I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I secretly aspired for greatness. I know that might sound strange since good Christians ought to be humble, but there were a few times growing up that I thought I’d eventually have some kind of fame and notoriety, perhaps as a preacher, singer, songwriter, or something. As the evangelist, Luis Palau put it, I wanted to “dream great dreams for God and attempt great things for God.”
Tonight was family night. And by that, I mean we go out to an All-You-Can-Eat buffet that the kids like. (Daddy likes it because it only costs $1.99 for both kids!) They get to eat all their staples: tater tots, french fries, grilled cheese, popcorn shrimp, and of course LOTS of soft serve. I have to be very careful of course, for me lots of salad, raw broccoli and no carbs… stay away from the carbs! But at least I can eat meat.😊
On the radio, in the background, are all the greatest hits of my youth. It reminded me of my young aspirations of being a Christian pop star. I was a late bloomer, I didn’t discover singing until late in high school and really didn’t develop my talent until college. Since I was classically trained, I was on my own as far as developing pop music chops. When I heard a song I liked on the radio, I would go to the piano and figure it out, singing along trying to outdo the famous person that I was hearing. I wouldn’t rest until in my mind at least, I sounded as good or better than the recording.
Typically, hearing those old songs might leave me with melancholy depression thinking that all my opportunities are now long gone. Especially now with a stroke, now any idealistic dreams were dashed against the rocks of reality. But praise God, my children came to my rescue. My beautiful little girl took my hand as we went to get ice cream. Not to be outdone by his little sister, my handsome boy rushed to my other side. I walked through the restaurant with one child in each hand as Lionel Richie was singing in the background. And you know what?… I wouldn’t have traded places with him for a moment.
A little over 6 months ago, they pulled me away in an ambulance and I begged Jesus to let me live – Not because I was afraid to die, but because I had a young wife and very young kids I would leave behind. In that moment, I saw with precise clarity what was important. It wasn’t fame or fortune, power or success, the pleasing of other people, or accomplishments. I just wanted to come back and be their daddy. My God is so good to me. And you know what? He wants to be good to every single one of us. Might there be something we’re clinging onto that’s keeping us from God’s greater blessings?
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him–” 1 Corinthians 2:9