Slowing and Slow Rain

Rain is moving in, and apparently, the cold rolls in tonight and tomorrow. I'm sitting in the Franklin Mercantile finishing up prep for staff meeting, and on first glance, it looks a little dreary outside. The rain had started as I left Spring Hill, and my first thought, was, "oh great, a rainy drive." But the funniest thing occurred to me on the drive. When it rains, everything seems to slow down. Yeah, there are crazies who think wet roads translates into faster driving. But most of us tend to slow down and be a little more cautious.

In a season that tends to spin out of control, every opportunity to slow down should be seen as a good thing. My calendar, and really our family calendar, can get jammed. But I think we've made the intentional choice to control what we schedule. Relationships and quality time matter. What is going on in peoples lives around me matter. I'm determined to make time for what is important this Christmas season.

I'm glad its raining. I'm glad for the reminder to slow down. I hope you can slow down a little today and the rest of the Christmas season.

Holiday See-Saw

It's the day after... Yesterday was a FULL day, literally and figuratively. It was like many Thanksgivings of the past, and probably like most everyone else's to some degree. Lots of food, lots of laughter, some reminiscing, and then more food. By the time Pam and I retired last night, we had to take a little time just to process all that we had done throughout the day. Stories told, and whispers overheard. It's funny how there can even be a hint of gossip within a family!!! Shocking.

One of the funniest times, and this happens every time we are together, is when my mom's side of the family gets together. We have this unique ability to manage about 5 conversations simultaneously. It's not that we are rude, but everybody talks at the same time, and somehow, knows what everybody else says. We know it is getting good when my mom and aunt (sisters) start stretching their necks, raising their eyebrows and pitch, followed by exponential raises in volume. It's quite the site to behold. Even after nearly 16 years of marriage, Pam can get a little taken aback by it all. Anyway, everybody has crazy family get-togethers at Thanksgiving, so none of this is really news.

However, there was one pause during my day that is still haunting me a little...

The trucks have arrived to start site work on a new school on what used to be my maternal grandparents farm. Yesterday was the first time that I had walked through the house since my grandmother moved out over a year ago.

The old farm house has stood on that hill for somewhere around 75 years. The haybarns, the "little barn," the ponds... all of these structures have prominent places in my memory. However, walking through the empty house was much more difficult than I expected. The memories of laughter, tears, and many, many meals were thick in the stale air. Any empty house can be a sad place, but knowing that this family house will soon be torn down, made it especially so. I say sad, but it was also an incredible time of reflection... and a great time of thankfulness. I'm so thankful for the faithfulness that was modeled by my grandparents... and still modeled by my grandmother. I think it was timely for me to make that walk. It was important for me to be reminded of all the people who have influenced me... and who continue to influence me.

Last night, at the end of a "full" day of getting full on great food, I was also full of memories, full of appreciation, and full of thankfulness. That house will be torn down, and the farm will change dramatically in the next few months. But the cornerstones of life that were carved into my foundation while growing up there will remain. And I am thankful.

Driving in Middle Tennessee

A good friend told me last week to get my tail in gear and start blogging again. I guess I've gotten lazy depending on my twitter and facebook accounts to..... do whatever it is that they do. Anyway, since my conversation with Matt, I've felt a little convicted, so, we'll go again with this thing and see what happens. Here you go Matt.

Since it's Friday, Pam and I headed out on our weekly "Adventure Friday," and found ourselves heading to Opry Mills for some shopping. The funny part is that we only make that trek about once a year, and that's typically in December. So, I suggested that we wouldn't have to do that this year... she didn't bite, but I digress...

Here's the point. It's October... October 16 to be exact, and yet the mall was crazy and drivers were worse. Why is it that when people get in the vicinity of "mass consumerism," they loose their ability to drive? Then again, maybe they only fake knowing how to drive in the first place? Anyway...

So here's the deal. The holidays are just around the corner and many of us will be out "consuming," so just respect the other people around you as you look for that "secret" parking spot. But more than that... come on people... you're not the only people on the road.

There, Matt, I've done all that I can do.

Change... can be an scary word

Ok, back off... I know its been forever since I've posted a blog.  Believe me, I'm not proud.

Be prepared, I'm backed up a little, so hang on.  

My neighbors are moving, and I'm not happy.  It's been great getting to know them since they moved in 2 years ago.  Having new neighbors can be cause for a little anxiety, especially when lots are as small as ours.  The Broadways, however, have been great, and it's been fun watching their kids grow, exchanging lawn care tall tales (its a guy thing), and chatting at dusk about the local community gossip... not that we gossip.

So, now, they are moving, and we have the opportunity to meet a whole new set of neighbors somewhere down the road.  But hey... isn't that how life is?  I mean, our circumstances are always in flux... sometimes for the better, sometimes, not so much.

As I talked to Daren and Joann last night, I was reminded once again that God brings people in and out of our lives for a season and for a purpose.  We need to keep our eyes open and our senses acute.  I don't want to miss anything, or anyone, cuz times, they are a changin'.

Thanks, Broadways, you've been great neighbors!

Giving, even if it is sauce

So McDonalds has a sauce policy?  Seriously!  Are you kidding me?  When did that happen?  And is it really necessary?

Here's the deal.  Pam and I stop in at our local McDs this morning to get her usual (unsweet iced tea with lemon - it's the equivalent to my Starbucks fix).  When we pulled up to the second window, posted on their sliding window is their "sauce policy."  Who dreams up this stuff?  Anyway, you can't just ask for extra sauce.  Depending on how many nuggets you have, you might have to pay .15 for the sauce.  If not, McD could go McUnder.  Don't want to get to liberal with their sauce giving for crying out loud.

So I know that I need to get over this.  There are bigger issues to deal with today.  However, it did make me think.  

Everyone wants to be so careful about how much they give.  I'm glad God doesn't have a restrictive giving policy.  He gives, and gives, and then gives some more.  His greatest gift was His son.  And, He desires that we be givers.  He doesn't need anything that we have.  He doesn't need our money... doesn't need our time... doesn't need anything that we call our own.  It is His desire that we become generous in our giving.  Giving to those in need.  Giving to Kingdom  advancement.  Giving a portion back to Him.

A sauce policy?  Seriously?

Gearing up for India: redeaux

What a week!  And it's just Thursday!!  It seems that so much over the past couple of months has been pointing to this week, and now, it's finally here.  Tomorrow, I will leave with three student from RCC to head to India to partner with our church planting friends.  While I'm excited about this new international adventure, I am absolutely stoked to see these young men see first hand what God is doing on the front-lines of Gospel seed-sowing.  I know it will be amazing.

All of that being said, the week has been a challenge.  We would be stupid to thing that the enemy would just sit by and offer no distractions... boy has he been busy.  I say that just to say:  pray for this "wide-eyed" group that will embark on a life changing journey during spring break when so many their age will choose other diversions.  Pray for safety; pray for endurance in oppressive heat; pray for wisdom in knowing when to speak and when to be silent; and pray for the families that will remain here in the states.

God is a good God, and the journey of "followship" is always faith demanding.  I can't wait to see what He will do over the next 9 days.  Look for updates from me on twitter, either on the left of this blog or on Facebook.  

Next stop:  East India!

Fast forward parenting

I know, I know... some of you who are parents are just going to roll your eyes at this whole blog... you'll say something like, "wow, tell us something we don't know."

As you probably know (if you don't go back to about the second blog that I ever posted and read), Pam and I have been learning parenting on the fly for the past 15 months, roughly. For the most part, it has been an adventure of joy and fulfillment. Yup, we've had some issues to "deal" with, but for the most part, this is has been the most incredible journey of my life.

But there are days.... (Hold on, this is gonna get messy!)

I was bragging earlier today about what a great kid this certain 17 yr old is... and he is. But I should have known better than to start spouting off. Where does the attitude come from? I'm sure I wasn't like that as a 17 year old... (Wonder if my mom reads my blog....). Anyway, I feel such a huge responsibility to do everything I can to make sure Ben is prepared for adulthood. I talk when I feel like I need to talk, and I try every day to model the things that I think are so crucial for him. And yet, days like today, I wonder if he is getting anything....
Then, as I sat down at the computer to check some blogs that I regularly follow, I read an entry from a pastor that I have a huge amount of respect for talk about fear, and how we are to stand against it.

To quote a friend, "shablam." I really am just a dumb sheep. I need to talk about stuff that needs to be talked about... and I need to model those things as best as I possibly can. I need to show how consequences are a part of life. And I always need to be honest. But I also MUST rely on MY FATHER, and the work of the Holy Spirit to work in Ben's life. I'm not God. And I cannot live in fear for his future.

I don't know how long I will have this much influence on him, and I must be a good steward of the time that I have. But I also know that as much as I love him, God loves him more. And, whether I like it or not, Ben is approaching that time in his life that he is going to be held accountable more and more for his actions (and inaction).

This "fast forward" parenting process has been hard... and it's been rewarding. And I wouldn't trade it for anything...