Those that know me well, know that I don’t participate much in outdoor recreational activities, the more adventurous the activity is, the less likely I am to do it. Canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing to name a few. To speak quite candidly – I am perfectly okay with it. For you outdoor enthusiasts, trust me when I say, it’s not a need or a desire of mine. However, I do delight in an outdoor stroll in the park or sitting in my backyard taking in the fresh air. I’ll even go as far to say, if I had a bike, I am pretty sure I would be fond of an occasional bike ride, especially around the lake. A little confession… Sometimes, when I drive down Lakeshore Drive, I yearn to be out there. I get caught up in the scene – the bike riders, the swimmers, the runners, the walkers – all the fit people of Chicago in one destination doing their thing, as I sit in my car taking a french fry out …

Experiencing the small, yet most meaningful, things in my life doesn’t come easy. But, when I deliberately stop and set time aside to make it happen, it is, by far, the most natural and fulfilling experience.  The world around us is moving at a faster rate every day.  The demands of life are pulling us in all different directions. From the never ending to-do list to the booked calendar, we are saying too many yes’s, and not enough no’s. Our decisions are driven by the wrong motives, such as, guilt, approval and affirmation. Instead, it should be aligned to our priorities. For me, they are God, family and ministry. These days, I am also finding that I need for things to slow down in my life more. I just want to sit, and not in front of a screen. I want to sit and watch my life with a heart filled with contentment. Today, I did just that. I sat in my backyard, looking at the fallen, crisp leaves move across the cement, as I …