Together We Think

So, where to start? Where do I begin with my story? Any time we journey back into remembering, it can feel a bit disjointed or challenging to piece things together and share in an honest and open way. Especially when we have an intense story that taps into a lot of brokenness, pain and redemption.

I would like to start with a bulleted list of some particulars about my life and then go from there:

Born: October 10, 1972

Places I have lived: Davenport, IA - Deckerville, MI - Portage, MI - Three Rivers, MI - Marcellus, MI - Miami, FL - Lynchburg, VA - West Palm Beach, FL - Cumming, GA.

My immediate family: My dad, mom and 3 brothers. I am the second of 4 boys.

My family: my wife of 9 years, my 4 year old son and a daughter due in May.

Where I have worked: World Help, Thomas Road Baptist Church, Palm Beach Gardens Christ Fellowship, Garden of Life, Cobblestone Cafe, Saddleback Church, North Point Community Church.

My wiring: Myers Briggs - INFP; Right Path - Adapter; Strengths Finder - Relator, Connectedness, Developer, Ideation, Adaptive; My Spiritual Gifts - Hospitality, Leadership, Shepherd

What I enjoy: Hanging at home with my family, garage saleing, reading, hanging on my back deck with good friends, Miami Hurricane football, an occasional triathlon or half marathon, good food, deep conversations, early in the morning time with the Lord, anything that is a great experience and creating new things!

So, that is a small snapshot of me! I would love to know a little about you if you are open to that? If you want to post something feel free to follow the same format as me!

Now, in closing, let me share why the picture at the top. For 27 years I have felt the low level anxiety of being alone in my journey. From the time my mom left at 9 and my dad had to fight the battles of trying to keep food on the table and saving his marriage, I began to believe that I had to make it on my own, that I had to figure out life by myself and make my own way in this world. What I am not saying is that this is true, but in reality, if we believe it, even if it’s a lie, it is truth to us. So, in many ways, this is where my story begins and over the next ? weeks, I want to process out loud what God has been teaching me and helping me to see and struggle with.

Thanks for reading, listening and sharing when you want to! I hope you find courage, camaraderie, and hope through the ups and downs of the journey of my life so far.

Godspeed!

S.