Meet my son, Josh. Josh, tell our readers a little bit about yourself\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, for one thing, I boss up every day and all day.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Help us a little. What does \u201cboss up\u201d mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt means stand up for yourself and own it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Is that a good thing? And if so, why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes. It is a good thing. It\u2019s all about being who you are and who you were created to be.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I like it. Now before I ask you some deeper questions, give us a few fun facts about yourself \u2014 things you like, dislike, habits, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI like to play video games. I\u2019m a gamer. I love to stay up. I\u2019m almost 21 \u2014 this year, actually. I have some talented homies \u2014 in both Florida and Ohio. I\u2019m famous on TikTok. Follow me. I love the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If I had to pick a dog or cat, I\u2019d pick both. I love guacamole \u2014 a shout out to my queso buddies. Mexican restaurants are my go-to. I like parties. Ice cream cakes are the bomb. My Birthday Buddy has a piece of my heart. So do Steve and Barbara. Craig and Sally, too. My favorite candy is Reese\u2019s. Chocolate is my friend. NonaStudents rocks. I work at Bark Nona. I love hip-hop. If you notice the words in my stories on social media, you\u2019ll learn and see what I got my hip-hop from. I\u2019m also growing in my faith.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tell me about that. I mean, faith is something we\u2019ve each had to figure out on our own. What\u2019s that journey been like for you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s hard to find faith.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n What makes you say that? Why is it hard?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause it\u2019s something that we sometimes think we\u2019re too good to believe. Or we don\u2019t like it or need it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Why do you think people don\u2019t think they need it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause we think we know what we\u2019re doing, but we don\u2019t.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t totally understand what you mean by that. Can you help? What are we missing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe like to think we\u2019re in control \u2014 especially with all our emotions \u2014 and then that causes us problems, leaving God out of it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n So if I hear you correctly, you have no doubt that God is real, true?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTrue.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Is that a change in you? Did you used to doubt?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI used to doubt. And I used to have questions. I still have questions about some life lessons, but I don\u2019t have any questions about God being real or about how He feels about me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you believe God feels about you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe tells me I\u2019m here for a reason. Here to stay. And He loves me big.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n What does it feel like for you, then, to know you are loved \u201cbig\u201d?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s amazing. Peaceful. And calm.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Is that a change in you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s a different heart. A new start. A new day. I just want to love God and love people.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n No judgment \u2014 you know we don\u2019t accept that in our household \u2014 but do you think current culture understands what it really means to love other people?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo me, no. Sometimes they think violence or bullying or being mean is ok. God\u2019s not ok with that.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you think that\u2019s just kids? Or are us adults guilty of it, too?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBoth. Adults sometimes think they\u2019re nice or smart, but they\u2019re not very wise. Wise people love people.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Excellent. Thanks for your encouragement and insight. Anything else you wish to say?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis blog is about love and respect. All of us need to improve our love and respect.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks, Josh. I think you rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBoss up, Mom.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR & Josh<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Meet my son, Josh. Josh, tell our readers a little bit about yourself\u2026 \u201cWell, for one thing, I boss up every day and all day.\u201d Help us a little. What does \u201cboss up\u201d mean? \u201cIt means stand up for yourself and own it.\u201d Is that a good thing? And if so, why? \u201cYes. It is … <\/p>\n