Like son, like father

*Forgive me dear reader. I have no pictures for you in this section* Azariah and Doris are gone for the weekend and the solitude that I currently get to enjoy is punctuated by a chance to reflect. Life has a curious ability to throw you curve balls and create a reality that is wildly different than your perceptions. I often wonder what makes me different. What makes me different than my Dad. My freinds. Other parents. Other husbands. Life is full of great opportunities for pessimism because the human nature is so quick to default to selfishness. This is a truth that is hard and fast. Yet, a pessimism (or "realism" as some might call it) doesnt help anyone. Hope will make more of you than despair. One can hide despair in academic robes or youthful indifference, but when despair is beneath you just cant hide it. So, in the knowledge of intrinsic human selfishness, what makes me different than those behind me and around me while keeping in mind the answer must not lead to despair because that is the grave.These tasks are made all the more difficult by a simple in ability to have the same kinds of feelings those around me do. To answer many of these questions I look at my son as an example that I follow. He boldly moves ahead in the world and rarely considers the consequences. He falls on his head alot...probably too much, but he doesn't seem to worry about it. He knows nothing about rejection, insecurity, being self-conscious. These struggles come later. But he approaches life boldly. He loves boldly and without reservation. He does not fear death. He does not fear loss. He loves. He hungers for love. He delights when he learns new secrets. I yearn to imitate this energy. To forget the lessons that I learned as a child that all men die, but rather to remember that today I live. I live today and, while I am not clear about the details of tomorrow, I know about today. I also remember yesterday. That I may forget the lessons of negativity, self-concern, pride. That I may in my mind pile up stones that I have taken during the exodus that God brought me out of and honour God with them. I will tell my son when he asks me what these stone mean that, "when terror came to us, God brought us through." Like the Israelites crossing the Jordan or The Red Sea or my Azariah walking we take our steps carefully. And when God has taken us through the river we give thanks and we make a monument to the praise of God. What makes me different than other people, not a heck of a lot, which is what will make God's triumph in my life, my marriage, my fatherhood, my job, my friendship and my finances so awesome. I give thanks to my God who has brought me out of countless difficulties. Who has brought me to a land flowing with milk and honey. For a bride who it is my honour to care for and a son that is a jewel in my crown. To the only true God, his son Jesus and the Holy Spirit be glory and power forever and ever amen. We live in Steinbach. In a lovely house. We live close to family and work. Doris has a ministry in the form of an in home daycare. My job provides me with abundant financial blessings and rewards that continually shock me. My son is happy and healthy. My marriage is fantastic. I love her more now than I did four years ago and every second I am with her is a fortune beyond compare. We have a wonderful church with caring people we are grateful for. In humility I post this to thank God for his unmitigated grace and mercy to me and my family. And I wish you hope dear reader, no more despair, but hope.