The Day the Boy Stopped Calling for His Dad

Several months ago, mom and I were in a restaurant. There was a large family sitting near us. The dad wanted to watch the football game while eating, so the waitress was busy trying to get to the right channel.

His teenage son said, "Dad, we've got the game on." The dad barely acknowledged him. 

As we ate, I heard the mom getting frustrated with the baby. But then, I heard something else. Distinctive talking. Proper and business like. 

I told my mom it sounded like someone was having a conversation. Sure enough, I turned around to see the dad talking into his headset.

Through that, I heard the son say, "Dad."

No response.

"Dad," this time in a firmer tone. "Dad!"

Still nothing.

"Daaad." There was a desperation in the teenage boy's voice now. He wanted to share something with his dad.

I think his dad mumbled something to him, but he never gave him his full attention. All of his attention was focused on sealing the deal on the other end of the line.

Finally, the boy was silent. He stopped calling for his dad. I guess he knew it was no use. 

My heart broke for the teenage boy. "One day, that boy is going to be a man and the dad is going to regret not creating memories with him. Is the phone that important? The phone won't be a comfort when regret washes over him for things he wishes he would have done," I said.

"The dad is engrossed in his phone, but one day all he's going to want is his arms around his son. His son may not be there."

Some thoughts that have run through my mind since that day are:

People, put down your phones! It's not worth it. You are missing out on life. You have gotten caught up in minor details while missing the big picture.

Be a Friend by Edgar Guest

Be a friend. You don't need money;

Just a disposition sunny;

Just the wish to help another

Get along some way or other;

Just a kindly hand extended

Out to one who's unbefriended;

Just the will to give or lend,

This will make you someone's friend.

Be a friend. You don't need glory.

Friendship is a simple story.

Pass by trifling errors blindly,

Gaze on honest effort kindly,

Cheer the youth who's bravely trying,

Pity him who's sadly sighing;

Just a little labor spend

On the duties of a friend.

Be a friend. The pay is bigger(Though not written by a figure)

Than is earned by people clever

In what's merely self-endeavor.

You'll have friends instead of neighbors

For the profits of your labors;

You'll be richer in the end

Than a prince, if you're a friend.

I decided to share this in honor of a friend who is going through a physical struggle. Sometimes we all need a friend just to listen. By that I mean, no interrupting, just being there for the other person. I get so much joy from helping others. Words of encouragement have carried me through some of my darkest times, so I try to repay the favor as often as possible.

For Those who Have Lost Their Will to Fight

Today pain grips me. I didn't sleep well, so I waited to get up. I wanted at least a little good sleep, and I did. I might as well get up, I thought. No sense in lying here.

When pain or hardship comes, what will you do? Are you going to lie down and hope it goes away or will you get up and choose to have a good day in spite of how you feel?

I chose to do the second one this morning. But there have been times when I couldn't get up. I've had times that I couldn't quote the Bible. I couldn't do anything but moan and cry.

Today is a different day. I have weapons in my arsenal, and I know how to use them. I put a special cream on my foot that has a mixture of muscle relaxant, an anti-inflammatory, and a numbing medicine.

I ate my breakfast. I took my pain pill. I praised Jesus. He is so good to me that He deserves a "Thank you, Lord for all You are doing and have done."

This post is for those who have lost their will to fight. It's not that you can't fight, it's just that you have lost hope. You have become weary and faint-hearted. You say, "What's the use? Why even try?"

My answer is: You have so much more to give! You probably can't see that right now because you are so beaten down, but you are stronger than you think. Fight back against those self-loathing thoughts knowing that YOU have been created for a purpose! Pain is just a distraction to detour you from the path. In spite of how you feel, in spite of what you see, keep moving forward. With God on your side, you can't fail. Reach out to Him, today. Lay all of your burdens and worries down. You will buckle underneath the weight of it all because YOU can't carry it. He can. He's waiting to help you. Just ask.

If you are still struggling, comment on this post or my F@cebook (or private message me on F@cebook). I will listen. I will encourage you. We are in this fight together, and as long as you don't give up, you will win.

Celebrating International Day of the Girl with Teza Technologies

Molly Bukowski, Director of Special Projects at Teza Technologies, contacted me a few months ago and asked me to post something in honor of International Day of the Girl. While International Day of the Girl was October 1st, Teza Technologies and I believe women should be celebrated more than one day of the year!

International Day of the Girl is a holiday committed to celebrating the successes and opportunities available to girls all over the world. Teza Technologies CEO Misha Malyshev believes that everyday should be the Day of the Girl in order to celebrate their successes in life. These opportunities pertain to everything in life, but Teza Technologies wants to celebrate the women in science, technology, engineering, and math(STEM).

There are many reasons women should be celebrated. A woman's strength is unmatched. Just her presence alone changes the atmosphere around her. This is especially true in science, technology, engineering and math because women are not often in these industries. I believe a woman's perspective is needed in every field of the workforce.

Women should be celebrated because they know what it means to be selfless. They often put others needs before their own. Working in science, as part of a team to find a cure for cancer, is one of those instances that you need to be selfless. When working as part of team, you have to give up the need to be right so even greater things can be accomplished.

Women who work in any STEM occupation are fearless. They aren't afraid to challenge societal norms. They see no limits, only opportunities.

I am thankful that my high school now has STEM classes that feature women in film production and technology, health occupations, and a math club.

Women, you are helping to change the world! I salute you!

How Long?

After praying on Saturday, this prayer came to me:

Father, forgive me and the Church for putting You in a funnel. We've said that You have to move this way. Don't do anything on the weekends, God, because that is MY time. We don't want to be flexible. Forgive us for not letting You move the way You want to. Forgive us for getting in Your way. We have put You in a box. Your power is not to be contained. It is to be spread throughout the world. We haven't desired to see You move in all Your glory. We have only wanted a trickle here and a trickle there. Just enough to satisfy our wants and needs. 

But You are SO much more than that! Your power is unmatched! You do miracles every day, but our eyes have grown dim to Your provisions. We have turned away from all that is pure and holy. Oh, God, help me draw closer to You. I repent for my selfish thoughts. I repent for not trusting You. 

~ Amen

Then, it came full circle while reading Psalms 4:2, which says, "How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?"

Something to think about.

Mrs. Geraldine Needs a Kidney

My pastor's wife, Mrs. Geraldine, needs a kidney. She is the most caring and giving woman you will ever meet. Since the blogging community is so vast, I thought I would do a blog post to help spread the word. She needs a kidney from a living donor because the kidney will last longer.

Here is a little bit about how she came to need a kidney:

David and Geraldine Coker have been married for more than 45 years, have five children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. They are the founding pastors of Gateway Believers Fellowship in the small, rural town of Carnesville, Georgia where they have ministered for nearly 30 years.

At the age of 42, Geraldine was struck with Wegener’s Granulomatosis, a rare disease causing inflammation of blood vessels and restricted blood flow to many vital organs. Following an intense battle with the disease, Geraldine went into remission for 15 years before the Wegener’s once again wrecked havoc on her body. She is currently in complete remission, and the specialists treating her believe the medicine she is taking will keep her in remission for the rest of her life. Unfortunately, however, Geraldine’s kidneys have been permanently scarred and are no longer functioning. Now 63, Geraldine must undergo dialysis three times each week until she can receive a kidney transplant. The dialysis is helpful, but Geraldine's involvement with church and family has been drastically limited due to her weakened state.

She is looking for a living donor who is O+ or O-. If you still want to help Mrs. Geraldine, but don't have the right blood type, Emory Transplant Center participates in the paired donor program. Your gift to someone else could trigger a gift donation to Mrs. Geraldine. You're still in the loop to help Geraldine, but you'd help more than one person live a quality life.

Like Mrs. Geraldine's F@cebook page, Find a Kidney for Geraldine Coker to stay updated on Mrs. Geraldine!

Please share this post with your friends! Thanks, everyone!

Someone who Cares

I hear the longing in your voice

Wishing for former days.

Those days when you were agile, quick, and giving.

Those times when you knew you made a difference.

A little smile or a hug made all of your worries fade away.

You didn't think about the long hours,

Or the toll your work took on your body.

You did it because you care.

You did it because you knew you could help make people better.

Now, things have changed.

You are lonely.

No longer able to move as quick.

You seemed to have lost your sense of purpose,

Your mind is filled with thoughts of what was,

Unable to grasp what is.

I hate this unwelcome visitor has robbed you of your health,

But I will always be here

I will always care.

Though we might be separated by distance

We are a kindred spirit.

You and I keep the light burning bright for each other

When I was down, you gave me hope.

It's my turn to do the same for you.
You didn't cease to matter the day you could no longer practice medicine.

You became my friend, my supporter, a shoulder to lean on.
I will be a listening ear.
I am someone who cares.

You are not alone.
Think of me when the time drags on.

Think of me when you are tired.
Think of me in the silence.
You are irreplaceable.