A couple of months ago, Oil Can and I met a guy at the Catfish House in an attempt to give the dude a little encouragement and a little hope. His story is not unique and the details are not noteworthy. Truth be told, both Oil Can and I have had times in our lives when we were on the receiving end of the same kind of meeting. The time was well-spent and I think we accomplished some good things.
As the guy drove off, Oil Can and I were left in the parking lot chatting, and I'm not sure I was prepared for the direction the conversation drifted. I expressed some guilt and remorse to Oil Can because I had not been "going" to church on a regular basis. Then, in kind of a condescending and arrogant tone, Oil Can challenged me. He said, "In case you didn't know it, Dumba**, we just "did" church over a piece of fish. Whenever we stop "going" to church and start "doing" church, we'll all be a lot better off."
Fast forward to nearly a month ago when we moved Jentry into the dorm at Lipscomb University. I must confess to being a little confused by the dorms being open for new students at 9:00 AM on a SUNDAY morning! Didn't the folks at this Christian University know that Sunday morning is THE time when we are supposed to GO to church? My confusion turned into complete awe when we pulled into that parking lot and opened the hatch on the back of the car. About EIGHT people from a local congregation descended on us and simply said, "What room number?" I stood there, empty-handed, chin on my chest, while everything we packed was taken from our car and delivered, in one trip, into that dorm and up three flights of stairs!
We didn't even have a room key! There were forms to be filled out and deposits to be paid! Fifteen minutes later, we walked, empty-handed, up three flights of stairs and saw all of Jentry's belongings sitting outside her door. They had placed a flyer on top of her stuff that said, "Free Barbecue--Y'all Come!"
Those folks were from one congregation of several that had descended on that little campus that morning to try and be of service. They had gotten out of their beds on that Sunday morning with the intention of DOING church and not GOING to church. They were smiling, sweating, and laughing. They understood the stress of what was going on with freshman college kids and their anxiety-filled parents. Something in their demeanor just shouted that everything was going to be okay.
Now fast forward to just a couple of weeks ago. I was chatting with a preacher for whom I was doing some work in his house. He casually mentioned that one of the leaders in his church had requested that he do a series on worship.
I'm not sure if he wanted my opinion or not. Ninety-nine percent sure he did NOT. Ha! He got it anyway. I simply said, "I'm out! There are 168 hours in a week. I really need to concentrate on and hear about living life during those other 167 hours! To gather for that ONE hour and listen to a sermon about that ONE hour is nothing short of ridiculous!"
But, 98% of church folks feel the need to "GO" to church. Evidently, they are much more mature than I am and have life, on this planet, figured out. They dress in their "Sunday best", GO to church, then drive like lunatics to the cafeteria. They are more than satisfied to go 1 out of 168!
Then, there are a few, who will spend an entire day DOING church. One of the men who unloaded our car at 9:30 AM was still dragging stuff up those stairs at 6:00 PM. He was drenched in sweat! He looked exhausted! He was still smiling! His whole demeanor shouted to every anxious Dad in that dorm that "Dad, she's gonna be okay!"
I have no idea what he did the rest of the week. But from what I saw, he was at least NINE times better off than most. He was at least, 9 out of 168!
Monday, September 9, 2013
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Not Even Willing To Be Willing
It was certain to happen at some point. Most money had me abandoning way before thirty-one posts. My wager was around the area of fifteen. Ha! Ha! Kevin started a blog! Let's see how long this thing lasts? Wager anyone?
Initially, I got a little ego boost out of this little experiment. Then, I thought the whole world was reading! That misconception was short-lived. I got humbled by the realization that all those international "page-views" were just "Bots" that creep around the information highway pinging any and everything out there. That little dose of reality kind of set me back, but it does does give me pause for a GIGGLE when I read other Blogs and these nit-wits are giving shout-outs to their "peeps in Malaysia!" Finally, the thing kind of became a deadline! I'm not a journalist, for crying out loud! Are some of you really texting me on Sunday night wanting to know if Monday's post is going to happen?
Then, it happened. I hit the proverbial "WALL." It wasn't for a lack of topics. There is still so much I need to TEACH you people. And trust me, there is so little time! But somewhere in the midst of this insanity, the willingness just disappeared. How many reasons (excuses) can I suggest?
1) It's really HOT outside! As I get older, this Texas heats beats me down!
2) Once it became a deadline, the FUN kind of went away!
3) Do you realize how many really, really BAD Blogs are out there? In reading some of these absolute "meadow muffins", doubt starts to creep in. Am I in denial? Is my stuff just as bad?
4) The PB&J submission had been in the works for weeks. I truly feel this was my "high-water" mark and I will never be able to match that.
5) One of my readers (and a person of "note" in my posts) started his own blog. It is rude, crude, irreverent, and SHAMELESS.....I am so jealous! It's all the things I wanted my blog to be and I've lost my way trying to "people-please!"
The bottom line is this-----the willingness has left the building!
Willingness is an interesting proposition. "Willing to pay the price." "Willing to pay your dues." "Willing to go to any length." "Where there's a way, there's a will." VOMIT!
On most days, the very best I can do is to be willing to do the "next right thing in front of me." On some days, that simple task seems insurmountable. It's days like those that my prayer life consists of authentic requests to "be made willing to be willing."
John "The Penguin" Bingham is one of the most recognizable authors among runners. I am reminded of the Penguin credo:
"For all of us, the miracle isn't that we finish, the miracle is that we have the courage to start."
Initially, I got a little ego boost out of this little experiment. Then, I thought the whole world was reading! That misconception was short-lived. I got humbled by the realization that all those international "page-views" were just "Bots" that creep around the information highway pinging any and everything out there. That little dose of reality kind of set me back, but it does does give me pause for a GIGGLE when I read other Blogs and these nit-wits are giving shout-outs to their "peeps in Malaysia!" Finally, the thing kind of became a deadline! I'm not a journalist, for crying out loud! Are some of you really texting me on Sunday night wanting to know if Monday's post is going to happen?
Then, it happened. I hit the proverbial "WALL." It wasn't for a lack of topics. There is still so much I need to TEACH you people. And trust me, there is so little time! But somewhere in the midst of this insanity, the willingness just disappeared. How many reasons (excuses) can I suggest?
1) It's really HOT outside! As I get older, this Texas heats beats me down!
2) Once it became a deadline, the FUN kind of went away!
3) Do you realize how many really, really BAD Blogs are out there? In reading some of these absolute "meadow muffins", doubt starts to creep in. Am I in denial? Is my stuff just as bad?
4) The PB&J submission had been in the works for weeks. I truly feel this was my "high-water" mark and I will never be able to match that.
5) One of my readers (and a person of "note" in my posts) started his own blog. It is rude, crude, irreverent, and SHAMELESS.....I am so jealous! It's all the things I wanted my blog to be and I've lost my way trying to "people-please!"
The bottom line is this-----the willingness has left the building!
Willingness is an interesting proposition. "Willing to pay the price." "Willing to pay your dues." "Willing to go to any length." "Where there's a way, there's a will." VOMIT!
On most days, the very best I can do is to be willing to do the "next right thing in front of me." On some days, that simple task seems insurmountable. It's days like those that my prayer life consists of authentic requests to "be made willing to be willing."
John "The Penguin" Bingham is one of the most recognizable authors among runners. I am reminded of the Penguin credo:
"For all of us, the miracle isn't that we finish, the miracle is that we have the courage to start."
Monday, August 26, 2013
Anybody Want a PB&J?
Well, it's the first day of school here in the thriving metropolis of Lewisville! At my house, the first day of school looks entirely different than it has for many, many years. Today is the first time in a long time, that I don't have a student in my house that's grumpily rolling out of bed, anticipating (dreading) what the first day of school holds in store.
It's kind of quiet around here.
This is probably going to take some getting used to. My kids started school when they were two years old. Their mother is a Montessori Teacher and she loaded them into the car on several first days of school. We were truly blessed that, in their early years, the kids just went to school with Mom. And that was good for Teresa, too. She didn't have to dread the first day of kindergarten and the first day of 1st Grade. She had her kids with her. It sure made things easier for Teresa, which in turn, made things easier for me.
For the past couple of years, Teresa has been leaving the house early and that has left me with the surly teenage girl who stayed up way too late and really wasn't much of a conversationalist in the morning. Those of you who know me, know that I never gave up. It was actually kind of fun trying to engage her in banter in the early morning!
Jentry was never late. She got herself out of bed. She managed to be ready to leave on time.....usually with very kind neighbors who provided rides for years. But, she certainly didn't make time to prepare her lunch and she decidedly was not going to eat from the school cafeteria. So, that left lunch responsibilities with dear old Dad.
Peanut Butter and Jelly! Day after day, week after week. I suppose I should have and could have done better. Oh, I tricked up the "sides" on occasion. We experimented with Pop Tarts, Granola Bars, cookies, and every kind of chip ever produced. When times were good, I would throw some pistachios in. But, for the most part, I found lunch preparation to be a beating.....a real pain....a true inconvenience to have to pack this non-communicative teenager's lunch every morning of the week.
This morning, she's 686 Miles AWAY from here. She's actually starting her second week of school. Today, she will have lunch in the school cafeteria. And it is one "high-tone" cafeteria. There are three different water coolers alone.....each with a different kind of FRUIT floating in it. There's a Sundae Bar, for crying out loud! At least six flavors of ice cream and ALL the toppings. The dessert table is ridiculous! There are burgers, chicken strips, pizza, and even real food! Today, she will have dozens of choices for lunch. And if none of that sounds good, she can go downstairs in the Student Center and enjoy the fare from a number of Fast Food places on Campus. Good grief! But one thing is for sure. She will not have to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that her Dad grudgingly prepared.
It's kind of quiet around here. And on this first day of school, I'm thinking about my kids and wondering how the time flew by so quickly.
Did I mention that this Empty Nest thing is probably going take some getting used to? My kids will never understand what this feels like until they one day experience it for themselves. They truly have no idea! Tucker's been gone for over 18 months and he would never believe how many times I think of him during the day. Jentry's gone for the first time and it's only been a couple of weeks. She cannot fathom how hard it was for me to drive away from that campus....while at the same time being so excited and happy for her! Neither of them will ever fully comprehend the love of a parent until they leave one of their own kids in another place, hundreds of miles away. We've now done it twice. And, trust me, it wasn't any easier the second time.
I only wish the best for all kids and their parents on this First Day of School! But today, I'm thinking mostly about my two kids, and what they might have for lunch... as I sit here in the quiet....finishing this peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
It's kind of quiet around here.
This is probably going to take some getting used to. My kids started school when they were two years old. Their mother is a Montessori Teacher and she loaded them into the car on several first days of school. We were truly blessed that, in their early years, the kids just went to school with Mom. And that was good for Teresa, too. She didn't have to dread the first day of kindergarten and the first day of 1st Grade. She had her kids with her. It sure made things easier for Teresa, which in turn, made things easier for me.
For the past couple of years, Teresa has been leaving the house early and that has left me with the surly teenage girl who stayed up way too late and really wasn't much of a conversationalist in the morning. Those of you who know me, know that I never gave up. It was actually kind of fun trying to engage her in banter in the early morning!
Jentry was never late. She got herself out of bed. She managed to be ready to leave on time.....usually with very kind neighbors who provided rides for years. But, she certainly didn't make time to prepare her lunch and she decidedly was not going to eat from the school cafeteria. So, that left lunch responsibilities with dear old Dad.
Peanut Butter and Jelly! Day after day, week after week. I suppose I should have and could have done better. Oh, I tricked up the "sides" on occasion. We experimented with Pop Tarts, Granola Bars, cookies, and every kind of chip ever produced. When times were good, I would throw some pistachios in. But, for the most part, I found lunch preparation to be a beating.....a real pain....a true inconvenience to have to pack this non-communicative teenager's lunch every morning of the week.
This morning, she's 686 Miles AWAY from here. She's actually starting her second week of school. Today, she will have lunch in the school cafeteria. And it is one "high-tone" cafeteria. There are three different water coolers alone.....each with a different kind of FRUIT floating in it. There's a Sundae Bar, for crying out loud! At least six flavors of ice cream and ALL the toppings. The dessert table is ridiculous! There are burgers, chicken strips, pizza, and even real food! Today, she will have dozens of choices for lunch. And if none of that sounds good, she can go downstairs in the Student Center and enjoy the fare from a number of Fast Food places on Campus. Good grief! But one thing is for sure. She will not have to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that her Dad grudgingly prepared.
It's kind of quiet around here. And on this first day of school, I'm thinking about my kids and wondering how the time flew by so quickly.
Did I mention that this Empty Nest thing is probably going take some getting used to? My kids will never understand what this feels like until they one day experience it for themselves. They truly have no idea! Tucker's been gone for over 18 months and he would never believe how many times I think of him during the day. Jentry's gone for the first time and it's only been a couple of weeks. She cannot fathom how hard it was for me to drive away from that campus....while at the same time being so excited and happy for her! Neither of them will ever fully comprehend the love of a parent until they leave one of their own kids in another place, hundreds of miles away. We've now done it twice. And, trust me, it wasn't any easier the second time.
I only wish the best for all kids and their parents on this First Day of School! But today, I'm thinking mostly about my two kids, and what they might have for lunch... as I sit here in the quiet....finishing this peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
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