My Carolina Panthers are scheduled to play a football game tomorrow against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The game does not matter.
It's not because Carolina is bad (3-8). It's not because Kansas City is worse (1-10). In the overall NFL picture, neither team matters this season. Sadly, there is a much more sobering reminder that this is just a game.
Kansas City police have this morning confirmed that a 25 year old Chiefs player has committed suicide at the team's facility. As I write, the player's name has not been released. There are reports that the player may have killed his girlfriend first. There are reports that some coaches may have confronted the player and/or witnessed the incident. I'm sure all of the facts will come out in time.
This is being widely reported and followed by the public because it involves a pro athlete in the most popular sports league in America. The reality is suicide affects multitudes people every day, in every walk of life.
And it shouldn't.
Many have said that "suicide is not the way out." The truth is that suicide IS a way out. If you commit suicide, you are out. Others often refer to suicide as "the easy way out." This obviously is not true, however, for whatever family members and friends remain to deal with the aftermath. I have said it before, and I will say it again. Suicide gets you out, but it screws over everybody that you love and care for who is left behind.
There is an inherent problem within that last sentence though. Actually, it should say that you screw over everybody that loves you and that cares for you. I believe, and will believe until my dying day, that if you kill yourself, there is nobody that you truly love. There is nobody that you truly care about...other than yourself. Once you do this, your problems are over, but your death affects them greatly, and affects them every day for the rest of their lives. Meanwhile, you no longer have to deal with, well anything really.
It is the epitome of selfishness.
It's not worth it. If suicide is something you are considering, please talk to somebody. Then talk to somebody else. Then talk to many other people. Get help. There are people who will work through things with you and can help you find answers.
Ultimately, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. (I know someone else coined that phrase, but I can't remember who to credit for it.) There is always, ALWAYS another solution.
Scripture: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:18-19
Quote: "No society can prosper if it aims at making things easier-instead it should aim at making people stronger!!" - Ashoka
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
God Bless President Obama
President Barack Obama has been re-elected. What does this mean for those of us who disagree with the election results?
First, a little background: I am a registered Republican. However, as I'm sure many of my friends and family would hate to admit, I tend to be quite a bit more moderate than conservative. (I've even been called liberal once by one family member.) In 4 presidential elections in which I've had the honor of voting, I have only voted in one Republican primary. I have never voted straight ticket for ANY party.
I have been concerned since he was a senator about President Obama's record. He is too far left for me. (His voting record in the Senate was more liberal than Ted Kennedy for crying out loud.) President George W. Bush was actually too far right for my taste. I loved John McCain.
I think we need leaders in or near the middle that can start unifying our nation. The biggest problem with our government has long been that great, good, bad, or horrible, your ideas as a government official are judged solely on one criterion: a letter after your name. If I'm an (R) and you're a (D), we can't talk. That is a fatal flaw. (This is no longer the biggest problem. The crippling, unrestrained spending of money that our nation DOES NOT HAVE, and the rapidly growing disincentive for people to work or improve themselves economically are the new gorillas in the room.)
That being said, given the choice between too left or too right, I will always pick too right. I voted for Mitt Romney this time. (Truthfully, I voted as much for Paul Ryan as I did for Romney.)
I was outvoted. (Though not by much. As I type, CNN is reporting that out of nearly 100 million votes counted, there are 335 votes separating President Obama and Mitt Romney. Stunning numbers that show just how divided our nation is, and how desperately we need a unifying force and a moderate and/or bipartisan leadership.)
So what does all of this mean for me?
It means Barack Obama is still President of the United States.
Barack Obama is my president.
Though I may disagree with who and what he represents, I will pray for President Obama. I will pray for America. And most assuredly, I will pray that President Obama, the Democratic Senate, and the Republican House can somehow learn to work together for the good of the United States of America and not the individual voters who they hope and pray might vote for them later.
Throughout this post, I have been very careful to refer to him as President Obama. I have been guilty in the past of referring to the president as Clinton, Bush, George W., Dubya, and Obama. I hope to break that habit, and raise my baby girl differently. Like it or not, he (whoever "he" is at the current moment) is the president.
He is President Obama.
God bless President Obama.
Most importantly, God bless the United States of America.
Scripture: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. - Romans 13:1-2
Quote: We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. - Albert Einstein
Bonus quote: Deal with the world the way it is, not the way you wish it was. - John Chambers
Bonus quote: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results. - Albert Einstein
Bonus quote: We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are. - Max Dupree
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
First, a little background: I am a registered Republican. However, as I'm sure many of my friends and family would hate to admit, I tend to be quite a bit more moderate than conservative. (I've even been called liberal once by one family member.) In 4 presidential elections in which I've had the honor of voting, I have only voted in one Republican primary. I have never voted straight ticket for ANY party.
I have been concerned since he was a senator about President Obama's record. He is too far left for me. (His voting record in the Senate was more liberal than Ted Kennedy for crying out loud.) President George W. Bush was actually too far right for my taste. I loved John McCain.
I think we need leaders in or near the middle that can start unifying our nation. The biggest problem with our government has long been that great, good, bad, or horrible, your ideas as a government official are judged solely on one criterion: a letter after your name. If I'm an (R) and you're a (D), we can't talk. That is a fatal flaw. (This is no longer the biggest problem. The crippling, unrestrained spending of money that our nation DOES NOT HAVE, and the rapidly growing disincentive for people to work or improve themselves economically are the new gorillas in the room.)
That being said, given the choice between too left or too right, I will always pick too right. I voted for Mitt Romney this time. (Truthfully, I voted as much for Paul Ryan as I did for Romney.)
I was outvoted. (Though not by much. As I type, CNN is reporting that out of nearly 100 million votes counted, there are 335 votes separating President Obama and Mitt Romney. Stunning numbers that show just how divided our nation is, and how desperately we need a unifying force and a moderate and/or bipartisan leadership.)
So what does all of this mean for me?
It means Barack Obama is still President of the United States.
Barack Obama is my president.
Though I may disagree with who and what he represents, I will pray for President Obama. I will pray for America. And most assuredly, I will pray that President Obama, the Democratic Senate, and the Republican House can somehow learn to work together for the good of the United States of America and not the individual voters who they hope and pray might vote for them later.
Throughout this post, I have been very careful to refer to him as President Obama. I have been guilty in the past of referring to the president as Clinton, Bush, George W., Dubya, and Obama. I hope to break that habit, and raise my baby girl differently. Like it or not, he (whoever "he" is at the current moment) is the president.
He is President Obama.
God bless President Obama.
Most importantly, God bless the United States of America.
Scripture: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. - Romans 13:1-2
Quote: We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. - Albert Einstein
Bonus quote: Deal with the world the way it is, not the way you wish it was. - John Chambers
Bonus quote: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results. - Albert Einstein
Bonus quote: We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are. - Max Dupree
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, October 15, 2012
Change Over Time, Day 1
Today's weight: 282.8 (thankfully much lower than I anticipated)
This week's starting weight: 282.8
Overall starting weight: 282.8
Little Things: 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups, 20 jumping jacks, 10 minute evening walk
Breakfast: 6 oz nonfat yogurt, apple
Lunch: PBJ on wheat with a side of lightly salted potato chips, sweet tea
Dinner: Angel hair pasta with crescent rolls, sweet tea
Goofs: Coca-Cola Icee, late night Oreos and milk
So I'm not perfect yet, but hey...it's a start.
This may or may not be a daily tracker, but for any posts that are just updates and not some original writings, I will omit the traditional scripture and quotation references.
Game on!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Decay
I haven't written anything in a while. I just hadn't really been in a writing kind of mood for some reason.
Until recently.
The other day, I sat and watched the first episode of the sixth season of The Big Bang Theory, a sitcom on CBS, with my six week old daughter in my arms.
My daughter is six weeks old, and the changes I've seen in her already are too great to fully express here. You know what's changed in my life in the last six weeks? My daughter arrived and grew to be six weeks old. Outside of that...nothing really.
Even sadder, that sitcom is starting its sixth year on the air. You know what's changed in my life in the last six years? My daughter arrived and grew to be six weeks old. Outside of that...nothing really.
I went to the homecoming football game last Friday night to cheer on The San Angelo Central High Bobcats. I am a proud member of the Class of 2000. I graduated high school twelve years ago. You know what's changed in my life in the last twelve years?
Actually, that's where the pattern breaks. Since 2000, I have started and finished college. I have dated, proposed to, and married the most beautiful girl in the world. Oh, and my daughter arrived and grew to be six weeks old.
So why has it taken so long for me to achieve significant change in my life? I have not made even marginal progress toward any goal in my life. In fact, it is a very legitimate question to ask if I even have goals to work toward. I do have them. I now feel that I must more clearly define them and determine to go get them. Then, it's just drive man. Just drive. Go get it.
I used to have this image that I used as my profile pic on Facebook. It is a fraction type equation with a delta over a lower case t. It stands for change over time. My intention was for this to be a reminder to me as I worked toward my physical, financial, and musical goals that success would not be instantaneous. However, I actually took it to the wrong extreme. I have stopped working as hard as I should and started relying on time to change things for me.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is a 100% guaranteed way to avoid success or even mild progress for six weeks, six years, or longer.
You see, if you wait for time to change things for you, it most certainly will. It just won't be in the way you would prefer. The effect time usually has on anything is erosion, rot, decay. That's what has happened to me. For example, I rarely work on my guitar playing any more, and I have stopped eating right or exercising. Results? My guitar skill has slowly diminished and my health is not where it should be.
That all changes now. Change over time. As it was originally intended, this will be my goal. A goal to be worked toward actively, not waited on or hoped for. Presently, it will apply mostly to my health. I may not be able to complete a full P90X workout every day for 3 months. However, I can eat healthier and smaller meals. I can do some form of exercise daily. And I will.
Previously, I used Facebook as my accountability tracker. This blog will (only temporarily) serve that purpose now. I need to get healthier and stronger for my family. My wife and baby girl deserve the best of me.
Perhaps, guitar and other goals can follow later.
Game on!
Scripture: In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. - Proverbs 14:23
Quote: "...all we had we've wasted. It's something like decay. You know it won't be long before we've spent all our lives complacent, and isn't that a shame? We've faded for so long." - Mark Tremonti
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Until recently.
The other day, I sat and watched the first episode of the sixth season of The Big Bang Theory, a sitcom on CBS, with my six week old daughter in my arms.
My daughter is six weeks old, and the changes I've seen in her already are too great to fully express here. You know what's changed in my life in the last six weeks? My daughter arrived and grew to be six weeks old. Outside of that...nothing really.
Even sadder, that sitcom is starting its sixth year on the air. You know what's changed in my life in the last six years? My daughter arrived and grew to be six weeks old. Outside of that...nothing really.
I went to the homecoming football game last Friday night to cheer on The San Angelo Central High Bobcats. I am a proud member of the Class of 2000. I graduated high school twelve years ago. You know what's changed in my life in the last twelve years?
Actually, that's where the pattern breaks. Since 2000, I have started and finished college. I have dated, proposed to, and married the most beautiful girl in the world. Oh, and my daughter arrived and grew to be six weeks old.
So why has it taken so long for me to achieve significant change in my life? I have not made even marginal progress toward any goal in my life. In fact, it is a very legitimate question to ask if I even have goals to work toward. I do have them. I now feel that I must more clearly define them and determine to go get them. Then, it's just drive man. Just drive. Go get it.
I used to have this image that I used as my profile pic on Facebook. It is a fraction type equation with a delta over a lower case t. It stands for change over time. My intention was for this to be a reminder to me as I worked toward my physical, financial, and musical goals that success would not be instantaneous. However, I actually took it to the wrong extreme. I have stopped working as hard as I should and started relying on time to change things for me.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is a 100% guaranteed way to avoid success or even mild progress for six weeks, six years, or longer.
You see, if you wait for time to change things for you, it most certainly will. It just won't be in the way you would prefer. The effect time usually has on anything is erosion, rot, decay. That's what has happened to me. For example, I rarely work on my guitar playing any more, and I have stopped eating right or exercising. Results? My guitar skill has slowly diminished and my health is not where it should be.
That all changes now. Change over time. As it was originally intended, this will be my goal. A goal to be worked toward actively, not waited on or hoped for. Presently, it will apply mostly to my health. I may not be able to complete a full P90X workout every day for 3 months. However, I can eat healthier and smaller meals. I can do some form of exercise daily. And I will.
Previously, I used Facebook as my accountability tracker. This blog will (only temporarily) serve that purpose now. I need to get healthier and stronger for my family. My wife and baby girl deserve the best of me.
Perhaps, guitar and other goals can follow later.
Game on!
Scripture: In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. - Proverbs 14:23
Quote: "...all we had we've wasted. It's something like decay. You know it won't be long before we've spent all our lives complacent, and isn't that a shame? We've faded for so long." - Mark Tremonti
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Reality Check
I finally sat down with Mandy and watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics in London. I always enjoy the pageantry of the opening ceremonies and the celebratory atmosphere of the closing ceremonies. (Side note: The next summer games will be in Rio. How fantastic is that closing ceremony going to be?) For me personally, there is one moment of every Olympiad that is the most gripping and emotionally stirring, and it comes in the opening ceremony.
It does not matter where in the world the Olympics are held, I always watch the parade of nations. That's where you will find the greatest single moment of television every four years. It is the moment at the end of the parade of nations when the athletes from the host nation are introduced and first enter the arena. It never fails to thrill. The team is introduced, and the athletes file in led proudly by the flag of their country. In the stands, tens of thousands of their countrymen erupt in the most purely passionate cheers heard anywhere on the planet.
Can you imagine walking in following and wearing the colors of your nation and being met with the love and adoration of your country before you ever even step on the field of play? What an indescribable honor. I get emotional just considering the possibility.
There was another captivating image at this year's opening ceremony. An overhead camera shot showed the crowd of athletes assembled on the floor of the arena. Thousands of individuals from over two hundred nations, many from differing cultures, many with conflicting belief systems were gathered in one place, preparing to spend two weeks together, and putting aside their differences.
What causes this harmony among the nations that we would all love to see, but only truly reveals itself on one platform?
Sports. I'm just sayin'.
It is, after all, the opening of the Olympic games.
Then there is the competition. Already this year we have seen drama in the swimming arena. Ryan Lochte won an early gold medal and appeared poised to become the breakout star of these Olympics, only to see Michael Phelps return to prominence and become the most decorated Olympian ever. There will also be a lot of interest once the track and field events begin. The world will be anxious to see if the aptly named Usain Bolt can continue to stretch the boundaries of human capability.
And of course, there is USA Gymnastics. The girls' team is known as the Fab Five, and they have shown why they have earned that nickname for sure.
First, there's Jordyn Wieber. Now, a rule is a rule no matter how incredibly dumb it is, and the rule is only two gymnasts from any country can make the individual all-around final. Knowing this, Wieber's dreams of all-around gold were crushed when two of her teammates, including Gabby Douglas, scored higher than her in qualifying. Now, I don't pretend to know more about gymnastics than the Olympic judges, but as we watched the performances, I thought Wieber outperformed Douglas. Nevertheless, she was eliminated.
How did she respond? She put it all aside temporarily, locked herself in, and delivered an amazing vault to help the USA win the team gold medal going away.
And what of Gabby Douglas. First, she has to cope with conflicting emotions. On one hand, her friend and teammate is out of the competition and visibly devastated. On the other, she is one step closer to realizing her dream. I'm also guessing that there were at least a few ignoramuses (ignorami?) like me who didn't believe she belonged in the final. Also, most of the media coverage seemed focused on Wieber missing the final rather than on Douglas making it.
How did she respond? She put it all aside temporarily, locked herself in, and delivered the performance of her life to win the individual all-around gold medal. She proved to me and everyone else that she did truly belong.
Phelps, Wieber, Douglas have all shown us why sports create the ultimate in reality television. They, and thousands of other international athletes, captivate the world for two weeks in even numbered years. Their accomplishments could prove that there exists in each of us the power to overcome the odds and our circumstances and have our spirit truly shine brightly.
That shining human spirit sounds great, but it doesn't exist. Not really.
I don't have it.
See...swimming, track, gymnastics. Even in the Olympics, each individual event is, exactly like all the other sports I write about, just a game. It is not reality.
Reality is every American gold medalist returning home to an increased tax bill from the IRS. (Yes, our government taxes each gold medalist to the tune of almost $9000 per gold.) Reality is a world full of people who take for granted and take advantage, a world full of laziness and an incomprehensible spirit of envy that grows and spreads like wildfire every day.
True reality is when many of these athletes, now outside of the Olympics, endure the atrocities that occur when true humanity reveals it self and people blindly and violently stand up for those conflicting belief systems that were temporarily eschewed during the games.
Once the athletes are done with the competition, the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and the closing ceremony, they must return home. Once the Olympic flame is extinguished, they must return to reality.
And reality sucks.
Scripture: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord. - Romans 12:18-19 (NIV)
Quote: "I don't know when I might give in. It's haunting me again, and I feel like just giving up. Today, how it wears me thin. I'm weakening again, and I feel like just giving up." - Mark Tremonti
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Farewell.
(Note: This post was written last week. I just had to wait for the correct hat to be ordered, shipped, inscribed, and photographed before I could upload. Enjoy.)
As I write this, the MLB All-Star Game is on my television. The game features
many of today's greatest players on teams managed by Ron Washington of the Texas
Rangers and Tony LaRussa, formerly of the St. Louis Cardinals. As I watch, I
can't help but wonder what Bill James would think of the game.
The name Bill James is fairly influential, not necessarily in sports but
certainly in baseball. He is well known for his obsession with statistics in
baseball and the creation of sabermetrics, a study of the game of baseball which
attempts to "search for objective knowledge about baseball." That Bill James
has been influential in the lives of many baseball executives and players by
challenging traditional paradigms and altering the way players and teams are
evaluated.
Another Bill James was not a baseball visionary. (I personally believe that this
was only because he didn't want to be. I think he had a brilliant mind and could
have done anything, but I may be slightly biased.) He was more important in my
family's world than the more famous Bill James is to baseball.
William "Bill" James Kure was my grandfather. Sadly, Grandpa passed away last
week. He died, perhaps not so strangely, one year and three days after we lost
Grandma. That has served to reinforce to me that we can't take anyone for
granted. "There's always next year" may be an acceptable outlook in sports, but
in life, we are not promised anything after today.
I suppose an argument could be made that I talk or write about sports too much.
It's just how I'm wired. It's what I know and how I can relate to the world
around me.
It was no different with Grandpa. He liked sports as well, and much of our
interaction and conversation was sports related. We spent a lot of our time
together watching baseball, on the golf course, or around a Scrabble board. (I
am pretty sure that Scrabble counts as a sport. It is probably a safe bet that
it has been shown on ESPN2 at one point.)
I'm not sure that Grandpa could quote many big leaguers' BABIP or VORP
sabermetric stats, but we had a blast talking National League strategies, sac
bunts, and why Tony LaRussa would have his pitcher bat eighth rather than ninth
as convention dictates. I loved to hear his stories about heading to the
ballpark when he was young and catching a Major League doubleheader for fifty
cents.
The best lesson that Grandpa TRIED to teach me came on the golf course. Despite
some surprisingly good skill with my irons, I was never any good off the tee or
on the green. Many of my friends and family will be shocked to learn that this
would really frustrate me. Grandpa was consistently reassuring me and settling
me down to try and get the best out of me. To this day, even if I am just
hitting a bucket of balls at the driving range, I can hear Grandpa's words
resonating. "Take it easy. Just stay calm. Don't get mad."
I say he "tried" to teach me because, as I'm sure my wife and twitter followers
will attest, I haven't learned to stay calm in sports. I'm not bragging about
that, but rather confessing. For example, when watching my Rangers lose in the
World Series for the second straight season last year, I was not able to wait
until next year like Grandma would want or to stay calm like Grandpa would.
Ironically, it was Grandpa's Cardinals that would end up beating Texas to win
that World Series.
So what did I get from Grandpa? He loved golf, a game that all three of his kids
and one of his grandkids have taken up. I have not. He loved Green Bay Packers
football, a team to which my dad and brother have also sworn allegiance. I am a
Carolina Panthers fan. Obviously I can't be a Cardinals fan either.
There is one thing that he and I will always share, no matter what. That is our
name. A name doesn't seem like much, especially our family name. It is a mere
four letters long. It may not be a name that fills up the history books. I am
often teased or ridiculed about my poor penmanship, but when giving my
signature, I always try my best to make at least one word clearly legible. Kure.
I am a Kure.
Grandpa certainly wasn't the first Kure, but he is the first generation of Kure
who I can remember. Our first child, a baby girl, will arrive soon. Assuming
that she is ever allowed to date or marry, she will only be a Kure for a
relatively short while. (Unless she follows her mother's lead and marries a
Currie or a Curry.) My brother does have boys. So we are guaranteed at least one
more generation of Kures. These new Kures won't get to meet Grandpa yet.
They will just have to wait until we all meet up and head to the first tee box
up yonder.
Just one last thought. I wonder if, after some lively polka dancing and some
perfectly prepared povitica with Grandma, he gently pointed out that he got to
see the Cards win one more championship. Grandma's Cubbies...well you know.
Scripture: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no
more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the
former things have passed away.” - Revelation 21:4 (ESV)
Quote: "It is not length of life, but depth of life." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
As I write this, the MLB All-Star Game is on my television. The game features
many of today's greatest players on teams managed by Ron Washington of the Texas
Rangers and Tony LaRussa, formerly of the St. Louis Cardinals. As I watch, I
can't help but wonder what Bill James would think of the game.
The name Bill James is fairly influential, not necessarily in sports but
certainly in baseball. He is well known for his obsession with statistics in
baseball and the creation of sabermetrics, a study of the game of baseball which
attempts to "search for objective knowledge about baseball." That Bill James
has been influential in the lives of many baseball executives and players by
challenging traditional paradigms and altering the way players and teams are
evaluated.
Another Bill James was not a baseball visionary. (I personally believe that this
was only because he didn't want to be. I think he had a brilliant mind and could
have done anything, but I may be slightly biased.) He was more important in my
family's world than the more famous Bill James is to baseball.
William "Bill" James Kure was my grandfather. Sadly, Grandpa passed away last
week. He died, perhaps not so strangely, one year and three days after we lost
Grandma. That has served to reinforce to me that we can't take anyone for
granted. "There's always next year" may be an acceptable outlook in sports, but
in life, we are not promised anything after today.
I suppose an argument could be made that I talk or write about sports too much.
It's just how I'm wired. It's what I know and how I can relate to the world
around me.
It was no different with Grandpa. He liked sports as well, and much of our
interaction and conversation was sports related. We spent a lot of our time
together watching baseball, on the golf course, or around a Scrabble board. (I
am pretty sure that Scrabble counts as a sport. It is probably a safe bet that
it has been shown on ESPN2 at one point.)
I'm not sure that Grandpa could quote many big leaguers' BABIP or VORP
sabermetric stats, but we had a blast talking National League strategies, sac
bunts, and why Tony LaRussa would have his pitcher bat eighth rather than ninth
as convention dictates. I loved to hear his stories about heading to the
ballpark when he was young and catching a Major League doubleheader for fifty
cents.
The best lesson that Grandpa TRIED to teach me came on the golf course. Despite
some surprisingly good skill with my irons, I was never any good off the tee or
on the green. Many of my friends and family will be shocked to learn that this
would really frustrate me. Grandpa was consistently reassuring me and settling
me down to try and get the best out of me. To this day, even if I am just
hitting a bucket of balls at the driving range, I can hear Grandpa's words
resonating. "Take it easy. Just stay calm. Don't get mad."
I say he "tried" to teach me because, as I'm sure my wife and twitter followers
will attest, I haven't learned to stay calm in sports. I'm not bragging about
that, but rather confessing. For example, when watching my Rangers lose in the
World Series for the second straight season last year, I was not able to wait
until next year like Grandma would want or to stay calm like Grandpa would.
Ironically, it was Grandpa's Cardinals that would end up beating Texas to win
that World Series.
So what did I get from Grandpa? He loved golf, a game that all three of his kids
and one of his grandkids have taken up. I have not. He loved Green Bay Packers
football, a team to which my dad and brother have also sworn allegiance. I am a
Carolina Panthers fan. Obviously I can't be a Cardinals fan either.
There is one thing that he and I will always share, no matter what. That is our
name. A name doesn't seem like much, especially our family name. It is a mere
four letters long. It may not be a name that fills up the history books. I am
often teased or ridiculed about my poor penmanship, but when giving my
signature, I always try my best to make at least one word clearly legible. Kure.
I am a Kure.
Grandpa certainly wasn't the first Kure, but he is the first generation of Kure
who I can remember. Our first child, a baby girl, will arrive soon. Assuming
that she is ever allowed to date or marry, she will only be a Kure for a
relatively short while. (Unless she follows her mother's lead and marries a
Currie or a Curry.) My brother does have boys. So we are guaranteed at least one
more generation of Kures. These new Kures won't get to meet Grandpa yet.
They will just have to wait until we all meet up and head to the first tee box
up yonder.
Just one last thought. I wonder if, after some lively polka dancing and some
perfectly prepared povitica with Grandma, he gently pointed out that he got to
see the Cards win one more championship. Grandma's Cubbies...well you know.
Scripture: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no
more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the
former things have passed away.” - Revelation 21:4 (ESV)
Quote: "It is not length of life, but depth of life." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Justice
It has been a while since I wrote anything out. To date, this blog has been lessons or parallels that I perceive in life and the games I often watch the superstars of sport play. Today's moment of inspiration, however, comes not from sports (although I am watching the fifth, and hopefully final, game of the NBA Finals as I write) but from another source of personal entertainment, television.
Specifically, there is an intriguing quote from Captain Jean-Luc Picard in an episode from the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. In this episode, the crew of the Enterprise are exploring a new planet and have initiated contact with the native species which inhabits the planet. While visiting the planet, the child of one of the crew members inadvertently breaks one of the laws of the land when he crushes some new plants while playing ball. The law enforcement agents show up and prepare to hand down the punishment. The catch is, that in order to create their seemingly Utopian society, this race has instituted a policy in which any and all crimes are punishable by death. The "mediators" even break out the syringe in order to administer the lethal injection immediately. Of course, the other crew members step in to delay the execution, and Captain Picard himself is forced into action to try and negotiate for the life of the boy. His appeal is denied because the child did break a law and ignorance of the law is not a valid defense. Picard is forced to deliberately disregard the laws and customs of the new planet and take the child back to the Enterprise to escape punishment. He tries explaining to the newly discovered people why his culture views capital punishment as barbaric. Then he says something profound.
"There can be no justice so long as laws are absolute."
I was watching this in the early morning as I was getting in a little workout time on the stationary bike. I was astonished. I actually stopped pedaling and ran the DVD back to hear it again.
What a tremendous illustration of our relationship with God as mere humans.
Sin is the act of breaking God's law. Imagine if every sin, regardless of our perception of the severity, were punishable by certain and immediate death. Would you still be alive?
I wouldn't be. As a matter of fact, I am certain that there would be no humanity left. Thank God for rainbows.
Rainbows? What?
Yeah, rainbows. You see, the rainbow is a sign of God's promise to Noah, and ultimately to all of us, that He would never again wipe mankind from the planet. (Genesis 8:20-9:17) This is exactly what would happen if God were to enforce his laws absolutely.
Why? Two reasons.
One, God would have no choice but to punish the entire human species. We are all sinners. No exceptions. "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Two, the punishment would be death rather than some lesser form of criminal punishment. "The wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23
So, why are we still here watching basketball, writing and (hopefully) reading blogs? Why aren't we all floating face down in a flood brought on by our own failures?
The simple answer is grace...God's amazing grace. We can root for/against Lebron James. We can express our thoughts and emotions on the internet. We can live, just be alive, because our God is gracious and has chosen not to ruthlessly enforce the ultimate punishment allowed by the law.
Why can't we emulate this in our personal lives? No, we can't just ignore or overturn the laws of the land. Rather, the next time you find yourself in a place where a rule or guideline has seemingly been broken, try extending a little grace instead of immediately reaching for the euthanasia. Put yourself in the rule breaker's shoes, and imagine how incredibly relieved you would be when granted mercy rather than receiving the judgement that you genuinely deserve.
Just think back to when you received salvation. When your eyes truly opened and you actually could see how hopeless and lost in sin you were. When you understood that your sins had literally sentenced you to death. How undeniably grateful were you; how irreversibly grateful ARE you that God would say something like...
"There can be no justice so long as laws are absolute."
How precious did that grace appear the hour you first believed? (Wow! Someone should put that in a song.)
Scripture: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
Quote: "Remember happiness doesn't depend on who you are or what you have; it depends solely on what you think." - Dale Carnegie
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Specifically, there is an intriguing quote from Captain Jean-Luc Picard in an episode from the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. In this episode, the crew of the Enterprise are exploring a new planet and have initiated contact with the native species which inhabits the planet. While visiting the planet, the child of one of the crew members inadvertently breaks one of the laws of the land when he crushes some new plants while playing ball. The law enforcement agents show up and prepare to hand down the punishment. The catch is, that in order to create their seemingly Utopian society, this race has instituted a policy in which any and all crimes are punishable by death. The "mediators" even break out the syringe in order to administer the lethal injection immediately. Of course, the other crew members step in to delay the execution, and Captain Picard himself is forced into action to try and negotiate for the life of the boy. His appeal is denied because the child did break a law and ignorance of the law is not a valid defense. Picard is forced to deliberately disregard the laws and customs of the new planet and take the child back to the Enterprise to escape punishment. He tries explaining to the newly discovered people why his culture views capital punishment as barbaric. Then he says something profound.
"There can be no justice so long as laws are absolute."
I was watching this in the early morning as I was getting in a little workout time on the stationary bike. I was astonished. I actually stopped pedaling and ran the DVD back to hear it again.
What a tremendous illustration of our relationship with God as mere humans.
Sin is the act of breaking God's law. Imagine if every sin, regardless of our perception of the severity, were punishable by certain and immediate death. Would you still be alive?
I wouldn't be. As a matter of fact, I am certain that there would be no humanity left. Thank God for rainbows.
Rainbows? What?
Yeah, rainbows. You see, the rainbow is a sign of God's promise to Noah, and ultimately to all of us, that He would never again wipe mankind from the planet. (Genesis 8:20-9:17) This is exactly what would happen if God were to enforce his laws absolutely.
Why? Two reasons.
One, God would have no choice but to punish the entire human species. We are all sinners. No exceptions. "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Two, the punishment would be death rather than some lesser form of criminal punishment. "The wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23
So, why are we still here watching basketball, writing and (hopefully) reading blogs? Why aren't we all floating face down in a flood brought on by our own failures?
The simple answer is grace...God's amazing grace. We can root for/against Lebron James. We can express our thoughts and emotions on the internet. We can live, just be alive, because our God is gracious and has chosen not to ruthlessly enforce the ultimate punishment allowed by the law.
Why can't we emulate this in our personal lives? No, we can't just ignore or overturn the laws of the land. Rather, the next time you find yourself in a place where a rule or guideline has seemingly been broken, try extending a little grace instead of immediately reaching for the euthanasia. Put yourself in the rule breaker's shoes, and imagine how incredibly relieved you would be when granted mercy rather than receiving the judgement that you genuinely deserve.
Just think back to when you received salvation. When your eyes truly opened and you actually could see how hopeless and lost in sin you were. When you understood that your sins had literally sentenced you to death. How undeniably grateful were you; how irreversibly grateful ARE you that God would say something like...
"There can be no justice so long as laws are absolute."
How precious did that grace appear the hour you first believed? (Wow! Someone should put that in a song.)
Scripture: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
Quote: "Remember happiness doesn't depend on who you are or what you have; it depends solely on what you think." - Dale Carnegie
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, April 28, 2012
A Catch 22 (or is it 32?) Paradox
The back and forth between Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton and team general manager John Daniels that has played out in the media has me searching desperately for my thinking cap. I'm sure I left it around here somewhere. Anyway, Hamilton will be a free agent after this season, and Daniels would love to sign him to a new contract. However, it seems both men have been put into a position where this is no right thing to say. Hamilton says that he will not, and should not be expected to, give the Rangers a hometown discount in negotiations. (Since he is from Raleigh, North Carolina, that "hometown discount" for a team in Texas should be rather small anyway, but that's beside the point.) Daniels has said that Hamilton's choice of words bothered him, but he understood the point Hamilton was making when read in context. In a landscape where fans and media demand absolute answers instantly, what can either of these guys say? "No comment" or "Let's just see how things work out" are not generally viewed as acceptable.
Consider Hamilton. He could be a true free agent with the ability to negotiate with any and every team in the league. If he says the Rangers do not get a discount, then he seems greedy. Never mind that thousands of free agents have searched for and signed the biggest contracts they could find for years. Some have hinted that he is ungrateful to the Rangers. This conveniently ignores the fact that he has given all he has of his heart and his body to help them to consecutive World Series appearances. If he says the Rangers will be given preference, then he sabotages his negotiating position with every team in the league, including Texas. Teams might lower their offers trying to compete with the Rangers. Some teams might not even make him an offer if they assume he is headed back to Texas.
Consider Daniels. He can't outright ask for or demand a discount. That might insult Hamilton and ensure his departure. He also can't come forward and say that he doesn't want any preferential treatment in negotiations. What if Hamilton was considering a cheaper deal with Texas? The Rangers would lose that chance if they didn't at least consider the option that a hometown discount might come into play?
What can either man do?
I can think of only one similar situation in my life. I work in the office at an auto body shop. I process the paperwork on just about every vehicle and insurance claim that comes in to our shop. There are two types of weather that greatly affect our business. Hail and icy roads. Being in West Texas, hail is a much more frequent occurrence. (The icy roads are interesting however because they are so rare that many drivers in our area simply don't know how to react.) Now that we have moved from winter into the spring, the next few months are prime season for severe weather. A hail storm would damage vehicles all over town and greatly increase the business and income of our body shop. What do I do?
If I pray FOR a hail storm, I am greedy. My wife and I don't technically need more income. We have a plan and are trying to live on and live with what we already make, especially with a baby girl on the way.
If I pray AGAINST a hail storm, I feel lazy, like I'm just trying to avoid increased work and responsibility.
What do I do? There is no clear, right answer.
In my case, there is a tiebreaker, so to speak. A hail storm means a severe thunderstorm, which could also mean flooding, tornadoes, and lightning strikes. Given the prolonged drought, the lightning could be the worst event, once again sparking massive wildfires like those that destroyed much of our great state just one year ago. In my mind, the damage or destruction of other people's property and homes, or businesses and livelihood, is too great a risk. Lives can actually be affected, altered, or even ended in an instant during severe weather. I will gladly sacrifice whatever personal gain I may see in order to avoid that grim possibility. (I don't intend to imply that I actually believe that I somehow control or affect the weather. I don't. I am just much happier when there is no severe weather of any kind, even if it makes me seem lazy. Those who know me and my work know better anyway.)
I don't know what the tiebreaker may be for Hamilton or for Daniels. I do selfishly hope they find it and find a way to keep Josh in Texas for a long time.
How about you? What represents a hometown discount or a hail storm in your life? What do you do?
Scripture: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Quote: "No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking." - Francois-Marie Arouet de Voltaire
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Bad Advice
parenthood. I am suddenly reviewing and questioning much of the conventional
"wisdom" that I have been taught or that I have merely picked up over the years.
Someday, it will be my job to impart as much of my wisdom as possible into my
son or daughter. The truth is, that day will be here much sooner than I am
currently ready to admit. I need to get my thoughts straight for myself so that
I know what I believe. Which of these adages, cliches, and catchphrases ring
true and which are setting us up for varying degrees of pain and suffering?
Some are so blatantly, over-the-top annoying that you can tell they were
painstakingly contrived by someone intentionally trying to invent a sound bite.
For example, "Smile, it increases your face value." Rest assured this absurdity
is not something to which I will subject my child.
Others are the unfortunate result of our culture's rapidly increasing dependence
on technology and "social" media. People can no longer simply talk to one
another. We all communicate via text message, tweets, or Facebook posts. This
has led to a trend of abbreviations and acronyms that merely represent what we
are actually trying to say. Examples are "WWJD" (what would Jesus do) and "DTA"
(don't trust anybody.) Both of those ideas have valid applications. However,
beside raising my child to actually learn spelling and sentence structure, there
is one text language creation that I believe is excellent daily advice. "LOL."
Laugh out loud. True it didn't originate as a directive, but rather a response
to let your friend, real or digital, know that their comment amused you. Still,
this is one of the best things I could teach my kid. No matter what, every
single day, find a reason to laugh out loud. Laughter is tremendous medicine.
There are several sitcoms that run in syndication every weeknight on television
that my remote control seems to naturally gravitate toward for some reason. I
love to watch them because they make me laugh every night. As a result, when I
go to bed, my mood is almost guaranteed to be better than it has been throughout
the day. Honest, uncontrolled, out loud laughter eases the tensions that our
daily lives may create. Try it. LOL!
What about ancient parental wisdom? Things like "Life's not fair." This has
been said to kids by their parents for as long as there have been parents or
kids. This will also be part of the dialogue between myself and my child because
it couldn't be truer. First off, it has already been scientifically proven to be true. Secondly, in my spiritual walk as a Christian, the principle
of life being unfair is the only way that I can actually have life. You see, I
am a sinner, and as such, I deserve only punishment, death, and hell. However,
I am a sinner that has been saved by grace. Because of God's love, and Christ's
death on the cross for me, I don't have to face or endure what I deserve, what
is "fair." I thank God that life is not fair. I hope that my child truly
grasps that and grows up eternally grateful.
Now to the two gems about which I truly have the biggest reservations.
First, whatever you do you must always "give it 110%." Simply put, this is
impossible. What is possible is that there is no more insane sentence in the
English language. Well, maybe "You should try yoga." Anyway, in any
measurement, the full amount of something equals 100%. It is not humanly,
physically, or magically possible to give more than that. I think the former
coaching staff of the St. Louis Rams football team had a more realistic view of
effort and hustle. They used to count and punish players for "loafs." Then
defensive coordinator, Lovie Smith defined a "loaf" as a player changing speed
during a play. If a player gave up and slowed down, he loafed. Even better,
what if a player sped up? Many praise that player as "going to the next level"
or "finding another gear." To the Rams coaches, he loafed. That he sped up
only showed that he wasn't going full blast to begin with. He wasn't giving
100%. Your maximum effort is all you can give. I think one of Tony Horton's
P90X mottos is more appropriate. "Do your best, and forget the rest."
Finally, the Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
As a Christian father, I suppose that I am contractually obligated to teach my
child this life lesson. If it takes, at least my kid will make one mother very
proud. I won't share my ever growing list of doubts about the Golden Rule. It
just seems that there is plenty of evidence that there is little or no personal
benefit to actually living out the Golden Rule. Suffice it to say, I'm not 110%
sold on this one. The fact is, right or wrong, I'm afraid that following this
rule only reveals a harsh tendency of humanity that is summed up nicely in one
final proverb.
"If you give someone an inch, they will take a mile."
What do you think? What advice should I give to my son or daughter?
Scripture: Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will
not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6
Quote: "There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from
the things we do." - Freya Stark
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Change
It was Saturday, December 31, 2011.
It was probably eight or nine o'clock in the morning. Come to think of it, I never actually looked at the clock. I do know that it felt more like four or five in the morning. I still wanted to be asleep. In fact, I was still asleep. The key word in that sentence is "was."
As it happens, it was also Mandy's birthday. We had already planned to meet my parents, my brother and his family for lunch. Though I rarely sleep very late on Saturday, we had set an alarm, you know, just in case. Apparently, this particular Saturday was the one that my body thought it was going to take advantage of every minute of sleep available before that alarm.
Then, everything changed.
I was suddenly awakened with a shot to my admittedly oversized belly, and one word. "Daniel!" It was my wife, Mandy. I couldn't immediately decide if her cry was one of excitement or of panic. I do know I was panicked. I believe that I now understand the scare goats on a whole new level. You've seen them right? They're the ones that, when startled, succumb to a sort of temporary paralysis. It really is hilarious. My reaction in that instant felt similar. I froze momentarily, trying desperately to discern what was happening.
Mandy was sitting beside me on the bed. By now, I was awake enough to tell that she was not in distress. As my adrenaline rush subsided, and I returned my heart to my chest, I noticed that she had something in her hand that she was excitedly trying to show me. I was not, however, awake enough to tell what it was. I squinted, but I couldn't make it out. I tried rubbing my eyes to clear the haze. Still nothing. I finally had to admit to her that I could not make out what she was trying to show me.
"It says we're pregnant!"
That's how she broke it to me.
It couldn't have been more perfect.
We are going to have a baby. We are going to be parents. I am going to be a dad. Wow! I mean...wow! What do you think about that?
What am I supposed to think about that?
After years of being married and believing that we were unable to have kids, we got the news that we COULD start a family. After months of trying, we now had the news that we WILL be starting a family.
Well, I have had a few weeks since hearing the news, but something tells me that I have hardly begun to think, feel, imagine and experience even a fraction of what I will from this point on.
Again, what am I supposed to think?
Most of my thoughts so far alternate between concerns over two sets of capabilities: financial and parental.
I wonder about the actual financial cost of being parents. I wouldn't call it worry. Rather, it is probably just the result of conflicting thoughts, presumptions, experiences, and stereotypes the sum total of which seems to be that "babies are expensive." On the other hand, there are those two words that many people hate hearing from me, Dave Ramsey, as well as the two words Dave says don't go together, financial peace. Many who know us know that Mandy and I have begun following Dave Ramsey's advice and have really turned our finances around. Instead of being multiple thousands of dollars in debt and struggling, we have no debt except our house and a decent emergency fund saved up. Truthfully, thinking about it rationally and logically tells me that we are in better shape than many who start families. Still, I can't help but wonder how a new baby will affect us financially.
The more pressing concern is my ability to be a father. What in the world makes me qualified to be a father? Many of my friends and family assure me that I am "good with kids." I also know that kids seem to love me for some reason. I believe that it is because the aforementioned belly gives them a nice, soft cushion on which to rest when I am holding them. I also have next to no sense of smell, so I am uniquely qualified for diaper duty...or is it doodie? On the other hand, I probably play more video games and watch more cartoons than most kids I know. Once I fall asleep, I am a very deep sleeper. How is my wife or my kid going to wake me up in the middle of the night for an emergency? Will I be that annoying parent who is clueless and under- or overreacts to everything? Also, the lack of smelling ability could mean I can't always tell when it is time to change the diaper. How do I ensure that I properly raise the next Dallas Stars/Carolina Panthers/Texas Rangers fan?
What am I supposed to think?
The truth? I don't know what to think. I am not going to know what to think. So, perhaps I will simply stop trying to figure it out. Wait and see. You see, whatever is coming will come whether I'm ready or not. Right?
Here's what I know. That little boy or girl is going to be the most perfect baby ever. That baby's cooing, giggling, smiling, laughing...calling me Daddy...will brighten many dark days and put the most amazing sunrise to shame. And if you need a pick-me-up in the next eight months, wait until you are around me and Mandy. Just tell me to do the baby trick. Then sit back, watch, and enjoy as she lights up like a Christmas tree when I say one simple phrase.
We're going to have a baby.
The game that is my life just got a whole lot more interesting.
Scripture: You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. - Psalm 139:13-14
Quote: "I don't know if I'm ready to be the man I have to be. I'll take a breath. I'll take her by my side. We stand in awe; we've created life." - Scott Stapp
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
It was probably eight or nine o'clock in the morning. Come to think of it, I never actually looked at the clock. I do know that it felt more like four or five in the morning. I still wanted to be asleep. In fact, I was still asleep. The key word in that sentence is "was."
As it happens, it was also Mandy's birthday. We had already planned to meet my parents, my brother and his family for lunch. Though I rarely sleep very late on Saturday, we had set an alarm, you know, just in case. Apparently, this particular Saturday was the one that my body thought it was going to take advantage of every minute of sleep available before that alarm.
Then, everything changed.
I was suddenly awakened with a shot to my admittedly oversized belly, and one word. "Daniel!" It was my wife, Mandy. I couldn't immediately decide if her cry was one of excitement or of panic. I do know I was panicked. I believe that I now understand the scare goats on a whole new level. You've seen them right? They're the ones that, when startled, succumb to a sort of temporary paralysis. It really is hilarious. My reaction in that instant felt similar. I froze momentarily, trying desperately to discern what was happening.
Mandy was sitting beside me on the bed. By now, I was awake enough to tell that she was not in distress. As my adrenaline rush subsided, and I returned my heart to my chest, I noticed that she had something in her hand that she was excitedly trying to show me. I was not, however, awake enough to tell what it was. I squinted, but I couldn't make it out. I tried rubbing my eyes to clear the haze. Still nothing. I finally had to admit to her that I could not make out what she was trying to show me.
"It says we're pregnant!"
That's how she broke it to me.
It couldn't have been more perfect.
We are going to have a baby. We are going to be parents. I am going to be a dad. Wow! I mean...wow! What do you think about that?
What am I supposed to think about that?
After years of being married and believing that we were unable to have kids, we got the news that we COULD start a family. After months of trying, we now had the news that we WILL be starting a family.
Well, I have had a few weeks since hearing the news, but something tells me that I have hardly begun to think, feel, imagine and experience even a fraction of what I will from this point on.
Again, what am I supposed to think?
Most of my thoughts so far alternate between concerns over two sets of capabilities: financial and parental.
I wonder about the actual financial cost of being parents. I wouldn't call it worry. Rather, it is probably just the result of conflicting thoughts, presumptions, experiences, and stereotypes the sum total of which seems to be that "babies are expensive." On the other hand, there are those two words that many people hate hearing from me, Dave Ramsey, as well as the two words Dave says don't go together, financial peace. Many who know us know that Mandy and I have begun following Dave Ramsey's advice and have really turned our finances around. Instead of being multiple thousands of dollars in debt and struggling, we have no debt except our house and a decent emergency fund saved up. Truthfully, thinking about it rationally and logically tells me that we are in better shape than many who start families. Still, I can't help but wonder how a new baby will affect us financially.
The more pressing concern is my ability to be a father. What in the world makes me qualified to be a father? Many of my friends and family assure me that I am "good with kids." I also know that kids seem to love me for some reason. I believe that it is because the aforementioned belly gives them a nice, soft cushion on which to rest when I am holding them. I also have next to no sense of smell, so I am uniquely qualified for diaper duty...or is it doodie? On the other hand, I probably play more video games and watch more cartoons than most kids I know. Once I fall asleep, I am a very deep sleeper. How is my wife or my kid going to wake me up in the middle of the night for an emergency? Will I be that annoying parent who is clueless and under- or overreacts to everything? Also, the lack of smelling ability could mean I can't always tell when it is time to change the diaper. How do I ensure that I properly raise the next Dallas Stars/Carolina Panthers/Texas Rangers fan?
What am I supposed to think?
The truth? I don't know what to think. I am not going to know what to think. So, perhaps I will simply stop trying to figure it out. Wait and see. You see, whatever is coming will come whether I'm ready or not. Right?
Here's what I know. That little boy or girl is going to be the most perfect baby ever. That baby's cooing, giggling, smiling, laughing...calling me Daddy...will brighten many dark days and put the most amazing sunrise to shame. And if you need a pick-me-up in the next eight months, wait until you are around me and Mandy. Just tell me to do the baby trick. Then sit back, watch, and enjoy as she lights up like a Christmas tree when I say one simple phrase.
We're going to have a baby.
The game that is my life just got a whole lot more interesting.
Scripture: You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. - Psalm 139:13-14
Quote: "I don't know if I'm ready to be the man I have to be. I'll take a breath. I'll take her by my side. We stand in awe; we've created life." - Scott Stapp
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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