Averageyouthpastor

Goodbye For Now

Yesterday evening I was privileged to have the opportunity to take the most amazing person in the world out for ice cream...my daughter, Abby.  We decided to go to Dairy Queen where we shared a Banana Split and we laughed with each other...loudly...and a lot. 

While we were sitting there a mom came in with her two children and sat in a booth close to us. They were all enjoying their ice cream, not as much as Abby and I, when the mother received a phone call.  Now I don't know who called her and I wasn't trying to be nosey, but I could tell by her tears and by what she was saying that she just found out someone very dear to her had just passed away. 

I just couldn't take my mind off of this family for the rest of the time we were there.  I wanted to get up and give them a hug.  I wanted to see if there was anything I could do for them.  I wanted them to know that, in some ways, I knew what they are going through.  But what I did do was enjoy the rest of the time I had with my daughter eating ice cream, go to the car, and I quietly prayed for the family as we pulled away.  

Losing those we love and care for is such a difficult part of this life.  We will always have the memories to cherish and remind us of how much those that we care for have meant to us.  We also have the hope of everlasting life and the opportunity to see them again when they are in heaven.  

Sometimes it's important that we are reminded that this life we live is only temporary.  As I sat there sharing a special moment with my daughter last night, a family was grieving over their loss and beginning the process of saying goodbye.  

I don't know the name of the family and I didn't feel like it would be appropriate to speak with them last night, but I would pray that during this time they would have peace.  I pray that they would hold on to the hope that someday soon they will be together again.  The peace that comes from knowing that can make a world of difference.  It doesn't have to be goodbye forever...my prayer would be it's only goodbye for now. 

"I will turn their mourning into gladness.  

 I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."

                                                                                            Jeremiah 31:13

 

Being Honest

INT. PLAY ROOM - DAY

  ABBY and SIDNEY are playing.  They are laughing and dancing around when, all of a sudden, there is a short moment of silence before SIDNEY begins CRYING.

DAD

Abby, why is Sidney crying?

ABBY

Because I hit her on the back with this big stick.

SIDNEY

Abby, hit me on my back and it hurted.

DAD

Why would you hit Sidney with a stick?

ABBY

She wouldn't give me back that My Little Pony.

SIDNEY

No Hit, Abby.  Bad. Bad Abby.

ABBY heads over to the naughty mat to spend some time THINKING about why it might be bad to hit people with sticks. 

END SCENE

MORAL OF THE STORY

Don't hit people with a stick just because you want your My Little Pony back. 

Naughty mats are where children learn to think.

The truth can be shocking, but still worth sharing.

  

Be Thankful!

Once I became a teenager it seemed like Thanksgiving became a day where I was stuck at home, waited way to long to finally eat, and played my part in the special game of which brother would start the family argument this year.  Having children of my own has given me a new perspective on this holiday season and is another example of the young leading the old in my life.   Last night I asked Abby what she was thankful for....

 "I am thankful to be a big sister. I am thankful for Sidney.  I am thankful for Mommy and Daddy. I am thankful for my princess toys.I am thankful for my friends......I am thankful for everything!" 

It's been a challenging year for a lot of us this year.  

The economy has tightened the clamps on the lifestyle many of us were used to. 

Maybe you believe God has forsaken you because a Democrat was elected.  

For some of us, we lost a dear family member or close friend making the holidays challenging this year.  

But through all the the ups and downs we still have so much to be thankful for.  Life's journey sometimes just causes us to lose perspective.  It took a little girl to remind me again just how much I have to be thankful for.  

Family. Friends. Salvation. Health. A Job. A Smokin' Hot Wife. 

Using Paul's words in his letter to the Philippians,  

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3

My prayer this holiday season for all of us would be that we think less about gifts this year and spend more time on those we are giving gifts to or receiving gifts from.  People matter - Stuff doesn't. 

Just some thoughts from a father who is learning everyday from his daughter. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

  

A Recovering Hypocrite

I had a chance to go to the Deadly Vipers session at Catalyst last week. If you haven't read the book Deadly Vipers Character Assassins you need to take the time to read this book. I felt like God was dealing with me more in this session than any other session at Catalyst. The desire of their ministry is that all people deserve a second chance. That you could make a decision today to change the areas in your life that are holding you back from being who God intends for you to be....no matter how terrible your sin may seem to you. The only way to get to that point though is to be surrounded by people that will love you unconditionally and to create an environment where people can be honest. A couple of days ago, Mike Foster wrote a blog about his road to healing and I want to share it with those that read my blog. To be honest, it broke me when I read this because it hit home. My biggest fear is placing my career or the pursuit of my goals over my family. There are some sacrifices for those of us that are in full time ministry....our family should never be one of those sacrifices.

Take a second to go read this blog - "How to be a Hypocrite"