Simple Can Be Powerful

A few weeks ago, a longtime friend of mine passed away. I first met Mac, of the Clemson-famous Mac’s Drive-In, in 1989 when I had my first burger there as a freshman in college. From that time, till the summer of 2005 when I moved to Columbia, I saw and talked with Mac anywhere from 2-5 times a week as I sat down at the bar for a meal or just stopped by for a to-go cup of the best sweet tea in the world.

For those of you who are not familiar with Mac’s, this article does a pretty good job of capturing the essence of the place.

(Thanks, Candice for the sweet pic)

Now I know what some of you are thinking. As just a regular patron of his restaurant, can I really call the man a friend? And that is where the magic and legendary status of Mac exists. In a very unassuming way, he had this way of making regulars at the restaurant feel like friends.

One of my favorite exchanges with Mac was during my junior or senior year. My regular company to Mac’s was my friend Joel Ward. He and I would always go to lunch at Mac’s on Tuesdays, grab a burger, shoot the breeze, and play a game of pinball. Then one day, I showed up at the restaurant with a girl friend of mine. Mac, as he finished taking our order, turned to walk away and in his typical low mumble that only I could hear, says “looks like you are keeping better company these days.” Haha… I immediately started laughing and of course the girl wanted to know what I was laughing about. All I said was, “he likes you.”

In thinking about my friendship with Mac and reflecting on the amazing reputation he had among the Clemson community, one thought keeps coming to my mind. In a world of ever-increasing complexity where strong, bold, creative people are valued and heralded, Mac became a legend in his own lifetime by simply serving people burgers and fries. But it did not happen overnight. He did it for over 50 years! What a life lesson that is. So many of us spend years and years chasing “something big” when something simple and obvious may be the right choice. I hope that at the end of my life, it can be said that I had a positive impact on literally thousands of people’s lives. Not for my glory, but for God’s.

Thanks, Mac for helping me to see that sometimes life really is not that complicated. I will miss seeing you.

Giants

I was reading the beginning of Joshua the other day, and the all-too-familiar words “be strong and courageous” jumped out at me. How many times have I read or heard those in my life? I mean, those are like the Christian self-help mantra, right? But they are much more than some macho rally cry. At the time God spoke them to Joshua, they were sadly appropriate. I mean, the last time the Israelites had been poised to enter into the tremendous blessings that God had prepared for them, they didn’t have faith that God would do what he said he would and got scared.

I am at a similar place in my life right now. I feel like God is leading me to Brazil. But there are some giants in the way. Getting past them seems like an impossible task. Some days I doubt if I am hearing God clearly, but more often I just feel like nothing is happening. And then the often repeated words seem louder, more relevant.

“Be strong and courageous.” Not because you are smart enough or strong enough to make something happen, but because “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” He is preparing both the place and the way.

Whew! I am glad all that is not on my shoulders. And I am excited to see what God does with all of this. He seems to like writing good stories!

New Category

In light of my recent news, I have created a new category on my blog called “Brazil.” If you want to read about my previous trips there and thoughts from those trips, you can check those posts out here.

Change of Address: Brazil?!

Back in November I took my 3rd trip to Brazil. (highlights here) I have always enjoyed my trips there and have definitely felt a connection with both the place and the people. Although I didn’t publicize it much, during each of my previous 2 trips I was actively praying about and considering the possibility of moving there. My cousin Demps (who lives there) and I had talked about it extensively and had even mapped out some specifics. But each time I didnt feel like that was what God wanted me to do.

My most recent trip was different right from the start. This time I was not actively thinking about moving there. I was just going to spend some time with Demps and the other people I know there, and to enjoy being in Brazil. But apparently God had different plans. Almost immediately after I got there things started to feel different. In addition to the same connection I had felt in the past, I started feeling more of a desire to be there. To join in with what God is and has been doing through their ministry and church over the past 11 years. I also could see very specific ways that I could plug in, work that needs to be done that I enjoy doing or have experience with.

But I am not a very impulsive person, so I just kept it to myself. And God kept prodding me. Throughout my 2 weeks there, people would unknowingly say things to me that exactly confirmed things that had been on my heart and mind, like they had been reading my journal or something. For several reasons I kept all this to myself until the end of the trip, but when I finally did begin to talk about it with Demps, things really seemed to become more clear. Not only did he continue to confirm many of the things I had been thinking, but he gave me that additional encouragement and enthusiasm that really pushed me over the edge. So the result of all that is this:

I am very likely going to be moving to Brazil sometime within the next year!!

Yes, you read that correctly. Even as I write that, it sounds strange to me. But I am very excited! Not in only an emotional sense, and not just because of the adventure or the destination, but because I feel like God is in it. There are so many things that seem to be lining up… way too many to write right now.

But here’s what’s next: Before I can actually go, there are many, many things that have to be worked out. From a human standpoint, some of them are very big obstacles. And God could close the door at any time. But until he does, I am praying very boldly that he will move in some powerful and obvious ways to confirm that he is in this and that he will take care of those obstacles.

I will be writing more as things progress, and would definitely appreciate your prayers! If you are interested in more details or have any other thoughts… I would love to hear from you!

Prodigal

I’m really not trying to get on a video reposting kick, but ran across this one from my friends at NewSpring today, and LOVED it!

Christmas Was Last Week, but….

… this version of Oh Come Emmanuel is very cool. Hope you like it!

Christmas Lights and Music!

I don’t know why, but I really love these things. Good thing I don’t have the cash to spend, or you might see my house flashing to cool tunes this time of year! Below are my current favorites. For my favorites from previous years, click here and here. Merry Christmas!!

Of Mice and Men, Part 2

A while back I wrote about some things that had been going on with me the previous few months, in Of Mice and Men, Part 1. Although quite a bit of time has passed, I wanted to pick back up and finish out the thoughts I started there.
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After being in that place of indecision for quite a while, the misery of inaction finally became greater than the misery of risk and the unknown and I began exploring other paths. All kinds of paths, some that looked inviting and some that didn’t. I revived my efforts to network and grow my business. I applied for all kinds of jobs. And it felt good to be moving again. Much better than sitting still in indecision. But there was one major problem. All the paths ended up in dead ends. My business has continued to struggle, I have had no success in getting another job, and I even lost the desire to explore any more. I got depressed, and really angry with God. All I was trying to do was figure out what he wanted me to do with my life. Why wasn’t he helping out at all?

It was at this point that things suddenly changed. I remember sitting in Starbucks one morning as I often do, reading my Bible and writing in my journal and God started speaking to me. Now before you fly by that last statement, know that I am not one of those people who throws around those words on a regular basis. But this was powerful. And clear. The words and thoughts coming to my mind were almost audible. And here is what he said:

…….
Lee, stop seeking fulfillment in the idea of calling more than you seek it in me. You think that if I just reveal it to you then you will be satisfied, but that is not the case. If I gave you what you wanted, it would ruin you. It would seem good for a while, but calling cannot support all your hopes, dreams, and desires. Only I can do that. So I have kept it from you so that you will learn to be satisfied in me.

Second, you have to trust me. You have to trust me with your life direction even when it doesn’t seem to make any sense. When all the paths seem to be dead ends or worse, you have to trust that I am always at work. And that my work is always good.
……..

I wish I could express how powerful these words were. It is as if my eyes had been closed and now they were opened. How could I not have realized these things before now? I got choked up right there in Starbucks, overwhelmed with sadness for the frustration and pain my thoughts and actions had caused me and overwhelmed with gratitude for God’s grace and patience with me.

Since that morning, things have changed quite a bit. My business is still struggling, I still have not found another job. I am still exploring all sorts of possibilities. But the exploring is different. It is less frantic and more confident. More optimistic. Not in my ability to figure out the “puzzle,” but trusting that God is in control and that he will work things out in his time and his way, which are better than anything I can ask or imagine.

Brazil

As some of you may know, I made my 3rd trip to Brazil over the past 2 weeks. My cousin and his family live there, and I went down to spend some time with him and many of the other people I have met there in the past. It was a great trip as always, here were my top 10 favorite things: (click the picture above to see some pictures)

1. Perfect weather – shorts during the day, jeans in the evening, no humidity!
2. Belo Horizonte – I love big cities, and BH is no exception. (6.5 million) So many people, so much energy and things going on.
3. Futsal – 5 man soccer on a hard court. Played some, (humbling) and watched some top-level intramurals (amazing)
4. Acai – Brazilian berries that are usually blended with ice into a smoothie consistency and served with granola, bananas, and/or strawberries. So good!
5. Food – I could go on and on here, but a typical Brazilian meal consists of lots of fresh fruit, rice & beans, and TONS of grilled steak, chicken, and pork!
6. Flying business class – I know it sounds crazy, but on the way back I got to fly business class for the first time ever. It is a whole different experience than flying coach; tons of room, good food, and an almost fully reclining seat. So great, especially for an overnight flight. I actually slept a little, which never happens for me on planes!
7. Brazilians – love to meet new people, and are very welcoming and friendly. Loved getting to see old friends and meeting lots of new ones!
8. Brazilian generosity – One new friend literally gave me the shirt off his back because I said I liked it, and another gave me some really rare blocks of wood when I told him my dad liked making things out of wood.
9. Time with my cousin – Demps is one of my favorite people. We are definitely kindred spirits and I enjoyed being able to spend 2 weeks just hanging out and talking with him.
10. Campus Outreach Brazil and Communidade Horizonte church – God is really doing some amazing things through this small group of people in BH. The love of Jesus is being spread and lives are being changed. I am thankful to be able to be connected to and witness it.

Don’t Try This at Home!

When the manual says, “heater core replacement not recommended for the home mechanic,” it means it! 9 hours in, and haven’t even started putting it back together.