day no. 13,094 continued... a slightly different take on love and hate

Proverbs 13:24

The one who will not use the rod hates his son,
but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Good fathers do the patient work of training and disciplining their children.

It requires work, patience and discipline on behalf of the one performing the discipline.

It is easier to let kids do what they want.

It is easier to be their friend.

It is easier to cater to their desires.

But that is the wide and easy way that leads to death and destruction on which both that parent and child end up journeying.

Laziness in this regard is not loving, but hateful.

The parent that loves their child disciplines them, just like God loves us.

Hebrews 12:6-11

For the Lord disciplines the one He loves
and punishes every son He receives.

⁷Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?⁸ But if you are without discipline—which all receive—then you are illegitimate children and not sons.⁹ Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness.¹¹ No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

day no. 13,094: one little year

Laurelai is 1 year old today!

I love my little miss.

She is absolutely adorbs.

Everyone in the family is smitten with her.

One year ago today we discovered what we all were missing in our family.

We love you Laurelai!

day no. 13,093 continued... last day at CUNA Mutual

Today was my last day at CUNA Mutual.

VERY.HAPPY.INDEED!

I am grateful that God provided me this way to be up here in the Cedar Valley.  Without work, I would not have been able to move here in the first place.

I am grateful now, as well, that I have the opportunity to transition into something I am more eager and excited to devote the rest of my life to vocationally.

Remember days like today, Todd.  Days where the weight of living felt lighter and the hope of tomorrow felt closer.  Remember this feeling and the gratitude in your heart.  It is good that I have Someone to thank.  I don't have to be left to the feeling of gratitude without the opportunity to be grateful before my God.

day no. 13,093: the penalty and the reward

Proverbs 13:13

The one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty,
but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.

 

There is a penalty that must be paid for not paying attention or respecting authority. The pockets of prideful people will be emptied.

 

There is a reward that will be provided to those who listen and respect the command and Commander. Their pockets will be piled high with grace and mercy.

day no. 13,092: delay and desire (death and delight)

Proverbs 13:12

Delayed hope makes the heart sick,

but fulfilled desire is a tree of life.

Waiting is hard.

The longer you wait, the harder it often becomes.

It can make you feel sick deep inside.

You know that feeling.

But a fulfilled desire is a tree of life.

It can bubble over to joy and jumping and jubilation  ~ had to do it, it came together organically for the first two and it seemed like a third should follow, so I follows my pastoral instinct and did it.  I’m not sorry! J

You know that feeling.

Have patience with those who are waiting and hurting and hoping.

Mourn with those who mourn.

Have excitement for those who have received what they have hoped and prayed for

Rejoice with those who rejoice.

Some days you will feel sad and will have to buck up in order to rejoice with someone who has been blessed in your presence.

Some days you will feel joyful and will have to tone down and pay attention to the hurt that is happening in front of you.

day no. 13,091: a principle regarding your principal interest‏

Proverbs 13:11

Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle,

but whoever earns it through labor will multiply it.

The kind of person that would defraud another person in order to become wealthy is the same kind of person that has no idea how to manage wealth.

The kind of person who works hard and labors to understand the ins and outs of making and keeping money slowly acquires more and more through patience and diligence.

Too many bank their future on the lottery.

Too few work out the details of budgeting for the future.

day no. 13,090: pride fighting‏

Proverbs 13:10

Arrogance leads to nothing but strife,
but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.

 

Arrogant people conjure discord.

 

They refuse to be humbled and it aggravates their audiences.

 

Wisdom is found by those who listen.

 

The mantra of the fool is “Don’t tell me what to do or how to do it!”

The banner of the wise is “What should I do and what’s the best way to do it?”

 

The arrogant are always at odds with somebody about something.

The wise are always learning something from somebody.