10,000 years and then forevermore!

At the YMCA, where our family has it's membership, there is an elderly gentleman that works out there who reminds me of my dad.   I miss my dad.  Daddy, as I call him.  This August it will be two years since he went to be with the Lord.  I miss him everyday, but special days like birthdays and holidays bring him to mind even more.

I miss his smile. His big hug whenever we would see one another after a long separation.  I miss his laugh.  The way he would get tickled over a seemingly small thing, and wouldn't be able to stop laughing.  I miss his whistling and his handsome crooner voice singing old love songs.  I miss the way he was always willing to serve us kids.  I even miss his grumpy scowl he would get from time to time.  And I miss not having him to call on this special day of the year. 

But daddy isn't missing us.  He is too busy praising the same Lord in heaven that he lived for and so willingly served here on earth.   The Lord he unashamedly told friends and family about.  

This morning while at the Y, I again saw my dad's look-a-like.  As I watched him on the rowing machine and thought of my dad, the song "10,000 Reasons" began playing on my headphones.

"And on that day when my strength is failing, the end draws near and my time has come, 

Still my soul will sing your praise unending.  

10,000 years and then forevermore!  FOREVERMORE!

Bless the Lord O my soul.  O my soul!

Worship His holy name.

Sing like never before, O my soul! I'll worship Your holy name!" 

Thank you daddy for being that strong example to me.  I pray I can be the same strong example to my family, of faithfulness to my Lord.  I pray that I will live for Him and praise Him right to the end, and then 10,000 years and FOREVERMORE!  

Scott the adventurer

My dear husband,  I am so thankful the Lord put us together.   You are everything I am not.   God made you to be an adventurous risk taker while I tend to want to be as sure as I can of the outcome before making a decision.  You are driven, while at times I struggle to be motivated.  You are about as diplomatic as one can be, and I tend to just say what is on my mind.  You silently work through issues or challenges, while I have to talk them out.  You are someone who is always changing and growing.  You are never fixed because you constantly want to improve, which makes you intriguing and invigorating.  But that also can make it a bit scary for this gal who prefers consistency.

At times, these differences can cause friction.  At times, I just want you to slow down and see things from my point of view.  Enjoy the beauty of the sea shore instead of wanting to be out in the middle of the deep, dark ocean where you can't see the shoreline.

But Scott, I can honestly say, I am so thankful you aren't like me.  If you were, our life would be so different.  And while some of those risks that you have taken brought difficulty and even pain, God gave us the strength and grace to learn from those trials, and He used them to make us both stronger in the end.  They brought us closer together.  We certainly wouldn't be where we are today if you had listened to me and found another corporate job instead of following your heart and opening your own business.  Again, a lesson for me to trust you, even though it can be a bit scary, leaping without seeing where you will land.  

I am thankful that even when we are out in that deep sea, and I feel afraid because I can't see the shoreline, I can be safe in your arms.  Knowing we are out there together is all I need.  I am seeking to trust you as you trust the Lord to lead and guide us. 

I love you, Scott.  Keep your amazing adventuresome spirit.  Know I am by your side.  I may fearfully hide my eyes from time to time, but I know you are looking to the future for both of us.