Who knew that two words shared around the campfire last summer would work their way into my thinking and feeling and being. It was like my soul exhaled more deeply than before, not realizing it was holding its breath.

So I put the words "You are worthy of love" on yard signs to defeat shame and thousands of people all over the US have seen this message. But, there's a problem. You aren't worthy of love. 

It feels good to be self sufficient. It feels good to be strong. It feels good to be independent. It feels good to be enough (all things our particular culture praises). But it's a facade. We need each other. 

If you know me, you know I'm not patient. In fact, I debated all morning to get groceries via Click-List so I could avoid the store and lines all together. But something said 'nah, just go in'. I'm so glad I did.

There was an armed guard, a needle exchange van in the parking lot, men congregating outside, and naloxone nasal spray in the office down the hall. Not my typical Friday night scene.

After 3 plus years training hundreds and hundreds of folks from all different industries, ranging up and down the corporate ladder, last week I had my worst experience ever.

But I would not teach her a long-lasting life lesson if I forced her to donate the quarters or if I didn't give her a choice at all. Generosity and selflessness can't be taught by guilt trips and punishments.

Well it's done. I'm officially thirty. Three life lessons come into focus as I reflect…

30. Don't text when you're mad. It's too easy to say things you shouldn't.

Approach is everything. "It's not what you say but how you say it." Someone smart made that up. They're right.

Here's my theory: We have the same eternal needs (our own brokenness, wounds, sin, and struggles) but we (including me) have more means to distract ourselves from them.

We sat there disappointed. Eager to serve these kids. Then these words popped into my mind. Listening blesses them. 

'Life goals' seem daunting. For a driver like me, I can't check them off fast enough, so I don't bother making a list. But in our small group the last few months I've been inspired…

Well it's inevitable. You're going to mess up. You're going to get angry. You're going to say something you shouldn't. We all do it.Which is why it's important to know what do afterwards.

This may seem impersonal- a public blast of very personal thank you’s. But as you read, I hope you remember the little things people have done for you…

So last week I attempted to live as if Jesus was coming back on Sunday. I can’t way that I changed much last week. I wrote some letters to people I love the most… but how would I live differently?