Daddy's and The Dance

I was sucker-punched tonight. I agreed to take my 9 year old daughter, Samantha, to the Chloe Shiver benefit Father/Daughter Dance.

We started getting ready two weeks ago...

"Daddy, how do you like my hair?...."

"Daddy, what color looks best on me?..."

"Daddy,....."

"Daddy,....."

"Daddy,....."

I have come to the foregone conclusion: I LOVE hearing her say my name.

We danced. We laughed (Hard!). We went nuts to Footloose! We did the Train. Then we capped the night off with a treat - Krystals @ 9:30 pm. Nothing better.

While we were enjoying the beauty of buttered buns, we talked. One on one. About nothing. About something. But the most important thing we did that night was done over the table of the local Squat/Gobble and Choke/Puke....we talked. We connected.

We made a second covenant, too. I figure after 9 years of her life, I can afford to require ONE more absolute in her life.

The first Covenant came when she was three years old: "I promise to always be your little girl."

The second Covenant came tonight: "Even when we may be mad at each other; we'll always talk."

Doesn't sound like much. But to me, it's huge. She is going to make decisions in her life these next few years that I am NOT going to like (I'm assuming, here.) I'm sure I will make some decisions that she won't like, either. Bottom line: like them or not, we always talk about them. We don't run away. We don't hide. We don't assume they'll go away if we don't address them.

It's called Two Way Communication. It requires talking...and listening.

I am lost in the symbolism of the whole deal. God and I made a covenant together 11 years ago: "I promised to always be his adopted son, thru Jesus Christ."

I just got off of my knees and recommitted myself in this one: "Even when we're disappointed with each other; we'll always talk about it." I won't run away and pout. I won't hide. I won't threaten to stay home from Church if He doesn't change His mind.

All that does is drive the wedge deeper. If I'm honest, even when I disagree with His decision, I'll never want there to be a wedge. I'm searching for unity.

To be one with the God of my life, Jesus Christ.

I think I even heard Him tell me that next time, He'll meet me @ Krystal.

Way over my head.

I'm struggling. I've had two of the most difficult days of my entire Ministerial Career.

I don't have the answers for someone who is hurting badly.
I can't convince them of God's Love for them.
I'm not getting thru to them about His Forgiveness.

His marriage is in mortal danger.
His family is at stake.
His life ... I don't even want to think about it.

God, I need your Direction. I need your Word to lead the way.

Snap, Crackle and Pop!

I'm sorry to be away for so long. I have yet to develop the discipline to BLOG. I'll work harder, I promise.



I'm in week two of my new membership @ Snap Fitness. A very nice and wonderful individual in my Church gave my wife and I a membership. It has been eventful to say the least. I've never been a member of a Gym, before. If first impressions last forever, Snap Fitness is in trouble. Why?



Well, first of all, I walked in and no said hello to me! They just kept doing "their thing" and not one person even acknowledged me. So what if it's a 24 hour gym and not one staff member is there when I"m working out @ Midnight every night.....



Then, I didn't know what to do! All these machines. No one person offered to show me how to operate them. I must admit, I was rather peeved when Grandma Moses sat beside on the Bicycle and started up and she didn't even over to explain anything. I felt very out of place.



To make it worse, when I left, no one said even a nice "Good-bye!" I thought to myself, "Good....bye!" See if I ever come back!



Then I went to my own Church Sunday.



Suddenly my heart went out to the "new people"



Did anyone say "hello"?

Did anyone sit with them to explain what the heck we do each week?

Did anyone make a big deal about them being there as they left?



Fortunately, I know the answer to these questions are Yes.



But are we doing enough?



Unfortunately, I know the answer to that one, too.....



Any ideas on how to do it better, I'll make time to listen.