Another of Payton's little lessons

Well my baby girl is just over five weeks old and she had two big accomplishments this past week. First she slept for five hours straight the other night and it felt like 24 to mom and me. Than Saturday night we made the move. We moved Payton from our bedroom to her nursery and she slept in her big girl crib for the first time. And you know what? I don't even think she noticed :) It was probably a little harder for mom and I than it was for her. My wife spoils me so much I have to admit. I sleep like I am in a trance for the most part and I don't hear a whole lot so she handles ninety percent of the middle of the night stuff. I knew I got lucky when she said yes but I realize it more and more as each day goes by. She loves being home and taking care of Payton and the house.

I had the privilege and opportunity to meet an amazing man with an even greater testimony this past week. Siran Stacy is a former all SEC running back from Alabama with a testimony that is off the charts. I won't get into that because I really want anyone who reads this to take a sec and google him and read his story. It is a powerful testimony to our Lord and Savior. If you ever get a chance to hear him preach I would encourage you to cancel all plans that may conflict with it and make sure you are there. I was lucky enough to get to hear him witness to me and some friends while we were eating some lunch. I was so enthralled by his story I could barely blink while he was telling it. Anyway during his story he made a statement that has been ringing in my head ever since. He said "if you are only half way in with God, than you are all the way in with satan." I have never seen a hammer hit the head of a nail more directly than that

Parenting can be described in that very manner as I am so patiently learning. Being a Mom or Dad is not something you can do halfway and have work out successfully. In fact Jes and I have become so wrapped up in Payton’s wants and needs we realized the other day that our DVR list was almost maxed out. Six weeks ago I could list the scores of every game being played that week. Today I can barely even find ESPN on the TV. Funny thing is it doesn't bother me a bit. I love taking care of my wife and daughter and I hardly miss the endless wasted hours I would spend in front of the TV. The commitment to being a parent demands sacrificing a lot of things for the better of your child. The commitment God wants us to make to Him demands double the sacrifices. If I only came home and was a dad every other day how hard would it be for Jes? If Jes only wanted to take care of Payton on the even days of the month how hungry would she go?

Having faith in God means turning everything over to Him. Faith in Him is not a part time thing. We can't just be good followers on Sundays after a great worship session. Living a selfless, faithful life for His glory is what He desires. And He desires it day in and day out 24/7. Very similar to what Payton needs. She needs me to be a Dad all the time. God wants us to have the desire to bring glory to His name all the time.

Anytime I choose to go against His will I am essentially choosing satan over Him. And by doing that I am making the choice to fully go against His will. Anytime I choose to do something over taking care of Payton I am essentially moving her down the totem pole a bit. She and God probably feel the same way about me when I do stuff like that. They probably feel a bit unloved.

Deuteronomy 6:5

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

The two most important words in that verse are love (for obvious reasons) and all. The word all is used three times in that short verse. He drives home His point with that word. He commands us by saying "you SHALL" not "you SHOULD" and He says all. Meaning we are to love Him ALL the time with ALL that we have. In a similar fashion I am to love Payton ALL the time with ALL I have. Half way parenting won't cut it and half way believing in the Lord won't either.

He loves us so much and wants nothing but the best for us. All He asks is that we follow His directions.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding

There is that word again, all. He will faithfully provide ALL of our daily provisions if we just make the commitment to give it ALL to Him.