10,000 Reasons

Yesterday morning I woke up singing “Bless the Lord, oh my soul. Oh, my soul. Worship His Holy Name. Sing like never before, oh my soul, I worship Your Holy Name!” That song's title is “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman. What a way to wake up – blessing and worshipping God’s Holy Name! Immediately I knew this would be the topic for my post for today.

Among my 10,000 reasons to be thankful, I must share with you what happened shortly after I typed this post at about 8 am yesterday. I heard the garbage truck (Thank you, God, I can hear!)! I thought: “Yikes! I didn’t think they’d come today since the holiday was last week!” I ran out the front door to catch them, but too late! I noticed they hadn’t picked up the other side of the street so I quickly ran and pushed my packed-full-of- Thanksgiving garbage bin to my neighbor's side of the street (Thank you, God, for our wonderful Thanksgiving meals!). But then I thought they’d question two bins, so I quickly got in my car (Thank you, God, for my car!) and drove to let them know! Came back home (Thank you, God, for my home!) and pushed the garage remote and NADA! Thank you, God, that I had my door key in hand. I ran into the house and garage and saw the big chain had fallen from the motor. I quickly called my Home Warranty company (Thank you, God, that I purchased a Home Warranty!) and placed the repair with them and they showed up last night to already have it repaired and working great! Thank you, God, because that means only a $45 repair fee! Now, I have more than 10,000 reasons to "Bless the Lord, oh my soul!"

I’m quite sure that whole scenario was why I woke singing that song because God was prepping me for my sudden-out-of-the-blue trash and garage door encounters.

“Bless the Lord, oh my soul” were King David's words as he was commanding his soul (his will, mind, and emotions) to bless the Lord. He was encouraging himself with what he needed to do to rise above his circumstances. Those words from Psalm 103 were Matt Redman’s inspiration for this song. In that chapter, David listed several reasons why his heart was full of worship for God: He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems our lives from the pit, crowns us with love and compassion, satisfies our desires and gives righteousness and justice.

I googled Matt Redman and this song, and read what he said to explain it. “If you wake up one morning and you cannot think of a reason to bring God some kind of offering of thanks or praise, then you can be sure there's something wrong at your end of the pipeline, and not His. We live beneath an unceasing flow of goodness, kindness, greatness, and holiness, and every day we're given reason after reason why Jesus is so completely and utterly worthy of our highest and best devotion."

I realize we are one week past Thanksgiving today and it would seem that I’ve posted enough about gratitude and thanksgiving, but for “10,000 reasons” and so many more, I was reminded that putting gratitude as my #1 priority, sure keeps us in a gratitude mode -- even when things aren't going the way we had hoped them to go. Gratitude opens the floodgates to so many more reasons to be thankful -- even when a garage door goes haywire! I’m purposing to follow David’s lead in Psalm 103 to talk to my soul more so my "Reasons List" continue to grow in "blessing His Holy Name". How about you?

Thanksgiving Starts With “Thank You”!

Happy Thanksgiving to All of My Wonderful Facebook Friends and Family. THANK YOU for your encouragement to me and being a bright light that brightens our world with God’s love.

The turkey will soon be in the oven and all the other delicacies will be readied that go along with my family's celebration of this wonderful holiday. THANK YOU, God, for my family! Notice I'm capitalizing "THANK YOU" today! As a child, did you get a tap on your shoulder by a parent when you received a gift, and you heard them whisper "Say, thank you!" Were you one of those parents that had to remind your children to say “Thank you”? Oh, but what pride and joy our parents had when they heard us and we heard our children, out of grateful hearts say "THANK YOU!"....and meant it! I challenge you to think of two more beautiful words.

It’s easy for all of us to breeze through life without stopping to say "Thank you." Whether we’re facing a clerk at the store, a restaurant employee or family member, we can move on quickly instead of pausing to give thanks and show appreciation.

Apparently people moved along quickly in the Bible, too. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem when ten men, who had leprosy standing far away, called out to Him for mercy. He told them to go and show themselves to the priests. he priest was the one who could issue a life-giving letter of release that indicated they were disease-free and could return to their homes and public life. As they obeyed Jesus’ orders to go, they were healed of their leprosy. Imagine their joy as they saw their skin repair itself and look like new again -- impossible apart from God’s power!

But, only one of the 10 returned and thanked Jesus: “when he saw he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him — and he was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:15-16). Jesus completely and wonderfully changed 10 lives, but only one came back to say “thank you”.

The nine Jewish men didn’t return to acknowledge the Giver. The most unlikely to return — the Samaritan who knew the least about God — was the one to receive not only a physical healing, but a spiritual one. Jesus said to him in verse 19, “Rise and go; your faith has made you whole.” The power of God cleansed him outwardly in his body AND cleansed him inwardly from sin when he returned to give thanks. Gratitude paved the way for a double blessing: healing for body and soul.

Gratitude also paves the way to blessing in our bodies and souls.
As we celebrate this national day of Thanksgiving, may we learn from those 10 men. May we purposely pause, look that one in the eyes who served us, gave us of themselves in some way or blessed us with something -- and say “THANK YOU!”

Most of all may we ask God for forgiveness for not saying “Thank You.” May we repent of focusing on the things we don’t have, instead of the blessings He has given us. May we be like the one who returned to express gratitude. Thank you, Father God, for saving us, forgiving us, and providing for our needs each day! Thank YOU, Lord, for your goodness and mercy that follows us all the days of our lives. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

I'm starting this Thanksgiving week with so much gratitude to God for His love and His many blessings -- far more than I could ever deserve! I am not lucky, fortunate, or merely disciplined – I am the recipient of God’s grace – His unmerited favor because I am His and He is mine. It's not enough to just say “Thank you!”, but to do something with the grace and blessings I’ve been given. And I know there is a responsibility that comes with privilege. I am blessed to bless. Gifted so I can give and that giving may come as just being a bright light that someone else may need.

Case in point. While in Tulsa, it was hammer down getting Mom’s things packed up for her move to my sis-in-law, Karen’s home. Mom isn’t moving fast these days, so we realized, neither should we. We’re giving her time and space to make these many easy AND difficult decisions. After all, she has an accumulation of many years of living -- 95 to be exact. She needed rest from her decision-making on Saturday morning, so I decided to go visit Karen’s husband’s Mom, Margaret, also 95 years old and who lives in a long care facility here in Tulsa. I was powered up to "make her day".

I drove just a few miles up the road to Inverness Village, her home for many years now, and tiptoed into her room because I could see she was dozing. George and Karen warned me that she has some memory loss now and may not recognize me. I gently tapped her leg and her drowsy eyes opened wide, and the biggest smile appeared on her face as she said, “Donna, you are here. I’m so glad to see you!” She was dressed to the nines, as usual. She was warm and welcoming and I could tell I made her day, but, more importantly, she made mine with the brightness in her eyes and the joy overflowing coming from her. I said, “Margaret, you look beautiful as always, but just look at your hair – it is so full and long!” With the humor I’ve always known her to have, she said, “I know. It’s because I’m ‘on the pill’” I laughed so hard and she said, “I love to say that to see people’s reaction. But, seriously, I’m taking a pill that has made my hair come back and it’s thicker than ever!” Then she went on to tell me about how much she loves living at Inverness. "They take such good care of me. The people (nurses, nurse’s aides, etc.) are so helpful and kind. I love the activities -- just look at the paintings I've done. I just love doing that." Me: “Margaret, you’ve got your Christmas up already!” Margaret: “Oh, no. I keep my Christmas up all year. It makes me happy all year.” She had so much enthusiasm and energy that it made me tear up with gratitude for her gratitude.

When I lived in Tulsa, I took communion to her on Sundays. I asked if anyone was bringing her communion and she said there is a lovely lady who brings her communion regularly and then she wanted to show me the chapel. "If you’ll push me in the wheel chair, I’ll show you!” So we took a stroll down the hall to see this beautiful little chapel, and as we rolled along, she waved and spoke to everyone we passed.

After spending about an hour with her, as my typical routine before I would leave, I had prayer with her and as I prayed, I thanked God for this precious bright light that blessed me more than I could have ever blessed her. I thanked God for caring so lovingly for her. I thanked God that her gratitude and heart of Thanksgiving made me even more grateful for my life.

When it comes to the understanding of the value of gratitude, sometimes it helps to look at the wisdom of others. Margaret has learned to count her blessings – a wheelchair that carries her to her next activity, a “pill” that’s made her hair grow, the ability to paint some pictures, her home – be it a room with many family mementos everywhere, her clothes, her children that come to see her, her beautician (she was emphatic about her hair appointment at 1 o’clock). Maybe her simplified life is far from where you and I may be, but oh that we can be as thankful for all that we have in our lives.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

What Makes a Champion?

I guess it was my 13-year old grandson’s love for baseball, that drew me into watching the Little League World Series on TV a few weeks ago. The team from Lufkin, TX won the National games and went on to the World Series.

All teams, at that level, were great, but I was particularly impressed at the excellence and respect displayed by the Tokyo, Japan team. In the finals, they beat Lufkin 12-2. It was the 4th year for the Tokyo team to win the World Series. Here was what set them apart from the U.S. teams. They practice more than any other team -- 11 months out of the year. They play only one sport – baseball. On game day, they practice 4 hours before the game. As reported, “They have the marathon versus sprint mindset. Everyone else HOPES and DREAMS to get to the World Series. The Japanese kids EXPECT to get there." When the Japanese coach was asked if his kids were genius, he replied “No – they and their families just single-heartedly give everything they’ve got to get here.” I watched with amazement as they had such great respect for the umpires, opponents, elders and when they came onto the field, they stood in a line and bowed to the American fans. There was so much attention to detail, even after the win. They ran to stand in line, left to right, from the shortest player to the tallest. They bowed to the American team and fans. You could tell they had rehearsed the win, because they knew exactly what to do when they won.

I don’t profess to know it all about the Tokyo players or their game, but I must have been impressed enough to take notes about what I saw to share with you. An attitude of “expecting” to win so much so that they are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure it happens. That was a lesson for me, for sure – getting my "expector" up on whatever I’m attempting to conquer and win at. But, more than their excellent game play, I was taken with their team spirit, their manners and respect. I’ll admit it gave me pause to think how wonderful it would be to see such behavior by our U.S. teams that extends to their homes and lives, In fact I started thinking how we could ALL step it up in respect with each other.

I remember being “coached” by my parents to say “please” and “thank you”, “yes, sir” and yes, m’am” and I think it stuck, because, unconsciously, I’ll say those words even at my ripe age today. We are the best role models for our children. When they see us respectful and honorable, they'll pick up on it.
When they see us slamming” and “degrading” others, it carries over to our children and their respect for others deteriorates. By our modelling respect, our our children gain the confidence that comes from knowing the right thing to do. That respect for others isn’t just the right way to act, but respect and good manners will set our children up for a lifetime of success with others.

Maybe I'm "old school", but I admire seeing a child, when introduced to someone, reach out his/her hand and say, “It’s nice to meet you!” I appreciate it when a man, woman or child, opens the door for me. It wasn't that long ago that men respected a woman enough to get up from the table and pull out her chair for her. If a woman was standing on a bus or event, a man or even a boy would give her their seat. I realize we live in a much more casual society today than when I was growing up, but, it seems we need to revive the spirit of respect, honor, dignity and appreciation for our fellow man and woman.

I think those Japanese kids had learned the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That means, for all of us, to treat others as we would like to be treated, to be a good sport, to say "please and thank you", to ask before taking, to not talk with food in our mouths, to not take bites that make us look like we’re stashing away for the winter, to not make fun of others, to be compassionate, helpful, and when we say “sorry”, we really, really mean it. In no way am I suggesting that we "Bring back the good old days!" I love these days, but I think it's time to step up our "game" in being the best WE that we can possibly be.

THE END of this Nana’s “The Making of a Champ” post, but I hope and pray it’s the beginning of a “Once upon a time” a champion was created. That champion isn't only our children -- it's the making of a champion in you and me!

Do You Remember Your First Job?

I know you remember your first job. We all do. It was a pivotal time in our lives. I’ll never forget mine. I had signed up for Vocational Office Education (VOE) at my high school, which means I would gain enough office knowledge and skills to get my first job. I had learned to type, take shorthand, know how to file and other office procedures. My high school found me my first job at Sylvania Electric Company as a file clerk – at a whopping $1.25 an hour. In that company, I not only found out what stepping out of my comfort zone was, but I also learned valuable relationship interaction and great job skills that opened the door to my next job that gave me on-the-job training to be their Accounts Receivable Bookkeeper. The first job paved the way for my future in administration in many various locations in the U.S. and Canada, and even in owning our own businesses.

I had that “blast from the past” when, yesterday, I picked up my granddaughter, Alexia Wallace, from her interview at Chick-fil-A for her first job. I was on my way to pick her up when I got her text “I got the job!” She was beaming when she came bouncing to my car. I know that feeling – that sense of worth and value AND accomplishment. She turns 16 on the 16th of this month, so this is a big deal that paves the way and sets the course for taking "next steps" the rest of her life.

I couldn’t help but be so grateful that she is starting with a company, Chick-Fil-A, that has refused to compromise their Christian principles. By survey, Chick-fil-A is America’s favorite fast food restaurant, and it's obvious when I drive by the one right near my house with car lines that go around the building. Some would say it's the food. Others would point to its clever advertising. (Let's face it, there is something appealing about seeing a cow beg you to "Eat Mor Chikin.") But, Founder Truett Cathy had a different view. He declared that the secret of his success was the company's high quality of people and their attention to customer service. I have to agree. There’s something about those kids who work there and how they respond to our “Thank you” with “My pleasure”.

Truett said it all goes back to Chick-fil-A being closed on Sundays. Truett, who passed away in 2014, believed everyone should have a day off a week -- for church, rest, or to enjoy family. Dan Cathy, President and COO of the company now (Dave passed away in 2014), says, "Jesus Christ did not die for a company, He died for individuals, personally." The company wants to operate on Biblical principles and acknowledge the Lord in all ways.

I love the perks that Alexia will have with her new job. She’ll be learning responsibility, teamwork, leadership and management skills. She’ll start building her resume for her next step up the ladder. She’ll be off every Sunday – that’s huge for a gal that is on a Worship Team at her church, and that’s her passion and desire for her future. She loves the food – just about any meal, she’d be happy if you’d choose Chick-Fil-A. She'll get 20% off for Nana's meals (bonus for Nana). She already has friends that work there and she’ll develop even more friendships. (I can relate. I met my future “bridesmaid” at my first job.)

When asked by the Manager, “Alexia, what do you hope to do in the future?” She replied, “I hope to be a Worship Pastor at my church. Missions and helping people is my heart.” The Manager said, “Congratulations! Welcome to the Team! We’ll contact you about getting your uniform and training. You can start next week!”

Practicing Christianity inside the walls of the church is one thing. In fact, it's probably the easiest place to act "Christ-like." Practicing Christianity in the secular workplace is an altogether different thing. I love that my girl’s first job is with a company that has refused to compromise their Christian principles, regardless of what the world says.

"Seek FIRST the kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33

And to celebrate, of course my girl and I had to go shopping, after all “Nana, I ALWAYS get a winter sweater during September! It’s my birthday month!” Such is life with Lexi!

Blessed to be a Blessing

Happy Thanksgiving! Let me start out by saying “I’m so thankful for YOU!” I’m so thankful you’re my friend, family member or casual acquaintance, but the fact that you stop by my FB post sometimes, humbles me, yet encourages me to keep on doing what I know God called me to do. THANK YOU for your love!

I'm so thankful…..PERIOD. All except my two oldest grandsons and sweet Ruth, my family will be with me in Frisco today. Though Thanksgiving looks different for me this year – no usual preparations at my home, we’re together in Staci’s big home where everyone has a bed – no blow up mattresses needed this year. No “indoor camping”. There is just no way to complain or wish for the "good ole' days" when my Sweetheart and I welcomed the family home. There is so much to be thankful for THIS YEAR – THIS DAY!! We are so blessed.

And, BLESSED, is the operative word -- not, "lucky" or "fortunate" or "deserved" or "privileged". We ARE BLESSED! And we are blessed -- to be a BLESSING! We can't just simply say "THANK YOU", and go on our way. We MUST do something about those blessings. In fact, we're held accountable for them. Luke 12:48 says ".......when someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required."

There is responsibility that comes with blessings. Actually, it becomes a cycle of blessings, because we see in Proverbs 11:25, "The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped." It's that "give and it shall be given", law of reciprocity....that just keeps on giving.

So, on this beautiful Thanksgiving Day, with sincere thanks and gratitude, may we remember that we are blessed to bless; gifted to give; forgiven to forgive; loved to love.

Thankful to "Thank" My Way Through Thanksgiving

It's Thanksgiving week when we amp up the hearts of gratitude for the many blessings in our lives. This morning I woke up and......oh, let's begin there. I woke up. I got out of bed. Oh, I'm so thankful for my bed and a good night's sleep. I got out of bed. Oh, I got out of bed all on my own. I went to the restroom. Oh, I could go to the restroom all on my own, and my "plumbing" worked.

Whew! I think you can see what I mean. Hearts of gratitude START with being thankful for each detail of our lives. Of course "the usual" -- thankful for God, family, friends, home, car, clothes...... but seriously -- go beyond those. Let's START this week with this little exercise. Get a stop watch and set it for one minute. Now, you have one minute to name as many things as you can that you are thankful for. On your mark, get set, GO!

I did the exercise, and gave myself one minute, and as I started the stop watch, I heard the dog's paw prints running through the house. I said, "I can hear." I heard the dishwasher running. I said, "dishwashers". My eyes went to the piano that Payton plays and I said, "piano". I was seeing -- I said, "my eyes". I was sitting in a comfy chair -- "furniture". I'm cozy and warm in my daughter's "home". I saw my computer -- I wrote down "computer and internet". I glanced over at the refrigerator that holds food -- I wrote down "refrigerator and food".

In reality, literally everything from the breath we breathe to the bills we pay is a celebration of thankgiving. The bills we pay? Seriously? Oh yes, because those bills represent something to be thankful for -- a car payment (we have a car); a house payment (we have a home); an electrical bill (we have a warm home). Everywhere we look, we see things to be grateful for. And, when we live in an attitude of gratitude, rather than being bugged that the computer is too slow, we say, "I'm so thankful for my computer". Instead of complaining about our "old" car, we say, "I'm so thankful for a car." Instead of saying "I have nothing to wear, we say, "I'm so thankful for my clothes." Instead of complaining about our boss or a co-worker, we say "I'm so grateful for my job."

A grateful heart sees each day as a gift. Thankful people focus less on what they lack and more on the privileges and blessings they have.

The grateful heart is like a magnet that collects reasons for gratitude -- for the paper clip to hold those pages together; for the milk in our cereal; for the song that soothes us; for the clock we hear ticking; for the light that turns on; for the safe drive home; for the clean water from our tap, for the time we had with our loved ones. Thank you, Lord!

May we choose gratitude as a habit that we choose daily as a way of life. May we adjust our lens and see our lives and our world through the eyes of a grateful heart. May we be overwhelmed with the beauty and abundance of it all. When we live with that kind of gratitude, we will experience Thanksgiving Day.....everyday!

The Attitude of Gratitude

I've loved seeing FB posts by many of you who are expressing 30 days of gratitude in this month of Thanksgiving. Others are just randomly posting how grateful they are for their faith, God's love and life's sweetest blessings -- their family, friends, their health, their precious times together making memories -- all those things that money just can't buy.

I love it! And, if you and I have let that attitude of gratitude slip us by, just maybe it's a perfect way for us to start our day and week -- this week -- with simple words and thoughts of gratitude!

Zig Ziglar was such a dear friend and such had such a tremendous influence in our family's lives -- in so many ways. You could tell where he came from -- and that an attitude of gratitude was right up there in his values. What was Zig's secret? Zig's widowed mother of eleven raised her children alone. Though extremely poor, Mrs. Ziglar instilled a strong work ethic in her children and raised them to believe that both she and God loved them. She also taught her children to practice saying "please" and "thank you." Those lessons stuck. Her formula of work, love and faith made their difficult lives easier and enjoyable.

Zig said, "When we neglect to require our children to say `thank you' when someone gives them a gift or does something for them, we raise ungrateful children who are highly unlikely to be content. Without gratitude, happiness is rare. With gratitude, the odds for happiness go up dramatically."

And even more so, how much our Father God wants to bless His kids as He sees our attitudes of gratitude! To acknowledge Him for not just the big things, but all the daily blessings in each and every day.. So, today, I'm starting with saying "Dear God. Today I woke up. I am healthy. I am alive. I am blessed beyond what I deserve. Thank you."

Happy Labor Day, Laborers AND Moms!

Happy Labor Day!! I still laugh as I recall my son's telephone call to me on Labor Day three years ago. With the family in the background hollering, "Happy Mother's Day", I said, "What?" And Ryan replied, "It's Labor Day, so we're thanking you for your "labor" in bringing me into this world! So Happy Mother's Day!" LOL! Labor Day has a whole new meaning to me each year!

But we all know that Labor Day isn't about me and the contribution I made to this world. (Sigh!) And, though we love the idea of a "paid holiday" or just the day off at the beginning of a new school year, it's way more than that. It's the day we get to honor all of our hard working American people who make life so much better for us. Vince Lombardi said, "The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.

I thank all of this country's hard working laborers. So many unsung heroes, so many that are behind the scenes, and particularly those of you who don't usually get the acclaim & recognition. You know who you are --: the garbage truck workers, restaurant cooks & waiters, cashiers, secretaries, janitors, home care workers, domestic workers, street repair workers, construction crews, utility crews, lawn maintenance crews, and to the millions of other people who believe that true success comes from rolling up your sleeves and dedicating yourselves to not just a paycheck....but to making a difference in other people's lives!! You are the quiet heroes in our lives and I applaud you and thank you today!!

Now, go ahead and enjoy this Labor Day -- you earned it and deserve it. And, I think I'll just rest and relax from two BIG labors that brought two BIG joys and blessings into my life! So all you Laborers and all you Moms out there.....Happy Labor AND Mother's (Labor) Day to you, too!

Birds of a Feather Flock Together -- Teamwork Leads to Victory

Day 17 of Photo Inspirations -- Birds of a Feather Flock Together!
This is the pond behind my house -- part of which is frozen -- the other part is being enjoyed by this bonded flock of Canadian geese.  Quite amusing to see them diving their heads under the water for a breakfast fish treat and flapping their wings.  They're quite stately and beautiful to look at......but, oh me, in our neighborhood, they are not a welcomed sight.  They have no respect for our yards, sidewalks and streets -- leaving their geese poo everywhere -- so much so, if you're not watching, you'll step right into it.

I understand there sure are a lot of them everywhere — in parks, on golf courses, maybe even YOUR backyard, too. Nevertheless, we still enjoy the sight of geese overhead, signaling the coming or going of our coldest months. .

I didn't post this today to discuss how to eliminate the geese problems, but I am posting to look at lessons we could learn from the geese, and apply to our own lives and teams.  In the sky, geese are an impressive visual of coordination and communication.

Lesson #1 -- Cooperation -- As geese flap their wings, they create an uplift for the bird following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if any bird were to fly alone.   Flying together creates an uplift, a surge that carries the whole farther than its individual parts could go by themselves. Comparing them to a group or team cooperating, it can achieve great things. We are truly a flock. We might not be the lead goose, but each of us has a role, even if it seems minimal. The team's forward movement, its success, is dependent on the efforts of us all.  I saw this so clearly in our team events last weekend.

Lesson #2  -- Unity -- Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. Going it alone - being independent of the flock - leads to falling behind. What happens when a goose falls out of formation and cannot or will not reform? If the flock can fly 71% farther as a group, then the lone goose is left behind.  Anyone who has played team sports knows that each player must subordinate his desires to those of the team. His goal may be to have the highest scoring average, but that may not help the team to win the championship.

Lesson #3  -- Leadership -- When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the point position. True leadership is reproducing himself so that others can bear the load and even be able to assume responsibilities if the leader is absent for a period of time.   Others get to step up and show their leadership abilities.

Lesson #4 -- Encouragement -- The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.   To be the lead bird, is to be a target, and that can be stressful and wearying. The leader doesn't always know what is going on among the team, how the members feel, or what questions or misconceptions they may have. Too many times all the leader hears is the grumbling of the vocal few. Through our kind words of encouragement, we can give strength to those up ahead of us. A sincere thank you or supportive gesture, will make it all worthwhile.

Sometimes, being a team member, means we are watching from the bench. We still participate, however, by giving encouragement, by rooting for our teammates who are on the field.  I love Seattle Seahawks "twelfth man".  I sincerely believe it's one of the reasons they are such a winning team.  The fans are the "twelfth man" and they cheer from the sidelines, wear their team colors, put flags on their cars and in their yards (in my son's family's case) and they are "all in" supporters.

Lesson #5  When a goose gets sick or is shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or dies. They then launch out on their own, with another formation or catch up with the flock. These are just other ways of saying we must help each other -- especially those  who have dropped out of formation.   We should never abandon a sick or wounded team member.  As long as there is hope, we should be there to help.

Imagine if our "family" team, "business" team, "sports" team or any other team behaved like a flock of geese, flying in perfect formation, cooperating as a team, unified behind the leadership, constantly encouraging those around us, and helping our team members in faith and support.  We'd reach our flock's destination in complete victory.

Now, please excuse me -- as I shoo away this "team" of geese in my backyard.  Time for them to find another place of victory!!!

Lean on ME

Yesterday, I posted about getting ourselves off our minds, and to understand why God placed us here -- at this time and this place. What if He has us here for a bigger-than-life purpose -- to be here as His messengers and His hands and heart extended to others?

A year ago, this week, devastating tornadoes hit Moore, OK and hundreds of homes and lives were taken. As tragic as it was, the outpouring of love and the real tangible ways that communities, organizations and people stepped up to make a difference in those hurting people's lives -- displayed the beauty that comes when we care and take action beyond our own circumstances. Not just in the most crtical times, but everyday, people are experiencing tremendous pain and hurt in ways beyond what we can imagine, and I think about those who step up to help in untold ways that express God's hands extended to them.

If you are one of those messengers who heed the call of God's dispatcher, I just want to say "THANK YOU" for being, doing, and living St. Francis' words "Preach the Gospel at all times.....and sometimes, use words!" May God bless you for loving and caring and BEING that Good Samaritan and that friend, brother, and sister to those who need you. I'm thanking God for your heart of compassion. You know why you are here, and you're making the world a better place.