"That was easy!" A friend I worked with had one of these buttons on his desk. EVERY time I walked into his office I would push the button, and once again when I left. There was just something cool and pleasantly annoying about hearing that button say, "That Was Easy!" You can push the play button above and we can say it together, "That was Easy!"

The concept is good. You have something that needs to be done. You do it. Do it right and on time. Then you hit the button and it says, "That was Easy!" But have you ever wondered why things aren't like that many times in your life? Heck I know I do. Why aren't things easier in my life? 

"Well Steven, It's because when you have something that you need to do, (project, conversation, issue to be resolved, etc..) you put it off, ignore it, or set it to the side. Then it becomes increasingly more difficult, and rather than embracing that 'awkward' moment you feel compelled to be deceitful about it, shift the blame, and hope it will go away. " Thank you voice inside my head! I appreciate you helping me with that! "You're welcome!" 

As a child, just like many of you, I faced some difficult things. The way I coped was to avoid reality. I learned to "avoid" the Awkward moments in my life by escaping reality, performing, being good, and trying to make things better for everyone else around me. That made me feel better.  The result of that behavior was that I tended to everyone else's problems and avoided my own.  

I would escape into a fantasy world and pretend for hours. That was alright when I was a child, but the problem is that I kept pretending as I got older. The consequences became much more severe. They impacted my wife, family, and life negatively as I continued to avoid 'awkward' moments through fantasy, rationalizing, as well and a deeper need for approval, confirmation, and praise. You see, God gave me a gift just like he has given you gifts. My gift to relate, communicate, and connect with people was and is a strength of mine, but what I have learned (and continue to learn through honest communication with my wife, trusted friends, and Godly GENUINE counsel) is that I used my gift to avoid 'awkward' moments. Instead of embracing the moments, I would manipulate, lie, and coerce a situation to get the desired results I thought would cause the 'least amount of damage.' I was using my God given gift for my good, instead of His glory! I didn't remember that in that "weak" moment I was actually strong.  

"My Grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness." (II Corinthians 12:9)

The 'E' in L.E.A.P. stand for "Embrace the Awkward." When we "Leave the Familiar" to see new growth and change in our lives, we can rest assured there is an enemy that doesn't want us to change. He wants us to retreat BACK and continue to cope as we have over the years. He doesn't want us step into the fray of life honestly and vulnerably.  He wants us to GO BACK to the familiar. What he doesn't realize is that "We know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) We can "Embrace the Awkward" with confidence! There is a bigger plan at work. 

That's what Peter did in John 21:8. He took a L.E.A.P. out of "the familiar" (a fishing boat) and swam as fast as he could to Jesus. When he arrived on the shore, it isn't recorded that Jesus said a word. He just stoked the fire as Peter stood there dripping wet and breathing heavy from his swim. AWKWARD! But Peter "Embraced the Awkward" moment! He didn't avoid it, and the result was forgiveness, a second chance, and a lesson that would change his life forever...ours too! 

So I guess we need a new button. A button that says, "That was Awkward!" We can push it every time we embrace these moments that are incredibly difficult and know that we are heading in the right direction. It won't be "Easy," but it will be worth it. I'm right there with you today! As I finish this blog I'm headed to face my own "Awkward moments." As we "Embrace the Awkward" moments of life together it's good to know that we don't have to be alone... 

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly" Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30) 

(In case you are serious about making your own button...here's how to do it. I'm not technically inclined like that, but you might be. Blessings!) 

A few years ago my wife and I went to Little Rock, Arkansas for a meeting. We left our kids in the care of a young lady who is like family. On our way home, we called to "check" on things. As we talked we realized they weren't at home, they were at Lowe's. Now understand, when our son Dawson and his friend Scott are at Lowe's things get interesting quick. Turns out they were purchasing supplies because they had decided to build a "fort" in our back yard. We gave "parental" words of caution, shook our heads and smiled, and headed home knowing it would be interesting.  

When we arrived home I was anxious to see what was in the back yard. As I walked out the back door I saw 4 simple walls connected together, a swinging door to get in, and a tarp over the top for a roof. The "fort" was positioned in the center of our yard because of course no thought about spacing, position, or anything was considered. Just right in the middle would do! To make things even more interesting this turned out to be a "temporary" fort, and the permanent one would have to be finished the next day. 

So, the next day WE got to work!  We picked a place, with Mom's help, that would be acceptable for the long term, and went back to Lowe's to get 2X4's, screws, nails,and supplies. I'm not a carpenter at all, so as we built the frame and put this thing together it was far from perfect, but it ended up being pretty sturdy. We put a tarp over the roof, eventually it had shingles, and the kids (myself included) slept out in the fort that night and many others.The boys added lights, shelves, a portable heater, TV, and many other items to the "Fort." We had so many great nights and memories in the "Fort" together! I have to be honest...It was AWESOME! 

After a few years the "Fort" began to look pretty rough. The weather and elements had taken their toll. The front door came off, the window was broken, and the inside began to smell like mildew. The guys interests changed as they got older, and what was once "Awesome" and "Fun" was now an eyesore. My wife kept saying "we have to do something with it Steven," but I hated to get rid of it! It was a source of such great memories. It was a familiar part of our lives, and I kept thinking we could revitalize it or something. But sometimes the Familiar has to go, and the mighty "Fort" had to come down. Dawson and I tore it down piece by piece, and after we hauled off all the wood what was left was a small square of clean dirt. The old was gone, and it actually looked & even felt great! Now new life could grow where the "Fort" once stood. 

There ARE things in life that are meant to last, and even grow stronger over time. Our faith, Our marriages, Our families, and Healthy relationships are designed by God to last no matter what they face.  But there ARE issues, addictions, people, environments, memories, attitudes, and things that must be left and demolished so that new LIFE can come! The L in L.E.A.P. stands for "Leave the Familiar." 

We can't continue living in experiences, moments, places, and unhealthy relationships that have mildewed over time. Just like my wife told me, "Steven we have to do something." That should be the anthem we all live by today.  Be willing to make changes, adjustments, and "Leave the Familiar."  "Forts" have to come down, and sometimes we need help to figure out what needs to go because we can't see it. That's why we have our faith, marriages, families, and healthy relationships that DO last. If we will listen, we can receive the wisdom we need to realize what needs to be left behind and where to make changes that will bring hope and healing, so we can experience new adventures that await us. Let's get out the sledge hammer and tear down the "Fort!" The new can't grow if we aren't willing to L.E.A.P. out, and "Leave the Familiar" behind! 


II Corinthians 10:3-4 "though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."  


II Corinthians 5:17 "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone."