"It’s a Great Day to be Alive!"

Psalm 118:24

"This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

For years, my students heard me say “Its a great day to be alive!” The origin of this “mantra" began one hot August afternoon, on a long walk out to the practice fields for the second practice that day (in the midst of two-a-day practices for football season). The players were dragging, and so was this coach!

And then, from the rear one of my fellow coaches, (Coach Stephens), swiftly caught up and sprinted past us all, exclaiming along the way, “It's a great day for football gentlemen!”

Isn’t it funny, if we are paying attention, even the simplest statements at just the right moment, can challenge us and become a call to action?

As I quickly responded to the coach's exhortation, without thinking, I found myself picking up my pace and breaking into a trot to join him.

From that day forward, I enthusiastically reminded others, in my many roles; as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal, (adding my own version), that everyday is "a great day to be alive” to anyone that would listen! When I spoke at FCA or church, I always provided a little extra “intel” telling my audiences that my daily reminder of “Its a great day to be alive” was simply a paraphrase of Psalm 118:24,"This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

DADs, if we don’t allow ourselves to #prepare for our work with the appropriate mindset, then our work will soon cease to provide fulfillment. The joy of “doing" becomes a burden versus a blessing. When that happens our opportunities for positive impact is diminished.

So, DADs, I ask these questions in regards to your own work:

What needs your deliberate effort?

What do you need to do to #prepare today to help make it a better place, and to increase your sphere of influence?

When I was the principal, we started a tradition for seniors on their last day of school. A symbolic exercise representing both an end to one part of their lives, and a beginning to another called the “senior walk.” On that final day the seniors would gather in the commons, I would celebrate the legacy they were leaving, and I then shared the emotional story of walking my own daughter and son to the door on each of their last days of school, as both their parent and principal.

I explained with the gathered seniors that once they walked out the door, they could turn around and come right back in, but it would be somehow different. Walking out as a senior, they would then be returning as a graduate.

But before they each individually walked through the door, receiving a hug from me, I read to them from Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

DADs, what if we saw each day in our workplace as a gift and a ministry? What if we were more intentional to live and to share with others the blessings of each day, with the focus on those things “admirable” and “praiseworthy”. Therefore, in our own work, our mere presence would support others to #prepare to be the best versions of themselves?

DADs, maybe we should all stop counting down the days we have to work, and start to #prepare making every day at work count for ourselves, but more importantly for those that we serve and for those working beside us.

To God be the glory!

Dads “get in the game”…

Today is game day…and so is every day…

God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

"The Place to Start...Home"

DADS, 

Week 3 - #Prepare -“The Place to Start...Home"

Proverbs 24:3-4: By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

As mentioned in week 1, the word “prepare” means “to establish, fix, prepare, or apply.” It conveys the idea of deliberate effort over a prolonged period of time.

What are the things you need to #prepare at home? What needs deliberate effort to “fix” at “home?” (And I’m not talking about in the backyard or in the garage!)

I have shared with my wife numerous times, (to remind myself as well) with all the blessings, all the accolades I may have received, all the acknowledgements for things outside my home, it is only amplified and given true meaning because of her love and support.

"Meaningless and shallow" would be the gathering and collecting of things without having or at least striving to have my own house in order. 

Purposeless! Meaningless!

As Solomon, who many would consider the wisest ever says in Ecclesiastes,“like chasing the wind."

The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:34, “If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home - so that when you come together it will not be for judgment.”

DADs, if we are not taking care of our families first, feeding them physically, emotionally, and spiritually, then we are missing the boat, plane, taxi, Uber or whatever your choice of transportation is!

1 Timothy 5:8 - “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

How can we truly as the DAD, child, and disciple of God, really celebrate “success" at work, at play, or even at church if we deny our responsibilities at home?

Does this mean all things must be perfect? All things at home in order?

Does this mean we beat ourselves up knowing there are areas of our lives at home that need a greater “deliberate” effort?

No! But to be “intentional" is key as we #prepare our homes.

It is the striving for. The aiming for. The focused action of “establishing” family goals, as the DAD, bringing your house together, and “preparing” your home to a place where it is very clear God is at the center of it all!

To God be the glory!

Dads “get in the game”…

Today is game day…and so is every day…

God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!