Growin' Up Gregory

What do you lose more than anything else?  For most of us, it's probably car keys, the remote control for the TV, or possibly our phones - they've have an app for that now.  Heck, I've even threatened to cancel our TV services and make a rule that only adults could touch the remote controls we've lost ours so bad before (yeah, I get a little angry at times).  And while all of us have most likely either lost something, or been lost ourselves, most of these objects have ultimately been found...or replaced.  And the same is true for us - we don't have to stay lost. Jesus tells a story of lostness in Luke 15:11-24.  Many have probably heard the story of the Prodigal Son before.  If not, give it a quick read. Going Astray In the story, the younger son did like many of us have done in our younger years - he had it all (life) figured out.  He knew that if he could have his share of the inheritance now that he could go live lavishly and do as he pleased....

Christmas 2018 has not gone as planned.  But don't feel sorry for me, it has still been a blessing.  We didn't even make it to Christmas weekend before plans went awry.  Friday afternoon, Britt called me at work to let me know she was taking Aubree to the doctor only to find out that she has RSV and needed to avoid being around anyone 2 and under until Wednesday.  Yes the day after Christmas, Wednesday the 26th.  And on top of that, she was still in bed when I had gone to work that morning and with them at the doctor and me doing some elf work when I got home, she was back in bed before I got to see her.  So here I am, waiting on Christmas, and didn't even get to see my sweet, sick baby girl on Friday.   Then Saturday morning began rather poorly.  Mom's eye was throbbing and she was in a great amount of pain and couldn't see out of it again.  I don't do doctors, but thankfully my sister does.  So at 7 something Saturday morning,...

I haven't typically followed Supreme Court nominations very closely.  It's not that I don't appreciate what they do, the power they possess, and the decisions they make, I just hope that I never have a personal matter escalate that far...plus I don't have a lot of influence in that level (or any) of politics.  But since the media continues to push this story and people are asking questions, I want to look at it from three different perspectives. First, what would I do if I was the father of the accuser - how would I respond if Dr. Ford was my daughter?  I would cry.  I would feel sadness, pain, anger, and likely some hostility.  I would want to bring justice to whoever had caused my daughter this type of pain and agony that she had suffered with in silence for so many years.  I would talk with her, I would pray with her and for her.  I would seek counseling and help and do whatever I could to help her move past this terrible experience.  But eve...

I have made many mistakes in my life.  I have gotten a lot of things wrong, missed opportunities, missed chances, made bad choices, and done harmful and hurtful things.  But tonight, I saw fruit of at least something I'm getting right in this life. Each night, when I take Thomas to bed, we read a short Bible story and then after lights out we say our prayers.  I usually say the "first one" where I pray a typical adult prayer thanking God for what He's given us and asking Him to be with those we love.  And then Thomas will finish it up by saying his "second one" which will have a familiar ring to many: "Now I lay me down to sleep.  I pray the Lord my soul to keep.  If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." But tonight he told me that he had a different one.  I'm slightly fearful at this point given his mouth sometimes but at least no one in public will hear it lol.  He then proceeds to talk to God.  Let that...

Tonight, after a long, busy, hectic week, we all went to bed out of routine and a little later than normal.  Britt put Aubree down and Thomas was watching a cartoon until it went off.  Then he joined me in the recliner while I was watching some crime show.  That's when something special happened. I put Thomas to bed each night and we lay down and fall asleep together.  But tonight, for the first time in I don't know how long, he fell asleep laying in my arms.  I wasn't sure if he was totally out or not until I got up because he just went to sleep so calmly, so relaxed, and so peaceful.  As I made my way to bed, my mind was flooded with thoughts. I began to wonder, when was the last time I took a nap in my parents' arms?  Did either of us know that would be the last time?  How happy were each of us in that moment?  What would we have done differently if we knew?  As parents, we yearn to see our children grow up, be successful, be happy...