True Greatness

It seems that, everywhere I turn, I hear people say they "want to be great," or they "want to be big." This is just as prevalent within the church as it is outside of the church. Within the church there is a striving to have a big following, to reach the big crowds, to feed the masses.

I'd like to blame American Idol. In fact I'd love to call it the American Idol Effect. Why do people go on shows like this? To be famous. To be known. To be great.

The more I contemplate my life, I'm finding that I truly want the simple things. First, I want that simple faith that leads me to do what I know I should do. Second, I want to be a good husband. Third, I want to be a good father. And I want to serve others faithfully.

To be honest, I've been caught up in the American Idol Effect, trying to pursue a big ministry, to be the biggest at whatever I try. But I'm beginning to think that I'm called to be faithful. Provide for and love my family. Serve my church faithfully. Devote time to cultivating into others. If that leads to speaking tours, book deals, television appearances, great, but that's not the end game.

I would like to live more simply. Pursue those things which made my forefathers great. Doing the hard things in life: work hard, love selflessly, hug frequently, serve tirelessly. These things may not be glamourous, but they are what remain.

This song, by Sanctus Real, could summarize the prayer on my heart. I may, or may not agree with all of it, and it doesn't all apply, but it still hits close to home and makes parts of the hidden parts in me cry "AMEN!"



What about you? What are your thoughts? Please share your comments with me. And may we lead that simple faith of simple obedience.

The Garden

We built our raised veggie garden in the backyard. Al Gore, eat your heart out - I am a true environmentalist. Not only are we growing veggies (or at least plan to), I recycled the materials. The landscaping timbers came from an old dog kennel on the property (not very well-built dog kennel), and the dirt came from my neighbor's construction project.

Completing a project - any project - brings a sense of satisfaction. It makes me proud of what I did. It doesn't matter the size of the project, sometimes it's as small as sorting the mail, but there is a feeling of completion.

Speaking of completion, I need to complete my next tasks.

Rainy Day

It's raining today. Again, or still, depending on how the person views it. Either way, it's wet outside.

The house has been empty for a almost 24 hours now. My wife is at a ladies' retreat, my stepdaughter is with her father, and that leaves me home with the two finches, the two ferrets and a 15 gallon aquarium of assorted fish. And it's raining.

Since cleaning the garage, fixing the front steps, digging out our spot for a garden, or other assorted "outside" tasks are on hold, the kitchen is cleaned up.

I would like to be outside today, but I just can't risk it. Growing up in the late 80's and graduating in the early 90's, I remember what my social studies teachers told us acid rain does to the gargoyles on the French cathedrals, and I just can't chance my nose dissolving away. (Why was science taught in social studies, but the topic was missing in science class...oh,that's another topic.)

The rain will bring, and already is bringing, growth and life back. My yard has changed from a dull, gray-brown to hints of vibrant greens. The dirt left from the snows is slowly washing away, and the plants are starting to regenerate. The rain is necessary, but I wish it would hold off until the work week.

Off to find something else that beckons my attention. Something to escape the rain.