“Tee Tee”

Tee Tee

So I was rocking my two-year-old this evening. Ever since we have had him he has said, “Tee Tee!” Normally when others hear him say that they think that he needs to “tee-tee” but what he is saying is , “Thank you!”

Now for some this may sound childish…well…it is! He’s only two-years-old! He’s a child! He acts like a child and he thinks like a child. But he says, “Tee Tee!” Have you noticed how there seems to be such a lack of gratitude now-a-days? People go about their business but they act as if they deserve whatever it is that you have done to show kindness to them. I noticed that when I open doors at restaurants for people they don’t even acknowledge me. But my two-year-old will say on their behalf, “Tee Tee!” When I went to the garage the other day to have some work done on my car, even the people behind the counter didn’t say thank you. But when they saw my two-year-old, he said, “Tee Tee!”

What’s happened to our society that we are a bunch of ingrates now? I pray that my two-year-old, and my six-year-old for that matter, never forget to be grateful. Oh, I’m sure they will be ungrateful at times. But I will do my best to help them to learn to be grateful for everything they have and everything that they are. God has given to us every thing that we need. Paul the apostle said it like this in Philippians 4:19:

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (NASB)

Paul again says in 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18:

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NASB)

By the way, for you reading my blog, “Tee Tee!”

Cheese Sticks & Sprites

Sonic Cheese Sticks

So, I took my six-year-old to school yesterday and enrolled him. It was an exciting day for him. As soon as we arrived at the school I could tell he was a bit anxious. But his anxiety was eased when he saw Eli, a friend of his from Church. He immediately went into his classroom and started to talk to Eli when Eli shouted out, “Elijah!”

His first grade teacher is very nice. She keeps in touch with parents on a regular basis and has even given her email to us to keep in contact with her. I wasn’t sure what the reason was for this, but I am discovering that children don’t always tell you what they have in the backpack from school and from their teachers.

So after picking up my son from school today — his second day — he has a busted lip. Apparently while he was playing at recess he fell and busted his lip. The office secretary told me that she gave him an ice pack and he asked, “Can I go play now that I have an ice pack?” In other words, he’s just fine, no worries.

After picking him up from school, I asked to look at his lip. He said to me, “How did you know I busted my lip?” I answered, “Because Dad’s always know what’s going on with their kids. And you’re my kid!!” Elijah just smiled and chuckled. Then those words that every parent wants to hear, “I love you, Dad!” After that I had to take him to Sonic for some cheese sticks and a Sprite. I mean, what kind of parent would keep his Son from eating cheese sticks and drinking a Sprite from Sonic?

Then I started to think of my Heavenly Father. Are you aware that He gives gifts to His children? To those who have believed and trusted Jesus Christ in salvation? Read what James said:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 5:17, NKJV)

Every good gift! It’s not just a gift here or there, but every good gift is what God gives to us. And these gifts aren’t just good but they are also perfect! But what gifts is James speaking of? He’s speaking of the good and perfect gift of salvation from sin and temptation. He gives us gifts! Now this is nothing equal to Sonic cheese sticks and Sprites. However, it is great to know, just as I bought something for my Son that he would enjoy, God has bought something for His sons by paying with the very price of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. See what Paul the apostle wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:20:

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (NKJV)

Now if you ask me that’s great news! In fact, it’s far better than cheese sticks and Sprites!

I’m Tired…and It’s Only Just Begun!

I’m so tired…

Have you ever just been so tired that you’re not sure which way is up? My eyes are heavy this morning as a rainstorm is coming through. But it’s not a bad tired – if that makes any sense! I slept for a good seven hours last night. I have always been the type of person that needs at minimum seven hours of sleep per night. Others that I have known through the years can function on just a few hours of sleep per day. I heard that Dr. Jerry Falwell used to sleep no more than 3-4 hours per day.

I’ve always thought that sleeping was overrated, but I am discovering now that I am a Dad that sleep doesn’t come cheaply any more. In fact, I have to sleep because my six-year-old and my two-year-old are quite active. Are you aware that children at this age are like the Energizer Bunny?!? They just go and go and go. I could only wish that their energy was contagious and that I would get some of it. Every morning we give them their gummy bear vitamin. I started taking one with them as well. They are quite chewy and tasty! They have a zest about them. Of course two cups of coffee in the morning help with the gummy bear vitamin as well.

Giovanni was tired this morning. He’s my two-year-old. He wasn’t too fussy when I gave him some french toast from Dairy Queen. He seemed to be excited then. Then again, whenever it is time to eat he’s always excited! He seems to act as if we’ve never fed him since we’ve had him. Elijah, my six-year-old, was a bit tired this morning, too. He is at his new school for the second time. He is a card indeed! I was going to drop him off so he could go to his class and wait for his teacher. After unbuckling in the car, he just sat there. I asked, “What are you waiting for?” He answered, “Isn’t anybody going to come get me?!?” I said to him, “You know what? I’ll walk you to your class. I want to be able to say good-bye to you in the school. He looked so sad…and tired…but after I told him I’d take him inside he was alright.

My Cheryl is tired. She has to leave the house before I do to go to work. She works hard all day long and then comes home and works hard to feed and clothe all of us. She truly is a Proverbs 31 woman! She clips coupons, gives the boys their baths, cooks and cleans, does our laundry, feeds the dog (her name is Sophie), and does whatever it takes to make sure that our living conditions are nice and neat. She’s a precious jewel to me that God has granted me to have. I love her.

And when we get this tired sometimes it seems like we just want to give up…or give in. But read what Paul the apostle wrote in Galatians 6:9:

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (NKJV)

The reality of my family is that we may get tired now and then (or, from what others are telling me, we may just stay tired all of the time!) but we will not grow weary in doing good toward each other. That means that I will be right in there with my Wife and my two Boys. For in due season I shall reap if I do not lost heart!