"and the greatest of these is love.."

Jaymes started school back up last night- he's attending Indiana Tech & taking sociology for the next 5 weeks. This means he's gone one night a week, until about 9:30. So as much as that's a bummer, it's also great for our family. Since he's in the Marine Corps, we're getting BAH for him going to school full time, which is a huge huge blessing (about an extra grand a month for us to save up and get a place of our own). We've been praying that this would be a positive experience for him- that he would enjoy every moment in class, that he would have great teachers, and that he would meet some great people.

Last night he came home around 9:45 as I was just getting out of the shower and getting ready to go to sleep. He had stories, and lots of them. He said that at the beginning of class they did a "get to know each other" activity. Jaymes strolled in after everyone else did, so he was sitting in the far back by himself. The teacher said, "Okay, everyone choose a partner- your job is to choose someone you don't know, and get to know them!" Jaymes said that everyone paired up within a few seconds except for one young man sitting in the middle of class, who came with a friend (so, he obviously couldn't use him as his partner). Jaymes was still looking for someone too, but wasn't having much luck. After a few seconds they made eye contact and the rest was history- they were partners!

I think this activity lasted just a few minutes, but Jaymes learned a whole lot about this gentleman in the time they had. His name is Cherron (sp?), he's 23, and he has an 8 year old and 5 year old. He told Jaymes he doesn't have a job right now, but he's going to school full time so he can start up his own restaurant and provide better for his family. Jaymes said that he talked about how his children hardly have any material things right now, but they do have love. They know that their daddy loves them, and more importantly, they know that Jesus loves them. Jaymes was blown away by this young man's faith, love, and determination.

This story smacked me across the face. How often to I COMPLAIN about what I don't have, what I do want, and how annoying it is that I have to wait for these things. Yet, I have clothes on my back, clean water, plenty of food on my plate, a roof over my head, a wonderful group of doctors, a beautiful little boy, an amazing husband (the list goes on). My son has enough toys to last him a lifetime, enough food to eat as much as his little heart desires, and a family that loves him more than anything in this world. Yet, I complain because I can't have what I want, when I want it. How immature, when some people have so little, and are so very content with what the Lord has chosen to give them.

Needless to say, I was a sobbing mess after hearing this story. I'm so glad Jaymes met Cherron, and I hope that a wonderful friendship blossoms between the two of them. I want to meet him and his children, and be a light to them.

Spend today, tomorrow, and all the days God blesses you with, focusing on what you do have- and much less on what you don't.