Do you ever have a thought or an idea that you like and you know it’s a good one, but, somehow you just never put it into action? As I think about that, I know I’ve missed some good investment opportunities by just never “pulling the trigger”. Sorry, Connie, but I’ve bombed some chances to say something really nice and well-deserved to you by convincing myself it would sound silly. And, there’s no telling how many blessings I’ve missed simply by failing to pray and ask the One Who wanted to bless me.

You guessed it, I’m sure. There is a thought figuratively collecting dust while lying dormant in my mind for far too long. My “excuses” have included thinking I could never convey this thought in a truly humble way. But, at the same time, I am sincerely humbled by this persistent thought. So, as you read this long overdue (from my point of view) post, please know that it is written with true humility, honesty and deep gratitude to the One Who deserves praise. I pray that you will see that it is by His hand that my life, along with many other lives, have been spiritually enriched.

Connie and I always agreed that our primary function as parents was to prepare our children, over a few short years,  to be released into the world where they could be a positive influence on their own children, their neighborhoods, and their friends. No, we never sat down at the kitchen table and wrote that down in black and white. And, we never said those words to anyone that I remember. But, if we had been asked, I believe our answer would have been very close to what I just wrote.

OK, I’m ready to release the captive thought. Trust me, I am praying as I write because I am aware of my own unworthiness. Chapter 11 of the New Testament Book of Hebrews is sometimes referred to as the “Faith Hall of Fame” because Paul lists numerous men and women who demonstrated unwavering faith in God. There is another man who is barely mentioned in the Bible. And, as far as I know, little information can be found about him. But, there are a few things we can surmise from what we do know. He was a behind-the- scenes kind of guy. He worked hard in the fishing business. He was a family man with a wife and at least two sons. He taught his sons how to work hard, too. He must have instilled some degree of spiritual discernment into his children. I say that because one day, without hesitation, his two sons left him and followed Jesus. Zebedee couldn’t have known much about Jesus that day, but something tells me he saw enough to trust Him with his sons. And, as time passed and he watched Jesus teach his sons, he must have felt incredibly blessed.

And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.  Mathew 4:21-22

I like to think of myself as being a Zebedee kind of guy. Because I feel incredibly blessed to be the dad of three children who follow Jesus.

Over the years I’ve collected a few nicknames and my name has been pronounced as Peterson, Person or Pareson. Ever since my grandkids discovered my “other” name, they know they can get a reaction by calling me Larry. Now that I’ve “released the thought”, I guess it won’t be a surprise to be referred to as Zeb now and then. As long as it’s intended to remind me of Zebedee, I’ll be fine with it.