God and my relationship with the Deity are of huge value to me.  I have tried to communicate that value throughout my adult life both professionally and personally.  I wanted my children to come to value Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  I tried to illustrate a life lived through my love, service, and allegiance to God.

I value the opportunity to learn.  I have always studied.  As I was growing up, I read voraciously, especially about topics of interest to me.  Averette and I dated primarily by studying together.  My children have seen me study countless theology books and religious commentaries.  My daughters have watched me add to my reading about God to include, for many years, exploring the classics of literature and history.  In later years, they’ve watched me read endlessly about artists and oil painting.  Recently, I have come to read some about antiques and old objects.  I tried to set the value of study.

There have been some periphery values that are important to me - the value of listening.  I love to talk, but I also enjoy listening and learning about other human beings.  I have a strong value for exercise and fitness.  Granted, like most people, I have had some lapses, but, generally, I ran or swam or exercised in some way all of my life.  My mother and Averette have taught me the value of a home being lovely and homey.  In Averette’s absence, I purchased some plants and placed some outdoor furniture on my front porch at the Little White House.  For the first time, I’m trying to grow bougainvillea.  It is lovely.  Averette always says how much she values that home because it reflects my personal taste.

Perhaps in raising your children you did not have this experience, but there have been times in my life when, no matter how hard I tried, my children didn’t honor the values that Averette and I lived out before them.  I found that it made me angry and disappointed when they didn’t honor my values.  Please know my daughters are fine girls. I didn’t always honor my parents values…it’s the way of life.  Yet it hurts when others don’t value what we do.

From the time of Adam, God has tried to teach us how to value His ways.  He tried countless means…most importantly, through the life of His only Son.  I wonder how God feels when we don’t honor His values.

Prayer:  Dear God, teach us Your ways.  Have patience when we don’t honor Your values.  Amen.