Thanks for your words on encouragement and your well wishes. Bless you!
Mo. P, I certainly understand how mundane it can be and how we wait for those future moments where we can fully engage with our kids. But, those future moments almost never come. We get busy and we let other things crowd out those moments. If we are not intentional, it won't ever happen. If things never change, things will never change. The moments don't have to be magical, just consistent. The moments are cumulative, like adding 50 dollars in the bank every two weeks and letting it grow. They may never remember all those moments, but they will remember how you may them feel in your presence. Our posture, demeanor, and silence can make our children feel like a nuisance and a bother, and they will ultimately will only tolerate us as people who live with them in the same house, not protectors, providers and representatives of their heavenly father. I don't always get this father thing right, but I am trying to be more consistent and intentional.
Wow! Ayla, this is so touching. Thanks for sharing this. Here in the US, we take so many of our freedoms for granted and we cannot begin to imagine or understand being disowned and persecuted for our relationship with Jesus. As I read your comment, my heart broke for you, but I also celebrate you for your courage. People need to hear your story. Would you be willing one day to share that publicly?
Ayla and Roman, thanks so much for your encouraging words and your prayers. Can't wait to have you all over. I am asking God for the same. Turn those minutes into moments today.
Daisy, I am too happy to almost be done with the commuting. It's not a bad drive once or even twice a week. It's the everyday drive back and forth that was getting tiring. Thanks for praying for us. Looking forward to you being here next month.
Thanks, Mo! I appreciate your encouragement.
Welcome back! Sounds like this series is going to be off the chain and not of this world. Would love to "borrow" it from you. lol! Let me know how it goes.
Karen, I like that question. I will most definitely add that one to the list. I believe God will bring the right people as we pray, observe, and actually open up to others. When we dare to open our lives to another human being, there are inherent risks. Yet, this is what we are called to as followers of Jesus. When we open our arms to love, that when we are most vulnerable to be speared in the side. This is what our Leader and Lord did - opened his arms to embrace us in relationship. He calls us to follow him. Let's take the risk to be loved, known, and cared for by another human being.
Brian, you are spot on. Sharing the answers to these are not easy, but I believe God can and will strengthen us to open up little by little to men who we consider to be safe. We are accepted in Christ based on his finished work alone, but the enemy tries to make us believe we are accepted based on what we do or don't do. As men, we need other men to vet our lives. I am still learning to open up my life and to be known, loved and cared for by others. Let's walk this road together. Blessings!
Thanks, bro. I really appreciate your prayers and your friendship. My last Sunday at TCC will be January 10 and my first Sunday at Trinity will be February 27. There will probably be an installation service on February 20. Keep us lifted up. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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Ruckus