Irony

Just in case you can't read what it says:  "Cross Country, the only sport where parents have to be in shape too"

"Can I get that in  a 2X"

'nuff said.

Turning One

 

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to, cry if I want to , cry if I want to.

4:30

Did you know that 4:30 happens two times each day? I've known it for quite some time, but recently had let it slip my mind. You know, like the old adage "out of sight, out of mind".

Did you know the best wrestling matches happen in the wee hours of the morning? No, I'm not talking about WWF or UFC or anything silly like that. I mean those times when you are wrestling with GOD. There aren't as many distractions at 4:30 in the morning. You and God both can get in some really cool moves.

God occasionally does the "touch the hip socket" move (Gen 32:25)to get your attention and that can be painful, but if you counter with the "I love you Father" move it softens Him up for the "Yes Lord" and "Your will not mine" moves. You may have to change your name, but that can be pretty cool too. (Gen 32:38)

I continue on this journey, trying to walk in obedience and often failing, but always receiving God's grace and mercy. Occasionally stopping along the way to participate in a friendly wrestling match. Learning to have patience.

Someone once told me never to pray for patience because God in His infinite wisdom (and incredible sense of humor) will begin giving you many opportunities to practice patience until it is perfected in you. The same thing goes for humility and submission and a host of other attributes we pray for.

Laura and I have a standing joke. Sometimes she will say something like "Will you make me a glass of tea?" and I will reply with "Poof, you're a glass of tea". God doesn't work like that anymore than my saying "Poof" works (at least I've never turned Laura into a glass of tea yet). When you ask for something from God, although He is totally able to do it, most of the time He doesn't say "Poof, here you go"

It's been said that if you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans. I don't really think God laughs at our plans. I think sometimes our plans sadden Him when they don't align with His purpose. God is more of a laugh with you than laugh at you sort of person. He'll let you go along on your journey, knowing you're going to make mistakes, gently pushing you in the right direction at times, but allowing you to stumble along in the dark at other times. Then when you have those flashes of brilliance and realize that He has been there all along and that you've been struggling to carry the load by yourself when all you had to do was ask, He'll sit down and have a good laugh or a good cry with you (whatever it is you need at that moment)

God loves to laugh with you. He delights in your joy when your joy is motivated by His glory. So get up with Him in the wee hours of the morning some time, wrestle with Him if you must, have a cup of coffee with Him and experience His joy.

Of David. Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
(Psa 37:1-4 ESV)

Gabby's Tree

I thought I had posted something last year with a picture of Gabby's Tree, but I can't find it. Here is the tree one year later. It has really grown, and so has Gabby.

Facebook - Arrrgggg

I don't know what's going on with my facebook account. Half the time I can't log in, then when I get in I can't update a status or comment on anyone else. And the News Feed is completely ridiculous.

I guess I'll blog more. LOL

Waiting....

I guess this father hasn't been thinking a lot lately, or at least I haven't been sharing my thoughts. The last entry on this blog was on September 12th from the Tea Party rally in Washington DC.

So what's been on my mind this past month and a half? ....

Well, mostly it's been focused on the whole employment situation. Searching for a job, applying for jobs, working on a new position as a SEO consultant (no money there yet, but looks promising), praying about jobs, waiting on God.

Waiting on God? It's taken a long time to learn and I sometimes still forget, when I run ahead of God, I usually run into a wall and end up having to turn around, go back and wait on God. There's been a lot of that this past year, and I've been stubborn and willful and proud. But I know now, at least for today, until I forget again, that I can't just say "God has a plan". I have to believe it with my entire being, have faith in it, and wait for it to be revealed in God's time.

That's hard to do. It's hard when you look at your family, your wife and daughter and granddaughter, and you don't know what tomorrow looks like. It's hard when it seems that the world is going crazy around you, and you see opportunity, but can't quite grasp it.

I had a feeling of peace recently. God has always been on time. He's always kept His promises. There are several things on the horizon that I can almost see. He says to me "Wait, it's going to be fantastic". Have you ever seen the sun set over the Great Smoky Mountains? It's like that. You know it's going to be beautiful, God says "wait, I'm making this just for you, and it's going to be wonderful". Then it starts and it just keeps getting more and more beautiful until you just can't take it all in it's so fantastic.

That's what I'm waiting for. Now I'm not just sitting on my hands with my eyes closed saying "God, let me know when it' ready". I've got my eyes wide open, my hands are busy doing the things He has given me to do each day. I get a little peek every once in a while and He encourages me to have faith and "Wait".

Now at the west lawn. Found a line to the port-o-lets, so we are standing in it. People are stil streaming in, thousands and thousands.