Last Friday, they backed out of the driveway at 1:46 PM. I know because I purposely looked at my watch as the moment happened. As Tonya shifted the car into drive and they headed down the street headed toward a 2:15 PM doctor appointment, Parker looked up, smiled and waved. He was headed to the doctor for a check-up (I remained at home to stay with Turner during his nap). This was not just any check-up, this was the check-up where a child receives multiple shots so he can attend kindergarten. And while we had discussed what to expect with Parker, I couldn't help but wonder, as he smiled and headed down the street, "Does he really understand what's about to happen?" Does he know what lies ahead?".
As the next couple of hours passed, I divided my time between wishing I could be there to support Parker while at the same time being thankful that I didn't have to go. Time was spent alternately between praying for Parker (and Tonya) and trying not to think about or "dwell" on what was happening.
If you are a parent, you try to protect your child from painful situations. But sometimes, as in this case, it was for Parker's good. It was the right thing to do. For Parker's health, for his education, for his future, though temporarily painful, it was the right thing to do.
Here's The Point: Many times in life, we try to avoid painful situations. We don't want to go through tough times. But sometimes, rather than running, we just need to tough it out, to live through it, to deal with our situation. Because it's probably temporary. And because it's the right thing to do.
By the way, at exactly 4:30 PM on Friday, Tonya and Parker arrived back home. Wearing three really cool Charlie Brown/Snoopy bandages, holding a gift we had promised him for after he got his shots and with a promise of a chocolate shake that night, Parker was in great shape. He'd made it through the tough times (he'll proudly tell you he teared up but didn't cry); he'd been immunized against disease; and he was prepared to begin his elementary education. It was the right thing to do.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Fun on Friday- Favorite Commercials
Some of my favorite TV commercials right now:
McDonalds' ad with the old Big Mouth Billy Bass singing "give me back that filet of fish, give me that fish" and "what if it were you hanging up on this wall". I laugh every time I see this one. This one may become an all-time favorite.
The ATT spots where the Mom won't let her family waste their rollover minutes. Haven't we all had a parent wave their finger in our face to correct us?
The Liberty Mutual series of ads where an individual sees someone do a kind deed for a stranger. This begins a string of events of people helping people helping people. A great reminder of how to live each day.
The AXE anti-perspirant ad with the guy with the gushing underarm sweat. Reminds me of some really bad days when I was younger.
Not really a favorite but hard to explain to my five year old on so many levels:
The Taco Bell commercial with the "pregnant man" who has the display case of nachos under his shirt that he tries to sneak into a stadium.
Have any favorite current commercials? I'd love to hear about them.
McDonalds' ad with the old Big Mouth Billy Bass singing "give me back that filet of fish, give me that fish" and "what if it were you hanging up on this wall". I laugh every time I see this one. This one may become an all-time favorite.
The ATT spots where the Mom won't let her family waste their rollover minutes. Haven't we all had a parent wave their finger in our face to correct us?
The Liberty Mutual series of ads where an individual sees someone do a kind deed for a stranger. This begins a string of events of people helping people helping people. A great reminder of how to live each day.
The AXE anti-perspirant ad with the guy with the gushing underarm sweat. Reminds me of some really bad days when I was younger.
Not really a favorite but hard to explain to my five year old on so many levels:
The Taco Bell commercial with the "pregnant man" who has the display case of nachos under his shirt that he tries to sneak into a stadium.
Have any favorite current commercials? I'd love to hear about them.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Accepting Defeat with Class
I'm not really a big fan of women's basketball. I'll watch some of a Lady Vols game from time to time if it's on TV (but only if there's not much else on). I've not been to a Lady Vols game in several years.
However, this year, like every year, I did tune in as the NCAA women's tournament began. Since the Lady Vols are the "two-time defending National Champions", I was interested to see how they would fare this year, with what is, in effect, a totally new team. As it turns out, a first-round loss to Ball State was a crushing defeat but not entirely surprising based on the UT team's inconsistency this season.
What impressed me most, however, was how Pat Summitt, the Lady Vols legendary coach, handled the defeat. As the game drew to a close at the final buzzer, after what she later called "one of the most disappointing losses I've ever been associated with", Coach Summitt stood patiently on the sideline as the Ball State coaches shared briefly in the victory celebration, she then congratulated the winner and immediately went over to the ESPN announcers desk for a prearranged post-game interview (in what ESPN most assuredly thought would be a Lady Vols victory). She expressed her disappointment and frustration and congratulated Ball State on a great game.
Following an historic loss (no defending National Champion has ever lost in the first round the following year; the Lady Vols have never missed the Sweet 16 since the tournament format was expanded; the Lady Vols previous first round games have all been victories of 23+ points), it would have been easy to decline to honor her post-game interview commitment, to attempt to avoid the media altogether or to make a scene at a post-game press conference. However, even in a moment of extreme disappointment and frustration, Coach Summitt represented herself, her program and the University of Tennessee with class and dignity.
However, this year, like every year, I did tune in as the NCAA women's tournament began. Since the Lady Vols are the "two-time defending National Champions", I was interested to see how they would fare this year, with what is, in effect, a totally new team. As it turns out, a first-round loss to Ball State was a crushing defeat but not entirely surprising based on the UT team's inconsistency this season.
What impressed me most, however, was how Pat Summitt, the Lady Vols legendary coach, handled the defeat. As the game drew to a close at the final buzzer, after what she later called "one of the most disappointing losses I've ever been associated with", Coach Summitt stood patiently on the sideline as the Ball State coaches shared briefly in the victory celebration, she then congratulated the winner and immediately went over to the ESPN announcers desk for a prearranged post-game interview (in what ESPN most assuredly thought would be a Lady Vols victory). She expressed her disappointment and frustration and congratulated Ball State on a great game.
Following an historic loss (no defending National Champion has ever lost in the first round the following year; the Lady Vols have never missed the Sweet 16 since the tournament format was expanded; the Lady Vols previous first round games have all been victories of 23+ points), it would have been easy to decline to honor her post-game interview commitment, to attempt to avoid the media altogether or to make a scene at a post-game press conference. However, even in a moment of extreme disappointment and frustration, Coach Summitt represented herself, her program and the University of Tennessee with class and dignity.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
A Man of Integrity
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches"- Proverbs 22:1
James Self is the treasurer at my church. You likely have never met him. Mr. Self (sometimes I call him James because he told me I could) recently celebrated his 85th birthday. That, in itself, is impressive enough. But you also should know that James has served as the church's treasurer for 55 years!
Over the past 55 years, with no flash and without much attention given to him, Mr. Self has faithfully given his time to meet the needs of his church. He is known as a man of utmost integrity; one in whom the church has complete trust.
When I think of someone serving in such an important position for so long, I'm reminded that Mr. Self has lived out his integrity for many years. He has proven himself trustworthy many times over. I also think of a man who, back in 1954 at the relatively young age of 30, had already proven himself in such a manner that the church chose to trust him with the stewardship of its finances.
One more thing. Mr. Self's wife passed away in the fall of 2003. He still wears his wedding band. A man of integrity and commitment. Thank you, James, for the example you set.
James Self is the treasurer at my church. You likely have never met him. Mr. Self (sometimes I call him James because he told me I could) recently celebrated his 85th birthday. That, in itself, is impressive enough. But you also should know that James has served as the church's treasurer for 55 years!
Over the past 55 years, with no flash and without much attention given to him, Mr. Self has faithfully given his time to meet the needs of his church. He is known as a man of utmost integrity; one in whom the church has complete trust.
When I think of someone serving in such an important position for so long, I'm reminded that Mr. Self has lived out his integrity for many years. He has proven himself trustworthy many times over. I also think of a man who, back in 1954 at the relatively young age of 30, had already proven himself in such a manner that the church chose to trust him with the stewardship of its finances.
One more thing. Mr. Self's wife passed away in the fall of 2003. He still wears his wedding band. A man of integrity and commitment. Thank you, James, for the example you set.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
God's Plan
A blog post by Tonya Williams:
Six years ago, things weren’t going as planned (that is, according to Greg and Tonya’s plans). The plan was, that after being married a couple of years, we would hopefully start a family. However, after a couple of years (we were enjoying making memories as a couple- traveling, free time, etc.), we revised our plan to wait one more year, then we would start.
That 3rd year was up in June 2002, so we prepared to start our family. Since I was a teacher, the ideal delivery time for a baby would be in the summer, so September was the ideal time to begin trying for our bundle of joy. Months passed with no “positive” news. We visited the doctor. Thankfully, our doctor was very proactive and was able to quickly diagnose what was going on medically. Unfortunately, our ideal window of opportunity for our plan had passed as we were on to see a specialist for further testing. It was at this point we finally realized that we were not in control and that we would be okay as "just Greg and Tonya" and without children if that were His plan for us. Ultimately, as many of you know, God’s plan graciously involved children for us, but not in the time frame that we devised. It was in His divine plan and His divine timing that we became parents almost a year and half after we began trying to have a baby.
Fast forward over five years. This week in the mail we received further fulfillment of His plan. I received my renewed Tennessee professional teaching license in the mail. I can now teach through 2019 (that seems so far away!!). How do these relate? If I had had our first child in the summer of 2003 as we had planned, I would not have received that valuable document in the mail this week. You see, when I finished teaching in 2004, I had just completed my 5th year in my current teaching license. Unbeknownst to us, that was the exact number of years needed to teach to be able to renew a teaching license without having to complete additional course work. As it turns out, our plan would have required me to take additional classes to reacquire my license. God’s plan required that I simply complete a form and mail it in to the Tennessee Department of Education.
Here's The Point: We may get frustrated, mad, disappointed, discouraged or any other emotion when our plan doesn’t work out. But when you place your faith and trust in Jesus, He has a plan and He is working it out in your life whether you know it or not. Ironically, our oldest son’s verse for his Wednesday night class this week was: “I trust You, oh Lord!.” Psalm 31:14. Ask yourself, Do I trust You, oh Lord?
Six years ago, things weren’t going as planned (that is, according to Greg and Tonya’s plans). The plan was, that after being married a couple of years, we would hopefully start a family. However, after a couple of years (we were enjoying making memories as a couple- traveling, free time, etc.), we revised our plan to wait one more year, then we would start.
That 3rd year was up in June 2002, so we prepared to start our family. Since I was a teacher, the ideal delivery time for a baby would be in the summer, so September was the ideal time to begin trying for our bundle of joy. Months passed with no “positive” news. We visited the doctor. Thankfully, our doctor was very proactive and was able to quickly diagnose what was going on medically. Unfortunately, our ideal window of opportunity for our plan had passed as we were on to see a specialist for further testing. It was at this point we finally realized that we were not in control and that we would be okay as "just Greg and Tonya" and without children if that were His plan for us. Ultimately, as many of you know, God’s plan graciously involved children for us, but not in the time frame that we devised. It was in His divine plan and His divine timing that we became parents almost a year and half after we began trying to have a baby.
Fast forward over five years. This week in the mail we received further fulfillment of His plan. I received my renewed Tennessee professional teaching license in the mail. I can now teach through 2019 (that seems so far away!!). How do these relate? If I had had our first child in the summer of 2003 as we had planned, I would not have received that valuable document in the mail this week. You see, when I finished teaching in 2004, I had just completed my 5th year in my current teaching license. Unbeknownst to us, that was the exact number of years needed to teach to be able to renew a teaching license without having to complete additional course work. As it turns out, our plan would have required me to take additional classes to reacquire my license. God’s plan required that I simply complete a form and mail it in to the Tennessee Department of Education.
Here's The Point: We may get frustrated, mad, disappointed, discouraged or any other emotion when our plan doesn’t work out. But when you place your faith and trust in Jesus, He has a plan and He is working it out in your life whether you know it or not. Ironically, our oldest son’s verse for his Wednesday night class this week was: “I trust You, oh Lord!.” Psalm 31:14. Ask yourself, Do I trust You, oh Lord?
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Using Your Time Wisely
With March Madness and the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament tipping off this week, I recently read an article in Sporting News with Billy Donovan, the head coach of the University of Florida men's basketball team. In trying to help one of his players understand the importance of his role, he shared the following conversation:
"After a game, I said to one of our freshmen, 'You played 18 minutes tonight. How much of that time do you think you had the ball in your hands?' He looked at me and said, 'About three minutes?' I said, 'Try 45 seconds. That means there were more than 17 minutes you were in the game and didn't have the ball. The key to your contribution is what you do with that time. Do you play defense? Do you screen on offense? Do you find a way to get open? Do you get a rebound or a loose ball?' That's how games are won and lost".
Every week, you and I have times when we "have the ball", when we are "on", when we are focused on a task or project. The real test of how valuable we are to the team (at home or at work) is what we do when the focus isn't on us. That's the "key to your contribution".
Use your time wisely.
"After a game, I said to one of our freshmen, 'You played 18 minutes tonight. How much of that time do you think you had the ball in your hands?' He looked at me and said, 'About three minutes?' I said, 'Try 45 seconds. That means there were more than 17 minutes you were in the game and didn't have the ball. The key to your contribution is what you do with that time. Do you play defense? Do you screen on offense? Do you find a way to get open? Do you get a rebound or a loose ball?' That's how games are won and lost".
Every week, you and I have times when we "have the ball", when we are "on", when we are focused on a task or project. The real test of how valuable we are to the team (at home or at work) is what we do when the focus isn't on us. That's the "key to your contribution".
Use your time wisely.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Meeting Truett Cathy
Last week, I had the privilege to briefly meet Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, following a talk he gave at a conference in the Atlanta area. I thanked him for his courtesy in taking a couple of moments with me and he responded in classic Chick-fil-A fashion, "my pleasure". You would be hard pressed to know that the gracious man is worth a reported $1.2 billion dollars.
At almost 88 years of age (he turns 88 on Saturday), Mr. Cathy has been teaching Sunday School to 13 year old boys for almost 55 years and continues even today. He teaches 13 year olds because "that is the last year when you can really impact young men....before peer pressure really takes hold".
Here are some notes and quotes from his talk:
"Why not be our very best at all times? Why not?"
"Everyone who is breathing needs encouragement".
"I've never seen any conflict between biblical principles and business practices".
"How good a father you were is determined by the conduct of your grandchildren".
The three main decisions in life: master, mission, mate
Three areas in life to monitor:
Instruction- what you say
Importance- what you do
Image- what you are
At almost 88 years of age (he turns 88 on Saturday), Mr. Cathy has been teaching Sunday School to 13 year old boys for almost 55 years and continues even today. He teaches 13 year olds because "that is the last year when you can really impact young men....before peer pressure really takes hold".
Here are some notes and quotes from his talk:
"Why not be our very best at all times? Why not?"
"Everyone who is breathing needs encouragement".
"I've never seen any conflict between biblical principles and business practices".
"How good a father you were is determined by the conduct of your grandchildren".
The three main decisions in life: master, mission, mate
Three areas in life to monitor:
Instruction- what you say
Importance- what you do
Image- what you are
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