God’s favor on your children is special

God’s favor comes in all kinds of flavors in each of our lives. It is always a joy to see your children grow and mature, especially when success is God’s school, rather than disappointment and perhaps even failure. While God’s favor can be experienced in all of these ways and more, I just cannot act as though what the Lord has done for one of my children does not exist. I mean, this is a personal blog, right?

Josh has received two statewide “Coach of the Year” awards since his team won the State Football Championship. At 26 years of age, he is more than blessed and he knows it. Josh’s humble spirit continues and has been one of his great assets throughout his entire life, even through setting state and national football records in his high school years. He has always been about team, not himself.

Josh was recognized in Little Rock on two occasions recently. The pictures you see in this blog today were taken when he was honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club last week. We were not able to attend this event, even though we did the other one, but this was a special moment for both Josh and Kate. A coach’s life is hard, strenuous, and stressful, not only for him but for his spouse. Regardless of the level, the pressure ascends to the highest level.

After winning the State Championship, our team was recognized as not only the #1 team in our classification, but also:

• The #4 team among ALL classifications in the State of Arkansas by the Associated Press and …
• The #9 team in the Southwest region of the United States by Prepnation.com which includes the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Arizona, and perhaps others; but we were the only ranked team in the state of Arkansas in this region of the country.

Yes, it was a very special year. You enjoy what God gives you when you receive it, because it all comes from God and He alone gets the glory. Whether or not it happens ever again, we trust the Lord; but most of all give Him thanks for these experiences. When Josh was walking through some days of deep disappointment, but most of all in health challenges that ended his playing career and perhaps what may have influenced his quality and longevity of life, I told him, “Son, God is getting ready to do something great in you … the experiences you have gone through after such a great high school career, I believe God is going to raise you up early in your life if you will stay before Him.” God has been so good to him and to us. I am so very thankful to Jesus for it.

Whatever it is in life, from great teams, to families, to businesses, and to churches, they are built with great players under a leader who has the wisdom to guide them to experience their greatest potential. It is a joy for me to lead a family and a church. Yes, I do like to lead, but I love watching other people navigate through the waters of leadership successfully.

Today, I thank my great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His favor upon my family. He has been more than faithful through the good times and the bad times. To Him alone be the glory.

He is faithful.