Moving On When It Hurts.

September 2015 was a month that changed my life. 

It began with the unexpected loss of a young man who's newly formed friendship had a profound impact on my life. As I led worship at Jordan's funeral, I was completely humbled and blessed as I looked around at the many, many lives he had positively impacted during the short time he was on this earth.

The month ended with the tragic loss of a couple in my life who, even though we didn't share the same family tree, we were family. As I sit and write this, grief still overwhelms me. 

As I consider the day we remembered Dave and Rita, as I sang the words to songs we played together for so many years, I was filled with equal amounts of joy, pain, and peace. What an amazing legacy of love they left us. 

As I consider these relationships, and thank God for them, I am inspired by the way they lived with transparency and passion, and I have to ask myself these questions:

Did I make a difference in their lives, like they did in mine? Did I show them love?

Am I taking people in my life for granted?

As much as the loss of these friends still hurts today, the relationship that I was able to share with them encourages me to carry on, and live a life that impacts  others. 

September 2015 taught me the importance of living this life, together.

Until next time.

-Luke

What Motivates You?

I've always been the type of person who likes a challenge. 

My favorite class in high school was English. I loved the content of the literature, as well as the antagonistic nature of the teacher whom prompted me to think independently and always do my best work.

I remember a specific situation during my senior year in which I was given a failing grade on my mid-term exam because instead of writing what was discussed in class per the question, I wrote my own interpretation. Graciously, my teacher met with my Dad and I and allowed me to prove I knew the material and had studied it. He then also allowed me to explain how I had come to write the answer I did.  When all was said and done, my paper was re-graded, and I passed. 

This set a precedence in my life, it proved to me that I can be successful by being prepared, thinking independently, and working hard! 

There have been many times in my life since then in which I've failed, and circumstances haven't turned out as favorable as they did with the mid-term exam. 

One thing has held true from then until now, I've learned from my victories, and my failures, and have celebrated both.  I don't have everything figured out, and that's ok.

I don't know what challenge you may be facing today, but I do know that you are valuable, and you can impact this world in a positive way when you are the change you want to see. 

This life is challenging, keep on learning, be passionate about it, and don't give up.

Until next time.

-Luke

One key to success for 2016.

A short time ago I had the opportunity to attend a ninetieth birthday celebration for a very nice woman. 

While we stood and eagerly listened to her humble reminiscing, her son asked her "what advice can you give us to help us to live a happy and successful life like yours?"  The words she spoke I will never forget, because they were so simple, powerful, and true. 

She said, "Respect others. Treat people the way you want to be treated, and it will take you a long way in life."

As I hung on her every word, I also noticed the gratefulness she embraced as she recognized the many blessings of her life.

What a positive and lasting impact this short time of celebration had on my life. 

May 2016 bring each of you blessing and inspiration.

-Luke

Three ways to love my kids (and others) more.

A few weeks ago I knelt in my laundry room and began to remove the cloth pieces to my son's car seat, as it was way over-due for a much needed cleaning.

 As I removed each layer, I wondered how, (and what), could so many things that I can't even now identify get crushed and crammed into every available open space, and then accumulate on the bottom of a car seat?!

I caught myself being ashamed in thinking "I hope he knows how much I love him because I'm cleaning his car seat!" 

Why was I having this thought?  He's three, I'm his Daddy, I'm supposed to do things like clean his car seat!  But in that moment, all I could think about is, "I don't know what that multi-color sticky blob is, and I really don't want to peel it off of there!" 

But I did it, I only complained a little to my wife Bridget (as she chuckled), and I made up my mind that I was gonna be intentional about showing my kids, and others, the love that they deserve. 

Here are the three different ways I thought I could put this into action.

1.  Love without expectation.  I need to lay aside my own expectations, wants, and needs and love unconditionally. 

2. Laugh more. This is just a win-win situation.

3. Stop taking life so seriously. We can experience and enjoy life to the fullest when we let our guard down. 

I realize this makes me a lot more vulnerable, and I think that's right where I need to be.

Until next time.

-Luke

Workin' through another Wednesday

Love how the lyrics flow in this song, and it contains one of my favorite lines in a song... "man needs something he can hold onto, a nine pound hammer or a woman like you, either one of them things will do..."

"Jolene" by Ray LaMontagne

Until next time.
-Luke

Workin' Through Another Wednesday

Charles Bradley inspires me.

Check him out.

This World Is Going Up In Flames - Charles Bradley

Until next time.
-Luke

Fave Friday

One of my favorite songs, by my favorite band.  

Love the last verse.

"Big White Gate" Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

-Luke