Daddy, daddy

Yesterday morning as I was praying I began to call out to God in a different way than I normally do. I envisioned myself like my son, Micah. Whenever he sees me enter a room or he enters a room his arms extend straight up. It doesn't matter what I am doing, I always reach down and either pick him up or give him a big hug. Many times he will just come running up to me and place his head on me, give me a hug and run off. One of his favorite phrases he expresses over and over is, "Da-da, da-da" and even if I respond to him, "Micah, Micah" he repeats it. It is a special bond I share with my son and one I pray never ends. Now...back to my point.

As I prayed I raised my arms to heaven and cried out, "Da-da, Da-da....Daddy I love you!" Too many times I have just considered him anything but that. But He is that. He is our Daddy. He wants to hold us and tell us He loves us, just as I described between my son and I. He wants that bond too. As I was praying I began to cry and felt an immediate warmth of peace and happiness fill my room. I knew in an instant my Daddy was there with me, holding me. He didn't have to say a word, because His arms were around me showing me His love.

We get way too busy to enjoy the small things in life and I am beginning to realize that my life is a vapor compared to eternity and we only have our families, children for a glimpse before they are grown and gone. God is changing a lot in my life and I welcome that. I welcome the changes and challenges...the growing pains. BRING IT ON! Change is good and I am willing to accept it. God is showing me I need to slow down and enjoy life.....kind of like sipping a glass of vintage wine. You don't chug it, you swish it in your mouth and savor the flavor. We are to enjoy our lives. I won't get into it now, but God is revealing a lot to me lately about my life and where He is leading me.

I encourage you to get alone with your Daddy and just crawl up in His lap and spend some time with Him. I can guarantee that you won't regret it and you will feel better for it. I am spending the next 3 weeks traveling on business and as much as I enjoy traveling I do not enjoy how it takes me away from my beloved wife and kids. It makes me want to spend even that much more time with them when I arrive at home on the weekends.....Less of me and more of them. Kind of like what God asks of us, Less of us and more of Him in our lives. I need less of me and more of my family....Less computer time and more family time....Less stress and more rest.

I will leave you with this verse, Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice." Regardless of our circumstances or where we are in our walk with God, we must always remember to rejoice in the Lord. Even when we are facing our darkest hour we are to rejoice. God turns the darkness into light and His joy cometh in the morning!

Till next time....Be blessed in the Lord!

Coach Stretch