Here are two recent mini stories of each of our kids about what really matters:
Katrina: After the tears were shed on Monday night at home between all of us, Kat and I stayed up. Her and I are more the night owls. Anyway, before going to bed she came up to me and gave me a big, long hug. She was naturally worried and concerned. But then she asked me to not stop playing at CCC just because I am mad. It was so real at that moment. But also comforting. I reassured her that mad has nothing to do with that. I will play again, I just need some space from it for now. Emotionally it could be a bit much. She was glad then. She loves it there so much. Man, that says so much about our church. Especially Kids City and STUCO. Hats off to those guys (whoever is left)!
Alec: On Saturday, just before that bad Monday, Alec went grocery shopping with me. That was odd, shopping ain't fun. Since I go to Trader Joes and Whole Foods, there is a lot of driving so we had a lot to talk about. Being a musician was on his mind at the time; so he was asking a lot of questions that I was more than happy to offer answers and suggestions to. Then he wanted me to know that he was listening to everything I was saying. He meant it. But then, after telling me how good of a musician he thinks I am, he had told me that he wants to be just like me when he grows up! How cool was that coming from my 13 year old son! I almost lost it. What dad doesn't want to hear something like that! But, as typical guys, we did a high five and moved on to the next thing (even though I was way moved inside!).
I am so thankful God gave these kids to the care of Mary and I! Things like this only make it the more precious.
5 comments:
Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not look anxiously about you for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Is 41.10
I have been young and now I am old. I have not seen the righteious forsaken, nor His descendants begging bread...
some Psalm somewhere
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity—to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and you will find me when you search for me with all your heart. And I will be found by you,” declares the Lord. “And I will restore the fortunes of Israel.
Jeremiah 29:11-14, prophesied by Jeremiah as the promise of return to the land of Israel when the Israelites went into exile in Babylon
Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age I am He, and even to hair white with age will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry and will save you.
Romans 12:19
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. [Deut 32:35 ]
John 6:37
All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me].
Psalm 91:14
Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness--trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].
Passage Hebrews 13:5:
be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
Tony,
Mike just told me of the news of your job loss. I checked my e-mail and read your blog and want to respond with my own comment.
I am in shock over the decision to do this. I just saw you at the new Plainfield campus Sunday and everything seemed so cool as another apparently successful launch occured. You and Mary have freely given so much back to God and the CCC community with your talents.
Tony, you are the greatest and your talents will be missed tremendously if you no longer perform at CCC. You are the reason I attended CCC a second time after my wife had persuaded me to try it "just once," so many years ago and I saw you on stage playing Pink Floyd. Then imagine how cool it was for me, a mediocre guitarist who had never played on stage, to be playing Creed My Sacrifice with you on Easter Sunday in front of hundreds.
And now you have instructed and inspired my son Mike to become a great artist, and have taken him farther than I ever could have, and have given him a gift he will enjoy his entire life.
You have been a driving influence at CCC since "A little too loud," and I cannot understand them turning their back on you. Now, I feel like never going back to CCC. I realize that this is the wrong attitude, but it is how I honestly feel at this moment. Mike is really disappointed too.
I do know this though my brother, things often happen for a reason though sometimes it isn't clear why right away. You are going to land on your feet and until you do, if there is anything I can EVER do to help please call me. I'm great with home improvement type projects and electrical work. My wife and kids would help with childcare if you and Mary ever needed it.
I just want you to know you are not alone. Thanks for sharing your feelings and your family will be in my prayers always!
Bruce K.
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