Another Gift: Background People

Alexa,

There are people in your life that you will maybe not notice or be aware of all the time, but, trust me, they are there. I call these precious people, "background people."

Even though they are not always out in the front of the action, these are people that you can depend on no matter what. They will be there for you. They are people of integrity, faithfulness and strength.

The background people in your life at this time are people that are in your mom's and dad's lives, that love your mom and dad, and that love you. But as you grow up and live your life under God's care and direction, He will always make sure these people are there. The important thing is to identify them and honor them. They are truly a gift from God.

If you want to know who one of them is, look closely at the picture; one is in the reflection in the glass (I made the picture big so you could see him). Even though he is standing in the background, he is there; always will be.....because that's how background people are. And this guys is the best.

A Great Gift

Super Girl,

Our memory is one of the greatest gifts that God has given us. And like all gifts, we should appreciate it. But what does it mean to appreciate the gift of memory?

I think it means to use this gift in the best ways to help us in our relationship with God. So with that in mind, I want to challenge you to use your memory to plant God's Word in you mind and in your heart. It is the greatest thing that you can do.

Your mom and dad grew up being a part of something called Bible Quiz (ask them about it) in which they spent a lot of time memorizing Scripture verses, and sometimes entire books of the Bible.

When you get old enough to get involved, Bible Quiz may still be around. If it is, then make sure your parents help you get involved. If it is not, make sure your parents help you find some way that you are actively memorizing passages of Scripture. If they don't, tell your Grammi, she'll take care of them.

Nothing can substitute for God's Word in your heart and mind.

Can't wait to see you next week (you guys are coming to StL to see Wicked).
Pops

While the World Sleeps

Alexa Bird,

I think my favorite time of the day is morning time, when it is really quiet and it seems like the world is asleep. I like it I guess because it seems like if the world is asleep, then God would be paying attention to me more than maybe he would if the world were awake and having his attention also.

Now when I really think about it, I know that God's attention to me is not limited in any way, no matter how many people or things also have his attention.

SO, I guess maybe I like mornings because when the world is asleep God has more of my attention. All the noise and activity that gets going later on in the day isn't there to take my attention away from God and his thoughts to me.

Make sure to find times in your days and in your weeks that it is quiet, and that it is just you and God. I think you will like it.

I love you more than you know.
Pops

What's More Important?

Hey Beautiful Girl,

I have a question for you today. What's more important, winning at a game or having a good name? Now that may sound like a funny question, or like those two things don't really go together. But they do.

Yesterday I was working with a bunch of kids at the city recreation center by our house. The director was playing a game with them kinda like "Simon Says." In the game, a person gets called "out" when they don't follow the leaders instructions just right. The game started with about 50 kids playing, and one by one they got out. They would get called "out" when the leader saw them goof up in following the instructions.

But I saw some kids make a mistake and the leader didn't catch them. The kids would look around to see if they had been caught. If they weren't caught, they stayed in the game - even though they shouldn't have. They cheated because they wanted to win.

My question to you is this: is it more important to win, or is it more important to be known as someone who is honest even when no one is watching you or catches you - even if it means you lose a game?

I hope that you will always live your life so that when people think of the name Alexa Jayde Brown, words like honest, trustworthy, good and kind will come to their mind.

I love you.

It's All About The Dream

Sweetheart,

There is an opposite to everything in this world. Remember when I wrote you about how important it is for you to find people who can give you a hand up, helping you realize your potential? Well, there is another type of hand - an opposite one.

The opposite of the people who can help you reach your dreams are the people in the world who will keep you from your dreams. And while it will be up to you to find those who will give you a hand up, those who will drag you down will always seem to find you. So be on the lookout. Sometimes they are hard to recognize, and other times you will know them instantly. Here's how to tell the difference: any relationship that takes you closer to your dream, or brings out your true potential, is a hand up - and any relationship or friendship that causes you to drift away from your dreams or diminishes your potential is a hand pulling you down.

It's all about the dream.

A Helping Hand

Alexa Jayde, beautiful lady,

Do you know the best way to reach the top? Find someone who can take you by the hand, someone who believes in you and loves you, and who knows the way to the top. Listen to them and learn from them.

We weren't meant to reach our goals by ourselves. God made us to need people and to connect with people in order to reach our potential. Find the right people, work hard, and trust God - you will reach the top.

Swimming

Hey Bird,

I was just thinking today about something, and it made me kind of sad. I was thinking about swimming. Not just any old kind of swimming, I was thinking about you swimming.

I see pictures that your mom and dad post on Facebook, and other pictures that your mom sends to my phone, of you swimming and having a great time. I do love the pictures, but the part that makes me sad is that so far I have only seen pictures of you swimming. I have never been with you when you were swimming. Pictures are great, but they are no substitute for being present.

Know two things. I miss you very, very much, and God is present with you at all times. My hope for you is that you will believe to the point of knowing and experiencing the truth that you have a Heavenly Father who is present with you at every moment, and who loves you perfectly at all times.

Truly believing this will shape your life like few other things will.