Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

So I thought I’d get back to sharing more so here on K.O.R.E. However, little did I know, my focus would shift toward taking care of my wife’s needs primarily as she studied for further certification for teaching during this summer, getting food ready for my kids daily, helping my daughter with her homeschooling, doing the dishes/laundry/cleaning/mowing around the house, writing poetry in my quiet times with the Lord, and putting my poems on one of my websites once again. At some point, I will look to share these.

Love often requires laying down other personal ambitions to show love by serving GOD in spending quiet time with HIM and showing love by meeting the needs of my family… I have dreams of serving in ministry one day, but for now GOD is teaching me my main ministry is serving HIM and my family humbly in submission.

I have learned the importance of loving GOD by serving my family in a greater measure of commitment to who are my own flesh and blood. By allowing my wife to study without having to worry about the other daily tasks that need to be done, I took care of the chores diligently. I helped my sons, Jeremiah and Jacob who are 17 by having dishes clean and ready for when they wanted to cook. I went to pick up their food as well as for my son Josiah 19 when they paid for it from the work they do. Even though they could go get it themselves, they are appreciative when I do so for them. By doing the laundry, the clothes were ready for my boys when they’d go to work and had towels clean for the many showers they take. Josiah moves out this month to begin a life more on his own. Jeremiah and Jacob are seniors this year and will soon be out of the house next. We’re getting closer to being empty-nesters and time is of the essence in which I can still serve my kids even though they’re older now. I cooked for my wife, Tami, and my daughter Jorryn 14 whenever they were hungry. I helped my daughter get back on track with her schooling during the week days for completing more of her units of study.

Tami was able to pass one of her all subject areas 4th-8th grade test and we’re awaiting to see the results of her second test taken that will certify her for these grades. For those of you that don’t know, she suffered several TIA’s (mini strokes) and lost much of her math knowledge. She had to resign from her teaching position back in 2018. By giving her time this summer to study, GOD also did a wonder of helping her regain much of the math knowledge as well as many other subject area skills. She has been hired back to the same Junior High School where she resigned to teach in the same position for the 2023-24 school year. GOD has brought her full circle in HIS restoration process for my precious wife, Tami. I’m thankful to GOD our FATHER, our Savior JESUS, and the Holy Spirit for making a way for her. I’m also proud of Tami for being diligent to study and the effort she had to muster to make this possible with GOD’s help…

GOD has taught me how important HE cares for my family and the priority I need to place on providing for them beyond the work that I do to offer financially. I need to offer myself fully to serve each of them with all my heart and strength to meet their daily needs within my own household. This is loving in action that GOD is pleased with. I could have very well placed my priority in growing a ministry to others, yet forfeit the very thing that I should be doing all along. First and foremost, I’m spending time with GOD in HIS Word and in prayer. I’m currently reading through the Bible for the 3rd time consecutively. HE is also inspiring me so much in my writing poetry for HIM and with HIM… Secondly and so important to our LORD, I’m learning to serve those I most care about and it is paying positive dividends as it is helping their overall well-being… As GOD builds me up in doing these 2 important areas of my life, I believe I will be able to gain strength and wisdom in how to build up others and allow GOD to build up the ministry HE has for me to do in HIS timing and way…

GOD has much to say about the area of serving to inspire us to do this very thing. Here are just a few:

²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:27-28

¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant.

Matthew 23:11

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:9-13

There are so many needs within my own family here at home. I must devote myself to serving them before GOD allows me to serve in greater ways to others who are also in need. I cannot neglect to be there for those closest to me -this is for certain…

⁸ Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Timothy 5:8