Faith

If you've ever looked over to the left hand side of this page, you've probably noticed the Blog Topics. Those are obviously what I write about here. But have you ever looked just below the Blog Topics? It reads: These are relevant thoughts... from inspiration, often at random times... from various locations, often on the go.

Today's post I believe is relevant for one reason, and one reason only: someone needs to hear this (or I guess it would be 'read this'). And I know someone needs to hear this because the world is not as it should be. 

Last night, while at dinner with my wife, my sister-in-law, and my mother-in-law, a storm came rolling into our area. I rarely check the weather, so I had no idea it was going to get nasty outside. Matter of fact, I've just been enjoying how warm it's been for mid-October. My only expectation has been that it would soon get colder, any day now. 

Isn't that how the storms of life typically roll in? Unexpectedly. Often times harder, heavier, and hairier than we would've hoped for. The financial mess gets messier. The health crisis gets crazier. The family deal gets darker. The church ordeal gets out of hand.

Well, here's that word I believe someone needs to hear:

The world tells us that if we're not in control of our situation and our circumstances at all times, then we're not handling our business correctly. Culture suggests that if you're a success, you should be able to take care of it, fix it, change it, etc. But sometimes, in the midst of a great storm, the most admirable and impressive thing you can do is just hang in there a little bit longer. Your success in this moment may not be hitting the next goal. It may be just not giving up.

Are you going through one of those storms? If so, let me encourage you to rest in knowing that this too shall pass. Resting in that truth takes heart. It takes hope. It takes having a heavenly-minded eternal perspective on life. What you're going through may be breaking you, but it's also making you. It's not circumstantial; it's providential. Keep your eyes on the prize and hang in there.

Love you guys. Let's grow.

Romans 8:18 -- For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

​JT

Relationships

I never knew one of my biological grandfathers. The other passed away when I was very young. The gentleman who Jess and Mike affectionately called "Grandpa," for some reason I always just called Max. He was cool with that. He loved us dearly, but his time here with us ended a couple years ago.

That said, I'm thankful today (#ThankfulThursday) for a God-fearing man I now get to call "Paw." Howard Edwards asked me to take care of his little girl... And I'm trying. He showed up in the pouring rain about a week ago, to help me do just that, as Jaala and I made our first move together. When I told him that I didn't mind to drive the big truck, he hit me back with a smile and said, "Naw, I got it... I kinda like it." He's a good man, if I've ever seen one.

My point with this post is a two part deal: (1) God uses family to care for us and bless us, and it's certainly a blessing to have another "grandfather-figure" in my life. (2) There are people in your life who want to help you, so don't shortchange them by blocking their blessing. Allow others to lend you a helping hand while they still can. 

Love you guys. Let's grow.

​JT