November 29th, 2023

God is good all the time….

Guide my footsteps according to your word.  Let no sin rule over me.  – Psalm 199:133

My children trust in me…

They look to me….

As a source of truth….

As a guide to life….

They know what I know….

I hope my life….

I hope my actions….

I hope my thoughts….

Point them to Him….

I try to be better….

Everyday….

I have never become that parent….

That dad who knows nothing….

I told my oldest today….

Leaving out for XC practice….

First day as a licensed driver….

Her and her sister….

By themselves…..

I told her I trust her….

I believe in her….

She responded….

Of course you do….

I had a great teacher….

I melted….

She believes in me….

She trusts me…

The beauty of it….

I was not talking just about her driving….

I trust in her….

In every way…..

Her mama has done such a great job with her….

With all the children….

I am so blessed….

My sixteen-year-old believes in me….

Trusts in me….

Still looks to me for guidance….

For direction….

For love….

For attention….

I am blessed….

After she passed her road test….

I told her I was proud of her….

For so many reasons….

We prayed on the way…

That she would bless the instructor….

It ended up being a female….

She was very rigid….

Cold…

Clinical…

Pulling out of the lot…

Mary Grace asked her how her day was…..

She immediately loosened up….

Girl, it has been one heck of a day….

One of the road tests had hit a parked car….

She asked about her Thanksgiving….

She told Mary Grace…

It was her best yet….

Her demeanor continued to change….

Mary Grace invested in her….

Changed her day….

I told her I was proud of her….

I told her that her mama was proud of her….

She looked at me with pure joy….

She asked….

Really….

I responded….

Absolutely….

We remembered her first drive around the yard….

My healed wife was bedridden….

We put her on face time….

So she could be part of the moment….

From the phone….

She coached her beautifully….

As Mary Grace made her way around the yard….

It brought us both joy to remember….

Mary Grace said….

I am glad she is part of today too….

It is nice she can be everywhere now….

All at once….

I agreed….

I told her she is beaming with pride….

While probably shaking her head….

At the trouble the boys are getting into back home….

We laughed….

We drove home in such peace….

When I told her….

Her mama was proud….

She looked at me….

Like she did not know that….

Really….

She asked….

My response warmed her heart….

She trusts in my words….

She believes in my words….

Raising children….

Is such an honor….

Such a responsibility….

It is a privilege…..

I do not take it lightly….

I can sometimes….

Maybe often….

Focus on the task….

The responsibility to guide them…

Guide them in the right direction….

I can sometimes forget….

To just be present….

To just enjoy them….

Not always be directing them….

Not always fixing their problems….

Sometimes….

They just need me….

They just need me to be present….

They just need me to be still….

To love….

To laugh….

To cry….

To hug….

To listen….

To dream….

To follow….

To give them….

All of me….

Even if for just a moment….

I am so blessed….

That they still want my time….

My thoughts….

My love….

I am meeting Mary Grace and Addision…

At the gym….

In a bit….

With the rest of the children….

She just sent me a text….

From XC practice….

Dad….

Will you please bring snacks to the gym….

My independent girl….

Still needs her dad…..

I will always be there for her….

For all of them….

My Healed Wife…..

Will always be there for them….

In spirit….

And in all that she taught them….

I promised….

In one of her last days….

Before going to be with Jesus….

I promised…..

I would not mess the kids up….

I would carry on all that she had done….

I would carry on her dreams for them….

For them to follow God’s will in their life….

No matter what direction that took them….

No matter where we thought they should go….

That they follow God….

I am walking that out with them now….

Together….

One step at a time….

He is guiding my steps….

He is guiding their steps….

I am learning to follow….

To not rush out ahead….

To not take my own path….

We are learning together….

She is still influencing us….

Every day…..

…..All the time God is good