So here is a song I wrote upset at some of what is going on in society.  Just a little rant and prayer for intervention.

Fill this World

G                                 Em            G                          Em                    

Have you seen the news lately?  Have you felt the pain?

G                  Em          G                             Em

We sit on the couch;  And blame everyone else

G                          Em        G                           Em

Children dying everyday; Parents neglect their own

G                                 Em       G                         Em

Teens are falling father away; From the Father's home

(Refrain)

C       G                        Am7                C                                 D         G

Lord, I can't take much more of this; I've been waiting for so long now

G                                    Em         Am7                                    C      G       Em  

Take this evil and turn it around; Fill this world with your love

G                           Em          G                          Em

I'm in awe of you everyday; How complete you love.

G                                 Em         G                              D

On the cross you hung to save; three days later you rose.

G                                    Em        G                             Em

And it's a mystery to me and all; why you did this at all

G                                    Em           G                 Em

Thank you Jesus for all you gave; To make me whole

(Bridge)

G                             Am7       G               Am7     C                

Jesus, how can you just;    Sit there and watch;  All these people receive

G                         Am7    G           Am7     C

When they don't know;  Who you are;    They don't believe even believe

(Final Refrain)

C       G                        Am7                C                                 D         G

Lord, I can't take much more of this; I've been waiting for so long now

G                                    Em         Am7                                    C      G       Em  

Take this evil and turn it around; Fill this world with your love                            (X2)

So for those who watched the Superbowl, it was a great game. Regardless of who you rooted for, the game had great plays, bad calls, and overall good competition. I especially enjoyed the commercials and the half time show with Tom Petty.

Right now I’m in the midst of a cramming session on guitar playing for the SFA Life teen retreat. One song that I’m learning that has captivated my prayer life is “Everlasting God” by Chris Tomlin. Here are the Lyrics.

Everlasting God
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God You reign forever
Our hope our strong Deliv’rer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won’t grow weary
You’re the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

Amazing how I forget to wait on the Lord. Amazing how “I” FORGET to wait on the LORD!!

For those that do not know me, I’m a bit energetic, and sometimes I get blinded by vision (no comments from the peanut gallery). My vision of what the Lord is going to do blocks me from having the patience for HIM to do it. So I end up pushing hard to accomplish something that I believe God wants, and while He may want it, it is to be done in His time, not my own.

The reality and TRUTH is that God will not fail, He will not give up. He will accomplish the work He started. And it is not for me to rush HIM!

So, for the mathematically challenged, how does this fit into the life of an Off Brand Dad?

How many times have we disciplined our children for no accomplishing something they were not ready to do? Or how many times are our expectations of our children, greater than they can accomplish? I ask you to challenge yourself. Are your expectations of your children, God’s expectations?

Recently I disciplined Ben, 5yrs old, for not living up to my expectation on a particular task. I was disappointed in him, disappointed in me for raising my voice, and just sick over the whole thing. I was short with my wife about the issue, and was somewhat, no totally, rude about the ordeal when I finally prayed about it with God. God again showered His mercy and opened my eyes to see again His expectations of me; of which I fell short.

God has revealed to me more of who I am in Christ through this process. While I fell short of the vision, I am more than ever committed to the work He is doing in my children. God will finish His work. Rather than me taking charge and pushing my children too hard, I just have to stay out of the way sometimes and cooperate with Gods grace and mercy.

Off Brand Dad’s are measured not by how nice our family looks, or how our kids behave in public, but how much love we show our children. Especially when they are most in need of just that.

St. Joseph, pray for us that we may reflect God’s love on our children.