The Start of a Journey

For most people, traveling is fun because the journey often feels like an adventure. In fact, two friends of mine just returned from a journey to the “Great Wall of China” and had a fantastic time. I am in fact on a journey myself right now. However, I’m not actually leaving the country.

Earlier this year, I saw my regular doctor for an annual physical and he ordered some blood work. The results weren’t great, so he sent me to see a cardiologist and a pulmonologist. The cardiologist tested my blood pressure, ordered blood work, and put me through a heart stress test. The results were a little bit alarming. I then went to see a pulmonologist who performed a spirometry test on my lungs and ordered x-rays and a cat scan. Again the results were a little bit alarming. That was three months ago, and I was supposed to go back to my regular doctor for a follow up visit to discuss the “alarming results”, but of course I haven’t found the time to do that. I did, however, start putting my health issues into my nightly prayers.

Six weeks ago I sat down with my wife and together we decided I needed to go on a “Fitness Journey”. Funny thing is I’ve always been fairly fit and not overweight. I’m 5’11” and have weighed 180 pounds for the past 30 years. But I am also, apparently, pre-diabetic with elevated blood pressure, intermittent cardiac arrythmia and very high cholesterol. Fortunately, my wife is a great cook and immediately helped me by suggesting a “Fitness AP” that tracks your calories as well as the percentages of Carbs, Fats, and Protein you need each day. She also recommended I increase my exercise program and start swimming because our bodies are a cherished gift from God, temples that we should take care of in order to honor Him. Smart lady… good advice!

It’s kind of embarrassing to share this information with you, but I’m actually excited about this journey I’ve started! So far I’ve lost 11 pounds, feel stronger, and have more energy. Who knows, I might even end up with a decent set of ABs! More importantly, I am no longer praying for good health. Instead I am giving thanks for the good health I have and a God who is always guiding me in the right direction. And for this journey… I don’t even need a compass or a passport!

Men usually take better care of their boots than of their stomachs.

~ James Lendall Basford   

                     The Philosopher’s Stone, 1882                     

It has been said that the game of golf is a lot like the game of life. I think that is so true when it comes to relating to people… especially strangers.

Four weeks ago I was paired up with a man close to my own age named Jim. I met him for the first time on the first tee and noticed right away that he had a really great golf swing. During the round we talked a little bit about golf, our families, our jobs and after 18 holes I had made a new friend! Jim is outgoing, funny, interesting, and despite being a very good golfer… humble. He never talks about his game, instead he constantly offers up praise for good shots by others. I like Jim and have now golfed with him three more times.

Three weeks ago I got paired up with a stranger named Brandon who was not a good golfer and not fun to be around at all. Throughout the entire round he complained heavily about his bad shots, constantly whining and putting himself down. He kept telling me how bad he was, telling me how he couldn’t possibly hit the ball straight, and wearing me out with his self-centered focus. If he would have paid attention, he would have noticed that the rest of us also hit bad shots, but we would just brush it off and keep playing with a positive attitude. Truth is, I tried to give the guy some praise when he did something right, but he would have none of it because instead of paying attention to our foursome, he was completely and totally focused on his own mistakes.

Last week as I headed down the freeway to go golfing again, I offered up a prayer. “Lord I hope I don’t get paired up with another Brandon. Or if I do please help me to be patient and somehow make it fun for both of us.” Unfortunately, I got paired up again with a rookie golfer named Doug, and when he told me that he had just retired and is taking up golf as a new hobby, memories of Brandon ran through my head. But instead, when Doug hit bad shots, he never complained about them. And when he hit a good shot, I would get excited for him and go out of my way to offer up my praise. I think Doug has the potential to be a very good golfer and I told him so… and when we were done with the round he said something that really caught my attention. “It was really fun to golf with you, and I hope we get paired up again soon.”

After shaking hands with Doug, I almost laughed out loud. “Lord, I love how you manage to teach me things in the most interesting (and funny) ways. Thank you for showing me that self-centered focus can be hurtful not only to one’s self, but also to those around us. And that a little bit of praise, even in small ways, can go a very long way!”

If you want to make a big difference, demonstrate your right relationship with God in even the small ways.

                                                                                        ~ Max Lucado                                

On Purpose

I will turn 71 years old in a few days and find myself asking the same question over and over. Why am I here?

I am basically wondering at this stage of the game… Why did God create me? It’s a tough question because it makes me look back at my life, which then leads to a whole bunch more questions. Like… What have I accomplished that really matters? Who have I helped? Who have I hurt? Why do I still make dumb mistakes when I am supposedly at the age of wisdom? What’s my purpose? Or even more mysterious, why does my wife still say she loves me?

So I gave it some serious thought and came up with a lot of things that might help me find the answer. At the age of 16 I lived on my own in a plywood shack that didn’t even have running water. I quickly learned to be very resourceful and overcome huge obstacles. So… was I put here to teach others how to turn lemons into lemonade? In 1980 I started my first company that grew large enough to have over 100 employees. So… was I put here to help create jobs for people? In 1988 I helped install a huge two-ton 33’ Cruciform Steel Cross on top of Battle Mountain. So… was that what our Creator created me to do? Or is it that I played baseball in Angel Stadium 10 times, making at least that many errors per game, and yet still left the field smiling every time because of  the great teammates I had. So… was I was put here to teach people how to survive very humbling situations by recognizing that friendships are what really matter!  No, I seriously doubt any of those events are it.

But yesterday I figured it out and it doesn’t have anything to do with the events listed above. I was at the grocery store, and I noticed the checker seemed to be in a really sad mood. So I thought I would help him out by bagging my own groceries. Except, I did a crappy job and ripped the first bag wide open because I put too much in it. Then I looked up and noticed the checker was smiling. (Okay, maybe he was laughing at me, because he said, “I got this”.) So when it was all said and done, I told him, “Man you’re really good at your job!” I said that to cheer him up, to lift another human being up when he needed it… and I did it on purpose!

The four most important words in the English language, “How can I help?”

                                                                  ~ Anonymous                                

Better Times

 

I was struggling to come up with a fresh idea for a Monday Message last night. So I spent some time going back and reading through some of my older Monday Messages. I found one written almost exactly six years ago, during a very dark time. Reading it reminded me how much better life is now, and how grateful I should be for better times! 

I hope it helps you feel the same way!

Ask and You Shall Receive

I spent some time on Saturday with a man that I love and care about very much. In fact, I consider myself very blessed because I have so many friends and family members that I truly love and care about. Every single one of them is a unique and special gift from God in their own way.

So on Saturday, we sat down and talked. This young man is at a point in his life where he needs to make a really important decision, a potentially life changing decision. And I felt like he wanted my advice (although he didn’t ask for it - which is another whole Monday Message in itself).

So we talked about his life and all that he has been through. I brought up his younger years when he was always so happy and outgoing, not to mention gifted both athletically and musically. (The opposite of me!) Then we talked about his years of pain and struggle, his dark years when I worried I might never see him alive again. Which brought us to the last six years, a very bright time in his life. A time of health and happiness. A time of hope and promise. And then we talked about this big decision he needs to make and all I could come up with was… “Maybe you should look at the big picture, the long term pros and cons.”

He was quiet for a moment. Then he looked up and said, “You forgot something important that happened in my life.” I wasn’t sure what he meant, but he explained it with a smile. “You forgot to mention that I got baptized!”

Now I was quiet for a moment. I was quiet because I was thinking how could I forget that he got baptized… I was there! How could I forget about all the hard times he went through for so many years, and how he then formed a personal relationship with God and turned it all around. How could I forget that getting baptized was one of the brightest moments in his life. The… life changing moment!

I thought about it this morning and decided to call him and change my advice. “If you trusted your faith in God enough to get baptized, then simply ask God what He thinks you should do. Ask Him for wisdom. Ask and you shall receive.”

Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you.

                                                                        ~ Matthew 7:7                                

Stop Whining

Sometimes I think my job is really hard. Sorry for whining, but here I am at 70 years old, still working 4-5 days a week. I don’t have any salespeople, or any full time employees for that matter. I don’t even have an administrative assistant or an accounting person. So guess who gets to do those jobs. Lucky me! And I have to do those jobs right because the buck begins and ends with me! 

Fortunately, I love the work I do. I get to travel all over Southern California, sometimes to really beautiful and iconic sites, and it feels good to be contributing something positive to the community. But I do get tired sometimes, my hands get all cut up, my back aches, and the traffic can really suck. Sorry, there I go whining again… and that ain’t good. Which got me thinking…

Today is a holiday… President’s Day! A day officially designated to honor and remember the leaders who have shaped the history and future of America.  And although I haven’t been fond of every President we have had during my lifetime, I do think it’s good to celebrate not only the Presidents of our country, but also to celebrate how great our country really is.

The United States is considered a premier global power. We are recognized for our massive economy (approx. 25% of the world total), unmatched military strength, and significant cultural influence through media. But what I recognize and would like to celebrate is that our country is a bright shining beacon of opportunity. I started my first company (related to contracting) in my garage at the young age of 25 with no college education. That company became very successful employing 110 people at 5 different branches throughout Southern California. I started another company (related to distribution) in 2007 that was also successful and rewarding, and I am currently on company #4, which is related to metals inspection. All four have become very successful because I live in America, where there is freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the freedom to start any business you want at any time. I even have the freedom to whine and complain at any time I want. But you know what… I think it’s time to stop whining!

While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be cautious not to violate the rights of others, ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men.

~ George Washington, September 14^th, 1775

COMMUNICATING AS ONE

My wife and I attended a celebration of life event on Saturday. Mind you, it wasn’t a funeral. It was truly a celebration. A celebration of someone who was an absolutely amazing woman! 

Sara was only 48 years old and left behind a loving husband and two teenage boys. And although she passed on way too young… Sara lives on… in the lives of the hundreds of people who were there to share their memories and express their love and gratitude to a young woman who undeniably gave way more than she took.

I just sat there and watched and listened in amazement. Dozens of people stepped up to the podium to tell you how special Sara was. How much she meant to them. How much love and energy, time and text messages, she would send out every single day just to make sure her family and friends were okay. And I admit it, I was touched to the point of non-stop tears forcing my wife to have to hand me a Kleenex. But I wasn’t embarrassed, I just felt blessed to have been invited to such a special event.

I was invited by Sara’s Father, Bob, one of the best friends I have in this world. And I am truly thankful for his 20 years of friendship and all the great times we had practicing and playing baseball together. But when Bob got up to speak about his daughter, I saw a special side of Bob that I had never seen before, and I could instantly see where Sara got her strength, character, and faith from.

Bob was composed and articulate, funny and yet super sincere, on what was likely one of the hardest days of his life. But what really got me was when Bob spoke to the audience about how grateful he was for all the prayers people sent out for Sara and her family. Bob wanted all of us to know, in no uncertain terms, that those prayers worked… and that they are still working! That may seem confusing since Sara is no longer here on earth. But Bob explained that people’s prayers gave Sara and her family strength at a time when they needed it most and those prayers… well, they’re working still!  

I am positive that Bob’s love for his daughter and passionate words of gratitude touched the hearts of everyone in that room. But I also believe that I witnessed something very special that day. I felt like I wasn’t just seeing and listening to Bob… it was as if father and daughter were there together, communicating as one.

Sometimes the answer to our prayers is to become the answer to everyone else’s prayers. 

                               ~ Robert Brault