It’s stranger out there then I have ever seen. Please stay safe and be kind.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:10-12 

         I remember the first time I saw the ocean. I was 16 and our high school choir had taken a trip or Orlando. I remember seeing the ocean for the first time and thinking it was cool, but I don’t think I paid enough attention to appreciate the awesome sight that was in front of me. (I was probably too busy thinking about girls).

         Fast forward three years. The Baptist Student Union at my school took a mission trip to South Padre Island for spring break. I know, sounds funny doesn’t it? It was called Beach Reach. It was a great opportunity to share my faith with people who were down there for spring break. We also had the opportunity to offer rides for people who had been drinking too much to help keep them safe. I remember standing and staring at the ocean for a second time. Again, it was cool, but that was about it.

         Move ahead two more years. I had just graduated college with a bachelors in “thank God I am out of school” when Marixa and I took our first cruise. I had never left the continental US before. I had never been in the middle of the ocean. It was awe inspiring. I looked out our window the first morning after we left. There was nothing as far as the eye could see. It was awesome, but it slipped into memory not long after.

         Four years later I found myself on the beach at Padre once again. This time was very different than all of the others. I stepped out waist deep and let the water crash around me. The sun was just setting and the ocean and sky seemed to meet each other to flow together. I remember the sounds of the waves crashing. The feel of the mist on my face. It was a holy moment that I treasure.

With a good friend by my side I gave thanks to God. I was less than three weeks out of chemotherapy. The testicular cancer that had invaded my body was gone. I was tired. I was bald. I was gaining strength, but still felt weak. I was so incredibly thankful. The same God that had spoken the ocean into existence had saved my life.

Having gone through that same cancer again all these years later, I am still so thankful that God has a plan for my life. I look forward to seeing it unfold. If the one who made the oceans is watching over me…I am good.

This one is a work in progress. I wrote the first verse and the chorus, but am stuck. This is outside of my life experience and I do t know what this feels like. If you want to co-write it with me I think it could be a good song. Any takers?

Verse 1

I pick up the boxes that lay all around…this dusty garage filled with reminders of life’s ups and downs. Looking for signs of a life spent with you, but I know that you took it all when you said we were through.

I hold out a hope that there are things left behind that will give me a glimpse through the shadows in my mind. Hoping the days that we spent won’t all fade away Because losing you was enough of a price to pay.

Chorus

Now I keep looking for the pieces of you. Hoping to find any scrap that will do. It’ll help me cope with the fact that you’re gone and hopefully give me the power to go on.

Have you ever been in an argument with your significant other? Or with a very close friend? I don’t mean a who ate the last of the ice cream that I wanted to eat argument, I mean an issue that you were having difficulty working out? And in that argument you said things you shouldn’t have and hurt the other person? Well, it has nothing to do with my post, but admitting it is the first step to recovery and I hope I have helped you feel better.

I would bet the moment you said the hurtful thing, you knew it. You knew you had further complicated the issue and hurt the other person. What did you do? How do you overcome those moments that you are hurtful and didn’t mean to be?

Alexander Pope once said, “To err is human, but to forgive is divine.”

Indira Gandhi said, “Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.”

I agree with both of these statements, and I would like to take them a step further. To apologize is also divine and brave. There is power in a genuine apology. Don’t you agree? Let me describe three ways that I have seen this power work in my own life.

First: When I am discussing an issue with someone I want to remember that the person is always more important than the issues. My wife and I have been in discussions before that have gotten away from us. In those times I may have said things that I thought were not offensive, but she heard something other than what I thought I said. It takes a few moments, but I realize that I have caused hurt. What do I do in that moment or realization? Stop the conversation and apologize. My wife is worth more to me

than whatever the issue is we are discussing. Her feelings are worth more than my pride. So, I offer a heart felt apology and something that could have been very hurtful is passed over and quickly we return to a meaningful conversation.

Next: By apologizing I keep a grounded view. I am not always right. Far from it. If I am willing to admit that it leads to deeper relationships and more trust. Have you been around people who never admit they are wrong? Are they the coolest people in the room? In a word, no.

There is a scripture that says, Pride goes before a fall. A person who is unwilling to admit they are wrong is operating from a position of pride. I don’t want to be that person.

Third: I am building strength with each apology. Building character is hard work. It is choosing day after day to make good, consistent choices. When I have done wrong, or brought offence the right choice is to offer an apology and to make the situation right. By making this choice, I want people to know when they deal with me that I am a good team mate and friend.

There is power in apology. I encourage you to remember that as you examine your relationships. Is the person more important that the issue? Have you been a victim of your own pride? Have you treated others fairly? I am confident that you will know when it is right to offer an apology, and you will see its power work for the good.

There have been several times in my life where I have to trust that God will take care of things even though I can’t see the solution. I’ve been through cancer twice and many other trials that that seem insurmountable. After all these years and all these trials I’m convinced of this… God is trustworthy. I choose to place my trust in Him regardless of the trial…or virus that may be threatening.

Verse 1

There are time I don’t understand. I fail to see your purpose. I fail to see your plan. I feel like my walk grows so alone. I often wonder where my love for You has gone.

But I know in my heart that you are there. I know that you hear me in my times of prayer

Chorus

God I place my trust in You. You alone are worthy, You and only You. God I place my trust in You. You alone are worthy, You and only You.

Verse 2

I want to walk along with you, to know that I am in Your will. But these times of dark and doubt grow deeper still.

I choose to follow you in every way. I want to serve you until the end of my days

Chorus

God I place my trust in You. You alone are worthy, You and only You. God I place my trust in You. You alone are worthy, You and only You.

Tag

Though I may not understand, I know that I am resting safe in your hand

Chorus

God I place my trust in You. You alone are worthy, You and only You. God I place my trust in You. You alone are worthy, You and only You.