"Do Over"

I remember from my child hood the long trusted policy of "do overs" echoing from ball fields and backyards.  Many a time we would call out, "do over" after a failed attempt, but hardly did anyone chide the response.  In fact, most (if not all) everyone would concede to the request of getting another try.  Now in my adult life, we still evoke that same request, though now we call them mulligans. 

Mary has started to display an interest in sports (much to my delight) and now she loves to take a small bat and ball in the backyard to play with her old man.  I'm loving this.  Even when she throws the ball far away from me, I'm reliving a great memory of playing catch with my old man.  Good memories.  And yes, dad, I'm trying to teach her to make a good catch and make a good throw.  She will often cry out "do over" when something doesn't work according to her plan, and I'm quick to grant that request.

Typically, I need mulligans on a daily basis.  Since I'm charged with an awesome responsibility (and loving it) to speak into lives the redemptive love of Christ, I make many mistakes.  Many.  Did I say many?  I mean many.  In fact, I often ask for a mulligan on that shot, and calmly drop another ball.  In my feeble attempt at playing golf, I always (and I mean always) carry at least three golf balls in my pockets, since I play golf, hunt, and fish at the same time.  Hunt for lost balls in the woods and fish them out of the water...while actually playing golf.  There are many times that I need mulligans in my speech, actions, facial expressions, or internal prejudices.

It is quite difficult to represent Christ in a challenging culture without requiring a mulligan.  Yet, Christ really does want us imperfect human beings to speak into the lives around us.  My neighbors see the best and worst in me.  They see my good days and my bad days.  They see me dressed in coat and tie, and they see me in shorts and t-shirt ready to be tossed into the dumpster.  They see me laugh, and they see me ready to explode in anger over a delightful 5 year old.  They see it all.  That is why I need mulligans in life, so they can see I'm not perfect, just forgiven, and God desires to offer hope to all who will seek Him.

The next time you make a mistake, just remember that God allows mulligans...ask Him.

Remembering You

Well, I knew it was coming, so no surprise there, but it stings.  This is my first Mother's Day without mom this side of heaven.  I'm normally good at suppressing emotions (at least in public), but this time not so easy.  It started earlier this week with seeing commercials about this celebration, then at prayer time with Mary, and finally today with Mary's kindergarten orientation.  Mom would have been the first to receive an anxious phone call describing the days activities from an overly excited 5 year old.  However, we still have our conversations with Nana, just not the same though since we cannot hear the sound of her voice as she too sounded excited and asked lots of questions.  That is probably what I miss most...her voice.  From laughter to advice to preaching to praying...her voice made huge impressions on my life.  So mom, Happy Mother's Day as you continue to enjoy your rewards in heaven through listening and telling stories.  We love you and think of you each day.

enjoying some laughs this past summer at Dollywood

Since mom loved to laugh...I call this one "family reunion"

No More Grey

Alas it has come to this...grey hair.  I'm not opposed to grey hair, since it is hair, but I don't wish to be called "Grampa" when spending time with Mary in a public setting.  That is one main reason that I visited Samara (my hair stylist) last week.  She introduced me to coloring that in effect "washed away the grey" and left only a color befitting a 46 year old man.

This is the after picture while we enjoyed some ice cream at Sunni Skies in Angier, NC.  A great place for celebrating ice cream.

I know some have laughed about my reaction to grey hair, but I don't care...I'm much too young for that.  Perhaps when I reach 70+, then I will embrace that look, but until then...coloring is my newest friend.

The Grey Is In

Recently the Lee family went to Porter Farms to pick strawberry's, and my picture was taken from a side angle.  Man, was I in for shock!  I'm keenly aware of the weight issue, but not the other.

Normally, I see my reflection minus the side view of grey.  What happened????  Look at that grey hair!  I know, at least I still have some hair, but grey?!?!  Needless to say I was not too happy about this.  After all, I'm only 46 years young, but looking more like an aging saint headed to a convalescent home.  People are probably thinking that Mary is hanging out her grandfather.  Something must be done.  Hopefully I will soon visit my hairstylist (Samara) to take corrective action against that dreaded foe: "hairest greyest" (Latin for grey hair).  I seem to recall that other family members have also encountered this situation, but no names mentioned here...yet!  (Trying to be nice...)

When I asked Lisa about this unusual sight, she responded, "I still love you."  (Though with a very large smile etched across her lovely face.)  She had quietly observed the greying over some time, and still chose to love me despite the no hair to grey hair.  She is the love of my life! 

I still have my sense of humor, despite being told by a 10 year old boy in church that I was boring, and here is an example of that.  Enjoy!  The next post will show a before and after pic.  Take care...

Gotta love Leslie Nielson and all those flicks from Police Squad.

Forgiveness

This week I was preparing to do chapel for our preschoolers, and stumbled across an object lesson on forgiveness.  Make a fist, now let it go.  Repeat.  Think about the things that we hold on to: hurt feelings, confusion, rejection, being neglected or overlooked, etc.  However, God teaches us to let those go.  (Releasing of fist.)  When we hold on to those things, we don't have room to receive the things that God has for us.  Our hands are full and fists are clinched.  When we let them go, we have hands outstretched ready to receive blessings from Him.

Obviously this lesson was more for the adults (me included) than for the preschoolers, so we need to do a check-up.  Are we withholding forgiveness from someone?  Are we holding a grudge?  Are we communicating our thoughts and emotions?  Are we confessing our sins to God?  Do we recognize that we also disappoint others?

If we don't forgive, we only hurt ourselves.  Often times, the other person doesn't know we have been offended, and when it's made known there is reconciliation.  Just remember, forgive as Christ has forgiven.  Since I'm a follower of Christ, then I must imitate His actions.  Christ forgave, so then I too must forgive.

Check out Mark 11:24-26; Luke 11:4; Psalm 51:10

Matters of Importance

Too often in our lives, we focus on the minors and major on the minors.  What really matters most in life is ignored, and precious time and resources are spent on trivial issues.  I have discovered that God's Word is trustworthy and reliant.  God has declared to us His matters of importance, and somehow we have watered them down through time and opinions to suit our comfort levels.  First off, eternity matters.  We are only on this planet for a small amount of time, but we will spend eternity in heaven or hell.  Preparation should take a place of emphasis in our lives.  The question, "Are you prepared to step into eternity?"  Should remind us of the frailty of life, and the need to focus on matters of eternity.  Have you or your loved ones made that all important decision to trust Christ as Savior?

The second issue deals with family.  Family is an institution ordained by God and should be held in the highest regard.  Basically, spend time with your family.  A child will spell love as T-I-M-E.  So spend your time wisely upon the people in your life.  In this culture, especially, shower time on your loved ones.  Make them feel special through time spent together.  My little princess loves puzzles.  I mean she LOVES puzzles.  They are NOT my thing.  I don't care for them at all.  However, I still do puzzles with my princess, because she wants to do them.  It's our time together.  Hopefully one day, she will want to play a sport or attend a ballgame as "our time together."  Regardless, I will spend time with her making memories.  Hopefully, when the time comes, she will remember this and place me in a quality nursing home, or maybe even live in her basement ("King of Queen's" style).

More fun with Mary

Mary and I LOVE Disney cartoons, well ANY cartoon actually.  Our morning ritual includes some time watching "Phineas and Ferb" while laughing at the antics of the creators of this most amusing cartoon.  We also enjoy Looney Tunes, Olivia, Tom and Jerry, and Pink Panther.  I'm glad she is old school in selecting her cartoons...it makes my day!  Here are two of our favs...enjoy!

"Squirrels In My Pants" from Phineas and Ferb

"Disney Mombo #5" performed by Lou Bega

The lesson here is to enjoy life.  Make the most of what is presented.  Recently, Mary and I ventured out to the grocery store to take advantage of triple coupons at Harris Teeter.  My couponing did not go as I had planned, but we still had fun.  Mary pushed the cart and helped me select the items from the list, while she danced and sang in the aisles.  All with a smile!  Of course she did ask, "Can I have this Daddy?  I really need it!"  To which I replied, "No."  By the end of this shopping adventure, she asked, "Why do you keep saying no to me?"  My answer, "Because I can."  She did not smile that time, but we managed a laugh later as we both pushed out cart to the car.  A good time.  A great memory.  Make the most of your time...laugh, love, and live.