The Road

We all came to this earth prepared to experience all that we would with determination to prove ourselves to the Father we all love. 
While driving down the road my thoughts turned to the specific times and things that make up this wonderful life.
Becky and I know a couple who have had their own difficult experience with losing a brother in a tragic accident.  Their family is trying to cope with his unexpected passing and working hard to deal with all that comes with this sort of happening.
My heart hurts for this family and I often wonder how people will not only deal with but how will they move forward trying to make the most out of their life.
I am reminded of a well-known Biblical verse that brings hope and sheds some eternal light on this subject.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  (Matthew 11:28-29)

There isn't anything that we can't deal with or overcome.  I know that this is truth.  I continue to see the help of a loving father in my own life and the lives of those around me.  Let's be strong, let's have faith, and let's have courage.  With God...Nothing is impossible!

 

Work It!

I am amazed at the hustle and determination of people that I watch.  While at soccer practice, I watched as the kids followed the instructions that were given them.  I understand that in the evening after their day has already been full of activities they come with inner strength and they give it their best.  I help coach on Danny's team and I am always thrilled by the effort given by all of the kids on the team.  We instructed them to do a specific drill where the ball was tossed into the air and each player was then required to stop the ball, only using their feet to gain full control of it.  That isn't always the easiest task because depending on how the ball is tossed dictates the players body position to gain control of the soccer ball.  We practiced that over and over with a clear explanation of why we were running this drill.  After a while the kids were 'catchingon' to the concept and now they can implement that skill into their play.  Practice is a beautiful way to hone skills that make you better.

The Impact Of A Good Song

I was sitting in church and a choir sang a musical arrangement of a church hymn. The choir was made up of twelve people. I listened as they sang their individual parts and the harmony was beautiful. The sharing of their musical talents was the most stirring to my heart. I watched each member sing and they did so with enthusiasm. The chapel was filled with the beautiful music. I loved that there was no other background noise. Whether you are musically inclined or not doesn't matter. The influence of a song will touch the innermost parts of the human heart.

Lift Your Head High

An experience came to my remembrance. It happened when I was a young boy. I was present when a cousin of mine was wrestling in the championship match of his weight class. He too was young but a talented wrestler. The match was against a good friend of his so we all knew that there was going to be a winner and then someone would also take second place. As I think about that moment long ago I still get 'butterflies' in my stomach. They were equally matched and they understood how the other wrestled. I remember at a timeout my grandpa telling my cousin that he would give him a sizable amount of money if he won the match. My cousin was exhausted and I think grandpa was trying to give some sort of motivation to help breathe some new life into him. The matched resumed and there were back-and-forth points earned by both wrestlers. At the very end of the match my cousin had nothing left in his 'tank.' He let down his defensive guard and his opponent and good friend pinned him to the mat for a victory. I will never forget the tears of frustration that flowed from my cousin's eyes.
I have had and continue to experience my own frustrations. That is a fact of life. Because those are going to happen the secret seems to be to lift up your head and find what is good in what you consider to be an unfortunate situation.

I Believe

From the time that I was a young boy I have possessed a deep feeling of belief.  That belief is important in my life--those feelings are my life.
As a young boy my heart was stirred by the reality that there is so much more to life than what I see on the surface.  That reality has caused me to reflect each and every day.  
I want to be a good boy.  I want to do what is right.  I want to live a life that is worthy of the blessings that are in store when I choose the right.  That is the same for everybody.
I owe my parents for teaching and instilling in me the ability to recognize what is truly important.

Work Is A Good Thing

I have always felt that good hard work is a blessing.  At this point in my life I feel especially grateful for good employment and the opportunity to support my family. 
A recent conversation with a man I know solidified the fact that to work hard is imperative.  It doesn't mean that everything is always just the way you hope it will be but through dedication and hard work things seem to work out the way they need to.
I am thankful for the vision I have been blessed with to start something and then work hard to see it through.

Memories Are Great!

Last night I was in the kitchen and a song came into my mind that I haven't even thought about for a very long time.
It is a song written about the Biblical account of the Good Samaritan.  It's entitled "Do Likewise My Friend."
That parable is one of my favorites.  I love the account and the meaning it has for each one of us.

"Do likewise my friend, so simple the call, from the Greatest of all.  Do likewise my friend, and you shall live.  Do likewise my friend."

Those lyrics remind me of the obligation we have as sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. 
I love that this particular song was recounted in my mind.  In fact, I went upstairs and pulled it up on YouTube and listened to it.
I want to follow the desire of my Father.  It's great knowledge to have!