They Deserve

There are articles in our nation's newspapers and the news stations cover stories that involve the mistreating of children.  The thought came to my mind as I was sitting in church that our children deserve to be treated in a respectful and kind way.  I understand that they need to be talked to sternly in appropriate times to get their attention.  I am talking about the abusive behavior that some people display because they want their children to do it 'their way'. 
I have mentioned, in the past, that I was raised in a loving home where structure was apparent and expected.  My mom and dad cared deeply about one another.  I knew what the expectations were and I tried my best to adhere to those. My siblings would see it in another light, I'm sure.)  I was never verbally or physically abused in any way. 
I read about a boy who was asked to pen on paper his experience at home.  He talked about the many things about his upbringing; those were touching.  The key part of his writing was the unity of his mom and dad.  Because they were together, it brought unity to the entire family.
Our children deserve the best we can give them.  They thrive on love.  Don't let a day go by where you tell them that you love them.  More importantly is that you show them that you love them.  I know that we all can do it.  It will bring about the unity that a lot of families strive to have.

Of Course It's A Kid That Makes Me Smile

I forgot to tell you about the young man I saw at the St. Louis Cardinals' baseball game.  This boy looked to be between ten and twelve years old.  He particularly caught my attention because he rode in a motorized wheel chair.  He was able to operate the chair with his right hand.  He was a very good driver, I might add.  I wondered what his story was and what his current condition was and what the future would hold for him.  The striking part about this boy was the smile he wore on his face.  His father, I assume, walked next to his as the passed by me.  Without being an obnoxious 'stareball' I watched he and his dad for a few moments longer.  Their interaction was cute and there was no doubt of their love for one another.
I feel extremely blessed because of the people all around me in this world.  I don't know most of the people but their situations are all so different.  What a blessing it is to have people who hit their challenges 'head-on' and strive to do the best that they can for the specific situation that they call, their life.
Sunday brings me great comfort.  I try to make it a day that is noticeably different from all other days of the week.  It is a valuable time to spend with our family and to feel of each other's love.  I want to be a good example of a follower of Jesus Christ.  I want to be a person who takes my situation, of a great life, and help bless the lives of other people.  I want to be like the young man at the ball game who smiled in his own circumstances and in turn blessed my life for good.  It is my sincere desire to be all that I can be and help those whose heads hang low.  There are blessings all about us and I know that our Heavenly Father will bless those who bless my life...there are many who do.

Attitude Is Our Way To Control

I had a conversation with a man who told me about a young woman who he knows that is pregnant.  A bit of bad news came to this young woman and her husband that the baby she is carrying has some serious problems.  It caused me to think about life and the various things that we all experience.  My mind raced as I thought about the miracle of having children, even with the reality of knowing that many things can go 'wrong' during the development of a baby. 
Because there are so many things that are out of our control, in life, it becomes increasingly important to remain upbeat and optimistic. 
I shared several hours with a person who is a complete 'downer'.  I am grateful that I don't think or act that way.  It is difficult to be around a person who thinks and acts that way.
I am personally committed to being the type of person that when others are around me, they feel hopeful.  There is a lot to be said about optimism in every facet of life.
As for this young expecting mom and dad, their hope must be anchored on faith and trust that God will help them in the days and weeks ahead.  That needs to be the focus of our every day life.  Faith, hope, trust, humility.  Those are a few of the characteristics that when practiced and implemented into our own lives will help through the various challenges that we will surely face.  The other things that are in our control need to be done methodically and correctly so that our focus can be primarily placed on the obstacles that lie in front of us. 
The hopeful will always fall back on the positive.  Life is good!  Even in adversity, life is good!

Seems Like Just The Other Day

I attended a wedding reception of a newly married couple.  The bride is the youngest daughter of one of our friends.  I watched the bride and groom very carefully as we stood in the wedding line to greet them.  I watched how they treated each other and the way they interacted.  I was pleasantly pleased with their love and affection for one another.  I must say that I am 'picky' when it comes to how couples treat one another.
Let me share an example of something that has bothered me in the past and continues to do so.  Becky and I have attended weddings and there is excitement all about and the celebration of the wedding is a lot of fun.  The time comes for the cutting of the cake.  I hold my breath every time wondering if the cake portion is going to be a part of the celebration or a nightmare I wish would never happen.  You probably know what I'm going to say.  Yep, you got it.  If the wedding day is one of the greatest days in a person's life, and it's the day when the bride gets to look beautiful and the groom gets all spiffed up to look handsome, then why in the world would either a man or woman smash and smear cake and icing all over their new spouse's face?  I haven't been able to figure that out.  There isn't an explanation that someone can give me that will justify or convince me that there is anything funny or entertaining about that sort of behavior.
Now back to this wedding reception tonight.  There was complete love, gentleness, and, above all, respect for each other as husband and wife. 
It made me very happy to be a small part of their day.  I am grateful for respect and the important role that it plays in all of our lives.  I want to be known as someone who cares enough about myself and others as it pertains to showing respect...no matter what!
It seems like just the other day that Becky and I were starting our life together.  I'm grateful that she has treated me like a million bucks.  My single greatest desire is to treat her the very best that I can on any given day.   It makes life enjoyable.  I love you more than you will ever really know.  Thanks Beck!

A Memorable Visit

I need to tell you about a visit I had today.  May I preface by saying that I love to visit with people, especially the elderly, who really appreciate it.
There is an elderly man who our family has known for many years.  We have loved and enjoyed he and his wife like another set of grandparents.  One year and three months ago, this man's wife passed away.  He was saddened, of course, but has done his best to keep moving forward.  During our visit, today, we sat on the front porch and talked about life and everything that we are experiencing.  We expressed our love for one another and I felt grateful to be in his presence.  I could see that he was thrilled to have a visit and that we were able to 'catch up' on the happenings of our respective lives.
When I was a young boy, my dad was called to be a bishop in the Mormon church.  I remember that he loved to spend his time visiting the elderly and attending to their needs.  I often went with him and watched as he gently cared for them.  He was always willing to show affection for them.  Some of the widows that we visited had lost their husbands to death and probably hadn't hugged a man for many years.  I was grateful that he wasn't afraid to show affection for these old and also lonely people.
The simple visit to someone will brighten and lighten their day.  A phone call to let somebody know that you were thinking about them will bring immeasurable joy to their hearts.  Even the most simple acts, still show that you care for someone else.  The visit today blessed my life too.

Come With Us

Several weeks ago, I drove past an elementary school nearby my workplace.  I have driven past this same school hundreds of times throughout the years, but this particular time was different.  A scene, on the playground, got my attention.  Two boys walked toward a boy who was seated on the asphalt all alone.  The body language of the two boys seemed like they were confronting the single boy in a bullying sort of fashion.  I was surprised when I continued to watch what would eventually unfold.  I obviously couldn't hear the verbal exchange but the 'visual' was good enough.  The two boys stopped in front of the boy, whose head hung down, and began to speak to him.  At first, the seated boy kept his head down and appeared to say nothing.  The other boy, who was standing, exchanged words of his own and the boy's head lifted until he looked up.  One of the boy's motioned with his hand for the seated boy to come join them.  I watched for a minute longer as a boy reached out his hand to the one all alone and pulled him to his feet.  The three boys walked away together and the one who was once left alone was greeted and included by a couple who cared.
What a lesson it was for me.  I love to see other people doing good for somebody else.  I want to be like the two boys who went out of their way to befriend another.

Fair Or Unfair?

When I was a teenager, I decided on a particular weekday that I wasn't feeling up to attending school and had told my mom that I was I'll and was going to stay home from school. My mom lived by the rule that if you were too sick to go to school, then you were surely too sick to participate in any other activities on the day of the illness. There wasn't the opportunity of sudden healing once the hour arrived when school let out for the day. For some unknown reason, I thought that since there was a regional playoff church basketball game that night that she would find it in her heart to allow me to play in the game. She 'stuck to her guns' and told me that I was too ill to be playing in the game. I told her that I would not be playing in the game, only cheering on and supporting my team. (Now isn't that the biggest stretch of the truth you've ever heard?) She did allow me to go, but only as a spectator. Well, to make a long story short, I went against my word and played. Within a short amount of time, I received my second technical foul and was promptly thrown out of the game. In order to participate, the following season, I had to have permission granted from my parents and my church leaders. My parents were going to know about this incident. I went home and informed my parents of my stupidity. It was a hard lesson for me to learn. Moral of this story. Tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Do what you say you are going to do...all of the time! That one experience taught me a lesson I haven't forgotten nor will I ever forget.