A Father's Day to Remember

Today I experienced one of those moments that you just want to hold on to forever. One of those moments that you want to let your mouth fly open as you feel the tears welling up. Then you feel your mouth slowly begin to display a smile in the most profound way. Your mind has trouble getting around what you are hearing, yet you are hanging on every word spoken.

After church today, I was invited to join my son, daughter-in-law and my three precious grandchildren at a restaurant for lunch to celebrate this special day set aside for fathers. I had thought of my own father earlier this morning and shared some moments with my heavenly Father about how the missing seems to never leave. God had called my dad to his heavenly reward some 14 years ago. I thanked my heavenly Father that I had grown up in a home where my father did his best to be more Christ-like on a daily basis. My thoughts then turned to my dear husband and how, unlike me, he had experienced the worst example of what a father should be in his young years; yet, because our heavenly Father cared and loved him so much, my husband was able to move past all the unkind that had been dealt him as a child and seek the truth that only God can provide. I will be forever amazed at God’s care of His children. God is the one that provided the mentors for my husband when his own father chose to reject God’s plan. I am convinced that through the prayers of other family members praying for a little boy so ill treated, that God honored those prayers and rose up a mighty warrior for His kingdom.

I am also convinced that God heard my prayers almost 40 years ago as I asked God, just as Hannah asked God (1 Sam. 1:10-11) for a son, and I would give him to the Lord for all the days of his life. This was one of those moments when God taps us on the shoulder and softly whispers, I am the Abba of all Daddies. You trusted me, and I gave you your hearts’ desires. I still love you; and because your son loves me too, I am blessing him now through his son and the words I gave him to speak at your table today.

That’s right, out of this 4-year old’s mouth he announced, “I have a special prayer”. We all quickly clasped hands, bowed our heads as he said with a clear voice. “Dear God, thank you for Daddy. I hope You have a Happy Father Day today. Also, God, bless my Mommy too, and Grandma, and Sarah and Sydney. Amen. Although usually shy and unwilling to lead a prayer, today was a mountain-top day for our family and God’s kingdom. Our hearts were touched in a way only God can touch us. Our faith was increased by seeing in this small little one, God already at work molding and sculpting this baby into the Godly man he will become. My heart aches with joy – I can’t even imagine what life would have been for me without Jesus pointing the way to eternal life and a relationship with His father.

TEXAS HEAT

Summer has certainly arrived here in South Texas. When it comes to heat, we’ve got it, plus the humidity to really remind us that our warm months are here to stay, at least for the next 4 – 6 months, as we hear the hum of our AC units in competition with the crickets.

Some folks complain about the high temps, but we would never be able to enjoy our sport in this neck of the woods, if we only shot our guns in what we’d call ideal weather. I’m sure there are some folks that are more fortunate than us in other parts of the country, but we do have to brag a bit when it comes to being able to shoot year around. We’ve never been frozen out, to where those in charge declared, it’s just too cold to shoot. We may think it is, but somehow we just know at the end of the match we’ll get warm again with a hot cup of coffee or chocolate.

Being a lady shooter, it was hard for me to adjust to trying to shoot in such adverse conditions, especially those really hot days, those days when my makeup was off by the first stage, but as I continue to learn and enjoy our sport, I realize that I must just get to a point where I am having too much fun to really care about my shooting conditions. Now that’s being distracted by this sport. A sport that can even change this lady’s mind!

Now before you say, you’d better be careful girl! I’ve learned it is most important to pace yourself and to certainly stay hydrated. We girls are into snacks, so carry plenty. Your pard just might need a boost too! How good a slice of a cold apple taste between stages? It’s a good idea to watch others on your posse that might not realize this all important rule. No one wants to be a victim of heat stroke or worse. Learn to monitor yourself and others, wag that cooler along, no matter how much trouble it might be. Just hang it on your gun cart. You’ll be glad you did. And, most of all have fun!