Ok, so it’s happened. I sit down at the computer to write my blog and my mind is blank. Well not really blank, but there are some things that I would love to write on (venting), but it not a wise move to put that kind of stuff on the internet. There are also some things in the mix that I just can’t talk about. Either it would affect other people or simply is just private. This is one of those things about leadership that I never really understood until I was the leader.

As a pastor I am privy to a lot of “inside” information, but I do not have the freedom to do anything with that information. Even if I know something embarrassing or sinful about a person, they could blast me in public, but I can’t use this “ammunition” to blast back. I’m supposed to the spiritual leader and mature one – so I pray. So I take it, and deal with it, and it usually always passes over. So, I show them respect, love, and grace even when they do not (do unto others, etc…). God has always been faithful to take care of me, my wife, and my family and there is also a lot of truth in “you reap what you sow.”

But sometimes it just about kills me to not talk about exciting things God might be bringing our way (but I know that it’s not the right time, so I have to remain quiet) or to blast someone when they are trying to hurt me, my ministry, or family. Don’t worry this hasn’t happened that often. Usually the things I have to keep quiet on are things God seems to be orchestrating and it’s too soon to unveil the plan. Then when the time is right, I speak and tell others.

So the leadership principle of the day is “keep your mouth shut until God tells you to let the people know what’s going on.” I have also found that God usually is working in other people’s heart as well showing them a different part of the puzzle.

Tonight we cooked burgers on the grill. After all the kids had eaten Kimberly and I were cleaning up and I realized after looking at both of my boys plates that they had literally eaten as much as I had. Joshua and Caleb are my twin boys, and they were born premature. So they have always been a little smaller than most kids their age. As I am writing this, I am very full from dinner and can not imagine where someone their size manages to put the food.

I am also doing the math. If at five they are matching what I eat, will they at ten be eating double what I am eating? Oh, brother, I don’t think our pantry is big enough.

The Boswell family went to Lancaster, PA for the weekend for an annual ministerial get away. We stayed at the Willow Valley resort center and dined on some wonderful food (www.willowvalley.com). We prepped the kids for weeks on how to “act” at a real restaurant. Their closest experiences have been at fine dining establishments like McDonald’s and Famous Dave’s B-B-Q. Willow Valley has linen table clothes, full place settings, water goblets, etc.. and you can get as many Alaskan King Crab legs, cut beef, home made pastries, etc… as you can eat. One of my favorites of the food, were the omelets made to order as you wait (I got one with everything). The kids did great.

The conference center also has multiple indoor pools. My children loved a giant frog that you slide down its’ tongue. We swam for hours!

Just between you and me, one of my favorite things in life is to give my children gifts. I love the way their faces light up. I love how their minds begin to imagine. I love playing with them with the gifts. So I gave Joshua and Caleb a Transformer toy a piece, and I gave Hannah-Grace a ballerina Barbie.

To be honest, I just simply needed some time away. I thank God that He loves me and provides wonderful things like this weekend simply because he loves to bring joy to His children. One of things that I have learned about having kids, is that they have taught me about God’s relationship as a Father to His Children. I love my children, but how much greater is His love for me. I enjoy giving my children gifts, and He enjoys giving gifts to His children. He knew I needed to get away, to spend some intense time with my family, and so He provided this wonderful weekend.

Matthew 7:9-12 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹²So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

So, I thank you Father for your special gift.

Several years ago Kimberly and I attended a children’s conference in San Diego, CA and I walked away from the experience thinking that it was one of the most beautiful places that I had been. The temperature was perfect, we were next to the ocean, and the sun sets were spellbinding. So it breaks my heart to hear about the wildfires that currently ravage the California landscape. As I was running today at the YMCA I caught the tag line that there is a person they have on suspicion of arson. If it turns out to be true, imagine the massive impact.

One man intentionally starting one small fire, caused over a billion (yes billion) dollars worth of damages to property, over four people dead, and thousands of peoples are being relocated, having to live in rustic, primitive housing. Not to mention that the president stopped running a country to make a personal visit. One man with a twisted desire to start fires has drastically changed thousands of people’s lives forever.

We also have something just as potent as fire. We also have a means to radically change thousands of people’s lives. Jesus describes it like this in Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

One man with an evil desire can change so many, but so can one Christ follower who allows his heart to blaze for God.

Below is an e-mail that I received from a leader in our church. I pass it on to you in it’s entirety to read because I think it shows why we show God’s love through service.

Hi Drew,

I got a call today from Bruce Gurley, the case worker from the ARC who referred the Little family to us. He was very appreciative of us doing the ramp for Eddie, and stated that Eddie was ecstatic with the ramp.

Mark and Stephan went out tonight and finished with the concrete work at the end of the ramp, so we should be done now. I wasn’t sure if you saw the thank you letter from the Littles – below is what they said:

Dear Kim and your entire Daybreak Crew,

Thank you so much for giving up your time to spend the day at our house building me a new ramp. Although Dad tried very hard to accommodate me, he usually did things by cutting too many corners. I never felt safe using the ramp I had.

The ramp built for me today, by the very special “Daybreak Crew” is absolutely beautiful and I will feel very safe using it. I never dreamed I would ever have a ramp looking this nice. I am very grateful for all your hard work and I will be proud to tell everyone who built my new ramp.

I know this isn’t much, but please accept these candles as my way of saying thank you for all your hard work and a job well done. I hope you enjoy them.

Ed Little

As a matter of fact, the Littles told me a story of how, at one point in the past, Ed had fallen off the top of the concrete ramp and ended up strapped upside down with his power chair on top of him. That must have been a scary moment – those power chairs are incredibly heavy.

Kim