As I approach the Season of seasons, and reflect on our Savior, I am thankful for my family, and the provision of my God. He provides all that I need, and is always just in time. Seldom does He meet my time table, as I am always in a bigger hurry than He.
Today, I am in awe of how He has brought three such beautiful women into my life.

Each one very different from the other, but all precious, loving, and giving. The Lord has gifted them similarly. Each can sing in ways I can only dream about. Each worships my Savior in very distinct ways. Each loves me in spite of myself. My incessant teasing gets annoying, my tirless quirky humor brings about a rolling of the eyes (I wish God had not made our eyes to roll...think about how many converstations would not degenerate into painful discussions).

I understand grace better because of my loving ladies...Deanna, Lauren and Whitney.
I also, was given grace by my son... because of The Son.

One of his journal entries paints an accurate and painful picture of and encounter between the two of us. In all honesty, I expected to find far more of such entries, but this is the only one. That is grace. As a parent, so many times you make mistakes. they come far too naturally. Fortunately, so does His grace. I guess he/He realized I was trying to do the best I could...and he/He loved me.

I want to share from his 2004 Peru journal today. He writes from 1 Chronicles 28:20-21:

"Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God is with you. He will not forsake you."

"Even though many times we are weak and scared, and it seems we have nothing left in us to carry on, and God feels a 1,000,000 miles away, the question is not "Do I feel good enough to do this?" or "Am I good enough?" or even "Can I do this?" because the answer to these questons are often, "No." But God is still with us, and no matter how we feel, the question is "Will I obey?" As I learned even when you're down and don't want to get back up and can't get back up, God has called us to do a work, and therefore, we should obey, no matter what the cost. For Christ was never too tired and weak to carry a tree down a long road after being nearly beaten to death, He was never too down, even after being in so much sorrow, He cried blood, even after He was betrayed 3x by one of His best friends, to be nailed to a cross and die for us.

All work is assigned by God and is (or should be) for God, not just pastoring a church or missions, or other "church" stuff, All things should and can be done for God."

Somtimes my attitude needs adjusted by His. I am thankful He is always willing to help.

serving the King beside you,

dad