Have you ever heard that before? Have you ever said it?
I remember my Dad saying this. When he would be helping us kids with our homework,(he was a wiz at Math-but couldn't show his work even tho he always had the right answer) coaching us at sports, or working around the house. It was never on a moral issue or how to treat others. He was a giving man, and believed you should treat people the way you would want to be treated. He loved to be around any and all sports. (well, not soccer) He coached baseball and football for many years and earned respect from the kids and their parents. Today there are many parents around Loveland and the U.S. that was coached by my dad. They would see him even as they grew older and always have to come and see "Mr. Baxter." He also loved to watch us kids and all our friends play sports. Even when we were older, he and Jo Ann Henninger would come and sit behind the backstop at the then "Jr. High" and just enjoy the people around them. (and,of course, he loved to "hassle" the ump!)
Another of his sayings was, "Can't never did a thing!" He wasn't very happy if we used the word "can't". He never liked for us to give up on ourselves or anything that we tried to do. We were to try and do our best, and that was all he asked. He was always there to back us in our decisions, but also always there to make sure we knew what we did wrong so that we could learn from our mistakes. He always made us follow through with anything we decided to take on or to be a part of. "If you make that commitment, you must do your very best and you must see it through." He always told me that when you finish a job, you should be proud enough to sign your name on it for all to see. And, in the same way, if you make a mistake, own up to it.
My dad always believed in his children. He knew that God had a plan for us all and that even though our paths would veer from the one that God had made for us, that we would eventually get back to where He had planned. And...we have. My brother, sister and I have made it back to where God wants us. We are all doing our best to serve Him with the gifts that He gave us. We are working hard, learning from our mistakes, and not using the word "can't". We are also trying hard to do as we say, treat others the way we would like to be treated, and always being proud to sign our work. We still have much to do, with more mistakes to come, but know that God will show us the way. I know that I am very proud of my brother & sister. I know that both of our Fathers in Heaven are proud too!
Are you asking yourself...What's the point?? Well, are you saying & doing the same things? Are you treating others the way you want to be treated? Are you using the word "can't"? Are you proud of your work? Are you owning your mistakes? Are you following through on your commitments?
If you answered no to any of these questions, what about this. Are you talking with your Father in Heaven? Today's the day! He loves you and is proud of you. He doesn't want to hear that word can't...He is strength, love, compassion, and truth. He gives grace to all who ask...Today's the day.
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