Patient, Not Slow

Weekly Recap

Happy Tuesday!

What is going on??

It has been WAY too long - I’m so sorry.

This past year, almost 12 months now actually, has been the hardest and most agonizing season of my entire life.

And no, before you smart alecks say “wait, didn’t you get married??” … that’s not why, wise guy.

In fact, if it wasn’t for Rebekah, I’m not sure I honestly could have made it through.

She has been the most clear gift from God I’ve ever received and I cannot begin to describe how thankful I am for her - and boy am I glad we said “I DO!!” on July 18th.

The hardship came from something I never saw coming, and yet in hindsight I can see was there all along. More on that below.

But first!

Since it’s been so crazy long, I would love to hear from you - how are YOU??

Shoot me a reply and let’s get connected again. Hope you’re well!

Patient, Not Slow

This past year I have watched as wrong became truth, pride was declared humility, regurgitated pain became a sword, accountability was isolated and shoved away, and yet … people were united, faith was made stronger, men became leaders, and identity became clearer.

And the hardest part - I didn’t have the endgame of this year defined, only the next step illuminated as I walked by faith.

This isn’t the place to write about or share the details of why certain aspects of our life have changed - that’s reserved for those who ask and seek to understand in-person, and even then, is guarded with discretion - but what I will share is the most valuable lesson I am learning right now.

It may sound like a few, I can’t help the way I write haha.

First off, our God is faithful, perfect, just, true, holy, and above all - loving.

He is patient - not slow - and He longs that all would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)

I’m learning that it is not human nature to be patient toward sinners and long for their repentance.

In fact, it’s often the opposite. We wish death and hell toward those who have wronged us and we’re angry with/hurt by.

And yet, God is patient and extends unending mercy and undying love towards all - bringing us to repentance (the key, and missing from most modern “gospels”).

The application of that lesson? Check myself every time I want to curse the person who hurts me or does the slightest wrong against me, my teams, my family.

Pray for them, with humility, and with love - desiring that they actually experience the fullness of God’s love and get to walk in a newness of life.

Guys, that means wanting them to experience GOOD things, not bad - what feels like the opposite of justice - but it HAS to come AFTER repentance. (This is like enough for 100 more emails)

Along that same vein, I have learned first hand, on a whole new level, what devastation pride brings to families, teams, and especially churches

When you try to self-protect, even if there’s nothing to “cover up,” other than your reputation, you dig for yourself a pit that only the mercy of God can pull you from.

So what’s the application from that lesson - walk in humility.

How? In any and every way you can discover daily, and by God’s grace first and foremost.

I have an entirely new perspective on isolating myself and protecting my own image in the name of vision and purpose.

A practical application for me is praying about and designing a new advisory for my life and businesses, my MTAs (Most Trusted Advisors) as Colonel Bouren once taught me about.

There is life and blessing found when you surround yourself with trusted advisors who will challenge you, support you, and fight alongside you.

Lastly - we need to know who we are.

This is likely the theme of my next couple of emails.

It’s an active learning, applying, and obviously therefore sharing for me.

We have been given SPECIFIC talents, gifts, personality, etc.

When you layer those together you get what we call UNIQUE.

“You’re unique, just like everybody else” … makes for a great laugh… HOWEVER

It’s true. You are UNIQUE.

That’s AMAZING!!

And when we discover (we discover, we don’t define this) who we are, and what we’re uniquely suited for, a whole new level of operating is unlocked.

I’m experiencing it in real time.

I have been poring over assessments, prayer, Scripture, to understand who I am and what I’ve been uniquely designed for.

I’ve discovered several things I’ve been burying and actually rejecting (running from), and that’s something I’m learning how to change.

But ultimately, it has been such a fun journey!

I’ll share next week some practicals, and tools I found helpful.

In the meantime… let me wrap up this somewhat random update with this…

We’re heading into the most exciting working of God you and I have ever seen.

To truly take part in it, and experience it more fully - you and I have to humble ourselves, be willing to be wrong, seek to love fully, and regain a complete and pure focus on Christ.

Without that, I have no idea what the outcome is.

With that, I can’t begin to describe how excited I am!!

It’s going to be an INCREDIBLE week!

We’ll talk soon!

Live purpose-filled and relationship rich!

-DC