I'm the second best dad.

My daugther, Grace who just turned 4 years old on Father's Day, and I were having lunch today at our favorite Mexican restaurant, and she was missing her mom, who was in a class. Usually, she will, before the food arrives, sit on her mom or so close to her that she appears to be sitting on her. Well, mom wasn't there, and she missed her more than I think she ever has missed her, and I was close by. So, Grace asked if she could sit in my lap. I knew she was not very happy, so I agreed. She soon began to hug my arms as she sat there and then she said, "You're the bestest daddy I ever had." I smiled and asked, "Oh, how many dads have you had?" She replied, "Well, you and God." Then her expression turned quite thoughtful as she continued, "God is the bestest," and with a conciliatory look said, "but you're still second best."

Not once did it occur to me to be envious of Him. I am so blessed that my daughter recognizes that I am not as good as the Father of all. I hope that she continues to know this about me for the next fourteen or fifteen years as she sees just how imperfect her dad is. But, it does inspire me to try harder when I know that right now she places me second after Him.

Well, here we go.

I haven't the slightest idea as to why I am starting this. I do not consider myself particularly insightful or abundantly wise. I just know that I occasionally want to speak my mind, and I guess that if I publish it, I will at least feel that the opportunity has been afforded me.

A number of my close friends are, without knowing it, an inspiration to my doing this. I only hope that my "time-to-time musings" will honor their inspiration.

By way of introduction, I am an educator who is currently looking for work. I have a few part time things in the works, but nothing like my last six years working in the public schools in Georgia. I do not EVER want to make this blog into a vent for my feelings on the state of public education. I may still bring anecdotes from the classroom into this setting, but that will only be in an attempt to illustrate my points. (DISCLAIMER - All names will be changed, and no information will be shared that could be used to identify persons in these illustrations.)

I am a Christian who was raised in a very conservative church, lost my faith attending a Christian college, and then (as an adult) was brought into a relationship with God that called me back to His work in that same church. I do not have all of the answers. I just know that God has shown Himself to be not only present but also extremely active in my life. I'm not even sure that I can be called "conservative" by the standards of my church, but I feel that I would grieve my mother if I went to any other church. I do not wish this blog to ever be a criticism of any church or church organization. (See the note about telling anecdotes and the disclaimer in the above paragraph.)

I teach a Chinese martial art called Ving Tsun (often spelled "Wing Chun") Kung Fu. I love this aspect of my life, and I draw many parallels to my spiritual walk as I teach it. It is a very personal mission field for me.

My wife, Angelique, will be mentioned as often as I write. She is the greatest blessing (outside of my salvation) that God has given me. She has stayed home for the last several years caring for our daughter, Grace, while I have worked. She will be a first year teacher this Fall, and I am proud of her professionalism as an educator, a mother, a sister in Christ, a best friend, and mate.

Grace, our daughter, (notice I used her name twice so far) is a daily reminder to me that God is head-over-heels in love with us, his children. I will not take up too much room in this posting about her, as she will (I am sure) be the subject of many more posts.

I guess that’s all for now. I'll try to keep the majority of my posts brief.