Fatherhood--And All Other Blessings

I am grateful for the priviledge of being a dad.  Today marks the 17th birthday of our oldest child (Natalie).  Happy Birthday!

I want to share a few feelings of my heart.  The first one is how quickly time has passed and the reality that it will be over before we can believe it.  I am so grateful for Nat and the kind of individual she is and the things that she 'stands for'.  I thank you for all that you do.

The second feeling is the gratitude I feel for Becky.  It is she who sacrificed and made the feelings I'm talking about possible.  She has always been a kind woman and she will do anything for anyone.  I am grateful for who she is and all that she does to enrich the lives of us all.

I love birthdays and want they represent.  This one has been a great one and I pray that life will be as rich as we want it to be.  Heaven shines it's love on us daily!

Music Teaches

A song came to my mind that caused me to reflect on my childhood days gone long ago.  They were such happy times for me and I feel exceptionally grateful for the way I was raised.  “When we’re helpful, we’re happy and we sing as we go.  For we like to help mother cuz we all love her so.  When we’re helpful, we’re happy and we sing as we go.  For we like to help father cuz we all love him so.”

I am grateful for my life and I appreciate the things I was taught and can now implement in my own child rearing opportunity.

Jump It

Did you know that the height of a hurdle ranges between 30 and 42 inches?  On a full sprint people jump those and make it look incredibly simple while doing it.

Let’s compare those same hurdles to the ones that confront us in our daily lives.  Some of those hurdles might look like this.  Having tolerance for all people.  Talking in a nice tone—especially to those who mean the most to us?  Rendering service to someone in need—even when it’s inconvenient?  How about the neighbor that drives you completely nuts? 

These are just a few.  There is an assortment of many others.

It just doesn’t matter the height that those hurdles are.  We have the power to control what we do and how we will react. 

Try a little harder tomorrow than you did today and soon you will see the difference by the effort that you give.

Somebody New

I love meeting new people.  There is a man that I just met who has three children and is recently divorced after twenty years of marriage.  During our conversation I learned that he currently works three jobs and his parents take care of his children, for the most part.  He has full custody of them.  He has a set of twins who are sixteen and a thirteen year old.  He spoke with a smile on his face and I wondered to myself how in the world he does it.  The answer he gave to me made perfect sense.  It is his faith that keeps him anchored to the things that are really important.

I would like to remind us all that there are misfortunes in life but there are plenty of examples of people who make the best out of those situations. 

Be thankful for what you have and strive to make the best out of every moment, even when it gets tough.

He Is Given

The Bible teaches us something of great import.  A favorite scripture is found in John 3:16.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  How thankful I am for the Savior.  I was deep in thought today and my mind turned to the love I feel for Jesus Christ.  It is by and through Him that we can overcome the weaknesses we have and the mistakes we make. 

When I was a little boy I wondered how it was possible that this Jesus could take away the wrongs that I make.  I can honestly say that at 40 years old I still wonder how He can do that.  The logistics of His precise part and how it all works in the Plan of our Heavenly Father are complex but I know it is real.  I do know that His distinct role will cleanse us because I have experienced it repeatedly in my own life.  I enjoy the peace that comes because of Him.

The future is bright!  Through continued practice, some of life's lessons get easier.  I am thankful for my life as I keep moving forward always learning from my mistakes.  I will always be indebted to the Savior for all that He has done.

One For The Ages

We attended a soccer game last night.  Our youngest son Danny loves the game and is fortunate to play on a team with a good coach and players who are willing to hustle.
I was amazed at the hustling play of each team member and I was reminded of what happens when people accomplish something as a team.
I have been taught and then reminded of my role as a team player in our family.  It takes the gifts of each person to carry out and succeed. 
I am grateful for Becky and the important role she plays as a wife and mother.  She does so much and her role blesses each member of our family. 
I hope that I am the kind of husband and father who plays as a team member and wants to succeed so that our family will be happy.

I Love People

It has been a rich blessing to have relationships and friendships that are meaningful in many different ways.  The friendships that I enjoy are with people who have the desire to do good things and be good decent people.
When I was young I wanted to have as many friends as there was possible to have.  I hoped that when I grew up that the number of those friends would be countless.
It's not countless but I have enjoyed some neat associations.
People are generally good.  Look around and notice all of the people who are doing good because it's the right thing to do.
Many of you are those people.  Thanks for being good!  I love what you teach me.  It is a blessing to have you as my friends.