My Last Night for Nightshift

I go into work tonight at 10:30 pm for the last night. Working nights goes quickly, but it leaves one feeling extremely tired, and my memory has started to go. Working nights is not healthy for the body, mind, soul or spirit and I have resolved never to work nights again unless I absolutely have to.

The main thing I have learned about working night shift is just how important family is. I have missed my family terribly. Sure, I'm at home during the day, but am in a comatose state and when I'm awake I feel like I have been bitten by some zombie. So tonight I am not going to push myself at work, I am going to come home, have a nice cup of tea with my wife and go to bed at 7:00 am for the last time (hopefully). Now I can enjoy my family and begin to enjoy life much more.

Prayer and a Bike Ride

I took Riley to the seminary bookstore today and let him ride his bike. He loves riding his new bike and he is so good at it. You should see his face as he peddles his little 4 year old heart out. On the way back from the book store he was zig zagging around his daddy and I was telling him how good of a bike rider he was and I could see the sparkle in his eyes and the smile grow on his face every time I would say it. Riley doesn't speak yet and I long in my heart everyday to hear him talk - he will say little words like mom, mama, out, dad, sawyer, and the rest he uses sign language. He can hear every word we say to him, he is not deaf, he just doesn't talk.

God showed me something about Him from that example today. First of all, the God of the universe desires to communicate with us. We need to learn how to listen, and when we do we feel the love of the Father just like Riley did when daddy told him how good of a bike rider he was. Second of all, God longs to hear from us. I'm not talking about a wish list that we call prayer (even though we should present our needs to Him), but He longs to hear us speak to Him. It is part of this amazing relationship He created us for. The God of the universe longs to hear us say, "Daddy, I love you." He longs to be in conversation with us because communication is essential in any relationship. This week, try to focus on your communication with God, I know I am.

New Years Day

What a great way to start the New Year - enjoying a nice cup of tea and gazing at the snow capped mountains that looked like the horse of many colours from the Wizard of Oz. As the sun rose over the Rocky Mountains this morning the snow was both pink and blue with a touch of orange. God is quite the artist - painting a picture that is changing continually, but each brush stroke seems to bring excitement and take your breath away.

This year in 2008 watch to see how God uses His paintbrush in your life. Some brush strokes may hurt at the time, some might bring excitement, and others boredom, but they are brush strokes that come from The Creative Genius who is changing your life into a priceless piece of artwork. Just remember, no matter what color is on the paintbrush or which direction the Artist strokes His brush, "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose." -Romans 8:28-29