The Little Pebble

While driving, there are a lot of signs that point towards dangerous situations. These warnings allow us to make changes to our course before we arrive at the problem spot. Some signs tell us construction work is approaching. Others may reveal road conditions or even that the lane is about to end. Warnings may also include flashing lights or barricades.

Regardless of how prominent they are, some people ignore these warnings. People do not always slow down for construction which besides their safety affects the safety of the workers.  People have hit large construction trucks or fallen in holes because they went around barricades. Many of us have seen footage of police officers getting crushed while on the side of the road even though the bright lights were flashing.

The first question many people ask when seeing these events is, “Did you not see the warnings?” The real problem is that most of them just ignore them. They did not want to change directions or take another route.

These seem like they should be easy enough to avoid as long as we see them coming in advance, but what about the little pebble in the road? There are no warnings about those. How many windshields were cracked because you did not see that small rock flying in your direction? Windshields are not cheap. Think of what you could have done with the money replacing all the cracked windshields cost you over the years.

Too bad no signs are saying, “A pebble will be thrown from the car in front of you if you remain in the left lane.” Unfortunately, most people would probably still stay in the left lane.  

While we cannot avoid all of the flying debris that can cause damage, we can do a few things to prepare for the possible outcome. Do not drive behind dump trucks. Leave a big enough space between our car and the vehicle in front of us. These do not guarantee that pebbles won’t be a problem, but they can minimize the danger. Not being in a position to be hit is the key to not being struck.

This principle applies outside of driving, too. We can see the big warning signs tell us of approaching danger. If the fire alarm sounds, we should be wise enough to leave the building and call for help. It is the small things that pop up suddenly that cause us unexpected problems. Someone may say something, and we hold a grudge as a result. This kind of situation may not be financially troubling, but it can damage a friendship.    

We can have unforeseen small issues arise that cost us money. The battery on your car may die. That needs replacing. The problem is you do not have the money to replace it. Sometimes the lack of money is because we do not make enough, but many times it is because we do not live within our means.

We cannot prevent the little pebbles in life (E.g., what others say or dead batteries), but we can prepare for them. We can live by the fruit of the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Living like this prepares you to overcome an offense that shows up. It is not always easy to live this way, but it will make you a stronger person. We can also learn to be good stewards of budgeting or saving for unexpected financial problems.

These are just two examples, but we should prepare because the unexpected always seems to occur. 

Earth Day and Family

On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans demonstrated in streets, parks, and auditoriums all across the country. The demonstrators were concerned about toxins in the air and water.  No legal or regulatory mechanisms were in place to protect our environment. Supporters of this effort came from almost every walk of life. The result of that first Earth Day was the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

I was only three and a half years old, so I do not remember any of this. Nor was I ever really concerned about the environment. Of course, I would prefer clean air and water, but that was a concern for others.

Nearly 48 years later, I find myself caring a lot more. I am not an extremist about it, but I do what I can including recycling. It is not a political issue for me. I merely want to leave this world in better shape than I found it.

Let us go back a few thousand years. (Depending on your theology, it may be a few million years, but that is another topic of discussion.) The original Earth Day was a week-long demonstration of God’s power. It is when he created the Earth. In Genesis 1, it says the earth was formless and void.  God decided to do something about it. In six days, he shaped it into what he wanted, and then he rested.

Seven times in the chapter, God looked at what he made and saw that “it was good.” He also placed man in the Garden of Eden to “work it and take care of it.”  From the beginning, we were supposed to take care of what God made. From that point until 1970, we fell short of keeping this planet in the shape God created it. People have made progress, but the responsibility that God gave us is ongoing.

I, personally, cannot create a world. I am no god, apparently. However, with the help of God and my wife, I have been able to create a family. Each step of the way, I looked at it and thought it was good.

That does not mean I have not made mistakes because I have made plenty. I can only work and care for it to help it stay right. That is my responsibility.

Too many people look at the families they created and see no good in them. Some tell their children regularly that they are bad. Some say to their children they will probably end up in jail or dead. Negative thoughts and words are not the way we are to care for our children. We need to nurture them and raise them into people with hope and a future.

We become more like our parents as we get older than we would like to admit. Your children will grow to be more like you. Raise them up to be positive. See the good that is in them. Mold them into happy, respectful, and productive individuals.

They are the world that you created. Work it, care for it, nurture it, and watch it grow into something good.

Hurting People Hurt People

Maybe I am alone in this, but I doubt it. If I have a bad day or even if I am just tired, I tend to snap at others that do not deserve it. Unfortunately, my wife has dealt with this far too many times. I do not want to act this way. It is something on which I have to improve.

No, nothing happened recently that is making me write this blog. No, I do not need to apologize for any recent event. Although, if I do and do not realize it, please forgive me.

When I first got married, I had a very short temper.  Small things would set me off. I would not get violent or hurt anyone physically. I did not insult anyone or call them names. I simply yelled. My outburst would be loud. Once I yelled, in my mind, it was over. I could scream one minute, and suddenly it was over, at least in my mind. I do not like things to drag out over time.

I hope that I have improved throughout my marriage. I hope that in my outbursts, no one was harmed emotionally or mentally. However, I am sure feelings were hurt if nothing else.

I am one to apologize reasonably quickly. I tend to think and overthink about how I should have responded. Yet, when something happens, and my mood is not so cheery, I can respond in the same way again. Why do I react in ways that I would rather not? I wish I knew.

We should leave all of our problems behind us when we are with others. Do not take them out on others. It is not their fault we had a bad day. Many times, our responses to others are based on what others have done to us or what we have done to ourselves. We may have been emotionally injured, but the healing does not come from hurting others.

We are not much different than an injured cat. That cute little fur ball may be the sweetest thing. It may love to play. It may entertain you.  It may even let you pet it on a good day. Yet, when a cat is injured, it can become aggressive. It may bite or scratch the ones that love it and take care of it. The problem with this response is the ones who can help mend it are hindered from helping at all.

In I Chronicles 19:1-5, King David’s men were humiliated at the hands of King Hanun because he thought they were spies seeking to overthrow the country. David recognized the hurt these men were facing and had them stay in Jericho until their shame had settled.

I wondered why he did not have them just go home to those who loved them. I think part of this was because they may respond to those out of their emotional injuries. An incorrect response after being injured could result in a loved one being hurt. This time away would give them time to reflect on why they were treated as they were. It would give them time to forgive the one who hurt them.

Hurting people can quickly and without purpose injure others. What can we do? When we are injured, take a timeout. Think about what happened and the reason behind it. Make sure to take the time required to heal. Forgive the one who hurt you and move on. Treat everyone around you with love and respect. 

A Sudden Change for Easter

Easter is an annual Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus our Lord. Christianity would be useless without the death, and resurrection of the Son of God. Somewhere along the line a bunny and Easter egg hunts became part of the tradition of celebrating this special day. I do not pretend to understand how, why, or when these traditions began. 

Here in south Louisiana, many families and friends join together for an Easter tradition that for the most part is specific to this region. This tradition would be the crawfish boil.

My wife has desired boiling crawfish for quite some time. Not just for Easter but at any time during the crawfish season. I have never taken the time to learn how to do this correctly, nor did I have the necessary equipment. Being born and still living here, the items and skills are easily acquired.

I have always chosen to buy crawfish already boiled and ready to eat. This year was no exception. For Easter Sunday, you must order your boiled crawfish in advance because businesses sell out of them so quickly. This year I waited too long and found it hard to find a place that was not already completely booked. Luckily, I found a place and was able to order 30 pounds of boiled crawfish. At least, that is what I thought I ordered.

After church, I went to pick them up, and they brought out my order. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until I arrived at home.

Before I go on, let me inform you that I am not the most perceptive person on the face of the planet. If I am thinking about something, like enjoying a relaxing day with friends, the chance of me noticing even the most obvious things is slim.

Now back to the story. When I arrived at my home and went to unload our Easter lunch, I noticed the crawfish were still alive. Wait. What? That's right. I guess there were some communication issues with what I thought I ordered.

With a couple of friends coming over in about an hour, our Easter plans were dying a quick death. Neither my wife nor I were shocked at our new situation. Crazy things always happen to us. Life is an adventure. However, we are not the type of people to give up.

My wife and I had about five minutes to come up with a plan. We jumped in the car heading to the store as she googled recipes and times required to do the boil correctly.

After trips to two or three stores, we bought what we needed and returned home. We also asked one of our friends to bring us some fast food to satisfy our hunger until we could complete the boil and begin eating.

After spending much more money than planned, the crawfish boil went off without any more issues. Our Easter Sunday ended up being a great day. The fact that we now own the necessary equipment opens up opportunities for more boils in the future, just like my wife wanted anyway.

Life does not always go according to our plans. Things pop up suddenly and can turn things upside down. Many people decide to quit. They would prefer to do nothing than to change directions. Life is full of opportunities to adjust. When things get crazy, do not stop. Overcome.

The Apostle wrote to the Romans about all the trials he and his friends faced, but that in those things, they were "more than conquerors through him (Jesus) who loved us." Knowing that we serve the same God as Paul if he can overcome facing death regularly, we can overcome the daily issues that need adjustments.

Be an overcomer.