The Most Important Person In History…Is You.

Some days, you feel tiny; everything you do has such a little effect on anything.  Other days, you get complimented on details you thought nobody would notice—a small thing becomes a huge gesture in another’s eyes.  Regardless of the day, the simple truth is that you are the most important person in the history of this world.  Why?

You may not have invented a vaccine or revolutionary device that changes the way a majority of people live, but at the same time, those inventors didn’t create the single most important thing for your life.  When you’re out of balance, those around you suffer.  When your “A” game is in the rearview, your loved ones don’t get the best of you.  When you’re depressed or sad, everyone has to change to get your attention.  So you are the center of the universe.

The truth is, Einstein or a government cannot and will never be able to create a way for your soul to enter Heaven.  Now, that brings your yesterdays and tomorrows into focus.  Jesus didn’t just die for your neighbor, but for you as well.  He wants a close relationship with you, because of the cost of that sacrifice.  Close your ears and eyes to all the noise and distractions around you.  Let your family and friends become a blur until all that remains is the oxygen in your lungs and complete silence to hear God’s voice…this is why you are the most important person ever; this is where you secure your soul’s future.

Once security is established, you will learn the a few truths that change everything about life as you know it.  “Love the Lord God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.”  When you seek to understand that statement, balance returns to your life, your loved ones benefit, and your eyes are opened for the first time.  The world becomes beautiful, and purpose has a new driving force.  You become worth something so much greater than every invention ever created.  You have a future and a place to call home.

And with new eyes, a refined heart, and clear vision, you will begin to understand that you are NOT the most important person in history, but Jesus is.  You can begin to view the world through His eyes.  You are already taken care of, but some people you know are not.  You can take your eyes off of the mirror and see why you have been placed in this specific time in history.  You can soar high, like an eagle, and become a change-maker.  You have a talent that brings joy to your life; use it for God’s glory.  Imagine every person you know walking into a dark room—you are that dark room—it’s time to flip the switch and turn the lights on.  The explosion of light will change their world.

Rewind. Pause. Love.

Rewind—The Taliban’s declaration of holy war…Gulf War, Iran, Vietnam….  Rewind—Cuban Revolution, Korean War, WW II, Chinese Civil War, Irish War of Independence, WW I, Mexican Revolution….  Rewind—Comanche Campaign, American Civil War, Texas Indian Wars, War of 1812, Napoleonic Wars, French Revolution, American Revolutionary War, King George’s War… Rewind—Great Northern War, Spanish Conquest, War of the Roses, The Crusades, Chinese War, Roman Servile Wars, Greek Punic Wars….  Rewind all the starvation and deaths caused by political power (Stalin) or indecision.  Rewind to all the moments in human history where a single decision is about to affect a large number of fellow human beings.  Pause and Stop.

Erase greed, power, hatred, and all the other vile motives commonly referred to as Sin.  Insert Love.  What would have happened if love, inspiration, and kindness were in the hearts of those rising up and making a declaration for their people?  What if each person dropped their weapons and extended a hand of friendship?

History cannot be changed, but what if every single person made the decision to live life to its fullest, be content with what they had, were not jealous of what the next person accomplished, had an urgency to help the struggling because the struggling fell into a class of those actually trying…what if we put love in our hearts and suited up for the greatest battle in all of mankind—the battle against our own hearts.  What if we each trained to keep ourselves in check, keep negativity at bay, keep evil from rising within?  What if we reached out to others to help keep us in line, to prevent a single person from rising above love?  What if our goal was to preserve the collective love all of us established together?

Now, resume Play.  Would the world have been a different place?  Would it have been worth it to keep a single child from experiencing starvation, or a father from feeling the cold steel of a sword, or a mother from catching a live grenade, or a sister from coughing in a gas chamber, or a brother from being trampled, or a family from dying in a plague?

History cannot be changed, but tomorrow is yet written….

Pieces of Love

We give a piece of ourselves to others through love; our daughters, our sons, our wives and husbands, mothers and fathers, friends and acquaintances all take a piece of our hearts.  Through relationships, those pieces come back to us and complete a joy.  Never regret giving a piece of yourself away.  Don’t let that piece become tainted with hatred for a piece of your heart will always be a piece of love.  The more love you give away the more beautiful you become.  We’re all broken in one way or another, but together we’re a masterpiece.  

Golf: Every Sport In One Game?

I’ve come to learn that golf incorporates almost every sport known to man.  If you haven’t played the game, then you might argue that golfing is boring, lazy, and downright tormenting.  But you’d be surprised at the range of sports you’ll find…on the course.

1.    You hit the ball in the sand—Beach Polo.

2.    Your ball lands in a nest of fire ants—Hopscotch.

3.    The perfect drive hooks into a house—100 yard dash.

4.    Another golfer pockets your ball—Gladiators.

5.    A swarm of bees finds you interesting—Fencing (your 9 iron is truly a sword).

6.    Your pitching wedge floats the ball to within inches—Layup (Basketball).

7.    Fairway wood plus the tree in front of you—Backstroke (Swimming).

8.    200 yard drive plus 50 yard bounce off cart path—Homerun (Baseball).

9.    Perfect shot, but the stream catches your ball instead—Interception (Football).

10.   9 Iron loft hits an embankment and bounces back—Volleyball.

11.   Your ball lands amongst exposed tree roots—Kickball or Soccer.

12.   You chip a shot, only to realize a stick or pinecone was in front of your ball—Net (Tennis).

13.   Your teammate tosses a ball at you while you’re trying to drive—Handball.

14.   Your new Taylormade ball lands in the lake—Scuba Diving.

15.   Another golfer nearly hits you with their ball—Boxing.

16.   10 feet off the green, but you still think you can putt—Hockey.

17.   The perfect shot, a hole in one—Golf.

 

The list can surely go on, but one thing is for certain…golf is the most competitive sport played because your greatest opponent is yourself.  So, bring your swimming trunks, cleats, sunscreen, and tent because you’re going to experience everything from beachfront properties to camping in the woods.

Liquid Love

Your love tries to drain me, but I won’t let it be—I have my bottle of water.

The first time we met, under my arms were wet—thank you D.O. for working harder.

The first time we kissed, there was a mist on my lips, but it disappeared with passion.

When we said “I do”, my forehead resembled dew—tux sleeves are just big napkins.
Sweat on my chest; let’s not mention the rest—that first time we made love.

Streams down my cheeks, at our baby’s first squeak—experiencing my first “little hug”.

Water on my brow, learning how to plow—digging dirt to experience gardening.

No liquid in my brain, fighting this migraine—but smiling as you watch Tonya Harding.

My socks are soaking wet, I smell like a pet—mowing just to keep you at bay.

My eyes won’t stop pouring, this onion is roaring—for you, I replicate Bobby Flay.

My back is a lake, this shirt you can take—painting every room a different shade.

Now I’m ready to quit, there’s sweat in my knee pit—hiking a mountain for play.

Is this sweat in my hair?  Hey, I don’t care—about to toss you into the ocean.

My arms are completely covered, my muscles quiver—rubbing your back with lotion.

I’m forced to hydrate.  For you, my mate—because I try to rise above.

I may smell like a horse, but with no remorse—for you, I drip liquid love.

Adventures With Your Children: This week…Build A Fire

It’s officially camping season!  But you don’t have to pack all the gear into your car and head for the mountains to build a fire.  Get a few bricks from your local hardware store, make a circle in your back yard, and create a place where children’s imaginations flourish.  A fire attracts bugs, burning wood creates a wonderful display of colors, the stars fill the night sky, and nature provides the ambiance.  When the flames start to rise, so will your child’s eyebrows.

Think of all the wonderful things you can do around a fire…make s’mores, have a picnic, bundle up next to your little one, and tell stories.  You see, the fire will be the center of attention, which will take the pressure off you to be the hero for the moment, but as the night goes along, you will take center stage again.  Tell a wonderful story and have your child chime in with plot twists.  Hand out goodies and treats, while mimicking the strangest voice you can muster.  Play hide and seek in the dark.

Your child already wants to go outside.  Everybody loves a fire.  Who can resist chocolate and lemonade while the moon is glowing?  This adventure begins with the spark of a match and continues into a world of adventure.

Adventures With Your Children--Give 3 Things and Ask of 3 Things.

Children can easily fall victim to routine; they get home from school and expect to do their homework, get to watch a favorite show, play with their toys, get ready for bed, and fall asleep.  So, when they ask for something that usually happens several times a week, it probably doesn’t inspire them.  This week, let’s work on that inspiration and motivation by first giving three things and then doing three things.

Giving can be easy, simple, cheap, or elaborate and expensive.  If your child absolutely loves The Bubble guppies, then you can give your child your presence and attention.  Sit on the floor with them and interact while the show is on.  They will probably explain to you each character and what they find fascinating about the show.  By the end of the show, I promise your child will be more interested in The Bubble Guppies, then if you were in the kitchen washing dishes and they were alone.

Now, your child sees that you gave them something, and it’s your turn to ask for something—out of the ordinary.  Get the real bubbles out and go into the back yard.  Ask your child to join you and start the adventure.  Who can blow the biggest bubble?  Where are the bubbles going when they soar off to the neighbor’s yard?  What happens to the bubble when it pops?

After your initial request, you child might begin to imagine doing different things—out of their usual routine—and it’s now your chance to shine.  Be ready to grant their next request because it could include going to the park to blow bubbles this time.

By giving something simple and asking for something simple, you will show your child that you are genuinely interested in their perspective, their imagination, their world.  When you step into that world, you become larger than life…and the real adventure begins.