I have been thinking a lot this morning on what it is I want my boys to see in me. One of the things that I really admire about Mark is his faith. Mark's faith in Christ is a part of him like his arm or his head. it's not really an option or something he has to remember to do it is just there. I think a large part of that is because that is how he was raised. Christ was always present in the big decisions his parents made and just the normal everyday life. That kind of faith is such a blessing. I love that Mark knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is a child of God. While I certainly share in his faith and the blessings and joy it is to follow Christ it is not second nature to me. I have to think about it I have to remind myself that God is in control, that I can trust Him, that He is good....I have to work at it. I know another part of that difference in us is our personalities. I for sure am a more anxious person and full of fear where as Mark tends to be positive and trust it will work out. But if there is anything I can do to help my children have the same kind of confidence and hope in Christ that Mark has I want to do it. I want them to just know that God is a very present help in a time of need that He is a shelter. That worshiping Him and praying is not just paying lip service. Jesus is not a feel good bedtime story we tell our children He is the center, the point, the giver of life. He is mighty and reigns on high and that He knows and loves them...the individual them!

I was talking with my Dad earlier this month about his parents faith. Mommo (Dad's mother), as I knew her, was full of compassion and charity, love and dignity. She left a mark on me. I never knew Poppo, Dad's father. Dad was saying that his father was a fan of Frederick Buechner (who Kim and Dad also enjoy) and that his father revered God and was almost offended by the humanity that God choose to take on in becoming Christ. Offended isn't really the best choice of word but I can not think of the appropriate word. I found it an interesting conversation and it got me thinking because I do believe people have become too comfortable with Jesus and lost respect for the authority of God. We talk so much about Jesus loving us and being our friend and we just want everyone to always feel good that it seems some people get too comfortable with God and forget he is also Lord, that he is mighty and powerful and full of justice. I wonder if that is what Poppo found distasteful. While Christ is our brother we should not assume we are his equal and get too comfortable assuming we are more knowledgeable then God or his word.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" Philipians 2

I don't know, I don't claim to have it all figured out. But these are my thoughts today and I do know that God is real and I have been saved by grace and I want my children to live in and share that grace too.