The Tale of Two Tears

Thursday, July 30th, 2009
 Over 19 years ago I looked into the back seat as we left the hospital and saw a tear roll down the right cheek of my wife as we brought our beautiful little daughter home. Incredible joy!!  Last Sunday afternoon I saw another tear, on that same right cheek, as we said good-bye to  our all grown up little girl going off to Bible school following God's plan for her life. (We won't even begin to talk about Dad's tears). This time the joy is mixed with a collage of pride, sadness and excitement to see her become all that God wants her to be.  What happened to the years in between?  The "first hugs" in the morning, the "why to the 21st level" the "daddy pauses" as we learned together?  The laughter as she said: let's make Dad watch a girl movie and the smile as she said let's take Dad to an action movie or looking at cars.  The times when she would just sit down and want to talk, and now the "whys" were  to understand God and His work . They grow up so fast!!!. They are born to grow up and leave. We get to help mold their thoughts and lives then watch them go out  with God's hand on them to change the world. We can still do the greatest thing we ever did for them: pray. We can still make sure they always know there is a strong family as a foundation under them so they are never afraid to reach for the impossible.   So this is what our parents felt as we went out, excited,  into the adventure of life with God? Hmmm, remind me to hug my Mom and Dad again.

A Pastor’s Life

Monday, February 9th, 2009
I preached the funeral of an old friend a few weeks ago, Ptr. Noli Cadalina.  It was such a surprise to see him called to heaven ahead of us. He was my student and friend for many years.  His laughter and corny jokes will be missed. He built a great church and loved souls. He had faith and was never afraid to follow God.  I was again reminded how different a pastor’s life is than that of a businessman. Here he spent his life building God’s house instead of a business for his family and now in death how easy it would be for his family to be forgotten and nothing for his children.  I was so proud of our pastors stepping up to make sure his kids all finish college.