40 Years, WOW! Thats like........ Eternity!

Alright now. Everyone seems to be down in the dumps right now. I don't know what it is. With all the down in the dumps posts, it's looking kinda gloomy with all my blogfriends. Of course, there is always Fatty McButterpants in Philly to make us laugh. But I got something more important to blog about today. Nooooooo, it's not my birthday, I'm not that old! It is the celebration of my Father and Mother's wedding anniversary. They have made it 40 years together. That is amazing in this day and age. I remember when we had their 25th I thought that was a long time, but with my wife and I getting ready to celebrate 20 yrs here in a couple of years, now that seems so short. But 40 years is a milestone for sure. Okay, get your tissues ready because here comes the gushy part. I love my parents! What a great couple of role models! I mean between Dad running around in his T-shirt and boxers, and Mom making sure the waiter knew that her glass isn't full! I mean why wouldn't we be well adjusted, rounded children! They say kids rebel from their parents, so I guess that is what happened. Just makes you want to cry, doesn't it!

Some of the blogs that I have looked at during this past week, got me thinking about my life, and how I was shaped into the person that I am today. How, watching my Mom and Dad struggle to make ends meet, yet with a hope of better things yet to come, and NEVER, losing sight of it. All of that has led me to understand that no matter what happens, how much life throws at you, this too shall pass! There were times when I was a teenager, and we all know teenager have "Needs"! Not wants, mind you, but "Neeeeeeeds!" I need these new pair of Coronado Nike's (how is that for 80's flash back Jo Jo!), I need to go to school not in toughskins, but 501 Levis!, I need that cool OP shirt! Like I said "needs" not wants! There were times when I was a teenager, that there was no money, and I'm not talking no extra money, and we have plenty of groceries to get us through to pay day, I'm talking Old Mrs. Hubbard Cubbard dry, no money! And none in sight! You guys (JoeCool, Sandy, Pinhead) remember the Marion berry cobbler for dinner time?! I'm talking no money! Yet, I never worried once, nor did my parents burden me with the responsibility of worrying about where the next dollar was going to come from, they lived in a way that I felt that no matter what happens, I and my "needs" would be taken care of! I never got the new car for my graduation gift, let alone my 16th birthday. But I did have with the help of my Dad, a screaming Chevelle. It wasn't the cool year, but I sure enough beat some of those that did while cruising the gut! I paid for my own college education, I wasn't given a credit card and told, go ahead and put your expenses on here and I will take care of it! None of that for this family. We learned that you worked for what you got. But the greatest gift I received from my parents, and this is where I believe, that everything stems from. Their love for each other, their hope of the future, the ability to stick it through when the going gets tough, it all comes from their Faith in God.

This is the greatest gift a parent can give to their children. To teach their children about Jesus, and who He is and what He has done for us. Therein lies the hope for tomorrow! Their steadfast faith, that God and His Son have a personal interest in our lives and how they are lived out. Life doesn't always work out like we want it too. There is poverty, there is hard times, We all lose someone at one time or another. But I know who holds tomorrow! This they have taught me! My God is bigger than any problem, that I may face down here! bigger than any 2nd place finish! Bigger than losing that child! Bigger than any disease! While he may not bring back the dead or heal us of our diseases, He has promised that if I just give myself to him, He will go with me all the way! One that sticks closer than any friend or brother! My Dad and Mom lived it like this, they have proven this lifestyle with their life. I know it is true!! Thanks Mom and Dad, for all you have done, thanks for a life led in Christ! Thanks for the example, of a Godly life! And thank you Jesus, for parents like this, for their example of how to live. All those things they went through, show me you had a plan, a plan that included my life. A way I could share with those that want to know how to get through the rough times. I had a great example! I love you guys!!