This spring has been eventful – and very fun!

We have had some great family time in ND, camping with neighbors (also dear friends), visitors from CA whom we love dearly, and a fun time in WI with the Eastway fam.

Throughout the laughter, great food and good times, there have been some tough spots in the middle of the joy.

This life is no joke. It’s tough at times. Like beef jerky.

In the middle of all of these experiences, we’ve had kids and adults (ok me) throw tantrums, tough and beautiful talks of marriage, faith, career, snapping at each other, battles with heartbreak, loss of relationship, death, depression and plenty of “I’m so sorry” and tears.

Here’s the thing about beef jerky though – Chew on the toughness long enough and it becomes sweet and soft.

If we take the time to chew on this life together, to take a deep breath, apologize, talk through it and vow to stick together…

That’s when the sweetness starts to slowly erupt in our relationships.

Next weekend we head to the lake with some dear friends from the CA days. We’ve done so much life with these families throughout the last 13 years. Marriage, kids, career changes, moves across the country, the death of a parent.

We argue, we mourn, we pray, we sing, we play, we laugh and we raise a glass to the beef jerky life together. And WE LOVE.

May each of you do the same this week. Choose to live the beef jerky life in community. It’s tough and potentially sweet.

Kevin

PS – with some reflection, I’m realizing that our biggest financial supporters in YL include all of the people we are spending time with over these months. Also included in this group are some of our most faith-filled pray-ers and encouragers in life, ministry, family and career. These folks mean the world to us.

The beef jerky life is one of mutual and communal support – with whatever PLENTY God has given us to share. What a gift in the midst of the tough becoming sweet.