There are things that I laugh at now, that used to drive me crazy! BJ was notorious for doing things slowly and methodically. I believe in part, because he was a reaction to me...always in a hurry, and doing everything as quickly as possible- even eating meals, I never met anyone who could eat faster than me (until I met Deanna). Not that it is ever a race, and I know it isn't good, but I just know how to consume quickly!

Not BJ. He mosied along the dinner plate as if it were a great adventure and he had to know every pasta noodle, individually. He may have even named some of his food, cause it was around long enough. It took him just as long to order his food, and inevitably, he would order one of the most expensive things. It wouldn't be so bad, but then he would eat maybe half on a good day. Oh did we have exhaustive conversations over this.

Perhaps it would have been quicker to have the server point out the 2 or 3 most expensive items and just let him choose. He would have been ready sooner. Poor guy, he would see my body language, and know my annoyance, and it would just make it harder! Guess who needed to change? (Sometimes I think I was born in a race car going 200 mph cause I've been struggling to slow down, since.)

The Lord has certainly taught me patience, endurance, and about long-suffering. I don't say this to solicit sympathy, I say it because it is true, and I needed to be taught these things. It just is sad to think that my growth, sometimes comes at the expense of my children.

There were more times than I would like to admit that I had to go to Beej and ask his forgiveness for losing it, or being overbearing. You know he never once had a hard time forgiving me?!

My Jesus is even more amazing at this! I sin, he forgives. Of course He died once to provide forgiveness past, present and future, but my sin is blotted out. He does not remember it. I do, but he doesn't. The father of lies loves to torment us with our past failures. He loves to try to get us to take part once again in old familiar paths. He makes them sooo alluring, even though we know they only produce emptiness, and sorrow.

We have ultimate victory, if we have Christ Jesus. There is simply no other way. Acts 4:12 says, "Salvation is found in noone else, for there is no other name under heaven, given to men by which we must be saved." There is nothing to add or subtract from Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. He paid the price, and it is ours to take hold of or reject. No middle ground. No other savior. If you don't have Jesus, you don't have life. You can pretend that there are other ways, but the author of life has made it clear that there aren't.

This is why we must GO! Get the Word out! A dying world believes in many ways to God, many ways to heaven. Jesus said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 He said this because God gave Him the authority to do so.

If you don't know Jesus, please ask Him to be your Savior and Lord. If you do, then GO!

Have a blessed weekend!

dad