January 20

Encouragement

The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.

Proverbs 25:11 (NCV)


The Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.

Isaiah 30:18 (NAS)


I was overbooked and overburdened. I needed help and I knew where to go. I spent the early morning hour in prayer—in worship, intercession and petition. I knew God hadn’t abandoned me. I could wait for Him to do what He wanted—with me, with others, with situations.

Then I began to see His hand at work in others. Janice approached me at church, saw how few people had signed up for our marriage conference and reassured me. She would get the word out. Nice.

I caught the attention of two of our men and gave them some information to look over. One looked at my tired eyes and expressed concern. He asked me how I was doing, so I told him. In a flash, he said, “I’ll do whatever you need. I’ll help out wherever you like.” Wow. Very nice.

I got home after staying late at church. My wife gave me a hug and said, “How about I drive Drew back to college today? You can use the time to get caught up. Okay?”

Okay. No, more than okay! Heaven sent.

Once again I see God’s hand. My God wants to help and He wants to show His love. His timing is perfect. His compassion moves in others and touches my soul … and life … becomes beautiful.


Father, thank You for these brothers and sisters and the joy we share in You. Amen.

January 19

Choosing the Boy Over the Gator


… in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV)


I graduated from the University of Florida over 30 years ago. My how time flies! Well, the U of F has received a lot of attention lately as my Gators have come alive in the world of college sports. When I attended, we were still trying to win the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Football Championship, and it seemed so awfully important. We had some good teams and someone back then coined the phrase “Year of the Gator.” Well, year after year, we were supposed to have a great season and go all the way! But the saying seemed to have the reverse effect as my Orange and Blue came up short time and again. So we quit saying “Year of the Gator” because it had become a jinx.

But now things are different. I’ve followed our success and probably you have too: NCAA Basketball Champs last year, NCAA Football Champs this year, and now a repeat in basketball by beating Ohio State in the final.

Last night was the night of the big game, and I was well prepared. I had tracked the Select 64, the Sweet 16, the Elite 8 and the Final 4, and yes, that sweet victory over UCLA brought us to the Big One. I was ready!

But then something happened.

My 9-year old boy. The son who had been working hard to correct some personal issues we had discussed wanted some time with his dad.

“Dad, let’s play baseball out back!”

“Uhhhhh…. Hey, I know. How about we watch basketball instead! It’s the NCAA Championship game and my team is playing! How about that?”

“No. That’s okay.”

He turned and walked away. He never was one for TV sports. He wanted to do, not watch. I heard the back door close, and my mind began to click and whirr. Then the Spirit began to work overtime and Scripture verses like the one above drifted up from the tiny recesses of my brain.

I looked longingly at our widescreen and the colorful jerseys running up and down the court. It took nearly a minute to make a choice, but I did make a choice. I found Alex out back throwing a half-inflated soccer ball to the dog.

I don’t know how it happened, but Alex threw me out at home plate three times last night! Darn it all, I lost 6 to 4, but what a fun heartbreak. Alex had a blast and God graciously allowed me to watch the last 5 minutes of NCAA basketball AND see a second championship for my beloved Gators. Double joy and one happy kid … uh … okay ... make that two!


LORD, thanks for Your challenge to put others first. Help us to please You in every way and to make right choices. Amen.

January 18

Sleeplessness


We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit.

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)


I lie in bed listening to that quiet, library-like hum in my ears. It’s 3 a.m., 3:30, 4. The sheets rustle as my wife rolls over. Her gentle breathing punctuates the stillness and my mind races as it has for the last hour. I throw off the too warm quilt. It smothers me like everything else—church, family, business. My minor problems consume me. So much to do, so much to take care of, and so little time!

I consider my work at church and realize 15 hours a week has turned in to what seems like 50. Seven ministries and a host of new activities, conferences, meetings, groups and programs are about to launch. People need to be recruited, summer schedules set and programs stood up. I cannot not act. I must get busy. We are launching a new campaign to build healthy families, but my own family needs attention.

Some might call it minor. I don’t. Two of my three boys are experiencing behavioral issues. It’s a subtle thing, yet lack of attention could affect their character in negative ways. I know I have to do something!

Then I think of my parents in assisted living—my dad’s need for care and my mom’s need for relief from the burden of care giving. Something has to happen! Then I remember their income tax still needs to be done … by me! I haven’t even started which, reminds me, I better start our tax return as well.

Then there’s the family business. It won’t go away. Calls from East Coast real estate agents at 6 a.m. Ongoing talks with three different lawyers on a myriad of issues. Faxes, phone calls and emails. Offers, counteroffers; deals and notaries; express mail and bank runs—the barrage seems endless.

Then there’s my own desire to blog and finish my writing course—only 10 lessons to complete in the next 28 days! Man, oh man!

On and on it goes until it finally drives me out of bed at 5 a.m., but all is not lost. I smile an unseen smile as I quietly launch into a new day. In the dark, I slip on some socks and a shirt and leave my wife in slumbering bliss. Later, she’ll ask me why I think I need to get up so early and spend so much time praying. I already know the answer: I don’t want to be crushed or broken, and I don’t want to quit. So, I hit my knees and by the time the sun rises I know God has not abandoned me.

I have made a decision, the most important decision of my life. I want to live—in spite of problems, issues and setbacks, I want to live—for Christ! I want to live for Christ, and I hope you do too!


Father, thank You for schedules, for issues and problems and for a chance to trust You. Help us, I pray. Amen.