prayer breakfast

It's funny how things change. This morning I went with my dad to our church's men's prayer breakfast. It was good food and good fellowship, but it also really had me thinking about how things change.

I've been going to these breakfasts ever since I can remember. When I was 6, it involved a battle between me and missing cartoons. I'd wake up early on the bright Saturday morning and begin my adventure half-awake. When my dad finally got me to get ready, we'd drive to the church and partake in the bountiful breakfast feast: powdered donuts and chocolate milk. I'd stand at my father's side, watching him fellowship with the other men of the church, all while trying to sneak another donut or another helping of chocolate milk.

Then the bible study would begin, and also the boredom. There's a big difference between the entertaining felt-board Sunday School lessons I frequented and these talks of being a Christian husband. It never really applied to me, and since my dad was usually the only one who could get his son up in time to come, I just sit and wait for it to be over, trying to entertain myself with my HotWheels car I had snuck from home. We'd leave. I'd go home, change into my cleats, and travel to my soccer game.

Fast-forward 11 years. Same early Saturday morning. Same battle to get awake. Only now, I actually understand the things our pastor talked about. I had a cup of coffee instead of a cup of chocolate milk. I got an oil change instead of rushing to a little-tikes soccer game.

But the one constant is the driving example in my life of how to be a Godly man: my dad. To see him talk to and laugh with each person there is inspiring. He really really enjoyed being there and always did enjoy being there. And now I think I finally understand why he always found the importance in these early Saturday morning adventures. Not only was it a time for the men of the church to meet and fellowship and share and grow, but it was also a time for him to make an impact in my life. Sometimes the things that God uses to shape our lives are big. But sometimes, they are just simply a caring dad's effort to bring his son to prayer breakfast.

It's all part of the Plan.

the thoughtful plan

What am I thankful for? I don’t think I’ve ever really thought about this question until this pst Thanksgiving. I mean, sure, every year since I can remember, I get asked this question. Of course I always gave a wonderful answer: family, friends, laughter, a home, God. But for some reason, this past year, I found myself thinking about this. I mean really thinking about it. What am I thankful for? What is the one thing that, each day, truly brings me comfort?


For some reason, when I really started to think about this, I found myself mainly thinking of things that I’m not thankful for. I’m not thankful for the stress that sometimes comes with having a time-consuming job and going to school. I’m not thankful for pain. I’m not thankful for injustice. I’m not thankful for change. I’m not thankful for seeing those I love get hurt. I’m not thankful for anger. So how can I sit, on the holiday devoted to giving thanks, and think of the one thing I’m thankful for?

I think the answer is that I can’t. I cannot give an answer to why these things are wonderful, but God can. God has allowed all of the struggles and trials and difficult times come to be for a reason, because as hard as it can be to admit, He is in control of all things. I was made in His image, and in Him I live and move and grow and have my being.

God allows all things to pass, good and bad, because it is all part of His plan. My life was chosen when God planned creation, and all events and circumstances are here to fit His purpose. God actually took the time and thought about me and my life! His plan includes where I will be today, next week, and next year. He knows exactly what I am on this earth to do, and that gives me so much comfort.

So that is what I am thankful for: a thoughtful plan. I’m thankful for God’s wonderful, complete, and thoughtful plan.