It's just a wall...or is it?

I've had the privilege of using my talents to deliver sermons over the years. Recently, I have discovered that I enjoy these opportunities. I enjoy them so much, because they allow me to reach out to people in an effort to encourage. In this post I want to share with you a story about reaching out and encouraging others- a story that is rather different and quite inspiring. Here it is:

~"Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window.The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his room-mate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Then unexpectedly, a sinister thought entered his mind. Why should the other man alone experience all the pleasures of seeing everything while he himself never got to see anything? It didn't seem fair. At first thought the man felt ashamed. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and he found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window - that thought, and only that thought now controlled his life.

Late one night as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running in. In less than five minutes the coughing and choking stopped, along with that the sound of breathing. Now there was only silence-deathly silence.

The following morning the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take it away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would
have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."~

You see, sometimes encouragement comes from unlikely sources. Other times, encouragement comes when you least expect it. Still yet, encouragement may come from someone you don't expect it to come from and when you least expect it-much like the story. The blind man had every reason not to be an encourager. Perhaps, his situation was not much better than the other man's. However, the difference between the two was all in attitude. In order to encourage others, we must have the attitude of the blind man. We must have an attitude of gratitude. We must not let our situation prevent us from staying positive and being aware of the well being of others. Look back on your own life for a minute. I'm sure that you will find many times in which you were encouraged from someone you least expected. It happens! Why does it happen this way? Well, I certainly have my theory. I believe that encouragement often comes from unlikely sources because those sources are often people who have been in your shoes and understand your need for encouragement. Perhaps they received encouragement from an unlikely source and realized what a difference it made.

Now, as far as encouragement coming when you least expect it, my theory on that is simple. Encouragement doesn't always come on our terms or our timing. God knows exactly when we need it.

Finally, there's a world of "brick walls" out there that we can turn into "beautiful parks." All we have to do is make an effort. You know that I end every blog by adding one more thing I discover about the true measure of a man. Today, I have discovered that often times the true measure of a man comes from his ability to turn "brick walls" into "beautiful parks." That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

The Smell of Happiness

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."-Mark Twain

"Folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be."-Abraham Lincoln

"Whoever is happy will make others happy."- Anne Frank

"Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself."-Ralph Waldo Emerson

"A man is not defined by what he has. What matters is the values he lives by and what he does for others." -Henri Landwirth

Tonight, I will use each of these quotes in my post.

Recently, I have, because of a pleasant but unexpected life event been reminded of something. About three years ago, I had the privilege of staying for one week at a very unique place in Florida. The place was designed to be a place for families of children with life threatening medical issues to stay at while they are on vacation in the Disney World area. However, this place is more than just a place for these kids and their families to stay. It is a place that few other places can rival in terms of happiness and giving.

For an entire week, my sister was able to enjoy her dream of going to Disney World for vacation, all expenses paid. Yes, this wonderful organization partners with volunteers and other organizations to provide, not only housing, but free meals and entertainment for the kids and families who stay there. However, that isn't all they provide. This organization, manned mostly by volunteers, gives out surprise gifts to the kids each day, along with available wake-up visits from the organization's mascot. There's so much more that they do, but it would take forever to explain. For now, I want to talk about the kids.

Many of the kids at this place are extremely happy. In fact, I'm not even sure the word "extremely" can describe it. However, these kids have every reason not to be happy. You see, for many of these kids, life is a struggle. They go from doctor to doctor, hospital to hospital, and come home, often to go right back to the hospital. Yet, these kids often never seems to let those things bother them. The first quote I listed was: "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."-Mark Twain Replace the word "dog" with "person" and you have a description of these kids. They might be young. They might be small, but these kids are fighters. They live life to their full potential in spite of adversity.

This brings me to the next quote:  "Folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be."-Abraham Lincoln This quote certainly applies to these kids. They have chosen to be happy, even in the darkest of situations. Some might say that choosing to be happy in a bad situation is easier for a child to do than an adult. I certainly disagree. Go through 2 surgeries in one week and then come back and tell me how easy it is to be happy. It's not! These kids choose to be happy and, in turn, make others happy just by being, well...happy!

Now, we're on to this next quote: "Whoever is happy will make others happy."- Anne Frank Like I said, these kids make others happy just by allowing them to see how happy they can be in such tough circumstances. I'm sure you know the story behind the person who said these words, but in case you don't, let me enlighten you. Anne Frank was a survivor of the Holocaust, mostly due to her efforts to conceal herself and others from the Nazis. In these circumstances, Frank had every reason not to be happy, but she realized that being happy made herself and others happy. Why can't we be the same way? The kids at this place are no different. They are happy and, in turn, make others happy.

Have you ever walked into a place where you could smell perfume everywhere? Often times it's only one person causing the smell. A lady at church, one of the happiest there, wears a lot of perfume. In fact, any contact with her will cause you to smell a little liker her too. Her happiness is the same way. Just being around her causes you to be happy. I'm sure she would tell you that her happiness, a lot of times, comes from making others happy. When we make other people, like these kids, happy we feel the effects ourselves. I call this the "smell of happiness."

Next, let's look at this quote from the founder of this wonderful organization I have been speaking of: "A man is not defined by what he has. What matters is the values he lives by and what he does for others." -Henri Landwirth 

Landwirth knows and lives his words all too well, especially after dealing with his own set of less-than-perfect circumstances. It is so important for us to live a life full of sound values and heart that desires to help others. Through the organization set up by Mr. Landwirth, one can truly "Give Kids the World" and learn more about helping others and being happy in the process. Happiness is one of the many tools that make this organization work. Happiness is also a product of this organization- a product that has touched many lives, my own included. Seeing those kids makes you realize that life isn't worth being sad and depressed all the time. Be happy it's a choice!------it's also one of the measures of a man! That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

Here's a little bit about Mr. Landwirth:  http://www.gktw.org/about/henri.php

Here's more about Give Kids the World: http://www.gktw.org/about/

A Smile on Everybody's Face

So, today is Sunday. If you know me well, chances are you know where I've been this morning. If you grew up in the south or you still live here, chances are you might be in church on a Sunday morning. I enjoy Sundays for several reasons and I'd like to share those reasons with you in hopes that you, too, will appreciate Sundays. After you've heard my spill, you can go take your Sunday nap!

Once again, I turn to a song to help me demonstrate just what it is I "love about Sunday." Below are the lyrics to Craig Morgan's "That's What I Love About Sunday" and some of my input in italics after each stanza and the chorus: 

"That's What I Love About Sunday"

Raymond's in his Sunday best,
He's usually up to his chest in oil an' grease.
There's the Martin's walkin' in,
With that mean little freckle-faced kid,
Who broke a window last week.
Sweet Miss Betty likes to sing off key in the pew behind me. 

So, here's Raymond, the Martins and Miss Betty, a perfect example of the first thing I love about Sundays. Raymond's a mechanic, there's the Martins with that freckle faced kid that Miss Betty probably slips a piece of candy after church and chances are Miss Betty has been going to that church and sitting on that pew for a "month of Sundays." That, in itself, is what I love about Sundays; it brings people together, people of all walks of life...the Raymond's from the mechanic shops, the Martins with their freckle faced kids and all the sweet Miss Bettys out there who pour their heart out in song, even if it is a little off key.They come together, not because they have every personality trait in common. Contrary to the world's belief, you can hold people very dear to your heart with which you have few things in common. It's the important things that you have in common that count. You see, these people come together, forget the cares of the world and focus on things bigger and better-like life and it's true meaning. That's what I love about Sunday!

That's what I love about Sunday:
Sing along as the choir sways;
Every verse of Amazin' Grace,
An' then we shake the Preacher's hand.
Go home, into your blue jeans;
Have some chicken an' some baked beans.
Pick a back yard football team,
Not do much of anything:
That's what I love about Sunday.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound! That's another thing I like about Sunday-the tradition. Here in the south, traditions are found daily. Sunday is no exception. Amazing Grace is a very traditional song. Further, shaking the preachers hand after the sermon-yep that's a tradition too! And don't forget the fried chicken, most definitely a southern tradition. That's what I love about Sunday!

I stroll to the end of the drive,
Pick up the Sunday Times, grab my coffee cup.
It looks like Sally an' Ron, finally tied the knot,
Well, it's about time.
It's 35 cents off a ground round,
Baby, cut that coupon out!

I love newspapers. I always have and probably always will. I guess I just have an appreciation for the written word and, of course, the news. Open up your small town newspaper in the south and chances are you'll find the Sallys and Rons you know too! That's another thing I love about Sundays...they offer chances to form community bonds. For many years, churches in the south have been the centerpiece of every community. Chances are, Sally and Ron probably grew up in the community and nearly all the church knows them and all their family. They've seen them at the post office and the local store. Sundays are yet another day to grow closer with those in the community. That's what I love about Sunday!

That's what I love about Sunday:
Cat-napping on the porch swing;
You curled up next to me,
The smell of jasmine wakes us up.
Take a walk down a back road,
Tackle box and a cane pole;
Carve our names in that white oak,
steal a kiss as the sun fades,
That's what I love about Sunday,
Oh, yeah. 

What does a nap in a porch swing, a cane pole and a tackle box all have in common with a Sunday? Well, all three of those things represent relaxation, something very common on Sundays. Many Sundays we actually take the time to enjoy life and enjoy the company of others. We form bonds with our families. We carve in the white oaks and steal kisses at sunset-all after we've taken a nap of course! That's what I love about Sunday!

Ooh, new believers gettin' baptized,
Momma's hands raised up high,
Havin' a Hallelujah good time
A smile on everybody's face.
That's what I love about Sunday,
Oh, yeah.

Perhaps one of my favorite things about Sundays are the smiles. Everyone just seems so happy on Sundays where I'm from. It makes me wonder, why can't we all just smile like this every day of the week! Miss Betty might be on a fixed income, but on Sunday she's smiling. The Martin's might be struggling to raise that freckle faced kid, but on Sunday they're smiling. Raymond might be fighting tooth and nail to stay covered in oil and grease and keep that mechanic shop open, but on Sunday he's smiling. There's nothing like a "Sunday smile"!

That's what I love about Sunday,
Oh, yeah.

What do you love about Sunday? Perhaps some of the measure of a man can be found in what he loves about Sunday! That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

Here's a link to Craig Morgan's "That's What I Love About Sundays":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm3aCyRD3Vg

What do you want to do when you grow up?

What do you want to do when you grow up? As children, we all were asked this question thousands and thousands of times. More than likely, our answers changed over the years. I know that mine certainly have. Many years ago, I started out dreaming to be a truck driver. A truck driver??? Yes, my grandfather was one so I figured since he was so cool that it would be cool to be a truck driver myself. Well, the aspirations to be a truck driver eventually turned into aspirations to be a state trooper. I wanted to be able to fly down the highway chasing the bad guys and dispensing justice. Well, those aspirations changed too. I then wanted to be a farmer. Farming has always been somewhat of a dream of mine but I've never really had the means to do so. Next, as I approached high school and well into college, I aspired to be an attorney. Now, here I am at 23, fresh out of college and I still don't exactly know what I want to do when I "grow up." I've had interviews, helped run a small family nursery and have recently taken steps to pursue audiology. However, none of these things really answer the following.

A friend recently asked me, "Well, what do you want to do with your life?" It was, indeed, a profound question. I offered up things that I wanted to do or did do in the past, but she quickly reminded me that I had strayed from the original question-the question of what I really wanted to do in life. Actually, I have been pondering this question even before she asked me. As you may know, this blog is partly dedicated to discovering the true measure of a man. How can one discover the true measure of a man if he doesn't have a clear hold on what he wants to do in life? So, I believe I have discovered the key aspect of what I want to do in life. It's very simple, I just want to help people.

Helping people is more than just offering great customer service at the counter or opening the door for a stranger. Although both of those things are nice, there's more to helping people. You see, I believe helping people involves placing yourself in their shoes and trying to understand their situation. When I was a student in college, the dorm supervisor posted a quote on the bulletin board just inside the door. The quote read, "Be kinder than necessary for everyone you know is fighting some kind of battle."-Anonymous. How true is that? Everyone has something they are dealing with. However, we often don't take the time to notice the plight of others. We are part of a "me" generation, only focused on ourselves. We say we care about the well-being of others, but do we really? Have we taken the time to notice that the old lady down the street is struggling to get her trash can to the curb on garbage pick-up day and could use some help. Have we taken the time to notice that the teenager working at the local fast food joint is there because he's helping support his mother because she has cancer and that he could use a little friendly encouragement? I say all of this to make the point that the actual act of helping people isn't all that difficult; it's taking the time to notice that help is needed that often seems to be the hard part. However, we can change that!

The first thing we can do to change how we notice that others need help is by realizing how grateful you were when someone helped you. Perhaps, when that person helped you, it inspired you to help someone else. Clay Walker's song "Chain of Love" demonstrates that point well. (Listen to it when you can. I've included the link in this post.) Secondly, we should also realize that helping others improves the overall good of our world. Just think what a better place the world would be if we helped other people. Finally, we should realize that helping others helps us to stay humble by realizing that we are blessed in many ways and that our situation could be worse. So, go out and help someone today! One more feature of the true measure of a man is his willingness to help others. That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

Here's the link to Clay Walker's "Chain of Love"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVQGQ0wh7eY

What does your heart see?

"Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye." - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

That's really true! Sometimes, it takes your heart to keep your eyes in check. What do I mean by that you ask? Well, it's quite simple. Often times, we never take the time to truly get to know a person's heart. We take a look at outward features and never bother to look beyond. Perhaps the guy with a limp has a story tell. Maybe he's a wounded veteran. Perhaps the girl in the wheelchair has a story to tell. Maybe she was injured in a car accident.  Whatever the case may be, 9 times out of 10 there's more than what meets the eye. I can't tell you how many people that I have seen society look down upon people because they weren't exactly "easy on the eyes." Society is missing out though, some of those type people are the best friends you'll ever have. Don't judge a book by it's cover. Open it up; what's inside may surprise you. It says a lot about someone when they get to know someone that others haven't taken the time to recognize. Make a new friend today. Let your heart guide you to that person. You'll be glad you did.