Knock 'Em Dead

No matter how long you've lived, you know that with each experience there is a struggle or earned lesson involved of some kind. Whether it is weight loss, a wrong decision, a less than perfect evaluation at work, and many other things. There's a struggle. It's not easy to overcome struggles, but with whom are we struggling? Most times, it is ourselves.

We put limits on ourselves that turn into battles within our own mind. We let people's opinion of us matter. We focus our attention on things that have little or no place in our life. My biggest struggle, hands down, lifelong has been fear of failure. Failing what? Failing everything. In school, kids were mean to me. They said hurtful things. To overcome those things we fear most we have to knock 'em out. To live a life of freedom. It's time to get your boxing gloves on.

I can remember back in 6th grade this one bully trying to make me stay in the locker room every day. He said something to the effect of "you stink like gym socks..." or other stupid things. God knows why, but he would stand at the door and block it every single day. One day as the school year was closing, I am not sure what happened, but when he went to block the door my right hand reflexed and I hit him right in the chin! It felt so good, but I was very afraid. One word, FEAR. I remember closing my eyes and not feeling very confident I would be alive for long. He had instilled so much fear in me that I actually was afraid to die. No joke. Well, when I opened my eyes he was not there. I stood still for quite some time thinking he was around the corner. When I realized he was really gone I ran out the door and didn't even look back. I don't remember what else happened, but I don't remember getting bullied again that year.

Thinking about it now, I guess my punch was me just protesting that I had ENOUGH! Enough of being the victim and just letting this bully get away with stuff. I also look back thinking, "why didn't you just punch him sooner?" The answer is fear. My greatest fear was this person. I had given him control and I couldn't do it any longer. I literally faced my fear.

It's time to face our fears. Fear of failure. Fear of not being quite good enough. Fear of letting go of the past. Fear of rejection. Fear of losing control of things. Fear of stuff that doesn't matter. Sometimes the giant we call fear, those eyes we look into, may fall with just one right hook to the chin. And not even a hard hit. All it takes is stepping up and doing it. Remember whose in your corner of the ring. He's got your back. Step out and face it with Him by your side. He's already fought the battle so stop being scared. Don't let fear stop you from living.

What are you afraid of? Do it.

"I have told you these things so you may have peace in Me.

In the world you will have much trouble.

But take hope! I have power over the world!”

John 16:33

Hot Dogs, Marshmallows....and Gumbo

Our first "adventure" of 2012 was building a fire in our backyard. We have had many, but this is the first in our new house. We enjoy sitting by the fire roasting hot dogs and marshmallows.

Our love for time spent around a fire goes way back. I can remember sitting for hours in front of what seemed like an all-night fire on the levee of the Atchafalaya Basin. We also had big bonfires on our property with the entire neighborhood growing up. We would either have a crawfish or crab boil to accompany it.

My greatest memory I can recall is roasting a pig overnight over a fire called a Cochon de Lait. It is the slow roasting of a small pig overnight. The time in between was where the fun began throughout the night. I never was allowed to stay up all night, but the time before was fun. I remember playing a card game called Cadillac. My Dad would let me play his hand for him. One time, I remember winning $10 (which was like a thousand in my mind) and my Dad would not let me take the money home. I guessed later that he owed some debts from past card games. I really didn't care because I was able to spend time with him. After waking up the next morning to an indescribable aroma, the pig would be removed from it's roasting rack, ice water poured onto it's skin to make cracklin's and everyone would dive in. It may not sound appetizing to some, but it was the highlight of each spring spent at that house.

Last night, we were able to roast hot dogs with all the fixin's, marshmallows, and we even made s'mores as a family. It was so much fun showing Annabelle how to start a fire, including fire safety tips. Her favorite part was pulling apart a dead vining plant from our outside storage building and putting it into the fire. The buds on the plant as they burned looked like fireflies. We had such a good time and we were a little disappointed when we had to put out the fire. We even had a s'mores-gone-wrong-moment. The picture on the right speaks for itself.

We look forward to spending a lot of time around the fire this winter. We have shared much time in the past with my mom, sister, brother, and their families. The absolute funniest is when a few years ago we were around a fire for Christmas and a mouse ran onto my sister's foot. She then kicked the mouse onto the bottom of the blanket that was on my lap and it crawled up near my shoulder! I threw the cup of gumbo I had in my hand into the air and it landed partially on my Mom. The next day, I noticed that the gumbo covered most of the side of our house. We all ended up running in the house and leaving the kids outside. Great parenting huh?

Well, here's to hot dogs & s'mores and even flying gumbo...and many more "adventures"....

Flying Time

 It seems the time between September 1st and January 1st is a blur to most people. When each new year comes, everyone is such in awe that "time flies" so fast around the holidays. It is a mystery what has happened to the last 3 months of each passing year. As for me, I can tell you that the holidays are different. As each one passes, I am so thankful that God has allowed more time with each family member and friend that I have. There are times I will just sit and soak in the moment because as "they" say, you never know...

I used to hear older people say as I was growing up to "treasure each moment, seize the day, or appreciate the little things". I also thought this sounded so, so lame. I would think...'why should we appreciate or treasure each moment? We have forever....right?' Well, we know that  the greatest day will be when we all get to heaven but since most of my family and friends are here, I want to be selfish. I want to make memories here on earth. Enjoy the moment. Treasure my family. I want a real hug at night from my wife and daughter. I truly want to keep all of this to myself for right now. As selfish as it sounds.

I am learning as I approach 41 wise years, that its not about sitting and watching time fly, it's about taking in every single moment and acting as if time has stopped just for me. The clock may continue to move, but it's stopped just for this moment for me to take it in. That includes trying new things! I'm not making a resolution again this year. I'm done with those things. They are usually forgotten about by March or sometimes by the end of January. I'm still on the right track with my exercise and getting fit, now it's time to enjoy each moment, one by one. My plan this year is to devote once a week doing something I've never done and sharing it with my family. Whether it cost money or it's free. There are so many opportunities out there! This is going to be a challenge, but I'm up for it. I know it's going to be exciting and adventurous. We're going to seize the moment....and make time stop....just for us.

I pray for each of you that this new year brings some peace, love, joy, and hope into your lives. WOW, I sound like Jack Handey. Anyway, I do hope that you seek God's will in your life and that your house will prosper this coming year. Now get out there and jump into 2012!

You crown the year with Your goodness, and richness overflows wherever You are!

Psalm 65:11