The least we can do

As a man, a husband, a father, there is little more frustrating than when something is wrong and you realize that you can't "fix" it. I believe GOD has placed the desire to fix things in each of us and, especially when one of our loved ones is hurting, it bothers us that we can't fix it.

Our son was sick over the weekend, with some kind of stomach bug. Bless his heart, it seemed that all we could do was comfort him, try to keep him hydrated, and clean things up. Fortunately, it was short lived and by Monday he was back to being almost his normal self. Then, Monday evening, Trish started experiencing the same malady, and, again, nothing I could really do for her except comfort her, try to keep her hydrated, and clean things up.

Today's word is Romans 12:10, NIV, which reads, "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

There will be times in our lives when it doesn't seem that there is anything we can do to help those that we love the most. It'll seem that our best efforts are futile in the face of what they are going through. However, if we are doing all we can to help, and are putting their needs above ours, praying for them, assisting with what we can, we are doing all we can. Our part is to be faithful, to pray for them, to help with what we can, and allow GOD to do the rest.

Let's be devoted and love each other. It is the most and the least we can do.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Seeing us through

It has been a week since last posting, and it has been a week. It is amazing how busy life can get from time to time. The week may seem just as normal as any other but things crop up and situations occur which require our attention and focus. But, GOD has seen us through, as He always does.

Does it amaze you, too, that GOD is with us each step of the way. I mean, no matter what it going on, no matter the size of the issue, the depth of the dilemma, the enormity of the moment, GOD is there with us. I don't know about you, but, I know that I couldn't make it through life without Him. I don't know how others do, and I am eternally grateful that I don't have to.

Today's word is a reminder that GOD will always be with us, caring for us, taking us through: Isaiah 41:13, ESV, reads, "For I, the LORD your GOD, hold your right hand: it is I Who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the One Who helps you.'"

It is an indescribable comfort and encouragement knowing that GOD cares about me and what is going on in my life. But, He doesn't stop with just caring about me. He also goes through it with me; He doesn't stand around waiting to hear about it from me. He knows what is going on and how it will turn out, and HE goes through it with me. He supports and guides and holds my hand through it all.

We will all have weeks that seem to never end. We will all have times that it seems that every time we come up for a breath we get hit by another big wave. We will all have moments when it seems that there is more than we can bear. BUT, in those moments, GOD is holding our right hand and seeing us through.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T 

Honor GOD

 Are there things that you are really good at? Are there things that you just excel at? I am pretty sure that we all have things that just seem to come natural to us. Now, I have to admit that I don't have much. I have always been pretty mediocre at most things. Oh, I have tried A LOT of different things to evaluate my "talent" but, very few things have proven fruitful.

For those who are blessed with GOD-given talent to do certain things, I pray that you don't forget that it is GOD-given. It is easy to fill ourselves with self-pride over our accomplishments, when all honor and praise should go to Him. If He has gifted you in a specific area, and He has, be sure to give the credit to Him, and remember to thank Him for His gifting.

Today's word is Proverbs 29:23, NKJV, which reads, "A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor."

I have mentioned before that there is not too many things more off-putting than to hear someone brag about how sensationally talented they are. Don't get me wrong, they are exceptionally talented, they have worked hard to hone their craft, they have put forth the effort, practiced for hour upon hour, but GOD has still given them the talent. Why not thank Him?

I know people that are so super talented and, yet, so super humble. Why? Because, they know that it is GOD that has given them every good and perfect gift. Yes, they have practiced and worked to build it and strengthen it, but they would have had nothing to build and strengthen if GOD hadn't provided in the first place. Honor GOD with the talents He has given you.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Which One?

I have mentioned before that my children have seemingly picked up all my not so good qualities. I do have a few good ones, but, I haven't seen them display those as often. They will do something or say something and I will immediately know that they have picked that up from me (I would love to blame their Mom, but, nope, it's me).

I think we all have our struggles with things: bad attitudes, moodiness, impatience, quirky sayings, etc. It is never more evident than when we see our little ones model those traits. It is a fact that the more we listen to things, the more we allow things to influence us, the more we focus on a particular thing, the more that one (1) thing impacts us.

Today's word is 1 John 4:4, NIV, which reads, "You, dear children, are from GOD and have overcome them, because the One Who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."

It is easy to give the devil too much credit for my bad traits; the proverbial "the devil made me do it." While he certainly presents us with some challenges and the trials, it is our response/reaction to it that speaks of what we are allowing to influence us. The old story goes, "There are two (2) dogs inside me that are in constant fight. Do you know which one (1) always wins? The one (1) I feed the most."

As children of GOD, we have Him living in our hearts. And, no matter what may come our way, we have what it takes to overcome those challenges with love and faith and perseverance. Why? Because, the One Who is in us is greater than the one trying to influence us. 

Be Blessed,

Mickey T 

Worth the Wait

 Anticipation can be a trial of epic proportion for someone who is not very patient, like me. I readily admit that I am a doer, someone that when something needs to be done, something is the right thing to do, I try to get it done. Not saying that others aren't the same, I am just that to a fault. And, when I say to a fault, I mean that I have made many mistakes in my haste to get things done.

So, why is it so hard to patiently wait? Because, when we anticipate things, when we truly are expecting things, when we truly desire something to happen, it can be very taxing and draining physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Anxiously waiting and it not happening can still our joy.

Today's word is Proverbs 13:12, NIV, which reads, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

Solomon knew that dashed hopes sicken the heart. And, the stronger the desire, the higher the anticipation, the longer the expectation, the stronger and greater the frustration. Again, for me, if patience truly is a virtue, I am not a very virtuous person. BUT...

But, when that longing, that anticipation, that expectation is fulfilled it renews us and breaths new life into us. Maybe you have been waiting on something to happen that just doesn't seem to be in the cards. I would dare say that we all have. I know that, if it is in GOD'S will, then, it will come. And, when it does, it will definitely be worth the wait.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Honorable

Have you ever felt like you have been done wrong? How did that make you feel? Did you want to get even? Did you want to inflict the same feeling on him/her that they had inflicted on you? Did you want to exact some revenge? Did you want to bring them down because they were dead set to bring you down? I think all of those reactions are very normal and, maybe, practical.

None of us like for others to mistreat us, especially by saying or doing things that are not true. None of us like for others to tell lies and to try to harm our reputation or image. We work hard to try and establish ourselves as decent individuals, but, there are those out there that will say anything and make up anything just to bring us down. So, what do we do about it?

Today's word is Romans 12:17, NLT, which reads, "Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable."

"Never pay back evil with more evil..." Man, that is easier said than done. It is hard to let others spread rumors and untruths about us. It is difficult to sit back and not fight back. It is hard not to try to tear down the one trying to tear us down. But, today's passage says not to repay evil for evil. The Bible tells us that vengeance is GOD'S; He will settle things for us.

The last part of today's word is what I want to live up to: "...Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable." I don't always live up to that, but, I certainly want to try. I want to try to live my life in such a way that when someone does say something untrue about me, others will know it is untrue. 

Folks are always going to try to tear others down, which is something that they will stand before GOD and give an account for, just as we all will. I want to live in such a way that others will see that I am honorable.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T 

Love

Our son was telling me last night that he loves me more than I love him, which is extremely heartwarming and completely untrue. I know it is hard to explain to a nine-year-old but he has no idea how much I love him (and his sister, and their Mom). It is difficult to even try to find words that come close to describing or defining my love for them.

I know that each of you parents know what I am talking about; the love for our children is something that we never knew until we had children. It is a love that causes us to live on a few hours of sleep each night and to get up and go to work each day. It is a love that causes us to make huge personal sacrifices but we don't see them as sacrifices at all. Man, it is hard to explain love.

Today's word is 1 Chronicles 16:34, NIV, which reads, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."

As much as we love our children, GOD loves us, His children, even more. So much so that He chose the death on the cross to make a way for us to be with Him forever! His love for us is so deep and so wide that it is unfathomable. But, it is even more than that...

His love for us is eternal, it endures forever. There has never been a time that He has not loved us - not when we were walking away, not when we were disobedient, not when we refused to listen - NEVER. And, there will never be a time that He doesn't love us - NEVER. 

I am thankful GOD has given Trish and our children to me to love, and I LOVE them. I am also forever thankful that He loves me, and that His love will endure forever.