the why that makes me cry
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.“
matthew 11:28-30
What motivates you to stay on task when the going gets rough? I like to make really deep goals that keep me thinking of other people and how I can best serve them. This spiritual purpose combined with a weight goal keeps me on track when my brain offers me a thought such as, “This is too hard today!”
Lately, my husband is the motivation behind all my spiritual fasting. He is very best cheerleader in all I do. He is loved by most people who know him–especially his children.
And, me, too.
He is the quiet strength and warm wind beneath my wings that enables me to soar.
I’m out in front, designing, creating, working 12-hour days and he is the solid rock that supports my craziness as I try to innovate for the love of the world!
I have been like this for all 32 years of our marriage with 3 kiddos and a busy life. This is the 3rd business that I have started so we are up to the work it takes, but we are getting older. I know he’d like to rest, travel, take it a bit easier and put his feet up. But, the reality is that I keep dragging him forward into bigger and bigger dreams. I call it Sainthood. He nods his head and agrees with a smile. I love how he supports me.
He is the why that makes me cry.
During this 3rd quarter of our lives, we are really going for our dreams. We bought a new lakehouse (old—needs renovating), started a new business, married off 2 amazing children, and I quit my corporate job.
There is short-term discomfort in going for dreams. That’s the currency we all have to pay—discomfort. He’s learned. He’s up for it.
Spiritual Fasting has taught me how to suffer well for a short time for a long-term gain—mostly closeness to Christ because we have to trust him. I say ‘we’ loosely as I have this extreme entrepreneurial spirit that thrives on excitement, mission, and passion—even when it doesn’t make sense sometimes. Mike is the solid sweet guy that goes to work every day and rights the rocking ship with every sensible bone in his body. He has given up so much these last 6 months to begin this Spiritual Fasting Business. He’s all in. He gets the mission. There is no turning back.
My mission is to bring 1 million Catholics back to the Catholic Church through Spiritual Fasting. It is not an easy task, but it isn’t just mine, either. It is a true collaboration with God that fuels my daily work. It could never ever be done without this quiet, gentle man by my side. We spiritually fast together to stay close to God, to hear his voice, to stay healthy in mind, body, and soul.
I always tell him that one day—we will play and not work so very hard. He just smiles and knows that this is and has always been the way we live—in mission. We are Catholic innovators and our hearts break to change the world for the better. He lives that dream with me. He always has. I’m motivated to be successful for him.
Our love is tried and true—only gets stronger and more beautiful with time.
Mike—is my why!
Keep fasting my friends and choose a Why that Makes You Cry to stay on track when the going gets rough!