by jot and tittle

they sit on your lap they run to and fro they giggle with joy Daddy, do they know? they play in the sun they sing as they go they see with eyes that wonder Daddy, do they know? they think things are big they'll stand on your toe they eat dirt and sand Daddy, do they know? they will soon grow up they won't stay at home one day they'll have jobs Daddy, do they know? you love them so much your all you'd bestow you gave so much up Daddy, do they know? your proud their your children you watch as they grow you teach them of Jesus Daddy, do they know? did you tell them you love them? did you bring yourself low? to show them your love for Jesus, Daddy, do they know? one day they will die, before God's throne they will go, may God not condemn them may they never say "Daddy, we didn't know"

In my last post I talked about how much of a blessing parents are and how mine are especially a blessing to me. Shortly after posting it a good friend of mine brought up the fact that we also learn bad things from our parents and should try to weed those qualities out. In order to help do this and to learn things that our parents can't teach us he brought up that it is sometimes helpful to adopt "fill-in" parents, however, is this undermining your own parents?  I would be inclined to think that "fill-in" parents can be a great blessing to you and to your parents as well. It is good to have more people around you who care for your spiritual wellbeing and yourself as a person in general. We aught to have older men and women who encourage us in the faith, both with words of kindness and with words of exhortation so that we are made more and more to look like God. Titus 2 talks about how older women are to teach younger women to work at home and how older men sh...

There they are. You have them too. Everyone does. They are the people who told you “no” when you were little and then continued to tell you “no” as you grew up and then when you finally became an adult they told you “well, it’s really up to you” but what they meant was “no” and you just wished they said it out loud. However, they were also the people who fed your friends when they came over, taught you to do dishes, bought your first puppy, and make cake for your birthday. They are your parents and you probably won’t realize how much they shaped who you are until you no longer live with them. This is what happened to me.   Growing up there were things I didn’t understand about my parents and things I didn’t like. There were times we didn’t get along and many times when we couldn’t stop laughing. I don’t think I really appreciated them until I moved out and I probably still don’t appreciate them as much as I should. One thing I found frustrating at times was when I would ask ...

In my parents' household there is almost always someone smiling, laughing, or doing something amusing. This isn't to say that we don't have serious talks and ponder deep mysteries, but in general there is a lightness about their home that is both welcoming and relaxing. This, however, is not a popular trend in today's culture.   The gift of joy, being able to laugh, and finding pleasure in normal every day things seems to have been drowned in the bottomless pit of  work, raising a family, school, money, and stress. Life is busy and I think everyone can agree with that, however, I don't believe the business is the problem. The issue really is selfishness. Sometimes it takes effort, a lot of effort, to step outside of your stressed out, busy mindset and listen to what your child is saying and laugh . Yes, that's right, it is OK to laugh at the silly things that happen.   I believe my father is becoming a master at this art of laughter.  When the...

 I've come to realize that a lot of young people have not stayed where they were planted. Some even go to other countries and don't see their families regularly. It's not as if people really planned their lives this way. We often do not end up where we thought we would be but we do always go where God will use us best. Some stay and some go.    How do we deal with this? How do we, the people who left, deal with not having the foundational group we grew up with? And how do we, the people who stayed, deal with being "left behind" by those we love? How do we reconcile with the fact that God has decided to plant us in different vineyards in this world? Do we stand before God and ask "why?" or do we bow before Him in worship and adoration because of His great wisdom and love for us, planting us in the soil that is best for us, even though we might not like things about it?        How amazing of God to give us commands and promises so that we will n...

It had been a busy day. The store was cramped with people and the girl behind the counter, Allie, felt as if her face was about to fall apart or start doing muscle spasms due to all the smiling she had done for the last 7 hours. Only one more hour to go and then I'm done for today, she thought to herself as she smiled at a middle aged man wearing a dark suit. "And how are you doing today?" She asked the question so genuinely that the man looked up from his wallet in surprise.     "Fine," he answered.      Allie smiled again. "Well it really is a beautiful day. After all the rain we've had it's nice to see the sun for a while. Thank you," she took his money and returned some change. "Have a great evening!" She grinned and handed him his purchase.      "You too," the man muttered, received the bag from her and walked out the door. He threw the bag roughly into the passenger seat of his car, got in, and drove down the lonely...

 It was a cool day where she worked. Bundled up in multiple layers she labored away at the tasks before her between helping customers select what they needed and load it into their vehicles. A young mother wanted some heavy pots and an elderly lady desired three bags of mulch. She loaded them into their cars, smiling, chatting, brightening the cool day with her own personal rays of sunshine.     It had been a rather hard and long day and she was looking forward to going home when an elderly man (probably between 75-80 years old) walked in with a cane and stood before the front counter. He was wearing a cap that must have been for free from the farm show and his face had a smear of dirt across his left cheek. His blue coveralls were faded and dirty and a bright red handkerchief stuck out his pocket.      "What can I help you with today, sir?" She asked with a bright smile.      "I need two bales of straw" he replied and lay h...