Bringing home a newborn is overwhelming. There are diapers, bottles, and constant crying. Babies require 24-7 care, and it is an extraordinary challenge. But as quickly as some of the tasks become routine, new challenges crop up. Parents have to teach children … EVERYTHING. How to eat, how to dress, how to clean up, howContinue reading “Parenting is Teaching.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin.
Preparing for my father’s “Celebration of Life” service gave me a lot of time to reflect on his long and active life. But one truth came to me after the work was done and the service concluded: Grandpa was successful because he DID NOT SPREAD HIMSELF TOO THIN. He flew radio-controlled planes rather than earnContinue reading “Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin.”
When Friends Become Enemies.
Have you watched relationships change? It’s amazing when an enemy becomes a friend. That is the greatest feeling, a debt converted to an asset. I’ve seen a few of my “enemies” become friends over the years, and it is so satisfying. But when it goes the other way, it is devastating. When people you loveContinue reading “When Friends Become Enemies.”
Curse Words or Bless Words?
Imagine that person you know who cusses the most. He or she can’t speak a sentence that would not be bleeped for television. Some people use so many four-letter words, you lose track of what they are trying to say, their sentences being so filled with meaningless interjections that the subject and verb are lostContinue reading “Curse Words or Bless Words?”
Passing the Baton.
I remember running relays in track. We had to master the handoff. If you dropped the baton, you had to pick it up—and that would cost you precious time. The hander and the handee had to time things just right. Both need to be running the same speed. If the one in back catches up,Continue reading “Passing the Baton.”
Things Are Gonna Get Better.
Sometimes it’s hard. It just is. There is the grief of emotional loss. There is the pressure of responsibilities. There are health concerns and disappointed hopes and crushed dreams. You gained weight when you were trying to lose it. You gave up three walks when you had a chance to strike them out. Another dayContinue reading “Things Are Gonna Get Better.”
Fresh Start.
I was a pouter. As a child, I could get mad about something at night and hold on to it till bedtime. But no matter how determined I was to stay mad, I knew that when I woke up it would be gone. Some nights I got mad at myself that I couldn’t STAY mad! Continue reading “Fresh Start.”
It is Scary to Choose Your Own Punishment.
Once when David sinned against God, the prophet came to him with a message. God was going to let David choose his own punishment. That is scary. “Do you want three years of famine to come on the land, to flee from your foes for three months while they pursue you, or to have aContinue reading “It is Scary to Choose Your Own Punishment.”
God is Awesome. Psalm 97.
He is, you know? Sometimes, that is enough. Always, that should be enough. Anyone who speaks often to young people will be looking at every verse of the Bible to find a point that can be APPLIED to life. For example, when you read a verse about the value God places on honesty, the APPLICATIONContinue reading “God is Awesome. Psalm 97.”
Christians Should Hate More.
How do you like that title? True or false? I read an article with that title today, and I believe it is true. We need to hate EVIL a lot more than we do. Sure, God wants us to love people. But He commands us to hate sin. Do you hate sin? Murder, perhaps? Rape?Continue reading “Christians Should Hate More.”
Household Words: 