More Than Fireworks

Happy July 4th! God bless America -- the Land of the Free -- the Home of the Brave! 250 Years.....and still counting! How thankful I am to be a part of these days and months to celebrate this pivotal day and time!

But, hold on! We got this party started yesterday! Last night, our church campus came alive!

Everywhere we looked there were smiling faces dressed in red, white, and blue. Children squealed with delight as they bounced through giant inflatables and challenged one another to yard games.

Families gathered around food trucks, friends visited in lawn chairs, live music filled the air, and as darkness settled in, an incredible fireworks display painted the Austin sky.

Carl and I had the privilege of welcoming guests as they arrived. What a joy to greet neighbors, visitors, and families who simply came looking for a fun evening together.

But here's what blessed me most....

This wasn't just about fireworks.

It was about lighting hearts.

Pastor Jonathan Spencer shared the Gospel, patriotic songs reminded us of God's faithfulness to America, and countless conversations took place that may change lives forever.

Last year, one family first came to Vacation Bible School. They later attended Freedom Over Austin, found a loving church family, gave their hearts to Christ, were baptized, and today are active members of our church.

Isn't that beautiful?

More recently, our young adults began a simple sports outreach. Pickleball. Basketball. Friendship. Last week, one young man accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.

That's why churches open their doors.

Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel." (Mark 16:15) Sometimes "going" begins with a hot dog, a game of pickleball, a fireworks show, or a warm welcome from someone wearing a smile.

As we celebrate America's 250th birthday, I'm grateful for the freedom to worship, to gather, and to share the greatest message ever told.

Fireworks last only a few moments.

But one life transformed by Jesus shines for eternity.

May we never stop celebrating both the freedom we enjoy as Americans and the eternal freedom we have through Christ.

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." — Matthew 5:16

The Blessings of Living in the U.S.A.

I'm counting the blessings of living in the U.S.A. I've decided one day of celebrating America just isn't enough.

This entire month, I want to thank God for the blessings of living in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

As our nation approaches its 250th birthday, let's pause to remember that freedom is never free. It was purchased by courageous men and women who willingly sacrificed so future generations could live in liberty.

Sometimes we become so accustomed to our freedoms that we forget what a privilege they are.

Think about it. We enjoy the freedom to worship God, speak our minds, vote, gather with family and friends, pursue our dreams, work hard, serve others, and help our neighbors in need.

We are blessed by opportunities, strengthened by the rich diversity of our nation, and inspired to live lives marked by faith, hope, and love.

Those are extraordinary gifts.

But as believers, we know there are two freedoms worth celebrating.

One was secured by brave Americans who defended our nation.

The other was secured forever by Jesus Christ, who gave His life on the cross so we could experience forgiveness, abundant life, and eternal freedom.

Jesus said, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)

This July, let's do more than wave a flag or enjoy a fireworks display.
Let's thank a veteran.
Pray for our nation.
Teach our grandchildren why freedom matters.
Stand with gratitude when the National Anthem is played.
And above all, let's thank God for His hand upon America through the generations.

May we never take our freedoms for granted. May we be faithful stewards of them, shining His light with courage, kindness, and hope.

After all, the greatest way to honor those who gave us freedom -- is to use that freedom to glorify God.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." -- Psalm 33:12 🇺🇸❤️

Still Shining

I was cleaning out my jewelry the other day when I came across one of those fun Christmas necklaces with tiny colored lights.

You know the kind. Push the little button, and suddenly you're the brightest Christmas tree in the room!

Well -- not this time.
I pushed the button.
Nothing.
I pushed it again.
Still nothing.

I decided my little necklace had lived a good life, thanked it for its years of faithful Christmas service, and gently dropped it into the bathroom trash can.

Case closed.
Or so I thought.

That night, during one of those "mature adult" middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom (why is that a thing?), I walked in and nearly laughed out loud.

There, shining from the trash can, were those tiny colored lights --twinkling away as if to say, "Excuse us -- we're not finished yet!"

I couldn't help but smile. An,d I couldn't help but pull them out for a blog. Yep! That's how God and I communicate with each other. I pull out a very used light necklace and God gives me an idea for a blog. That's how we roll! LOL!

It also made me wonder how many times we treat ourselves the same way.

We convince ourselves our best days are behind us.
"I'm too old."
"I'm no longer useful."
"My season has passed."

But our Master Creator has a way of bringing light out of places we never expected.

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world." (Matthew 5:14)
Notice He didn't say, "You were." He said, "You are."

As long as God gives us breath, He gives us purpose.

Perhaps today you feel tucked away on a shelf -- or worse, tossed into life's trash can.

Take heart.
The Light of the World specializes in making His children shine again.

And if He can surprise me with a glowing Christmas necklace in the middle of the night --
Just imagine what He can do with a willing heart.

Keep shining, dear friends.
Someone, somewhere, needs your light today.

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." — Matthew 5:16

And, really, this story isn't really about a necklace.
It's about hope.

I looked into what appeared to be a trash can -- and found light.
Oh, yes, dear one -- YOU are His Light -- reflecting His love, His joy and His peace. Shine, Baby, shine!

Let Freedom Ring -- All Month Long!

Happy July!

Now, before anyone says, "Donna, it's not the Fourth yet," hear me out. One day of celebrating America simply isn't enough.

This month, I want to spend every opportunity thanking God for the land we call home and for the brave men and women who paid the ultimate price so we could enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted.

Last year, Carl and I visited the National Center for Healthy Veterans at Valor Farm in Virginia. Walking through the beautiful grounds, we saw more than buildings -- we saw hope.

One stop especially touched my heart: the Austin House, built through the generosity of many partners, including our Gates family.

Soon another veteran will walk through those doors carrying wounds that may not be visible, but are very real. There, they'll find healing for body, soul, and spirit.

One of the paintings -- shown here at our front door -- was created by one of those veterans -- whose own journey was moving from brokenness toward wholeness.

What a beautiful reminder.

Freedom isn't free.

Sometimes its cost is measured in battlefields.

Sometimes in hospital rooms.

Sometimes in years of healing after the uniform is folded away.

As I look at our American flags, the "Home" rug, the words on our wreath "Faith, Family, Freedom", in some small way -- gratitude as my heart whispers, "Thank You."

Thank You, Lord, for this nation.

Thank You for those who courageously served.

Thank You for those who never came home.

And thank You for those who did -- and continue to rebuild their lives with remarkable courage.

The Bible reminds us, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." (Psalm 33:12)

Throughout this month, let's do more than wave a flag.

Let's pray for America.

Let's encourage our veterans.

Let's teach our grandchildren why freedom matters.

And let's never forget that while America is called the "land of the free because of the brave", our eternal freedom came because of the Bravest One of all -- Jesus Christ, who laid down His life so that we might truly be free.

May freedom ring -- all month long.

How about all our lives long?

S

What Are We Letting Drive Through Our Minds?

Goodness! My mind is often like a busy freeway!
Thoughts speed by at all hours. Some are wonderful. Others -- well -- they should have taken the next exit!

If we're not careful, we allow all kinds of traffic into our minds -- negative news, endless social media debates, gossip, worry, criticism, and fear. Before long, we wonder why we're stressed, anxious, and exhausted.

Could it be that our minds are experiencing a spiritual traffic jam?
God gives us a better route.

Philippians 4:8 tells us to think about whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise.

What a wonderful filter! Before allowing a thought to settle in our hearts, we should ask:
Is it true?
Is it helpful?
Does it draw me closer to God or farther away?

The answer to those questions can change the direction of our day.

Isaiah gives us another beautiful promise:
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You." (Isaiah 26:3)

I love that.
Perfect peace doesn't come from a perfect world.
It comes from fixing our minds on a perfect Savior.

Corrie ten Boom, who survived the horrors of a concentration camp, said it best:
"If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you'll be at rest."

Now that's wisdom worth remembering.

Let's become gatekeepers of our minds.
Let's choose gratitude over grumbling.
Hope over hopelessness.
Praise over panic.

And when anxious thoughts try to merge onto the freeway of our minds, let's gently point them toward the nearest exit.

Jesus is leading the traffic today, and I can promise you this:
He never causes a spiritual traffic jam.
His road always leads to peace.

A Diamond in the Rough

There's something so delightful about a newly engaged woman showing off her ring.

I'm especially enjoying this season because two of my grandsons recently slipped beautiful engagement rings onto the fingers of the women they love. Brennan and Kylie will be married on August 8, and Payton and Christiane on September 26. Needless to say, this Nana's heart is overflowing!

And you know what happens next.....

Her left hand suddenly becomes the most photographed hand on the planet! Whether it's Facebook, Instagram, or proudly held across the dinner table, she can't stop smiling -- and honestly, we can't stop looking.

Diamonds have a way of capturing our attention.

Yet here's what's fascinating: before a diamond sparkles, it's just a rough stone. In its natural state, it looks dull and ordinary. Only after careful cutting and polishing does its true brilliance appear.

Isn't that a picture of us?

God sees far more than the rough edges we see in ourselves.

He sees potential.

He sees purpose.

He sees a masterpiece in the making.

One of my favorite facts about jewelers is that they often display diamonds on black velvet. Why? Because the darker the background, the brighter the diamond shines.

What a lesson for today!

Our world sometimes feels like that black velvet -- filled with hurt, anger, uncertainty, and discouragement.

But perhaps that's exactly why God calls His children to shine.

"Shine among them like stars in the sky." (Philippians 2:15)

Our kindness shines.

Our forgiveness shines.

Our joy shines.

Our integrity shines.

And yes, even a smile can shine brighter than we realize.

A diamond doesn't polish itself.

Every day, the Lord gently shapes us, smooths our rough edges, and teaches us to love more like Jesus.

Sometimes that polishing isn't comfortable -- but it is always worthwhile.

So today, perhaps we should ask the Lord, "How brightly did I shine today? Did someone see a glimpse of You in me?"

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Now that's a polish no jeweler could ever provide.

Shine brightly.

After all, the Master Jeweler is still at work.

I Love Sundays!

 

After being away for several weeks, I can hardly contain my excitement.

This Sunday, we're going home -- to our church family!
Yippee!

There is something special about walking through those familiar doors. Sweet friends greet us with hugs, ask about our travels, and somehow make us feel as though we never left.

And Carl? He's positively "stoked" to be back at his welcoming and ushering post. Nothing makes him happier than greeting people with a smile and a warm handshake.

But the greatest joy isn't just seeing friends.
It's worshiping our Heavenly Father together.

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)

Notice the psalmist doesn't say, "Tomorrow is the day."
He says, THIS DAY!

How often do we miss today's blessings because we're worrying about tomorrow's possibilities?

Jesus gently reminds us, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." (Matthew 6:34)

What freedom those words bring!

God doesn't ask us to carry next week's burdens today. He simply gives us today's grace, today's strength, and today's daily bread.

Our job is to trust Him one day at a time.

Today is the day to worship.
Today is the day to encourage someone.
Today is the day to forgive, to laugh, to serve, and to thank God for His faithfulness.

Tomorrow will take care of itself because God will already be there.

So this Sunday, I'm going to sing a little louder, smile a little bigger, hug my friends a little longer, and thank God for another opportunity to gather with His family.

After all, there is no better place to spend this day than in the presence of the One who made it.

"Fear not, for I am with you -- I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you." (Isaiah 41:10)

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some catching up to do -- and I have a feeling there are going to be a whole lot of hugs waiting for us! ❤️🙏

Time to Get Off the Grumpy Couch!

Have you ever caught yourself slipping into a bad mood and wondered, "Where did that come from?"

I had one of those moments recently.
Then I started asking myself a few questions.

With all the blessings God has poured into my life -- why would I choose to sit on the grumpy couch?

Who wants to be the Grumpy dwarf anyway? I've always preferred Happy!

How could I complain when I live in a country filled with opportunity?

How could I pass someone without offering a smile or a kind word?

How could I wake up on the wrong side of the bed when God has given me another day to live, love, laugh, and serve Him?

The more I thought about it, the more I realized something.
Our words matter.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." (Proverbs 18:21)

Every time we speak faith instead of fear -- gratitude instead of grumbling -- hope instead of despair -- we're choosing the direction our hearts will travel.

I'm turning over a new leaf.
Instead of talking about what's wrong, I'm going to celebrate what's right.

Instead of expecting the worst, I'm going to trust God for the best.

Instead of focusing on what I don't have, I'm going to thank Him for what I do have.

That doesn't mean life is perfect. It simply means God is.

Isaiah reminds us, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

So today, I'm hoisting the sails of faith.
I'm positioning myself to catch the wind of God's favor.

Jesus is my Captain, and He has never once steered His children in the wrong direction.

Who's with me? Let's leave the grumpy couch behind.
Let's fill our homes with words of life.

Let's encourage someone today.

And let's sail confidently into whatever God has planned next.
I have a feeling it's far better than anything we could imagine!

No Excuses -- Especially When God is with Us

If anyone ever had good excuses, it was Moses.
When God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses had a whole list ready.

"I'm not good enough."
"I don't have all the answers."
"What if they don't believe me?"
"I don't speak well."

Sound familiar?
Most of us have our own version.

"I'm too old."
"I'm too young."
"I don't have enough experience."
"I'll do it -- someday."

The truth is, God has never been limited by our limitations.
He simply asks for our willingness.

I've reached the age where I could probably come up with a dozen good excuses every morning. My knees occasionally remind me I'm not thirty anymore, my reading glasses have become permanent companions, and if I sit too long, my body negotiates with me before standing up!

But I'm discovering something wonderful.
God isn't finished with me yet.

The Bible says, "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1)

Notice it doesn't say, "Sit on the sidelines and explain why you can't run."
It says, RUN!

Not someone else's race. Our race.

God has uniquely equipped each of us with gifts, opportunities, and people to encourage. We may not all stand behind a pulpit or climb a mountain, but every day offers another opportunity to love, serve, forgive, encourage, and share the hope of Christ.

One day, the only thing that will matter isn't how many excuses we had.

It will be whether we trusted God enough to say, "Here I am, Lord."

When I reach the finish line, I don't want my life to be remembered for all the reasons I couldn't.
I want it to be remembered for all the reasons God could.

So today...no excuses.
Just faith.
Just obedience.
Just trust.
And let's run our race with joy until the Lord calls us Home.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

Shaping Worries Into Prayers

I've had several things on my mind recently. Actually -- several people on my mind and praying daily for each one.

A nephew facing the possibility of losing a foot. A godson recovering from kidney surgery. A friend enduring dialysis four times a week. Then my precious bonus daughter, recovering from shoulder surgery. Another friend has daily cancer treatments. Yet another dear friend is preparing for knee surgery.

Goodness -- before long, my heart starts carrying their burdens -- and my burdens feel heavier than I was meant to carry.
Maybe you've been there too.

Then I remember something important -- while these concerns may feel enormous to me, they are not overwhelming to God.

The Lord who created the mountains, hung the stars in place, and knows the number of hairs on our heads is fully aware of every detail.

"For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." (Psalm 91:11)

What a comfort!

Then, I put on the TV and I start to worry about world events, wars, rising prices, and all the uncertainties that seem to fill the news. Sometimes I think if worrying burned calories, I'd be in excellent shape by now!

But God never asked us to carry the weight of the world.
He asked us to bring it to Him.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything." (Philippians 4:6)

I especially love how The Message Bible paraphrases that scripture:
"Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers."

What a beautiful picture!

Like a potter shaping clay, God can take our anxious thoughts and mold them into something better -- trust, peace, and deeper faith.

The circumstances may not change overnight.
The surgery may still happen.
The treatment may continue.
The answers may take time.

But something changes within us when we place our worries into God's hands.

Our hearts become lighter because we're no longer carrying the burden alone. We don't carry the weight by ourselves.

We can leave them with THE ONE Who can do and will do something about it! We can shape it into a prayer and leave it with our Father God Who is still on the throne, still in control, and still working all things together for good.

To put a stamp of approval on this blog, in the words of an old song, "Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there!" Now, that's what I call -- burdens that are worth surrendering!

#burdenstoblessings #prayerchangesthings #LetGoLetGod

What's Puzzling You?

We made it back home to Austin from Crested Butte Monday night. And, I'm carrying precious memories with me -- like the mountain views, family laughter, delicious meals, and one very determined group of women.

Last year, Amelia and I tackled a 1,000-piece Colorado puzzle she purchased in a quaint shop on Elk Avenue. We were determined to finish it -- and we did!

For Amelia's birthday last month, we gave her another 1,000-piece puzzle featuring beloved television classics like "The Andy Griffith Show, I Dream of Jeannie, MASH, The Love Boat, Mork & Mindy and many more.

Well, let me tell you, that puzzle became serious business.
Amelia, Cathy, Marilyn, Beverly, and I couldn't walk past the table without stopping to add "just one more piece."

An hour later, we'd still be standing there searching for that elusive little piece hiding in plain sight.

The grand finale came when Amelia, Cathy, and I placed the final pieces into position.

Victory!

As I watched us celebrate, I couldn't help but think how much life resembles a puzzle.

Sometimes we stare at a situation and can't figure out where the next piece belongs.

Sometimes we search and search for answers that seem nowhere to be found.

And sometimes the best thing we can do is walk away, take a breath, and come back with fresh eyes.

Life can be puzzling.
But God isn't puzzled.

He sees the finished picture while we're still sorting through the pieces.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)

What comfort to know that when we can't see how things fit together, our Heavenly Father can.

The older I get, the more I realize that God rarely hands us the box top. Instead, He asks us to trust Him one piece at a time.

So if something is puzzling you today, don't lose heart.
Keep trusting.
Keep praying.
Keep placing one piece after another into God's hands.

Our Master Creator already knows exactly how our picture turns out. I think that's a message all of us need to remember.

And unlike our puzzle, He never loses a single piece.

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." (Philippians 1:6)

#puzzletime #Godisfaithful #whatspuzzlingyou

Bringing in the Sheaves

 

This morning, I woke up singing an old hymn I haven't heard in years:

"Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves, we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves."

Now, I'll be honest. As a child, I sang those words with great enthusiasm while having absolutely no idea what a "sheaf" was.

For all I knew, it might have been a Bible character, a casserole, or a distant relative!

A sheaf, of course, is a bundle of harvested grain gathered from the field. The hymn is based on Psalm 126:5-6:

"Those who sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy."

The picture is beautiful. Farmers work hard, planting seeds and trusting God for the harvest. They don't see results overnight. They wait. They pray. They persevere.

Isn't that a lot like the Christian life?

Many of us have loved ones who don't know Jesus. We've prayed for years. We've shared our faith. We've planted seeds of kindness, encouragement, and truth.

Sometimes we wonder if anything is happening.

But God is always at work.

The harvest belongs to Him.

Perhaps "bringing in the sheaves" means more than gathering grain. Maybe it's about seeing people come home to God. One heart at a time. One prayer at a time. One act of love at a time.

I think about grandparents praying for grandchildren, parents praying for prodigal children, friends praying for friends, and believers quietly sharing God's love wherever they go.

We may sow the seeds, but God brings the growth.

So let's don't give up on the people we've been praying for.

Let's keep loving.

Let's keep believing.

Let's keep sowing.

One day, by God's grace, we'll stand rejoicing at the harvest and discover that not one prayer was wasted.

And until then, if an old hymn pops into your head before sunrise, just sing along.

We never know what lesson God is planting in our hearts.

In the meantime -- let's keep bringing in the sheaves!

#Harvestime #BringingInTheSheaves #KeepSowing

Sweet Communion

Yesterday our Crested Butte crew (aka Carl's daughter and son-in-law and his siblings and spouses) -- made attending church a priority. Yes, that's what those of us who put God first in our lives do! God first. Worship first. Being grateful first.

Oh, how the presence of God was felt as we belted out songs of worship, joined in prayers and heard a message from the pastor that equipped us with serving our Lord even more faithfully.

After church, we took a leisurely walk down Elk Avenue -- through the Farmer’s Market – a Sunday weekly outdoor bonanza: artisans, musicians, foodies, jewelers, and creators -- all displaying their gifts like an open-air treasure chest.

Goodness! We’ve hiked, we’ve laughed, and we’ve stood still more than once, jaws dropped at the beauty that surrounds us.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1).

That’s what it feels like -- like the world slows down and bows low to the One who spoke it into being.

We've taken in so much in this jaw-dropping alpine scenery in a town that has no chain franchises -- just lots of moms and pops stores, restaurants and boutiques.

Such wonderful family time in God's vast domain! Just looking out the back window of the Gates' home, we saw four deer wandering through the beautiful landscape as if they own the place. (Truthfully, I think they do.)

Aw! Family. Stories. Jigsaw puzzles, Laughter. Memories. Prayers.

Amelia certainly earned the title of "hostess with the mostest," serving charcuterie boards overflowing with cheeses, crackers, bruschetta, and enough goodies to make us all forget our good intentions.

Not to be outdone, Cathy and Marilyn introduced us to their healthy homemade milled bread. Meanwhile, I faithfully represented the dessert category with DoubleTree cookies and banana nut bread. Every family gathering needs balance, right?

Of course, the stories have been just as rich as the food.

One favorite involves Amelia and Terrell setting out on what was supposed to be a two-mile hike with their tiny dog tagging along behind. Somewhere along the way, two miles mysteriously turned into nine. I suspect that story will be told for years to come -- and poor Terrell may never fully recover from it!

Saturday morning, Carl and the ladies walked up the mountain on a winding paved road. We talked, laughed, and breathed in the fresh Colorado air.

It struck me that this is one of God's sweetest gifts.
Not the mountains.
Not the food.
Not even the scenery.
It's the people He gives us to share life with.

"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)

In a world that often feels rushed and divided, these moments remind us what matters most.

Faith.
Family.
Friendship.
And gratitude for the God who gives them all.

Today, my heart is full.
And I have a feeling Heaven will feel a little bit like this -- a table full of people we love, sharing stories, laughter, and the goodness of God forever.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above." (James 1:17)

Thanks, Dad -- Happy Father's Day!

Thanks, Dad -- Happy Father's Day!
This Father's Day weekend, we're here in beautiful Crested Butte, Colorado, where Carl's daughter, Amelia, and son-in-law, Terrell, have a gorgeous mountain home.

Even better, Carl's brother Zane and wife Marilyn, his sister Beverly, and his brother Brent and wife Cathy are here with us. What a precious gift to gather siblings together and celebrate Father's Day surrounded by family.

We're enjoying the mountains, the wildflowers, the aspens, the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and we'd like to think we're young enough to tackle those famous ski slopes. (Let's just say we'll admire them from a safe distance!)

But while my thoughts turn to mountains, they also turn to fathers.

My own daddy passed away when I was only fifteen years old. It was just Mom and me from then on. Yet through every season, God faithfully cared for us.

Over the years, I've come to know my Heavenly Father in a deeply personal way. He has comforted me, guided me, corrected me, provided for me, and loved me through every chapter of life.

Father's Day reminds us to honor our dads -- whether they were with us for many years or only a few, whether they were perfect or imperfect. After all, if it weren't for them, we wouldn't be here!

So thank you, Dads! Thank you for working long hours and showing up for Little League games and piano or dance recitals!

Thank you for cheering us on when we succeeded and encouraging us when we failed.

Thank you for teaching us how to ride a bike, drive a car, balance a checkbook, or maybe just how to tell a really corny joke.

Most of all, thank you to the fathers who pointed us toward our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him." (Psalm 103:13)

This Father's Day, let's celebrate the dads who loved us, the fathers who shaped us, and our Heavenly Father who never leaves us.

And to all the dads who may not have children of their own -- but certainly do love and care and support us -- we salute you!

Happy Father's Day!