January 18 – “Happy Birthday to me”

Today is my Christian birthday.  Or would that be anniversary?  Back when I was a senior in high school, it was on January 18 that I finally realized that God wanted a personal relationship with ME..  That was amazing.  Nothing I had ever heard growing up.  I thought God lived in that box behind the cross on the altar.  Sure changed my life.  I went from a super depressed, not functioning all that well, wimpy teenager to a fairly optimistic, drive you crazy morning person, finally having a sense of purpose, sometimes still depressed, somewhat normal guy.    Chris is in Bay City for the next two days.  Nathan and I both forgot today was a holiday – Martin Luther King day.  He tried to go to the bank.  Nathan, that is.  I put some mail out.  That's what I get for not reading the paper first thing when I get up.  Mom reminded me.  The sign at the bank reminded Nathan.   I did some stuff last night and this morning to get the word out about camp.  Got several responses back already.  Looks like we'll have a crowd going after all.  They just need to get the deposits in.  Kel's even going to go and bring a few of his kids from First Baptist.  Actually there are only a few there, so any he can get to come would be great.   They'll need to help out with fundraisers, too.  We need a lot to pay for transportation, and they need to cover Kel's costs as a sponsor.    About eight this morning the dogs suddenly started barking like crazy.  There were about five guys in the yard behind us looking at their dead trees.  I let them try to make friends with Fritz for awhile.  Didn't happen.  Then I went back and talked to them.  They worked for FEMA.  They said we could still sign up for our trees if we wanted.  The office is next to Academy.  It would only take them a month or so to get to the paperwork..    I guess they inspired me or something.  After lunch I took a walk around the neighborhood.  There sure are a lot of trees missing.  When I got home I picked up the dead branches in our back yard and carried them to the street.  Then I installed one of those aluminum can crushers in the garage.  It went through the storm and seemed none the worse for wear, so it's back up.  I took care of the mounds of cans we have accumulated.  Now they all fit into about half of a plastic trash bag.  Still don't know when I'll take them to be redeemed, but at least we have a little more space.    Chris texted me and said to take a break every now and then.  As usual, she was right. I should have.  I'll be sore tonight.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.   Matthew 6:25-34 says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."   Father, there's that don't worry about it thing again.  Thanks.  And I'm still asking for you to do something that can only be explained as you at work.  Amen.