Gimme A Break

I saw someone’s post about their dad on his birthday. It said something to the effect of: ‘I could never ask or dream up a better dad. You are an incredible dad…’

At first glance, I wish that I could say that this was true for my life; perhaps I wouldn’t have had some of the quirks that I do.

But that wasn’t my story. My story is that I had a dad (and mom) who in spite his (and her) best efforts left fingerprints all over my life like a person attempting to clean a crystal chandelier.

My life has been seasons of struggle, depression, woundedness, isolation, and loneliness. I’m messy.

If you get too close my walls sometimes come up in an attempt to hold you at bay. Over the years I have struggled with control, anger, humor, sarcasm and other forms of self-protection.

While working at a treatment center, my staff walked me through a twelve-step program for people who grew up without hugs. I think that they were in cahoots with Cathy’s family who LOVE to hug!

But, as I have grown older and had children of my own, I’ve come to not only appreciate what my parents went through to raise me; but I also came to honor and respect them.

Simply put, they did the best they could and as my mom said one time; “You boys married outside your league so I would say that you have it pretty good!” And she was right.

So, as the song says and as all parents’ hearts cry out; “Gimme a break, gimme a break…”

The two of them sacrificed so much of their time, emotions, sleep, finances, and physical health to provide for all of us children over our lifetimes. 

As my children now have children of their own, I’ve come to realize that my parents did more than their best. Parenting is hard work and it is a marathon for that we all need a break.

In spite of my parents’ flaws, weakness, and inabilities, they did a really good job raising us ten children who at times made their job hard and showed them no respect.

I look back and realize that in many areas, I had been provided for better than many who come from "perfect" homes had. My dad worked hard so that we were NEVER in debt. Sometimes this meant working on his days off to pick up extra money as he sacrificed to provide for his family; always thinking of other people above himself.

The house was kept spotless, both inside and out. The lawn was lush and green and was cut meticulously three times a week. We had fruit trees and gorgeous flower gardens.

My mom did her part by staying home and dealing with ten children; especially with us four boys who were all just over one year a part and frequently gave her reasons to be mad at us.

There was always enough food for everyone. And we didn’t just eat, we ate very well! My mom was thrifty and would look for deals so that we could eat steak and roasts like kings several nights of the week.

She made homemade meals cooked over several hours that were NEVER thrown together last minute. She also made sure that EVERY year at the start of school we were dressed in the latest fashion. She also did laundry every day so that we always looked our best.

In spite of their own struggles and the obstacles that have come their way, they never quit on their own marriage, leaving a legacy of hope that marriages can be renewed and don't have to end in divorce. They passed on their wisdom and prayed Cathy and I through turbulent times in our marriage. 

My parents, as I look back, went WAY above and beyond in everything they did, all the time. And the best thing that my parents did was give their lives to Jesus and then prayed us children into the kingdom!

I couldn't do what I do to prepare couples for marriage if not for the godly influence of my parents in my life.

I wouldn't even be a minister, let alone be right with God if not for their prayers!

Everyone they meet is blessed by them, because they both love helping people. I, and so many people who have met them, am so blessed by my mom and dad.

No, I didn’t grow up with this man’s dad or mom; I grew up with mine and I wouldn't want to change places with him because they made me who I am today. I wouldn’t be half the person I am today without them in my life. 

As I write this, I can honestly say that I had it pretty good; no, actually I had it really good! I love them both and I am SO PROUD to call them my dad and mom. They both did an incredible job as parents and I am so blessed by the Lord be connected to them!

So, on behalf of all parents far and wide, gimme a break, gimme a break. And as my dad, who loves chocolate would add; “Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat Bar!”

When I Look to the Mountains

by Randy Stonehill  

When I look to the mountains

I can see you there

In the wild churning ocean

I can feel you there

In the warm summer breeze

Your voice is in the air

Oh my Lord

You reflect Your perfection

In the smallest leaf

In your vastness You render time

A captured thief

I stand naked before You

In amazed belief

Oh my Lord

Oh my Lord my Creator

You have captured my heart

With a love I can never repay

And I fall to my knees to try to

Tell You what words could never say

Though You hold all creation

In Your holy hands

Though the world is as weightless

As a grain of sand

Still You told me my name

And gave me strength to stand

Oh my Lord

(repeat chorus)

(repeat first verses)

from the album Celebrate This Heartbeat

You Can’t Help Me; I’m Overwhelmed!

When we think of the word “Overwhelmed” we often think that this is something bad.

We picture negative things such as being overwhelmed a day jamb-packed with things to do; and not enough time to fit everything in.

Or being overwhelmed in our minds by remorse or regret that causes the brain to be stuck in circular logic.

Or being overwhelmed in our feelings as though life all around us is squeezing in on us.

Or being overwhelmed by an attack; or over powered; especially by superior forces that have the potential to crush or destroy.

Or being overwhelmed such as in a disastrous situation that could bury, submerge, or cover us, like a flood, fire, tornado, hurricane, avalanche, volcano, earthquake, etc.….

So, if I were to say to you; “I hope that today you have an overwhelming day!”, you’d probably reply with; “No thank you!”

If you are super-spiritual you might reply with; “Get behind me Satan!”; but that wouldn’t be nice because I am really just trying to help you.

But “overwhelmed” isn’t necessarily really a bad word

With the right understanding and perspective, “overwhelmed” can be a

good word.

Or as George Costanza (Seinfeld) said; “…So, anyway, if you think about it, manure is not really that bad a word. I mean, it’s ‘newer’, which is good, and a ‘ma’ in front of it, which is also good. Ma-newer, right?”

But I digress…and some of you are more overwhelmed because I have taken time from your already busy schedule…

Hang in there; I do have a point.

“Overwhelmed” is a word that can be used to describe BOTH negative as well as positive situations. It can be bad or good depending on what’s whelming whom over.

If you have a sports team that has “an overwhelming offense”; that’s a good thing; especially if they are winning the game.

The word “overwhelmed” means ‘to load, heap, or address with an overpowering amount of ANYTHING’.

And “ANYTHING’ can mean overwhelmed with good things such as overwhelmed with provision of presents or food or clothing or cars or houses or job opportunities or extra days of vacation…

“ANYTHING’ can mean overwhelmed with good things such as overwhelmed with too many friends and too many invites to celebrations such as weddings or graduations or parties. 

“ANYTHING’ can mean overwhelmed with good things such as overwhelmed with hugs or kisses.

“ANYTHING’ can mean overwhelmed with good things such as overwhelmed with comfort or love or joy or peace or patience or kindness or goodness or faithfulness or gentleness or self-control or understanding or forgiveness. Can we ever have too much or be overwhelmed with these?

“ANYTHING” can mean (as King David wrote in Psalm 68:19) being overwhelmed or loaded (imposes a heavy burden) with benefits or blessings from the Lord!

So, I to say to you; “I hope that today you have an overwhelming day!”

I hope that you are overwhelmed by the goodness and grace of our Heavenly Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Especially if, when you are reading this, you are feeling as though your day is already (in a negative sense) overwhelming.  

Take some time to let this song minister to your heart...                                 

Be in My Heart

What did I ever do for You
That You should die for me?
And what did I ever give to You
That You should live in me?

Now and forever and always true
His love has found a way.
As I was, I am, and always will be, will be

Be in my heart, be in my head
Be in my soul tonight
Live in my words, let it be said
Live in my life tonight.

Pray that I never take in vain
The name I hold most dear
His love is the very heart of me
Cast out all doubt and fear

Now and forever and always true
His love has found a way
As I was, I am and always will be, will be

Be in my heart, be in my head
Be in my soul tonight
Live in my words, let it be said
Live in my life tonight

Tonight we shall sweetly sleep
Tonight, by still waters deep
Tonight, for my soul to keep
Still waters, still waters, still waters

Now and forever and always true
His love has found a way
As I was, I am, and always will be, will be

Be in my heart, be in my head
Be in my soul tonight
Live in my words, let it be said
Live in my life tonight

Words and Music by Phil Keaggy

Find Me in These Fields

Who Is Leading You?

The plan was pretty simple: Pack our lunches and beverages into our pack backs and head up into the Big Horn Mountains. The year was 1980 and I was in Ten Sleep, Wyoming with two vans loads of youth workers on Christmas break.

 

A group of us had decided to make a day trip up one side of the mountain, eat lunch at the top, and head back to the lodge before dinner. Several in the group had never been mountain climbing and so we appreciated the seasoned veterans that went with us that morning.

 

The hike up the mountain was a comfortable pace and the view was breath taking! In fact the weather was unseasonably warm, so the snow-covered paths were easy to walk through. This was especially important because several of the fellow travelers seemed to like to walk slow…as though there was no urgency to get anywhere at any special time. They acted as though the idea of walking and talking (fellowshipping) was more important than getting to the top by noon.

 

Actually, it wasn’t necessary to reach the top by noon; we could have simply stopped at noon wherever we were and had lunch, and then headed back to the lodge.

 

But their slow pace made me appreciate the clear paths because I wouldn’t have wanted to travel with them through snow drifts.

 

In time, and much prodding to hurry up and keep moving, we all made it to the top where we had a leisurely lunch and then started the descent back down the mountain.

 

My friend Jim and I realized that if the rest of the group traveled at the same pace down as they had gone up, we would have to once again wait. So, we made plans to descend using another path; one that neither of us had taken before since neither of us had been in these mountains before.

 

We talked Cathy (who I was engaged to at the time) and two other girls into joining us in our adventure to seek a faster way down the mountain. And we must have been pretty convincing that we knew what we were talking about because they agreed to our plan; against the advice of the seasoned veterans who went with us that morning, who asked us to stay with the rest of the group.

 

With joy and determination, Jim and I led the three women off to the lodge not realizing how quickly things can change up on a mountain.

 

At first, our trip was great as we were able to set a pace that we (at least Jim and I) could travel at with not hindrances. Like two gazelles we leaped from rock to rock as we searched for the next place to land on. I’m sure that in our minds we both thought that we were making quite an impression on these three young lasses!

 

For a few hours, all went well that is until we got ourselves into a spot that even the best of mountain climbers would have had some fear. We got stuck literally between a rock and a hard place; a “chimney”

 

(A rock cleft with vertical sides mostly parallel, large enough to fit the climber's body into. To climb such a structure, the climber often uses his head, back and feet to apply opposite pressure on the vertical walls)

 

The rock chimney led to a thousand foot drop; give or take a couple of feet. We realized very quickly that perhaps we should have listened and stayed with the group. In fact we really had only two options: turn around and retrace our steps, or rappel down the face of the mountain…but this wasn’t really an option since we didn’t have any ropes or carabineers or experience using them!

 

Instead, we went with option number three which was to take off our boots and walk stocking footed through the snow covered rocks in order to get better footing. And, somehow we talked the girls into following our risky plan; a plan that was dangerous to say the least.

 

Eventually, we did make it down the mountain with boots tied around our necks and we were joined by the rest of the group and were quickly rebuked by the seasoned veterans at the stupidity of what we had just done. Not only had we risked our lives, but we had also endangered the lives of three girls as well.

 

And all of this could have been avoided if we had simply followed instructions, stayed with the group, and let others who knew these mountains better than we did lead us in the right path.

 

I wonder how many times each of us could have avoided getting into trouble if we would have simply allowed the Lord to lead us?

 

How many times have we gotten ourselves stuck between a rock and a hard place simply because we didn’t “be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10)?

 

How many times did we take unnecessary risks instead of swallowing our pride, admitting we didn’t know what we were doing, and let Him lead us?

 

“For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, Lead me and guide me.” (Psalm 31:3)

 

“Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.” (Psalm 25:5)

 

“…when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13)

 

“From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2)

 

So who is leading you?

 

All Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.