I think we all get into certain patterns and rhythms in our
life that, for us, just become commonplace and normal. Traveling around the world shakes these
foundations because you see things that are so “abnormal” that it makes you
wonder how strange or unique your life really is.
I find it hard to believe that anyone would refer to my life
as “normal”, but for me it’s just my life…and I kind of like it.
as “normal”, but for me it’s just my life…and I kind of like it.
Dublin, Ireland overlooking the River Liffy
For example, in my “normal” life, not a day goes by that
someone close to me is in another hemisphere of the world. We have redefined “long” travel days by
anything that is longer than 14 hours (if you sleep on a plane, train or
automobile, it’s a “long” day).
6-8 hour trips just aren’t that big a deal any more.
someone close to me is in another hemisphere of the world. We have redefined “long” travel days by
anything that is longer than 14 hours (if you sleep on a plane, train or
automobile, it’s a “long” day).
6-8 hour trips just aren’t that big a deal any more.
Because of jet lag or maybe the foods we end up eating in
this ridiculous travels or maybe it’s just the wear and tear from the sleepless
nights on the floor in random climates… but one of the biggest acts of
compassion, nay a love language in and of itself is staying abreast of everyone’s
current digestive status. Nothing
says “I care” like an immodium… at least in my “normal” life…
this ridiculous travels or maybe it’s just the wear and tear from the sleepless
nights on the floor in random climates… but one of the biggest acts of
compassion, nay a love language in and of itself is staying abreast of everyone’s
current digestive status. Nothing
says “I care” like an immodium… at least in my “normal” life…
My friends and I love cult TV shows like Lost, 24 and
Survivor. We have to work at our
communication, work at making time for the important things in our life, work
at consistently getting out of our comfort zones and still have to be held
accountable to follow the leading of the Spirit of God. In my “normal” life, community is hard. Don’t get me wrong, it’s the greatest
possible life I can imagine… but it’s messy… and it’s not getting “less
messy”.
Survivor. We have to work at our
communication, work at making time for the important things in our life, work
at consistently getting out of our comfort zones and still have to be held
accountable to follow the leading of the Spirit of God. In my “normal” life, community is hard. Don’t get me wrong, it’s the greatest
possible life I can imagine… but it’s messy… and it’s not getting “less
messy”.
It’s a family.
I think some of us have been around each other so long, it doesn’t feel
like we chose each other any more, but that family is who you have and you
fight for family. So we fight…
I think some of us have been around each other so long, it doesn’t feel
like we chose each other any more, but that family is who you have and you
fight for family. So we fight…
We all live off of the financial partnership of people
outside our family. We share our
vision, our passion, even the vulnerable longings of our soul to inspire others
to get on board and join us. It’s
hard sometimes to explain how we couldn’t possibly consider leaving
this…something that is literally changing the world as we know it. But we do our best.
outside our family. We share our
vision, our passion, even the vulnerable longings of our soul to inspire others
to get on board and join us. It’s
hard sometimes to explain how we couldn’t possibly consider leaving
this…something that is literally changing the world as we know it. But we do our best.
My “normal” life has set completely new priorities. I wake up praying in the Spirit,
waiting for something to guide me.
I speak boldly and sometimes pointedly to those I love because…well,
because I love them. I’ve given
permission to be put under the microscope, and have received that permission
from others as well. I take
seriously when someone says God spoke to them about me, I’m even willing to
make big decisions based on it.
waiting for something to guide me.
I speak boldly and sometimes pointedly to those I love because…well,
because I love them. I’ve given
permission to be put under the microscope, and have received that permission
from others as well. I take
seriously when someone says God spoke to them about me, I’m even willing to
make big decisions based on it.
Yesterday Allison (another leader on our team and good friend of mine) asked me this: “What are you doing today
that if God doesn’t intervene it will fail?”
that if God doesn’t intervene it will fail?”
That’s my “normal” life. Who says “normal” is boring or bad?
Michael and Kathy Hindes in San Francisco
My boss, my mentor, my biggest cheerleader and my friend.
