This morning I found myself for the third morning in a row waking up an hour before my morning alarm (which is early, really early). Needless to say, the night before I just simply prayed in my bed and managed to fall asleep for whatever remaining time I had until my morning routine, but this morning was different. This morning, I jumped up and started the coffee pot before it's early preset time. I let the dog out. I read my Bible. I journaled and I even spent more time in prayer than I normally do. 
As I drove to work, I listened to worship music and prayed for more. I prayed for the 4 guys that I am walking with. I prayed for the prayer list that I have been in need to get to. For some unknown reason, it is 8:00pm and I am still wide awake. I even went to the dentist this afternoon and had time to finish my afternoon work from home. Please note: None of this was possible on my time. Left to my own devices, this day would have been an epic fail. I even had time to work out for the second day in a row before family time.
Next, family devotion.
My wife and son called me to dinner. My wife made this excellent chicken stir fry and even my most finicky of children enjoyed the meal. Therefore, I decided that it was time to kick up another family devotion. The questions at hand were as follows:
Question #1: Dad, "What do you think a disicple of Jesus Christ Is? " (Instruct them to answer youngest to oldest)
Answer: youngest, "a disciple is someone who doesn't whine and has their own way, but does what is required of them by Jesus"
Answer2: middle child, "a disciple is someone who is not just a fan of Jesus but a follower, that is, someone who does Jesus' will.
Answer3: oldest child, "a disciple is someone who follows God's word and does what it says in their entire life"
Answer4: the wife, "a disciple is a student (a lerner) who follows their teacher" (note this answerer asked me why I didn't answer.
The next questions was, what did Jesus mean when he said:
Luke 14:25-27New International Version (NIV)
The Cost of Being a Disciple25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."
This time I asked them to go from oldest child to youngest child and then wife:
Answer1: Oldest Child, "it means not to put any one first"
Answer2: Middle Child, "it means that God doesn't want us to choose anyone or any thing before Him. He wants to be first in everything we do and how we do it"
Answer3: Youngest Child, "to me, it means that we have to seek what God wants first and then follow His will first"
Answer4: Wife, "it means that God doesn't want us to choose anyone before choosing Him."
As a father, this was both humbling and exciting to watch and listen and see my family respond accurately to the Word of God.
I told them that as parents, their mom and dad want nothing more than for them to have a relationship (a friendship with God). And that when each of them met their spouse, that our hope and prayer is that they will meet someone who loves Jesus more than them. Because if they find that spouse, then that spouse will love them how God loves them.
I am not sure what you are thinking or what you think about my family and I at this juncture. Maybe you are saying, "yeah, that's so nice to read and blog about, but that's not me" Or maybe you are saying, "Not my family....not my friends".
My answer to you all, is why not? You only miss 100% of the shots you never take (thank you Wayne Gretzky).
Trust in the Lord in all that you do....
Blessings,
Dante