The Gift in Being Ourselves

I am finding it so true these days, especially when I slow down enough to listen, how God is speaking so clearly to me exactly when and what I truly need, using unsuspecting delivery persons and situations to remind me of the constant knowing that he is with me. Wednesday, it happened again...

It came by simply writing down the date in my journal, 2/22/06. This day was significant because it was the day that I was “supposed” to be on our Inaugural Pilgrimage Ride. At least that’s what I thought. The beautiful thing about writing down the date was that the night before, my friend David Ripley, had mentioned that God gave him his “222” while driving... explaining that it was God’s way of winking at him. So, in the moment of my pondering the ride that DIDN’T happen... God gave me a wink too... reminding me that He is with me in this journey.

I called David, just to tell him my experience and thank him for being God’s delivery person... and he said that it’s not very often that we actually hear from someone the impact we have on their lives... and thanked me for sharing. So, that inspired me to think about other people who have been used by God recently... and SO many came to mind. That sparked a thought... “Maybe they don’t know the impact they are making on people... because they haven’t been told... so why not tell them... to give them the gift of my gratitude.” I felt led to do this, so, here I am... giving honor to only a few of the many special people, who have spoken, not just with words, but with being who they are in life. God is speaking... and I’m doing my best to listen!

~ David Ripley... for the “222 story” and helping me realize the importance of appreciating people.
~ Ron Lacy... for reminding me: Peter’s “water walk”, is not about “trying harder”.
~ David McGee... for your continual openness, struggle and surrender to love others and yourself more purely.
~ Pam Ormsby... for the message to “repot” that came from our conversation.
~ Jim Spivey... for calling forth “the song” from within... and seeing the weight of it.
~ David Peck... for “seeing outside the box” conversation.
~ Philip Poindexter... for the gift in being allowed to see your connected journey with God.
~ Darin Hufford... for the power of your belief in me...and your message of God’s amazing Love.
~ Robert Bayman... for helping me seeing various possibilities.
~ Brent Walker... for encouraging me with your own get-away pilgrimage.
~ John Crabb... for the amazing support, ideas, expansive vision you gifted me.
~ Jim Jacobus... for showing me the beauty and impact I am having on others.
~ Paul Smeltzer... for reminding me who I really am... deep below the surface.
~ Veronica James... for the reminding me to let go and fly. Your life speaks to me!
~ Greg Thibodeaux... for team heart and support and for “A Ride of your Life” ideas.
~ Chris & Gail Osborne... for “this wasn’t my idea...it was God’s” comment and all that meant for me.
~ Jan Cramer... for grace and forgiveness in a constant way.
~ Laura O’Neill... for the gift of “Awe” and excitement in your voice as you shared your riding story.
~ Steven Carr... for your encouragement, love and support... in the midst of your own journey and “birthing”.
~ Sheldon Anderson... for your commitment to love yourself and others, as you are being healed.
~ Stefani Twyford... for reminding me that “being” is all that is needed.
~ Carmen Poole... for your willingness to explore and risk to go deeper.
~ Ryn Spiegelhauer... for your beautiful heart beaming through the tragedies surrounded you, as you connect to God.
~ Caeden Anderson (my son)... for teaching me to smile, laugh, and just “be” all the time.
~ Michelle Anderson (my wife)... for your everyday unconditional Love, and for always calling me to be of who I really am.
~ God... You are my all... and to you, I surrender all, and appreciate you for my life, family and friends!

.... just to name a few of the many. Ah... It feels so good to show gratitude...maybe I should make this the norm.

Think about it... the power of just being ourselves... the awareness of the impact we have on others in big ways... in everything we do, say and are, ...in conversations ...not because we are trying to do anything, just because we are being ourselves, showing up fully. I’m seeing that happen all around me... and if it’s happening to me, it must be happening to others too. This gives me an overwhelming peace, leaving me knowing that we don’t set all these up... someone so much bigger than us is at work... perfectly synchronizing each detail ...every conversation ...everything in and around our lives. All I have to do is expect it, watch for it, listen and receive it when it comes. Wow... that’s huge! When I stay aware of this, I relax into knowing God has everything in control and is working it all out and that I can trust him fully. Thank you God – I surrender!

~ Dave E. Anderson, Motorcycle Life Coach

www.FreedomLifeConsulting.com
www.PilgrimageRide.com