The Scars of a Warrior

I watched warriors on the screen battling out with swords and spears. The intimidating champion comes out to the battlefield with a massive scar across his face and many others across his body. The warrior made me wonder how many fighters in movies seem to have physical flaws to be intimidating.

Doing a quick internet search to find out, I came across an article published by JAMA Dermatology in 2017. The report was about the physical characteristics of movie villains.  They found that six of the top ten villains had some physical defect. Most villains had scars, warts, deep wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes, a bulbous nose, or other types of what are considered defects.

The reason this fascinated me is simple. Those characters are intimidating when confronted. Why is it so intimidating when an opponent’s physically scarred champion faces someone on the battlefield? I think the answer is simple. He survived the other attacks.

I like to read about David’s mighty men. Few of us could fathom ourselves doing the exploits of these men. Josheb-Basshebeth killed eight hundred men in one battle. When the rest of his army retreated, Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord gave him the victory. These men are just two examples of the warriors listed with David in 2 Samuel 23.

We like to think of our warriors as strong and undefeated. However, this is rarely the case.

Those intimidating scars did not come from winning every battle. The warrior may have won the war, but somewhere along the line, a weapon struck him or her. The physical scars remain for all to see. It reminds us of the previous, but it also tells us that we are overcomers. We did not die from the weapons used against us. We prevailed. We can look at our scars and say the Lord delivered us. We can live to fight another day.

Not all scars are physical, however. David’s mighty men probably had a few physical injuries, but no one could see most of their wounds. These men most likely met David at the Cave of Adullam mentioned in 1 Samuel 22. “In addition, every man who was desperate, in debt, or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About 400 men were with him.”

Many wounds are emotional, spiritual, or mental. When you overcome these areas, like David’s mighty men, can see that you have faced a battle. They do not know what you have defeated. Only you know how each situation turned out. Emotional, spiritual, or mental scars are for your knowledge only. They should be no less a reminder to you of how you survived the battle to fight another day.

Do not look at your wounds and think you lost. Look at them and know you overcame them. The injury did not kill you. It cannot stop you from moving forward. The only thing that can stop you is you. If the enemy can get you to think you cannot win, he will. Rather than allowing this to happen, put your faith in God, who gives you the strength to carry on.

Regardless of what has injured you, live to fight another day. Be the warrior you were meant to be.

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. 

Joy versus Happiness

While my grandson was still in the hospital after his birth, my wife and I had the privilege of babysitting my granddaughter.  At only two and a half years old, she is sweet, funny, and adventurous. She loves wearing dresses, fixing her hair and playing rough. She knows what she wants and is not bashful in telling you what she does not want. Any grandparent can tell you all about their grandchildren and are more than willing to do so. My favorite thing to see on her face is the joy.

Is there anything better to see on a child’s face than joy? They do not need a lot. The small things bring them joy. My granddaughter loves to swing. When I take her to the park that is the first thing she wants to do. She wants her G-Pop to push her on the swing. Her face lights up. Her mouth opens wide with a smile. That smile turns into a giggle and then a laugh as I joke and push her on the swing.

It is harder to see the joy on an adult’s face. We get so busy with the things in this world that we forget how to be joyful. We stress. We overwork ourselves. We focus on the big things. We spend money to find happiness only to find that joy cannot be purchased. Some people confuse happiness for joy, but they are not the same thing.

“Joy and happiness are wonderful feelings to experience but are very different. Joy is more consistent and is cultivated internally. It comes when you make peace with who you are, why you are and how you are, whereas happiness tends to be externally triggered and is based on other people, things, places, thoughts, and events.” - Psychologies

I remember times when I was happy because of things that were happening around me. Friends or family were gathered, the Saints won the Super Bowl, and the purchase of a new home or car all made me happy If and when these things happen again, I will be happy again.

 I remember when I truly gave my life to my heavenly Father by putting my trust in his son, Jesus. A joy came alive in me. This joy was something different from happiness. It was something that I would have regardless of what was happening around me. Joy is not dictated by my circumstances. Chaos can be happening all around, yet joy is still sustainable. I know who I am. I know to whom I belong. I am at peace and am full of joy.

I know that joy can be stolen from you. I ran into an old friend who had retired and told me I must have gotten married. I told him I had recently married my wife but asked how he came to that conclusion. He told me that it was because as we spoke, nothing used to bother me. Things would roll off my back. In the few minutes we spoke, he could tell that I was carrying stress. Something was stealing my joy. He was right. I had lost my joy. No, my wife did not steal it from me.  My focus on taking care of my family’s needs and responsibilities became a burden that took away my joy. I love my family. I love taking care of my family. The problem was not my family; it was my allowing the stress to overpower my joy.

I made a conscious effort to take back my joy. I realize that my responsibilities continue, and I will not allow hardships to overcome my joy. I have people that ask how I can still smile through all the hardships I have endured. It is because of my joy. My joy was a gift from God. I hold that precious gift dear. There are times I must remind myself of that joy, but when I do, it sustains me. 

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10 

The Ups and Downs of the Job World

My life is never dull. I hear people say that about me all the time. While this is true, it does not always seem to be a good thing. My life, like everyone else, is filled with peaks and valleys. Fortunately, I have good people surrounding me to keep me hopeful in the low times. They also keep me grounded in the high times.

 

I remember after college it took about ten months before I found a decent job. I held jobs, but they were nothing in which I wanted to launch a career. I finally started my career in 1988. During that career, I have held jobs, that while I enjoyed them, most people would not want or could not handle. A common refrain I heard was, "it takes a special kind of person to do what you do." Actually, I always thought it would only take someone with bills to pay and a willingness to do their job.

 

Everything went great until 1995 when my department became contracted out. I was given a buyout package and worked for the contractors for four and a half years. During that time, I put in several applications to get rehired by the company. Three out of four positions were given to someone else for a job I was already doing. Politics was always involved. However, the fourth application, the hiring supervisor told me he would fight the politics to get me hired. It took a few months, but he succeeded. I was rehired by the company I started with in 1988.

 

The supervisor told me that the reason he continued to interview me and fight for me was because during all of the rejections, I maintained a great attitude and continued doing my job correctly.

 

I have had several up and down situations arise while at this company. Life would not be an adventure if everything went the way I planned. I have learned that no matter what comes your way, tomorrow always comes. You may be knocked down. You may need to pick yourself up. You may be celebrated. You may need to humble yourself.

 

Attitude and job performance keeps me going. I do my job. I do it to the best of my ability, and I am willing to go above and beyond what some are willing to do to make sure things work smoothly. Someone asked me the other day after putting in my notice at my second job, "who will replace you and do what you do?" My answer was simple. Whoever does there job the way it was meant to be done. The company survived before I arrived and will remain that way after I am gone. I am thankful for the opportunity they gave me when others would not.

 

Laziness will get you nowhere good. You need to take the bull by the horns and make it do what you want it to do. Obstacles will always arise. Jump over them. Push them out of the way. Take charge of your career and make no excuses.

 

Keep a good attitude and don't let people or circumstances define who you are. Overcome. Endure. Finish the race.

The Dog Chaser

Many years ago, I held a job as a meter reader. Going onto people's properties to get to an electric or gas meter could sometimes be an adventure.

I remember this one house that raised about two feet off the ground. It set back about one hundred feet away from the front fence. The electric meter was on the right rear side of the house. As any seasoned meter reader would do, I checked for signs of trouble before entering. I rattled the gate, saw no food bowls or animal tracks, and called out to alert anyone or anything that I was entering.

I cautiously approached the house and remained alerted for possible unseen danger. It was not until I reached the front corner before a full-grown German Shepherd came from under the house running full speed in my direction. He was not happy with my presence in his territory.

It is truly amazing how fast the mind can think. I went through possible scenarios of escape. I could not outrun the dog, at least not in the distance required. In those tenths of seconds that I had, I was struggling to get a reasonable idea. No good ideas came to mind.

Out of time and needing to act fast, I acted on impulse with what seemed like an incredibly stupid plan. I took my handheld device for inputting readings from the meters, lifted it over my head with one hand and ran at the German Shepherd full speed yelling.

What was I thinking? At this point, not a lot.

The result of my action was more than I could have expected. The German Shepherd's hair stood straight up on its back.  It turned and ran as far away from me as it could and hid. I was able to back out of the yard with the electric meter's reading. I was able to calm down and breathe again.

We all have problems that we face in life. Ignoring them does not make them disappear. Sometimes these problems are developed over a long time. Sometimes they present themselves suddenly.

I thought about this story when I read about David and Goliath. Goliath was a big problem for David, but he ran towards the problem to defeat it.

We certainly need to be watchful of possible troubles to avoid them from becoming catastrophic. I do not mean live in fear of everything just do not let your guard down. Do not run from the trouble in your life. Do something to overcome it.

Most of the time, we will have more time to think about what to do than just tenths of a second.  Use the time to prepare a winning strategy. Talk to people that have succeeded in dealing with the same sort of trouble. Some people are not looking out for your best interest. Make sure you consult with wise and knowledgeable people.

Like people have said, "Doing something is better than doing nothing." You can always check and adjust your plan later if needed.

The Big Game

If you enjoy watching sports, there is always the big game that you do not want to miss. It does not matter if it is the World Series, the NCAA National Championship game, or the World Cup. For me, I love watching the Super Bowl. 

I love having friends over, each bringing food, and having a big party. The parties have ranged in attendance from 20 people to as many as 40. Many people that come do not even care about football. They come to be around the people and the fun.

This year, two of the teams that I hate were in the Super Bowl. I cannot stand the Patriots, and the Falcons are bitter rivals of my home team. However, I love the sport, so I watch the game regardless of the participants.

I remember watching many lopsided Super Bowls where the game was almost unwatchable. This year, it looked like that would happen again since the Falcons had taken an eighteen-point lead by halftime and extended that to a nineteen-point lead after three-quarters.

Despite not liking these talented teams, I must admit that the Patriots coach is in a league of his own when it comes to making adjustments after halftime. The team seems to remain poised and confident even when trailing by such a large margin. Then the work began.

In the fourth quarter, the Patriots score a field goal, then a touchdown with the 2-point conversion, then another touchdown with the 2-point conversion. This ties the game and for the first time in Super Bowl history, the game goes into overtime.

On the first and only drive of overtime, the Patriots win with a touchdown.

If only everyone had confidence where despite the odds, he or she knew overcoming would be possible. Confidence is something we need to instill in ourselves. We must find a way to flip that switch from doubt to belief. 

We need to forget about past failures and look forward to success. We need to learn to put aside the negative things which others have said and start focusing on the positive. Strengthen your weaknesses. Work within your strengths.

Do not be overconfident, but do not sell yourself short.

One player does not win the Super Bowl. It takes a team. Rely on those you trust but remember that not everyone has the same goals.

Confidence does not ensure victory, but adding work to faith makes it a lot more attainable.