Happy December Dad – 

Man, it has been since July that I wrote last. I am not sure if I haven’t learned any life lessons or if I haven’t had any wise words to share. So much has been happening though. Dillon is a legal driver and he is doing well. He also has a job now. Lia ran cross country in fall and is now playing basketball. It was fun watching Dillon in the drumline again this fall. I thought of you often at football games. Wishing you were there to watch his pregame and halftime shows. I could picture you in the stands with Lia enjoying many treats from the concession stand. 

I wanted to take time to write to you about the games and events, but I didn’t take the time to pause and reflect on the good times I was able to experience with my family. Instead I continued to rush on ahead.  If I am honest, some days I even complained about how many times I had to hurry up and get somewhere. Today, I am reminding myself yet again that soon I will be missing those days. There have already been times that I miss not driving Dillon around. Now don’t get me wrong, I do like that he is able to help out by getting himself where he needs to go and helping out with Lia too. However, I miss the conversations we got to have in the car when we were driving to drum lessons. Or the laughs about something crazy we saw. As you and Mom told me over and over, time goes by so quickly. 

Today though, I want to talk about a question I heard on a podcast. The question was am I a flamethrower or a fire extinguisher? The question made me say,  “hmmm” and even stop to write it down. In today’s world it is even easier to be a flamethrower. There are so many negative thoughts shared and negative comments posted on social media. I feel bad for the young children who have to deal with this 24/7. It is not just at school or on the bus, kids can be flamethrowers all day long (even while sitting in a different classroom). Dad, I think about how like you I often speak my mind. I think about the times I didn’t just pause and let something go. Instead I had to throw a flame. Now, I still believe that there are times we need to stand up and be a flamethrower. Most of the time though, we (especially as Christians) should be fire extinguishers. In today’s world why do we have so many harsh comments? Is it really just social media? I feel as a society we have decided using our words as weapons is normal. What if we all started to pause, take a breath, and ask God for help and guidance. I want to share the words from Jami Nato.

As believers, we should be people marked not by fear, hatred, or murderous words but by peace. We should desire unity instead of actively seeking out division with our words. We should have the markings of self-control and love, not unbridled tongues that have the power to set the world on fire. Haven’t we all witnessed the destruction caused by our tongues and how they hold the power of life and death?

During this Christmas season and with only 25 days left of 2022, let us have peace and ask for peace daily. When tempted to throw the flame, pause, take a deep breath, and ask for God’s peace. Be the fire extinguisher, build others up, and bring peace! 

Dad, I am going to do my best to pause, but I may need you to catch some of my flames. Love you!