Constantly challenged and growing...

You ever met someone who kind of thought they had arrived? You could kind of sense that this person figures they just don't have any more growing to do. How about you. Are you always open to getting better, taking on new challenges, willing to hear how you can grow? It is this very quality that allows God to still have an effective voice in our life. Without it we are destined to live our own definition of life and at best it will be mediocre.

One of the things I appreciate most about me (sounds kind of conceited...but go with me on this) is that I feel like I am always learning and listening. One of my greatest passions in life is to always get better at who I am and what I do. Now being a pastor this kind of comes easy to me because I spend my life and lively hood challenging people to live a better life walking closer to God everyday. The hard part is making sure that my life lines up as best I can with the life I call others to live. Recently I have been working on this parenting series and I am already working on the second message. I should however rephrase that. The message are actually working on me. I have come to not like myself several times in the last week as a parent. This series (and I haven't even preached a single message yet) has made me a little uncomfortable with my own attitudes and actions in the parenting realm.

I know that in many cases that I often...too often lack patience with my kids. I yell way to much and get frustrated at too may small things. I have become very selfish with my time lately and could be giving more of it to my kids. God is doing a real work on my heart and I am asking Him in these last few weeks to make me a better parent. It's one of those nagging things in my life right now that I just can't let go of. God is constantly there challenging me in this area not letting me go. I am taking some real steps in a better direction. I hopefully have calmed down a little lately. I haven't yelled as much. I have purposely found ways to compliment my kids and praise them when they do well. I have seen a difference in me already but mainly I have sensed a difference in them as well. Tawna and I haven't been getting on each others nerves as much and we have had some really good conversations. Last night she and I sat down and played UNO together and had a great time. Normally I would be off goofing on the computer or watching TV.

Yesterday we had our Dad and Hailey vs. Tawna and Austin baseball game in our backyard. We had a decent time together. This was one of the first times I didn't have to walk off in disgust because of the way the kids were acting or have to really yell at any of them. It was refreshing.
Tonight is Austin's Bear badge ceremony for cub scouts and i am really looking forward to it. Not to say int he past I wouldn't but honestly sometimes I would go to these things out of duty and not desire. So glad I am letting God change me. How about you. Is God changing you in any way. Are you the same person you were last year or the year before? How would your family answer that question about you? Are you still growing in your relationship with God? Are you getting better? Let's all be open to God doing a new thing in our life. I pray he does in mine and in yours as well. I know I have blogged on this topic a few times already but I ask you to continue to pray for me as we embark on this new series together. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor