Make a Wish...

I have a confession to make. When ever I hear Sally Struthers' voice come on begging me for money for starving children in Africa, I can't get to the remote quick enough to find anything else on television. If there is an ad for the ASPCA, I will simply walk out of the room. I don't want to "see" the suffering in the world--I know it exists, but out of sight--out of mind. I avoid the television pretty much altogether whenever the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon is on. I am not proud of it--but I also have a hard time correcting this behavior.

So, it probably comes as no surprise that when a local radio station had their "Make A Wish" telethon today that I kind of groaned internally when I heard them discussing it first thing this morning. Of course, I was already in the shower so I didn't have a chance to change the station. But then--I heard some amazing stories of strength, love, and courage--from the littlest champions in the world--kids with aggressive leukemia, rare cancer conditions, pretty much everything. And to hear the glee in their voices and the hope--I just almost was reduced to tears listening to their stories.

And the timing of this couldn't have been any better. My oldest son turned 12 the day before, and while he lives with his mom, we were able to take them out the night prior for a birthday celebration. My sons live another state from me--2 hours away--but that never stops me and my wife from going to as many events as we can. I hear often from friends and family that they "admire" me for doing this, but I have to tell you--this has never been done on my end for gaining attention--it's what these boys deserve. I made the decision to move farther away, why should they ultimately suffer by having an absent father due to distance? Sure, it gets tough during the Midwestern winters, but we certainly what we can. I am committed to that.

But, again--another confession. I will be honest that there are certainly times that I am tired from work, tired from stress in my life, just plain exhausted from whatever--and I don't want to go. I will complain, I will try to make excuses--and there have been a few times that I just plain didn't go because of my own selfish things. While that has been minimal, listening to these Make a Wish children discuss their lives and what they have endured again shot me back to reality.

I have it made. Just another day in paradise.

God has given me these two gifts that I cannot forsake. He has blessed me with health, blessed them with talents and love, and he provides all of us with wonderful lives that we should never take for granted. I am so grateful and thankful for every detail that the Lord has given to me--whether seen as good or bad--the simple fact is that it's not about me. It is certainly something that I know I go up and down on, and for again my faith to evolve and my spirituality to take off on a pure path, I need to always realize this, and be selfless in my actions towards others, especially my sons that Jesus Christ has bestowed to me with the trust that I will teach them his way.

Please Lord, do not let me forget that with you all things are possible...and because of you all things are. Thank you for everything!