Give Thanks Day 5

As the day begins for me, I would like to express my thanks for some specific blessings that God has brought my way over the past couple of years. The first came my way six years ago. The next came three years ago. The last came two years ago. Today, I would like to thank God for the boys that He has allowed me to be father to.

I can remember many moons ago asking God to give me at least one son. He chose to bless me with three! Little did I know how much God would use these three boys to reveal so much about myself. You've probably heard people talk about how children favor this parent or relative. While these boys do have some of my physical characteristics, I see a lot of my "inner characteristics" in them (and that might not be so good).

Over the past six years, God has on many occasions said to my heart as I would get on to the boys about something, "Look familiar? I think I know someone else who throws a fit when they don't get their way... Or who doesn't want to listen... Or who just wants to do it their way." Time and time again I hang my head as I realize that God is using these treasures to show me myself before Him. I'm not sure that I would have seen some things in my life as clearly as I have through my boys.

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Teaching Opportunity

Today is Valentine's Day. The day that sends men into a spin of trying to find that perfect gift for that special someone in their lives. For me, I always spend too much time thinking (and second guessing) gift ideas. I don't want to just do the same old thing. I certainly don't want to get Naomi the same gift many years in a row. I want it to be special. I want it to communicate that I actually put some thought into it.

This Valentine's Day has been very different. With funds being extremely tight, I knew that I wasn't going to be able to go all out. My schedule has not worked well with me in being able to get away and search for the perfect gift. I haven't even had the time to "make a gift" because I have been around Naomi most of my free time.

Today, the opportunity opened. I took a check to deposit at the bank and had some "study time" before our oldest son's Valentine's party at his preschool. I stopped by a store that I knew had some things and got two items: a card and 3 red roses.



The card was from me. It is amazing how some of these card writers can say what I'm thinking much clearer than I can get it out. It did have a spot for me to write a personal note to my bride.

The roses were for another reason. I got 3 red roses, one for each of our boys to give to their mother. I wanted to make sure that I started teaching our boys to honor their mother. These three boys that God has blessed us with are watching me to see how to respect, honor, and show affection to their mother (and other females).

The question rings in my head: what example are my boys seeing through me in how to relate to females?

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Book Review: "It's Better To Build Boys Than Mend Men"

This was a book that I found in a closet at our church.  The title intrigued me so I decided to pick it up and take a look at it.  It was written by S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chik-fil-a.  Being a big fan of Chik-fil-a and having heard Mr. Cathy speak at a mayor's prayer breakfast one time, I was interested to hear what he had to say.

This is a great book for people that are working with teenagers.  Mr. Cathy has been very active in teaching a 13 year old boys Sunday School class at his local church.  The book is just some thoughts that he's had from his experience.  This book was written to feel like you and sitting down somewhere and Mr. Cathy is just sharing some of his thoughts with you.  You could tell that his love for young people and the burden that he has for seeing them become all that God created them to be was very inspiring.

If you work with teenagers or know someone who does (especially males), I would highly recommend this book for them to give them some encouragement.  It is a great read from someone who has been in the trenches with young men for many years.

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