Didn't you know how much I loved you during "hurricane season?"

"Young love, strong love, true love
It's a new love
They're gonna make it through the hard times
Walk those lines
Yeah, these ties will bind
Young love"

I said that there would be a serious of posts based on the chorus of the Judds' song "Young Love" Well, let the series begin! Tonight, we are gonna talk about how love "makes it through the hard times." Sadly, a lot of love never makes it through the hard times. Why is that so? I think that question can be answered just by looking at the lyrics for Kellie Pickler's song, "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You?"

Here they are:

"Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You"

I remember the way you made love to me
Like I was all you'd ever need
Did you change your mind
Well I didn't change mine
Now here I am trying to make sense of it all
We were best friends now we don't even talk
You broke my heart
Ripped my world apart

Didn't you know how much I loved you
Didn't you know how much I loved you, baby
I gave you everything, every part of me
Didn't you feel it when I touched you
Didn't I rock you when I loved you, baby
Baby, tell me
Didn't you know how much I loved you

I can't get you out of my head
I still feel you in this bed
Left me all alone
You couldn't be more gone
From falling apart to fighting mad
From wanting you back to not giving a damn
I've felt it all
I've been to the wall

Didn't you know how much I loved you
Didn't you know how much I loved you, baby
I gave you everything, every part of me
Didn't you feel it when I touched you
Didn't I rock you when I loved you, baby
Baby, tell me
Didn't you know how much I loved you

One day justice will come and find you
And I'll be right there in your memory to remind you

Didn't you know how much I loved you
Didn't you know how much I loved you, baby
I gave you everything, every part of me
Didn't you feel it when I touched you
Didn't I rock you when I loved you, baby
Baby, tell me

Didn't you know how much I loved you
Didn't you know how much I loved you, baby
I gave you everything, every part of me
Didn't you feel it when I touched you
Didn't I rock you when I loved you, baby
Baby, tell me
I gave you everything, every part of me

May none of us ever have to say, "Didn't you know how much I loved you?" Sometimes though, people forget how much they are loved by their spouse. Why does this happen? Often times, it's the hard times that we allow to cause this to happen. When people go through hard times, they often look at other sources for happiness and forget that their true happiness is right where they left it-with their spouse, their best friend. Why do people forget where their true happiness is? I think the answer to that is simple. People forget where their true happiness is simply because they don't want to be happy. They don't allow themselves to be happy. In order to be happy, one must decide that he or she will allow others into their life that will make them happy.

BUT

The good news is the hard times don't have to mean the end of an everlasting love. Take a look at the lyrics to this song by Tanya Tucker:

"Two Sparrows In A Hurricane"

She's fifteen and he's barely driving a car
She's got his ring and he's got the keys to her heart
It's just matter of time
They'll spread their wings and fly

[CHORUS:]
two sparrows in a hurri-cane
Trying to find their way
With a head full of dreams
and faith that can move anything
They've heard it's all uphill
But all they know is how they feel
The world says they'll never make it, love says they will

There's a baby crying and one more on the way
There's a wolf at the door with a big stack of bills
They can't pay
The clouds are dark and the wind is high
But they can see the other side

[go to chorus]

She's eighty-three and he's barely driving a car
She's got his ring and he's got the key to her heart
It's just a matter of time
They'll spread their wings and fly

[go to chorus 2]

[CHORUS 2:]
Like two sparrows in a hurri-cane
Trying to find their way
With a head full of dreams
and faith that can move anything
They've heard it's all uphill
But all they know is how they feel
The world says they'll never make it, love says they will

Sometimes there's hurricanes in life and sometimes during those hurricanes we have no choice but to fit the mold of a sparrow. However, we have the choice to fly. You see, love takes work, in the good times and the bad times. It's not something you can take lightly. The song says "like two sparrows in a hurricane TRYING to find their way." We've got to try to make things work. Even when "they say it's all uphill." We can't listen to other people. We have to go with "how we feel." The heart doesn't lie folks. If you know how you truly feel inside, hard times will never destroy your true love for someone. The hard times will, however, be a testament to you willingness to show how much you love someone. The hard times will be a testament to how you "spread your wings and fly" in the "hurricanes" of  your love life. Then, as the years go by, perhaps she'll be "eighty-three" and he'll be "barely driving a car" and she'll "have his ring" and he'll have "the key to her heart." Isn't that what love is about?

Tonight, the measure of a man or woman can sometimes be found in the way in which their love endures the hard times. Is your love ready for "hurricane season?"

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

A late letter

Somewhere across this planet tonight, there's a mother missing her son. There's a wife missing her husband. There's a father missing his son. Sure, they may see each other via Skype or FaceTime. Sure, they may be able to make a call every now and again. All of those things are priceless for the family of a service member. Yet, you can't touch a video. For me, I've always been a fan of the written word. I keep letters in my scrapbooks, in old boxes, in books, and even in my wallet. I do this because a letter is sometimes my way of "feeling" a person's thoughts and the meditation of their heart. For many who have graced the battlefields, a letter means the very same thing. In John Michael Montgomery's song "Letters from Home" we find a soldier who keeps letters folded up in his shirt. Thousands of letters have surely been transported and kept safe in the very same manner. From the fields of Gettysburg, to the beaches of Normandy, to the Jungles of Vietnam to the desert sands of Iraq, letters from home have been a part of many service men and women's lives. But, today, on this Memorial Day, I thought about the letters that never made it because a service member gave the ultimate sacrifice before it could be received.

Often times on Memorial Day, we spend too much time thinking of the beach and not enough time thinking about the mother who would give anything to just be able to bake her son a batch of cookies on his return home, but she can't. The letter was too late.

Often times on Memorial Day, we spend too much time thinking of burgers on the grill and not enough time thinking about a dad who would love to sit down on Memorial Day and watch a baseball game with his son or go out in the yard and cut a flower for his daughter, but he can't. The letter was too late.

Often times on Memorial Day we spend too much time thinking about a day off from school or work and not enough time thinking about a kid who would love to spend a day off from school playing catch in the yard with his dad or helping mom plant flowers in her flower bed, but he can't. The letter was too late.

Often times on Memorial Day we spend too much time thinking about hosting a cookout for friends and family and not enough time thinking about a widowed wife who would give anything to host a cookout for friends and family with her husband.

I'm fortunate. I'm one of the lucky ones. You see, I come from a long line of servicemen and long line of letters that got there on time. My great-grandparents raised five boys- four of which were all service members and two of which saw combat. One of the four and also one of the two was my grandfather. He doesn't talk much about his time in Vietnam. I don't think it brings good memories for him and I can see why. However, despite not knowing much about his time there, I'm thankful that he got home. The land mines in that convoy just weren't meant to prevent him from coming home. The mortar attack in the area of Saigon just wasn't meant to prevent him from coming home. His brother, my great-uncle, was also lucky. As a helicopter mechanic, he often saw first hand the wreckage from downed aircraft in Vietnam- scenes that still haunt him today-but scenes that didn't prevent him from coming home. Because the letters made it for these two men, I have two of the finest examples of patriotism and true grit. They have both overcame obstacles in life- death of a son, financial and physical setbacks, and even cancer. I'm thankful to have them

The true reality of everything though, is that some letters didn't make it. Some men and women didn't leave the fields of Gettysburg, the beaches of Normandy, the jungles of Vietnam or the desert sands of Iraq. For every one that didn't leave, there's a family member back home who wishes they had.

So today, remember those who didn't get their letters because it was too late.

This song is for them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X75sVw0xH2c

"Letters From Home"


My dearest son, it's almost June
I hope this letter catches up with you and finds you well
It's been dry but they're callin' for rain
And everything's the same ol' same in Johnsonville
Your stubborn ol' daddy ain't said too much
But I'm sure you know he sends his love
And she goes on, in a letter from home

[Chorus]
I hold it up and show my buddies
Like we ain't scared and our boots ain't muddy
And they all laugh like there's something funny
'bout the way I talk, when I say mama sends her best ya'll
I fold it up and put it in my shirt
Pick up my gun and get back to work
And it keeps me drivin' on, waitin' on
Letters from home

My dearest love, it's almost dawn
I've been lyin' here all night Long,
Wonderin' where you might be
I saw your mama and I showed her the ring
Man on the television said
Something so I couldn't sleep
But I'll be alright, I'm just missin' you
And this is me kissin' you
X's and O's in a letter from home

[Chorus]
I hold it up and show my buddies
Like we ain't scared and our boots ain't muddy
And they all laugh 'cause she calls me honey
But they take it hard, 'cause I don't read the good parts
I fold it up and put it in my shirt
Pick up my gun and get back to work
And it keeps me drivin' on, waitin' on
Letters from home

Dear son, I know I ain't written
And sittin' here tonight alone in the kitchen
It occurs to me I might not have said it, so I'll say it now
Son, you make me proud

[Chorus]
I hold it up and show my buddies
Like we ain't scared and our boots ain't muddy
But no one laughs ' cause there ain't nothin'
Funny when a soldier cries, and I just wipe my eyes
I fold it up and put in my shirt
Pick up my gun and get back to work
And it keeps me drivin' on, waitin' on,
Letters from home

Tonight, sometimes the true measure of man can be found in the fact that perhaps that letter never made it to him because he paid the cost.

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a very grateful and patriotic small town southern man!

Young love

"Young love, strong love, true love
It's a new love
They're gonna make it through the hard times
Walk those lines
Yeah, these ties will bind
Young love"

I remember the chorus to the song "Young Love" by the Judds very well. Sometimes, the song even randomly pops into my head. Today, the song just randomly popped into my head and it got me to thinking. One thing that I do quite a bit is observe older couples and how in love some of them are. I then think to myself, "That was young love at one time!" I then think, "How did they make it last?" Well, just look at the chorus of the song. It tells you how young love makes it- it stays young. I look out into the world and I see those older couples in love and wish for the very same thing. It must be absolutely wonderful to stay madly in love with the same person for 30, 40, 50, even 60 years. It must be absolutely wonderful to keep that young love!

So, tonight, I'm going to do something different. I'm going to start a series of blog posts based on the chorus of "Young Love." Here's the deal though, young love, strong love, true love takes two people. Therefore, it's going to take two people to get these blog posts done. There's a girl out there that might know something about young love. She knows who she is. Perhaps she might be interested in helping me do some blogging on young love. After all, she's young and I hope she's in love. Come join me, lady!

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in young love and his ability to keep it young!

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

More than candles on a cake

November 30th- that's my day- birthday that is. For 19 years, I shared this day with this very special woman:

My great-grandmother, Dorothy Langham, was born November 30, 1925, in a little southern community nestled in the pine forests of south Alabama called Lenox. Exactly sixty-five years later, I was born in the small southern town of Brewton, Alabama. Although we were born 65 years apart, I was closer to my great-grandmother, Ma Toots as she was known, than most will ever realize. She was a wonderful example of how to live life, and live life to its fullest she did! She was one of the strongest women I've ever known. Never once did I ever see her cry, though I know she had to. In fact, I always saw her happy even when I knew she didn't feel the greatest. She was always eager to crack a joke and playfully flirt with men half her age- though her heart had been taken and still rang true to my Paw Paw Dalton even years after his passing. She was a top-notch cook, especially when it came to crowder peas. Further than that, she was outgoing and never met a stranger. She enjoyed dancing, or "cutting a rug" as she called it and when it came time to grace the pews of the church on Sunday you were sure to see her there for all the right reasons. She worked hard, even until her death. Yet, what impressed me the most was the sacrifices she made daily for her friends and family. She was eager to help and never expected anything in return. In fact, at her death we were surprised but not so surprised that she had very little money left.

For 19, years there was a race to the telephone each November 30th. Would I beat her to the chase or would she call me first. Most of the time, I was "out-ran" by a woman 65 years older than me! I miss being able to share my birthday with her on earth, but I thank God that he allowed me to for 19 years. For it was through those 19 years that I learned just what birthdays really are about.

You see, we think of presents, cake and ice cream, parties and dinners. Sure, all of those are marvelous and fun in their own right, but when the "and many mores" are said at the end of the birthday song do we truly realize what we're saying? Hardly a day goes by  that I don't think of my Ma Toots. I think of our talks in her tiny house. I think of the meals she fed me. I think of the times we shared with the rest of the family. I think of the birthday calls and how much I'd love to call that phone in that little white house and wish her a happy birthday this November 30. It wasn't until I lost Ma Toots suddenly of a heart attack in 2010 that I realized that birthdays are here to remind us of how lucky we are to have certain people in our life. Birthdays are here for us to celebrate the contributions they have made to our lives.

Look around you, I can assure you that there are many birthdays out there that you are thankful to share with those you love. So, today, as it is a 23rd birthday for someone special, I'd like for her to know that her birthday was placed in my life to remind me of the contributions she has made to mine. It's more than just presents. It's more than just parties. It's more than candles on a cake. It's ALL about sharing a day with someone special and realizing how important they are to you.

Tonight, perhaps the measure of a man can be found in his ability to understand that birthdays are more than just candles on a cake!

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

I think I'm good to go

I think I'm good to go! Have you ever said that? What does it mean? It means you're ready. You're satisfied. You're content. You're prepared. Now the question is are you good to go. I just discovered a Jason Aldean song tonight called "Good to Go" Here's the lyrics:



"Good To Go"


Waitin' at a stop light yesterday
As a funeral procession made its way,
Through the gates.
I watched it roll up a winding road,
Through a field of green with white headstones,
All in a row.
And it made me think about where I'm at,
On my not so straight and narrow path...
All the generous and mostly undeserved,
Blessings that I've had.

I had an all-American Mom and Dad,
Some of the coolest friends you could ever have.
Found love I thought I'd never find...
Sometimes I can't believe this life is mine.
And I'm not plannin' on leavin' yet,
But the truth is, you just never know,
An' if this is as good as it gets,
Man, I think I'm good to go,
I'm good to go.

I said a prayer for the dearly departed,
An, the loved ones left broken hearted,
Then traffic started.
An' I drove away a little more able,
To see the good things on my table,
And that I'm grateful.
'Cause I've had my troubles, I've had my trials;
I've hit the mark an' I've missed by miles.
Had days that I've been fightin' mad,
But the good times have more than outweighed the bad.

Got to hold my newborn baby girl,
And the hand of a man as he slipped from this world.
I've laughed so hard, I couldn't stop,
Seen the sunrise from a mountain top.
And I'm not plannin' on leavin' yet,
But the truth is, you just never know,
An' if this is as good as it gets,
Man, I think I'm good to go.

[Instrumental Break]

Yeah, I've been thinkin' bout where I'm at,
On my not so straight and narrow path,
An' I wouldn't wanna change nothin' about,
This "roll with the punches" life I've had.

I had an all-American Mom and Dad,
Some of the coolest friends you could ever have.
Found love I thought I'd never find...
I can't believe this life is mine.
And I'm not plannin' on leavin' yet,
But the truth is, you just never know,
An' if this is as good as it gets,
Man, I think I'm good to go,
I'm good to go.
I'm good to go.

Sometimes we miss what's around us. Sometimes we don't think we are good to go. That's when we need to slow down and take a look at our life. Perhaps there's a funeral procession going on for a family you know. Consider how they feel. Now, consider the way you've acted. Today, I got aggravated over something simple. My weedeater is broken and I have to cut grass tomorrow. Yes, I was mad. It seems like just when you need something it tears up. Yes, I needed the weedeater so I could make a little money. Also this morning I got upset when some guy texting was holding up the drive through line. I got impatient over something as simple as a delay in getting my sausage biscuit.

Now, as I listen to the words to this song, I realize that a lot of times I get upset and impatient about things that don't matter while, all the while, there's plenty of things in my life that do matter. Just like the song says, I've got that all-American mom and dad. I've got some pretty cool friends and just recently I'm pretty sure I've found that love I thought I'd never find.

So, my friends, I can't believe that this life really is mine. Sure there's broken tools here and there. Sure there's delays at breakfast. Sure there's times when money's tight. At the end of the day though, my life is sometimes as good as it gets. One day, when this life of mine comes to a close, I want to look around and truly be able to say, "I think I'm good to go!" I'm well on my way to "as good as it gets." What about you?

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to be "good to go"

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

Where's your shoe box?

People buy shoes every day. Running shoes, dress shoes, bedrooms shoes-people buy them all. People pull them out of the box and throw the box away...unless you are me. I always seem to hang on to shoe boxes. Why? Well, I can't really explain it. For one, I'm a pack rat. I always have been. Just look at my closet. It tells the tale. Really though, why do I hang on to shoe boxes. Well maybe this song can explain why. Here are the lyrics to Chris Young's The Shoebox:





"The Shoebox"


I stumbled on a bunch of junk of mine
In a shoebox the other night
In between cleaning up files and messes
That I'd made of my life

Ticket stubs, poems and old letters
I dumped them all out on the bed
Found a homemade birthday card from mom
And this is what it said, yeah, this is what it said

Don't forget the little moments
They're the ones that mean the most
When the way home seems so far away
Take 'em out and hold them close

And take a picture with your father
'Cause one day he'll be gone
And don't forget to fill an old shoebox
Full of things to look back on, full of things to look back on

I opened up my grandpa's pocket knife
And I was back to his back porch
It was summertime I was turnin' nine
He said, "You want that knife? It's yours"

I remember runnin' off in the yard
Carved my name in every tree
I haven't held it since he passed away
And it meant the world to me
Because he meant the world to me

Don't forget the little moments
They're the ones that mean the most
When the way home seems so far away
Take 'em out and hold them close

And take a picture with your father
'Cause one day he'll be gone
And don't forget to fill an old shoebox
Full of things to look back on

Look back on, a little window to the past
Look back on, God knows life goes by so fast
If ever you should ever doubt the blessings that you've had

Don't forget the little moments
They're the ones that mean the most
When the way home seems so far away
Take 'em out and hold them close

And take a picture with your father
'Cause one day he'll be gone
And don't forget to fill an old shoebox
Full of things to look back on

I stumbled on a bunch of junk of mine
In a shoebox the other night

The pocket knife my dad gave me, my great-grandfather's flag from his casket, my grandpa's calendar from Vietnam, my great-great uncle's bronze star and purple heart, my uncle's shotgun, my great-grandfather's appreciation plaque, letters from graduation, the watch my grandpa gave me- all of those are little things that I keep that have more than a material meaning to me-things that are in my "shoe box" In life, I see so many people caught up in the here and now, especially those my age. They want the newest, biggest and best when all along their greatest possessions are the little things. 

For me though, it's the little things that are meaning more each day. For example, when I look back on cards that have someone's hand writing that is no longer here, I see them and it's a beautiful feeling. The same goes for things like my uncle's shotgun. I see him when I see that gun. It's good to be reminded sometimes that the little things aren't as small as they seem sometimes. When the riches of this world fail you, the memories that the little things bring will carry you through. I've never been someone of great material wealth, but when it comes to memories and love I feel like the richest man on earth sometimes.

It's disappointing to see people fall victim to the status quo. You can't be happy when you are constantly trying to find joy in the wrong places. Where's your joy? Perhaps it's in an old shoe box full of things to look back on. If it is, consider yourself rich. The Lord once said, "A man's life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses." I don't know about you, but that "shoe box" is just fine for me. What about you? Maybe you need to buy a pair of shoes!

Tonight, my blog was short and simple. The best things in life sometimes are short and simple. Look back on your own life and think about the little things. Think about what kind of joy they bring. It's awesome isn't it!

The measure of a man is not found in the abundance of things he possesses. Rather, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in what he's got in his "shoe box."

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

Mountain Mashers

Not much more than five foot tall, but mountains big and small...Tonight we are going to talk about mountains again. This time though, the post will be dedicated to those who move mountains every day. Those people are mothers. Yesterday was mother's day. For a lot of people it means fancy dinners or expensive gifts and rightly so because mothers deserve those. However, I believe there's so much more to it than that. You see, life has never been a walk in the park for my family. The truth is though, I'm not big on parks any way. I'd rather explore the mountains. Sometimes though, there's mountains that get in our way. Especially when we are in our teens and early twenties, those mountains just seem to big to handle. Sometimes, we even allow the mountains to get the best of us, we let them pull us down to our lowest low. We allow them to let ourselves devastate our lives through foolish action and the next thing we know we are down and can't get up-that's where mom is always there. 

My mother worked a full time job and went to nursing school while she was pregnant with me. She never gave up. When I was born a month premature and weighed only four pounds, she spent weeks in the hospital with me while I had surgeries to a cleft palate and other things. Still yet, she was there when my sister was born with spina bifida. She spent weeks in the hospital with her. Still more, she spent so much time in and out of the hospital with both me and my sister and never complained. Still more, she was there when kids made fun of us in school. Still more, she was there at graduations and awards days after working 12-13 hours. She was there when my step-dad had numerous back surgeries. She's a nurse too and there's no doubt in my mind that she's saved countless lives too. I've heard the stories. I know. She's even saved mine once when I was choking on that Everlasting Gobstopper.

I admire my mother so much, but I've often wondered how she handles the stress. Yet, I can tell you this: the secret to her bravery and courage is in prayer. There's no doubt in my mind that the Lord hears my mother's prayers every day. 

My mom isn't much taller than five feet. So, when I heard the song "When Mama Prayed" by Randy Travis, I thought of my mom. Here's the lyrics:

Daddy never went to church on Sunday
He said that's one thing I'll never do
But mama never gave up she said one day
He'll be sitting here beside of me and you
I can still hear mama softly talking
With her tears falling on her folded hands
So that Easter Sunday Daddy walked in
That's when I began to understand

When mama prayed, good things happen
When mama prayed, lives were changed
Not much more than five foot tall
But mountains big and small crumbled all away
When mama prayed

Seventeen and wild I hit the bottle
Doing anything I dang well please
Burning down life's highway at full throttle
While mama burned a candle on her knees
Then one night I came home half sober
I saw mama kneeling in the den
As I listened she and Jesus talked it over
And I knew my restless days were 'bout to end

When mama prayed, good things happen
When mama prayed, lives were changed
Not much more than five foot tall
But mountains big and small crumbled all away
When mama prayed

It isn't like every one of them got answered
But the times they weren't it seems to me were rare
You almost felt sorry for the devil
'Cause heaven knows he didn't have a prayer
When mama prayed

Not much more than five foot tall
But mountains big and small crumbled all away
When mama prayed
They crumbled all away

When mama prayed

Mountains don't stand a chance when it comes to my mother. I'm so thankful that my mama is a mountain masher! They certainly do crumble away when she prays. My life is perfect evidence. And, I'm smart enough to know that there's more mothers out there just like her, for their evidence, too, is left in the lives of their children. In fact I'm honored to know a fine young lady who fits the bill. She's destined to be a mountain masher for her kids someday and I hope she has a great partner to help her.

When I look out into the world, I see so many mothers who are mashing mountains every day. So many of those mountain mashers are doing it alone. That, makes me very disappointed. So many men have become cowards when faced with parenthood. I guess they have forgotten about their own mothers and how hard it might have been for them. Or, perhaps they haven't considered the couple who would love to be parents, mom and dad, but can't.

So, tonight I'm imploring each and every person who might read this blog to step up to the plate and be a mountain masher. Step up to the plate and provide for your kids. Most importantly, step up to the plate and pray for your kids. Mountains just might crumble all away. 

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his willingness to be a mountain masher.

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

Thanks for being a mountain masher mom!

And to that fine young lady...let the mountain mashing begin! 

For as he thinketh in his heart...

After hearing what was probably one of the best sermons I've heard in all of my 23 years, I have done some reflection. The sermon was on self-imprisonment and the problems it causes. We all face issues of self-imprisonment. The truth is, it is destructive and tears people down. So, why do we allow ourselves to become imprisoned with thoughts of inferiority or complacency? Why do we restrict our own selves from reaching greater heights and achieving bigger and better goals? Here's your answer:

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..."- Proverbs 23:7

You see, we allow ourselves to become prisoners of our own thoughts. Our heart thinks on negative things and stays pessimistic. Therefore, our heart is one of pessimism and negativity. Who wants a heart like that? I don't.

The way we think about ourselves controls a lot of our accomplishments, goals, dreams and actions toward others. If we think positively, we act positively. Sometimes though, thinking positively is not easy. However, learning how to make the best of bad situations often helps. Consider these lyrics from Kenny Rogers' song "The Greatest":



"The Greatest"


Little boy in a baseball hat stands in the field with his ball and bat
Says, "I am the greatest player of them all"
Puts his bat in his shoulder and he tosses up his ball.
And the ball goes up and the ball comes down,
Swings his bat all the way around
The world so still you can hear the sound, the baseball falls to the ground.
Now the little boy doesn't say a word, picks up his ball he is undeterred.
Says, "I am the greatest that there has ever been"
And he grits his teeth and he tries again.
And the ball goes up and the ball comes down,
Swings his bat all the way around
The world so still you can hear the sound, the baseball falls to the ground.
He makes no excuses he shows no fear
He just closes his eyes and listens to the cheers.
Little boy he adjusts his hat, picks up his ball, stares at his bat
Says "I am the greatest when the game is on the line"
And he gives his all one last time.
And the ball goes up and the moon so bright
Swings his bat with all his might
The world's as still as still can be, the baseball falls
And that's strike three.
Now it's suppertime and his momma calls,
Little boy starts home with his bat and ball.
Says, "I am the greatest, that is a fact,
But even I didn't know I could pitch like that!"
Says, "I am the greatest, that is understood,
But even I didn't know I could pitch that good!"

You see, in this situation a lot of us would have beaten ourselves up and determined that we would never be a good batter. Instead, in this situation, the little boy turned the bad into good. Isn't he a good pitcher? We need to think of ourselves as a good "pitcher" sometimes instead of thinking of ourselves as a lousy "batter." We need to learn to see the good with the bad. We cannot become the victim of self-imprisonment. For, in doing so, we lose the realization of just how good a "pitcher" we can be!

Tonight, the measure of a man (and woman) can sometimes be found in our ability to turn the bad into good, to realize we are a great "pitcher," and to win the battle over self-imprisonment. How's your pitching skills?

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man.

Let's go down the road

Tonight, I'm going to let you in on a secret. Every blog I write is based on emotions I'm feeling at the time. Furthermore, every song I use in my blogs is a song I found that seemed to fit my feelings at the time. Tonight, I'm feeling anxious for what is in my future. If you known me for a while, you might have realized that patience doesn't come easy for me sometimes. In fact, I'd say lack of patience is probably one of my biggest character flaws.

Lately, patience is something I have had to learn- often times the hard way. You see, we (me especially) live in a society  that enjoys and relishes in instant gratification. We want things now. If you don't believe me, just take a look at all of the things that are becoming faster, quicker, more convenient. For instance, consider the speeds of internet, the wait at fast food drive thrus, the availability of so many things at just the touch of a button or the click of a mouse. The bottom line is: We want things NOW!

A lot of times, our lives are characterized by that same impatient, instant gratification attitude. I know at the point in life that I am at, I often find myself thinking of the future. I know what I want and I want it right away. Yet, God has other plans. That's hard for me to realize sometimes. However, I think I'm understanding a bit better. Sometimes God wants us to be patient before we go down the road (our future.) Consider Kenny Chesney's song "Down the Road."

"Down The Road"
(feat. Mac McAnally)


When I was a boy

Four houses down from me
Was a family with an only child
She was the only girl
In this whole world that could make me smile

Down the road
I made up reasons to go
Down the road

Somewhere inside of me
There was something she took a liking to
And I asked her to marry me
She said she really wanted to

Down the road
To see what life's gonna hold
Down the road

Her momma wants to know
If I'm washed in the blood or just in the water
Her daddy wants to know
If I make enough to take his daughter

Down the road
Before he can let her go
Down the road

Now down the street from here
There's an engineer with an only son
And our baby girl says
She believes that he is the only one

Down the road

Her momma wants to know
Is he washed in the blood or just in the water
And I wanna know
That he makes enough to take my daughter

Down the road
When it comes time to go
Down the road

Down the road
You know I wanna help her go
Down the road

Down, down, down that road

Down, down, down that road

You see, I believe God makes us wait on what's down the road for several reasons:

1.) He wants us to be ready and prepared. You know I always like to be prepared. I'm just that kind of person. I plan everything, my every move. However, sometimes I deal with my future haphazardly. I get in a rush and I really don't consider if I'm "washed in the blood or just in the water." We must be prepared to go down the road.

2.)God wants us to be sure of ourselves. He wants us to really be ready and really be devoted to what is ahead. Sometimes in life we think we want to commit to something, but we may not be ready and God may not let us go forward. He wants us to make sure it's what we want and it's what we need.

Happily, I think I am well on my way to being ready and prepared as well as being sure of what's ahead.

Finally though, God wants us to appreciate what's down the road. Therefore, he makes us wait longer. Have you ever heard people say that you appreciate things more when it takes longer and you have to work harder. I agree. Sometimes things in life take effort, but if your heart and soul is in something, you are willing to make the effort. In the end, the reward...the path down the road will only be greater. It will only be more amazing.

So, I've said all of this tonight to say this: Hold on tight, work hard, have patience, and then you'll be forever grateful for what's in store for you down the road.

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to have patience and continue to look forward with a positive attitude to what's down the road. Are you ready to go down the road with patience? I am!

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!