CLEVER BOY
I sat there looking around, pondering, trying to choose. Like a kid in a candy store, I didn’t know which one to choose. I have pages of lines of posts I want to write about, but like a spoiled child, as I sifted through the aisles of candy I wanted the one that wasn’t there… I wanted the one that would be different, fun!
As I sat in the window seat of the airplane, I decided I would boldly start writing a post, then cleverly ask the guy sitting next to me, whom I wouldn’t share the armrest with, some really tough questions! – That would be better than any other piece of candy I could think of!
I smiled inside as I thought of some really stumping questions… My neighbor for an hour and a half would be speechless, I could almost hear him answer, “Huh… Huh…. Ummmmm…” I thought I’d start with, “Can you tell me what the best thing that has ever happened to you is?” Perfect! Only a videotape could be any better!
I thought of another, “What’s the best thing you’ve ever done?” He would be so totally against the ropes! The questions to stump my closer than comfortable neighbor continued. “What would people who know you say about you?… What has been or would you say your life’s legacy would be?”
As I thought of more questions the fun was leaving me… I was subconsciously asking myself those questions until I realized it and asked them consciously… I decided it wasn’t such a grand idea after all… How could I ask him or anyone in this world hard questions that I struggle to articulate myself, even if only inside my head?
It didn’t take long for the smile and the direction of this post to change… I started sounding like the Nutty Professor inside my head, arguing with myself. I asked myself those questions… I struggled just like I wanted the neighbor I was hoping to ambush. One side of the brain talked, the other side responded.
“Well, I’ve done some pretty good stuff!”
“Stop justifying your actions – It’s not becoming!”
“Okay, you’re right… Okay… Huh… Huhh… Ummmm… What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me?”
My mind went blank… Too many questions…
I threw myself off with the questions about me… That’s the problem with all things in this life; if it’s about us, or the answer starts with us, it won’t be a gratifying answer. The answer to all the questions starts at the beginning. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Our new beginning is the day we grasp that it’s all about the grace of God to save our eternal souls. The answers to all the questions I’d planned to stump my unsuspecting fellow traveler with are all the same… It is about Him first, “All good things come from Your hand.”
Regardless of the long answer, that’s a Mighty fine place to start.
That’s what I get for trying to be a clever boy…
Nancy
Sunday, August 26, 2012 @ 6:25 pm
I used to tell may kids….”It’s NOT all about YOU”, and then one day, I heard the Holy Spirit say the SAME thing to me about something.. Ouch!
You are quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to get mad, right? I still think you are clever. You always seem to come to around GOD as your Source and that, is the bottom line!
Floyd
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 6:57 am
Thanks Nancy. Your question got a good smile… you know well! Ouch! The only thing I might be slow at is thinking!
Diane
Sunday, August 26, 2012 @ 7:38 pm
Funny, I do the exact same thing, and it gets pretty cluttered in there, then I have to take a deep breath, empty that cluttered space, and come back to just truth. It is all about the after life, all about what we are doing here for God to build his kingdom right? Good post brother!
Floyd
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 6:58 am
Thanks Diane, exactly right. Thanks for being in the same boat with me, makes the trip way more interesting!
April
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 9:03 am
I cannot even begin to tell you how bad my head sounds all the time! LOL
Floyd
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 10:17 am
Thanks April. It’s nice to know that I have company!
Jason Stasyszen
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 11:00 am
Glad to know my head is not the only one with a crowded space! Interesting thought occurred to me as I was reading. You kind of describe how ultra-religious people live. They want to demand answers of everyone else for their life choices while never asking the questions internally. When we realize the logs we have in our own eyes (or at least remember the ones we used to have), we are much more compassionate in our dealings with others. Good stuff, Floyd. I know that wasn’t your point exactly, but my crowded brain tends to take things in unexpected directions! 🙂
Floyd
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 6:51 pm
I hear you Jason, and that is a really good point. That’s exactly what it’s like. How can I ambush someone I’m not willing to put myself through? Good stuff Jason. Glad your brain is busy doing what it does!
I even thought about sharing the armrest… just never got around to it…
Dan Black
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 11:04 am
I find it interesting how we can ask others questions that are closely connected to the ones we want or should answer our self’s.
It’s part of human nature to be self focused and that’s the challenge each on of us have, to lay aside our self and to be focused on God and others. This is easier said than done though:)
Floyd
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 6:52 pm
Amen Dan. Well said. I was guilty of exactly that. I did come around, just not quite as quickly as I should have…
Dan Black
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 7:46 pm
As we all are at times:)
Floyd
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 @ 6:52 am
So true!
tcavey
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 1:49 pm
The older I get the more I realize life is not about me. Really NOTHING is about me. It’s all about God and what He wants to do with me and in me and through me…if I will step out of the way.
Floyd
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 6:53 pm
Yeah, another really good point TC! We are usually the ones in the way of God’s grace and miracles, that’s a really great point.
Lanny Wegleitner
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 2:48 pm
Most of the questions you ask yourself can be answered by looking into your children’s eyes, remembering their birth and remembering they are a gift from God. I look at my legacy when I watch how my son’s are with the way the’re raising their sons. It is funny how many times I hear them say to me “Now I understand why you did those things when we were kids.” The apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree. Nice Post. Nobody can avoid the full circle of life.
Floyd
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 6:55 pm
Wow… That’s really cool Lanny. I’m honored to have been there and witnessed it. You are an exceptionally gifted dad and now granddad… Man, never thought I’d be saying that when we were kids! Thanks Lanny, love the expression, well said.
Audra Krell
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 5:21 pm
This post also applies to figuring out what our books are about. What is the greatest thing that happens to this character? The worst? What kind of legacy is our main character trying to leave?
I didn’t grow up in a Christian home. So the greatest thing that ever happened was developing a relationship with God. Not just believing in Him, but believing Him.
Floyd
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 6:57 pm
There must be something in the air today. I blown away by all the wisdom! Wow! What a wonderful point Audra. We reveal so much by asking the questions… we just need to ask ourselves first.
“But believing Him…” That is where we find true peace and joy. Thanks Audra.
Lincoln Parks
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 5:24 pm
Wow, can you say dejavu.. Or is that the right context to use this in.. I’m not actually sure but Floyd I must say that after a win today a team member of mine pulled me to the side and said Lets pray Lincoln. He prayed for us to remain humble and we both thanked God for the blessings and let him know that it was not about us. it was about Him. Now that was a powerful few minutes. Believe me, we stood out in 90 degree weather praying as cars went by and we didn’t care because it was about him. This win was for God not us.. Thanks for this Floyd.
Floyd
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 7:00 pm
God is amazing Lincoln! Thanks for sharing that. That speaks volumes in action my friend! I’m blown away by His touch in our lives. He makes the little things huge! Thanks for sharing from the heart Lincoln. Powerful stuff…
Hazel Moon
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 5:56 pm
I am running out of stories, but I do understand about having a line or two so that it is saved and you can write it later. Thanks for sharing at Tell me a Story. Your stories are a welcomed feature and I think you are very clever.
Floyd
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 7:01 pm
Awwe. Thanks Hazel. Whatever you decide to write, I know it will be from the heart and full of wisdom from Above!
Joanne Norton
Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 8:44 pm
This was so true. And, as you started listing the questions, I automatically started answering them immediately. And we sure can’t assume we’re better than the one sitting next to us on our plate, so to speak. Good teaching, sharing.
Floyd
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 @ 6:54 am
Thanks Joanne. You have a bit more wisdom about you, and I truly was trying to come up with something different… until God opened my eyes and heart again…
Ann Cocktale
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 @ 8:40 am
Your post is a great reminder that if we nurture our relationship with Him all our other relationships will be easier to handle. I kind of feel sorry for the guy sitting next to you. He missed a great conversation!
Floyd
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 @ 9:50 am
He also missed out on the armrest! That’s a great point Ann. I was struggling with my own answers, but he did miss out. I didn’t even about that. And you’re right about the relationship with our Father always has bearings on our relationships with others. Thanks for the wisdom!
Ngina Otiende
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 @ 3:39 pm
Reminds me of the mouse-traps my dad and brothers used to set up in our house when we were young. They’d be placed in darker corners or ceilings. I remember gingerly picking my way around the house or ceiling (don’t ask me what i was doing up there) trying not to get snapped!
I can’t remember shaking off a mouse-trap. But looks like God got you! haha.
Seriously though, great lesson here.
Floyd
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 @ 6:12 pm
That was a great analogy Ngina! Seriously smart! God got me, yeah… It wasn’t the first time…. I suspect it won’t be the last… Thanks Ngina!
Ngina Otiende
Wednesday, August 29, 2012 @ 8:17 am
🙂 I may have escaped the mouse-traps THEN. But am on the same boat with you now :). We’ll always need those reminders!
Floyd
Wednesday, August 29, 2012 @ 9:26 am
I’m honored by the company! Thanks Ngina!
Mike
Wednesday, August 29, 2012 @ 1:22 pm
I find every time I try to be clever it backfires on me. If I let go and let God things always seem to work better and become clearer. I live some of those question, they are definitely challenging to ask. Enjoyed your post.
Floyd
Thursday, August 30, 2012 @ 9:42 am
Thanks Mike, and I’m with you; when I rely on myself it always backfires… You’d think I’d learn by now!
Saleslady371
Thursday, August 30, 2012 @ 2:15 pm
It’s better to sit next to a guy like you on the plane than someone who just wants to discuss the weather, at least you challenge. Good point about grace and bringing it down to the simple. I need grace everyday. That’s what I posted about too!
Floyd
Thursday, August 30, 2012 @ 4:57 pm
Thanks, and I appreciate the perspective! We all need that grace don’t we? If it weren’t for that… Oh man, I shutter to think about it…