evan mcbroom THE OTHER SIDE of the boat

Janie Mehaffey - a new season of life

I've known Janie Mehaffey since before I knew Christ.  I've known her as 

1. as a friend through my former job,
2. then just as a friend, 
3. then as a member of the Church Communicators Roundtable, 
4. then as a client,
5. then as an employee/colleague working in the Fishhook office in Indy,
6. then as an employee/colleague working for Fishhook from her home in South Florida,
7. then as that same employee on maternity leave,
8. then back as that same employee, but then as a mom...

Through all of those twists and turns I've come to know Janie as a passionate follow of Jesus who loves her family, as a smart communications strategist who uses her big brains for big Kingdom purposes and as a trusted advisor who is one of the wisest people I know. She's brought so much to Fishhook and her impact will be felt for years in our thinking, our processes and our mission...but now it's time to move on to a new season of life.  

 

In 2008, Janie and her husband Matt (the lead pastor of The Pursuit Christian Church) adopted Chase, a boy with more energy than even Janie.  As a big surprise in 2009, Janie and Matt learned that Chase had a new baby brother in Taiwan and without hesitation, they said "yes" to expanding their family.  Jackson will be coming home soon to the Mehaffey home and as that date draws near, Janie has decided, it's time to step away from her work at Fishhook. We're calling it "an extended leave of absence" as the door will always be open for Janie to jump back in if the time is right.  Those who know Janie, and especially those who have worked with her, won't be surprised to know that she's doing an ultra-professional job of transitioning all of her work to the rest of the Fishhook team.  Those details and that transition were never a stressor for me.  I knew that part would be smooooth.  

We totally celebrate Janie and Matt's decision and we can't wait to hear stories and see pictures of their growing family.  I'm thrilled that I'll see them soon when their work at The Pursuit brings Matt, Janie and I together at a conference in just a couple weeks.  At that time, I'll be getting together with them just as friends.  I know we'll share some laughs as we cruise into the next version of our friendship.  I hope you'll join me in wishing them well by adding your comments below. 

Indy Cornerstone Slides

In the "better late than never" category...here are my slides from a very fun day at the Cornerstone Conference last week in Indy.

Download Communicating The Next Big Thing - CKN INDY 10 30 min Blog Version

I have no regrets following God.

I just Tweeted: 

Seeing afresh 2day what I sensed God say 2me when we sold our much-cherished lake house..."You will never regret following Me."

Lisa Campbell Bauer, a Facebook friend and the former director of communications at First Christian Church in Springfield, Ohio left me a comment on Facebook.  She said, "I would love to hear the rest of the story, Evan...this is huge!"  So, as Paul Harvey would say, "Here is the rest of the story." 

 In 2007 my wife and I went through Crown Ministry's class on stewardship and in what we sensed as a step of obedience to God, we downsized our big house, trading it for one that is still wonderful, but less costly each month in mortgage, homeowners fees, utilities and such.  My income leading Fishhook was significantly less than my former agency days, and going through Crown helped move us to action. Our new house is great - and the view from our back deck (left) is so peaceful. It was a good move.  But not enough.

In 2008 my wife and I came to the realization that we also need to sell our lake house.  It was a much-loved remnant of our former lifestyle that could not be afforded.  After many, many tears we made the decision to put it up for sale.  Selling it would not only relieve us of the monthly expenses, but the proceeds of selling would help us dig out of a debt hole we'd slowly put ourselves in.  

As is typical, putting the house on the market required a couple months of projects to get it ready to sell.  Weekend after weekend, and even some weekdays I labored to make the place even more spectacular (it really was a special place - timber frame - hand carved logs - a view of the lake from a perch in the woods).  I was resolved to get this job done, and for the most part, I was focused on task.  However...the place held so many special memories, and it represented so many hoped-for days.  I had envisioned retirement there.  I anticipated days ahead with my children and their friends in high school and college days.  I was not only walking away from a wonderful past I was giving up a beautiful future there.  

So while on task, I was packing up the linen closet, and with all the windows open on a warm, early spring day, I was overcome by a nearly unbearable sense of loss.  I dropped to the floor and sat with head in hands sobbing.  I looked down the long hallway that led to the great room and looked out through the windows into the trees and sky.  As I cried, I said aloud, "God, will I regret selling this place?"

With an immediacy that passes my own ability to form a phrase in my head, I sensed a small, assuring voice say, "You will never regret following me." This voice, that speaks in full, complete thoughts, in an instant...I have come to trust as God's voice.  

I still look back on our days owning that lake house as some of the best our family has ever experienced.  I have never regretted selling it. 

Today's reminders about following God have little to do with the lake house. But today several emails have crossed my screen that remind me that I've followed God for a great purpose and I am seeing the fulfillment of my calling afresh today.  I trust I will never regret following Him.