Halloween has always been a time I enjoy. It does not seem to be the same anymore because of all the threats to children’s safety, but you have to admit, there is just something fun about dressing up in costumes and going around “Trick-or-Treating.” I still get excited about October 31, wondering what I would go as if I still could get away with donning a costume and begging for candy. Fortunately, I have a little boy who I can live vicariously through and enjoy the true joy of a holiday where you dress up in cute costumes and ask for candy.
As my wife and I began wondering how we would dress up our little boy, we could not help but reminisce over some of our favorite costumes. For me, it had to be the year my Dad made a Ghostbusters suit out of an old jumpsuit and a vacuum cleaner. I would probably still wear it today had it survived multiple trips through the neighborhood during my hay-day.
As I sit here working on this blog post after dropping my boy off at school, I cannot help but think about some of the costumes he’s worn that have been my favorites. There was the year he was a pumpkin, then the one when he was Tigger, not to mention a Power Ranger and The Flash. But my favorite had to be the year he dressed up as Superman! What better way to dress up my little fella than to resemble my favorite superhero? So as I got the suit, took it home, unfurled the cape, and placed it on his little body with that distinctive “S” emblazoned on his chest, I began to well up with pride thinking of just how proud I was of my son. But the really special thing was about to take place….
As he grew bored with just looking at himself in the costume, I took him downstairs to watch a Superman cartoon. I was preparing to explain the Man of Steel’s background, abilities, and weaknesses to someone who was just learning the difference between a dog and a cat; still, it was something that had to be done if he was going to represent the essence of Superman on Halloween! As the show started and Superman began flying around, my little guy looked at the screen with a puzzled expression. He looked down at his shirt and then again at the screen, doing this a couple times before he looked back at me with these eyes of pure excitement. And as he looked at me, he pointed back at the television and exclaimed, “ME!” It was a simple association, but I could not have been a prouder Papa.
Perhaps that’s how my Dad felt as I donned my Ghostbusters suit for the very first time. Regardless, it is fun for us to think back and remember the times we had soaking up the pleasures of childhood. These days, Halloween just isn’t the same. We have to scan our candy and watch around every street corner. But one thing remains, the joy in a child’s eye and the pride in a parent’s heart when a costume turns out just right.
So this year for Halloween, whether you are dressing yourself, a little one, or no one at all, remember the times like these when life is full of joy. Then, think about how you can make it joyful again, for yourself or someone around you. It might be something as simple as a little kid becoming his favorite Superhero for an evening or a Dad reliving the better parts of his life. But whatever it is, let’s make this October 31 one that we all will remember with joy and pride. And above all, be safe!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
I'm Baaack!
Boy did we have a wonderful time on our little trip to Disney. We LOVE that place! This morning as I was driving Ethan to school, he was really moping. I told him the best thing about coming home from a trip like this one is looking forward to the next one. I'm not sure if he bought it.
Perhaps it's because this was a momentous trip for him. You see, with his growth spurt over the summer, he is now tall enough to ride all but a very few rides at Disney. That meant he was tall enough to ride the famous Space Mountain--something he had been looking forward to for the last year-and-a-half. Tiffany and I debated it and decided we would allow him to ride, making his trip.
We spent two days in the Magic Kingdom. The first day, Space Mountain had been shut down for technical difficulties. He was devastated. The second day, however, the ride was up and he was ready. With a pounding heart, the three of us walked up to the ride and stood outside the entrance. He looked up at me and I captured the expression on his face in a picture. It was a moment he'll never forget. Neither will I.
After the ride, he was ecstatic! A dream had come true and a rite of passage reached. Unfortunately, in a small way, it was all down hill from there. So now we look forward to the next one...
As for me, I hate getting back into gear after a trip...especially to Disney. It's so hard when my mind has been logged off for a couple days. But things are going very well at Lighthouse right now and I'm eager to see how God will bless us this week!
I hope you have a great day and I'll blog again later when my head is back on straight.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Stand & Deliver
I woke up this morning a little bruised...literally and figuratively. Our men's softball team had their first game last night. I had a 2-4 night at the plate with a couple of RBI! In fact, I hit the ball pretty well, much better than most games before. The exciting thing is my last at bat drove in two runs to tie the game. But I have to admit it was more of a relief than cause for celebration.
You see, in the previous inning, we were winning big, 8-0. Playing 1st base (which is my best position, or so I thought), I committed two BIG errors that not only helped the other team score some runs, but take the lead. One ball was thrown a little high, making me have to leap for it. The second one...well, there was no excuse for it. It was a soft grounder back to the pitcher, who fielded it cleanly and lobbed a soft toss over to me. I was trying so hard to make a great play, I totally botched it, dropping it, and helplessly watched it roll out of reach. All I could do was lay face first on the ground, pounding my fist in the dirt, and HOPE no one saw me. No such luck.
When we returned to the dugout, the rest of the team did what they were supposed to do. In the midst of their disappointment, they told me to shake it off and make the play next time. They reminded me that it happens to men who get played gobs of money to play the position. But all I could think about was the literally HUNDREDS of similar plays I've made before and those two that got away. I was disgusted and embarrassed. I was wearing it on my face so much that our coach came up to me saying I needed to clear my head a bit, and that someone else would be manning 1st for the rest of the game...that is if there was a rest of the game. We were now down by a couple of runs at our last at bat.
Fortunately, when I came to the plate with a chance to tie the game, I came through! I hit the ball about as hard as I have--a line drive in the hole between first and second base. Runners on 2nd and 3rd scored on the play. As I stood on first base taking it all in, I heard one of the team leaders holler out from the dugout, "Way to redeem yourself, Mark!"
We went on to win the game, in large part because I came through, even after playing terrible defense. But such is life, I suppose. As I woke up (still reeling over making the errors) my wrist ached from hitting the ground so furiously in my angst. The fact still remains, we won the game, and I played a big part in it. I have to admit, I'm still crying over the milk I spilt.
In life, we mess up all the time...it's called sin. If left to our own devices, we'd mess things up so royally all we could do would be lay on the ground, pound it in humiliation, and HOPE that no one sees us. But you know what, we're aren't left to our own devices. In Jesus, we are more than game winners; we are heirs, brothers to the living God. Despite our failings and shortcoming, in Christ, we are still part of the team, given every opportunity to stand at the plate and deliver in the clutch. That is if we allow Jesus' eternal strength to become our own.
Are you banged up this morning? Is your body worn and bruised? Is your heart tattered and torn? Take Jesus and allow His strength to become your strength. Know that with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances, you can STAND & DELIVER!
You see, in the previous inning, we were winning big, 8-0. Playing 1st base (which is my best position, or so I thought), I committed two BIG errors that not only helped the other team score some runs, but take the lead. One ball was thrown a little high, making me have to leap for it. The second one...well, there was no excuse for it. It was a soft grounder back to the pitcher, who fielded it cleanly and lobbed a soft toss over to me. I was trying so hard to make a great play, I totally botched it, dropping it, and helplessly watched it roll out of reach. All I could do was lay face first on the ground, pounding my fist in the dirt, and HOPE no one saw me. No such luck.
When we returned to the dugout, the rest of the team did what they were supposed to do. In the midst of their disappointment, they told me to shake it off and make the play next time. They reminded me that it happens to men who get played gobs of money to play the position. But all I could think about was the literally HUNDREDS of similar plays I've made before and those two that got away. I was disgusted and embarrassed. I was wearing it on my face so much that our coach came up to me saying I needed to clear my head a bit, and that someone else would be manning 1st for the rest of the game...that is if there was a rest of the game. We were now down by a couple of runs at our last at bat.
Fortunately, when I came to the plate with a chance to tie the game, I came through! I hit the ball about as hard as I have--a line drive in the hole between first and second base. Runners on 2nd and 3rd scored on the play. As I stood on first base taking it all in, I heard one of the team leaders holler out from the dugout, "Way to redeem yourself, Mark!"
We went on to win the game, in large part because I came through, even after playing terrible defense. But such is life, I suppose. As I woke up (still reeling over making the errors) my wrist ached from hitting the ground so furiously in my angst. The fact still remains, we won the game, and I played a big part in it. I have to admit, I'm still crying over the milk I spilt.
In life, we mess up all the time...it's called sin. If left to our own devices, we'd mess things up so royally all we could do would be lay on the ground, pound it in humiliation, and HOPE that no one sees us. But you know what, we're aren't left to our own devices. In Jesus, we are more than game winners; we are heirs, brothers to the living God. Despite our failings and shortcoming, in Christ, we are still part of the team, given every opportunity to stand at the plate and deliver in the clutch. That is if we allow Jesus' eternal strength to become our own.
Are you banged up this morning? Is your body worn and bruised? Is your heart tattered and torn? Take Jesus and allow His strength to become your strength. Know that with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances, you can STAND & DELIVER!
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