Draining the swamp

Picture if you will, a woman in the middle of trying to get 17 girls to learn about following Christ, to commit the Bible to heart, and to teach them to sing praises.

That's my sweetheart... the pastor's wife extraordinaire.

She came home tonight frustrated because she couldn't see the difference she makes.

My job then, is to show her.

Friends, ministry is tough work. Many of the kids she loves are only with us an hour or two a week. They come to us from hellish households and go back there.

But they come. And my wife pours her heart into their lives.

I think I'll keep her. :)

Was there ever a doubt? Somebody up there likes me.

While One Laughs, Another Cries

We took some time and went to the beach again today, and if there's a more blessed man on the planet, I don't know him. Having the ability to head to the beach with the woman you've loved all your adult life is a blessing, but just having her is amazing. You see dear reader, I'm not exactly the easiest man to live with. You see I have this job where I'm never really off, where everyone's my boss, where the compensation is more spiritual than material. Then there's just the wonder that is me - moody, irritable, too quick to speak sometimes, and stubborn.

But she loves me. We had a wonderful afternoon.

About the same time I was enjoying the pleasure of her company, a friend was coming home. In the kitchen there was a note on the table. His wife and son were gone. She had to find some space. Behind her she left one mess of a marriage, a business, and a man's heart.

While one laughs, another cries.

Think I'll go kiss my bride.

A Day at the Beach

The most beautiful woman I've ever seen and I went to the beach today. It was the first time since Hurricane Ivan.

Things have changed.

The beach is different. Much of the impossibly white sand was washed off and in its place was left almost normal sand. The beach is shorter due to the erosion and signs of struggle were everywhere.

But you know what? When we were out on the boggie boards floating on the water, or walking looking for shells, and I realized just how few times days like this happen to your average Joe...

Folks, somebody up there likes me.