speaker Tim Sanders said these definitions tell us when we live on purpose, we make a difference.  Trust me, that gives you a sense of meaning.

What is your purpose?  What drives you crazy, breaks your heart and generally moves you to action?  What are you doing about it?  If nothing, why not?

Today's Winning Thought:  You and I have gifts and things we are capable of doing.  The world has needs - many needs.  We cannot do everything but we can do something.