As Jesus passes through Jericho he walks by a blind man named Bartimaeus on the side of the road (Mark 10:46-52) and He asks the guy, “What do you want me to do for you?” Wow, that’s like being picked by Bob Barker (or Drew Carey) to, “Come on down!” Or, Monte Hall picking you out of the crowd when you’re dressed like a can of green beans.
Last Sunday, Rick and I celebrated our 10th anniversary. We whisked off to the San Antonio Riverwalk for a couple of days, with plans for a bigger trip later this summer. We stayed in a fancy hotel right on the river, listened to live music, ate chips and salsa at a waterside table, and watched a mama duck protect her six babies from peril.
I’m just an ordinary person. I go to work each day. I have raised my family. I struggle with bills. I take care of my parents. I get tired and wonder how my kids are doing and why they are or are not doing certain things. I go to church on Sunday and try to work and stay involved in my community.
I recently heard someone say you know you’re getting old you when get upset that your grocery store moved stuff around.
What has become of integrity?
The rain pounded my truck as I waited for the next event to start. I had planned to make a run for the coliseum, but I was more daunted by the thunder and lightning than the actual downpour. The clouds were heavy, and we were under a tornado warning. The front had moved in quickly and soaked everything. Little floods of running water filled every low spot around. I suppose it comes from living in West Texas and Oklahoma for many years, but I keep a close watch on the weather. Its unpredictability intrigues me and I'm fearful and curious at the same time. Regardless of the weather, each day is beautiful in and of itself. Clouds come into our lives casting heavy downpours and then in a short while the sun shines again. The rainbow is God's promise dismal times do not last forever and another flood will never take us out. Sometimes, it just does a body good to let your guard down and go stand in the rain. There is something about cleansing that sets the spirit free and gives a new perspective to troubled times. Sunshine brings happiness but there is just something about dancing in the rain that tosses inhibitions out the window. I'm a play-in-the-dirt kind of person, and am not bothered by mud, wet hair or drenched clothing. Short of freezing cold weather, I'm not inconvenienced by a good downpour. For me, weather is a for sure sign God’s got it all under control. I gathered my briefcase, my jacket and the rest of my gear, locked the truck and took off for the covered arena. The smell of the rain and the mist on my face was refreshing and made me feel a certain peace. In all lives, rain must fall and, in all situations, and circumstances God promises variety and color when the sun comes out again and the rainbow appears. Rain can be dismal and depressing. Sometimes, we say enough is enough. However, a little dance in the rain does everyone a bit of good and just might change your perspective.
A few years ago, after my daddy died and my mother was living alone, she called my brother, Shelby. Her voice was frantic as she said, “Get over here. Now. There’s a skunk on top of the martin house.”