MEN AND ADULTERY

I copied this post from Ladies of Grace, Journal For Women. It is a blog that Mrs. Julie Fink's authors. This problem is growing and growing in our Country and even in our Churches. I hope that this will be a help to anyone who might be or has gone through this time in their lives. May it be a strength to you and give you some answers that you might desperately need. Some may even be too ashamed to ask for help or not know anyone who can help them This post is done in a very helpful way using God Word as its basis. May God bless you.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Men & Adultery

"Why is this happening?" the dear woman asked as she sat in my living room deeply devastated after discovering that her husband had been cheating on her.

"Why would he do this to me? Is it me? He says that it is me. I am not meeting his needs. That he is no longer "aroused" by me. I thought things were going fine. I can't believe that this is happening to me . . . to us . . . in OUR marriage."

"I know," I began to say, "And I'm so, so, so sorry! This is devastating, and I'm so so sorry. But I want to assure you of something that I believe that God would want you to understand ~ you are not the cause of this. Your husband has made a choice. A very bad choice. To sin against God, to sin against you and to sin against himself."

"Really? You really believe that this is not my fault?"

"Yes, and the reason that I believe this is because the Bible teaches me to believe this. You see my friend, this world is filled with lazy kind of thinking folks that are eager to put the blame for bad behavior on everybody else . . . but the truth of the matter is this ~ God holds each one of accountable for our own sins."

"But why?" my friend began to ask again, "Why would my husband do something like this?"

"The Bible teaches us that there are a variety of reasons that he would do a thing like this.

1. He is drawn towards this sin because of his own lust. James 1:14-15 tells us, "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." Every one of us has areas in this world that we are tempted to lust after. For your husband, it may be to go to bed with other women. For you, it may be to spend money you don't have on clothes or shoes. For some it may be to do whatever it takes to get power or prestige. And when we are not careful to keep ourselves AWAY from those things that we are tempted by, we begin to be drawn towards them by our own lust. And when our lust is allowed to get its own way, we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of sin! And in this case, this sin brought forth the death of your feeling loved by someone that you considered to be a faithful man.

2. He lacks understanding. Proverbs 6:32 says, "But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul." I have heard many foolish things come out of the mouth of adulterous men. Some believe that "the whole world" should be their playground, and that as long as they are still taking care of their wives, that nobody should have a problem with it. I have even heard one man say that the Old Testament teaches that it is normal to have many women, because that's what the patriarchs did! This is absolutely absurd! The mistakes made by good men in the Old Testament were left there to remind us that the LAW wasn't sufficient enough to keep even the best people in line! From the beginning God ordained marriage between one man and one woman and the two were to become one flesh. (At this point, the dear woman interjected and said, "Yea, my husband has tried to use Old Testament one on me!") The truth of the matter is that God ordained marriage for a far greater purpose than just our individual enjoyment. It was designed as a picture of Christ's relationship to the church (Ephesians 5). The husband is supposed to represent Christ and the wife is supposed to represent the church. And together they are supposed to proclaim the great love that Christ has for His church and the great reverence that the church has for Him in return. When a man cheats, his actions loudly proclaim that Christ can't be trusted and it causes the church to be hesitant to have faith in the living God.

3. He is foolish and simple. The whole chapter of Proverbs 7 talks about this (and then I opened the Bible and we read this together).

4. He is abhorred of the Lord. Proverbs 22:4 "The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein." What does it mean to be abhorred of the Lord? It means to make Him so angry that He just let's you fall. Unfortunately we live in a day and age where many men have brought great shame to the name and character of the Lord. He has given them the privilege of portraying who He is and how He behaves to a lost world, and they have taken this responsibility and made a mockery of it. And of course we all know that God won't be mocked, right?"

"But," she said, once I was finished telling her these things, "But I talked to one Pastor's Wife and she said that the only reason men stray is because the wife is not meeting his needs."

"Where did she get that information from?" I asked her, "Did she show you where God said that in the Bible?"

"No, she didn't. But it made so much sense. I mean, this MUST be all my fault! If I was just skinnier or prettier or more talented my husband would be happy with me and not want to run around with other women."

"Dear friend," I said, "I wish it were that easy. But the truth of the matter is that men cheat because they don't live careful, God-honoring lives. And that is why you won't find anywhere in the Bible God blaming you. He holds each one of us responsible for our own sins. And adultery is a terrible sin committed against God, oneself and others. And I'll throw this little bit of biblical truth at you, the Bible even says in that it is the husband's job to keep himself interested in his wife!"

We both had a good laugh at this one and then she said, "Get out! You're crazy!."

"It's true, look with me at Proverbs 5:15-21 ,"Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings."

"Wow, how come nobody ever talks about THIS verse when they counsel you after something like this?"

"Because most people, even Christian people, are just products of this feminist driven culture that believes that women are the main player in everything! But the Word of God doesn't hold this to be true. Yes, women are very important players, but they are not the drivers in life that are keeping everything running, they are the passengers that ride along to make the journey more pleasant."

"Now, don't get me wrong," I also added, "I do believe that we all have the potential to discourage one another and for that reason alone, I would do my best as a wife to respect my husband by staying pleasant and attractive ~ but think about this, what if you get in a car accident and your body gets disfigured? Then what? Would God look at this as a license for your husband to cheat because his physical needs won't be met? No, He wouldn't. He would look at it as a time to serve and suffer."

"Serve and suffer?"

"Yes, serve and suffer. The modern day Christian in America lives such a shallow Christian life believing that everything should be made comfortable and convenient for them. But that's not how it is in the economy of God. God allows everything for our good and His glory. And believe it or not, it is in the midst of times of righteous suffering that we are able to shine for Him the most!"

"Well, I guess you have answered my next question."

"What was that?"

"I was going to ask you what I should do about this. But I think I already know your answer. I should just serve and suffer through it."

"Listen dear friend, God loves you very, very much and believe me, there is NO ONE more sorry to see your broken heart than He is. He, more than any of us, knows how sinful man can be. And He wants to comfort you in a very special way during this time. The Bible reminds us of this in I Peter 5:7, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.""

"I know God cares. And I'm thankful that you care for me too."

"You know I do, and as you walk with God during this deep, dark valley, please remember that you don't walk alone. Jesus is with you, and so am I."

"I love you Miss Julie."

"I love you too my dear friend. And I'm proud of you. And I'm believing that God will work all things out for the good for you and that your husband will become converted because of the godly way that you are willing to handle things."

And then I concluded our time by showing her the hopeful verses found in I Peter 3.

Maybe you are reading this and have been affected by adultery in your marriage too. It seems to be happening so often nowadays! In the past few months I have been made aware of a number of my friends that are struggling to survive this. If I can be of help to you in any way, please don't hesitate to contact me. But even if you don't feel comfortable contacting me, please take this message to heart ~ it is not YOUR fault! Your husband cheats because he is a sinner and is giving in to the lust of his flesh. He is behaving very foolishly and God will judge Him. Pray for mercy and seek to forgive. Your husband is a troubled man and he needs to be delivered by a loving and merciful God.

NEVER TOO OLD TO BE USED OF GOD!

These past few weeks, I have been planning a birthday party for our Pastor's wife, Michele. This will be her 50th birthday. WHAT A GREAT BLESSING!! If we listen to the world, we are getting old when we turn 30 and over the hill at 40. Well, by the world's view by the time one hits the 50's mark they are just almost too old. Well you know where that leaves those of us who are 60,70,80,90 or in the l00's. How ridiculous!!!! To count our worth in terms of age.


To every age and season in life, we can and should be used by the Lord.

LUKE 1:5-7

There was in the days of Herod, the King of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
AND THEY WERE BOTH RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD, WALKING IN ALL THE COMMANDMENTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE LORD BLAMELESS. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and THEY BOTH WERE NOW WELL STRICKEN IN YEARS.

Verse 18

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? FOR I AM AN OLD MAN, AND MY WIFE WELL STRICKEN IN YEARS.

In these passages in Luke Chapter one we find the Lord has a blessing and a job for Zacharias and Elisabeth. The amazing thing is that Zacharias thought Elisabeth and himself to be OLD. We find that God was giving the old and barren a son. A very important son who would come before the Lord Jesus saying, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD."

No, we are never too old. We are to serve the Lord from the moment we become His child until our last breath is drawn on this earth.

I told the young, very young ladies that I teach on Sunday Morning that they are not too young to follow Jesus and think as He thought and do as He did. There are things that they can do. Such as go to someone who can not get out of their house and read the Bible to them, write a letter for them, wash the dishes for them, take them some cookies. They can smile, give out tracts, etc. No, you are never too young, once you belong to Him. On the other hand, nor are you ever TOO OLD.

As we get older, we should have more wisdom to share, we should know the value and importance of prayer. We can pray and God can and will change circumstances and lives. We can do what we can do even if it is just give away our smiles.

Then in every season of our lives, whether we are a child, a young woman, a wife or a mother, a Grandma or a widow there are ways that we can be used for the Lord.

So don't fall for the world's view of what age a person has worth. God can and does use all that want to be used. We need to live life with the right perspective with a perspective of eternity.

If you read your Bible, you will see that the Bible presents Old age as a favorable time being able to understand more of life's meaning and have wisdom that comes only from God. connie

WHAT A DIFFERENCE THE AGE MAKES AND WHAT A DIFFERENCE WHO THE FRIEND IS!!

The Road Of Life
At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't KNOW Him.
But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed Christ was in the back helping me pedal.
I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. . . It was the shortest distance between two points.
But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!"
I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn trust.
I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine.
And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.
I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.
And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.
And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, He just smiles and says. . . "Pedal."--- Author Unknown ---

This past week for a few days I have been at the bedside of my sister who had a stroke a little over a week ago. It is a very hard thing to see, when a person whom you have known all her life, have changed her diapers, cleaned her nose, held her hand as she went to first grade. Oh, so many things that make you know, really know a person. When that person thinks that you are someone else and doesn't even know your name, She doesn't know the year or how many brothers and sisters she has. Time to time with a clearer mind she would say, "Of course, I know who you are, You are Connie," and with a smile on her face squeeze my hand.

Oh, how precious the Lord is, in times like these. He gives us a strength that we never knew we had, a courage that comes directly from him. We see His healing touch in every moment that she breathes. We do not know what His will is for her yet, but we rest comfortably in knowing that she, is in His will. That trust is what sees us through.

In my young life, I never had such strength or courage or faith that His will was being done. I am thankful for the wisdom that He has given to me over the years. I see more and more the value in having years added to your life. You understand so much more and you have an eternity perspective in all that happens in your life. You are not stuck so much on the here and now or the what or wherefores. I am so thankful that God has brought me this far. I have so much more peace in giving Him my burdens and fears in life rather than me having the control over my life and its circumstances, that I once thought that I so desperately needed.

I would ask you to keep my sister in your prayers. She is precious to me but oh so much more to the Lord. When I look at her, I see an answer from the Lord. I know that I will learn much through this as will she. It will make us both more like the Him. I know that He is getting us ready for when we come to live for Him in eternity. Jean, I praying that God blesses you today and that you feel his touch in a very mighty way, that His will be done in both of our lives and that we will use those lives to bring glory and honor to Him in some way. connie

TESTING, YOU CAN PASS!!

God continually tests our character, our faith, our obedience, our love, our integrity, and our loyalty.

The words: trials, temptation, refining and testing appear more than 200 times in the Bible. God tested Abraham, Jacob, Adam and Eve, Joseph, Ruth, Esther, and Paul. The list goes on.

CHARACTER is both developed and revealed by tests

We will be tested by major changes, delayed promises, impossible problems, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticism, and even senseless tragedies.

Nothing is insignificant in our lives!

The good news is GOD WANTS US TO PASS THE TESTS IN OUR LIVES!

He never allows the tests you face to be greater than the grace He gives you to handle them! God keeps His promises and He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test. He will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

James 1:2-6

2. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

So my friend, if today, or this week or this year have been tough for you, recognize it as a test and know that He has given you everything you need to pass the test.

2 Corinthians 12:9
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee."
unknown author

By studying GOD'S WORD, we can know all the answers ahead of time. Those we do not know, all we have to do is open our Bibles and read and study it. We do not have to fail any of the tests that God gives us, He truly has given us all the answers.

I read the testimony of a lady recently that was dying of cancer. She only had a short time, barring a miracle, left to live. She make this quote, that I believe was taken from someone else, I can't remember who. The quote touched my heart and opened my eyes a little more about suffering and the trials that we go through in this life. The quote went like this, "GOD ALLOWS IN HIS WISDOM THAT WHICH HE COULD EASILY PREVENT BY HIS POWER."

If God gives us grace sufficient, and He has promised not to put more on us than we can bear and we know that God does not lie then, when the trials come, it is much easier if we can take to heart,the quote, "God allows in His wisdom that which He could easily prevent by His power." We can trust God, no matter what we are going through, no matter the pain, the hurt, the burden, the struggle, the lesson, we are being taught, no matter the tears that fall from a broken heart. HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT. I do not speak these words without knowledge and experience. I have not lived 66 years without having hurt, pain, sorrow, many tears, my heart being broken. Today, I say that the trials will come but there WILL BE JOY IN THE MORNING. I have never suffered in anyway that after it was over that I have not loved God more, knew Him better and even seen the good that has come from my trial. No, it was not easy at the time but as I have thought about it, I don't think that I would change a thing because I would not be at the place in my Christian life that I am today. I am not foolish enough to think that I have "arrived" because I know that I am just a sinner saved by grace. But I know that I am closer to the Lord than when I started out on this journey. He does tell us in those passages in the book of James, that we are "to count it ALL joy" when we fall into divers temptations.

Maybe the next time you find yourself in the mist of a trial you will remember, You can find the answers right in God's WORD. Don't just read it but believe it!!! connie

GIVE A SMILE AWAY TO DAY, SOMEONE MAY NEED ONE.

CONSIDER YOURSELF SMILED AT!!!!


A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive, without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it and none so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. A smile creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business and is the counter-sign of friendship. It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad and it is nature's best antidote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. SOME PEOPLE ARE TOO TIRED TO GIVE YOU A SMILE. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give. maria e. hagain.


A smile is a wonderful thing. I believe that it may contain the sunshine of God. Just try for one day to smile at everyone you see. Who knows, you may lift spirits, change minds, make someone happy enough to continue on for a time longer. Give of your smiles. It costs us nothing! Share, share. It even makes us feel better when we smile at others because nine times out of ten, we will receive one back. I am smiling at your this morning, I am praying that you can feel it!!! connie

I HAVE BEEN THAT LITTLE STRAYING LAMB

STORY OF A STRAYING LAMB

The shepherd loved His little lamb.

And gave it His tender care...

And followed it with His loving eyes

As it wondered here and there.

And as He sat by His grazing flock

Who so meekly His voice obeyed.

He pondered sadly His little lamb

As again and again it strayed.

The little lamb had a loving heart,

And adored His Shepherd, true,

But would turn aside and seek his own way

As lambs will so often do.

With His gentle voice the Shepherd called,

To His loved and straying lamb,

"Come back, little one, for you are not safe

Unless you are where I am."

But still the lamb would soon forget

And unthinkingly wander away,

And not really noticing what he did,

From the Shepherd's side would stray.

Until one day, the Shepherd kind

Took His rod in His gentle hand,

And what He then did seemed so cruel

That the lamb could not understand.

For with one sharp and well-aimed blow

Down the rod so swiftly came.

That it broke the leg of the little lamb

And left it crippled, and lame.

Then the little lamb, with a cry of pain,

Fell down upon his knees...

And looked up at his Shepherd, as though to say,

"Won't you explain this, please?"

Then he saw the love in the Shepherd's eyes

As the tears ran down His face.

As He tenderly set the broken bone, And bound it back in it's place.

Now he was utterly helpless,

He could not even stand!

He must trust himself completely

To his Shepherd's loving hand.

Then day by day, 'til the lamb was healed

From the flock he was kept apart...

And carried about in the Shepherd's arms,

And cradled near to His heart.

And the Shepherd would whisper gentle words

Into his now listening ear...

Thus he heard sweet words of love

That the other sheep could not hear.

He felt the warmth of the Shepherd's arms

And the beat of His faithful heart...

Until it came a blessing to seem,

By his weakness to be set apart.

Every need of the little lamb

By his Shepherd so fully was met

That through his brokenness he learned

What he never again would forget.

And as the broken bone was healed,

And once more became whole and strong....

Wherever the Shepherd's path would lead,

The lamb would follow along.

Thus at the Shepherd's side he walked

So closely, day by day,

For once a lamb has a broken leg

It will never again go astray.

For the cords of love had bound it so

In its hour of weakness and need....

That it had no desire to wander away,

When once again it was freed.

Could it be you are broken today,

And you cannot understand

The painful blow of the Shepherd's rod

Now believe it came from His hand?

He only seeks, by this painful thing,

For a time to call you apart...

To cradle you close in His loving arms,

And draw you near to His heart.

So look up into your Shepherd's eyes,

And earnestly seek His face...

And prove in the hour of your weakness and need

The sufficiency of His grace.

For as you are borne in His loving arms,

And carried there, day by day....

He will bind you so close with the cords of His love

That never again will you stray!

author unknown

This poem touches my heart each time that I read it. I am so thankful that I have a Shepherd that loves me enough to correct me when I do wrong. As Christians sometimes we take our eyes off the Saviour and we lose our way. The Lord will warn us either by his WORD, a preacher, a friends or some other method. If we do not heed the warning then He will take measure to correct us and bring us back where we belong. For some it only takes a warning for others it may take a "broken leg." But I know for me and those that I love, I want always for the Lord to do whatever it takes to bring us back in line.

For years, I found it hard to pray this prayer for others as it just broke my heart the thought of something bad happening to them. But then the Lord caused me to see and understand that SOMETHING BAD had happened to them. He would do what it took to bring them back to Him.

As Christians we are only safe as we are in His will. That is where our protection lies.We should always keep our eyes on Him, our ears open to Him, our mouths speaking of Him. Why or why, are our hearts so pron to wonder away and get caught up in the sins that so easily beset us? I say why, but I know. We have a sin nature and it will be with until until we take our last breath here on this earth. That is why we have to stay oh so close to our Lord, the Shepherd of our souls.

I have been punished by the Lord some times in my life. At the time, it was not easy but afterward, there was a peace in my heart that comes from being right with Him. I know that the Lord loves me more that His own life. He proved that when He shed His blood and died for me on the cross of Calvary. We should never hate it when we are punished by the Lord when we have to have our own way even when we know we are doing wrong. That is what He has promised would happen. If we did not belong to Him, he would leave us alone in our sin. No, we have a Saviour who loves us and want us right with Him. So, today, I thank God for using what ever it has taken in my past to bring me back to Him and I only love Him the more for loving me so much.

So if you belong to Him and living in sin, willful or otherwise, you can expect his chastisement if you do not heed His warnings. He loves us! He wants His best for us. We need to obey! and love Him back. connie

IF I COULD ONLY HAVE ONE MORE FATHER'S DAY WITH MY DAD

A FATHER IS
SOMEONE WHO LISTENS, WITH HIS HEART,
SPEAKS WITH HIS HUGS, AND TEACHES NOT BY WORDS,
BUT BY EXAMPLE. unknown

I have wished with all my heart that I could go back, back in time, oh, so many times. To the days when I had my Dad here each day. I would appreciate him so much more. I would love him so much better. I would use my time with him in ways that would mean so much more. But he is gone now and with my physical arms, I can no longer give him a hug or say, "Dad, I love you." I can no longer look at his hands and see them with all their corn and callouses as proof, he has given his youth to take care of my mom and us kids. I can no longer look at his dear face and see the lines and wrinkles that came from the worry over seeing that we would have enough food on our table and a roof over our heads as we needed. All the many decisions he had to make in life to make sure that we turned our right and on the right road. I did not know then how hard it is to have such a great responsibility as to raise a child must less nine of them. To make sure that they know right from wrong and grow up to have common sense and wisdom to make it through this life.

To be a good Dad, it takes courage and strength when other have lost theirs. It takes comforting when all they would really like is to be comforted themselves. It takes having to stand up and make the hard decisions when just one time they would like to be able to say, "Oh, go ahead, maybe it want hurt this one time." But they know it might, so they have to be the one to say "no." when just once they would like to be seen as the good guy and be able to say ,"yes." They can't say, "yes" when it takes a "no" because they know what it might cost in your life. With each step they have to be ready to step in and steady us and give good advice about the way or ways we are choosing. A good Dad has to always take care of the needs of his family, whether he feels like it or not. Most have to go on to work or do whatever needs doing without going to bed and resting for a while. They just have to keep going to ensure us of food in our bellies and roofs over our heads and clothes on our backs. Sometimes when we look at the food, we don't stop to say thank you and think about what it cost our Dad's to provide it for us. We gripe and complain because we don't have what someone of our friends has and don't stop to appreciate how hard it was for our Dad's to provide what we do have. Our clothes may not be what someone on television has to wear so we think that it is not good enough but what did it cost our Dad to be able to provide it for us.

I did not look at my Dad and count the cost. I just knew it would be there. Dad always made a way. Until I was grown, did I know how hard it gets sometimes. I did not look at my Dad and see how hard he worked. I never stopped to think that he would have probably like to do fun things also but was never there. He had to work or do something involving work. I did not think about how he gave his last bit of money so that we could have something we thought special. It was just Dad. He was our security. He was the one we could depend on. He never changed. He showed us his love in so many ways and yet until I was grown do I actually remember the words coming from his mouth. I did not question that love. I felt it in his touch, his voice, his protection of us. He was my Dad. I did not know that when I did wrong, it concerned him so much that he had to discipline me and that it cost him so much to have to do it. As a adult with my children, I learned the price that has to be paid but back then oh, way back then, I did not know. I wondered why his hair turned grey and the wrinkles came and the strength of body began to leave him and I know that I was the reason many times. It was not that I was doing bad that much but to raise a child takes all you have. It takes all your love, your patience, your hope, your concern, your youth, your strength and your courage and most of all your trust in God to lead, guide, and protect your children to do right, to grow right, and if mistakes are made in judgement to return to the God that they love and to the way, that as parents we have taught them . My Dad loved me and I wish that I had just one more Father's Day to show him the respect, honor and love that he so deserved.

If you have a Father that still lives today, just remember chances are, he will not always be here for you to respect, honor and love. One day you like myself would wish for just a chance to have just one more moment with him. If your Father is alive but you are separated from him because of your rebellious nature. Make things right with your heavenly Father and then with the Father that gave you life, raised you, protected you, taught you all the good things that you know, would like the heavenly Father give his life for you, if need be. He loves you. He will always love you. Don't forget, think back over the years, Take the time to tell him of that love and not only tell him but show him. Oh, how I wish that I could, my Dad. It is not too late for you. Don't waste another moment.Good Dad are worth so much and we treat them sometimes like they are worthless.

Dad I do wish you were here for me to hug and tell you how much I appreciated you and how very much that I love you.

My Dad is not here today but the Father of my Children is and I want him to know how much, I love him and how much I appreciate him for all that he has put into our family to make it what it is. I thank him for all those days, he went to work ill, for all the time he worked til he had no strength left, for all the good advice, the good example you have been, for all the provision in every area of our lives. We have seen and felt your love. Thank you so much for the giving of your youth and strength, on our behalf. I hope that I have made it easier for you as you bore the burdens of our family. Thank you for loving the Lord and showing that love before our eyes. I hope that you have one great Father's Day! Just know that you have a wife that loves and appreciates you in every way and for each thing that you have been for good and each thing that you have sacrificed for your family. I love you. connie

p.s. I love you Dad.