Turn It Over

The other night my wife and I were talking and we began to talk about the kids and the school year ahead. This school year has us - and them a bit nervous. Shave moved to a new community - one that is double in size from our precious one - one that includes much more cultural diversity - one where they do not know many others. While there is excitement in this "newness", there is also some concern in all our minds. 

So, the other night my wife and I were talking about our concerns and stating that are most concerned about our oldest daughter - who she will befriend and how it might influence her. 

I told my wife, we will have to make sure that she is hanging out with a good group of friends. To which my wife responded, the problem is, we don't know who the good friends are. 

Hours later, as I laid in bed, drifting off to sleep, I thought more about this. It's true, we don't know who the good friends are - we don't know who to point her to  - but God does. And, if we believe that He is in control of every aspect of life - and if we believe that He cares for our children - and  if  we believe that He answers us when we call out to Him - shouldn't we ask Him? 

So, after talking to my wife - and after  worrying about this matter for several hours - I decided to submit it all to God.

Is there anything that is keeping you up tonight? Is there any situation that you wish you could let go of and find peace in? Is there a burden in your life that seems to weigh you down with anxiety or fear? 

Why not turn it over to God? Do it right away. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6 NIV

Seeing Messes

This weekend I will celebrate 12 wonderful years of marriage to my wife. Each year that passes I feel that we grow closer together as we share in the highs and lows of marriage, parenthood, and life. And, while I feel that we have a great marriage and a unity in our marriage, there is one thing that we greatly differ on. We do not see messes the same way! 

When I enter a room, I see the clutter - clothing, toys, and everything that is out of its place - in the room. Likewise, when I enter a room, I see the dirt - crumbs, dust, cobwebs  in the room. Now, when this clutter or dirt is someone else's home, it doesn't bother me nearly as much as if it were in my own home. When this clutter or dirt is in my home, I cannot relax until it is cleaned up. This has proven to be a problem in the past, as you can imagine. 

For years this was a point of contention between my wife and I in our home. I would enter the house after a day of work and immediately begin to pick up and to clean up the house - not just one room, but every room. Why? Because it bothered me and I knew that I would not be able to relax until it was completed. My wife would say, "just come and sit down and relax". But I can't, this mess has to be cleaned up. 

(Let me pause here and clarify that our home is not a mess. Our home hasn't really been a mess in the 12 years that we have shared a home together. So when I write that it is a "mess" understand what I mean is that there is a smudge on the window, a doll on the floor, toothpaste in the sink, or a  couple popcorn kernels on the floor.)

As I wrote before, for years this was a point of contention between my wife and I in our home. However, one day we both realized something about our spouse. She realized that I do not mind cleaning, I somewhat enjoy it (more than the cleaning itself, I enjoy the final - clean - result). She came to the understanding that I enjoy cleaning and that it not only helps me relax, it also helps me release the stress that I have acquired throughout the day. And what I realized about her is that she she does not see messes in the same way that I do. In fact, to my wife it's not a mess.

My eyes were opened to the fact that my wife's eyes see Inge differently.

So, when my eyes see the mess, what is she seeing? She is seeing the handprints of our 14-month-old on the picture window and remembering that she stood there this morning yelling "bye bye" as I pulled out of the driveway. She is seeing the doll that our 9-year old held as she braided it's hair this afternoon - this doll that now has the super-complicated braid that my daughter and her mom have been practicing for weeks. She is seeing the toothpaste with a hint of blood in it after our six-year old lost his first tooth and now speaks slower and with a unmistakable lisp. And she is seeing the popcorn kernels that remind her of how she got to sit, cuddle, and eat popcorn with our 4-year old during his first day of summer break as they watched Handy Manny this morning. 

Perhaps my wife and I do not see messes in the same way. But, I thank God for the way she sees the "messes" in our home. And I wouldn't want it any other way. 

Christian Walk and Riding a Bike

 Almost four years ago I wrote a post about teaching our daughter to ride a tricycle, and then a bicycle with training wheels (you can read it here). In this post I quoted author Robert Tuttle, who wrote that the "Christian walk is much like riding a bicycle; we are either moving forward or falling off".

I was recently reminded of this quote - and my post - when I took our son out to the church parking lot and he asked me to remove the training wheels from his bicycle.

Not only have I had the pleasure of teaching my oldest two children how to ride a bike, I have also had the great honor of baptizing them into the family of God. 

The same week that Zion took off on his bicycle on two wheels he was also baptized, both of these events happening at the church. Both of these milestones required teaching from me and commitment for them. And I will remember the joy of both of these events for the rest of my life.

What Will We Do?

I often like to sit and watch my children, to listen to the way they interact and talk with one another and the way they interact and talk with their friends. For the most part, when I watch and listen to them, they are laughing, playing, or learning together. However, there are certain times when I like to watch and listen to them in the midst of conflict and disagreements. It is in these moments that I observe the way they react and behave when things are not going their way and when they are facing opposition.

This morning I was reading in Psalm 139 -  a familiar passage that brought a new thought to my mind. Psalm 139 begins;

O Lord, You have searched me and You know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord.

This reminded me that God enjoys watching His children - that He enjoys watching me. Not only is God watching me in moments of joy, triumph, and success. He is also watching me in moments of sorrow, heartache, and temptation. Not only that, He is watching to see the way I will react when things are not going my way and when I am facing opposition.

My children will often look for their mom or I - or they will call out for help - when they are not sure what to do and when conditions are beyond their control. Sometimes, knowing that the situation is getting away from them, I will sit and wait for their call for help. I believe that God also waits for us to call out to Him. Will we recognize that we are unable to handle life alone? Will we recognize that their is a God that created us, loves us, and wants the best for us that is waiting to come to our rescue?

Psalm 139 concludes;

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Instructions To Share A Biblical Perspective With A Disobedient Child

Every child disobeys. Disobedience is built within us as a part of our sinful nature. So, at some point, you may want to sit down and discuss the biblical perspective of disobedience with your disobedient child. Here are some instructions. 

First, take a moment to calm yourself, you do not want to discuss the Bible in an attitude of anger or frustration. Sit down with your child and read through the following...

1. Exodus 20:12

2. Exodus 21:17

3. Leviticus 20:9

4. Deuteronomy 21:18-21

It's about now that your child may be cowering - and crying - in the corner. Be sure to reassure them that you are not going to kill them or allow anyone to stone them to death. Be sure to tell your child that is is the Old Testament law, established by God and obeyed by His chosen nation to ensure purity and purge evil.

And we continue...

5. Proverbs 1:7-9

6. Proverbs 13:1

7. Proverbs 20:20

8. Proverbs 23:22

9. Proverbs 30:17

Once again, call your child back out of the corner of the room, and them a tissue, and reassure them that they are not going to be fed to the birds. 

Perhaps now is the time to lay out God's ideal plan for His creation. Discuss God's creation and the garden of Eden, where everything was perfect, God walked with Adam and Eve, and sin - disobedience - was nonexistent. Discuss the "death" (separation) that Adam and Eve faced due to their sin against God. Then explain how a child's disobedience against their parents causes separation between them and God and between them and their parent. Go one step further and illustrate how - if left undisciplined - a child's disobedience will lead to separation between parents, separation between siblings, and separation within the entire family. Explain that disobedience can tear a family apart. 

Then, we conclude...

10. Romans 13:1

11. Ephesians 6:1-3

12. Colossians 3:20

Close with a hug and a prayer. 

Words From A Father

It has been quite a week for our family! Early in the week I was drawn to a verse in the Bible - throughout the week this verse became my theme, my comfort, and so much more.

Our week began with a sick child on Sunday. Bennett started with the stomach flu on Sunday afternoon. He complained of a "sore tummy" as he was eating lunch and complained more as he laid down for his nap Sunday afternoon. By mid-afternoon Kim and I were aware that he was suffering from the stomach flu and that our weekend had become a little more trying than it was before. Throughout the afternoon, into the evening, and then throughout the night Bennett was making regular trips to the bathroom. Our poor 3 year-old boy was helpless and at times he was too weak to walk out of his room. I would carry him to the bathroom and support his little head as he sat on a tiny stool next to the toilet. As we sat next to the toilet, around 12:30 in the morning, with tears in his eyes, he cries, “my tummy won’t stop hurting”. It breaks my heart to see any child sick or in pain, but when it is my own child, my heart completely shatters - I hurt for him. At one point - he was so weak and so helpless – he looked up to me and cried, “I can’t stop getting sick”.

Bennett's fever presented itself around 1:00 in the morning – accompanied by cries; “ouch, my ear hurts”. I laid down next to his bed to comfort him. Every few minutes - throughout the night - he would stir awake and call out to make sure that I was still there as he reached for my hand. "Daddy, don't leave me, stay." All through the night – and into Monday morning – the trips to the bathroom continued.

A trip to the doctor on Monday morning confirmed that Bennett was dealing with the stomach flu...along with a double ear infection. And, as a bonus, bronchitis on the brink of pneumonia! All day Monday Kim and I held a helpless, very ill, little boy who just wanted to be taken care of and to know that everything was going to be alright.

Tuesday arrived with better health. Bennett was home but he seemed to have fully recovered from his stomach bug and his chest sounded much better. Kim had an appointment at the doctor and I enjoyed a morning at home playing board games with Bennett. Around 10:00 Kim called and said, "do you want to have a baby?" Her doctor was sending her to the hospital! After some comotion at home - getting bags in the car and working out childcare - we made the short trip to the hospital and we were in a room by 11:00. Tuesday evening at 7:53 we welcomed our second daughter – fourth child – and we named her Korah.

Korah was beautiful from the moment that she arrived and Kim and I were filled - once again - with the joy of being parents. The nurses took little Korah over to the other side of the room and began to gather her stats - length, weight, and more. Then they told Kim and I that they wanted to take her back to the nursery because her breathing was labored. "We'll bring her back in when we have her stable", the nurse told us.

So we waited as the nurses and doctor looked after her in the nursery. The feeling of joy never left, yet it was soon joined with a feeling of aprehension and uncertainty. "What is going on with our little girl?" and "When will they bring her back in?" were just a couple of the questions on our minds. We were anxious to see her and to hold her and yet we understood that she was being cared for. When Korah was not back to the room after an hour, I walked out and asked about her and was informed that she needed more care than the hospital in Robinson could offer, she was going to have to be transported to the Neonatal ICU in Champaign - two hours away.

Korah left around 2:00 in the morning on Wednesday and Kim and I followed up after her. Thoughout the remainder of the week we watched as she labored to breath, oxygen being supplied to her tiny nostrels, a feeding tube down her throat providing her with the nutrients she needs, wires measuring her every vital sign, and monitors telling us about her progress. We watched as X-rays were carried out, blood was drawn, and multiple tests were completed on our tiny newborn girl. All the while praying for her, talking to her, and singing over her.

"Everything is going to be alright". Countless times this past week I have spoken these words - to Bennett as he was laying in bed or sitting next to the toilet, to myself as I sat in prayer, to Kim and we embraced one another, and to little Korah as she lay in her bed. Countless times this past week I have spoken words of comfort and encouragement. Countless times this past week I have spoken passages of Scripture to bring encouragement. Yet no passage has spoken more to me than Zephaniah 3:17; "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

This week - as I sat next to the bed if my 3 year-old dealing with the stomach flu, as I sat at the hospital next to my wife in the midst of labor, as I sat in the NICU with my newborn daughter - I was reminded of God pressence - at all times and in all ways - and I was reminded that He is mighty to save. This week - as I rocked my son to sleep and as I watched my daughter sleep - I was reminded that God takes great delight in us as His children. This week - as I comforted Bennett and as I sung to Korah - I was reminded that God comforts us with His love and rejoices over us with singing.

Maybe you can identify with what it means to care for a helpless individual, assuring them that you aren’t going to leave them and that everything is going to be alright. Delighting in them as you pour your love down on them and share in a feeling of joy. Or maybe right now you are longing for someone to care for you - to know that you are dearly loved - to know that someone delights in you and rejoices when you are around.

Zephaniah 3:17; "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you in song."

Remember that God is with you - He will not leave you. Remember that God is mighty to save - when you are weak and helpless. Know that Everything is going to be alright - that God delights in you and that He will quiet and comfort you with His love - that God will rejoice over you in song.

Right now, I invite you to take a few minutes to allow God’s words to permeate your life- to pause before the Lord and allow His love to flood your soul - to kneel, bow, sit, or stand before God and know that everything is going to be alright - to know that He loves you and He delights in you - And to know that when He thinks about you, He breaks into song

Zephaniah 3:17; "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you in song."

Ideal Parents

We just got the call, school has been cancelled - yet again. With the winter storm that came across the area last Sunday morning, what began as a 2-week Christmas break is on the verge of a 3-week Christmas break.

Our children have, of course, enjoyed the extra time away from school. They have spent their extra time off time playing games together, using their imagination, watching movies, and pretty much doing what kids do.

And - because worship services, small groups, mid-week prayer services, and Bible studies have all been cancelled due to the storm - I have enjoyed a bit of a break as well; worship, sermon, and other teaching preparation has been minimal and all normal visitation and hospital calls have been limited this week. As a family we have played board games and card games, we have completed puzzles together, played in the snow, baked cookies, and watched a few movies. All-in-all it has been a good time together.

Of course, when you have a house of three small children (and a pregnant wife) with the inability to get out of the house, things get a bit tense at times - especially when you have a three-year-old struggling to overcome pneumonia (sleeping 2 hours at a time). Nerves seem to fray quickly and tempers are easily lost. While my wife and I have enjoyed a little extra family time - a little "together time" - we are looking forward to a bit of "separate time" at this point. A time when peace and quiet fill the home again and a time when we can all choose to stay home and enjoy one another's company.

This evening my wife and I were confronted by the "perfect mom" - cheerful and "blessed" that she had this extra time to stay home with her little ones throughout this break and unsure why other parents were on edge. After all, "aren't children a blessing from God?"

At first we were frustrated by "Super Mom". Was this her true feeling and true personality or was she simply faking it to shame us "bad parents"? And, as soon as this horrible thought came to mind, I was flooded with the comforting reality; "WHO CARES!" What does it matter if she truly is "Super Mom" and if she is cheerfully enjoying this extended break with her children? Why should we look down on her if she cherishes the time she spends with her children and if she feels blessed by every moment that she has to spend with them? Who are we to call her "fake" or "insincere"? After all, we have watched the show "19 Kids and Counting" and asked; "How do Jim and Michelle Dugger manage a home of 19 children without losing their cool or pulling their hair out?" Not only do we watch the Dugger family - especially Jim and Michelle - and ask questions such as "how do they do it", we find inspiration in the peace, joy and love within their family and their home.

But, as I considered all of this tonight, one thing occurred to me; we will never be the Dugger family - and I don't want us to be. And, what's more, my wife and I will never be perfect parents (our children will probably never call us super parents). Honestly, we have times of unease, stress, and tension in our home. We have moments when we loose our temper and have to apologize to our children and ask for their forgiveness. But, by the grace of God, we move forward and we improve.

So, maybe Jim and Michelle Dugger should not be the goal for my wife and I as parents. Hmmm...I'm thinking Cliff and Claire Huxtable!

Revolutionary Parenting

I recently finished "Revolutionary Parenting" by George Barna, based on the research and data that was collected over several years from - what he calls - "Spiritual Champions" and their "Revolutionary Parents". Because there was so much content presented in each chapter, he included a section at the end of each chapter called "Rapid Review". The following are the reviews from each chapter.

• You cannot control the outcome of your parenting efforts.
• Your responsibility is to be obedient to God in raising your children; you must leave the outcomes up to Him.
• Revolutionary Parents are great coaches.
• Count the costs involved in expanding your family.
• Socioeconomic factors do not provide an excuse for failing to produce spiritual champions. 
• Parenting is your primary full-time job. 

• Focusing upon raising spiritual champions is the chief obligation in the life of Revolutionary Parents.
• Faith in God is very real and central in the lives of Revolutionary Parents. That faith is perceived as the most valuable asset they can transfer to their children.
• Raising a spiritual champion for Christ requires developing and sustaining an authentic relationship with the child, based on love and trust.
• The Christian faith of Revolutionary Parents must be continually maturing.

• The world begin influencing the values and beliefs of your children sooner than you may think. You've got to join the fray when your children are very young. 
• Set responsible goals for your children and stick with them. 
• Every child requires a unique strategy and plan. You can apply the same principles with each child, but you must customize the implementation. 
• Don't force your little people to become big people before they're ready. Let them develop at a pace that suits their God-given makeup.
• Nothing will serve your children better than working on instilling godly character. 
• Use your time well; establish your parenting priorities and major on them.
• You're not your child's best friend, only his or her best parent.
• Your kids need stability; provide the structure that gives the support they need.
• Use your local church as a support system, not as the leader of your children's spiritual development journey. 
• Never lose sight of the big picture of what you are striving to facilitate. Daily nuisances get to you if you're not careful.

• Pick your fights. not everything merits a confrontation. Be prepared to win your battles. 
• Establish clear rules and expectations. You are responsible for establishing guidelines your children can understand and follow.
• Establish and enforce a curfew.
• Participate in the selection of your children's friends. Those peers have a dramatic influence on your children.
• Identity the media regimen you will allow for your children. Limits must be set and enforced, or your kids' media diet will expand according to the time available.
• Empower your children to adopt your morals and values.
• Identify a model of discipline you will use, and deploy in consistently.

• You are in charge of your family. That must be the undisputed truth in the minds of all residents of your household. You cannot allow the kids to challenge or mock your authority.
• Always keep your emotions under control. never let your anger take over.
• When your children ask for an explanation of your decisions or reasoning, give it to them. They deserve it, and it becomes a teaching moment for you. 
• Don't shortcut your role by trying to deliver "quality time" without "quantity time" `as well. Always invest ample time in your relationship and duties with your children.
• Model the principles and behaviors you want the kids to adopt.
• Be consistent. Nothing undermines your efforts like waffling or changing gears.
• Take on the role of spiritual mentor with enthusiasm and expectation. 

• You can't pass on what you don't possess, so be sure you have a vibrant relationship with God. Pursue Him and practice good spiritual habits.
• Regard the Bible as your guidebook. Trust it and rely on it in all circumstances.
• Embrace the existence and significance of absolute moral truths revealed by God.
• Be active in a community of faith.
• Never push salvation on your children. Lead them toward Christ, encourage them to accept Him, but allow the decision to be theirs.
• Serve other people with your children.
• Pray, regularly, openly, and faithfully.

• Teach your children to think independently, based on appropriate principles.
• Be careful that you do not burden your kids with too much activity and responsibility. Just like adults, they can burn out or crack under the stress.
• Help them learn important faith skills, such as prayer, Bible study, and worship.
• Explore different faiths with your children, pointing out similarities and differences.
• Teach your kids the central beliefs and principles of Christianity, using stories and teachings that have personal and practical applications. 

• Children are God's gift to you. Enjoy and treasure that gift.
• Always look out for your children's well-being. It's your job to protect them.
• In raising your children, work as an inseparable, mutually supportive team with your spouse.
• Remember that your children were made in god's image, not yours; raise them that way.
• We were made to be obedient. Satan lives to undermine those efforts. Do what you can to foster a commitment to doing whatever honors God.
• Discipline your children. It's your job. Nobody else can do it as effectively, nor should yo expect them to.
• Provide a positive, nurturing home environment. 
• Show your children what Christianity looks like by the way you live.
• Be firm but gentle with them. You want to shape them, not break them.
• Work at helping them to understand the Bible. It's more important than any other book they will ever read.
• Purify their character. It will define them for the rest of their lives.
• Obliterate any obstacles to their relationship with God. 

A Thankful Perspective

A couple of things happened this last week that has brought me a new perspective:

Saturday: our youngest son was taken to the emergency room and we spent a total of five hour with him there as the doctor and nurses evaluated his condition.

• While at the hospital I was advised that the tire on our van was flat, soon finding that we had run over a nail.

Sunday: our youngest son was taken to the emergency room twice, then hospitalized overnight. 

• Both my wife and I stayed late into the night with our son in the hospital and stayed up until the early hours of the morning praying, worrying, and praying.
• My wife also spent the night and entire next day with him in the hospital, her absence was felt in a major way.

Monday: our oldest son woke up with a cold, he was unable to go to school.

• My wife and youngest are able to come home in the late afternoon but we are all exhausted from the previous days hospital visits.
• Our youngest wakes up at 3:30 a.m. and decides that he has enough sleep for the night.

Tuesday: our daughter woke up with a slight cold, we were sure she would be the next to get the full-blown virus. 

• Our oldest is still not able to go to school instead we decide to take him to the doctor, finding out that he has croup. 
• Our youngest has adopted a new sleeping schedule that does not include the hours of 3:00 to 6:00 a.m. (some of my favorite hours to sleep).

Friday: our car is unable (or unwilling) to start, the battery is dead.

• The new vehicle models completely lock up when the battery is dead, the trunk will not open, the key is locked in the ignition, and the transmission is locked in park.   
• We have inconveniently parked the car in front of the garage and are unable to get our van out.

Saturday: I threw my back out.

Now, given all of these things, some might think that our family had a right to be a bit tired or grumpy, or even to complain a few times. I might agree if it weren't for what happened on Thursday. On Thursday I had the opportunity to listen to a sermon from Gateway Church located in Caledonia, Ontario (not one of the typical podcasts that I listen to) on the topic of giving thanks to God. In this message they spoke  about the need to be thankful for the large and small gifts from God and introduced the concept; "1,000 to be thankful for". 

Not only did I grab a notebook on Thursday and begin to list some things that I am thankful for, I began sharing them with my family and church family, and I have continued, these last few days, to write more and more things that I have to be thankful for - gifts that God is bringing to me and to our family every day. 

And, through this process I have gained a new perspective, in marriage, in parenting, in pastoring, and in life. 

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

Changing Everything

Our children have always had an early bed time, sometimes they are ready for bed by 6:30 in the evening. And, for the most part, they have slept until 7:00 a.m. or later. Over the past couple of weeks our oldest son has begun to wake up earlier and earlier; 5:15, 4:45, 4:15. And, when he wakes up in the morning, he is up for the rest of the day.

Now, every morning we hear him in his room between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. talking, singing, laughing, playing. I should add that he has two volumes; loud and louder, and he shares a bedroom with his ten month old baby brother.

This leaves us with a couple of options; force him to stay in his room and listen to him scream out (waking everyone in the house up) or get up with him and begin the day. As you can see, both options result in either myself or my wife (or both of us) up at a very early hour.

Neither Kim (my wife) or I are morning people but, given the above options, we are being forced into this lifestyle (at least for the time being). So, we can either deny it or accept it, we can either go to bed at an early hour or be tired and grumpy every day. So, we accept it, we go to bed early, we get up earlier, and we change everything! Why? Because when you decide to be a parent, children change everything.

Children Change Everything!

In effect, our son is saying to him mother and I; "Since you have decided to have me as your son, you must forget about your own desires, you must give up your personal wants, you must deny yourself some sleep, and adapt to my schedule every day from now on."

As a pastor and a believer in Christ it occurs to me that Jesus said something very similar; "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23) As followers of Jesus Christ we must give up our own desires, we must give up our personal wants, we must deny ourselves some sleep, some time, some pleasure, and follow Him and His schedule from now on.

Why? Because when you decide to be a follower of Christ, Jesus changes everything.

Jesus Changes Everything!

One Last Christmas

Matthew West wrote a beautiful song not too long ago, One Last Christmas. With this song, Matthew tells the true story of a little boy, Dax, that was suffering with lukemia. His parents were determined that he was going to see "one last Christmas" and they put up the decorations early in the year. Soon the entire community joined in, it caught the local news and people from all around were joining in.

Watch the video of "One Last Christmas" here:



Dax did eventually lose his battle with lukemia following this Christmas celebration with his family. And today he celebrates Christmas with Jesus Christ in heaven. Dax's parents would like for his legacy to live on here too and so they are asking for donations to be made to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in his honor. They are hoping to raise enough money to run the hospital for an entire day (a cost of 1.6 million dollars). To donate to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, click here.

As I watched this video I was inspired by the life of Dax and by the committment that his parents had to helping him see one more Christmas. I thought about all of the time we waste everyday, especially around the holidays, on such frivilous things. If we new that this might be the last Christmas, the last day, the last moments that we have with some individuals, how might we spend our time differently?

Tub Time

A very productive evening with dinner out of the way, baths in process, and then the words ring through the house; "help, help, uhhh, help, Zion pooped in the tub!"

I am not a trained poop remover, for that I'm thankful. I can't imagine what being a "poop remover" would include. So, when I walked into the bathroom to see the two kids standing next to the tub, Kim practically rolling on the floor laughing, and the entire family looking to me for action, I hesitated on "step one".

I asked for a bucket and Kim brought a camera! Smart, now we can share this experience with our friends a loved ones!

WARNING: GRAPHIC (POOP RELATED) PHOTO BELOW

Being a parent is full of unexpected happenings, most leave memories etched on our lives far into the future. Sometimes we are left with great joy, other times we are left with a tub full of poop! Sometimes we know the exact thing to say or do, other times we are left with our hands in the air in search of what our next move should be. Either way, we are trusted to love our children and ALL the poop they leave in our homes and our lives!