As I write this, I am the only person on a small beach at 5:45 a.m. in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. The beach is in Door County and on a peninsula with Lake Michigan to the east and Green Bay (the bay, not the city) to the west of where I sit. The sun is slowly rising over the water...bright and streaking across the gentle waves toward me. The water rhythmically comes ashore giving me the soundtrack to my morning.

There are several sailboats anchored not too far in the distance. The air is crisp and I am wearing a light weight jacket to keep warm. I am in Peninsula State Park staying at a campground with my family. The beach is in a little cove rimmed with a beautiful green tree line. The park itself, like some in Missouri, is full of forests and trails to enjoy.

Accompanying the water in my soundtrack are the numerous birds starting their day. I forget how beautiful their calls can be if you really listen. The peacefulness of this place, at this time, is simply wonderful. I am truly fortunate to be able to experience it.

Like many, I am driven by my work and lose sight of the beauty of the world we live in. My desire to succeed at what I do so others have a better life sometimes make me forget that there is beauty, jaw dropping, make you speechless beauty.

What this gorgeous place does, however, is remind me that as I take it all in, spend wonderful time with my family and recharge my batteries is that many of the people Beyond Housing serves don’t have this opportunity. The reality of poverty is that it would be nearly impossible to scrape together the funds to rent the campsite, rent the camper, drive ten hours to get here, buy all of the food that you eat to cook at a campsite and all the other costs associated with coming here. I am not naïve enough to think that just sitting here on this beach will magically transport someone out of poverty. I do believe that experiences like this are good for the mind, body and soul are are undernourished for most that live in poverty.

I cannot imagine what the daily grind of struggling of living in poverty can do to you over time. Sure, there are moments of laughter and joy, but I am willing to bet they are followed by the reality of life that is far too difficult. I want our work at Beyond Housing to bring people the peace I feel right here, right now. I want the families we serve to be able to find their way to whatever place brings them the calm I feel right here, right now. I want the families we serve to really know the beauty of our world. What does that bumper sticker say “God bless everyone, I mean everyone”. I want the families we serve to be as blessed as I am.