Well, here it is – the first of another year. I don’t have much use for “New Year’s Resolutions”. Most of them are broken before the ink is dry on the paper.

One of the most popular resolutions involves getting in shape – losing weight, watching the ol’ diet, etc. This one doesn’t last very long, either.

Life doesn’t seem fair sometimes, does it? I mean, some folks can eat all the wrong stuff in enormous quantities and still stay ultra slim, blood slipping and sliding through their arteries with no obstructions. It just doesn’t seem right! (g)

For quite awhile, I’ve observed the two signs, side by side, on two businesses. I go right past them both on my way to a good supermarket. On the left is Weight Watchers. Right beside it is Crusty’s Pizza. I’ve never been to either, but I understand, for most excellent sources, that Crusty’s Pizza has the most decadent pizza in the state of Florida. Full of ooey gooey cheese nestled on a sea of tomato sauce with marvelous little things floating on the surface. Combine all this with a crusty to die for and you’ve got some good stuff.

I’ve wondered about the fortitude, self-discipline, and self-denial it takes for a person headed in the Weight Watchers door to totally ignore the Crusty Pizza door. My hat is certainly off to them, for sure.

How often in real life we find that there is a legitimate temptation parked right next door to a life full of the right choices. Right up until time to leave the WW meeting, there is always that possibility that one could take a wrong turn and totally defeat all efforts at weight loss and a healthier life.

I’m sure there must be many different applications and life lessons rolling around your brain right now. How about sharing them with me? Just use the “Leave a Reply” box below and pour out your wonderful stories and keen insights.

SOME SELECTED RESPONSES TO “JULIE, JULIE, JULIE”

– Oh, Praise The Lord indeed. The insurance company IS going to fix your house. That’s the good news. Less happy news is that the remediation company can’t start before mid-January and will take at least two months to c omplete. PTL for the change of heart in the insurance adjustor.

– Well, at least they are going to fix it. So sorry it will take them so long. I guess that’s like anything else. Things seem to take forever. All the red tape and busy busy people. I’m just so happy that you won’t be losing your home.

– So glad to hear some better news from your neck of the woods. I continue to pray for you.

– Too many folks think kids just raise themselves. I have a friend who’s my age (50s) raising a 9-year-old who happens to have some serious emotional issues. The guy continually says, “I’m too old for this.” Too old to love and train a child? Too old to take responsibility for a life he brought into this world? I pray I’m never too old. Our responsibility to others never ends! I’m glad Julie’s daddy realizes that.

– Your story makes me think of my dad and how I didn’t appreciate him enough until it was too late and he was in heaven. But one day I will get a second chance to express my love and appreciation for all the times he was never too busy to help his little girl. I miss him more during holiday times.

– You know how I feel about your stories, they are the best, but this one made me so sad. Not your fault, because you didn’t know. I never had a father growing up, and I found myself, as I was reading your story, wishing that I had had a father to play ball with and to talk with, to cry with to laugh with. I never had that, and I missed it so. Even today I miss it, I think even more so. I’ve laid awake at night wishing that I had him to ask questions of the heart, help me with decisions, help me make plans, I end up crying myself to sleep. I just wanted to let people know how blessed they are to have a father at home with them to do these things with or to have one nearby. But, I also want the ones to know that don’t have a physical father like me, that you can have the heavenly Father, God. He will hold you when you are sad, He will cry with you, He will laugh with you, He will keep you on the right path, He will help you make the right decisions. He will be your strength. He will be there always till the very end!

– I’m so glad that the insurance company is going to take care of the house situation!!! Praise God for this! I was very excited to hear that the insurance company changed their minds.

– I enjoyed the new piece about the father and daughter. I thank God that He wants to spend the same kind of quality time with us…and know that He is the one who makes us the best we can be… And, His instruction is the best.

– My Dad raised 10 kids . He went to work when he had 104 temp. A few weeks after he went home I was mowing Mom’s lawn in 105 temp. wondering where my six brothers were. (sorta bitter) I said, “Dad, I could use a cool breeze.” I felt that breeze right away. I thanked God for sending it to me and for a Dad who taught me to love God and family.

– So many memories spawned by your “Julie” story. Neither my wife or I regrets ANY time we spent with our kids. Through serious financial hardship, my wife stayed home until the kids went to school. As it worked out, either she or I worked at the school they went to until our son’s junior year. The result for us has meant that our adult kids have become some of our best friends! May God grant more dads like the one you watched! I see the results of the opposite in my work at school now.

    I am a bit envious of your late night times in the park, I must admit. I don’t believe that I have crossed into sin, but it really sounds like a neat place to be. May God continue to bless through you wherever you are.

– Your “Julie” story hit home! I enjoyed playing softball as a kid growing up in southern Indiana…we had our very own vacant lot next to our home and there was a game going every day of the week…even after school. We loved to play the game…choosing sides each time so that the teams were evenly matched. I remember at my 8th grade graduation I invited all the girls in my class to my house for chili & a game of softball. The memories are good ones.

– Ah, persistence, practice, patience, belief. Sounds like Julie, at age 6, has learned what you and Pat are “learning” through your home experience (and something I’m STILL trying to learn!) Focus on the strike zone . . . focus on the problem. I believe that what Daddy taught you is true and within your reach. Listen for the Father’s encouragement. Be patient for the Father’s timing and teachings. Even when the answers do not come in OUR time, be persistent and have faith that the answer will come in the Father’s timing. We all need to have the faith of a child and believe that our Heavenly Father will never let us strike out! Until the last ball is pitched and the last bat is swung, we’re STILL in the ball game!!!!