Sunshine is a powerful source of energy. Not only do people harness it as a source of electricity to power their homes, many lay out in the sun to rejuvenate their spirit and soulful energy. After a long winter the bright days of spring rejuvenate the dormant leaves of trees across the north and bring life back to the sleeping flowers and grass. The warm spring sun pulls children out into yards and families out to bask in the warm glow.

By summer the sun has warmed ponds and brought meadows into full bloom, exploding with a wide array of color from the flowers covering the grasses underneath. Children have moved from their lawns to their favorite swimming holes looking for a spot to cool off. Picnics are held in the shade of a tall oak; itself soaking up the warm energy from the sun.

This is the power of the sun. Fill your soul with this radiance and go forth with your own glow. Fill those around you with light and energy from your vibrance. Let the world see your beauty, glow and light as you move from season to season growing brighter, warmer and more radiant. Be a shining light for those around you. Let us all glow together as one radiant source of love.

I think about Moses and Abraham and laugh at the marvel of their accomplishment of fatherhood. I have five children and it is the greatest gift I could imagine but it is also the hardest job. Could you imagine if Moses and Abraham had to deal with their children having Fortnight or cell phones? Could you imagine if Moses and Abraham had to deal with their children having to deal with cyber bullies and gangs? We live in an interesting age as parents. How do we support our children? The answer has not changed from when Moses and Abraham were fathers; love.
I believe that the most powerful resource we have, as fathers, to help our children through their challenges is love. I look at the work I have done to model hard work, dedication to school and passion and support for my spouse. As I reflect upon my children I often wonder if my modeling has helped. Then I look at the modeling my parents did for me. I realize that when this modeling comes from a place of love it plants a seed which will grow in my children throughout their lives.
My parents provided an incredible amount of love for me. They were there in so many difficult times with unconditional love, regardless of the challenges I faced. It was this unconditional love that I have drawn upon more than any other resource they offered. It is my hope that my children find this same kind of unconditional love from me as I found in my parents. All children deserve this gift. It is this unconditional love and support that will help them to grow into strong and prosperous individuals.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 4:14) Nor should a light be hid. Rejoice in the light that shines from within you. Celebrate the light that you bring to the world, for you are a light to those around you. 

So often we forget that we are each full of unique gifts and it is only though the celebration of our gifts that we are able to shine bright. It is only through the combination of the gifts of each and every one of us that we are able to succeed as a community. A butcher is not able to succeed without a blacksmith to sharpen their knives. A blacksmith is not able to succeed without a mason to build their forge. This communal collection of gifts is open for each of us to shine and to light the world with our own individuality. 

Yet, do not feel stuck. Your gifts may change as you change. A farrier may find a voice as they travel the country and transition from a smith to a poet and find that they soon fill the hearts of many with song. A farmer may find that as they haul their grain to the mill they are filled with inspiration by the beauty of the country through which they pass and are inspired to put the image on canvas and soon light our lives with color and imagery. Always seek out your calling to add your light to the world. Always stand high on the hill and shine bright. Do not hide but be seen.

​The Lord will bless you with many gifts and welcome you to his side as you share your gifts. Seek each opportunity before you and celebrate those chances you have to share them. You are unique and full of talents for which the world is blessed to witness your colors.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) Even God understands that there are times when we hurt, and he not only values the pain when we suffer but blesses us with grace and welcomes us into his kingdom.
We must rejoice for the light that waits before us. Find joy in the virtues that will come to us and know that through the suffering we will become the person we are meant to be. Find value in our pain and grow to serve the Lord.
These are the lessons that help me when I struggle. These are the prayers that help me to find the value in the darkness. I often wonder how could a merciful God put pain in a world as we have in ours? I realize then that perhaps it is not God that has put the pain in our world but rather us that has put the pain here. It is God that offers us the salvation from this pain. It is ours to learn and grow from it.
I once read a book on the Crusades and thought how could we call them the Holy Wars. I realize that it is our way to attribute labels to rationalize the acts we commit and the things we do not understand. It is only when we stop trying to understand and trust in God to lead us through the darkness and help us find forgiveness and mercy that we can find the answers.
One of the darkest periods of my life was not my car accident but shortly after when I struggled with my identity. I was very good at pushing away those I loved in my life. I fought to figure out just who I was and where my life was going. I asked many difficult questions and thought I could do it all alone. As I came to accept that I needed the help, support and love of God and others in my life, the answers became clear. The shape of my life molded me into a person I came to not only love but value and cherish. Truly blessed was I while I was poor in my spirit.
I encourage all of you to remember this prayer and to remember that the Lord walks with you as you travel through your valley. Hold strong and seek out the opportunities available from the pain you experience so that you might find the light at the end of the tunnel. Trust in God to welcome you to his kingdom.
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Spring is an amazing time of year. Cold, crisp and invigorating mornings blend into warm, cheerful and dynamic afternoons. This exciting time of year always reminds me that we need to celebrate each moment that we have.

Too often we get stuck in the rut of daily routine causing us to miss the opportunities that pass by as we droll through our chores. Taking that step back to appreciate the world around us, with all of its wonder and beauty, provides the pause we often need to become aware of the opportunities we might have otherwise missed.  For me springtime is a reminder to take just that step.

​What opportunities have passed by that you might have missed? How often do you find yourself walking through the paces only to realize that you missed or forgot something that might have been more than rewarding? Wake up on the next crisp spring morning and set your compass for a new path. Aim for a more deliberate and intentional day with greater awareness to the opportunities around you.