Am I obsessed with my kids?
You Betcha!
This was the cover for the 2010 publication of Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. It has since been updated and NOW looks more like this:
Cobi & Erin 3/29/23 💕
I enjoyed reading Captivating the first time while walking alone with Jesus in my “Wilderness” between my first marriage of close to 30 years and my NOW marriage going on 3 years in June.
The second time reading through the newer edition (link above) was with you on the Grateful Gwen [YouTube] Channel.
It is a beautiful story filled with raw emotion and real self-disclosure by the married authors John and Stasi Eldredge. You may find more helpful resources from them at:
One of the things I appreciate the most about this book in addition to the exquisite concept of unique kisses from God for each one of us in a variety of forms is the absolute SIMPLICITY (K.I.S.S.) that it all comes down to these three ideas:
1. Men are always asking the question “Do I have what it takes?” […to be a man?]
2. Women are always asking the question “Am I lovely?” [Do you see my true beauty?]
3. Ultimately only GOD can answer these questions in a sustainable way that will satisfy us always.
(Humans are fallible—we make mistakes.)
Try as we may to find these answers in other human beings, adventures, wealth, substances, material possessions, accomplishments, ranks, or titles; inevitably we will always come up wanting, disappointed, striving, irritable, restless, discontent, or broken-hearted.
In my personal experience soul searching through TRULY LISTENING to the answer to my question above directly from God via His Divine Word, Prayer, Meditation, Step Work, and Worship is the only way I can counter the famous classic rock lyrics sang by Mick Jagger [Rolling Stones] “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.”
The more I observe people and relationships, the more I see those questions play out in people’s lives. 
This past week has been a whirlwind of heartfelt, tearful, beautiful, fun, magical, fairytale, bonding island adventures at my son’s destination wedding in Hawaii.
So many poignant moments come to mind as I fondly reminisce over the past few days and how mindfully all seven of my senses were engaged each day in Paradise.
Even though we were celebrating true love at its finest at the most beautiful wedding I have ever witnessed in person (unfortunately having missed the flight for my daughter’s wedding)—
among the plethora of powerful healing and hopeful emotions felt at this romantic event of a lifetime for me was painful heartbreak.
It is obvious that my children have learned a lot from observing the failed marriage of their parents. I have also learned a lot from them in return. I learned that my son’s greatest fear in life was marrying the wrong person. And I learned that my daughter’s number one role-model is her brother. Although these facts break my sensitive heart and bruise my ego; they also demonstrate WISDOM and HOPE for genuine lifelong happiness and honored wedding vows.
Speaking of wedding vows, those were by far the BEST I have ever heard! Literally not a dry eye on the lush Hawaiian garden property that evening after that exchange. Tears of joy, healing, hope, love, admiration, and a celebration of miracles!
Even if I have only taught my kids indirectly through errors of what not to do, it is clear important lessons have been learned.
And for that and so much more, I am grateful.
I also adore the fact that my loving children included their family members who have passed from this life in their ceremony as well. This has reminded me of the inscription we chose as a family for my Dad’s grave marker “Until we meet again.” As a result of this and the past week in paradise, I plan to incorporate all of this as part of my sign off at the end of coming videos.
https://youtu.be/JQOIppZSTTM
Luke 23:43
Proverbs 18:22 Favor
Isaiah 60:20
By the way, I take great comfort and pleasure in knowing my son did NOT marry the wrong person. The two of them share a selfless 1 Corinthians 13 and Ephesians 4:2 LOVE like no other. I pray that their marriage will continue to be blessed in extraordinary ways as it already is pictured throughout this post.
Favor on favor on favor God has blessed our family with this past week, after suffering doubts, confusion, pain, trials, and heartbreak through some rough storms these past few years. More favor today as SDSU Aztecs 🏀 go ALL THE WAY to the NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP this Monday! WOW! 🤩 WE BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!! 🖤❤️🖤❤️
This past week has been a whirlwind of heartfelt, tearful, beautiful, fun, magical, fairytale, bonding island adventures at my son’s destination wedding in Hawaii.
So many poignant moments come to mind as I fondly reminisce over the past few days and how mindfully all seven of my senses were engaged each day in Paradise.
Even though we were celebrating true love at its finest at the most beautiful wedding I have ever witnessed in person (unfortunately having missed the flight for my daughter’s wedding)—
among the plethora of powerful healing and hopeful emotions felt at this romantic event of a lifetime for me was painful heartbreak.
It is obvious that my children have learned a lot from observing the failed marriage of their parents. I have also learned a lot from them in return. I learned that my son’s greatest fear in life was marrying the wrong person. And I learned that my daughter’s number one role-model is her brother. Although these facts break my sensitive heart and bruise my ego; they also demonstrate WISDOM and HOPE for genuine lifelong happiness and honored wedding vows.
Speaking of wedding vows, those were by far the BEST I have ever heard! Literally not a dry eye on the lush Hawaiian garden property that evening after that exchange. Tears of joy, healing, hope, love, admiration, and a celebration of miracles!
Even if I have only taught my kids indirectly through errors of what not to do, it is clear important lessons have been learned.
And for that and so much more, I am grateful.
I also adore the fact that my loving children included their family members who have passed from this life in their ceremony as well. This has reminded me of the inscription we chose as a family for my Dad’s grave marker “Until we meet again.” As a result of this and the past week in paradise, I plan to incorporate all of this as part of my sign off at the end of coming videos.
https://youtu.be/JQOIppZSTTM
Luke 23:43
Proverbs 18:22 Favor
Isaiah 60:20
By the way, I take great comfort and pleasure in knowing my son did NOT marry the wrong person. The two of them share a selfless 1 Corinthians 13 and Ephesians 4:2 LOVE like no other. I pray that their marriage will continue to be blessed in extraordinary ways as it already is pictured throughout this post.
Favor on favor on favor God has blessed our family with this past week, after suffering doubts, confusion, pain, trials, and heartbreak through some rough storms these past few years. More favor today as SDSU Aztecs 🏀 go ALL THE WAY to the NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP this Monday! WOW! 🤩 WE BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!! 🖤❤️🖤❤️
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