HE CAN DISH IT OUT, BUT HE CAN’T TAKE IT!
“How about Legoland?” my wife asked. “Yeah, maybe?” our youngest replied with uncertainty. “Legoland’s pretty fun,” I added. My wife glanced my way with an accusing eye. “What?” I asked caught off guard. “We know why you like Legoland dad,” our daughter jumped on the accusation bandwagon with a grin.
“Oh yeah,” I remembered. It had been quite a few years since I’d been there to recall that specific event. “Why’d you do that dad?” my daughter pressed me, still smiling. “Yeah, why did you do that?” my wife chimed in. I couldn’t help but smile remembering, “I don’t know?” – “I don’t know what’s wrong with me?” I confessed.
“That poor guy,” my wife half-heartedly lamented. “Did he do anything?” my daughter asked. “No, he just looked irritated,” I answered solemnly and added, “Why would anyone ever go on a ride like that?” My wife eyed me again, “You’d never go on that ride?”
“No way!” – “Not even a remote chance!” I answered and explained, “Why would anyone put themselves in a position like that to be a target?” – “Once he got on that ride he was fair game!” I argued my case. “You have issues,” my wife said, only half-joking. “You think I don’t know that?” I answered with a laugh.
The kiddie ride was two or three person standing cages that swung the passengers gently in circles around a big pole over a big man-made pool. I think they called the ride, “The Water Cannon.” On the concrete banks, a few feet behind the fence that was used as the pool barrier is where they mounted the easily maneuverable water cannons. I never went on the ride, but I sure had fun with the water cannons. Who says kiddie parks are for kids?
The big fun of the Water Cannon Ride was to circle around the pool while the spectators – armed with water cannons – would shoot balls of water that dispersed much like a shotgun blast at the riding passengers. Like most things in life, after a learning curve, a person can get fairly proficient with the water cannons. Unfortunately for the guy I decided was to be my consistent target. With every pass, I’d soak him with water, over and over…
I was like a little kid all over again… “he can dish it out, but he can’t take it.” I didn’t want to put myself in a position I might not be mature enough to handle. How often in life do we try to protect our pride, ego, and insecurity, at the cost of our true calling and the character God’s calling us to?
How can a person be truly fulfilled in life if they’re too on guard to let their’s down and get to experience something bigger that God has planned for us? I think the next time we get to go to Legoland I’ll ride the Water Cannon Ride… It might be a small step, but for someone as immature as me…
It’s a good first step…
Nancy
Sunday, September 9, 2012 @ 10:24 pm
Oh Boy! Oh Boy! Am I ever a good shot…I’ll do the cannon if you do the ride! ( Certainly you don’t expect ME to get wet!)
Yeah, I was listening to a couple of Christians tell each other HOW to be a good christian. From what I gleaned, neither was really listening to the other but wanted the other to make changes THEY thought were needed. Too funny!
You example reminds me about those who always ask everyone else to pray for them, but THEY don’t want to take any responsibility to stand in faith themselves. They’ll dish out the directives but when it comes to them? No guts to step out!
Thanks for the funny illustration! Can’t wait for the report when you next visit and become a volunteer target for someone else!
Floyd
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 7:01 am
Thanks Nancy. How true. Many of us want miraculous changes, but don’t want to have to change or give anything up in order to receive them. Of course it’s easier to see the issues others have…. even with the planks in our eyes…
bill (cycleguy)
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 2:14 am
There is a lot of this that goes around. I am a big teaser and have learned that if I want to dish it out I better be able to take it. I have stopped myself from doing things because I don’t want them done to me (Like putting shaving cream in a sleeping person’s nose or toothpaste in their hair). Practical jokes like that. i don’t want to take it so I don’t give it. I wouldn’t worry about this ride though since I can’t go in circles. 🙂
Floyd
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 7:03 am
I hear you Bill. I’m the same way, I try to avoid doing to others unless I’m willing to have it done to me… That ride was some years ago, but I use it as a reminder of that. Thanks. I promise not to put shaving cream in your hand then tickle your nose while you’re snoring!
tcavey
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 6:03 am
“How often in life do we try to protect our pride, ego, and insecurity, at the cost of our true calling and the character God’s calling us to?”
Pretty powerful question. I know I’ve let pride interfere too often. It’s great when I let my guard down and just act. I think that’s whats so great about kids, they don’t worry about what others think, they don’t know their dreams are unrealistic, they just believe and have faith!
Oh, to have faith like a child.
Floyd
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 7:05 am
Excellent point TC. We need to live and act with the faith of a child and the wisdom of God’s chosen. Well said. I’m with you, we struggle with similar issues for sure. Thanks.
tcavey
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 4:14 pm
I can’t wait for my son to get old enough for Lego Land!
Floyd
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 5:18 pm
Take a raincoat TC! You’re gonna love the water cannons… Try to show some restraint though… If you can!
Jay Cookingham
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 6:52 am
If I ever go to Legoland…I’m staying away from all rides that for sure! Or, at least, look for out for a certain character armed with a water canon and a sinister look on his face! Thanks for the laugh bro’!
Floyd
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 7:06 am
Thanks Jay. I try to learn from all my dumb moves… You’d think I’d be wise by now!
Jason Stasyszen
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 4:10 pm
Honestly I don’t like mixing ‘genres’ of parks. Give me either a water park or an amusement park, but I don’t like both. Walking around in soggy tennis shoes and clothes is not my idea of great time! Now that’s out of the way, I don’t know how I would react to being targeted like that, but I would probably be wondering, “what on earth did I do to that guy?” And the answer in your case and most others is, nothing. Sometimes we pick on people because we think it’s funny, other times because we had a bad day, but normally it has nothing to do with the target. Good to remember when we’re trying to figure out why people “don’t like” us. Thanks Floyd.
Floyd
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 5:17 pm
I know for sure it’s pretty immature Jason, but it was a few years back now… Does that count for anything? I did drag myself away, but it took more discipline than it should have. It was like something from a movie… I think when I go next I’ll take a rain coat… Me thinks I’m gonna get soaked!
Voni
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 5:36 pm
Good luck and here’s hoping that guy isn’t on the other end of the water cannon when you do get your courage up to mount the ride. Lol
Floyd
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 5:47 pm
Too funny Voni! I’ll bet you’d like to be on the other end of that cannon where I was… My guess is that you wouldn’t have anymore self control than I did!
Funny, I feel my courage slipping…
Mike
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 6:21 pm
They have a ride similar to that at Silver Dollar City near where I live. I’ve been the recipient of the water gun and the deliver both, much more fun on a hot day than a cool one. Anyway, you’re right about us needing to let our guard down more. It’s that struggle with pride and vulnerability. Ah, that human nature!
Floyd
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 6:25 pm
Thanks Mike. I knew you’d get it! Makes me feel a little better about my human nature! (kidding!)
Ngina Otiende
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 6:31 pm
Still can’t wrap my mind around why anyone would want to be hoisted up and hosed down…? Exactly where is the fun? lol. I see why you opt for dry ground and target practice.. (not that you seem to need practice). I guess your next lesson would be on mercy? lol 🙂 🙂
Floyd
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 6:50 pm
HAAAA! For sure Ngina! Mercy is exactly what I need! Great call. There’s a lesson in everything isn’t there?
Hazel Moon
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 6:36 pm
This counds like good “CLEAN” fun. I bet that guy enjoyed his bath. I agree with Nancy, we often like to tell others how to act and react, but could use the same message on ourselves. Thank you for sharing at Tell Me a Story.
Floyd
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 6:50 pm
Thanks Hazel. I hope some of your other friends don’t judge some of your less mature friends!
Lincoln Parks
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 6:53 pm
I love theme parks more than my daughter and wife combined. I am just like a kid in a candy store when I get there. I can’t help myself and I want to get on every ride. When you talk about dishing it out and can’t take the return punishment. I am fair and I can take it if its dished out. However, I do work to keep my ego in check all the time. Sometimes we can get away from that if we realize some success.
Floyd
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 7:35 pm
I hear you Lincoln. Success has a way of fooling us into thinking more of the provision instead of the Provider. I try to keep a lid on myself by pondering God’s will. It’s not always easy…
Betty Draper
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 7:31 pm
Your post reminded me how we hold our grandchildren down so we can tickle them, knowing they are not big enough to do it to us.
Now I figure if someone got on the Water Cannon Ride they want to be hit with water…right…and since I don’t want to get wet I would not ride. Last theme park ride I went was with my grand daughter, I screamed the whole ride and she laughed the whole ride at me. I decided then my years of riding those rides had come to an end. She has not let me forget that ride either. And if she was a little younger I would hold her down and tickle her. Funny post…good thoughts. Blessing my brother.
Floyd
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 7:37 pm
Thanks Betty. How true, that’s exactly what it’s like… Man, I remember those days of being held down and tickled… Might explain my mean streak!
jake
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 8:40 pm
He didn’t fight you after? I’m shocked. I would have been pissed, but then again, I’m too smart to get on something like that. Then again, my last digital camera met its end on Splash Mountain, but I wasn’t anticipating the giant blonde yeti in front of me splashing like he was some small child… But I actually did pick a fight with him after!
Floyd
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 7:01 am
Why am I not surprised Jake! You and I are too much alike. I have to reign myself in by the wisdom of God. The golden rule so to speak, which isn’t at all easy to follow!
Dan Black
Monday, September 10, 2012 @ 10:39 pm
LegoLand is the best!!! My wife got free tickets during the summer and we took our then 7 month old son, he did not know what was going on but loved all of the colorful rides and scenery.
I have learned how to both dish it out and also take it. Sometimes I can dish it out to much though.
Floyd
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 7:02 am
Thanks Dan. I think we all can! The key is to be aware of it, which doesn’t make the discipline any easier…
Diane
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 4:37 am
Love your post! What a great way to start my day! As usual, Floyd! Thank you!
Floyd
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 7:03 am
Thanks Diane. You really know how to brighten up my day!
Audra Krell
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 11:42 am
Well it’s going to take courage to ride the ride. It isn’t human nature to strap yourself into something knowing you’ll be shot at, with anything! Kind of like walking out our faith, right?
Floyd
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 12:35 pm
Good call Audra! It is gonna take courage… Maybe my little one is too old for Legoland now? I’m just saying’!
Joanne Norton
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 7:37 pm
One of my life keys is to follow the Lord’s everyday guidance, BUT to be willing to adjust and readjust to a new or older event that needs to take place. Being on alert is a high element of life. Forever and ever…