ALL IS LOST…
I saw the sail first… It looked like a half of a balloon, bright orange, puffy, with radius ridges. It popped in contrast to the magnificent blue ocean. I couldn’t see the feet dangling, but I could see the ski rope and traced it back down to the boat. I’d seen parasailing a ton when I was a kid, but not so often anymore.
Of all the things that may have, or should have come to my mind, the first thing that popped in my head was like something out of Ghostbusters. When Bill Murray’s character told his gang to not think of anything bad, their thoughts would be used to create the object that would destroy earth.
When the giant Stay Puffed marshmallow monster appeared, Bill Murray said something like, “I didn’t think of that!” – “Did you think of that?” he asked, Harold Ramis’ character, who answered, “No! – I didn’t think of that. The both of them turned to Dan Aykroyd’s character who was standing there dumbfounded and admitted, “I couldn’t help it!” – “It just popped in there!” … I totally got that line in the movie…
Of all the things I should have thought of when I saw the parasail? I thought of Jughead… Yeah, the Jughead from the Archie’s… It wasn’t even my comic book. When I was a kid, I temporarily swapped one of my Hulk comic books for my buddy, Bobby’s. I probably read that comic book six times or so, but the dumb thing has stuck with me my entire life.
I can still see the picture of Jughead flying around after the rope had accidentally snapped on his parasail. Back then, while entertaining, there was always a subtle message, even in comic books. In that comic book, the first thing Jughead did was panic, but with time, he used the experience he had no control over to see the world in a way he couldn’t have otherwise.
Although coming down was difficult, Jughead did survive and had a new perspective on not only the city but also his life… It’s not like that anymore… The subtle lessons taught now are all about a person getting what they want in order to fulfill their physical lives and senses.
The character of the person has been lost… The true life lessons that teach the value of character above all else and the most prized possession to be sought after has been replaced by the love of self or humanism… and the results are immediate.
A popular evangelist of that comic book era was Billy Graham. In my younger years, sometime beyond my comic book phase, I read a quote by Billy Graham that has stuck with me as well. It too is an object lesson in self-control, a little less subtle than the comic book.
The noteworthy words; “When wealth is lost, something is lost. When health is lost, a great deal is lost. When character is lost, all is lost.” I appreciate the moral and character lessons I’ve grasped in my life. Who we are can be shaped by many things… even a childish comic book, I suppose…
Maybe they weren’t so childish after all…
How I enjoy a good memory…
And lesson…
bill (cycleguy)
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 12:49 pm
I think we as a nation, church (some), and people have become bereft of integrity. We have lost the desire to be honest and stand up for what is right. In an age of tolerance, we tolerate everything. Character stands up and says, “No!” or “Enough!’ Well said Floyd.
Floyd
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 12:56 pm
Thanks Bill. It is tough to do the right thing. It’s taxing to say the least… I think I needed to hear that myself today…
Jay Cookingham
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 1:20 pm
I tell my kids that “Nobody can take away your character…but you can give it away all too easily….don’t be that person!” Of course, it’s something I need to model and hold myself accountable to. Thanks for the memory dude!
BTW…I have learn many lessons from comic books…and Star Trek…and Bob Dylan…maybe I should stop now. 😉
Floyd
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 3:38 pm
You and I are too much alike! Thanks Jay. God is all about our character…
Diane
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 3:41 pm
Very well said Floyd. There is a huge battle happening on this planet. May we as believers all be the Character Filled Witnesses that God would be proud of.
Floyd
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 3:40 pm
Amen Diane! That was very well said. We should consider our acts and take ownership of them. That is the beginning of a character based on Biblical morals. Thanks Sister… in law.
Audra Krell
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 5:38 pm
I love the beauty of God using the perfect thing to teach and love us. Isn’t it wonderful how he spoke to you in a comic book? And a borrowed one at that? You crack me up with your thinking too.
Floyd
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 3:43 pm
Thanks Audra… I think? I hope you crack up in a good way!
I’m saddened by the lack of character based stories for our next generation to read so they could at least be cognizant to the fact that their are principles of our lives that can’t be seen, that are more important than the things that can be…
Jennifer@GDWJ
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 6:45 am
Thank you for the good word here, and your lesson having come straight from a comic book. Who knew?
🙂
Floyd
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 3:49 pm
Right? Thanks Jennifer, I always appreciate your kind words… clever too!
Dan Black
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 12:03 pm
Great post and quote. Character is essential.
Floyd
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 3:50 pm
Thanks Dan. The truly valuable things that can’t be seen are being dumped like garbage… so only garbage will be left… Praying for our society and country.
tcavey
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 12:17 pm
The world needs more Billy Grahams. I recently read a news article where a youth said something along the lines of Billy Graham was old and his words didn’t matter anymore.
My heart ached when I read that.
We need words of those older and wiser and we need to teaching our kids respect.
Old comics with morals and TV shows with ethics aren’t popular. No wonder our nation is such a mess!
No one can take away your character, but what happens if you don’t have any to start with?
God help us all!
Another great post Floyd!
Floyd
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 3:54 pm
Thanks TC. You know I share your heart and passion on this subject. All we can do is speak and live truths, God’s got the rest… I too pray for the revival of our sinking nation.
Jason Stasyszen
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 5:58 pm
Amazing how those lessons stick with us. He’ll teach us in a thousand different ways if we’ll just learn to pay attention. When I “hear God speaking”–it’s most usually through a thought or insight I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I see pictures or something stands out in a movie or song. There are so many ways He’ll grab us in an instant, but we do have to pay attention. I don’t why I said all that. I may be a little tired! 🙂 Thanks Floyd.
Floyd
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 6:21 pm
I’m glad you did, Jason. I think that is great insight. God can use anything to give us wisdom. All things are subject to Him, why wouldn’t He use all of them? That is an awesome perspective. I’m glad you’re tired! It serves you well my friend! Thanks.
Hazel Moon
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 6:53 pm
In grammar school I developed a love of reading, and I enjoyed ESOPs Fables. They always had a lesson to learn at the end. Some times it was understated and you had to think about the meaning. Holding on to that parasail would be something else! WOW to view the world and hope to return to it all in one piece. My daughter Judie loves to do things like this, but I must take a rain check for now.
Floyd
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 @ 7:26 pm
Oh yeah, I’m with you Hazel. My thrill seeking days are behind me! Thanks, I don’t feel so alone!
Betty Draper
Thursday, September 13, 2012 @ 1:58 am
All I can say is amen, amen, amen to the core of your post and amen, amen,amen to the responses. I agree we need to redeem our time here on earth and help teach these younger ones about integrity and honestly. Their flesh is teased through tv, movies, books and advertisement, there seems to be no shame any more. Bills post was on the lines…you two men think alike, just express it each with a different flavor. Good post brother.
Floyd
Thursday, September 13, 2012 @ 9:24 am
Thanks Betty. I know we all have a passion to see the hand of God in our next generation. We need to keep praying for a revival.