Untitled
By Michael Perkins
Birthday Expectations
Sep 3rd
Ethan (my son) will turn six on September 17. He is so excited. For the last two months he has been telling me the things that he would like to get….
Today, I have the privilage of guest posting for @herbhalstead. You can read the rest of the post at his blog called In.His.Grip.
Please go over there read the post, add to the discussion, and check out the rest of his stuff.
Drip Jesus,
Michael
Reassurance
Sep 1st
“Dad, are you proud of me?” This is what Ethan asked the other day as we were throwing a football in the back yard. He asks questions like that a lot. He is constantly asking, “Are you proud of me?” ”How much do you love me?” and “Did you see me do that?”
Probably the best part of being a dad is getting to say, “Yes, I’m proud of you and I love you more than I can even describe.”
Ethan is looking for reassurance. He wants to know that no matter what, I love him. That no matter what, I’m proud of him. That no matter what, I approve of him.
You are loved. You are accepted. You are cherished.
He loves you enough that He considers you a child of His.
I hope you are reassured today. I hope you realize the depth of His love for you. He is proud.
Have you ever looked for reassurance?
Special
Aug 30th
Last week April, Ethan, and I were in the truck. Ethan looked over at me and said, “I love Ms. West.” (His kindergarten teacher) He then went on to say, “She is very special. I want to do something nice for her.” When we got home he asked if we could help write a letter to Ms. West.
Ethan gave up some of his play time to write this letter, which is a big deal. We get home at 5:30. We eat dinner about 6:30. Ethan goes to be at 8:30. Ethan understands the value of time, but he was more than willing to sacrifice something important to him for someone else. We sat there together for nearly an hour as he wrote that letter. All because he wanted her know that she was special.
Ethan has his priorities straight. Making sure others know they are special and loved is much more important than playtime. To be honest, I was very convicted as I sat there helping him write that letter.
I want people in my life to know they are more important than my playtime.
When was the last time you made someone feel special? When was the last time that someone made you feel special?
The Passenger’s Seat
Aug 27th
Me: Are you ready to go? It’s 6:45, I have to be at work in 15 minutes.
April: Yes, lets get in the truck.
Me: I’m driving.
April: No, I will. Michael, It’s better when you don’t drive.
This was the conversation that April and I had the other day. I wear glasses, but I still have trouble seeing when I drive, especially when it’s dark out. So she typically drives us everywhere.
When April and I had this conversation it was like I got punched in the stomach. Not because she is a better driver than me, but because there is so much truth in what she said.
As I safely sat in the passengers seat riding to work, I couldn’t help but think:
When I’ve been in the driver’s seat, I’ve had bumpy and rough rides.
When I’ve been in the driver’s seat, I’ve ran red-lights and stop-signs.
When I’ve been in the driver’s seat, I’ve ended up lost, not knowing where I was.
When I’ve been in the driver’s seat, I’ve ran out of gas and had to get a fill up to continue on.
When I’ve been in the driver’s seat, I’ve been in wrecks and had to wait on help to come.
April was right. It’s far better when I don’t drive. It’s far better when I sit in the passenger’s seat.
Have you ever had a problem sitting in the passenger’s seat?
The Mailbox
Aug 26th
Do you want to know what my biggest fear was when April and I first got married? The mailbox. Sounds silly right? Trust me it was very scary. You see when we first got married we were poorer than poor. It was tough making ends meat. April worked a few jobs and I worked full time and went to college full time. But it was never enough.
If I would go to the mailbox the only thing in it would be bills that we couldn’t afford to pay. Me being a scared kid did what a scared kid would do: I would ignore what was waiting on me and focus on something else. I would only get the mail a few times a week. By doing this, it was like my problems would just disappear…until I went back a few days later and it was full of bills.
It doesn’t matter how long you “watch the wind” or “avoid your mailbox” because whatever you are facing will still be there. I think spiritually our mailbox can be filled with all sorts of things that we don’t want to deal with: scarred relationships, hidden sin, unforgiveness, anger, etc…
As hard as it is to swallow, we need to check the mailbox. We need to open the mail. We need to address the issue.
Have you ever avoided the mailbox?
Put It Down, You May Get Hurt
Aug 25th
Growing up there were things I was not allowed to touch. At the time I was annoyed, but it makes sense now that I’m a parent. Mom would always say, “Put it down, you may get hurt.”
Knives…Put it down, you may get hurt.
Mouse traps…Put it down, you may get hurt.
Dad’s guns…Put it down, you may get hurt.
Curling iron…Put it down, you may get hurt.
Scissors…Put it down, you may get hurt.
The remote…(just kidding)
The one time I didn’t put it down, I did get hurt. I was playing with a knife and cut my finger pretty bad. I should have listened when she said, “Put it down, you may get hurt.” I should have trusted her.
Now that I’m an adult (age wise) I see this even more often. Situations come up. Life happens. And I hear Him telling me, “Put it down, you may get hurt.”
Worry…Put it down, you may get hurt.
Jealousy…Put it down, you may get hurt.
Doubt…Put it down, you may get hurt.
Fear…Put it down, you may get hurt.
Anger…Put it down, you may get hurt.
My life…Put it down, you may get hurt.
Many times I have not put things down when I should of. And you know what? I got hurt and so did others. ”Be still and know that I’m God.” It’s as if God is saying, “Trust me. Put it down, you may get hurt.”
What do you need to put down, so you won’t get hurt?
