Daily Attitude Email 03 19 26

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. – Saint Augustine

The Bible tells that God has counted the hairs on our heads and has knitted us together in our mother’s womb.

God loves you as if you were the only one.

He was overjoyed with you when you got that A+ on that second grade spelling test.

His heart broke with yours when that friend you thought you could trust did that thing that hurt so bad.

He watched in disappointment when you cheated on that Algebra test in 9th grade.

His eyes filled with tears that time you turned your back on him in college because it wasn’t the “cool” thing to do.

His heart leapt with joy when your first baby was born and you became a mother.

He was there when the doctor gave you the news that changed things forever.

He fills your heart with conviction when you break that promise that “you’d never” for the 10th time in the last year.

He sat with you when you couldn’t believe that you would never see them again.

He is full of hope and pulls closer when you can’t see a way out.

He LOVES YOU with everything He has – every day, all day.

It’s not always fun. It’s heartbreaking one minute and full of joy the next, but he never stops. There is nothing you can do to get Him to stop – nothing.

He wants all of you, all of the time – for you. For your joy, your benefit and your eternal salvation.

How lucky are you? Let love pull you closer to your Creator. To the one who loves you no matter what.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 03 18 26

I was thirteen years old. Being self-conscious was a full-time job. ~The Wonder Years, "The Pimple," 1989, written by David M. Stern and Todd W. Langen [S3, E8, Narrator Kevin]

Oliver turns thirteen today. Another teenager in the Davis household….

This quote reminds me of all those teenage feelings….teetering between unwarranted and irrational confidence and self-doubt and self-consciousness.

As a parent, you watch your children as they go through these changes and difficulties and wish you could get through to them about what is important and what isn’t.

For the most part though it seems to be that they are destined to learn on their own and in their own ways.

In my more mature moments, I try to relearn these lessons myself.

To forget about worrying about myself and think of others first.

To not worry about the small stuff.

To focus on love and being loving towards the important people in my life.

Even after all these years, I’ve still got a lot to learn.

Lucky for me, God sent me three great kids to learn from (and a wonderful wife, of course).

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 03 17 26

Oddly enough, St. Patrick’s Day is a reminder of why America is pretty cool.

In America on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone can be Irish.

We can celebrate the culture of another country in a (mostly) positive way without fear.

We can all be Irish for the day and smile and laugh as one.

Despite our politics and differences we can get along.

I’m not naïve enough to think that all of us get into this spirit on St. Patrick’s Day (or any other holiday for that matter).

But I am almost always surprised by how much of a difference it makes.

Embrace your inner Irishman (or lass) today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 03 12 26

The best place to find God is in a garden. You can dig for him there. – George Bernard Shaw

Spring time is a great time to be a gardener.

I’m not really into gardening myself but know enough people that are to know the truth of the quote above.

God can be found in hard work. In planting and planning for a harvest. In care and attention applied to growth and bearing of fruit.

God is a creator. He and we find joy in creation.

Even if you aren’t a gardener yourself, lean into the principles of sowing and harvesting this spring.

If you are a gardener, make sure to look for God while you are out there.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Daily Attitude Email 03 11 26

The sea hath fish for every man. – William Camden

There is enough for everyone.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of “not enough”.

We focus on what we don’t have or what others have.

We fret and worry about how there won’t be enough to go around.

We let time and opportunity slip through our fingers while we look at what isn’t.

Instead – we can focus on the opportunity and the oceans full of fish.

Make it a great day.

Jake