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Good morning and MAN! What a week it's been! This week, like no recent week I can remember, has had its share of difficult decisions and circumstances. Yesterday was surely one of those days.

One thing is for sure, working late and getting to bed early in the morning doesn't help one prepare for the same day. As I awoke early yesterday for my time with Him, I thought to myself: "I can't do this!" So He did it.

As I walked with Him, I saw many things that encouraged me and prepared me to respond properly to interpersonal friction that might come my way, today. I set out to do the right thing the right way, "come what may", for the day. But it wasn't long before someone said something that got in the way of my "come what may" attitude. I thought to myself: "I can't do this!" So He did it.

As I sat in my office chair sipping my morning coffee, I glanced down at the harshest email from a person who I had spoken to at church the night before. I wad deflated and prepared my heart to respond with poison vitriol. But the Spirit prompted me to answer the email in Truth, but do so in love. I thought to myself: "I can't do this!" So He did it.

I finished my morning mail and began to return my calls. The first was a frustrated father, whose son was manipulating him to get his way in life. I tried to reason to the father; encouraging him to give his son ultimatums. The father wouldn't listen. I knew that if the father did not listen to my advice, the boy would leave the care of our homes and find himself bound more than when he arrived. But I couldn't get the father to listen to my reason. I was gripped with the thought "Steve, you must convince him, think, think, think! Say the right things!" But I could only think to myself: "I can't do this!" So He did it.

I met with a co-worker who I love so dear. His frustrations were mounting as I saw his work load overcoming him. I knew I needed to help him more, but how, I could not ascertain. I walked into his office to hear of his needs and when I saw how much he needed I thought to myself: "I can't do this!" So He did it.

I looked at my clock and saw the day was fast fleeting. I asked the Lord, what next as it neared noon? Out of the blue he said, leave the office and spend time with your oldest son. I called his mother and she said "Oh, Steve, that's exactly what he needs. Can you come right now? I said to her "sure". I had no time for this, friends. So as I grabbed my keys and headed out the door I said to myself: "I can't do this! So He did it.

After a round of mini put golf and a small basket of balls at the driving range I dropped off my son. I got to the house and my kids were climbing all over me. Daddy, this; daddy that; it was obvious I needed to spend some extra time with them later that evening. But I knew what problems I had before me and I thought to myself: "I can't do this." So He did it.

When I got back to work, I had a very important meeting across town. A group of the men in the home work at a particular job that apparently has been exposing them to undue temptation to use banned substances at work. I needed to meet the owner, I was told by our work supervisor. If we lose these nine jobs we will not be able to function financially. But I knew that if I leave our men overwhelmingly vulnerable, they won't be able to function. So I knew I needed a miracle at this office to change an environment that I had no control over to a safe and friendly environment for our men. I thought as I drove: "I can't do this! So He did it.

When I got back to the office, I had two short meetings. Both were student/staff graduates who had deep financial problems from their past that were creeping up on them. I saw their discouragement and realized the only person who had less money than they have is US! But I knew we had a responsibility to help. So, what would I do? God said to me make some "faith promises" to them. I thought to myself "I can't do this! So he did it.

Within an hour I found out from our accountant of an anonymous gift that would more than cover my prompted promise of the Spirit. I was relieved. God is so good! He knows what is best. As I contemplated His goodness my secretary stopped in to tell me that chapel was in five minutes. I jumped in my car and headed across town to the men's home for our combined chapel. As I walked through the door and saw 97 people who hang on this thirty minute service, I knew in my heart that I was not adequately prepared to speak to them. I thought to myself "I can't do this!" So He did it.

I headed for home and had a wonderful dinner with my family. The phone rang throughout the night. It usually doesn't and for that I am grateful. But tonight would be different. I played basketball with my daughter (she beat me in PIG, but she had to take it to PIGGY to do it), I gave all my kids and some of our students kids who are living with us right now rides on the moped. I even was able to keep my promise and teach my oldest boy how to ride it. I played football with my second son and make promises to play individually with the third tomorrow. I kept the family alive as my wife ran up to the store (no easy trick for me, my friends). It was a blessed night. But I am being honest when I tell you I had a phone to my ear the whole time handling one particular mess with a lady student and two lady staff who were trying to neutralize the situation.

Oh how desperate this young lady is and was. She had gotten out and fallen. She was not thinking straight and it came to the point where advising my staff how and what to say was not going to straighten it out. I determined to talk to her but she seemed not to respond. Eventually I thought to myself "I can't do this! So He did it.

As this situation ended after nearly two hours of twenty short phone calls, I helped my wife put the kids down to bed (I kinda' helped), I answered over 45 emails (which didn't take too long), I read the paper, drank a soda and looked into my wife's eyes for probably the first time this week and exhaled!

She said, "you look exhausted, what did you do today?" I thought real hard for a moment and realized the answer with a smile and responded. "Not much!"

As I pondered what I couldn't do myself and all that He had done, I realized as I prepared to start this blog last night. "I'm a firm believer in a 'can't do' attitude!" How about you?!

A Prayer for Today: "Lord, do for me today all that I should never even attempt in my power and relegate clearly to me the things I am capable of doing for You or others while bringing you glory. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!"

A Question for Today's Meditation: "What did you do yesterday?"

Have a great day IN the Lord,