Transformed 1

Storms...

    Thursday night, late, Dee and I arrived at our Powder Springs house.  We try to get out here a couple of times a month, but, lately, it seems like it’s been much less than that.  Because the area had experienced some pretty severe storms since we’d last visited, I wandered around the house doing a little inspection in the dark.  I  saw a huge tree in the back yard had fallen – My little out-building had some siding hanging off one side, the garage door, once again, for about the third time, had been hit by lightening and was cerplunked. I could see evidence of storm damage at every corner of the place – Enough, that, I wandered back into the house dismayed and dejected by the damage – the work ahead to clean and fix everything up – the hassles – the useless labor I’d have to do just to bring things back to some semblance of where they had once been.  It was a restless night’s sleep wondering and worrying what more news daylight would shed on the damage…

     Friday morning I rolled out of bed – Well, crawled out of bed, still tired and not really looking forward to the day ahead.  I poured a cup of coffee and braced myself for the daylight tour of the place, and all the work I would surely need to do on my couple of precious days-off…  As I walked out the side door onto the drive I saw flowers - hundreds of flowers!  Flowers blooming out all around the house, throughout the property – Brilliant colors - reds, yellows, blues, shouting the splendor of God’s presence all around!

     Suddenly, in the light, the storm damage paled compared to the majesty of God’s creative presence and beauty at every turn.  What seemed so oppressive and menacing only hours before; what felt like a giant monster of doom ready to devour me - revealed in the light was nothing compared to my Maker’s Majesty!

So with life I suppose.  The good and the bad blended – On any given day, coexisting – Storms that brew out of the blue - damage done in the blink of an eye – extra work and strife to contend with it all – But all around, interwoven through the bad and the ugly, God’s powerful presence is the thread that keeps all things together – It’s there – always there – popping with rich hues of the rainbow – In His light, all things come into proper perspective – The shadows fade, and His rich glory shines a light of help and hope to my distressed spirit – refreshing and rejuvenation my soul yet again and again…

     Sure, I’ll have to get out the chainsaw and the hammer – Sweat a little to get things cleaned and repaired, but, I’ll be doing it in the midst of God’s Glory and beauty – If you call, leave a message, cause’ the chainsaw and I will be loudly singing God’s glory under the blue Georgia sky…

Compromise - It's Not Always a Bad Word...

So, I was supposed to do a "brick" this morning.  A brick is  where you do a short version of two of the three disciplines of a triathlon back-to-back in a training plan.  Today, I was scheduled to do a one hour swim, hop  out of the pool, put on my bike shoes, jump on the bike, and do two hours on the bike...  Well, that rain that was supposed to be here yesterday afternoon (A forecast that had me riding the bike for two hours on the dreaded and boring trainer in the garage instead of chancing getting caught in one of the predicted thunder storms last night), arrived at 5:30 this morning.   My plan was to be in the pool @ 6:00, on and off the bike by 9:00, in and out of the shower, get my work day started by 9:30, and have my "brick-in-the-bag".

Guess I ought to be big-boy-enough to know things don't always work out like I've planned.   I could get all bent out of shape and disjointed - pitch a fit and make everybody around me miserable - begin my day deflated and defeated - say bad things about the local weatherman, and blame it on him if I drown in my next triathlon -- Or, I suppose I could just make the best of it and change my plan - It's only a brick for goodness sake!  I'll do just fine my next race, and my body won't ever know I didn't do the brick exactly like the plan called for.  I'll hit the indoor pool in Collins Hill @ lunch today and the trainer tonight to get my hours in, and, in the between time, get my work-week finished off.

Not my original plan, but one that will work.  I don't know who might have said it first, but, "The tree that doesn't bend" is surely the tree that will break when the going gets tough.  Compromise is not  a bad thing,  but sometimes a necessary thing to get us through the day, and, move us toward our ultimate goal. 

I've observed good leaders instinctively know this.   They are able to survey the playing field and call audibles when things out of their control change in mid-stream.  They stay focused on the ultimate goal, and don't get all bogged down in the minutia  and messes that can crop up in a moment's notice.  They can compromise because they don't take it personally, but, rather, personally take it in the direction needed to achieve a higher purpose. 

So, maybe today, I've experienced a hint of being a good leader.  Have a plan and work it - But, if things change, take a short detour and get back on track as soon as possible toward your destination...  And remember - It takes lots of bricks to make a wall...

Up And Running

OK - So, my friend and colleague, Larry Parker has talked me into entering the blog world...  Doesn't seem too distressing so far...  Why would I want to be a blogger, other than being talked into it by Larry, or, because calling oneself a "blogger" just sounds fun?  I suppose because I understand the opportunity to share with others those things that rattle around in my head and resound in my heart can be greatly enhanced through the world of blogging.  So, here I am, a blogger (I've been called much worse in my days on this earth).   Looking forward sharing some of my thoughts, insights, questions, and pondering in the days ahead...