A GOOD DUST OFF
Hope this post finds you well and rested. I’ll be out of pocket for a few days trying to do just that, I’ll catch up later in the week. God bless.
I didn’t get any say in the matter, about as much say as I had in what my name would be. There are things that happen to us in our lives we just don’t get a say in, and where we’re born is one of them. My mom didn’t want my sister and I to be born in Arkansas, but somethings we don’t have control over, even as adults.
I’ve always been a little proud of the fact that I was born in the same state as my dad and his daddy before him. Yeah, “daddy” is what hillbillies call their dad, my oldest brother still refers to our dad with that term of endearment.
It’s my belief that God is sovereign. Even to the point of knowing where we’ll be born and sometimes His purpose behind it. My mom, while from humble origins, not near as humble as my dad, but humble by societies standards at the time, was a bit more sophisticated. She’d been taught manners, etiquette, poise, and hospitality, practiced it daily. Even made us learn it and practice it. Lazy kids don’t appreciate it, especially when it came to helping clean up, just didn’t make sense to dirty two forks…
My mom tried hard to distance her family from our hillbilly roots, ties, and inclinations, but, as they say, “You can take the boy out of the wild, but you can’t take the wild out of the boy.” We don’t choose our heritage and it plays into our lives and how we perceive things. We all get some good traits and some not so good ones to boot.
One of the traits passed down through my southern roots is fierce independence, got that natural from both sides. We were born with the need for independence from manmade rules, and none of us are still willing to trade security for freedom.
Our security comes from our belief and living a life where we have “Fear of the Lord”, although it doesn’t seem like many in my family fear much of anything, especially other folks, and the thick-headed side of us and me, forget to fear God more often than is reasonable and prudent.
As old as I am, that crazy gene of recklessness that I think is gone, tamed, or just plum tuckered, raises like Godzilla inside me from out of nowhere and drives every other lick-uh-sense and wisdom right outta my head through my ears. That’s the ugly side of the otherwise more often than not a decent character.
Like all of us, I ask “why” about such matters as where we were born and our strengths and weaknesses. It’s taken me a long time to come up with what I believe is the answer.
For all that I’ve done to distance myself from my heritage, including looking and acting like the opposite of the stereotypical hillbilly, I’ve learned that one of the traits of my heritage is humility. It just took a while to find the wisdom from God while I was scaling the mountain of pride.
After a good dust off from the fall, I find that nothing fits a child of God better than a suit of humility… I’m reminded of that by where my Father chose to bear me physically and spiritually.
Rick Dawson
Sunday, June 1, 2014 @ 5:07 pm
Enjoy the time out of pocket, and while you may not have had much say in the why, may you have peace about all the other “w”‘s involved – who, what, when, where – the how is only important from an engineering standpoint sometimes. 🙂
Vaya con Dios, amigo!
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 5:28 pm
Good call, Rick. Thanks for making me dig a little deeper mentally than I’m used to! Thanks, brother.
Lisa notes
Sunday, June 1, 2014 @ 5:40 pm
Well, I connect with these hillbilly roots in you, Floyd. 🙂 Enjoy some R&R!
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 5:29 pm
Thanks, Lisa. I’m honored and appreciative of your heart and wisdom, sister.
Hazel Moon
Sunday, June 1, 2014 @ 9:19 pm
I am going to miss you brother – – hope you are alright and that you can return soon and all will be to the better.
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 5:32 pm
I’m fine, Hazel. My wife and I were out of town this week. It was good, and very needed! Thanks, Hazel, I appreciate you, sister.
Lynn Morrissey
Sunday, June 1, 2014 @ 9:41 pm
Neat post, Floyd. I guess I’m a hillbilly, because I always did call my father Daddy. I was 55 when he died, and I still called him Daddy. I think terms of affection are good things to inherit. I couldn’t agree with you more that our sovereign Lord determines to whom and where we will be born. It’s all part of His plan for our lives, and we definitely need humility to accept that–especially if we don’t like our roots. And yet, just like with so many good things in life, there are good and bad influences from our families, and the bad we can overcome through him. Also, God often uses our past circumstances in order that we can reach out to others in ways that will resonate with them. Personally, though, it sounds like you have a wonderful family and a heritage all around that you can be humbly proud of 🙂 and for which you can thank God!
Have a great rest!
Fondly
Lynn
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 5:38 pm
Well leave it to you, Lynn to wrap things up so eloquently, sister. I’m in complete agreement with you about how our Father uses all things for us to be able to reach out and relate to others. I am grateful, my family and I have been unbelievably blessed. We had a good rest! Thanks, Lynn.
Lynn Morrissey
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 5:44 pm
Honestly, Floyd, you are always way too generous w/ me. I’m glad that you, Diane, and your girls are back, and am so glad you had such a good and restful time!
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 5:57 pm
I so appreciate your humility, Lynn. You of all people could be so the opposite, but you keep a proper perspective by always looking up to our Father’s hand of protection, which brings about a proper perspective. Bless you and yours as well, Lynn!
Lynn Morrissey
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 6:17 pm
I thank God for giving me such a kind friend in you, Floyd!!!
May I ask (and forgive me if you told us all!), but where did you and your family sojourn?
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 6:35 pm
Well the three sisters went to New York, the little one’s sixteenth birthday, to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, her favorite movie. She said it was the “best day of my life!” Diane and I went the opposite direction to California and met back here late on the third to celebrate her birthday.
Pam
Monday, June 2, 2014 @ 4:00 am
We all need a break now and then–and sometimes it comes whether we want it, like it, or ask for it. As you so obviously already realize, God knows what He is doing and just what we need, so enjoy! Just want you to know you will be missed, Floyd.
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 5:39 pm
Amen, Pam! He is indeed sovereign! Thank, Pam. We had a good time and got a breather, it was wonderful.
Ceil
Monday, June 2, 2014 @ 5:36 am
Hi Floyd! I just got back from my blog-break. I hope you enjoy yours.
As much as I want to believe that my ‘less finer points’ evaporate over the years, I know they are still there. Every once in a while, they pop out like some unwanted guest. I guess the important thing is to know that we are all better than our emotions and habits, and to keep working on it. What else can I do?
And we are so blessed with our faith. We know we were born for a reason, and that we belong to the Lord. As you said, that’s our true security.
See you later in the week Floyd,
Ceil
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 5:40 pm
Yep, keep on keepin’ on and leaning on He who carries us. That’s all we can do, and I believe there is great honor in it in our Father’s eyes. Thanks, Ceil.
Sharon
Monday, June 2, 2014 @ 9:17 am
Seems to me that your suit of humility fits just fine! And you wear it well…
Yup, isn’t it funny (not ha, ha) how the devil tries to make that word sound bad? Too often when I hear the word humility, I hear the word humiliation. And that brings feelings of embarrassment, ridicule, rejection to mind. Who wants to be humbled? But, to be humble – to recognize our position under the sovereign rule of our Lord – that is only when we will fully realize who we are. We can only reach our potential when we are in the proper position of humility.
I’m going to *practice Jesus* –
GOD BLESS!
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 5:42 pm
Awesome wisdom, Sharon! It is in our place of humility below our Father that we find His strength that the world can’t begin to fathom or attain without Him! Good word, sister! Thanks, so much, Sharon. Love your insight and wisdom…
Bill (cycelguy)
Monday, June 2, 2014 @ 11:38 am
Being from Pittsburgh has its own set of “rules” and dialect. i still have some of it. i have tried hard to break the chain of my earthly father. Some I have; some I have not. But I will continue serving my real Father as he changes me.
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 5:43 pm
That’s the voice of experience and wisdom, Bill. Thanks for sharing it here, my friend.
Audra Krell
Monday, June 2, 2014 @ 11:51 am
Ah I hope this is a time of great rest and refreshment for you! We are recovering from our move….I could really use some refreshment myself. Moved over to your side of town, maybe some Starbucks refreshment when you get back? Really fun post, reminds me of the way we grew up in Colorado, manners and avoiding them at times. I do agree, you wear your suit of humility well and I believe it makes you a powerful minister to others.
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 5:45 pm
Awe thanks, Audra. You’re to kind, sister. Glad you’re recovering from your move and I’d love to get together to catch up, my buddy Keith and I are still doing our writers meetings occasionally if you’re still interested too! Thanks, Audra. Looking forward to seeing you!
Dave Arnold
Tuesday, June 3, 2014 @ 8:32 am
Enjoy your time off. I just came off of a rest myself and am just getting back to blogging. Love this what you said: “We don’t choose our heritage and it plays into our lives and how we perceive things.”
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 5:55 pm
Glad you’re back and got some time with your family, Dave. Thanks for stopping by, brother.
TC Avey
Tuesday, June 3, 2014 @ 9:18 am
Well said!
Time and again I’ve fallen and found that I would have avoided the fall if only I’d stayed humble. Pride leads to all sorts of evils…and falls.
Took last week off. Nice to be back. Have a great week.
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 6:12 pm
Amen, TC. I wonder how many times we rolled down the same mountain but couldn’t see one another while we were fallen head over heels grasping and clawing for our lives! Thanks, TC!
Dolly@Soulstops
Tuesday, June 3, 2014 @ 5:32 pm
Floyd,
Enjoy your time off from blogging…you have a way with painting a picture with your words…”daddy” sounds tender to me …always appreciate reading about your roots…and you’re right, we don’t get to pick where we’re born…but we all, regardless of where, all need humility like you said 🙂
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 6:11 pm
Thanks, Dolly. We enjoyed time away and you’re right about humility, I just need a constant reminder!
Betty Jo
Wednesday, June 4, 2014 @ 8:05 am
Floyd I hope you’re okay, and just taking a much needed rest. Have a blessed time my brother. I’m a hillbilly then too, although born in FL, I called my father Daddy all of his life. My parents were from GA, so Daddy it was for us Southerners. Pride is a very dangerous and sneaky creature and definitely breeds discontent. Thank God for your humility, and the acceptance of your heritage. If anyone had cause to distance himself from his humble birth, it would be our savior. But, he didn’t and is such a perfect example for us to follow in humility.
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 6:09 pm
Wow! Profound insight, Betty Jo! Indeed! Our Savior is our example! Good call, sister! I appreciate your wisdom… and your hillbilly roots! God doesn’t make mistakes! Thanks, Betty Jo, we’re good, we just took a short trip, enjoyed it too!
Betty Draper
Wednesday, June 4, 2014 @ 8:15 am
I love that God gave us the freedom through Paul’s writing in which he said, I am what I am by the grace of God. Out on the west coast I stick out as soon as I start talking which causes peoples to ask me, where you from. My country roots are a huge part of who I am. Another thing I love about God is He see His creation as either lost or found. These two truths give me the upmost freedom to be who I am by the grace of God. I hope this is a restful time away for you. Good post.
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 6:06 pm
In humility we find His grace and love. I appreciate your southern style, Betty! It seems to come with a boat load of wisdom! Blessings to you, sister. Thanks!
Barb Raveling
Wednesday, June 4, 2014 @ 10:29 am
Hope you’re enjoying your rest, Floyd! It’s always nice to take a little time off – I’m really looking forward to doing some camping and hiking this summer but have too many graduation activities for the next week or so!
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 6:05 pm
You’ll need the rest, but for now enjoy the times that only come around once in a lifetime. Thanks, Barb, and blessings to you and all your family, and congratulations too!
Loren Pinilis
Wednesday, June 4, 2014 @ 5:14 pm
I’m a born and raised redneck in many ways, too. One thing I’m never ashamed of – I love country food. Not gonna try to lie!
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 6:02 pm
You wear it well, brother! Thanks, Loren.
Caleb Suko
Wednesday, June 4, 2014 @ 6:15 pm
I choose humility as my word of the year and now I’m thinking, “why did I do that?!” There’s something painful about those falls but when you get up and dust yourself off you move forward knowing that God still loves you and that’s the most humbling thing in the world!
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 6:02 pm
Good call, Caleb! Especially since He’s the one lifting us up and dusting us off. Wise words, my friend. You are appreciated, brother!
Lynn Morrissey
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 6:39 pm
Well, I’m glad that you and Diane had a second honeymoon (Sheridan always wants to go on ours! 🙂 And wow! Karson saw phantom on Broadway. What a great thrill for her. My uncle made his living performing in Broadway choruses–imagine getting to do what you love. You would never have known him, though occasionally he got a bit part, but it was an interesting and exciting career, and I know the thrill that Karson exp’d, b/c I got to attend my a show on Broadway called Sugar (the movie is Some Like It Hot). My uncle was in it, and what a thrill that was! Please send my b/day twin my love.
Lynn
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 7:08 pm
How cool that your uncle was on Broadway! I’ll send your birthday twin your love, and hope your day was a great one too!
Cheryl Smith
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 7:05 pm
What a great post! God walks and dwells with the humble. And, to me, there are no better people on this earth than hillbillies! I am so thankful for my hillbilly roots…they run deep, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I think the older we get, the more we long for that simple, down-home way of life…we yearn for it and go to great lengths to return to it and recreate it. It will always be the biggest part of us, and we are better people because of it. I love this post, Floyd. God bless you…glad you got to get away for some rest. 🙂
Floyd
Thursday, June 5, 2014 @ 7:10 pm
You summed it up perfectly, Cheryl, or should I say “right nice”! I’m in agreement with you, when our Father laid out His plans they were and are perfect. Once we grasp them and embrace them life gets a whole lot more peaceful. Thanks for sharing that down home wisdom, sister. It fits like a glove here.
Dan Erickson
Friday, June 6, 2014 @ 5:52 am
I was born in New Hampshire “Live Free or Die,” another place where people are fiercely independent.
Floyd
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 @ 6:17 pm
Why am I not surprised, Dan? If I started a sentence I’d lay odds you could finish it! Thanks, Dan.
child of God
Saturday, June 7, 2014 @ 7:15 pm
Hi Floyd,
I do not have hillbilly roots yet I called my dad daddy. 🙂 Humility that is a wonderful character trait. What a great mom for instilling it into you.
Blessings brother, enjoy your rest.
Floyd
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 @ 5:50 pm
I think that humility could be one of the most important traits, seems like it more and more the older I get. I was blessed indeed. Don’t worry, I won’t call you a hillbilly! Blessings to you as well, sister. Thanks.
Dan Black
Sunday, June 8, 2014 @ 6:51 pm
Humility is key aspect of living a significant and fulfilled life, we gain more by serving and being humble ourselves.
I hope you enjoy your time to relax and refresh. I’ve been so busy lately that I’ve not been able to write or comment on other blogs as much, I’m hoping to be able to get back to writing and commenting on more of a consistent basis.
Dan Black
Sunday, June 8, 2014 @ 6:56 pm
I posted the comment before I remembered to reread and make sure everything sounded clear, I hope the comment shows at least a little of what I was trying to say:)
Floyd
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 @ 5:52 pm
It was great, or at least I completely got it, we’re on the same page, Dan!
Dan Black
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 @ 7:09 pm
Oh good:)
Floyd
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 @ 5:51 pm
I know you practice the trait of humility, Dan. I appreciate that about you, brother. I know, I hear you on being busy! That’s a blessing too! Thanks, Dan, and for taking your precious time here!
Nannette and the Sweetheart
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 @ 1:53 pm
Hick from the sticks, my mom used to say! The Sweetheart called his father, “Daddy” up until he died a few years back. It was Daddy and Mother in their house. I always found that a little odd that she had the “proper” and “fancy” name…but it suited them. I think she was in charge, lol. In our home growing up it was Mom and Dad but whatever you called them, we were just thankful to have good parents! Great thoughts today, as always. “After a good dust off from the fall I find that nothing fits a child of God better than a suit of humility… I’m reminded of that by where my Father chose to bear me physically and spiritually.” Amen!
Floyd
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 @ 6:13 pm
Well I knew we had some common bonds even beyond the Obvious! It is so interesting to find out the details of others lives, we’re not so different in the end. Thanks for sharing, Nannette. I so appreciate how your warm and fun personality come through in your words!