So, I spent last week in Wolffville, Nova Scotia. (for those that go there, don't pronounce Wolf-ville as though all the letters matter. I did and was told that this was a dead give away that I was not from the area. Instead, try saying it quickly like Wufill)

While I was there I had to make a proposal of sorts to some of the faculty and staff of the Divinity College at Acadia University. It had been a while since I had done anything like that, but I convinced myself that I didn't have anything  to loose, so I ought to go for it!

In the end, the proposal went well. But, more significant for me was the simple "forness" of the staff for those that were there making presentations. Repeatedly, staff and faculty gave their time, input, advice, encouragement and support. Sure there were questions and mild objections about presentations. But the overall sense was one of deep and abiding encouragement.

Maybe this is the way things should always be. But, sadly, often this is not the case. OFten, we feel the need to be critical of others, their work, their accomplishments, etc. Now, I am not one to shy away from that sort of thing. But, I think I am learning a new way, a new pattern - a better one that does everything it can to encourage and support the hard work, ingenuity, and Kingdom goals that people around me aspire to.  It could be that this sounds obvious to all of you. But, for me - its a new, and good growth area of my life, and my life with God.

Powerful and Good Memories

So, this morning I am sitting in YYC waiting for a flight to Vancouver for some meetings. As I went through security I was one of the lucky ones that got stopped and searched in a more thorough manner - and by thorough I don't mean body cavity. 

That said, when the guy was done his swabbing and scanning I asked him how often this sort of thing yields any result. He looked at me and said, "Well, I have been working here for 4.5 months and I have never found anything illegal." 

"Why did you search me then?" I asked.

"Well, its "charter day," he said.

"Charter day?"

"Yeah, today's the day that we have all the charters that head to Cuba from Calgary."

I looked around and sure enough, there were lots of people who looked as though they were headed for warmer climes. Part of me was envious because on the drive to the airport it was snowing like crazy! Who wouldn't want to head south?

Another part of me just smiled. Why? Because I remembered that only a month ago I was playing on the beaches of Mexico (see picture) with my family. And, while I likely won't go again for a long time (at least that's what Kristin keeps telling me - we'll see who wins that battle) - I can remember, and remembering is important.

All too often the only thing we talk about when we think of memories is the stuff we want to forget: the gas we passed inadvertently in the elevator, the social faux pas we committed in "good company," relational failure, pain of more significant matters, etc. 

Don't get me wrong - avoid recalling these things if you think that's going to help. But, what if you spent some deliberate time remembering the best moments, the finest words you have heard said to you, the most beautiful afternoons of fun, laughter and delight you have had. What if we leaned into these a bit more, told the stories over and over, remembered the best parts of our lives and let them echo in our homes as much as possible. 

It likely wouldn't undo the crap that we try to forget. But, it would change things for the better.

What story could you tell to someone today about a great moment in your life?