Wow, what a day in the stock market. I hope everyone is hanging in there--these are tough times and I have a feeling they might get worse.

I've been working for the local school district the last few weeks and let me tell you, if these kids from a small town in Minnesota are any indication of where our country is going, we are in big trouble. Parenting skills seem to be at an all time low, and when these kids come to school, they act like they don't have to obey anyone.

This is something I just can't live with so I've been spending "quality time" with some of the more difficult high school kids over the last few days. You wouldn't believe how shocked they are when I confront them--it's like they really don't know what to make of it. (This is a school where the Principal is considered "cool"). It amazes me, though, how quickly they respond to discipline when they think it's fair. They leave angry and come back five minutes later (after they've done what I asked them to do) and high five me. Really surprising, and I guess it gives me a little bit of hope.

When I see all of this, I can't help but think of our relationship to God and I wonder: How does He put up with us? How many times are His children rude to Him? How many times do we ignore Him? How many times do we disobey? And now multiply this over several thousand years; millions and millions of people. It's mind-boggling.

As I thought about it tonight, it all seemed so sad . . . and then I remembered a little five year old boy who came up to me yesterday and said, "You are awesome!" and suddenly, it was easier to see how very precious we are in His eyes. I don't know that I will ever understand it until I finally see Him, but I have to say I am so very grateful that He loves us. His patience and love help me to love those around me when I'm not feeling very patient or kind.

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" 1 John 3:1