WBFJ Wednesday Word

Thirteen (13 )  (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

-The age at which children become teenagers…

-A number associated with horror and superstition…

Teen or Teenager

-A person between 13 and 19 years of age…

What ’13’ means to me?  I’m getting older.  13 years ago, I became a daddy for the first time.  My oldest daughter (Bailey) is officially a teenager today.  Specifically, she will turn ‘13’ at 7:47pm. 

I kinda remember the teen years. Insert over 40 age joke here…

The excitement of having my life ahead of me.  The excitement of getting my driver’s licenses, having more independence and thinking that I ‘knew most everything’ by the time I was 18.  Well, little did I know (no pun intended) how ‘smart’ my parents would become when I turned 23.  Actually, I became more open to listen and ask questions, instead of knowing everything. 

The one thing that I know today is that Paula and I are now the parents of a teenager.  I am happy and sad at the same time.  Happy to see my little Bailey growing into a beautiful young woman.  But, sad to know that I will never get the past 13 years back.

What will the next 13 years have in store?  Driving.  College.  Job.  Dating? Marriage? Whew!!!  Maybe, I’ll take this growing up thing one year at a time. 

In the mean time…where’s my half gallon of Breyer’s Mint Chocolate Chip and a big  spoon.

-Verne Hill

"Sometimes what we think we really want we don't"

I loved this comment on FACEBOOK . I didn’t take time to ask our former Intern what she meant by it but it really got me thinking.

I remembered back as a little boy just dying to buy a little portable tape recorder. It wasn’t a month before I was tired of it and wanting a better one. And all those cereal box offers- the stuff was never as good as I thought it was going to be.

A new bike- I just couldn’t wait to get it- but it wasn’t long before the new wore off and I went back to riding my old beat-up hand-me-down bike. The same thing happened with my first car- my glow faded the first few months.

And all those “misses Right” I met before the Lord brought Judy and I together- sure glad the Lord didn’t answer all those prayers. LOL!

Bottom Line principle I have learned: Pray hard about important decisions and try to check my motive, “Why do I want this. Is it going to hinder my walk?”, and similar questions.

 I’ve found if the desire was from self or the enemy, I am always disappointed. But if the Lord makes it happens…it’s usually better than I could have ever imagined.

Remember the old saying: “God always give His best to those who leave the choice with Him”.

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