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"Save Me a Spot"
This job affords me some incredible opportunities. Being a member of the FOX 6
Sports team means I've been able to witness and report on events and people
that many can only admire from a distance. I never take these situations for
granted and sincerely appreciate being involved in whatever capacity each
permits. Monday marked just the most recent case as I had the unparalleled
privilege to be a part of Aaron Rodgers charity event to benefit the MACC Fund.
The MACC Fund is one of those incomparable organizations that has the curse
of being perpetually under-appreciated. This is by no fault of the dedicated
individuals involved with this amazing organization. Simply put, the MACC Fund
can never be appreciated enough for the tireless efforts its employees and
associates are making to help eradicate childhood cancer and blood disorders.
Scattered throughout the crowd of rabid Packers aficionados were the people
who I consider the event's real MVPs. They are the families who've been forced
to deal with one of life's toughest sentences - the loss of a child. My interactions
with these folks have always been touching, fulfilling and enlightening. Once, a
family friend and the father of a teenage girl who passed away after a lengthy
battle with the disease told me something that really resonated. Yes, his
daughter's death was hard - an excruciating pain that can not be completely
comprehended by anyone who's never been in that situation. But he also
revealed that his daughter's memory didn't have to be the tragic tale of another
countless cancer victim. Instead her legacy was much more joyful - as she was
represented by all of the MACC Fund's survivors. The hundreds of thousands of
other children who benefited from the research and findings his daughter's
passing allowed. It was an unbelievably considerate and profound perspective in
the midst of an otherwise heart-wrenching ordeal. Those who sprung for the
tickets were not disappointed. In a world where many athletes regurgitate canned
and rehearsed responses, the Packers quarterback was refreshingly candid.
Aaron addressed a number of topics with in-depth, honest reaction - even some
that if reprinted and mass distributed might raise some eyebrows. Personally, I
think a lot of the comments made should remain exclusive to those who made the
effort to attend and support the MACC Fund's incredible cause but here are a
few highlights/revelations: Aaron stressed the importance of availability and
accountability. In his opinion, it is a player's responsibility to attend all of the team
activities as they are all intended to better the team as a whole. And then,
similarly, he addressed the importance of taking the heat/criticism when one falls
short of expectations and duties. He is never nervous to take the field. Aaron is
supremely confident in the preparation he's put in during the week leading up to
Sunday's match up. The way the 2009 season ended was disappointing but his
self-confidence was not affected by the outcome. One of the toughest
realizations was that that combination of players would never take the field
together again. He likened the team to a family and admitted that conflict can and
does occasionally exist but they try to handle such situations with maturity and
civility. He talked music and his love for tunes at a young age revealing that his
mom used to sing and play lullabies and country music when he was a child.
Aaron's record label Suspended Sunrise is a product of this passion but also a
contingency plan for life after football. His favorite song is Ben Harper's 'Forever'
and he's envious of John Mayer's guitar skills though not his tabloid reputation.
He appreciated my affinity for Keith Urban but gave the audience a thumbs-down
when I mentioned fellow country crooner Kenny Chesney. He commented on his
recent foray into the Twittersphere (@AaronRodgers12) - how he originally
thought the social networking site was "stupid" but now he appreciates its role in
communicating with his fans - where the message is less likely to be
misconstrued or misquoted. His favorite book is The Bible and he tries to read it
every day not just when life's challenges and struggles surface. His favorite
movie is The Princess Bride which he admits he's caught flack for but says he
and his childhood friends can recite every line from the film and it is simply a
great story. Rodgers' answers and poise on this night were certainly admirable.
And I honestly didn't think I could respect Aaron more than I did when we
wrapped our hour-long question and answer segment. But I was wrong. My
friend, the father of that young girl who passed, was there that night - enjoying
the opportunity to reconnect with many of his MACC Fund family members and
revel in the charity's big night. He was one of several attendees brought up on
stage where he caught a football thrown by the quarterback of the Green Bay
Packers. The evening was already a smashing success for him and his grateful
family. And then he asked Aaron to sign the football he'd caught. He wondered if
he'd make it out to his daughter. It isn't shocking that Rodgers obliged. What
caught me off guard was the dedication he made. It wasn't until after Aaron left
that I first saw the autograph... and the simple yet sweet message that brought
tears to this father's eyes: "To Cheri the angel. Save me a spot. - Aaron
Rodgers" I hope that Packers fans realize how lucky they are to have such an
upstanding young man leading their team on the field every weekend. I hope
they appreciate the challenges that were thrust upon him and acknowledge the
maturity with which he handled them. I hope they stand behind the kid and
respect him not only for his incredible talent but for his intelligence and honesty,
poise and compassion. My job has afforded me the chance to watch Aaron
Rodgers play football for the last few seasons. But I am truly thankful for the
opportunity to see the other side of this impressive young man. And pass on
some of what I witnessed to you.
Matthew Bullis
Unit III Elementary Teacher
Rothschild Elementary School
Assistant Varsity Girls Basketball Coach
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on "I can't," because the Word says: "I can
do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on fear, because the Word says: "God has
not given me a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind." (2
Timothy 1:7)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on doubt and a lack of faith, because the
Word says: "God has dealt to each every person a measure of faith." (Rom 12:3)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on weakness, because the Word says: "The
Lord is the strength of My life" (Psalm 27:1) "The people that know their God
shall be strong &carry out great exploits." (Dan 11:32)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on the supremacy of satan over my life,
because the Word says: "Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the
world." (1 John 4:4)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on defeat, because the Word says: "God
always causes me to triumph in Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:14)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on a lack of wisdom, because the Word
says: "Christ Jesus has become for me wisdom from God." (1 Corinthians 1:30)"If
any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without
finding fault & it will be given to him." (James 1:5)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on sickness, because the Word says: "With
His stripes I am healed." (Isaiah 53:5) and Jesus "Himself took my infirmities and
bore my sickness." (Matthew 8:17)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on bondage, because the Word says:
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Cor 3:17) and "My body is the
temple of the Holy Spirit." (1 Cor 6:19)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on worries and frustration, because the
Word says: I am "Casting all my cares upon Him who cares for me." (1 Peter 5:7)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on condemnation, because the Word says:
"There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." (Rom 8:1) I
am in Christ, so therefore I am free from condemnation!
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on loneliness, because the Word says:
Jesus said, "I am with you always, even till the end of the age [forever]." (Matthew
28:20) and "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on curses or bad luck, because the Word
says: "Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the Law, being made a curse
for me: that the blessings of Abraham might come upon the gentiles [that's me]
through Jesus Christ: That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith." (Gal 3:13-14)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on discontent, because the Word says: "I
have learned in whatever state (circumstances) I am, to be content." (Philippians
4:11)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on unworthiness, because the Word says:
"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the
righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on confusion, because the Word says: "God
is not the author of confusion, but of peace." (1 Cor 14:33) and "We have
received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might
know the things that have been freely given to us by God." (1 Corinthians 2:12)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on persecution, because the Word says: "If
God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on the domination of sin over my life,
because the Word says: "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me
free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on insecurity, because the Word says:
"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep
will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked
when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot
from being caught." (Prov 3:24-26)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on failure, because the Word says: "In all
these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Rom 8:
37)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on frustration, because the Word says: "You
will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts
in You." (Isaiah 26:3)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on fear of the future, because the Word
says: "As it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into
the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But
God has revealed them to us through His Spirit." (1 Cor 2:9-10)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on troubles, because the Word says: Jesus
said, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world." (John 16:33)
The Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Metallic Silver...
My husband had good news - my mom and dad wanna go to our house and
clean.. I was in the hospital as my son Jack was born, and they wanted to clean
the house while I was therel. Cool, huh?”my husband said. He had reason to be
excited. He hadn’t lived in a clean house for months. I was wiped out and tired
and downright lazy during my entire pregnancy with Jack – which I laugh about
now – having recently been pregnant while simultaneously chasing two toddler
boys all over tarnation. But, my house was a mess. There were piles of dirty
laundry all over the place, dirty bathrooms, and dirty dishes filling the sink. The
place was embarrassingly messy. Okay, dirty. It was dirty. I broke out in a post-
baby hormonal sweat at even the thought of my mother-in-law seeing week-old
dirty dishes filling up the sink. And, the laundry. Oh, the laundry situation. When I
outgrew my regular clothes, I just threw them into a pile on the laundry room
floor. And, then did the same as I outgrew my maternity clothes. And, never
thought about them again. Because, you know, I had so much else to do since I
stopped working at 20 weeks. But, the thought of going home to a clean house.
How totally awesome would that be? The thought of a clean house went fifteen
rounds with my pride. And, the clean house won by a slim, slim margin. So, I
agreed. I walked into my house four days later, carrying my new baby boy, and
the place sparkled. The kitchen floor, the bathrooms – everything was clean. I
had forgotten what vacuumed carpet looked like. And, to not have to rinse a
clean spoon to have a bowl of cereal? It was simply delightful. Jason’s family
came over shortly after we got home to welcome us and our little Jack home. We
all oohed and aahed over the little guy for a few hours, and I finally excused
myself to take him upstairs to our bedroom to nurse him. As soon as I climbed
onto our bed, I noticed that there were five laundry baskets sitting in the corner
of our room - full of clean, folded laundry. Not only was our entire house sparkly,
but all of our laundry was clean. I was having my own little celebration...Then, I
spotted it.Sitting atop a neatly folded pile of my laundry was a metallic silver
thong. I sat and stared at that basket for several minutes – totally paralyzed. I
was MOR-TI-FIED. It had surely come from that massive, renegade pile of I haven’
t worn this since I started showing laundry that had overtaken our laundry room.
But there it was. In all of its itsy bitsy glory. I could just see it. My mother-in-law
folding our laundry and having visions of me scandalously sashaying around the
house – nine months pregnant – in nothing but that teenie, weenie pair of
metallic silver underoos. I finished stalling nursing Jack and reluctantly returned
downstairs. Everyone was getting ready to leave, and despite my utter
embarrassment, I knew I had to graciously thank my husband's mom for loving us
so selflessly. I bravely looked at my mother-in-law and said, “Thank you so much
for cleaning our house and doing our laundry. We feel so very loved.” Mom
quickly replied, “Don’t just thank me. Dad did all the laundry."
From Randy Owen’s new book “Born Country.” It’s on page 44 - 45. ..
“There is a favorite family story we all like to recount. When Reba (his sister)
and I were in grade school, we drank water out of an old well at school, a pretty
common thing back then. Apparently the sewer system had backed up into the
well water and contaminated the system with bacteria. A lof of kids got hepatitus,
including Reba and me. I was especially affected, and everyone in the family
thought I might not make it. Mama and Daddy didn’t rush either of us to the
doctor’s office. In that day and time, it simply wasn’t their first impulse. Doctors
were expensive – health insurance was unheard of and they had little contact
with them. They weren’t opposed to organized medicine – it was just unfamiliar to
them. Their first impulse was to pray. My aunt Lillie and uncle “H” came over
and prayed for us. At that time, I hadn’t eaten anything for two or three days.
The whole family prayed hard, then took a long good look at me and said,
“Randy, do you think you could sit up and eat some ham?” and I said, “yes, I
believe I can.” I still felt sick as a dog, but I got up out of bed and started eating
the cured ham they were serving up. and I never went back. Almost instantly –
miraculously – I was over the hepatitis and have never been that sick since.
When something like that happens to you, in that kind of miraculous way, it gives
you faith. We all believed then and continue to believe, that God healed me that
day. It took Reba much longer to recover from her sickness. If you asked her
today, she’d tell you at that time, she didn’t have as much faith as I did. She was
weak, she’ll say and only later did the Lord intercede and strengthen her faith.
To this day I still wonder what might have happened if the family hadn’t gathered
in prayer for my recovery and I hadn’t gotten out of bed to eat a little ham.”
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.
He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the
horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually
managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements,
and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he
arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The
worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.
"God, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he
was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had
come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his
rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied. It is easy to get discouraged
when things are going bad. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work
in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your
little hut is burning to the ground it just may be a smoke signal that summons the
grace of God.
A group of frogs were traveling through the woods when two of them fell into a
deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep
the pit was they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs
ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might.
The other frogs kept telling them to stop, saying it was hopeless. Finally, one of
the frogs listened to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down
and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the
crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop and just die. He jumped even harder and
finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did not you hear us?"
The frog said he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
This job affords me some incredible opportunities. Being a member of the FOX 6
Sports team means I've been able to witness and report on events and people
that many can only admire from a distance. I never take these situations for
granted and sincerely appreciate being involved in whatever capacity each
permits. Monday marked just the most recent case as I had the unparalleled
privilege to be a part of Aaron Rodgers charity event to benefit the MACC Fund.
The MACC Fund is one of those incomparable organizations that has the curse
of being perpetually under-appreciated. This is by no fault of the dedicated
individuals involved with this amazing organization. Simply put, the MACC Fund
can never be appreciated enough for the tireless efforts its employees and
associates are making to help eradicate childhood cancer and blood disorders.
Scattered throughout the crowd of rabid Packers aficionados were the people
who I consider the event's real MVPs. They are the families who've been forced
to deal with one of life's toughest sentences - the loss of a child. My interactions
with these folks have always been touching, fulfilling and enlightening. Once, a
family friend and the father of a teenage girl who passed away after a lengthy
battle with the disease told me something that really resonated. Yes, his
daughter's death was hard - an excruciating pain that can not be completely
comprehended by anyone who's never been in that situation. But he also
revealed that his daughter's memory didn't have to be the tragic tale of another
countless cancer victim. Instead her legacy was much more joyful - as she was
represented by all of the MACC Fund's survivors. The hundreds of thousands of
other children who benefited from the research and findings his daughter's
passing allowed. It was an unbelievably considerate and profound perspective in
the midst of an otherwise heart-wrenching ordeal. Those who sprung for the
tickets were not disappointed. In a world where many athletes regurgitate canned
and rehearsed responses, the Packers quarterback was refreshingly candid.
Aaron addressed a number of topics with in-depth, honest reaction - even some
that if reprinted and mass distributed might raise some eyebrows. Personally, I
think a lot of the comments made should remain exclusive to those who made the
effort to attend and support the MACC Fund's incredible cause but here are a
few highlights/revelations: Aaron stressed the importance of availability and
accountability. In his opinion, it is a player's responsibility to attend all of the team
activities as they are all intended to better the team as a whole. And then,
similarly, he addressed the importance of taking the heat/criticism when one falls
short of expectations and duties. He is never nervous to take the field. Aaron is
supremely confident in the preparation he's put in during the week leading up to
Sunday's match up. The way the 2009 season ended was disappointing but his
self-confidence was not affected by the outcome. One of the toughest
realizations was that that combination of players would never take the field
together again. He likened the team to a family and admitted that conflict can and
does occasionally exist but they try to handle such situations with maturity and
civility. He talked music and his love for tunes at a young age revealing that his
mom used to sing and play lullabies and country music when he was a child.
Aaron's record label Suspended Sunrise is a product of this passion but also a
contingency plan for life after football. His favorite song is Ben Harper's 'Forever'
and he's envious of John Mayer's guitar skills though not his tabloid reputation.
He appreciated my affinity for Keith Urban but gave the audience a thumbs-down
when I mentioned fellow country crooner Kenny Chesney. He commented on his
recent foray into the Twittersphere (@AaronRodgers12) - how he originally
thought the social networking site was "stupid" but now he appreciates its role in
communicating with his fans - where the message is less likely to be
misconstrued or misquoted. His favorite book is The Bible and he tries to read it
every day not just when life's challenges and struggles surface. His favorite
movie is The Princess Bride which he admits he's caught flack for but says he
and his childhood friends can recite every line from the film and it is simply a
great story. Rodgers' answers and poise on this night were certainly admirable.
And I honestly didn't think I could respect Aaron more than I did when we
wrapped our hour-long question and answer segment. But I was wrong. My
friend, the father of that young girl who passed, was there that night - enjoying
the opportunity to reconnect with many of his MACC Fund family members and
revel in the charity's big night. He was one of several attendees brought up on
stage where he caught a football thrown by the quarterback of the Green Bay
Packers. The evening was already a smashing success for him and his grateful
family. And then he asked Aaron to sign the football he'd caught. He wondered if
he'd make it out to his daughter. It isn't shocking that Rodgers obliged. What
caught me off guard was the dedication he made. It wasn't until after Aaron left
that I first saw the autograph... and the simple yet sweet message that brought
tears to this father's eyes: "To Cheri the angel. Save me a spot. - Aaron
Rodgers" I hope that Packers fans realize how lucky they are to have such an
upstanding young man leading their team on the field every weekend. I hope
they appreciate the challenges that were thrust upon him and acknowledge the
maturity with which he handled them. I hope they stand behind the kid and
respect him not only for his incredible talent but for his intelligence and honesty,
poise and compassion. My job has afforded me the chance to watch Aaron
Rodgers play football for the last few seasons. But I am truly thankful for the
opportunity to see the other side of this impressive young man. And pass on
some of what I witnessed to you.
Matthew Bullis
Unit III Elementary Teacher
Rothschild Elementary School
Assistant Varsity Girls Basketball Coach
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on "I can't," because the Word says: "I can
do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on fear, because the Word says: "God has
not given me a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind." (2
Timothy 1:7)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on doubt and a lack of faith, because the
Word says: "God has dealt to each every person a measure of faith." (Rom 12:3)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on weakness, because the Word says: "The
Lord is the strength of My life" (Psalm 27:1) "The people that know their God
shall be strong &carry out great exploits." (Dan 11:32)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on the supremacy of satan over my life,
because the Word says: "Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the
world." (1 John 4:4)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on defeat, because the Word says: "God
always causes me to triumph in Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:14)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on a lack of wisdom, because the Word
says: "Christ Jesus has become for me wisdom from God." (1 Corinthians 1:30)"If
any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without
finding fault & it will be given to him." (James 1:5)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on sickness, because the Word says: "With
His stripes I am healed." (Isaiah 53:5) and Jesus "Himself took my infirmities and
bore my sickness." (Matthew 8:17)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on bondage, because the Word says:
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Cor 3:17) and "My body is the
temple of the Holy Spirit." (1 Cor 6:19)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on worries and frustration, because the
Word says: I am "Casting all my cares upon Him who cares for me." (1 Peter 5:7)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on condemnation, because the Word says:
"There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." (Rom 8:1) I
am in Christ, so therefore I am free from condemnation!
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on loneliness, because the Word says:
Jesus said, "I am with you always, even till the end of the age [forever]." (Matthew
28:20) and "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on curses or bad luck, because the Word
says: "Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the Law, being made a curse
for me: that the blessings of Abraham might come upon the gentiles [that's me]
through Jesus Christ: That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith." (Gal 3:13-14)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on discontent, because the Word says: "I
have learned in whatever state (circumstances) I am, to be content." (Philippians
4:11)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on unworthiness, because the Word says:
"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the
righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on confusion, because the Word says: "God
is not the author of confusion, but of peace." (1 Cor 14:33) and "We have
received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might
know the things that have been freely given to us by God." (1 Corinthians 2:12)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on persecution, because the Word says: "If
God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on the domination of sin over my life,
because the Word says: "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me
free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on insecurity, because the Word says:
"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep
will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked
when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot
from being caught." (Prov 3:24-26)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on failure, because the Word says: "In all
these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Rom 8:
37)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on frustration, because the Word says: "You
will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts
in You." (Isaiah 26:3)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on fear of the future, because the Word
says: "As it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into
the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But
God has revealed them to us through His Spirit." (1 Cor 2:9-10)
NEVER AGAIN will I confess or focus on troubles, because the Word says: Jesus
said, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world." (John 16:33)
The Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Metallic Silver...
My husband had good news - my mom and dad wanna go to our house and
clean.. I was in the hospital as my son Jack was born, and they wanted to clean
the house while I was therel. Cool, huh?”my husband said. He had reason to be
excited. He hadn’t lived in a clean house for months. I was wiped out and tired
and downright lazy during my entire pregnancy with Jack – which I laugh about
now – having recently been pregnant while simultaneously chasing two toddler
boys all over tarnation. But, my house was a mess. There were piles of dirty
laundry all over the place, dirty bathrooms, and dirty dishes filling the sink. The
place was embarrassingly messy. Okay, dirty. It was dirty. I broke out in a post-
baby hormonal sweat at even the thought of my mother-in-law seeing week-old
dirty dishes filling up the sink. And, the laundry. Oh, the laundry situation. When I
outgrew my regular clothes, I just threw them into a pile on the laundry room
floor. And, then did the same as I outgrew my maternity clothes. And, never
thought about them again. Because, you know, I had so much else to do since I
stopped working at 20 weeks. But, the thought of going home to a clean house.
How totally awesome would that be? The thought of a clean house went fifteen
rounds with my pride. And, the clean house won by a slim, slim margin. So, I
agreed. I walked into my house four days later, carrying my new baby boy, and
the place sparkled. The kitchen floor, the bathrooms – everything was clean. I
had forgotten what vacuumed carpet looked like. And, to not have to rinse a
clean spoon to have a bowl of cereal? It was simply delightful. Jason’s family
came over shortly after we got home to welcome us and our little Jack home. We
all oohed and aahed over the little guy for a few hours, and I finally excused
myself to take him upstairs to our bedroom to nurse him. As soon as I climbed
onto our bed, I noticed that there were five laundry baskets sitting in the corner
of our room - full of clean, folded laundry. Not only was our entire house sparkly,
but all of our laundry was clean. I was having my own little celebration...Then, I
spotted it.Sitting atop a neatly folded pile of my laundry was a metallic silver
thong. I sat and stared at that basket for several minutes – totally paralyzed. I
was MOR-TI-FIED. It had surely come from that massive, renegade pile of I haven’
t worn this since I started showing laundry that had overtaken our laundry room.
But there it was. In all of its itsy bitsy glory. I could just see it. My mother-in-law
folding our laundry and having visions of me scandalously sashaying around the
house – nine months pregnant – in nothing but that teenie, weenie pair of
metallic silver underoos. I finished stalling nursing Jack and reluctantly returned
downstairs. Everyone was getting ready to leave, and despite my utter
embarrassment, I knew I had to graciously thank my husband's mom for loving us
so selflessly. I bravely looked at my mother-in-law and said, “Thank you so much
for cleaning our house and doing our laundry. We feel so very loved.” Mom
quickly replied, “Don’t just thank me. Dad did all the laundry."
From Randy Owen’s new book “Born Country.” It’s on page 44 - 45. ..
“There is a favorite family story we all like to recount. When Reba (his sister)
and I were in grade school, we drank water out of an old well at school, a pretty
common thing back then. Apparently the sewer system had backed up into the
well water and contaminated the system with bacteria. A lof of kids got hepatitus,
including Reba and me. I was especially affected, and everyone in the family
thought I might not make it. Mama and Daddy didn’t rush either of us to the
doctor’s office. In that day and time, it simply wasn’t their first impulse. Doctors
were expensive – health insurance was unheard of and they had little contact
with them. They weren’t opposed to organized medicine – it was just unfamiliar to
them. Their first impulse was to pray. My aunt Lillie and uncle “H” came over
and prayed for us. At that time, I hadn’t eaten anything for two or three days.
The whole family prayed hard, then took a long good look at me and said,
“Randy, do you think you could sit up and eat some ham?” and I said, “yes, I
believe I can.” I still felt sick as a dog, but I got up out of bed and started eating
the cured ham they were serving up. and I never went back. Almost instantly –
miraculously – I was over the hepatitis and have never been that sick since.
When something like that happens to you, in that kind of miraculous way, it gives
you faith. We all believed then and continue to believe, that God healed me that
day. It took Reba much longer to recover from her sickness. If you asked her
today, she’d tell you at that time, she didn’t have as much faith as I did. She was
weak, she’ll say and only later did the Lord intercede and strengthen her faith.
To this day I still wonder what might have happened if the family hadn’t gathered
in prayer for my recovery and I hadn’t gotten out of bed to eat a little ham.”
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.
He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the
horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually
managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements,
and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he
arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The
worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.
"God, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he
was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had
come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his
rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied. It is easy to get discouraged
when things are going bad. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work
in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your
little hut is burning to the ground it just may be a smoke signal that summons the
grace of God.
A group of frogs were traveling through the woods when two of them fell into a
deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep
the pit was they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs
ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might.
The other frogs kept telling them to stop, saying it was hopeless. Finally, one of
the frogs listened to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down
and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the
crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop and just die. He jumped even harder and
finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did not you hear us?"
The frog said he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
| Hopeful... |
