Why I (occasionally) rub my wife's feet.

August 4th, 2001, my wedding day. A lot has changed in the past fifteen years, but one thing has not, the vow we took that day. If you're reading this blog with eager anticipation as to the "why" the title proposed, it's simple, and complex. I (occasionally) rub my wife's feet because she loves it when I do so, and (occasionally), I remember that! If you've been married for a while like us, it's easy to get adapted to the mundane routine of life. I've found it's easy to get complacent in marriage.  I don't want my wife to have a complacent marriage. I want her to never lose the joy we shared  the day she walked down aisle and we committed our lives to each other.  I'm realistic, I know that I've changed, and so has she, that does not leave me with an excuse, it leaves me with a great responsibility, to show her I love her through everything we are blessed to experience together.  I need to rub her feet more than just occasionally because it tells her how much I love her, without saying a word.  

What is one way you battle complacency in your marriage? I'd love to hear! 

We can do this, together. 

Until next time,

-Luke

Living in the present-tense.

"Wherever you are, be all there." -Jim Elliot

There are moments in our lifetime that define us. They shape our character, they mold our being.

This week as we celebrated my youngest son's birthday, I considered a few of those moments which had occurred in my lifetime. As I thought about these times I determined that one of the reasons they impacted me so greatly is because I was living in, and for, that moment.  I was engaged in it. For some of these moments, I was completely self-aware of the growth I was experiencing at the time, and others, my self awareness was grown after the moment had occurred. 

I wonder what kind of positive impact we could have on this world if we all chose to live more in the present. What could happen if we were more self aware, and more engaged with others  on a personal level. 

The many tragic events in our great nation that have occurred over the past few years have recently motivated me towards the opportunity placed before all of us right now. We can embrace all that is ugly and all that is beautiful, we can live with more empathy and compassion than we ever have before.  We can make a positive impact on the lives around us.  We can do this, together. 

Until next time. 

-Luke 

Independent Living

This past weekend we celebrated our nations Independence Day.  In our house, we also celebrated a milestone of independence, as my six year old daughter decided it was time to take the training wheels off of her bike and ride it without them. I was reluctant to say the least, a bit fearful for her safety, but also the state of maturity she is growing into.  Even as I hesitated, I was as excited and nervous as she was to face and conquer a new challenge. As I let go of her bike and she pedaled down the driveway, my smile beamed and my tears glistened in the sunlight as I knew I was letting go of a little bit more than just a bicycle. 

Do you remember what it was like the first time you did something? Do you remember the pride and empowerment you felt by your accomplishment? Everyday we have the opportunity to become more, to overcome our fear, to make this world a better place. What are you doing today to make yourself better than you were yesterday? What will you do to make a positive impact on our world today? We can do this, together.

Until next time.

Luke 

Who's watching you?

I have a habit.  I like to spit.  Don't know why, just something I've done for years.  That extra saliva in my mouth, I take it, roll it onto my tongue, and spit it out.  I know, it sounds a bit disgusting, because it is!
This past Sunday as I walked my youngest son around the yard (him being on my shoulders), out of habit, I spit on the ground.  Next thing I knew, the top of my head was being showered with spit from the mouth of my three year old son.  I didn't get upset, he was just doing what I did!  He was watching me, imitating me.  He wanted to do what I was doing, just like I did with my Dad when I was his age.
That moment provoked me into thinking about how many other habits I have that are seen on a daily basis, good and bad.  It encouraged me to focus on the good.
We all have areas in our life in which we want to change.  It takes some acknowledgment.  It takes some effort.  Sometimes it takes being literally spit on to take a good look at ourselves and know that we can have a positive impact on the lives around us, if we are willing to do so.  What is standing in the way of us being who we were truly meant to be?
We can do this, together.
Until next time.
-Luke

Dad of the Year (Three ways Fatherhood has made my life better)!

This past Sunday was the day of the year our nation sets aside to celebrate Dad's. For the past eight years I've been able to experience the pride of Father's Day.  As I consider those years, I realize how much being a Daddy has changed my life, and I'd like to share three ways in which I have been blessed to experience these positive changes. 

1.  Embracing Self-Doubt.  As much as I want to say that I hold the title of this blog ("Dad of the Year"), I'm far from the title, and the best part is, I can recognize that fact. I don't have all of the answers, and I'm tying to figure it out, day by day. Like every parent, I want what's best for my kids, and many days I end up wondering if I'm doing this parenting thing right. If you're reading this blog right now, I'm ninety-nine percent sure you've had the same thoughts. Let's embrace our self-doubt and allow it to motivate us to be present in our kids lives, and show them how much we love and care for them by being transparent, honest, genuine and compassionate. 

2.  I have experienced true joy. There are memorable, defining moments that occur in our lives, many of them I hope are one's in which you have experienced true joy. The first time I saw and held each of my kids I experienced joy to the fulllest.  Experiencing joy encourages us to lead a life filled with gratitude.

3.  I have become a better problem solver .Life as a Daddy is often unpredictable.  Each day I am faced with unique situation's and circumstances that force me into thinking things through in the hopes to turn thought into positive action, not negative reaction. 

Life is challenging. I'm thankful I have been given the opportunity to face the challenge of parenthood. We can do this, together.

Until next time.

-Luke

The last time.

This past Sunday as I opened the case and took hold of my 2008 Gibson Les Paul guitar, it occurred to me that the last time I had played it publicly was at the funeral for my good friend's and band-mates Dave and Rita Jennings 

(see more about that day here: http://lukeandlife.blogspot.com/2016/01/moving-on-when-it-hurts.html).  As I picked up and slung the guitar over my shoulder, floods of memories washed over me.  I thought about how many times I had done this same thing in the past, without one thought that this time may be the last time I get to experience these moments, and time spent doing something I love, with people I love.  

Let's take today and consider the precious moments we experience each and every day.

Let's be filled with gratitude. We can do this, together.

Until next time.

-Luke

I dare you.

It was a beautiful Sunday summer afternoon. My brothers and I sat out on our porch deck railing with some delicious chocolate pudding my Mom had made us for dessert that day. As I sat across from my oldest brother, he took a big spoon full of chocolate pudding, created a catapult with his spoon and hands and pointed it in my direction. I looked at him and his big grin and said "I dare you." 

Before the last word left my lips, he launched the spoon full of pudding at me.  I didn't even have time to move out of the way, and the chocolate pudding hit me right in the eye. 

We erupted in laughter.  My mom, not so much at first, but eventually! 

We experienced this fun little afternoon about thirty years ago, and it seems like only yesterday. 

What will you do today to enjoy life? I dare you to take the chance.

Until next time.

-Luke