Tough

I've always admired people that are tough.  My favorite football team, the Chicago Bears were known as "the monsters of the midway."  They were never flashy, but they hit hard and intimidated other teams.  I've always had respect for our military.  The training, the teamwork, fighting in battle in any condition...awesome respect.  I have a soft spot for kids with different illnesses.  Little kids that fight for life every day, and miss out on "normal" things like going to the mall or playing baseball.  I love and respect tough.

I think I love tough because tough has always been modeled for me.  My grandparents were all tough in their own way.  My parents were tough and always did tough things.  My in-laws are tough.  They've always worked hard and handled tough circumstances.  My brothers are tough, both of them served in the Army.  My sister, being the only girl and having 3 older brothers, had to be tough.

My wife is tough.  She's a great mom to 4 kids, that alone is tough.  She also works full time, often starting her days before 4:00am.  She also volunteers at our church, and takes care of the house.

My son is tough.  His birth-mom was/is a drug addict.  Before he was born he was already at a significant disadvantage.  When it comes to health, growth, development, even the most basic things, he's always had to come from behind and work hard.  Tough kid.

I can respect art, creativity and finesse.  Those things are good.  But I love tough families, tough teams, tough people and overcoming tough situations.

My family has a potential situation coming up where no matter what decision is made about a child (3 different scenarios could potentially happen), we're going to be in a tough place.  It helps knowing that we believe in a tough God.  Don't get me wrong, I know He's kind, faithful, loving, patient and forgiving.  But He's also a warrior. He's a fighter.  He loves justice and protecting the helpless.  There are things that He hates, things He destroys.  He's a tough God too.

Scripture talks about the wide and the narrow gate.  The wide gate is easy to go through and most people choose that way.  But, there's a great reward for the few that take the tough road and choose the narrow gate.

I wonder what tough conversations you might avoid or take on today?  What tough challenges will we take on?

It's tough to serve others.
It's tough to be honest.
It's tough to forgive.
It's tough give your friends and family the time and attention they deserve.
Life is tough.  But there's a tough God that did tough things for you and me and He gives us the courage and hope to do tough things.