This Good Guy Wears a White Hat

This is my son, Larry. Technically, he’s my son-in-law, but we’ve called him our son from the get-go. It is a term of endearment. He called us mom and dad. We were proud to call him our son.

Last month, I had the joy of travelling with him and Staci in their truck and 5th-wheel RV to Red River, NM. On the way to Red River, we made a pit stop in Amarillo, TX to eat at the Big Texan Steak House, – known for their 72 ounce steak. If you eat it all in one-hour, your $72 meal is free. We didn’t indulge ourselves in that challenge, but we sure enjoyed eating their delicious food. What many don’t know is while Larry attended Texas A&M, he was a real cowboy working cattle, riding horses with other ranching responsibilities. So, what’s a guy to do when we’re passing through cowboy country and Cavender’s Western Store, but to get himself a white Stetson cowboy hat that I must say “Looks mighty good on him, and for that matter, I think he’s a dead ringer for the Marlboro man!"

Even before the white hat, Larry was one of those good guys. He is kind, compassionate and quick to meet the needs of others, including me. He is a fully devoted follower of Christ and is an incredible role model for others.

I remember the good ole' days when good manners, courtesy, concern for each other, patriotism, and respect were the norm. In reality, those qualities are still right here. They may not wear white hats, but there are those white-hat-wearing-kind-of-people.

Deep inside of most everyone is a "white-hat-wearing", loving and kind somebody. But something caused them to be just the opposite -- maybe their upbringing, their lack of a value system, their choice of friends? What was it that changed them from "loving God, standing up with their hand over their heart while singing our National Anthem, respectfully loving others and living with kindness and honor"? It’s hard to believe how polar opposite we can be. I get that people are afraid, angered, upset, and confused about this world we live in, but we can do our part to at least change "our little world" if we want to.

We can lean in closer to God Who can change us and make us new. He is delighted to give out "white hats" to His kids. We can be committed Christ followers Who replace our meanness for kindness and our ugly talk to love talk. My Mama said it best, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!"
My Mama and Mother Teresa had a lot in common when it comes to loving and caring.

Here's the way Mother Teresa put it:
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
― Mother Teresa

You, know, I think Mother Teresa must have owned a white cowgirl hat because she sure did talk the talk and walk the walk that most of those folks in white hats seem to do. I'm thinking I need to go on a shopping spree for a white hat!

Freedom Isn't Free -- Thank You, Veterans, For Paying the Ultimate Price for our Freedom!

When I was helping my youngest grandson with his history lessons, I was getting some history lessons of my own. I recalled those lessons when I thought about this Veteran’s Day -- this very important time of remembering the heroes who paid the ultimate price of their lives for our freedom. It is easy to take our nation for granted, but Veterans’ Day reminds us that freedom isn’t free. Bryson and I learned that without our soldiers' sacrifice dating back to the American Revolution, we could still be a colony of England or, even today, could be living in a world that was dominated by nazism, communism, or radical jihadism. It's a very big deal that we often take too lightly -- especially when we see another family saying "Good-bye" to their sons and daughters who have fallen during their call-of-duty.

Those incredible Americans who served and are serving in our military on active duty or in the reserves, deserve to know that if they give their lives for our nation, we will never forget their sacrifice, as well as the sacrifices made by their spouses and children whose loved one died for our country.

President John F. Kennedy said, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.’ There are few ways less noble to serve our country than through our military, whose sacrifice, courage and strength deserve our highest gratitude. I can’t imagine the bravery of those who are willing to be placed in harm’s way or dedicate their lives to protect people he/she has never met. I am not only proud, but also honored to live in a country where this kind of courage exists. Every veteran has made the ultimate commitment and has demonstrated the pinnacle of patriotism and courage. Having a day like today, seems like a mere "token" of appreciation, but we pray that veterans are appreciated, respected and given preferential treatment for their sacrifices when it comes to their well-being, their health, their financial rewards.

In return for their acts of courage and commitment, I pray, that we show up on the side of our veterans to love and appreciate their sacrifices. From the bottom of my heart, I shout "Thank you for your bravery. Thank you for believing in the stars and stripes. Thank you for standing up for us on the battlefield. Thank you for singing the "National Anthem" with your head held high, your hand saluting the flag and the freedoms that you fought so violently for. Thank you for your service to the United States of America." I stand with you, with my hand held over my heart in allegiance to our flag, I sing loud and strong "Oh say can you see by the dawn's early light....." and I thank God for your great love for us all.

John 13:15 "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."