Audrey and Noah's Hug: Day 3

One of the positives I missed from yesterday was the ability to listen to Christian music. I've had the station programmed on my car radio for quite some time, but I couldn't stand to listen to it. I would barely give it a chance. You see, when you're a negative-minded person, being pummeled with cheerfulness and hope is like listening to Britney Spears. It may sound good for a minute, but it seems overly candy-coated and unrealistically happy. Watch the news and you'll see that the world is actually made up of unexpected tornados, crooked politicians and child molesters sprinkled a bit with sports and weather.

I turned it on yesterday and was able to not only listen to the music but listen to the words behind it. Not only are they praising God, but they are conveying a true-to-life message. There seems to be more commercials and less chances at winning $10,000, but I'm finally enjoying it.

Another positive I missed yesterday that I haven't spoke of yet is Noah's hug. That's just awesome when you step through the door after work and this little 20 month old who knows just a few words, runs up to you saying "Dad!" (he seems to be copying the other kids' "Dad" rather than saying "Daddy!"). For some reason he cocks his head to the right as he runs. It's funny to see and I could just pick him up as he runs to me, but I have to have The Hug. He runs up to my leg, wraps his arms all the way around it, and lays his head barely above my kneecap. He then gives me a few pats with his tiny hand as if to say "It's o.k. Dad. You're home now." Colton is 10, so I see how they grow up so fast, so it's imperative I take the time to enjoy this finite moments.

I tied this altogether after reading a blog Jennifer has linked on her blog. The blogger's husband is a singer for a Christian music band called Selah. The blog is mostly about their daughter Audrey Caroline . Many of the most recent posts have dealt with their pain of losing her. They knew after 20 weeks of pregnancy that there were major problems and I can't imagine what they have gone through since. I'm sure a loss of a family member would test my faith more than I may like to admit. She writes a story concerning one of her other daughters who had made a drawing for Audrey:

""Well, Abby, the great thing about heaven is that Audrey can see all of the things that we are doing down here. AND, she can see what you made for her! She can just look right into our house and see it." I waited to see how this felt to her.

Without a word, she spoke life back into my tired bones.

She took the edges of the drawing delicately and lifted it high above her head, closer to her baby sister. She had her head tipped back, looking upward, and after a few seconds, she closed her eyes and a smile made it's way across her face.

"She liked it, didn't she?" I asked her quietly.

She nodded, still glowing, and ran off to play."

Although this blog is mostly about the positives in life, I am not ignoring the negatives. They are there. When dealing with them, I will try to take the advice from Angie, Audrey's mom:

"When anger roars through your heart, when you feel nobody hears you and when you think life isn't fair, bring it to the Lord. "

So praise God for all the positives in your life, but if there are other situations that are giving you a heavy heart, bring them to God. He will know what to do.