8 p.m. ….

“We’re not called to be comfortable, but to be faithful”

Irene Dias

That quote rings in my ears and that “mantra” has been a significant part of our family philosophy, since July 1, 1995.  Why, you ask?  On that date we moved from Merced to the Santa Cruz area.  It was a defining date for us that we vividly remember.  We were leaving everything that was familiar …. home, neighborhood, family, friends, church, schools, shopping malls, business and community leadership (I was Mayor Pro Tempore at the time), and moving to a new destination on our life journey.  We were confident that God was calling us, but all four of us were leaving our “comfort zones” to an “unknown territory” …. mostly a location and future we knew little about.

The first 24 months were especially challenging for a variety of reasons but we really grew spiritually.  It was during that season that Irene’s quote became the mantra that we use to this day.

I am reminded of the following journey that the Old Testament Patriarch, Abraham, was on.  From this verse it appears that his “comfort zones” were being challenged as well:

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home …. like a stranger in a foreign country ….”

Heb 11:8-9

And Jesus simply wants to know if he will find us faithful upon his return:

“However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Luke 18:8b

Irene’s quote is very powerful.  She isn’t called to be comfortable on the road she’s on, but she is called to be faithful.  And that she is.  Maybe that is what accounts for her gentle, trusting, yet determined spirit along the way.

We went to the dialysis center today for Irene’s blood “cross-check” in preparation to receive two units of blood on Monday morning.  The combination of three powerful nausea medications is giving Irene some tummy relief.

Since Irene still cannot go out to public places, we picked up

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Please note the incredible photograph below.  It’s a spectacular gift to Irene, especially in light of Hosanna and Julian’s accompanying commentary, stated below.  You can learn more about their wonderful work at www.naturespraise.com.

“Hi Dave,

The attached photo is for Irene.  It’s a photo of the rose, Royal Amethyst, which won a fragrance award at the Portland Rose Festival.  Irene’s life and testimony are a fragrant offering to the Lord.  On each side of this purple rose are two rose buds, like two daughters at their mother’s side.

Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family!

Hosanna and Julian”

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7 p.m…

Do you have any “woulda, coulda, shoulda’s…?

Ask yourself the following questions to measure your “woulda, coulda, shoulda” quotient…

• What would I attempt right now if I knew that I wasn’t going to fail?
• What could I do today that I have not yet taken advantage of?
• What have I always thought that I should be doing, but haven’t done so for whatever reason?
• Am I more concerned about being a “people pleaser” or truly pursuing what I know to be the “right thing” and that which is consistent with my core belief system…even at the expense of the criticism which will come my way?

Ultimately, the question is this: “Am I living my life without any regrets?”

Irene certainly is…and has. She is someone who has a gentle spirit but strong convictions. She has lived her adult Christian life based upon priority and principle…even when it wasn’t popular to do so.

Irene would especially apply the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” principle in her first priority as a mom. For years she would give up certain privileges and opportunities because she didn’t want to compromise her FIRST commitment to Jocelyn and JoAnna. When confronted with various choices she would often tell me, “I am going to do “X’ because I don’t want to have any regrets”.

Here’s just one small example: When our girls were growing up 20+ years ago it was in vogue to send kids to the day care center. In fact, there was “evidence” that your children wouldn’t be “socially balanced” and able to “compete” and “succeed” if they didn’t attend day care. Irene wasn’t “cool” as the only “non-working” mom in the neighborhood…but it didn’t mater to her. When other moms were dropping their kids off and going to work, Irene did the “stay at home” thing… And when certain people would share with her very condescendingly, “Oh, is that all you do…I would be so bored..” she would graciously acknowledge to them what was most important to her…which was maintaining our home and being available for the girls…and to this day she has no regret for that decision. I guess

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