Mark Beeson, Senior Pastor at Granger Community Church, had a thought provoking post. A couple of things that stuck out to me is that just like the woodpecker we can hoard “stuff” that in the long run isn’t import or relevant to our lives. Amazing that a bird could hoard 50,000 acorns and yet the majority of its food supply be insects. What are the things in our lives, in my life, that I am holding on to, worrying about, or otherwise hoarding that hold no relevance or importance in the long-term? I am asking God to point those out in my life. I am asking him to let me lead a life that is more intentional.
I like how Mark summarizes the things that are important:
Be intentional about your life.
Your children will be home for a very brief time.
Your parents will not be strong forever. Bodies wear out; minds dim.
Your church has opportunity today it won’t have tomorrow.
Your friendships don’t keep; ignore them and you lose them.
To me these are things that are important, especially as my kids get older by the hour.
**UPDATE**
I was reminded that I should provide a shout out to my brother Caleb, who told me about this book. He heard about this book from my other brother Aaron, who also has read it (mad shout out to as well). Caleb now has my copy of the book, which I expect to be promptly read and returned.
**End Update**
Just finished up To Own a Dragon by Donald Miller of Blue Like Jazz infamy. In this book, Miller writes his struggles as man who never knew his father. Miller and I are about the same age. Because of this, I didn’t get a great number of epiphanies from it. We both seem to be on a similar journey and about at the same spot in it. I found it an easy read and it reinforced many of the lessons I have learned in the last 5-10 years. It is good to know that God is consistent in his message. I would love to have the opportunity to sit at a coffee shop and talk with Miller; comparing notes on where he has gone, what conversations him and John MacMurray have had since the book was conpleted, and what God has taught him through that process.
As I read the book, the one thought I continued to have is where was this book when I was 18 or 21 or 30…..I think the book could have matured me in a number of ways much faster. So in that respect, I think it will be a valuable resource in the future to refer men to as they deal with this wound in their life.
A few weeks ago, Emily had the honor of representing her fourth grade class in the district spelling bee. This was Emily’s third year having this honor and Dawn and I are especially proud of her.
The first year she went she placed 8th out 18-20 spellers. She and I spent an awful long time reviewing the spelling list. Our (my) strategy was to breeze through the easy words (most of which Emily could easily spell) and concentrate on the moderate to hard words. As Emily and I learned, the moderate and hard words are barely touched, as most of the spellers get eliminated on the easy words.
Last year, we concentrated on the easy words and maybe went through the moderate and hard words once or twice. Emily finished 4th out 18-20 spellers and missed special mention by one place. We sat through the last three spellers and Emily spelled all the words silently and perfectly. She now knew she could be the champ with a little more effort.
This year was a different story. This year I am coaching basketball and Emily is playing futsal (indoor soccer). We could count our study sessions on one hand. Emily remained confident and felt that she could definitely win. She studied at school with her friends and teacher. However, she/we didn’t spend anywhere near the time that we had spent in the past.
As one could expect the result was less than stellar. She/we went away disappointed.
In the end we have learned some valuable life lessons through the spelling bee. One, you have to pick the correct strategy to be successful. Two, experience is an excellent teacher. Three, you can’t rely on past performance to get you where you want to go. Four, you simply have to grind it out and work. And finally, learn from your mistakes and try not to repeat them.
These are lessons we can all learn and were a great reminder to me on a number of levels.
