I Heart Pickles.

Annabelle and I have a lot of things in common. Aside from her desire to be the center of attention and love of music, we share the love of all things pickled. While we love pickled okra, pepperoncini peppers, and green olives (she likes the black ones), our favorite are just plain pickles. She hasn't developed a mature palate for them yet so she likes them sweet, bread and butter, or Kosher dill and any brand that puts them in a jar, bucket, or pouch. I, on the other hand, prefer a distinct few in a class on their own. I do not like midgets (pickles, that is) or sweet pickles at all. I don't like pickles that have too much turmeric or dill. And I'm partial to only one type of Kosher dill. I have been eating pickles for a very long time. I used to keep the juice and drink it ice cold on a hot day. I don't trust my blood pressure medicine alone these days, so I've given up that habit, but I cannot give up pickles.

I have tasted hundreds of brands and some that are even in a plastic pouch found at Raceway gas stations around the country. And I'm not ashamed. I will try new brands every now and then, but I have my preference and my wife has memorized them whenever I start getting forgetful. 

So, which ones do I like? My top three are below and I guarantee if you like pickles or love them like me, you will love these that I've chosen. So why have I dedicated an entire blog about pickles? Because I can.

#1---Best Maid. This is my new favorite within the last week. They are cheap, sold by the gallon, and go great with a side of Pokeno with the family.

#2---Cajun Chef. This one should be #1 1/2, but Best Maid officially took over 1st place this past weekend. Cajun Chef is sold where I could spend the day shopping, Fresh Pickin's in Lafayette, LA.

#3---Claussen. This pickle has been in my top 3 for a while because when I used to grocery shop as a bachelor I could open these in my truck on the way home because they were already refrigerated. This is also the only Kosher pickle I like.

And there it is. A few other rules I have for eating pickles are:

1. Never eat them at room temperature.

2. Never share a whole pickle because you will always want the other half. Pickle envy ain't pretty.

3. Pickle in a pouch is pretty good, but only the Big Poppa. It should be the Hot Mama. But it is what it is.

4. Pickles are best whole, but hamburger slices are OK. Never slice a whole pickle unless you're waiting for a tooth to fall out or if you don't have any teeth at all.

5. Pickles are best at the movies with a side of sour gummy worms.

I'll take a venti cup of success, please.

We all want to be successful, right?  I often hear the same question at many seminars and training sessions, "How do you know that you are successful?" It really depends on how you look at life.

Some people find their success in the money they earn or the job title they carry. Others take pride in their car, boat, camp, etc. You get the picture. Others may find that being successful  is being a good father or mother and/or husband or wife. Even being a good sister, brother, aunt, or uncle might make you feel successful at being a good person. Even better, if the veins in your neck don't bulge out when you zip your pants or bend to tie your shoes....success!

While I take my career very seriously and strive to be the best I can be, it is not the center of my life. I am successful in many other ways. I measure my success if I get a good night kiss before bed. If I get two, I am very successful. I also feel successful whenever Annabelle and I have a deep discussion (usually before bed that lasts for an hour or so) and it ends with her hugging me letting me know that she appreciates my time. I feel that our conversation was a success because she got it. I also feel successful and confident that I have found the person God intended for me to marry and to share the rest of our lives. I know that I am successful man because I try and put God above everything. When my plans don't succeed, I just try again.

I read a quote the other day and it stated, "A father has pictures of his kids where he used to carry his money." I truly believe in that, but I have all my pictures displayed on my desk instead. I want everyone who visits my office to see where my success really lives. It lives in choosing for me and my house to serve God. It lives in knowing that while not perfect, I am striving to be the best Dad and husband that God wants me to be. I put them on my desk in front of me to remind me what's really important and what should be top priority. I will remain successul as long as I try to live in God's perfect will and put others before myself. It's not always easy trying to be my best and sometimes I fall down or fall short of what I've set out to accomplish. I just get back up. I cannot stay down. Because I know that God wants only the best for me.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

One pebble and a lot of faith.

For several years now I have kept a calendar on my desk at work that I read every day. I usually read it before I begin to get focused for the day. Four years in a row, I read one titled "Facing Your Giants" by Max Lucado. The entire calendar is about David in the Bible. It is not an easy read because our giants are pretty ugly. The longer they've held you captive, the uglier they become. Your giant may be bills you can't pay, people you can't please or habits you can't break. But just like David, you can face your giant, even if you aren’t the strongest, the smartest, the best equipped, or the holiest. I have never used the teachings from that calendar for my struggle with weight loss until now. Why? Lack of discipline, confidence, and focus. Plenty of doubt, guilt, shame, and fear of failure.

David. You could read his story and wonder what God saw in him. He fell as often as he stood, stumbled as often as he conquered. He sounds like me. But for those who know the sound of a Goliath, David gives this reminder:

Focus on giants—you stumble.

Focus on God—your giants tumble.

Even though I have a new calendar, I refer to David and his struggles a lot in my life, especially now with my current weight loss journey. This giant has been bullying me far too long. It's time for me to test my sling shot skills I've been honing. I know the sound of his walk and the thunder of his voice. I am ready to hear the sound of him hitting the ground. All it takes is one small pebble, not five, and a lot of faith. I'm ready to face him. I've been here before ready for battle and have backed down so many times because I felt weak and afraid. It is so intimidating, but I'm now ready to face this giant head on. I'm trusting in God alone that my rubberband won't snap before I fire. I need to finish this. That giant is going down.

So, how big is your giant? Are you ready to take him down?