Parenting tip #2

Haggai continues to show me how to be a better parent. Amazing that so much is packed into such a small book!

Today's tip: For children to become who they are meant to be requires persistent encouragement!

Sometimes I am quick to tear my kids down and not so quick to encourage. Correcting the same behavior again and again, growing frustrated when there's a schedule to keep and their behavior isn't moving us in that direction - you know, the stuff of being a kid who has no clue that the adult world has pressures, schedules, commitments - can drive me crazy! I hear myself yelling and know, deep down, that I don't want to be that monster.

Really, I want to show my kids the love of Christ. "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." (2 Thess. 2:16-17). I want to "bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Eph. 6:4). Yelling, screaming, growing frustrated... not the stuff of the Lord!

Haggai could have grown frustrated with the Jewish people when they didn't rebuild the temple right away. But he didn't. He faithfully spoke the Word of God into Zerubbabel. He encouraged them to finish what they started, the rebuilding of the temple. He encouraged again and again:

Haggai 1:1, "In the second year..., on the first day of the sixth month..."

Haggai 2:1, "In the second year..., on the twenty-first day of the seventh month..."

Haggai 2:10, "In the second year...., on the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month..."

God shows us, through Haggai, how to encourage our kids. Consistently and repeatedly, we should encourage them to make the right choices. We should build them up and not tear them down.

Dear God, Thank you for the message you sent through the prophet Haggai. Thank you for the lessons this little book teaches us as parents. Please forgive me for my impatience with my kids. Help me understand that it takes time and lots of practice for my kids to become who they are meant to be. Please help me be slow to anger and quick to encourage. I praise you for your love and wisdom. In your son's name, Amen

God's Peace

'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the Lord Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the Lord Almighty. Haggai 2:9

In my quiet time yesterday, I read the book of Haggai, a whopping two pages long. It's not the book I'd probably venture to on my own. I'm typically drawn to Paul's letters in the New Testament. But I have learned that if God nudges me to Haggai or Zechariah or even Numbers, He has a message for me. Definitely true this time around!

Short history lesson (really, this IS interesting stuff): In 586 B.C., the armies of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, including the Jewish temple. The Jewish people fled from Jerusalem and were in exile. Fifty years later, in 536 B.C., King Cyrus declared that the Jewish people could return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple to God. The Jewish people, at first passionate to rebuild their temple, lost focus and became apathetic about it. Opposition to the project, probably disagreements about how to handle some aspects of the job, financial sacrifice and time all wore the people down. (Sound familiar?) The project literally came to a standstill. Finally, God spoke through the prophet, Haggai, to Zerubbabel (nice name), who was the "foreman" of the rebuilding project (See Haggai 1:2). The Jewish people regrouped to finish the temple.

Parents, we face the same challenges raising our kids. Is there a mom out there who hasn't been "nagged to death" by a little one wanting just one more story, a piece of candy, to watch T.V.? Is there a parent to teens who hasn't battled curfew or bedtime or allowance limits? Our kids are in regular opposition to our plans. (Right now, one of mine is staring out the window while the homework stares up at him from the table... I really wish this one would just finish, so we can get on with our day!)

We are the "foremen" of our family project. It's up to parents to push through and see to it that the job of raising great kids gets done properly. We have no time to rest! In Proverbs 1:8, God says, "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not foresake your mother's teaching." I've often referred my kids to that verse when they resist my instruction, but the verse only applies to our kids when we choose to instruct and teach. The job of parenting won't get done if we're not doing it, just like the temple in Jerusalem would not be rebuilt if the people weren't willing to work.

Kids whine. Kids rebel. Kids get distracted. Parents, we can't get drawn into their battles. We can't throw up our hands and cry, "uncle." When kids lose focus - daily - we must pull them back in and help them refocus on the right priorities. How? Ask God. Where is the rebellion coming from? Is it apathy? Is it boundary testing? Ask God to show you what you really battle, and He will guide you in resolving it.

One great thing about the book of Haggai is it doesn't end just with him telling the people to finish what they started. That's good advice, but most of us know we should finish what we start. The entire second half of Haggai (chapter 2) is a beautiful work of encouragement. "'...Be strong, all you people of the land," declares the Lord, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the Lord Almighty. '...and my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.'" (Haggai 2:4-5). Then in verse 9, God encourages the people again: "The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house... And in this place, I will grant peace."

When we want to give up, God is right there, pushing us to finish building His house. Parents, God wants us to raise our kids to know Him, to love Him, and to follow Him. God has plans for our kids that are far greater than the plans He has for us (Haggai 2:9). Don't quit. Finish what you started, trust God's plan for you and your family. Don't let the distractions of work, bills, schedules, menu planning, or housecleaning keep you from that one thing no one else can do but you. Raising your kids, growing them in love for Jesus. And know, that when all is said and done, He will grant peace. Just imagine, all your kids grown, doing God's work in business, medicine, or wherever, and you, knowing they are strong, trusting God with each day. Perfect peace.

Choices

Two of the kids and I just took a quick trip to the beach with my parents. It's nice living close enough to the coast to be able to take little breaks from everyday life. The kids and I (and the grandparents) had a great time, playing in the pool, taking walks, solving puzzles and riding bikes. We even made rubber bouncy balls and goop! Fun and relaxing, a perfect little break from the routine... just what a vacation should be (even a short one).

Driving home, God brought to mind a conversation I had with a friend a few years ago. She had fairly recently been divorced and had taken her kids, along with the grandparents, on their first vacation without dad. She shared how she didn't really enjoy the trip like she wanted, because she felt like everyone could tell she wasn't married anymore. She worried that her kids didn't have a great vacation, since they weren't "really" a family anymore.

I reflected on our similar experiences, both traveling, with kids and grandparents and without husbands. Yet, I had a great time and she did not.

In this life we will face challenges. Paul writes in 2 Tim 3:12, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Many great Bible heroes went through incredibly tough challenges. Imagine being asked to lead an entire nation through the desert for FORTY years. Or Job, enduring hardship after hardship, just because he loved God. The challenges we face today are no less difficult: divorce, gambling, abuse.

As believers, we have a choice. We can focus on the circumstances. Or, we can "rejoice in the Lord, always..." (Phil. 4:4). Choosing to rejoice, we pray for "hope to which [God] has called [us], the riches of his glorious inheritance in his people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." (Eph. 1:18-19). We don't look at the circumstances around us, but instead focus on God, who helps us "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Rom. 12:12).

Looking back on those vacations, the difference was our security. My friend did not have her husband's love waiting for her at home. I did. The only difference for the Christian, facing challenges in this life, is security. We can be secure in God's love for us, regardless of our situation. We can know that we are not alone and that He will see us through.

Dear Lord, Thank you for loving me. Thank you for sending Your holy spirit to comfort and guide me in difficult times. When I feel alone or afraid, when my circumstances start to overwhelm me, help me remember that You love me. Help me get my eyes off myself and back on You. Use my life to be a light in the darkness. Please be with us when we go through difficult trials, and help us remember that we do not walk alone. Amen.

Parenting tip #1

I have tried to write this twice already today... Maybe someone out there really needs to hear it, and that's why I can't write. Maybe it's because I need to learn something today. I don't know. Instead of any buildup, I'm going straight to the point. (And I'll elaborate another day... maybe).

Psalm 127:3 (NLT) Children are a gift from the Lord, they are a gift from him.

No matter what trials we face with our kids (or because of our kids), they are ours for a reason. God trusts us to raise them! He has given them as a gift. SOOOO, bad day? bad week? Trust God to lead you through it. Cherish the gift! Raise them up right.

And God, please help me remember that my kids are a gift... even when there's no focus, no cooperation, no fun! These days help us know you better, too. Amen!

Friendship's Journey

I am so thankful that I don't travel through this life alone. God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams with some amazing friends, my husband first among them (but this isn't the time to write about him - he needs a post all his own)! Recently, I have been blessed with time with a friend. Since I usually escape for one on one time with friends about never, this has been a very special treat! And such a joy...

When my friend and I went to dinner, it rekindled a friendship once so dear, a friendship I thought I had lost forever. To spend time with this gracious, generous and loving lady, I am totally bummed that we lost a few seasons there. Yet in that time apart, I think God worked on each one of us, growing us and helping us become more of who we are meant to be. It's like we walked parallel roads and now we get to walk together again.

God's a similar kind of friend, except of course, He never leaves, or changes, or needs improvement. He walks with us through life. Sometimes we leave Him, to do our own thing and then return, and He accepts us right where we are. Of course, life is so much better when we don't walk away and choose instead to walk the path with Him. I'm just grateful that when I wander, I can always come back, pick up where I left off, and grow closer to Him!

Snake Fears

While visiting a friend yesterday, the kids wanted to play in the back yard. She asked them not to. She had seen a snake slithering through the grass earlier that day and didn't want them to encounter him. Snakes. Fear. They slither into our lives mysteriously, quietly. We don't understand them. In our ignorance, we miss out on fun. We would rather hide in our homes, safe from risky snake attacks, than venture outdoors and face our fears.

Satan is much the same, slithering in to our lives to limit us. He sneaks in to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). We don't always understand how he works or see him coming. In our ignorance, we give him control without even realizing it. He capitalizes on our fears to control what we do. We stay "home," afraid to face our fears head on.

I have let fear trip me up throughout my life. As a teenage girl, I was afraid that no one would ever love me. Satan whispering into my ear, "No boy will ever like you, because you're too plain;" "those girls will never include you, because you're not good enough." In college, it was much the same. I worked hard to get good grades, but I was lonely and afraid. Satan lying to me again, "Work harder or they'll never notice you." Even after marrying my amazing husband, I had a hard time believing I was good enough. All sorts of whispered doubts, keeping me from enjoying the wonderful life I had.

As a mom, I was no more confident. I watched over my firstborn like a mama lion. Every moment of every day, every bite he had to eat, all of it. I wanted to be a great mommy, but I worked so hard at it. Satan whispering, telling me I was no good. Me, using herculean efforts to overcome the doubts. Exhausting!

How different would my past have been if I had understood as a teenager that "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Ps. 139:14) and that God has a plan for my life (Jer. 29:11)? How different would college have been if I had not been afraid of failure? And 19 years into a wonderful marriage, how much better can it get if I choose to enjoy the moments rather than listen to the whispers? What fun have I missed worrying about my kids instead of enjoying time with them?

God sent his Son, Jesus, because of his great love for us. No burden is too great for Jesus. No fear is too big for God. In the second half of John 10:10 Jesus says, "I have come that they might have life and have it to the full."

Dear God, Thank you for being here so I don't have to live in fear and doubt. Thank you for loving me and having a plan for my life. Thank you for sending your Son to show us your ways: your hope, your peace, your love. Please forgive me for taking my eyes off you and looking at my circumstances. Help me not to fear what happens in everyday life. Show me when Satan tries to sneak in and trip me up. Use my life to show others your love. Use my life as a testimony of your grace, hope and peace. It's in your Son's name I pray. Amen

After Five

While talking with a friend, I quipped, "I think I do better with kids after five."

She asked, "Is that a.m. or p.m.?"

My reply, "Neither. I meant five years!"

Gotta love the English language!

Fire Ants

Real name: Red Imported Fire Ants. Who thought it was a good idea to import these things? They are AWFUL!!! Imports are supposed to be exotic and special - or at least interesting (BMWs, belgian - from Belgium - chocolate, real silk).

Back to the ants. I stepped in a mound today, planted my foot smack dab in the middle of the mound. Little critters instantly covered my foot (wearing shoes, but cute girlie shoes with lots of exposed foot). OUCH. I had nine bites in about 5 seconds. Did I say they are AWFUL?

If you have battled these atrocious pests, please tell me what works. This is one import I will gladly live without. Thanks!

Remembering Egypt

And Moses said to the people: “Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place." Exodus 13:3

This verse, early in the book of Exodus, is Moses' reminder to the Israelites not to forget that God had freed them from slavery. The nation of Israel, though wandering in a desert, was a free people. Like the Israelites, I was once in bondage - to depression. God brought me out of my depression and set me free.

Eight years ago today, the meaning of 9/11 changed forever. When the Twin Towers and Pentagon were attacked by terrorists, America stood still. So many people lost their lives, leaving families and loved ones left behind to mourn, pick up the pieces and rebuild. My life was shattered. I didn't know anyone who died or was injured or even who lost a family member. I had never been to New York or seen the Twin Towers. Yet, the moment those planes struck, I was torn to shreds. I plunged into a depression deeper than anything I could imagine. I didn't clean house, cook dinner, or spend time with my kids. I spent weeks curled up in bed, covers pulled up around my chin, and had no energy to do anything. My four year old sat, hour after hour, in front of the television. I was failing as a wife and as a mom. Long after others put this tragedy behind them and moved on with living, I just couldn't.

A couple months after 9/11, we finally made our way to a church whose pastor preached about love, hope and second chances. I had believed in God my whole life. I knew Jesus had suffered and died on a cross for my sins. I knew the Bible stories of Noah, Jonah, "Father Abraham," and foolish King David dancing in the streets... and so many others. What I didn't understand was the real depth of His love for me - for all of us.

God's love is more than we can grasp. He sent a blameless Son to live a blameless life and die an undeserved death on a cross as a substitute for my own sin. I believed it. But I didn't really accept it. How, in the midst of terror, chaos, or our own stupidity do we understand?

None of us can love as deeply as God. Rather, we must choose to accept His love. We can open our heart in faith, walking like Peter on the water, one step at a time, looking to God for strength and confidence. We can simply accept that our own failures don't matter to Him - He just wants us to love Him. In return for simple love, He gives us His never-failing love, hope, and a second chance. He wipes our mistakes from His memory and reassures us that He will always be there. He fills us with hope that life will be okay. Regardless of the hurdles we face, He will see us through to the end. He offers second chances. And third, and fourth, and fifth...

When I walked into church that Sunday morning after 9/11, God was there waiting. He had provided the perfect sermon to touch my heart. A faithful pastor preached that message, not even knowing at the time that it was for me.

Today, I remember the 9/11 tragedy. I remember my own heartbreak as the towers fell and my despair in the weeks that followed. I remember the fear, the hurt, the loneliness. But more, I remember how I felt that day when I walked into church - the day my life changed forever. I carried in my incredible pain, and I left with hope restored. God gave me a second chance.

Father God, I thank you for your love for me. Thank you for the pastor and sermon that led to the healing of my heart. Thank you for never forgetting about me, even when I ignored you. I lift up each person whose life is still impacted by 9/11 and ask that you would continue to bring healing into their lives. Be with our military and their families as they continue to serve. I lift up our country. I remember my personal "Egypt" and thank You for setting me free from bondage. In your son's name I pray. Amen

Ice Skating

I asked Ellie if she would like to go ice skating. Her reply, "Why? It's slippery."

Sometimes, the logic does leak out :)

Thanks for Listening!

Yesterday and today have been so much better. I realize, and really have long known, that much of what I go through in relationships isn't about the other person. So often, it's about what God wants to do in me!

Selfishly, I want things to run smoothly all the time. I want to be super-mom! But, super-mom does not exist - anywhere. Only Super-God. He is the source of wisdom, strength, patience and perseverance. I continue to marvel at how He has given me three kids with distinct personalities, all of whom reveal my weakest spots. All of whom require that I lean into God, press close to Him, so I don't parent in the flesh - selfishly.

Because of my kids, I am learning to budget my time wisely - so the lazy one will not squander precious time. Oh, but I want so badly to be lazy. I am learning to look at the world from a different point of view - because it's not as black and white as I want to think! And I am learning to hold my tongue - the hardest of all - as I guide one to watch their words.

Because God has provided me with these three, I am becoming (slowly, perhaps) a better me. So thankful that He trusts me to figure it out. So thankful that He has provided me with little mirrors of me (even if I don't want to see it). AND truly thankful that He forgives me, gives me more chances, and listens lovingly when I whine.

Forgiveness

You know how when you erase a mistake on a piece of paper, a little smudge remains? And if you make another mistake and erase it, the paper starts to wear thin? And, on a bad day, you make more mistakes, erase and erase until the paper wears through? That's kind of how I am sometimes when it comes to forgiveness. Not the way I should be - I should forgive and forget. But sometimes...

Unfortunately, when my kids battle their character challenges, I don't always forgive and forget. We all have character challenges - that one thing we just can't seem to get past. We have to keep asking God for forgiveness for the same thing over and over - not trusting, not being obedient, getting distracted by the world, anger, laziness, whatever. With each of my kids, when they do that one thing they always do, my paper has worn very thin. I keep forgiving, trying to erase the mistake from my memory. But I don't forget.

This is not what God wants from me. He wants me to shine his love on my kids. He wants me to raise them to know Him. He wants me to model forgiveness with grace, and to use their mistakes to help them know Him more. Ephesians 6:4 says, "parents, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Do not provoke your children to anger...

If I jump to conclusions, rubbed raw, and discipline in anger or if I expect wrongdoing instead of right choices, what am I really teaching my kids? Am I bringing them up to know that they should love above all else? Am I teaching them humility, honor, respect? Am I modeling God's forgiveness and grace? Of course not. I am doing the exact opposite of what I want to do.

Paul warns us in Gal. 5:17, "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want." What do I want? To show God's love to my kids. To help them grow in love, patience, peace, forgiveness, gentleness and self-control. I give in, though, to my own emotions - my temper flares and in my impatience, I snap. I yell. I punish. I don't teach my kids about God and His ways.

My oldest son and I recently talked about this, and he said, graciously, that most of the time I get it right. He's generous! Some of the time I really do. And I love those days. My kids respond. We walk away from the moment a little wiser, a little closer to each other and to God, and a little bit more like the way we should be. I know this. Sometimes, though, I give in to my sinful nature and do things "my way."

I pray that as I continue on this parenting road, God will help me remember my purpose. I pray He will continue to help me be the parent He intends me to be. To model His love for my kids -- through every decision, word, and action that my kids would learn more about God's love for them. And I thank Him, for forgiving AND forgetting -- not keeping a record of wrongs like I do.

To Discipline - But How?

One of our kids, who shall remain nameless, really has us stumped. We instruct our kids to be respectful, honest, and generally nice - to one another and to us. We expect occasional lapses in respect, honesty and kindness - after all, childhood is for learning and growing.

The nameless one, though, resists being respectful, honest or kind. This one has been corrected, redirected, punished, prayed with, prayed for, taught scripture... literally everything we can think of to train up this child in the right ways. This child has no qualms about making faces at siblings - taunting for absolutely no reason (we have watched it happen enough to know it's not revenge for a wrong committed against this one!). This child lies without any hesitation and refuses to admit wrongs... even when we find concrete evidence of the wrongdoing!

It's not my goal to gain confessions. I've learned that when wrong, address the wrong. Generally it works. I don't ask if they did it. I rarely ask why. I usually point out the wrong and ask what they should have done differently. Usually it works. Usually we move into the forgiveness mode. A heart grown more wise, more thoughtful, more considerate of others. A spirit more like Christ than it had been.

This one resists such instruction. This one remains steadfast and stubborn. This one is such a challenge! I wonder what to do with this one. I wonder what God is trying to teach me through my frustrations with this one. I do know:

1. I will continue to discipline. I won't give in. Why? Because this one, like the others, needs to grow up to know the ways of the Lord. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he grows old he will not depart from it." No matter how tough the situation, my role never changes. God wants me to train this one to live in His way, according to His word. Nothing more. Certainly, nothing less.

2. I will continue to seek God's wisdom. Ephesians 6:1 says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord..." God calls me to raise my kids according to His ways! I can't raise them "in the Lord" if I don't spend time with Him - learning scripture and praying, asking God to show me His ways.

3. I will praise God in the midst of the challenge. Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice!" God's Word doesn't rejoice when life is going good and pitch a fit when you're frustrated. This is tough for me. I like to throw tantrums (yes, friends and family, I am aware of my shortcomings) when things don't go according to my plan. Perhaps God wants me to rejoice more, trust more, believe more... and complain less.

Yes, this one needs to learn so much. This one has an unrepentant heart. This one is stubborn, unyielding, and disturbingly independent. Hmmm, God could probably say the same thing about me...

Moments

My kids were running around the back yard together, a 15 year old, 12 year old and 5 year old, enjoying each other on a beautiful evening. Ellie, in her "cowboy boots," shorts and t-shirt, running, giggling and squealing. She cuts right and crosses the endzone with Ben in pursuit. Ben dances into the endzone - though he'd never admit to the lighthearted, playful moment! Nathan, laid back, tossing the football across the yard, waiting for praises for the tight spiral. Playing together! Those are the moments when I wish I could just hit "record" and save it forever in my mind. Or I could take snapshots with my eyes just by thinking it. I love these moments in time, little slices of perfection to top off a great day.

I love my kids!

Heavy Heart

I got sad news from a friend yesterday, and my heart breaks for her family.

I wish she could know that God's got a perfect plan for her - in spite of her apparent circumstances. We can look at our world with our eyes, and think that there is only one solution to our problems - "escape." But, God's plan isn't usually to run away. He encourages us to stand strong, to turn to Him when we think we can't stand, and then to TRUST that He can see us through the storm.

Peter walked on water - when he focused only on Jesus. As soon as he looked at the storm of his life, he failed.

Nehemiah built a wall around an entire city in 52 days - because he followed God and didn't run. He knew people were taunting his efforts, he was under attack from arrows and swords. Neh. 4:14 says, "After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your people, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes." Nehemiah knew that only God could see them through to the right end.

Ultimately, Jesus hung on a cross, dying for our sins, so that we can have a personal relationship with his father. He didn't run away. Even as the world rejected him, He interceded on our behalf. He wants, more than anything, for us to turn to God when we face challenges too big to handle on our own (most challenges handled correctly are too big to handle ourselves).

This blog isn't meant to make anyone feel good. I hope it's not something you read for enjoyment (though I do hope you "enjoy" it). I pray, from the deepest part of my soul, that my journey will inspire you and challenge you to search for God in the midst of your own journey. Look to God, who promises to make the path straight (Pro. 3:5-6), who promises never to give you more than you can bear (1 Cor. 10:13), and who desires nothing more than to know you, love you, walk with you and carry you through when life gets hard (Rev. 3:20).

Answered Prayer

As our school year began, I honestly was quite nervous about how Ben would do. He has struggled with academics his whole life, not because of smarts, but because he just couldn't read or organize his thoughts. He has struggled some in group situations, with friendships (though God has blessed him with some amazing, non-judgmental, easy-going friends), and with staying the course. I expected to fight with him over the schedule, the amount of work required in "middle school level work," well, with all of it.

And I prayed for Ben - to be strong and courageous, to grow in confidence and ability, to know that no challenge is too big for him.

God answered. "Yes."

I'm sitting here, week two of school, not quite sure what to do with myself. Ben gets up and starts his day. He tackles his work subject by subject, on his own. He has read his own assignments (asking only for occasional explanations in rhetoric), written his own outlines and papers, followed his schedule. I sit. I wait. I wonder when the bottom will fall out.

But God answered. "Yes."

So as I write, I apologize to God. I asked Your help with our school year. I asked You to prepare Ben for the new level of work. I asked You to guide us. I asked You to help him learn to read and gain confidence. I am sorry I doubted You. You love Ben more than I can. Of course, You would prepare him for the challenges in school. Of course You would honor my prayers... It's not like I haven't prayed a long time for these same things. I am sorry for almost missing it. Thank You, Lord, for taking me on this journey with Ben. For using his learning differences to help me grow in patience, gentleness and trust in You. I rejoice that You answer prayer, always at the perfect time, and with the perfect answer. Please help me remember the lessons You are teaching me. And continue to grow Ben in confidence, wisdom and love for You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen