The problem with this is that you always get what you want. But not always the way you thought it would come.
Let me begin this story by telling you that as I have said before that just recently we have had our youngest leave the house and move to NYC, He has called us with great excitement about all the new things he is doing and how much of an asset he is making himself to the Co. Great joy of joy, an answer to any fathers prayer life. But 25 years. I know God's time is not our time.
So the greater part of this story is about me. During the week I did a major dusting and cleaning job at the shop. By the time I got home I felt like I was going to die.
My hope was that a good hot shower would get the dust of my face and hair and I would be fine. But as life would have it I was up all night with a painful burning chest.
I the dark ours of the night I asked God to help me provide for my family, and to help me see what is important. The reality of our store is that at one time I had four to five part timers. Now I have my self, one full timer, and a part timer who has been with me for years but is moving towards a better job with my blessing.
When I got out of bed, I had that sick feeling that this was the beginning of God testing me. Can I really let go and let God do something for me? So I got to work
even though I knew in my heart of hearts that I was not staying . I did what I had to
do. Gave my full time helper the news that I would not be around for at least two days. He would be working the weekend alone.
I then saw a Doctor who read me the riot act about lung protection. And spent two and a half days thanking God for providing for my daily needs. But still not sleeping and still in deep chest pain. I'm sill in some pain, but sometimes I believe it takes this kind of wake up call to really believe. We don't work alone. God has a purpose.
God is always watching over us.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Leaving the nest.
When a man decides to marry and share his whole life with one wife, there is nothing more beautiful than that. That is a rich and full time in his life. Then as time would have it we bring
children into the world and the next thing you know, you are now transformed by the grace of God into a family. Being a family brings different corporate responsibilities to us than just being
a married couple. Not to mention the daily drama that can sometimes occur.
I am writing about these things because our youngest, our son has just moved from home. Now by this I don't mean leaving the house to stay with friends in the next town over, I mean he has
taken it upon himself, to grab life and start to really live away from home. Now, New York City is really not that far from home but this brings us to the end of 28 years of teaching children daily almost, how to live. Either by example or by word. Not an easy task in this day and age. And as our youngest leaves our home for the great unknown, my wife and I, still with the greatest of love for each other, look at ourselves and sometimes shed a tear that an era has come to an end, and look to God in praise that we have done well. And wait, for farther instruction.
If a person were to ask me what advice would I give at the end of the day, I think I would have to just plain say, there is no blue print or instruction manual that comes with your child when we bring them into the world. Each day is new and different. Yes there are indeed things I wish we would not have done. But I have forgotten those things long ago so don't go asking. And yes there are things that happened because of other people in our lives that I wish my children did not have to deal with. But in the end God is in control of all that happens and when we raise our children up to him in prayer, he is listening. And it is God that rules the universe and our children's lives and ours. Only he knows what will be the next chapter in our lives and only he
knows what new mission field he will plant us in.
God bless you all who have been a part of the great adventure of our lives. There is more to come, I'm sure of that.
Jesus has Risen indeed.
Robert
children into the world and the next thing you know, you are now transformed by the grace of God into a family. Being a family brings different corporate responsibilities to us than just being
a married couple. Not to mention the daily drama that can sometimes occur.
I am writing about these things because our youngest, our son has just moved from home. Now by this I don't mean leaving the house to stay with friends in the next town over, I mean he has
taken it upon himself, to grab life and start to really live away from home. Now, New York City is really not that far from home but this brings us to the end of 28 years of teaching children daily almost, how to live. Either by example or by word. Not an easy task in this day and age. And as our youngest leaves our home for the great unknown, my wife and I, still with the greatest of love for each other, look at ourselves and sometimes shed a tear that an era has come to an end, and look to God in praise that we have done well. And wait, for farther instruction.
If a person were to ask me what advice would I give at the end of the day, I think I would have to just plain say, there is no blue print or instruction manual that comes with your child when we bring them into the world. Each day is new and different. Yes there are indeed things I wish we would not have done. But I have forgotten those things long ago so don't go asking. And yes there are things that happened because of other people in our lives that I wish my children did not have to deal with. But in the end God is in control of all that happens and when we raise our children up to him in prayer, he is listening. And it is God that rules the universe and our children's lives and ours. Only he knows what will be the next chapter in our lives and only he
knows what new mission field he will plant us in.
God bless you all who have been a part of the great adventure of our lives. There is more to come, I'm sure of that.
Jesus has Risen indeed.
Robert
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Knitting and our culture
As the holiday ended and winter settled in, I found myself surrounded by knitters. I have come home to new scarfs almost daily. This seems to have happened almost overnight, but I'm sure that there has been a lot of this going on that I or my household has not been aware of.
In the same way that when we started home schooling,
very quickly a whole new world opened up to us. A world that seemed to allow time to breath and enjoy God's moment. We home schooled for a short season in our family life, but gained new friends and a greater understanding of the world view of public education. We also gained a closer relationship to our children. Praise God.
But back to knitting.
The basics are simple, or so they say. I had beads of sweat coming off my head as a friend tried to show me what was suppose to be a very basic stitch. But once you get the feel of the yarn and
the needles then it's off you go, with projects galore. The tools are simple, and the finished project becomes a piece of your own fashion wear. Or if your heart is drawn to the basic needs of the world, you can donate your work to organizations around the globe that have ministries for orphans in cold climate regions or to rough and tough sailors who sail the oceans and just wish for a little love from the mainland.
Once you get into the groove, I have witnessed with my own eyes, knitters are able to find peace in their place. I commented the other night, as I finally repaired an old but favorite sweater, in front of the TV, with very little skill, but great satisfaction, that now I understood why radio programs were so great. Here you are sitting working on a hand made projects, listening to the story or the music, at peace. You have to choose to either work with your hands and listen or just watch and sit. TV feeds us stuff we do not need. To find joy in simple things is what God desires for us. To slow down is good for life. You can not be full of stress and knit. You have to let go and find joy in the work. There is little desire beyond the basic tools of the trade. Yarn can come just as easily from the bargain bin as from the " I need that! what ever the cost " bin. Something you made with your own hands has more "BLING" than anything else. It is pure, and soft and feeds the heart.
It goes beyond all language barriers. Color is found in all of God's creation. Knitting I have witnessed brings peace to the creator and love to the receiver.
Thanks for reading,
There are lots of organizations for giving your work away if you so desire. Keep up the good work. You are greatly loved.
Robert
In the same way that when we started home schooling,
very quickly a whole new world opened up to us. A world that seemed to allow time to breath and enjoy God's moment. We home schooled for a short season in our family life, but gained new friends and a greater understanding of the world view of public education. We also gained a closer relationship to our children. Praise God.
But back to knitting.
The basics are simple, or so they say. I had beads of sweat coming off my head as a friend tried to show me what was suppose to be a very basic stitch. But once you get the feel of the yarn and
the needles then it's off you go, with projects galore. The tools are simple, and the finished project becomes a piece of your own fashion wear. Or if your heart is drawn to the basic needs of the world, you can donate your work to organizations around the globe that have ministries for orphans in cold climate regions or to rough and tough sailors who sail the oceans and just wish for a little love from the mainland.
Once you get into the groove, I have witnessed with my own eyes, knitters are able to find peace in their place. I commented the other night, as I finally repaired an old but favorite sweater, in front of the TV, with very little skill, but great satisfaction, that now I understood why radio programs were so great. Here you are sitting working on a hand made projects, listening to the story or the music, at peace. You have to choose to either work with your hands and listen or just watch and sit. TV feeds us stuff we do not need. To find joy in simple things is what God desires for us. To slow down is good for life. You can not be full of stress and knit. You have to let go and find joy in the work. There is little desire beyond the basic tools of the trade. Yarn can come just as easily from the bargain bin as from the " I need that! what ever the cost " bin. Something you made with your own hands has more "BLING" than anything else. It is pure, and soft and feeds the heart.
It goes beyond all language barriers. Color is found in all of God's creation. Knitting I have witnessed brings peace to the creator and love to the receiver.
Thanks for reading,
There are lots of organizations for giving your work away if you so desire. Keep up the good work. You are greatly loved.
Robert
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