My Bailey Boo

Forgive me, but I have to brag on my 13-year old daughter Bailey Boo. She is a Christian and attends church regularly. She is a well-mannered young lady who always wears a smile. I wish I could get her to read her Bible more, and I wish I could get her to go down front at church to profess her faith. She is a little shy, but then again, so was I at 13. But let me tell you what happened today at church. She has been taking guitar lessons for a couple years and has gotten pretty good at playing. She knows over 100 songs, and has become a self-learner. She is constantly on the Internet learning how to be a better player. She was overheard playing her guitar by the youth director at church, and he has asked her to join the youth choir as a singer and guitar player!! Praise God! He has given her a talent of playing guitar, and today, she decided to use that talent for His Glory. I could not be any more proud of her than I am at this very moment!

We all have talents that are given to us by the Lord. In fact, anything that we are able to do is because He blessed us with that ability. When we choose to use it to further His Kingdom, there is no stronger peace and satisfaction in the world. He called me to be a teacher 15 years ago, and I love it more today than I ever have before. I have experienced first-hand the joy of knowing I am living for Jesus. Now, Bailey will experience that same joy and peace from serving Him. Bailey, your daddy is so proud of you, sweetie. God has given you a talent. Always thank Him for it, and always use it for His Glory. You are an inspiration to me. I am proud God chose me to be your daddy!

3 John 1:4 says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the Truth."

Father, thank you for blessing Bailey. Help her to always stand up for You and to inspire others to seek Your face. In Jesus name, Amen.

I Have It So Rough

One day the toothbrush was talking with the deodorant. The toothbrush was complaining about his job. He said, "I got it so rough. I have to clean all those nasty teeth." The deodorant replied, "That's nothing! I have it rough! I have to rub against sweaty armpits". Finally the toilet paper spoke up, "Ha! That's nothing compared to what I have to do!"

I think it is human nature to believe that we have it so rough in life. We complain constantly about our situation and how bad things are in our lives. But if we look around us, we will see other people who are far worse off than we are. I have a bad habit of complaining. I wish I would focus more on what I do have and less on what I don't. I have my health, a great job, food on the table, a roof over my head, an absolutely adorable daughter, good friends and family, and an incredible amount of hope for the future with my true love! I remember seeing an interview with an all-star high school senior football player. He had just signed a college scholarship. At 6 foot 6 and 280 pounds, he was sure to make an immediate impact for the Ohio State Buckeyes. But tragically, just one week from graduation, he was involved in a car crash that left him paralysed and confined to a wheelchair. In the interview, he was asked if he blamed God for taking away the use of his legs. He replied, "I never thanked Him when I could walk, so why should I blame Him now that I can't." Are our situations today really all that bad? And even if they are, don't we know God can change them from bad to good in the twinkling of an eye?

Psalm 107:1 says, "O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good."

Father, thank you for blessing me so much today. Help me to focus on what I do have and not on what I don't. I pray for anyone who may be hurting at this hour. Please comfort them Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.