Hi boys.
As I've watched the Illinois River swell and overflow this Spring, flooding our area, I am reminded of the old joke that goes like this:
A man was stranded in his house as the area flooded, and had to climb up on his roof to be safe.
On Monday, a man came by in a canoe and said hop in, I have an extra seat. The man said "No thanks, God will save me."
On Tuesday, a group came by in a rowboat and said hop in, we can take you to safety. The man said "No thanks, God will save me."
On Wednesday, the Coast Guard came by in a big cutter and said get in and we'll take you to safety. Again, the man said "No thanks, God will save me."
On Thursday, the man drowned!
When he got to Heaven he was mad at God. "God, I trusted you! Why didn't you save me!"
God said: "What did you want? I sent you a canoe, and a rowboat, and the Coast Guard!"
That's a funny story. And very true in our lives often.
I know we go through tough times as a family.
I know that you go through tough times as young men growing up with the issues that we have. I know that you sometimes wonder why God doesn't help you.
I want you to know this:
God sent you Mom and Dad. We are here for you. We love you more than any people on the planet do, and we do our best to help you - every day.
God sent you your expanded family, too. Aunts and uncles and cousins. They all care about you.
God sent you your church family. Pastors and teachers and classmates.
God sent you your teachers. They want the best for your education.
Look around you. See the resources that God has provided for you. Please recognize that God has provided for you. The man in the joke didn't, and he drowned!
Mom and I are praying for both of you, every day. We want the best for your lives, whatever your lives hold in front of you.
Please pray too.
Have a blessed week.
Dad.
