Happy Friday, Friends!
I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama!
This morning, I want to share a real conviction of my Spirit that has been profound to me. I thought it would perhaps be a blessing to some of you as well.
I have 3 great Tender Warriors, my sons, and I am so very proud of them. Every morning, I pray for each one of them. In addition to praying that they would become the godly men, husbands, fathers, leaders, and friends God created them to become, I pray for their safety. Not one of us is promised the end of this day, let alone tomorrow. I fully understand this truth. Having said that, I have two sons with careers more dangerous than most. And while they are big, strong, and tough, they are still my boys, and they always will be.
So, as I was praying for one of the Tender Warriors in particular, praying for the safety of him and his coworkers, I felt this conviction: “Aren’t you grateful he's really living?” You see, there is zero doubt in my mind that he is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing, what God created him to do. And while I certainly don’t want him to be hurt or killed, the only thing I would consider to be worse than that is if he never lived. Lived the God-ordained, Christ-honoring life that he was created to live. To me, that would be a far greater tragedy.
A couple of things:
1. As parents, let us remember that our children are on loan; God is going to need them back someday. We have the unspeakable honor, privilege, and responsibility – please don’t miss that last part; I do believe we will all be accountable to God for how we have loved, led, and cared for our children! – of stewarding these precious souls. God created them uniquely, for a purpose, just as he has created you and me for ours. We could put them in bubble-wrapped rooms, never let them go outside, and we could do our darndest to make sure nothing, or no one ever hurts them. We may in fact accomplish that goal, our goal, however God’s goal for them is far different. His goal for each of us is for us to grow into all that He created us to be.
2. Are you really living? This has been eye-opening as a parent, and it has forced me to look at my life. What am I not doing because I don’t want to be hurt? Absolutely true; if I take no risks, if I don’t go for it, I will not fail. But isn’t not trying to become all that I am created to become really the greatest failure? Just as I believe we will be held accountable for how we loved, led, and served the people God has placed in our lives, I believe you and I will be held accountable to God for the talents, gifts, abilities, and dreams He created us to accomplish. My heartfelt prayer for all of us is that we will truly live this blessed life to the fullest! No, I don’t wish anything bad to happen to any of us. More importantly, I pray none of us simply exists, never knowing the joy of truly being alive.
Now, I get that this might be tough for some of you to read. Truly, while it makes sense to me, those are still my boys, and I am still their Dad…I have to go to Jesus every day! There are a couple of scriptures and quotes that speak to my heart.
Job 14:5 (NIV)
5 A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.
Matthew 6:27 (NIV)
27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
As much as we might not like it, the Bible tells us that our days are numbered. And please realize that it is Jesus in Matthew 6:27 who is asking the question. So, we can sit here and worry and worry, which will not add even a single hour to our lives or our children's, or we can live and cherish every day.
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Those two thoughts, that our days are determined and we are all created for a purpose, comfort and inspire me! God has this, all of it! Our responsibility is to make the most of every day, and every talent, gift, ability, and dream He has given us. Not to be crass, the reality is we are all going to die someday. It would be tragic to never have lived!
These two quotes sum up my intentions and my heartfelt prayer for my Beautiful Bride and Tender Warriors!
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! ' " What a Ride!” - Hunter S. Thompson
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.” - Erma Bombeck
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there's anything I can do for you or your precious family. I will always help you in any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.
Have a great day and a wonderful weekend. Please cherish your precious family, be kind, and please stay well!
Kev
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