8 Years and a Life of Danger

When I married Sugar, eight year ago, I had no idea what I was in for. We have been through our fair share of ups and downs and even a little to the sideways. We have lived in several states, both in this country and in our minds (joke) and we have weathered many storms. When we were dating I thought I had an idea of what life would be like with Sugar Kyzer (now Jeffcoat, of course) but man was I in for a surprise.

We are both passionate people. At least I think I am a passionate person. She definitely is. This passion has been the reason why our fights or arguments often last long after the sun has set, and even though we glare at one another by the light of our digital alarm clocks, we love one another for that stubborn passion. I don't believe there is another woman on the planet who could put up with me or who would even volunteer to do so after really getting to know me (just getting to know me is a challenge I am sure). No doubt, I can be difficult and this is putting it lightly.

Sugar is a special woman. Not only does she draw me in with those dark pools of mystery and mischief when she gazes my way, or captivates me with that single dimple, or drive me crazy when she lets her hair hang down and around her face (something about that wild look), but she can share moments with me that no one else ever could. She understands me more than anyone else ever could. She talks with me. She speaks to me with a look. She looks at me with truth. And the truth is I am in love with Sugar Kyzer Jeffcoat.

I am certain the next eight years will be full of both challenging moments and Kodak moments but there is not another person I look more forward to sharing these moments with than my wife.

I love you Sugar.

The Pursuit of Love

A couple of weeks ago I spoke to high schoolers about love, better yet, the pursuit of love and how they are to do so and remain pure. Tricky? I think so. I was standing before a group of hormone ravaged boy/girl crazy, horny, barely able to keep their hands to themselves youngsters. And the goal was to convince them that God wants the best for them and that means keeping their clothes on.

It is probably easier to convince the French to actually win a battle instead of retreating but I let the Lord speak through me and I believe something stuck. I believe that these lust filled youngsters may have actually taken a few of my points to heart.

Speaking to young people is definitely a challenge and a calling. There are time when I ask God if this passion he has given me, to work with young people, is not some sort of joke he continues to play on me that I haven't quite figured out. Of course I will continue to get up in front of young people and pour out my heart in hopes that the Lord will use my words and His Word to leave some small impression on their hearts and in their minds.

Funny too, because while I teach young people about all sorts of things from how to find God to pursuing love in a way that pleases God, I myself am sort of pursuing love in that I seek to please God by sharing in his will for others and myself.

The Hearts of Children

I have a paradoxical faith in that I know what God promises is good enough to take to the bank but then I struggle with anxiety from time to time, and more so lately than ever. Never in my life have the stakes been so formidable. Now with a wife and three small children in tow life takes on a different rhythm, a militant cadence demanding my attention, and I cannot afford to blink too often or I lose measure. The beat is frantic most times and it is all I can do to just keep up with the tempo.

God is in control of this and I know He promises to not overwhelm us or give us anything we cannot handle (1 Corinthians 10:13) and yet there have been times when I have fallen to my knees in desperate need of answers. Answers never come in an Old Testament Revelation (that is probably a paradox all on its own) but sometimes God sends answers in the least expected medium.

We were watching Discovery HD yesterday (awesome station- I could watch paint dry on this channel). It was one of those deals where the lions were eating other helpless creatures. My kids actually watch these parts in awe. I hope allowing my children to watch this isn't considered child abuse since I am definitely guilty. Anyway, the scene was of a plains fire. A bazillion African Elk are running from the flames as it hungrily laps at their hooves.

Cole asks, "What's hap'ning?"

"The fire is coming and all the elk are running away."

Cole says, "I can take my kite and they cans get the string and I can flys them out of the the fire."

This is the heart of God. He wants to fly us out of the flames and all it takes is us allowing Him too. He is God after all.

And He has put His heart in Children.