We're all in this together

Last night was the first day of soccer practice for my 5 year old.  The most exciting part for him was putting on the new shin guards and quad length soccer socks he got for practice. 

My wife tends to our little 12 week old Cullen in the car as the wind blows strong across the soccer field, the blue sky fading to gray as the April sun is beginning its descent.  Reese stays near in her rainboots, complaining most of the time that she wished we would have remembered to bring her tennis shoes.  But she’s a trooper and makes great strides as I time her as she runs to the pine tree with the big shadow.  19 seconds, each of the three times.  She bathes in the attention and I’m happy to give it to her.  its not often lately that we get out of the patterns of our house work and remodeling to see the kids in a new light.  It does make a difference in our appreciation for them.  When was the last time you got out?

 Our son, as tall or taller than the other boys, looks about 10 years older than he is because now his baby locks are rough, dense, cropped by the barber just the other day.

 
Reese runs wild but her shyness makes an appearance when other little ones stray too close or are going to play on the equipment she is headed for.  "Do you want to play with those other girls?" I ask her.  “Umm, no fanks Dad.”  It makes me smile just to think about her voice.  Her Boston accent.  Which is really unique because her mother and I were born and raised in Minneosta.  Her red apple cheeks, rosy and blush from the wind and running around in those rain boots which eventually came to give her a big red line across her shin.  A fact she didn’t fail to keep from us, saying that she too … could have used some new "shin gawds".

 

These moments help to remind me of the big picture.  It wasn’t that long ago the little ones were nursing on their mom,  like Cullen is now.  What do you do to appreciate those moments?  Pictures, journals ... ? Are there things you wish you would have done differently or more often, or less often, with your little ones?
 
My goals is not to make you feel down about the past, but more importantly what you are looking forward to in the future?  What changes have you made in your life to not take it too seriously?  Have you reached that point yet?  The moment in time when you realize that your life could end at any time?  Any day?  I'm turning 35 this year and realize that in 5 years my life is going to be close to half over, if I live to the average life expectancy of an adult in America.  I've made some mistakes in my life, but I have to say, I feel God has put me, through that adversity, right where He wants me.  I would change some of the sins, if I could, but I wouldn't change my life right now, for anything.  Those trials I faced still have an affect on my life and sometimes negatively.  I need your prayer that God would help me move through those moments when I occasionally get buried in my past defeats.  Those times I gave in to satan's lies and deceit.  I struggled with an eating disorder, an affair within marriage, falling from the belief of God, even the loss of a potential  NFL contract because of my own selfishness and inhibitions. 

Please remember that when you face a trial, adversity or difficult situation that you are not alone.  No, we are all facing some sort of demon and together, knowing that others are going through the same situation, we can find hope in God and comfort in the knowledge that we are in this whole thing together.

If you need a prayer, would you please put it in the comment section of this posting?  Don’t hesitate.  If you read this or the following verse and you feel alone or like no one can understand what you are feeling or going through, I am urging you to please, comment with your heart.  It would be my pleasure to pray, and to have others pray as well.

 

 - To Know Him and To Make Him Known -

 

1 Peter 5:8-9

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.