Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Summertime


Ahhhh, Summertime. Down here in good 'ol sunny Florida there is 95 degree weather in the shade and 100% humidity causing sweat to drip like a leaky faucet on your body wherever it possibly can. But ya' know, it doesn't seem to bother the kids too much. The outdoors draws them in, I mean out, no matter what the weather and even more so when I keep the TV and computer off. I remember when I was a kid we were always outside. There weren't too many other options for us when we were little. My parents were always a decade behind in getting the lastest gadget in technology whether it be the infamous VCR or a nintendo gaming system. I think that was a good thing...now. Needless to say, we kids had a ton of great times outside with our neighborhood friends. I remember mom being so lenient in letting us play with her things outside in the summertime. We used to drag blankets, furniture and all sorts of stuff out to the lawn to create whatever we wanted. It was lot's of fun. When I was a kid, the street was a place where we played kick ball, baseball and at night we hang out in the street until our parents called us in. My brothers used to buy candy bars in bulk and set up a store in front of our house where the neighbor kids would buy them. The ice cream truck would drive by and we couldn't wait to get something if we had the money. My favorite was a sherbert ice cream in a plastic cone-shaped cup with a gumball in the bottom. Another memory I can't forget is when my oldest brother would invite us siblings upstairs to the third floor where he had his bedroom with my other brother. He would blair his 80's rock music for us after dad left for work. It was his way of saying, hey, I like you guys, come hang out with your big brother. Fireworks were also a favorite part of the summer for me. They still are. :) I hope my kids have just as many good memories of the summertime as I have! Drop a comment and let me know what your favorite summertime memory is.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Father's Day Afterthoughts

Father's day. This whole post is after the fact, but still needs to be written for my own sanity's sake. I had a horrible *scratch that*...uh...less than perfect father. Dad. He was a doozey. He still is, but I will say the years have mellowed him out some. I have posted about Dad in the past, but before you all gasp, this one will be different in a good way. I promise. Just give me a minute or two to get the lead out.

First, I 'd like to say that Dad could write a book about the atrocities of his own childhood. He didn't have a great foundation to build his family on. That foundation was broken and decaying long before me and my siblings came into the picture. Knowing that brings a whole lot into perspective for me and despite it all, puts much sympathy in my own heart for him. Having said that, I believe in sympathy, but I also believe in accountability and truthfulness.

Dad supposedly became a Christian(the bible says in Hebrews 12 if you do not live peaceably with all men and follow after holiness you will not see God), then a Pastor (how he was even allowed to do that given the things he was doing to his own family is beyond me), then a father...there ought to be at least a class or something you do before becoming one of these. No one is perfect, I know. I am the epitome of imperfection. I'm not even hinting at imperfection here in any small way. We are just talking about basic decency. I would never list the things my father has said and done because it would seem uncharitable on my part to do so and also it would just defeat the purpose for which I write.

My question is: how do I love someone who is so unlovely? He comes to my mind and it's hard to think of anything but hurt, anger(not bitterness, *please* understand the difference) and flat-out despair. I can only say that it must be the Lord that encourages me to look at my father through the eyes of love when my flesh drives me to the edge of hate. My heavenly Father reminds me of His infinite love for me and it can only spill over into the life I have with my earthly father. God gives me the ability to do things I could never do on my own. I can honestly say I love my Dad and not because he deserves it or because I feel like it, but that my God expects it from me and He blesses me greatly for my obedience to Him.

I have to forgive my Dad every day. I forgave him years ago in a very general way, but I have to forgive him again and again for each new transgression he commits. Grace. God expects it from me just like I expect it from Him. He fuels me with His power because He knows I could never do it on my own.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

just life