Love Covers

Today, Twin Cities dwellers woke up to something beautiful. We looked out our kitchen windows and front doors to see our frozen garden gnomes and mailboxes frosted  with a thin white blanket of snow.  The brown deadness is hidden.  The dirty sidewalks are gone.  In their places is a fresh new look and a chance to begin again.

Isn’t that what love does?  Love forgives the deadness.  Love covers the ugly.  Love makes things new and says, “Let’s start again.”  On this Valentine’s day, I’m glad that God gave me a white valentine in which he writes, “I’ve got it covered.”  (1 Peter).

Peace,

My new website:

The Importance of Respect

I purposely park a few blocks away from my office.  (For one, I need the exercise and two, it’s a beautiful walk).  The other day I strolled along the block on the way to my car.  As I approached the corner, two groups of high school girls crossed my path and headed down the sidewalk to my right.  The first group consisted of two Somali girls dressed head to toe in the traditional Muslim covering called a “Burqa.”  They were quietly walking shoulder to shoulder, slouched a little, with their heads down.  The second group of girls was dressed in the typical American outfit: jeans, T-shirts and Toms and they were chatting away.  I could easily tell the cultural differences.

The closer I came to intersecting the groups, the more I understood the second group’s conversation.  I couldn’t believe what I heard.  That group was loudly criticizing the Somali girls’ outfits and all that they represented.  Berating comments about the pair looking like “Ghosts” and how they should get back on the ship home.  (My gut is churning even as I write this and I’m sparing you the expletives and dirty talk that slithered out of the second groups mouths).  I stood there dumfounded as they passed ahead of me a few dozen yards.  By the time the vulgarity registered within me, both groups were too far away for me to chase down so I continued on in disbelief.  (I also figured that a 40+ year old man running after a group of high school girls would not look good to the local police).

What the second group of girls lacked (other than a good grounding and maturity) was the basic understanding of respect.  I do not agree with the Muslim religion but I respect Muslims.  I do not agree with the requirement of a certain dress by that religion but I respect the people.  Respect is simply means to act with politeness, courtesy and civility, even if you don’t agree.  There is no value is ripping apart a person based on stereotypes, even when those stereotypes prove to be true.  The benefits of having an attitude of respect for all people is that it opens doors to a deeper understanding of cultures (in this case), human interactions and relationships.

Respect is one of the keys that opens the door to success in your business and personal lives.  Remember that even though we don’t need to accept the behaviors of people, we should foster a deep respect for others as God-created, Jesus-loved human beings.

Peace,

Just A Simple Kiss

Makenzie and Me

There is something special about a gentle kiss that Daddy receives from Daughter.  Those innocent lips smacking against a well-seasoned, gruffy cheek, communicates sweetness … connection … love.  Just A Simple Kiss.

I loved that kiss from her.  Usually it comes unexpectedly.  Hurrying off to school.  Driving into the drop off lane.  Suddenly, she grabs my shoulder sleeve, pulls me sideways and plants one.  I can’t help but smile and say, “I love you, sweets.”  “Love you too, Daddy.”  Then, she bee-bops out of the car, joining her friends and disappearing behind the glass doors that would keep her safe for the balance of her day.

Maddie and Me

And I just sit there; thinking, How can I be so blessed with a beautiful daughter who surprises me with her simple kiss.  Then, as if being jolted out of a dream, the driver behind, gently taps on her horn.  As I drive away, I am reminded about past moments like these with Makenzie.   But today’s hurrying, drop-off, grab and kiss came from my other daughter, Maddie, who told me she loved me, with just A Simple Kiss.

Peace,

todd

Life Changing Links …

• Tribute Video played at Makenzie’s Celebration Service.
• Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
• “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
• “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
• “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)

Changing the Lyrics

Makenzie and Nathan playing and singing

If I let my thoughts wander, setting them adrift on the breeze of the past, often, they come to rest on Makenzie’s love of music.  This morning, they recall a song that sprang from her 6th grade lips every time we were driving in the car.  Her favorite — my favorite — FFH’s “One of These Days.”

A snipett of lyrics reads:

One of these days
Gonna see the hand that took the nails for me
One of these days
Gonna hold the key to the mansion built for me
One of these days
Gonna walk the streets of gold that were paved for me
One of these days
I’m gonna see my Savior face to face
One of these days

This morning, my thoughts paint the new lyrics that Makenzie now sings:

Even today
I can see the hand that took the nails for me
Even today
I can hold the key to the mansion built for me
Even today
I’m walking the streets of gold that were paved for me
Even today
I can see my Savior face to face
Even today

I can’t wait to sing the changed lyrics with her.  Someday … someday.

Peace,

todd

Life Changing Links …

• Tribute Video played at Makenzie’s Celebration Service.
• Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
• “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
• “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
• “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)

Live, Laugh, Love

(((I realize that there are many who stumble upon (or over) this blog as a result of a chance meeting with someone who knows Makenzie.  If you are one of whom I speak, then this post is for you;  a quick synopsis of my little girl who is dancing with Jesus (and with us ) on the streets of gold.)))

How would you sum up your life?   Photo’s speak your memory.  Writings tell your story.  Relationships carry your legacy.  Yet if you were asked what phrase would describe your existence on this earth, what would it be?

Makenzie’s phrase would be “Live, Laugh, Love.”  I saw it in a store (again) not too long ago; carved in a rustic piece of flat board and stenciled with vines.  Nice phrase, but to me … now … it rebirths memories of who my little girl whom God has used to change so many of us.

Live:  Makenzie embraced life with all of its adventure and wonder; easily calling a dead bug or a dissected mink “amazing!”

Laugh:  Ok, maybe it was more of a cute snort, but Makenzie found laughter to be more of a celebration of the good rather than a reaction to the funny.

Love:  Makenzie disliked some, but loved all.  Friends and family who were easy to love, often watched from the sidelines as she found time for and loved on those to whom society had placed off the center.  People who were new at school or who had isolated themselves for whatever reason couldn’t escape her bouncing into their world with a friendly, “Hey guys!”

All of this … Live, Laugh, Love … grew out of the core relationship in her life.  That core was not me; not her mom, brother or sister.  Not friends or other family.  Makenzie’s core relationship was (and is) with this guy.  His name is Jesus.  And He makes life worth living (oh, and loving).

What would your life phrase be?

Peace,

todd

Life Changing Links …

• Tribute Video played at Makenzie’s Celebration Service.
• Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
• “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
• “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
• “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)