Expect the Best ...

A few nights ago, I dreamt of my dad.

He stood with his arms crossed. Faded plaid shirt, expertly cuffed up to his biceps in military fashion.

And he was smiling.

He didn't say anything. He just smiled.

Dad's been gone for many years now. And, just like my siblings, I miss him every day.

Dad had many stories to tell and his penmanship was unique with it's distinct loops and lines. So in the early '90's I bought him a journal. It has an eagle on the front with Isaiah 40:31 printed at the bottom. I asked him to use some of those long Minnesota winter days to record his stories. Time passed and I forgot about the journal and my request.

Until my sibs and I were together to say our goodbyes.

There sat the journal. I picked it up, excited to see what treasure it held. And the words my dad penned, I imagine with a grin on his face, were:

Expect the best, prepare for the worst.

That was it. No stories.

Dad was highly opinionated and we didn't always agree. I never argued with my dad over our differences. I respected the man even when we were miles apart in our view of stuff. Maddening? Oh, sometimes it was. But we agreed on the stuff that mattered most.

God is holy.

The American flag is to be cherished. 

Respect the men and women of our armed forces.

And the Stranger of Galilee is our Savior.

I often think about what kind of conversations Dad and I would have if he were here to see the political and social climate of today ... I have to say I'm glad he isn't here to see it all. These days it's an uphill climb to expect the best.

Dad's final note of advice for me is biblical. God has told us to think on what is true, honest, and just (expect the best). He has also said to be as wise as a serpent (prepare for the worst).

The pain of goodbye and the longing to get one more hug lingers. I'd love to smell his aftershave and drink a cup of black coffee with him one more time. As much as I miss my dad's smile, I wouldn't want him to trade eternity with Jesus for another day on earth.

So here's the plan for today and every day, until I see my dad's smile and my Jesus -- I will expect the best but prepare for the worst. And as I live life, I think I'll write things down for my grandkids to read should Jesus tarry.

I feel a story coming on ...

Are We There Yet?

Our almost 3 year old granddaughter isn't very happy when we have to wait for the light to turn green. She's not the best at patience. Her dad and mom recently drove her up a mountain to a family reunion. I'm told she's already asking "Are we there yet?"

For those of us who believe in the power and promises of God, the answer to that question is "No, we are not there yet."

We all have our struggles and challenges. Yupp, even the ones who show up to church with the I've-got-it-all-together face.

It's not easy to pray for the people we love and then truly leave the concerns with only One who can bring hope.

Everyone deals with the weight of past disappointments and pain. And ... well ... weight.

Let's just be real and admit to one another, we are not there yet.

While we wait, we can know that we know that we know we can be strong and take heart because we can trust God to be who He says He is.

If you don't know who He says He is, it's easy to fix! Open your Bible and study Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus said "If you've seen Me, you've seen the Father."

No, we aren't there yet. But we are living in exciting times, full of opportunity and promise. We know God is real and faithful. We know His love endures forever. We can trust Him.

Thank God, we are not there yet. But one day ... one day ... we will be!

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14

Being Good is Overrated

Being good.

Mind your manners. Be nice. Don't break things. Eat you green veggies. Don't talk back.
Do your homework. Pick up your toys. Wash behind your ears. Go to church on Sundays. Never tell a lie. Don't cuss. Read your Bible. Take out the trash. Follow the rules. Pray every day. Work hard.  Play harder. Earn your way. Listen. Smile. Drive the speed limit. Be generous. Leave things better than you found them. Tell the waitress she's doing a great job. Come to a complete stop before turning right. Wash your hands. Take your vitamins. Wear sunscreen.

And ...

If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

And if the attitude of the heart is wrong ... none of the above things is pleasing to God.

A person could be good his entire life and never see heaven. Read the scripture ... Jesus never said "Be good."

I am going to choose godliness. Godliness is this: an attitude of the heart that focuses on pleasing God.

Many years ago, I learned the most important thing I can do is choose to please Jesus. I learned it's more than what I say and do ... it's also what I think.

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer!

We were never told to be good, but scripture is clear ... be holy, because I am holy.

Holiness is godliness. Godliness is an attitude of the heart that focuses on pleasing God.

Instead of being good, let's choose to be godly.

I love that God gave us the ability to choose to know Him by spending time with Him, by reading His words and by praising Him. I'm thankful He never said "be good." 

Poor Santa Claus ... he's got it all wrong.

Dear God, May the words I speak and think please and glorify you. In my life Lord, be glorified.