My wife finally allowed me to have my own profile and be a contributing writer on here, not that I have much to contribute.
I would like to think you have all been eagerly awaiting this post, since my wonderful bride put me on the line for it. But I know that is wishful thinking.
About two weeks ago our oldest daughter Elizabeth and I had a good conversation. First off, let me set the "table" for you. I know it may take some by surprise, but at dinner there is not a lot of time to finish a conversation. (Lucas - "I got to go poddie". Ashlee - "(insert anything in a very loud voice)". Elizabeth - "What all do I have to eat to get a surprise?". Repeat the cycle of children talking, continously) Well this particular evening we ate outside. Elizabeth and I are sitting next to each other and the other children are as quiet as a mouse. Elizabeth begins to ask some questions and pose some very powerful thoughts.
Elizabeth - Daddy. What would the world be like if God didn't rule over everything?
Me - (stumped by my 4 yr old) You wouldn't see good in things, people, or your own life. There would be a lot of hurt in the world.
Elizabeth - What would things be like if I ruled the world?
Me - Well (think, think, think) You know how you have sin in your heart? You would not always make the best decisions.
Elizabeth - I would be very selfish and want things to be done my way and not God's way.
Me - Elizabeth, that is a very honest thought. Have you been thinking about this a lot?
Elizabeth - Yep. I talk to God about it a lot at bed time. When I am trying to fall asleep.
Me - You know God loves it when you ask him questions and think about him.
Elizabeth - Yeah, I know.
So after that I think about things for a solid two weeks. A four year old has thought things about God that I have never thought. How can she have deeper thoughts about God than some grown ups? Is it being innocent to the world? Or is it that she has a one on one personal relationship with the creator of the world. She longs to let God enter everyday.
Then this morning Lucas and I have a conversation:
Lucas - Dad, how is heaven?
Me - (choking on my toothepaste) God made heaven as a perfect place.
Lucas - I take my kitty kitty and show him. (kitty kitty is a night time friend for Lucas, little furry kitten)
Me - They will have the best kitty kitty's for you in heaven. But I bet you could show them yours.
You see up to this point I have been in the comfort zone of knowing I have to lead us to shephard Elizabeth, because she knows God. Well, I was woken up this morning with Lucas's questions. It revealed to me the responsibility I have, as the head of the house, to lead my wife and children in a walk with God. Most of the time it gets really scary. The biggest fear is, What if I miss it and get it wrong? I don't get a second chance at this. It isn't like the game starts tomorrow. I am at the plate in the bottom of the 9th inning. Now is the time to deliver. It gets better. This morning, I had a chance to be reminded that my God is STRONG and through him, I will deliver.
I would like to think you have all been eagerly awaiting this post, since my wonderful bride put me on the line for it. But I know that is wishful thinking.
About two weeks ago our oldest daughter Elizabeth and I had a good conversation. First off, let me set the "table" for you. I know it may take some by surprise, but at dinner there is not a lot of time to finish a conversation. (Lucas - "I got to go poddie". Ashlee - "(insert anything in a very loud voice)". Elizabeth - "What all do I have to eat to get a surprise?". Repeat the cycle of children talking, continously) Well this particular evening we ate outside. Elizabeth and I are sitting next to each other and the other children are as quiet as a mouse. Elizabeth begins to ask some questions and pose some very powerful thoughts.
Elizabeth - Daddy. What would the world be like if God didn't rule over everything?
Me - (stumped by my 4 yr old) You wouldn't see good in things, people, or your own life. There would be a lot of hurt in the world.
Elizabeth - What would things be like if I ruled the world?
Me - Well (think, think, think) You know how you have sin in your heart? You would not always make the best decisions.
Elizabeth - I would be very selfish and want things to be done my way and not God's way.
Me - Elizabeth, that is a very honest thought. Have you been thinking about this a lot?
Elizabeth - Yep. I talk to God about it a lot at bed time. When I am trying to fall asleep.
Me - You know God loves it when you ask him questions and think about him.
Elizabeth - Yeah, I know.
So after that I think about things for a solid two weeks. A four year old has thought things about God that I have never thought. How can she have deeper thoughts about God than some grown ups? Is it being innocent to the world? Or is it that she has a one on one personal relationship with the creator of the world. She longs to let God enter everyday.
Then this morning Lucas and I have a conversation:
Lucas - Dad, how is heaven?
Me - (choking on my toothepaste) God made heaven as a perfect place.
Lucas - I take my kitty kitty and show him. (kitty kitty is a night time friend for Lucas, little furry kitten)
Me - They will have the best kitty kitty's for you in heaven. But I bet you could show them yours.
You see up to this point I have been in the comfort zone of knowing I have to lead us to shephard Elizabeth, because she knows God. Well, I was woken up this morning with Lucas's questions. It revealed to me the responsibility I have, as the head of the house, to lead my wife and children in a walk with God. Most of the time it gets really scary. The biggest fear is, What if I miss it and get it wrong? I don't get a second chance at this. It isn't like the game starts tomorrow. I am at the plate in the bottom of the 9th inning. Now is the time to deliver. It gets better. This morning, I had a chance to be reminded that my God is STRONG and through him, I will deliver.
