The Dude That is My Dad

He was a nineteen-year-old lead singer and guitarist and of a well-known local rock band. 

She had lovely brown hair that cascaded down hair back and hung about her waist. 

Unfortunately, after only month of dating, they parted ways.

A few weeks later, she realized there was a child growing inside of her.

That child was me.

My mother told my father, but he didn't want to believe it was true. And, that was the last we heard of my dad.

Until I was sixteen, and I got a phone call from a sweet grandmother from Italy, my Nonna. She was his mother and wanted to meet me. My dad wanted to meet me. Everyone wanted to meet me.

And then, I became a part of the Hedges family.

It turns out, when I was seven, I wrote a letter to my father, but he didn't receive it, my grandparents did. And, because he had moved out of the state, they opened it and found out they had another grandchild.

They had hoped and prayed for a reunion between my father and I for many years, and when I was 16, he had a change of heart and wanted to find me.

My dad on many occasions has been compared to Jeff Bridges and the roles that he has played.

Some say he resembles "The Dude" from the film, The Big Lebowski, but, I'd say he's more like "Bad Blake" in Crazy Heart; an older musician just trying to achieve his dreams,

I've not actually seen him play in a concert,

but I do remember him playing his guitar and singing sweet hymns
to my Nonna as she slowly slipped away into the arms of Jesus.

And, that is one of the things I love about my dad. When you least expect it, he drops everything, and shows up.

In this way, he has shown me the love of God, my Father in heaven, who sacrificed everything to bring me into His Kingdom.

Even His one and only Son (John 3:16).

Just remember...

It's never too late to be a dad...Happy Father's Day!

An Ode to My Heavenly Father (from The Lord's Prayer):

Our Father in heaven,

You are the First Father, the Maker of us all, and we are your children,

Hallowed be Your Name,

Everything about you is holy, you are good and just, strong, and loving, faithful, and true,

Your Kingdom Come,

Please redeem this world, make all the sad things right again, give us a happily ever after,

Your will be done,

Though I may not understand the purpose in suffering sometimes, let the trials that you allow in my life bear fruit for Your Kingdom,

On earth as it is in heaven,

You are Lord over all and may all the nations worship you, for You alone are God,

Give us this day our daily bread,

For man does not live on bread alone, but on Your every Word,

Forgive our sins,

For all of us have sinned,

As we forgive those trespasses of the ones who have sinned against us,

We give to you the burden of our wounds, please bind them up and have mercy on those who have wounded us,

And, lead us not into temptation,

Please show us Your ways, O Lord, teach us Your paths,

But, deliver us from evil,

Keep us from working more evil in this broken world, and help us to bring Your light and love through the gospel of Jesus Christ,

For thine is the Kingdom and the Power, and the Glory forever,

It's all about You, through You, and for You, Lord,

Amen.

May it be so.

"Watch Your Mouth": The Fruit of the Spirit is Self-Control

This picture here was of a trip my family took awhile ago to a winery in our neck of the woods.  Behind me are real bonafide grape vines!  A certain kind of grape called Muscadine grows in Florida.  Here's a description of the Sunburst wine that I tasted:

"Rich in aroma and fruit flavor, this light crisp and refreshing wine embodies the radiant hue of a Florida sunset; a blend of different Muscadine grapes done in a blush style. Try it with a wide variety of finger foods, rice dishes and pasta."

Speaking (actually writing) of wines, I should probably open up one of those mini wine bottles in the fridge and use a little to douse out the fire that's been burning in my throat the past few days.

First Little Bit got this bug, then me, and now Bright Girl, too.

I haven't been able to talk much, so I've been choosing my words carefully.

And, you know what?

The house has been so peaceful.

I don't know if it's the Florida heat or what, but before I lost my voice, it seems like I was stressed and letting my voice rise entirely too often with the children and I confess, this has not been a Proverbs 31 week, either (if you know what I mean).

Having no voice, has shown me how much peace I can promote in the house by using a gentle, quiet voice.

The kids really need me to be mature this way and my husband, too. 

This has been a good lesson for me.  Not talking. 

I'm just, well,

pleasant. 

I want to be like this all the time.  But, does that mean I just shouldn't talk?

How can this be lived out without being forced into mutism by getting a cold?

It's really all about not letting our emotions get the best of us, being self-disciplined, self-controlled and having a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

This cannot be done without Christ.

When we dwell on Christ and His love and rely on Him in our weaknesses, our mind, heart, and mouth will be filled with good, lovely, true, pure, and holy things (Philippians 4:8).

Whatsoever, or whosoever we dwell on will have a direct affect on our speech "for those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart." (Matthew 15:18)

Jesus said that He is the vine and we are the branches.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vitis_rotundifolia.jpg

If Christ lives in our hearts through faith (by the Holy Spirit) and we remain close to Him and seek Him in every aspect of our lives, we will bear much fruit (John 15:1-8).

Holy Spirit fruit.

Like self-control.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2)."