We’ve been awhile on the road and I am looking forward to getting home in another week… even if Alabama is stupid hot. I was able to get out of that heat for almost three weeks, so I rejoice.

And I will glad to be home as well.

We’ve been back in Minneapolis spending time with our sons and spouses along with meeting wonderful friends. It is a joy. It’s always good for my heart to be back in Minneapolis as well, a city I truly have in my heart.

Through all of this journey I’ve had a lot on my mind as I’ve spent time with people, listened to podcasts and books along the way, and reflected. There is so much going on in our world. It is going at blinding speeds. Change all around.

In all of it I have come to one solid conclusion: I am thankful to be clinging to Jesus.

There are a lot of other complicated things to ponder, but clinging to Jesus keeps me grounded as I try to process all that spins around me. I need him. Long ago I grabbed on to a phrase from Dallas Willard, “Jesus is the smartest person in the room.” I have also latched on to another truth: “Jesus is beautiful.”

I cling to HIM. He IS indeed beautiful and all I want is to reflect his beauty. I am also grateful that over the years I can truly affirm he is indeed the smartest person in the room and I practice the most basic Kingdom principle as a result: ASK HIM.

The nature of the Kingdom is to ASK.

Friends, Jesus is all I have. I cling to him because this is how I navigate this complex life. I don’t make simple answers about anything anymore. I do the simple act of clinging to Jesus in all of the complex navigation. He knows the way. I trust him.

Thank you to those who are navigating life much like I am. You inspire me. You motivate me. You cause my heart to rejoice!

There is an old gospel hymn (dear GOD I am that old to say a phrase like that!) that has a simple line saying: It is Jesus.

This is where I stand. It is HIM. The smartest person in the room. The Beautiful One.