I was just thinking about some of the events that have occurred in my life over the last week or so, and decided to share a few thoughts with you about them.
No matter how up or down I am a smile from Ranger melts me, warms me, and can brighten an already glistening day. His smile is the first thing I see when I turn on this computer every morning.
There may be nothing better to lift my spirits than having Miss Milla crawl up to me, pull herself up using my pants leg as an aid, and then look at me and say, “mup.” That’s an eleven month olds word for come up.
The blessings just kept on flowing for me. I hadn’t seen Major in a week or so, so when he greeted me the other day by saying “Hey Grump, are you excited about us going to the game together?” I was at a loss as to what game he was talking about. So I said “Which game Major?” He said, “Opening day for the Texas Rangers Grumps, don’t you remember we’re going to opening day next year?”
Mary Alice, the helper. She will do anything she can to help. She helps cook, she helps clean up, she helps take care of the little ones, and she always helps me have a great day. I love her hugs, and her “Grumpy, I love you.”
My boys Josh, Chad, and Major, and I got to play golf on Thanksgiving Day. It was a shotgun start and we started on number thirteen at Plantation. Number thirteen is the shortest hole on the course with water from the tee to the green. After we all hit our first shots into the water on this one hundred-ten yard hole keeping score was never mentioned. I have no idea what any of us shot that day, and I don’t care. It wasn’t about who won, (I always do.) J what mattered was spending the morning with my boys. I hate to rush time, but I am looking forward to Ranger being able to join us.
Another “Hero” has shown that he is human. Tiger is just an ordinary man. He puts his pants on one leg at a time just like you and me. Make Jesus your Hero, He “kept His pants zipped.”
One of the hardest things a teacher, preacher, or public speaker can do is stand and read from a book, and be able to keep the audience engaged. Most of class Wednesday evening was spent with me reading the fourth chapter of Crazy Love by Francis Chan. The chapter had called my dedication to Christ into question, and I felt his perspective was so revealing that I had to share it with others. For the most part I kept the listeners with me. After the service was over I had a lot of folks thank me, and say that I had made it engaging. Well, to be honest I thought it had gone well, there are always sleepers and gazers, but I also made it a point to make sure that most of those in attendance were with me. (Yes, friends a speaker can tell whether or not you are listening.) I believe they were. BUT, it will most likely be another twenty-five to thirty years before I do it again.
I have seen the question asked over and over again this week, “Can the war in Afghanistan be won?” My first reaction is no. As soon as we leave it will be overrun once again. However I know that the outcome of the war, win or lose, will be determined by God.
Here are a few other things I’ve observed this week. The “house that Jerry built” or “Deathstar” as some have come to call it is amazing, and the huge HD screen is outa sight. The Saints are scary good. Did they put on a show or what? The Texas Tech Red Raiders have always, and still do play to the level of their competition.
One final thing. I spect you folks may have noticed that I didn’t say anything about the joy the girls in my life bring to me. Well, I always eat the crust on an angel food cake last, I always save the top bread crust on a piece of toast for last, I always save that last swallow of cold milk until after I have taken the last bite of food. I other words I always save the best for last. Paula, Miranda, and Amber are the good in all of the rest in the Kent Smith clan. Being lifted and loved by these girls keeps my light for life shining. The easiest thing I do is love Paula.
Till next time,
Grump