Some nights, story time is a challenge.  Actually…many nights, story time is a challenge.  My son can be a bear to wind down – he claims he’s nocturnal…he’s 7…how does he even know what that means?

Tonight he and I read our way through yet another episode of Captain Underpants when I finally told him it was time to wrap up.  As usual…he complained, but obliged.  “Daddy, is tomorrow night Boys’ night?” – a reference to the fact that my daughter is going on an overnight tomorrow.  “Yes sir it is.”  His response was an arm-flinging “YAY!”  His hug nearly choked me.  It seemed to ease the stress of the past couple of hours…the breaking up of sibling squabbles, preparing dinner, preparing for tomorrow, and a host of other tasks.

While turning down the lights in his room, I could hear something coming from my daughter’s bathroom.  She had told me a few minutes before that she was headed to the shower.  As I drew nearer, I could hear her sweet 11-year-old singing voice coming from the other side of the door, “Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection…the lovers, the dreamers, and me.”

Many of you know that Kermit the Frog is one of my favorite sources of quotes.  And “The Rainbow Connection” is certainly one of my all-time favorite songs.  I guess I just got a preview of what’s on tap for her upcoming choir concert.  As much as the past couple of hours seemed to stress me a bit, those two moments in time relieved it all.

It seems that the world of single adults is expanding somewhat.  I remember sitting in my judgmental seat growing up thinking what a shame it was to be divorced…and glad I’d never let it happen to me.  Yet God and time seemed to have something different in mind.  I’ve always heard, “if you have a plan, be sure to share it with God so He can have a good laugh.”  I knew that from experience on lighter subjects…but on the subject of matrimony?  That was a little too close to the heart.  But, as I’ve gone down this trail, I’ve met some really great people – male and female – and have grown a tremendous amount in the process.

Two of those friends just today told me of relationships ending.  One seemed to handle it pretty well – the other echoed a sentiment I’ve heard time and again:  “What is wrong with me?  What am I doing wrong?”

You know, this sentiment applies in every part of our lives – not just on the relationship side.  Whether it be career, financial, spiritual, personal, love, or whatever…people tend to want to blame themselves for what often has nothing to do with them.

Lately, I’ve been overusing a reference to the time when the Apostle Peter walked on water.  I’m referencing the story as it’s told in Matthew 14:22-33.  As the story goes, upon the miraculous feeding of the masses, Jesus went upon the mountainside to pray.  He had sent the disciples who were with Him on out ahead of Him in their boat…and by the time He had finished praying, the boat had been pushed out a considerable distance because of turbulence in the sea.  At this point, late in the night, Jesus began walking across the water to the boat.  When the disciples saw this, they were terrified, believing it to be a ghost.  Jesus told them it was Him and encouraged them not to be afraid.  Peter challenged back, “Lord if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.”  Obviously, Jesus told Peter to come and as he got out of the boat, Peter began walking on water as well.  But when that instant of euphoria wore off, Peter realized what was going on and saw the wind whipping the waves around him as they had been all night.  He became afraid again and began to sink…as he sank, he cried, “Lord, save me!”

My metaphor with Peter is pretty obvious…when he focused where he should, that is to say, on Christ, he did fine.  When he started internalizing things, though…and believing that he needed to save himself…what happened?  Simple…he sank.

How often in our lives do we “take control” because we don’t have faith in others?  And how often, when things begin to go wrong, do we believe the worst is going to happen?  Henry Ford is often quoted as saying, “Believe you can or believe you can’t, either way you’ll be right.”  I think this story from the Gospel certainly underlines that point…but it takes a belief that God’s got everything under control – not us.

This way of thinking is new for me…new being defined as the past couple of years or so.  I had grown up hearing about “turn everything over” and “let go, let God”.  All were nice little anecdotes that really had no power with me because I didn’t understand it.  But the moment I finally realized that this life is much greater than me – that’s when I started understanding just how to let go.  Friends and family will attest that I truly have little worry about my tomorrows.

Today is all we have…actually…NOW is all we have.  The instant I post this blog, my life could end.  The instant you read this line, so could yours.  “Plan” for tomorrow?  Sure…absolutely.  But worry about it?  Why take away from the only now you’ll ever get?

As to that rainbow connection – someday I’ll find it…I have faith.  For now, I’ve got Captain Underpants, Kermit, and the Apostle Peter to balance – and I’m just fine with that.

Blessings to you all

Tim