In the fall of 2009 I was getting a routine haircut at a Great Clips in Maryville, TN. There was nothing special about the day, and nothing about the personality of the woman who cut my hair, it was just simple conversation. However, the woman chose to share something with me that has stuck with me for several years now and has had a major impact on my life. The lady talked about her struggle with her weight, she was probably in her sixties, and told me that she had made some changes in her life that had helped in her overall health and how she feels. I have had a autoimmune disease (Behcet's Syndrome) all my life, although I did not know until around 2000. So I've heard every idea/remedy/cure you can imagine to make you feel better or to improve your health. This lady had no idea my health background, obviously she could see I'm obese, but I her words didn't come in the way as if she was trying to exchange something valuable for me, just simply small talk about her life. However, to this day I'm sure she still has no idea how much her words would impact my life. You must be wondering what profound wisdom gave me that day! Well she simply told me that she had lost over 50 lbs in a year, out of respect I asked her "how". She simply replied, "I put down the cokes, started drinking water instead. She continued to talk about how she hated water, but simply learn to use a lot of ice and add a slie of a lemon." That's it, nothing that you would think would be life changing. But I knew what she had done did make a change in her life, and she had major results. See it wasn't the advice she gave that helped me, it was her testimony of pursuit and making small decisions to make that difference. That night, I went home and thought about making my own pursuit. That night I vowed to "try" to stop drinking drinks that contained sugar. I drink cokes,tea,coffee,water constantly. Matter of fact that day I realized the majority of my calories came from drinks. That one day turned into nearly three years now. I didn't even follow the same pattern she did, but I cut sugar from my beverages. In the process (though it's gone up and down), I now too have lost around 50 lbs. Now it's complete habit that I now prefer diet beverages or water. As I saw how the words like this stick, I now think of that pursuit she had and now try to apply it to other parts of my life! One person makes a difference, in many cases they never no! Who knows how much healthier or longer I will live because of just a few words! From this, I also no pray that my words always be ones that stick for others!
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
Mrs Hawkins, was my high school Anatomy & Physiology professor. The first day I entered her class I knew, I as a student was in for a treat! She was a vibrant, witty, and compassionate person. Mrs. Hawkins has touched many students lives and I was fortunate enough to have her has a friend and mentor during my last few years at Pampa High School. Mrs. Hawkins came into my life right after, I became a Christian. We shared a common passion of humor, faith, and we are both like sponges when it comes learning! Her class was one of the most challenging courses I took in high school, not just because it was a tough subject to learn (even though my mom was a nurse and I learned a lot while she was in college), but because Mrs. Hawkins challenged to truly learn and to be the best at all that we did. On a personal note, Mrs. Hawkins helped me to explore the avenues life was leading me. Up to that point in my life I had wanted to attend Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas (from the time I was in grade school). However, the class led me to see that was not where my deepest passions were. I was also overwhelmed with trying to learn the full counsel of scripture. I was trying to devour it like I do any subject matter. I knew she was a woman of faith and I would ask her questions about things I would be dealing with in life and she would often remind me of a scripture on how to deal with the given situation. She was very quick witted and full of combacks. I myself have that same type of personality and I at times had buried it, afraid it detracted from "looking smart"and in the process became too serious. By being too serious, I wasn't connecting with people in the best way I could, because I was being authentic to who I was. But what she did for me the most, that set her apart from all of the other people in my life at the time was that she invested time. I had always seen so many peers invest in people because of "what" they did (top athlete, over the top grades, etc). Taking that extra time out of her day or a lunch, she showed me that she believed in me for WHO I was. Something I myself was struggling with. I just saw myself as just an average person with little to give except time, attention, and compassion…which boiled down to be all it took to do ANYTHING in Christ. God uses available people, Mrs. Hawkins “Red” was AVAILABLE to me, and what a difference that made and how that in turn has helped me know HOW to be available to others! Thank you Ms H! Love ya!
“This quote definitely reminds me of the essence of the wisdom she taught her students:
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.”
When I think of Johnnie, I automatically think of her as one of my strongest supporters, uplifters, and ecouragers in life. The word I chose to describer her "preserver" carries the essence of the rest of these words as well. I call her a preserver because she captures the best of people and preserves those memories and legacies. She has a heart for nature, genealogy/family, cooking, and so many more things. She is a very gifted person with her gifts to capture nature behind the lens of her camera, the stories she tells of loved ones, her time for her loved ones, and her joy for cooking and crafts. Johnnie is a lot like the rest of my family and inhails life and all it entails and see the beauty in it all! She loves walks in nature, hunting, fallage, time with family, good cooking, and all the things that make worth living! Johnny came into my life many years ago (during my college years). I had been doing genealogy since I was 14 and during my college years Johnnie and I connected online about our common ancestors the Shores. The more we visited the more we found we had in common, and have to laugh here...the more we learned we were even more related that we first realized. I'll forget offhand the many ways we connect, but some are through our Wilson family, our Shores family, our Johnson family, our King family! But more than that we connect on a very personal level. We have weathered many storms together, encouraged one another, cried together, and laughed! She has helped me not only to perserve family memories together, but to preserve life....to remember to take the good with the bad, and only to cherish all that God has given me! She was the one who called me with the news our cousin Kent (which we shared a common bond with) was killed tragically in a car wreck. I wouldn't have been able to fall apart like I did, with anyone else. It was one of those times we didn't want to experience together, but I know in God's wisdom He knew it best we shared even the saddest moments together! Johnnie we don't get to talk often as much as we use to, you supported me through desperate times and I love you so very very much! It takes a strong person to walk through the valley, and not just give lip service to "I'll be there when you need me". You have helped drowned out the critical voices in my life! When you're not around I still know you are with me cheering me on in whatever I'm facing. Preserver also carries an additional meaning of prolonging something to keep at it's best. Thanks for preserving my life by being a part of it! I have a friend in you! Love you cuz!
"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." - Walter Winchell
Katrina was one of my mom's co-workers in TN. Katrina is one of those people when you meet, you know right off the bat that they have a great sense of humor. Katrina is a very straight-forward person who says what she thinks in a very caring, very funny, and usually in a sarcastic way. Some of my favorite people in life are like this! Though I have a sense of humor, I'm not blunt, and to me this is a unique and special gift, definitely something not all can pull off. Most of these people take me way out of my comfort zone, and usually challenges me to be more outgoing and wittier faster than any other person can! Katrina is also VERY creative and artistic. With that creative side, Katrina also has a unique gift of picking up on others natural abilities and giftings. When she met my brother, right away she picked up on his creative and artistic nature of expressing himself (photography, drawing, writing, etc.). She challenged Travis to help her crop her daughters pictures and help her to put together a DVD for her daughters wedding. Travis helped by editing and enhancing some of the pictures. However, he asked for my help in putting the photos and music together. Katrina truly encouraged Travis and I in our project and really helped bring out the best of our abilities. I've done smaller projects before, but wanted to learn a lot more before getting to deep into the production side. However, the more we did, the more passionate we became about the video. When we had finished the video, Katrina and her daughter ended up honoring us by using this amateur wedding video in their wedding. Katrina, her husband, Kelsey (the bride), and a host of others used their unique and special gifts to make the wedding ceremony a success! It turned out to be SUCH a beautiful wedding. One of the most beautiful one's I had ever been to. The Kepf family gave Travis and I a special gift after the wedding (one I am still overwhelmed by to this day), this gift will allow Travis and I to continue pursuing our passions of media presentations! (Thank you guys, we just wanted to do it because we loved you guys). Katrina and her family treat us just like family, and it's amazing to see how close we feel to them all now! They are blessings to our family! Each on of Katrina's 3 daughters have special artistic abilities and I know it's because she shared her talents as well as encouraged each of their unique talents in their lives! Katrina, your like an aunt to me (like a baby sister to my mom).
Thanks for blessing our lives! Even though we're far apart I know I could call you anytime any of us just needed to talk, have a laugh, shed a tear, or had a need! And every time we talk we're always able to pick up in the conversations right where we left off, just like time and space had never separated us! Thanks for being the truest form of a friend! Love ya!
“Everyone has a talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark places where it leads. “ – Erica Jong
When my brother and I were in grade school, one thingI remember my mom would not allow us to say was “I Can’t”.“I Can’t” was like a curse word around our home, it implied that we felt defeated or mastered by something. When in turn what she was looking for was inner drive in us to overcome and to push through and allow no obstacle to stop us from achieving anything we wanted in life!It’s one of those things I’m still proud to this day that she impressed upon us! However, somewhere in our later lives it seems the phrase “I’ll never…” was also one of those phrases we didn’t realize have so much power as well.I think because so many of those “I’ll never” phrases are like vows.“I’ll never get divorced” etc.Well somewhere in life, I believe my family and I always believed we’d “never” be a burden to another person, a vow really.Well when my family and I were moving from Arkansas to TN, we would soon learn that we’d be forced to break one of those “I’ll never”. I’ve really learned “I’ll never” is really “I can’t” packaged in another form of pride.I can’t usually says “I can’t achieve that high”, while “I’ll never” is another sense of the word sometimes means “I’ll never stoop to that low”.When we were planning our move to TN were had the hardest time finding homes and jobs in a close proximity to each other.We were taking trips to find a job and home. We had looked at homes north of Knoxville, but right after we left mom got home and found she was hired at a hospital south of Knoxville.We were excited, but our home searches really hadn’t been in that area.Now we thought about prolonging the move and taking another trip, because we knew we’d “never live in an apartment” and we “knew we’d never rent a home online without seeing it first”.Well my mom’s friend talked us into go ahead and coming sooner and staying with her a few weeks until we could find something else.That friend was Dollie Evans.We had stayed a few times with Dollie during our trips to TN, and she had truly been a blessing to us.My family and I were certain that we couldn’t impose, but we also knew jobs just don’t wait either.So, we found ourselves making a decision we’d “never” do!We brought our belongings and stored them in a storage facility (again something else we said we’d never do).We had a wonderful time at our stay at Dollie’s. Dolly took care of us like we were her on family.She cooked, she entertained, and what we appreciated the most was how she spent the time visiting and fellowshipping with us.She went out of our way to see that we were comfortable, and never made us feel we were an inconvenience!I thank you Dollie for all that you did for us, and I thank you for helping us to swallow our pride so God could teach us such a valuable thing.Those weeks were special to us, and will be something we will carry with us always!The next time you (the reader) find yourself about to say the words “I can’t” or “I’ll never”, remember we are to have the mind of Christ and apply this verse to the circumstance!
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me strength". - Philippians 4:13
Days before my last semester at college was to begin, my grandfather passed away. My parents had divorced just months earlier, and we were having to sale our home due to my parents divorce. Life was full of hurts, anxiety, fears, and frustrations. In the midst of that my mother also became extremely ill, and the doctors had called a minister into the room so that we could be prepared for the worst. And that is how the first few hours before my classes were to start off that semester. Tired as I was, I threw myself into my studies right away. However, relationally I had already began to prepare myself for graduation and leaving school. I had a host of friends and starting new friendships wasn't anything I was seeking out. I simply wanted to finish my semester well, and to not allow all the chaos in my life to affect my studies & focus. I truly enjoyed my classes that semester, one of which was Old Testament Theology. I love studying the Old Testament anyway, but throw in a good prof, and it makes it all the better. Well it was the first week of class I met Josh! Josh and I sat next to each other in class, and it wasn't long we found we had a similar passion and understanding of God's Word. Nearly everyday of class, Josh and I found something to talk about. We found each others insights into scripture, ministry, and the nature of God intriguing. Josh knew nothing about the circumstances in my life or how hard I found it to explain where I was in life. I wasn't even I understood the circumstances around me! With Josh, it seemed liked I could find meaningful conversation without getting bogged down in the details of my life. What I needed more than anything in my life, at that time, was exactly what God provided in my friendship with Josh. A 50/50 friendship! Well as the semester progressed, my family and I had sold our home (bitter sweet) and we were moving to Springdale, Arkansas (my first time to live out of State). I was ready for a change, I was ready to have a fresh start from all the chaos. Josh and I continued to correspond through email and phone calls. Josh married that summer to his wonderful wife Kristie! That fall Josh would surprise me by driving hours out of his way to spend the days after Christmas with my family and I after visiting his parents in Ohio. This was the first time for my family to meet Josh, and my first time to meet Kristie! Immediately, we all bonded and those few days together made my families holiday season very special!
A little over a year later, Josh and I planned a trip to a Bible conference in Branson to hear some our
favorite bible teachers/scholars. One of those people we met was Norman Geisler (which was so kind, gave us his number and invited us to take a trip out to North Carolina to stay with him and his wife).
Also, Josh and I had the honor not only to hear Kay Arthur preach, but also to have a wonderful conversation with her. Her testimony blew my mind. I was already familiar with her books, teachings, and ministry. But her testimony made an impact on our lives. David did a wonderful message on the second coming of Christ.
As I sit here and write this, I really had to stop and laugh here. (Josh, don't ever forget the waitress and the guy at the barbeque restaurant in Eureka Springs)! The waitress sat at our table and told us her whole life story from beginning to end (including how they started their business, her medical bills, the inflation of food etc. The guy on the other hand really gave Josh a hard time because he was wearing a dark fuscia shirt and said, "I don't know if I trust a man wearing pink". He also kept trying to get Josh to take food off of his plate to let me try the ribs he had just smoked! He never let up on Josh, but I think we had a million laughs since then over that conversation! :) The day we got back from Branson, was the day before my family and I were to move to TN. I definitely felt I'd never see most of my college friends (except the ones that lived out that way) for a long time. However to my surprise, once again, Josh and Kristie made it out our home in TN during their Christmas at his parents in Ohio. It was once again humbling that Josh and Kristie would go so far out of their way only to be able to spend 24 hours with us! Not many friends make that kind of sacrifice, and it showed me the value of our friendship, especially at a time when I couldn't repay the favor giving him that kind of visit in return! After we got the keys to our home here in TX, once again Josh was right there to help out, brought along a mutual friend, and helped my family unload the semi! Josh, it's not the marks of WHAT you have done for me, but the fact that you would take the time, make the sacrifice, and go so far out of your way showing me how valuable our friendship is to you! Josh and Kristie now have a little boy of their own, and I'm just dying to get a chance to see little Caleb Theophilus Simpson!
"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
When I think of Chris, I think of someone with a profound understanding of God's love and God's reliability! Chris lived just a few doors down from me in Guynes during college. Chris has this strong ability to sense other peoples pain, frustration, and loneliness. Over and over again I've seen him walk up to a professor, to student body member, or just someone up in public and just give profound encourage, a laugh, or a simple hug! More times than I can count, Chris has come to me in moments I had only cried out for God to send a healing touch to my life! He's spoken words of encouragement, words challenging me to pick up the broken pieces and keep moving, and he's been there in silence when silence is what I needed most. Chris is a genuine reflection of the Father's love for us! Chris has had his share of pain, suffering, and trials. Chris has had seizures a great portion, if not all of his life. I often witnessed what they did to him. I've seen people hurl insults upon him, misunderstand him, and ignore him. Sounds just like the Rabbi I follow! Thanks Chris for being like Christ in just being you! Just a few years ago, he moved to Hawaii and married the girl of his dreams. Romie is a sweetheart and also a dear friend! Shortly after he got married he had brain surgery and has been seizure free every since! Though there are health obstacles he still faces, in my eyes I'll always see him as an overcomer!
"Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
I really have to laugh and smile when I think about Blessing Number 4. This has to be one of my most unique acquaintances, but also one of the most solid friendships I've ever made. One day my family and some other relatives were in Grapevine Mills Mall shopping. When we go there, we are usually going to the JCPenney's Outlet and we are in and out. Because we were with family we decided to go to other stores. In the process my brother got disconnected from the rest of us, and we simply had to wait it out until he got to the entrance we came in. Well a young man sat down beside me a simply started talking. Before long I knew that he was sharing the Gospel with me! Since I had been on the other side of that conversation, though I didn't know what his personal beliefs were, I cut in and told him right away I was in Bible college. Well as you can imagine that took the conversation to a whole new level! We had an instantaneous theological discussion right there in the mall. He handed me his card with his artwork on it. At first, because I didn't fully understand the symbolism behind his work I didn't know what to think. For a few days I hesitated writing, but after reflecting on the conversation, I knew I had to email him. And boy am I glad I did. John was living in New Orleans working with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) as missionary. We had many more deep conversations, and I was soon to learn the thoughts behind his art. John has a very eccentric personality, and thus his art has a meaning all it's own. Once I got to know his heart, and the honesty of his highs and lows in his spiritually I felt I had so much I could learn from him. Though we have many of the same thoughts, John has a very unique way of looking at things, and stretches my points of view, makes me dig deep, and to think! John met me during a dark time in life (my parents divorce and grandparents deaths), and he stuck through the dark times and the good times! Many weeks we talked nearly everyday, and when we go weeks at a time talking, we pick up right where we left off, and just fill each other in on the details of our lives that have occurred in between conversations. John also taught me something vary valuable in the early days of our friendship, how to receive a blessing. He has done many things that God has used to take that form of pride out of my life! Humility I learned is not the same as humiliation! Gifts from God aren't to make us feel humiliation, they are to bring us to humility and thanksgiving! Often John and I discuss things such as authenticity in our lives, the lives of others, the condition of the overall church, the moments of emptiness where God seems distant, etc. Both of us having similar experiences but various thoughts on them. We find comfort in this scripture ""As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9 We are thankful God is in control, for our minds often deceive us into God's promises are delayed or not for us! But as Paul writes, "Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely." -1 Corinthian 13:12 (This from the New Living Translation, I never use this version, but it expounds my thoughts in way I know John will relate, and that I am trying convey here). Thanks for being a lifeline John! This is symbolic art was drawn by John, my favorite. Notice the authentic believers taking up their cross and taking a rugged, lonely, steep path!
Blessing number three is a very recent person God has brought into my life, well within the last year & 1/2. My family and I lived in a home just on the outskirts of Maryville, TN for three years. The owner of our rent house was needing to sale several of his properties. My family and I were desperately homesick for Texas, but simply knew that at the time we simply couldn't afford a move at that time. Week after week, in the dead of one of the worst East TN winters experienced in a long time, my family searched for a home. We either ran into the issue that the home was too pricy, or too far from work, didn't allow pets, or simply did not fit the needs of our family. Day by day anxiety began to grow as we were getting closer to our deadline. Out of desperation on our part, and perfect planning on God's part my family chose to go against something we swore we'd never do. My family and I swore we'd never live in an apartment (I think there were anxieties from losing our home in a tornado when I was a kid, and the potential for house fires in apartments). Plus we knew we were going to have to majorly downsize our belongings. When we walked in Denise greeted us with a warm small and hugs. Instantly we bonded, she was born in Texas, had lived in Mansfield, and of course we found "home away from home" in our conversation. Denise calmed our fears, and to our surprised helped us make one of the biggest decisions in our lives, to take a load off, enjoy the amenities of the apartment. When we moved in she treated us just as she does everyone who walks through the door. She helped us to build relationships right away, and she was not only our leasing agent, but she was a rock for us in the dark times! She has a special gift of encouraging, loving, and giving rest to the weary! Thank you Denise for being a neighbor, a great landlord, and most of all our friend! We will always love you and your family! Thank you for making Maryville a warm home for us! Our best full year in TN was spent at The Reserve! Thank you for taking Travis and I with your family to morning Breakfast at Hot Rods and family outing to Cade's Cove, you don't know how that ministered to Travis and I where we were! Thank you for making it more than a job! "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." - Proverbs 17:22
Going from my grandpa in the last blog, it was a challenge on which blessing to write about next. I’m by no means writing these in order of when they came in to my life, nor based on value/importance. Blessings from God are simply that, “Good gifts from above”, therefore they all carry extreme value in our lives. Which leads me to another blessing, a college friend.
I met Jonathan in the Fall of 2002, when I returned back to college after sitting out a few years to make enough money to return. The years that I had to sit out of school due to finances were agonizing! I was so eager to learn, so eager to grow, and so eager to start a career. But once again, God had a better plan. God was even more eager for me to grow! Those years I got to meet some amazing people, spend time with family, and come back to college with a deeper understanding of life, and a how new group of friends.
You know you hear those sayings, "if you could only pick a hand full of people to be in your life raft for survival who would they be?" Well, one of those persons for me is Jonathan. I had just been settled in my new dorm room, when this young kid pops in and just starts a casual conversation. We found common interests, burdens, and even the fact that he and I had nearly been next door neighbors when I had moved to Temple, Texas (the years I sat out of school). It was so wonderful to have someone to relate those past few years with. He and I had gone to sister churches, and therefore we knew a lot of the same people and some of the same friends. But that was only the beginning.
Jonathan is someone who is a “doer” of the Word. Jonathan has a strong heart for missions, evangelism, and Biblical literacy. Jonathan’s passion to live the Word is contagious, nearly anyone who has spent anytime with him will tell you of his what they “learn from him”. I went through some difficult times in the years that followed meeting Jonathan, yet because of his contagious faith, I found the courage to live in Christ more abundantly and therefore, I was able to weather the storms of life with a firmer foundation in Christ. As I grew, my passion for understanding the historical & literal interpretation of Scripture became more passionate. Jonathan’s father is a Gideon, in 2004, he and his family took me to a Gideon Conference in Dallas. For the first time I heard Haddon Robinson preach a two part sermon, which radically changed my life (I will share more on this in a future blog).
Jonathan and I took a trip to Boston in 2005 to check into a graduate study at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. The whole experience was enriching as we toured the historic New England sites. One of the most impressive sites for both of us was they church and burial site where George Whitfield the great evangelist preached and was buried. (Whitfield is buried below the church underneath the pulpit. There is a basement to view his resting place. Whitfield arrived in Newburyport in September, 1740. The revival that followed his labors, brought into existence the Old South church that we visited. Whitfield crossed the Atlantic thirteen times, and preached more than 18,000 sermons. His audiences often numbered as many as 15,000 people. Interestingly enough the church bells at the Old South church were made by by Paul Revere, and its steeple guided ships to safe harbor in Newburyport. We also visited the House of Seven Gables in Salem Massachusetts and learned more about the history of one of my favorite authors Nathaniel Hawthorne.
I have not seen Jonathan since our graduation since 2006, and he has since gone on to graduate from Gordon Conwell, which included a semester long studying abroad in Israel & Egypt. He also has been involved in ministries such as Prison Fellowship, Angel Tree Ministries, children Ministries at Calicinto Ranch in California, mission trips to Denmark, and now Japan. We I read this scripture, I see it exhibited in the life of Jonathan and also a challenge for myself to live in this same manner! Jonathan thank you for your impact on my life!
"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do." - James 1:21-25
Naturally, one of the first people who come to my mind when I think of blessings as a male, is my
grandfather.
My grandfather was one of the wisest, simplest, and most compassionate men I have ever known.Most who knew him would equate him to John Wayne. He grew up in the Ozarks of Arkansas, never finished his education so that he could help his family make ends meet. When he was old enough he left for Kansas where he worked at a Carbon Plant. He met my grandmother there. My grandfather, John King,would move to Shamrock, Texas in the 1950's where he raised his 5 children. Grandpa was a man who knew every kind of plant, tree, shrub, animals, etc. He worked long hard hours, yet he was still
a father and grandfather. He did his very best to teach his kids how to survive, how to hunt, fish, camp, cook etc. Grandpa, "Pa Pa" as we all called him was a man who took care of everyone who was around him, whether it be time, money, or extreme physical labor, he gave unsparingly. Grandpa would never except restitution for things he did, nor would ever take the spotlight. Matter of fact, his weakest flaw was his pride. He was a proud man who did not believe in borrowing from others, for himself, unless it was an extreme emergency. And even when he did, he was quick to repay and generally found a way to repay with interest (financially, or otherwise). He had many opportunities in life to advance in his workplace but never wanted to be a foreman or to be "over" someone. He didn't find pleasure in power. Though he showed so much compassion to others, he was very hard on himself. He, with the help of my grandmother, raised five kids, paid for his home, and always made sure there friends, family, and neighbors were not in want. He made no elaborate vacations or made expensive purchases, he made sacrifices where his children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren could advance in life. He literally "laid down his life" for others! One of the last things my grandfather told me was "Get your education, and go as far as you can. I didn't amount to much, but you can". I choked back tears as he said those very words. I struggled for the right words, but told him how much I thought of him. (Well as much as he would let me say, he wasn't a mush and gush kind of guy). My words were not adequate for what I feel. The world lost a giant when he died, as the saying goes...a gentle giant! To the man who took no honor upon himself, this is what I would say to him:
Grandpa, though your pride of allowing the rest of us to do things for you often got in the way, we know you were teaching us the lessons of giving and not receiving in return. Tell me where you failed in life, and I'll tell you where you succeeded. I know my list will succeed a mile past yours. Your work ethic, your dedication to your family, your love for your neighbor was greater than any I have ever known. You taught me how to work hard and be proud of my results, without pride. You taught me how to care for a stranger, as much as one of our own family members. You taught me not to look to vanity for the answers. You taught me to survive off less. To give more in this life than I take. You taught me the value of a dollar. You taught me to save.You had a strong passion for others safety, a worry-wart too I have become :) Sometimes, as kids do we didn't always see your way, now we're so much older now and so much you taught us we never learned in a book, we learned from you! When I see all the models in our lives, I'm so glad when I see
reflections of you still living in me today. You are my hero grandpa!
Thank you for making all the difference in the world!
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulder of giants" - Issac Newton
I see the world better because your carried me on your shoulders! Love you Grandpa!
The past few days I have been in deep thought about life in general; with all the ups and downs, the joy of success and the disappointment of failures. And so often our future decisions are based upon how we experience things in our life right now. What determines this? To me it really boils down to perspective. Perspective by definition is “the state of one's ideas”,” the facts known to one”. So what is the determining line in failure/success and joy/sorrow? It’s our perspectives/perceptions/thoughts with the combination of our emotions/feelings which in turn leads us to make judgments/decisions.
What’s the old psychology adage? “Think, Feel, Act”.
For instance, how many times has someone said/done something to cause us in return make a strong, abrupt, or even rush judgment? (We think we are wronged, we feel angered, and we react). Many times our perspectives save us from danger, but there are times our perceptions (and reactions to them) are completely off base and keep us from healthy things/people.
Anyway you look at it, every day we are absorbing things around us and making decisions! However, often times we do not think of alternative perspectives in a given situation in our lives, and generally we get the same results in our actions/judgments. When we allow Christ in the process of our thoughts and feelings, we are going to have a completely different outcome/reaction.
A while back I found I had gotten to a low place in my life, and I prayed and sought the root of my distress. I had, like many today, struggled to find employment and then once I did, all that was available to me was part time. But I knew that wasn’t the root cause alone. I had some health issues that were affecting me, but still not my root cause. What I found to be the root cause was my perspective. A lot of times we allow one person, event, or position to captivate our attention. In a sense the person/event/position masters and rules us as we spend all our time, focus and energy on that (person/place/thing). That time brooding, becomes comes our ever present venom, that spreads throughout the other areas of our lives. For me that venom was letting that singular focus suck the life out of me. It became my fixation day and night. It became an obsession, worrying how to resolve it, fix it, mend it. In those days I robbed God of giving thanks for blessings He gave daily, hourly, and even momentarily. Don’t get me wrong, I was thankful for the blessings, I just didn’t always see them for what they were or let them penetrate the darkest and most broken parts of my soul! Many were sent simply to help me lose grip of the object I was clinging hold of.
I knew this scripture inside and out, but I was failing to apply it to my life.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7
My perception was not based on facts, it was based on ideas, ideas I had established, ideas society tries to determine for us. I had allowed the enemy of my soul to succeed at allowing fear to creep in. I was fearful of poverty, disappointing/hurting others, having to admit faults, starting over, and even afraid of having to possibly depend on or ask others for help/support (even just their time/ear). But on the other hand I was equally scared of succeeding at the things I loved, afraid I would have pride or what would be perceived as prideful. I was fearful of not being able to relate to others or vise versus, afraid they wouldn't be able to relate where I was in life. It was tormenting me!
The enemy likes to isolate us with these distorted ideas/thoughts/perspectives/perceptions, whatever you want to call it. As one of my wise mentors in college often quoted, “isolation breeds sin…just like mosquitoes to stagnant water.” My thoughts were a cesspool, and only God pierced that darkness for me. (I will share some of the cost of isolation in future posts). After a year of unemployment and $50,000 of student loan debt hanging over my head, this scripture broke me.
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." - Ecclesiastes 9:10
I had spent the days, weeks, and months on end prior to August 2010 applying for jobs, begging God for answers. During my college years, I at times had two jobs, family, church work, street ministry, and so many friendships to balance, and in all that found life less tiring and so much more fulfilling. But in that dark hour, with finances extremely tight, direction for my life completely out of focus; I found solace in isolation. In the rut of isolation I didn’t have to be worried about making/breaking a commitment (due to finances). I didn't have to worry about not being able to relate to my friends who were filling fulfillment and success. In isolation I even had the advantage of studying and reading God’s Word, but the human element was missing. What better way to self destruct, than to withdrawal! You simply cannot live the Christian principals out in isolation. We are made for relationship (every single human being)!
I see a society of men and woman exactly where I have been. With inflation, jobless rates, grief, divorce rates, etc, it’s no wonder the most connected societies (facebook, myspace, cell phones, tv, etc) is one of the most isolated and most uncommitted generations on the face of the planet! Our enemy is destroying our world one person, one relationship, and one home at a time.
I’m a people person, and I have always found it easy to relate with most anyone to some degree or another! (Which shows how silly it was for me to believe deception and bow out of staying connected with others). I believe everyone is giving a unique purpose in this life. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
This a unique blueprint God has for every single person that walks the planet. Every single person on this planet is tainted with sin, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. This sin is at war against the plans God has for our lives. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”- 1 Peter 5:8. I also believe each individual endures painful times in their lives which can either become stumbling blocks, or character developers! When we call upon the Lord in our weaknesses, failures, or temptations these are our promises:
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13
“Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” - Isaiah 40:31
I had called upon the Lord in 1996 to completely take over my life (the moment of my salvation), but each day we are to seek that renewal to live out the purpose/plan He has called us to in this life. When we try it on our own we fail! Why? …because we are living “our plan” not “His plan”. Doesn’t it seem logical we must know the mind of Christ to understand the plans He has for us! “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
For me those dark days taught be to continually seek the silver lining, God is constantly drawing us to that perfect plan! Sometimes we don’t see how/when/why/what is planned. Sometimes it may feel He is completely absent. It’s at these times I remember a wise quote by Max Lucado,
“When you can't trace His hand, TRUST His heart.”
Every plan God has for your life, is meaningful and profitable!
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” – James 1:17. Our Heavenly father never abandons us, and when the darkest hours come, don’t think you are alone in your sufferings either for even in that He is there, and He can identify!
“For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 1:5
Because I spent so many days allowing the negative to control my life, I’m turning my blog over to record the blessings God has sent my way over the years. Obviously, I did see God’s blessings in my life and proper credit will never be given to those people/events until eternity. But for now, I want to thank people for allowing me to read their book/life (watch the first clip to understand), and for allowing God to teach/reach me through them! As God once put on my heart, “You never know when someone is walking in the light of the fire you are in!” Like a log on a fire, be totally consumed by God and He will draw people to Himself! Thank-you all for blessing my life! Soon I will begin posting one of those blessings/persons a day, until God leads me in another direction!
“You are valuable because you exist. Not because of what you do or what you have done, but simply because you are.” - Max Lucado
