"I've Never Heard a Parent Talk Like That Before ..."

I try and get over the the high school and help serve hot lunch to the students on as many Thursday afternoon's as I can each month.  It gives me a chance to serve the students that I pray for and it's also a chance to say hello to teens I haven't seen in a while.  Plus, there are some really hard working parents and teachers who make the lunch program possible and if I can cheer them on and support them in their efforts, I am jazzed to!

Today, one girl who came early to grab a bite to eat and was visiting with some of the adults who she knew.  Someone introduced me to the girl and mentioned it had been my birthday this week.  She asked what I did to celebrate and I said that I had spent the day with my wife and kids.  Her response was apologetic and almost a matter-of-fact when she said, "Oh, you have kids, that sucks.  I am sorry for you."

Wow.  What do you say in response to that?  I just told the truth:

"Actually", I replied, "I have two absolutely amazing kids.  My boy is 12 and my daughter 10 and they are incredible.  It is a joy to be their dad!"

She stopped eating.  She looked me right in the eye and said, "I have never in my life ever heard a parent talk like that about their kids.  You mean you like them?"

At first I thought maybe she was joking, but realized she wasn't.

I wrote about the power of our words earlier this week.  Today I was affirmed that our words matter.  I could have joked and made a goofy statement about my kids after her initial comments, but chose not to.  If I had joked, this girl may not have come face-to-face with the fact that it is possible for a parent - a father - to love and appreciate his children.

Our words do matter and I hope I get a chance to visit with this girl again and hear her story.  Maybe she'll ask me to share more of mine. 

"He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,
   and the hearts of the children to their fathers ..." 

- Malachi 4:6

The Power of Words ...

"Poorly chosen words can kill enthusiasm, impact self-esteem, lower expectations and hold people back. Well chosen ones can motivate, offer hope, create vision, impact thinking and alter results."

- Nan S. Russell

"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."

- Revelation 12:11

On more than one occasion I've challenged my children to re-think what they have just said.  Usually it is because they have spoken something that is not kind or wishing evil on another person.  Often, however, I say it when they have spoke words of blessing over someone, because I want them to realize the weight of what they have said and how good it is.

Words matter.

With words I can tear the hopes and dreams of a person to shreds.  In the same way, I can increase a dream and speak life into the very soul of someone.

It's true in the spiritual realm too.  I can speak out a curse (calling out evil over someone) for someone with my words.  In the same way, I can invite God's blessing in the life of a person.  My words can bind Satan and his demons to silence and inactivity in the name of Jesus (Rev. 12.11).

Words matter.

Parksville seems to have much more grumpy and negative complaining among its' people than any other city that I have ever lived in.  Charlene and I have had to watch ourselves closely.  We want to be people who build others up with our words and not tear down.  More than once a week we (mostly myself) will chat briefly about watching the focus of our words, because ... well, they matter.

So how do you speak?  Do you treat the words that come out of your mouth with the weight that they deserve?  I'm really working at it ... maybe you could start by encouraging me in the journey I'm taking!!

Thanks!

"When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

"All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be"

James 3:3-11

the final day of travel ... we've arrived!

Well, Friday was the last day of road-tripping (we are a bit late getting the photos up) and we got to the place we wanted to be: Parksville, BC!!

Although it was a short travel day, it was packed with loads of adventure, including a ferry ride, a freak snow storm(!?!) and the arrival at the farm where we will be staying for the first 10 days of our time here.

I just want to take this opportunity to speak to anyone from the island who may be reading this and apologize to them ... it may well have been our fault that you had snow! We did not mean to bring it with us from Saskatoon, but it may have been a stow-away in our van - whoops!

Here are some photos:


Driving onto the ferry at Tsawwassen ...


Sierra and Charlene went for a walk-about on the deck ...


Tsawwassen in distance as we leave the mainland
(there is no turning back now - *grin*)


Well, we've arrive in Nanaimo and there is snow ... OK then!?!


Jordan meeting new friends at the farm we are staying at ...


Sierra has named this one, "Jumper"!

road trip: day two photos

Snow, Rain, Clear Skies, Open Roads, Snowy Roads ... we had it all during this leg of the trip, but we ended up in Abbotsford where the sun was shining and Spring was solidly entrenched!!

Off to the island today!


I'm dreaming of a white Spring-time?!?


Chillin' behind the wheel ... enjoying the ride!!


Up in the mountains ... heading toward Hope, BC


It's raining ... we must be getting close!!!


Almost there .... it will be good to rest for the night!

on the road (day one) ...

Great day ... here are a few pics (click on them for the full sized view ... especially the one of the young elk battling it out to see who's the toughest with the antlers!)

We spent the night in Valemount, BC in a very cold motel room (someone forgot to turn the heat on and were freezing for the first two hours!!) that had only four of the satellite TV stations working!?! But we were still well rested and ready for day two!


The Sask / Alberta Border ...


Just about at Edmonton ...


The kids chillin' in the van's backseat ...


The pit-stop ... yikes!


Entering Jasper National Park ...


Battling on the side of the road in Jasper ....


Entering British Columbia!!

on the road to BC ...

So the boxes have been packed and the moving van loaded! Today we hit the road for our trek to our new home -- Parksville, BC!

Our trip will take us through Edmonton and we'll stay in Vailmont, BC (about a 10 hour leg today). Then we'll motor to Abbotsford (9 hour trek) and crash there Thursday night. That means that Friday afternoon some time we will roll in to Parksville. The kids are looking forward to the ferry ride we'll be taking to the island.

If you are the praying type, we'd ask that you remember us over these next travel days ... safety, clear driving, and all that stuff. Thanks!

No idea when I'll post again .... but it will be from BC I'd imagine!!