Things I've learned from the Amazing Mr. Brintnall....Part One

Today.......

I want to share one of the valuable things I've learned from the Amazing Mr. Brintnall...

When we were dating, he would say things that I wasn't exactly sure how to interpret. Once, when discussing our goals and dreams, he said~~~

It's the simple things in life that really matter.

This sounds good....maybe you've said that...
But.......I had never said anything like that...

Before the Amazing Mr. Brintnall came into my life....I was focused on achieving....doing better than I had before, going higher, working harder, making a name for myself.....

From my early childhood, I constantly strove to be better....I had to get the best grades, be class president, then Student Body president. I had to write more articles for the school newspaper, win speech tournaments, and get the lead in the high school play (as a freshman nonetheless).

Things happened in my life that distracted me....but my innate desire is to ACHIEVE!!!
I don't want to just be a good preacher...I want to be a GREAT preacher. I don't want to just "get by" in life, I intend to prosper!

I expected the Amazing Mr. Brintnall, whom I loved, to say something like, "We're going to the top, baby. Nothing will stop us now. Look out, world. We may have been sidetracked, but here we come!"

Nope. He said, "It's the simple things in life that really matter."

What did he mean by that??????

Did he mean that he wasn't motivated to accomplish much?

Did he mean that he wouldn't let me buy any more nice clothes if we married? 

Did it mean that he would want me to go camping? (GOD FORBID!!!)  

As kindly as I could, I asked him to clarify what he meant.

He said something about driving out a dirt road on a summer night, and sitting in the back of his pick up truck to look at the stars....

He talked about going on an impromptu picnic at the lake.

He said something about teaching our grandchildren how to fish.

He mentioned being content with what we have and where we are.

Thank God, he didn't say anything about camping!!!!

When he mentioned the simple things in life, he didn't mean that his goal was to do nothing, accomplish nothing, and be a lazy bum....(Tip to single ladies- do NOT get involved with a lazy man!)
The amazing Mr. Brintnall is one of the hardest workers I know. He put in a 27 hour day last week while I was out of town...there was an important project at work that needed to be done, and he worked from 6:00 a.m. Wednesday until 8:00 a.m. Thursday to see that it was done.....

The Amazing Mr. Brintnall is always thinking of ways to do more, be better, and take care of his family...

He doesn't mind if I buy nice clothes, and he likes it when I dress up.....whew! Funny thing is, I  prefer my jeans and sandals these days to suits and heels....

He doesn't even like to camp any more......praise the Lord for that!!!

I think I've finally figured out what he meant when he said....

It's the simple things in life that really matter.

The Amazing Mr. Brintnall and I planted a garden a few months ago. (Well, he planted it...I water it and eat from it!) We enjoy walking out to the garden and looking at the fruit of our labor. We keep an eye on the strawberries and tomatoes for slugs that have tried to overtake them. There's a certain kind of gratification when the tomato ripens and makes its way onto our salad that night. We find a joy in knowing that we planted something and we are harvesting. That's a simple thing, but it's a very good thing.

We eat 95% of our meals at home. There are certain regular items on our menu. One of them is Taco Salad. Taco Salad night is like party night at our house. Yep, we like it that much! We laugh and celebrate how much we enjoy this simple meal in our quiet little home in the sugar cane fields of southern Louisiana. It's a simple thing, but it's a very good thing.

We love our kids. His youngest son just graduated high school, and we were thankful to be able to witness him walk the stage. Then we were able to spend a week with him and my son and his family as they got to know one another on a family vacation. The trip wasn't fancy--no first class plane tickets, five star hotels, or fancy restaurants--but the time together was precious. It was a simple thing, but a very good thing.

We go out to eat once in a while, but on a more regular basis, we go out for ice cream. It costs us up to $6.50.... (when I get something fancy).....We park at the drive in at Sonic, put our windows down, and listen to 1960's Rock and Roll Music as we enjoy our indulgences....he always gets a strawberry sundae...It's a simple thing, but a very good thing.

We pray together before every meal. He thanks God for the food and blesses it, but he also thanks God for sending Jesus so we would have a way to Him; he prays for other family and church needs, and at the end of the prayer he always says, "Thank You, God for Gloria and her love for me." Then we kiss. Every. Single. Time. It's a simple thing, but a very good thing.

Yes, it's the simple things in life that really matter.

We still have goals and dreams. God is not finished with either of us. We just wrote a new set of goals and put them on our refrigerator. We are working hard, sowing seed, and believing God...but we have decided to ENJOY where we are RIGHT NOW. 

LIFE IS TOO SHORT to always be looking so far ahead that you can't appreciate where you are and what God has ALREADY DONE FOR YOU!

Yes, there is more to dream. Yes, there are loftier goals ahead of you. There is more, but begin today to be THANKFUL for the SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE!

"But godliness with contentment is great gain...." 1 Timothy 6:6

Find some simple things that bring joy to your life and celebrate them!

I'll blog you next week....until then, do something today to fulfill your purpose....

3 Things Kids Need from "My Odd Life"

Well…dear readers….TODAY I feel like talking about children…..again….because this has been a big part of “My Odd Life.” J

What do your children really need? Of course, they need a roof over their heads, food on their table, and clothing on their backs (and fronts, please!). 

Don’t worry- I’m not going to spout off about how your kid doesn’t need that iPhone, ipad, and laptop. Some technical knowledge is vital in today’s learning and employment environment.

I’m not here to demonize all the luxuries that first world kids enjoy. I enjoyed some. My kids enjoyed some. They were great. Whatever you can do for your children (without going into debt) do it!

Whether you can buy them a car when they are sixteen or the best you can do is fill the tires in their bicycle with air, there are some things that your children absolutely need from you regardless of your financial situation.

This is not an all encompassing list-but a starting place….to be continued…..

Three Things Kids Need

1. Kids need to know God.

The cool “intellectual” parents who never talk about God to their children often say, “I want my child to choose for him/herself” about religion. I’ve got news for you: they all will eventually choose for themselves….even the kids who are brought up in church….There will come a day when momma and daddy won’t be able to force them to believe, to pray, to attend church, or even to live morally. My kids were raised in a God fearing home. They went to church twice a week. We prayed and read the Bible. However, when they became young adults, they had to choose for themselves to serve God or not. If they hadn’t even known God, how could they have chosen Him?

It is the parents’ responsibility to introduce the kids to God. In order to do that, of course, you need to know Him yourself. The only way to know God is through a relationship with Jesus. That’s why Jesus came to the Earth. Get your kids to a good church. Pray with them. Read the Bible to them. Let them hear YOU pray and talk about your relationship with God!

One of the things I often prayed with my children, and I pray over my grandchildren while I am holding them is, “Thank you, God, for _________________ (child’s name).”

Your kids need to hear that : 1. You are thankful for their very life. 2. They are a gift from God, and not an accident or the result of the breeding of some kind of super-apes!

2. Kids need to know you love them. No. Matter. What.

That’s called “unconditional love.” You can’t just love them when they bring home the straight A’s or when they get the Athletic scholarship.  Love is an action word. My book, “How to Never Fail for Parents” discusses how love really looks on a day-to-day basis with your kids. (Order it at www.createspace.com/5407452) You can never say, “I love you” too often.  I said it to my children as often as I could when I was raising them. I say it as often as I can to my grandchildren.

Learn your child’s love language….How does he/she express and receive love? One of my children responded and communicated through words of affirmation and time. The other one responded to gifts. Thank God I figured that out! That child would ask me every time I came in the door from grocery shopping, “What did you bring me?” At first I thought, “What kind of selfish child am I raising here?” Then I noticed that this child was always looking for ways to give things to others. If that’s your child’s love language, a piece of chewing gum, a handwritten note, or any small token is usually sufficient. Find a way to express love to them in the way they understand it….for my “gifts” child….trying to hug and snuggle was…..a challenge….instead of it expressing love I think it was seen as an affront! LOL!  I still hugged and snuggled whenever I could sneak it in…. J I still do…..

3. Kids need to know that you believe in them.

It’s popular to say, “You can do anything you want in life.” Yes….but it would be better to tell your kids, “You can excel at whatever God wants you to do in life.” Your child may not be the BEST at anything right now. He/she still needs to know that you believe in him/her. Remind him/her that God has a plan for his/her life. Your child needs to know that great achievements don’t come easily. Perseverance is required, and God blesses perseverance: And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. (Romans 5:4)

Developing a life of discipline and perseverance will build your child’s self-esteem. Encourage your child to never give up. If he/she falls down, help him/her up. Share biographies of successful men and women. Tell them about your challenges and victories as you have persevered through learning to ride a bike, learning to swim, learning to roller skate, learning to play ball, learning an instrument, graduating college, getting your first job….whatever! They can do it! Teach your children Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

Like I said, this is not an all encompassing list….but when more parents provide the above three things for their children, this world will be a much better place.

I pray this blog encouraged you or taught you something!

Please share it!

I’ll blog you next week….I’m thinking it’s time for me to write more about the Amazing Mr. Brintnall….We shall see….in the meantime, do something TODAY to fulfill your purpose.

Not born a Kennedy or Bush or Kardashian? That's OK- Just Pursue and Do

Today...I am thinking about a highly misrepresented word...

“That word you keep on using, I do not think it means what you think it means,” this is one of my favorite quotes from “The Princess Bride.”

There was a word stirring in my spirit as I prayed this morning, and I do not think it means what most people think it means:

Equality.

Equality, unfortunately, does not mean fairness.

Why wasn’t I born a Kennedy or at least a Kardashian?

I was born the same way the children in the Kennedy family or Bush family or even the Kardashian family were born. We were born with the gift of life from God. We were all born upside down and naked J …..we all came through the lives of our parents. Yet they have a whole lot more money and influence than I do. That really doesn’t seem fair, does it?

God creates each person with unique gifts and abilities. I have mine. You have yours. Venus and Serena Williams have theirs. Why do Venus and Serena make so much more money than I do? I work hard. I work every day. I’ve been developing my abilities for the last 30 years….and I’ve yet to earn over $30 million dollars! That just doesn’t seem fair.

Even in the body of Christ, we are all equal. Each believer in Jesus has Resurrection power on the inside. Every one has a role to play, and the blessings of God are available to all. If we’re all equal, why then, did you watch Joyce Meyer and T.D. Jakes on TV this morning and not me? That just does not seem fair!

All Men (and Women) are Created Equal

The brave men who penned the Declaration of Independence wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..”

The founding fathers were people. They weren’t perfect. They were, however, men of conviction, and the basis of most of their convictions came from a belief in God.

God is a God of righteousness, justice, and equality. God gives every baby born the gift of life. Every one. God gives every baby of every race, tribe and tongue the gift of freedom of choice. Everyone can choose to serve God or not. Those who choose God through Jesus Christ will go to heaven. Those who do not will end up in hell. Is that fair? Yes, it is, because every person is given the choice. (I believe every person will one way or another have the opportunity to choose Jesus, even in the darkest corners of the world… “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20)

Obviously not a Kennedy or Bush or even a Kardashian, but still pursuing happiness!

The Right to Pursue

The Declaration of Independence states that God gives every American, regardless of race, social status, or background the right to pursue his/her God-given gifts, which will result in life-long happiness.

There is a pursuit required.

·      Everyone isn’t born into the Venus and Serena Williams family.

·      Everyone isn’t born with the talent of professional athletes.

·      Everyone isn’t born with the same amount of money in a Trust fund as the Kennedy children or Bush children or Kardashian children.

·      Everyone isn’t born with the doors of opportunity wide open. Some people have to knock on door after door; or maybe even knock a few doors down…..

That seems downright wrong and unjust.

The writers of the Declaration of Independence held that everyone is born with the freedom to pursue happiness.

I never pursued being a professional athlete like the Williams sisters, therefore I am not partaking in the financial prosperity that they have honestly earned.

My parents didn’t pursue political positions of power and influence, so I wasn’t born into a family like the Kennedys or Bushes. They didn't sign up to become a reality series, so I don't have the fame of a Kardashian.

I haven’t pursued having a world-wide TV ministry like Joyce Meyer and T.D. Jakes….so they have one…and I don’t.

I Love Our Country, but it is far from Perfect

The system of freedom of pursuit in America is no doubt, the best in the world, and yet, it is still flawed. There is no perfect man-made system! Stop expecting it to be perfect! If you want a perfect system, get serious about God’s system, also known as, “The Kingdom of God.”

In the Kingdom of God-

·      Everyone can participate in His system of sowing and reaping.

·      Everyone can participate in giving to others.

·      Everyone can choose to speak words of life instead of words that kill.

·      Everyone can choose to operate in love and forgiveness.

·      Everyone can trust God to take him/her to higher levels than any man could ever provide.

Are your rights to the Pursuit of Happiness Unalienable or Inalienable?

Equality-all people are created equal…with certain unalienable rights….

Have you quoted this incorrectly? Many people say “inalienable.”

There is a difference.

"Unalienable: incapable of being alienated, that is, sold and transferred." (Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, page 1523)

Inalienable rights: Rights which are not capable of being surrendered or transferred without the consent of the one possessing such rights. (Morrison v. State, Mo. App., 252 S.W.2d 97, 101.)

It seems to me that we have confused our rights as Americans and as Christians. We have forgotten that we have unalienable rights, not inalienable rights. A lot of people are willing to “surrender” their rights of free choice to some big group or the government, even…hoping that will bring them their long sought happiness.

God gives you the right to pursue whatever is in your heart. Don’t let the voice of some preacher, professor, politician, or media guru tell you that you can’t achieve happiness because you weren’t born into the right family; you don’t have the right connections, or you are from the wrong neighborhood.

God gives you the right to pursue it. That doesn’t mean that you try something once, and if it’s difficult, you just throw up your hands and say, “The world is against me. I wasn’t born a Kennedy, or a Bush, or a Kardashian, so nothing good will ever happen for me.”

I’ve Seen Some Very Unfair Things in Life

Life isn’t fair. Period.

I’ve seen some very unfair things in life….very, very unfair…

Those to whom the unfairness was wrought had to choose to either let that unfairness embitter them for the rest of their lives or allow it to spur them on to pray more fervently, give more generously, forgive more liberally, and work more vigorously in pursuit of their happiness….in pursuit of their God-given dream.

God doesn’t intend for us all to have the same amount of money.

God doesn’t intend for us all to do the same kind of work.

God doesn’t intend for us all to look to some big group or government to bring us happiness.

Look to God, not to a Group or to a Government.

God longs to be the source of your joy.

God says, "I want to be your all-in-all."

God intends for you to seek Him.

God wants you to depend on Him.

Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,
but we boast in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7 NLT)

God will show you what He has brought you into this earth to do. You don't need permission from any group or politician to be who God created you to be.

Pray, set goals, work, believe God, give, believe God, and believe some more. 

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 KJV)

Whatever it is-Get with God-Listen to Him-Trust Him! YOU CAN!

PURSUE it and DO IT!

If this blog encouraged you, please share it today! I'll blog you next week, in the meantime.... do something each day to pursue your happiness by following God's plans....

You can have results OR You can have excuses~~Excuses are Useless

Today.....

I'm a day late writing and posting this blog....sorry... but....I do have a good excuse....I was facing a major deadline on another project.....

Excuses, excuses.

When you don't want to do something, instead of giving some big long drawn out reason, you might as well say, "The cat has a fur ball" because it doesn't matter WHAT the reason is....you just really don't want to do it. One excuse is as good as another!

You know, when I don't get something done, I always have a good reason...or excuse....but honestly, unless there are unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances...the reason I didn't do something is because I didn't prioritize it.

I had decided something else was more important!

So....I will just be honest.... dear reader....I love you...but this other project was more important yesterday than my blog!

Someone once said,

"If it's important to you, you'll find a way. If it's not, you'll find an excuse!"

Shall we talk? What do you keep making excuses for?

Do any of these statements sound familiar:

I would exercise, but I just don't have the time.

I would have an emergency fund in savings, but everything is so expensive!

I would love to get involved at church, but my children tie me down.

I wish my house was clean, but my spouse is so sloppy.

I would give money to my church, but I just never seem to have enough.

People who get things done and make things happen in life find REASONS, not EXCUSES.

EXCUSES ARE USELESS. WHAT GOOD DO THEY DO?

You can have what sounds like a really good excuse to not exercise, but the excuse is not helping you fit into those jeans or keep your heart healthy!

An excuse won't put any money in your savings account or in the offering plate of your church.

An excuse won't teach the kids in your children's church.

Excuses don't get your house clean.

I so admire my daughter, Jen. She is a pastor's wife. That alone deserves recognition.

On top of that, she is a wonderful mother to three little girls-ages 6,4,2.  She home schools her 6 year old and her 4 year old. She doesn't have any spare time.

After her third baby was born, she wanted to lose that"baby weight." She had more excuses not to make that happen than anyone I know!

Don't get crazy, here. I'm not saying she needed to lose weight or that YOU need to lose weight. My point is, she WANTED to lose weight. She had been an athlete in high school and she missed that physical discipline.

Instead of making excuses (and then complaining) about her inability to lose that weight,
she started attending a boot camp that BEGAN AT 5:00 AM!  5:00 AM....that's in the MORNING!!!

It was important to her. She made a decision and made it happen.

She recently got certified as a boot camp instructor. She didn't have time for that, either....but she made the time. Her husband helped her and supported her.
(Contact her here about attending one with her...
JenniferT@Texasfitchicks.com)


Then she joined a Runners' Club that runs on Saturdays. As pastors often do, her husband normally works on Saturdays. Now that would be a great excuse not to run. Three kids, no family in town, husband has to work....But no....this is important to her, and she found a way to make it happen!  It is not easy. It takes planning. It takes effort that the other runners don't have to expend. But she has decided IT IS WORTH IT TO HER!!!! She loads those three girls in a triple stroller and pushes it-she did 5 miles a few weeks ago....pushing about 120 pounds!

What's YOUR excuse?

You can always find a way to  make things happen that are important to you... you can at least take a step in the right direction!  

Excuses are a result of this society's reluctance to take responsibility.
Have you noticed how EVERY PROBLEM IS THE OTHER GUY'S FAULT?

When you don't take responsibility for your life, you lose the power of self determination in your life. Do you know what I mean? It sounds like this~~

"I can't get ahead because THEY [whoever they may be-Republicans, Democrats, Management, Unions, etc.] are keeping me down."

"I just can't get control of my eating habits because my mother forced me to eat everything on my plate."

 People can step on you, stomp on you and sit on you....but they can't keep you down forever...unless you resign yourself to that position of inferiority. 

Being stepped on, stomped on, and sat upon should be a reason to wiggle, holler, move, and claw your way up out of that position! But you've got to move up and on....you can't stay there and bemoan the fact that someone is trying to keep you down....unless you prefer staying down to taking the action needed to GET UP!

EXCUSES ARE READILY AVAILABLE.....BUT THEY PRODUCE NOTHING!!!! 

Rather than make excuses, why not take some positive action?

Maybe attending boot camp isn't available to you, but if you want to do something about your physical condition, you can begin by doing 5 minute workouts that are available in droves on Youtube.

OK-so saving hundreds of dollars a month isn't possible with your budget, you can begin by saving $25.00 per paycheck!

Instead of trying to go from "Horders" to "HGTV" perfect in your house, why not take 5 minutes a day (Set a timer!) and do SOMETHING to get the mess under control?

And....I didn't get this blog done yesterday, but yesterday I jotted down a few ideas for it.....and...HERE IT IS!!!

You can have results or you can have excuses. Which will it be?

Stop blaming other people for your situation. OK....they may be blamable, but NOW what are YOU going to DO ABOUT IT? TAKE POSITIVE ACTION!!!!

And one more thing.....please.......when someone asks you to do something and you really don't want to do it....don't make some lame excuse...."Sorry I can't help with that project at church because....ummm...my cat has a fur ball!" Just say politely, "Thank you for asking, but that's not something I will be doing right now." :-)

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

If this blog encouraged you, or made you mad :-) please share it! I'll blog you next week...no excuses!  Until then, do something TODAY to fulfill your purpose!

Dream Jobs-those that make a lasting difference in the world....

Today....

I spent some time reading some of my past blogs......and boy oh boy.....did I get inspired!

I'm tempted to repost one of them today.....but I've got something else brewing....

What's your dream job? Some people say there is no such thing. Others will tell you that it really is "out there" somewhere. The search goes on for many.....

Someone once said, "Do something you love and you'll never work a day in your life." 

Ummmmm.....that sounds good....but...not sure that's accurate.....

I LOVE what I do. I LOVE to write and to preach and teach. I really, really LOVE IT.....but there are days I don't want to sit at my computer to work on articles and books and devotionals....Some days I have absolutely no idea what to type on the keys....and I pray that God will just "take over" my fingers and do it without any involvement on my part....yea.....like every week when it's time to write this blog! This is work.

I LOVE preaching....but when I get a ministry date, I have to spend a whole lot of time....a whole lot....praying and studying and writing and rewriting and praying some more and even practicing....and then praying some more so as not to depend on MY efforts, but on the Holy Spirit...it's a delicate and sometimes daunting balance..... That is work.

So....what's your dream job?  Have you identified it? Have you found it? 

One article I read said that finding your dream job was like finding your spouse. Sure, there will be a "honeymoon" period when everything is all hunky-dory, but one day, the hard truth will hit you that your perfect job has some warts....you know....stuff you just don't want to deal with....reports and papers and meetings and office procedures and unreasonable bosses and difficult employees or clients....need I go on?

One website listed some dream jobs that most people don't know exist....for example....
Being a professional snuggler......yes, that's SNUGGLER....with an "N"....not "smuggler"....
The article stated that this is a new enterprise in Japan....you can be hired to snuggle.....

That may sound like a dream job...but think of all the problems that could ensue....I don't think I need to list them here....but really? EWWWWWW.....

The jobs listed as "dream jobs" seemed to appeal to a desire to be....well....lazy!  Snuggling, ice cream tasting, mattress testing.....none of those jobs require much physical or mental investment...

While doing practically nothing (snuggling....eating ice cream....sleeping) may sound appealing for a job, most people really want to make a difference in what they do. 

The reason I love what I do isn't because I make a lot of money at it....I love what I do because I know that when I write something or preach something that changes a life for the better, I have made a difference....sometimes an ETERNAL difference. 

The first time I preached on H.O.P.E.-Having Only Positive Expectations-a gentleman came up to me after the service and said that when he came into the church that day he was planning on committing suicide, but the Word of God that was ministered that morning set him free and he left there with HOPE!  The work I did to prepare and present that message made a difference....for him...for his family...for generations to come!

Don't you want to make a difference?

Do you want to do something that will keep contributing beyond your lifetime?

Do you want your work to effect generations to come?

Then help a parent. 

Parents have the biggest, most important, most difficult job in the world.

Yet for the last several decades, parenting has been maligned as nothing more than a distraction to "important careers." There is nothing more important than raising the next generation of adults. NOTHING. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

Pundits wonder why society has become so heartless, so hateful, and so hurtful.

Why do we see teenagers recording brutal attacks and posting them on the internet? Because they haven't been parented. They haven't been taught to be compassionate, caring, thoughtful individuals who honor and respect other people.

• The violence we see on our news feed on a daily basis could be greatly decreased if parents would  begin to hold their children accountable for their actions.

• Every race and hatred issue could be eradicated in one generation if only the parents would teach their children to honor and respect other people regardless of their differences.

Parents need help! 

• Many are struggling just to pay the bills. Financial worries create stress in the home. Mom and/or dad can't focus on the kids because they are so consumed with the pressure of paying rent and putting food on the table. 

•  Most parents don't have any idea how to deal with their children. They raise their children the way they were raised. That could be good....or not.... Their motto is, "It was good enough for me, so it's good enough for my kids."

• Parents are getting mixed messages about effective parenting. Intrinsically they know that there are moral absolutes in life. Yet higher education, the media, and pop psychology has told them that there is no such thing as moral absolutes. What may be right for one person may not be right for another. Whatever feels right to you is right....so....the teenager who mercilessly beats another student because he doesn't like the way he looks is just acting on what he feels is right.

• Parents are tired of being judged by everyone else. If their child is throwing a tantrum in the store, they are judged for being too lax if they don't deal with it. If they discipline the child, the parent is judged as being an abuser. 

•  Many parents...ESPECIALLY single parents....are just....plain....exhausted. 

Years ago, the extended family was close at hand....in the same city, same neighborhood, maybe even the same house....grandparents, aunts, uncles,  and older cousins were around to set examples for the kids. They were available to teach the young ones certain skills that perhaps their parents lacked, and to give the parents a break. The kids could run over to uncle and auntie's house for a few hours and learn how to bait a line or sew a hem, giving mom and/or dad a few moments to at least gather their thoughts and maybe get off their feet.....for just a moment!

Today's transient society leaves many, if not most parents on their own. Parents could get some support from their church, if they would just get the kids up and out of bed and go. Having a children's pastor or youth pastor who will back mom and/or dad up on moral and behavioral issues has made a difference in many children's lives....if only mom/dad would get them to church!

I love parents. I admire parents. They have a real DREAM JOB...whether they realize it or not...
Their job makes a difference in the world. 

Some mom and/or dad right now is raising the next Steve Jobs or Mother Theresa or Billy Graham or Condoleza Rice or T. D. Jakes.

HELP THEM!

• The very least you can do is encourage the parents that you know. Tell them they can do it. Smile at that parent in the grocery store with the cart full of kids, even if one of them is acting up. Speak kindly to parents who are trying their best to wrangle their children in public. Acknowledge that the work they do is important!

•  HELP THEM FINANCIALLY! Give them something! If you see a family out to eat....if you can afford to....pay their bill. Slip that young mother a $20 or $50 or $100 bill. Have a case of diapers shipped to that new mom. Give them gift cards for groceries or gas! Help pay a kid's way to church camp! 

• Do something for them! Can you sit with the kids for an hour while mom and dad go to get something to eat...alone...together? Can you offer to change the oil in the family car? Can you at least help that mom with her arms full of kids and diaper bags at least get from her car to the church door?

•  Volunteer! Volunteer to help in your church's Kids' Ministry! 

I love parents, and I just released a book to help them. It's called, "How to Never Fail for Parents." You can order it at this link: www.createspace.com/5407452

This book is not about how to organize the toys or how to plan great meals. It's about an overriding attitude and philosophy....from the famous "love chapter" of the Bible that can be applied to any style of parenting....Please get it for a parent you love...or for yourself!

The book is simple and very easy to read. It has questions at the end of each chapter that could be used personally or for small group discussions. You may not agree with everything in it, but it is the philosophy that I used in raising my two children, both of whom are serving God, love God, love their families...and still love their mom! Their parents were far from perfect. Their lives encountered many challenges. Life wasn't a "flowery bed of ease" for my kids......The book doesn't take a rose colored view of life.

You may not apply everything to parenting the way I did, but I promise you that it will give you clarity on what really matters....

Parents have the dream job...whether they know it or not....they are able to make a real difference in this world by raising the next generation! It can be a most overwhelming task, but it is possible to know that parents will succeed......

In that famous "love chapter" of the Bible, God promised that love never fails. 

Parents, love your kids. 

Everybody else....love a parent!

"Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:8)

If this blog encouraged you or gave you some insight, please share it...and love a parent today!

I'll blog you next week....until then...do something today to fulfill your purpose!