Friday Morning Devotions

I have to share a devotional with the teaching staff on Friday. Here's an early look at the transcript:

Friday is my daughter Emma's birthday. She'll be five. I think it is really cool that I get to share with my fellow teachers on her birthday, and I thought I would start by recounting that wonderful day.

The day started early with a phone call at about 6 from Van Nuys High School. I was teaching there at the time, but off track, so they were calling to see if I could sub that day. I had to say no because my wife had her 37-week check-up, and we had only one car at the time. So I turned down the job and rolled over to go back to sleep. We got up an hour or so later to get ready for her morning appointment.

The appointment went ok, but the doctor was a bit concerned about my wife's elevated blood pressure. He began talking of bed rest and a possible inducement if it wasn't brought under control. Then, in the middle of her exam which revealed she was already at four centimeters, her water broke. I think the doctor said a bad word when it happened. The nurse came in to clean things up, and we were quickly off to the hospital. Needless to say we were both sort of in shock since she was three weeks early.

We got to the hospital and finally got checked into a room. At first, the contractions didn't seem too bad (but what do I know, I don't have a uterus). Then, they quickly intensified, as little Emma got ready to make her grand entrance. After only four hours, we were holding our six-pound little girl.

We had several visitors that first day: Tanya's parents, our pastor, one of Tanya's good friends. But sometime after dinner, we were finally able to settle down and have time to catch our breaths. I remember a very special moment that evening when I was holding Emma. She was so small, I had her out away from me in my hands and I was gazing down into her beautiful face. She started to wiggle and squirm in my hands; it felt just like when she wiggled and squirmed in Tanya's tummy. Making that connection really solidified that this was my little girl.

As I look back to that day, and the 1827 days since then, I realize that those five years have been ones that fit in very nicely with our theme this school year of doing hard things. Having Emma necessitated doing a lot of the hard things. We decided before we were even married or thinking of kids that Tanya would stay home to raise our children. So after Tanya got pregnant, I had to leave my comfort zone of a small Christian school to teach in LA Unified. It meant a lot of financial sacrifices as we lived on one income. It meant working in very difficult situations in schools in both LA and Oxnard. It meant taking a step of faith to come to Village. It has meant sending Emma to our local public school. I don't say this to brag in any way, but we have had to do a lot of had things. We have been living out this theme.

But this past summer, we were also able to experience the blessings that come with doing the hard things. I believe that if we remain obedient and do the hard things God asks of us, then he will bless us. It may not be right away. It may not even be in this lifetime. But he will bless us.

We spent a week at family camp at Forest Home. Their mission statement is to provide a place away from the distractions of the world so that people can hear God's voice. When I was there, I didn't feel there were any distractions that I needed to get away from. Rather it was a time to realize and reflect on how much God has blessed my family. We have been truly blessed indeed.

Through the last several years, the story of Joseph has become one of my favorite Bible stories. Joseph went through a lot of crap in his life. Sure he was kinda cocky and should have kept his mouth shut at times, but much of the garbage he endured was not a result of his own doing. He very often got the short end of the stick. But, he remained faithful to God. And in the end, God blessed him and his family.

I feel like I can relate in some ways. I haven't been wrongly accused of assaulting my boss's wife or thrown in prison or sold into slavery, but I've had some very difficult students and very difficult work situations, and I spent four long and scary months looking for a job before being hired at Village. But I feel now I am experiencing a time of blessing, much like Joseph did after Pharoah promoted him and he was reunited with his family.

I know there are more hard things to do and that this time may only be a short season. But right now, I am going to sit back and enjoy God's wonderful blessings in my life.