RED ALERT
“Get your hands outta your pockets, boy!” I recall my dad warning with urgency. He seemed a little angry at the time – surprised by my lack of sense I suppose. I didn’t argue. While I didn’t have a lot of sense, I did have a lick of it… I knew enough to know when my dad spoke with that type of authority, I listened… at least when he was looking.
I pulled my hands out of my coat pockets to brave the chill with a round-eyed look of question in them. We were on a job site, light years plus a half a block from the OSHA impacted days of what was to come; there were open trenches with planks that were well past their structural prime spanning the man-made divides in a place I was less than thrilled to be.
Seeking in my eyes, that it was more than just me being a reckless kid, my dad explained it to me, “If you fall and your hands get caught in your pockets you won’t be able to protect yourself if you fall, son.” The light bulb finally went on. “You always have to be prepared under different circumstances,” he’d add later and more than once to make sure “I got it.”
Some years later as an early teenager, I hopped into my brother’s truck to go to the store that now escapes the fading mind. I remember my brother who’d spent more time with my dad, due to age, jumped on me, “Where’s your shoes?” he demanded. “In the house?” I answered with that now familiar behind the eyes question glinting back at him, the “lights are on but nobody’s home” look. “You idiot! – What happens if we break down?” which was commonplace in those days, “You gonna walk barefooted?” It was summertime in Arizona, after all. “Go get some shoes on!” he chided me.
That’s the thing about being the youngest… you have way more bosses and guidance than any kid could ever want… The whole drive to the store I got the “truth” about being prepared – expecting the unexpected. That ride would stretch on forever… Wearing tight black T-shirts if there might be a fight – Boots in case someone tries to stomp your toes – Haircut shorter so that the potential enemy couldn’t use it as a handle while he turned your face into applesauce – How to sit with your back to the wall – How to lean back when someone’s passing you in case they take a potshot at you with a shotgun.
Growing up in a violent part of their country left its mark on me… Being on red alert was part of living in society. With all the crackpots and freaks killing and maiming in our society, it would seem that my dad’s take and my older two brothers’ beliefs were those of prophets…
But the truth is I’ve done more damage to myself than anyone probably could have done even if they were paid to do it. I’ve spent a lifetime on red alert… to a fault. Like the chosen three hundred God rounded up and tested by Gideon, I’m not lapping the sweet and cooling water with my head buried in the water, but I need not live like a slave to this flesh that I have less control of than any or us would really like to admit.
For the first time in my life, not more than a year ago I was able to wear flip flops out to dinner… and out of town to boot… I never knew “freeing” could be so cold on my toes…
Pam
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 6:33 am
Oh, Floyd! You have the best knack for sharing God’s truth and making us laugh. Thanks for the flip-flop visual–that’ll stick in my mind all day!
Floyd
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 3:45 pm
It’ll really stick in your mind if you wear your flip flops outside at night! Thank you, Pam. Glad to hear things are going well with you guys.
Dan Erickson
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 6:58 am
I was taught many of the same lessons in the cult. I was always chided for hands in pockets. I was also always told “double time,” which meant work faster. I was once swatted for wearing boots with sawdust on them in the house. I have walked on eggshells for much of my life, but like you I have learned to let go.
Floyd
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 4:19 pm
I think we really have no choice but to throw in the towel on some of those things? It will cut us short if we don’t. I’m always amazed how similar our paths have been. Thanks, Dan.
bill (cycleguy)
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 10:57 am
Love the story Floyd. Can also see the rebellion still lives there. 🙂 So glad I can’t wear flip flops. Can’t walk in them. And I listened to every lesson I was ever taught and never rebelled. (I also have swamp land in AZ I will sell you). Seriously, glad he freedom is there now. lol
Floyd
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 4:25 pm
Thanks, Bill. All the paths we’ve walked aren’t so different after all. I can hear how you relate to the rebellion!
child of God
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 12:01 pm
I can see you now…black leather jacket with pants to match. Laced up black steel toed boots, pony tail whipping in the wind, riding on a Harley bike just under the speed limit with the logo SAVED BY THE BLOOD written on a rugged cross on the back of the jacket. Somehow, though, the flip flops don’t quite fit the picture. 😛 But hey cold toes you surly would have.
Love your story and the mighty meek warrior you are.
Blessings brother
Floyd
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 4:27 pm
That would be a hilarious picture and the last shot is on the flip flops! Too funny! Thanks for the smile, sister.
Caleb Suko
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 4:09 pm
It took me a minute to figure out why you should wear a tight black shirt. Those are some interesting lessons Floyd. They’re the things that don’t leave you easily. I always enjoy reading about your childhood. God is now using all those lessons you learned years ago to bless others!
Floyd
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 4:33 pm
No those type of lessons never leave us. I’m trying to temper them with faith which is so much more powerful. Thanks, Caleb.
Dolly@Soulstops
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 5:09 pm
Floyd,
I can see you smiling and enjoying the freedom of flip flops and cold toes 🙂 Although I had different lessons, I can relate to the red alert part and how it doesn’t serve us well to always live in that state…glad you’ve found freedom in Christ 🙂 Thanks for the peek into your childhood.
Floyd
Thursday, November 14, 2013 @ 5:37 pm
We are all more alike than we think. That’s why I love to hear and read others stories and share some of my own. Thanks, Dolly. Lets take it down to at least yellow, okay?!?
Betty Jo
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 5:25 pm
My parents were riddled with fear due to their depression era childhoods in the cotton fields of rural Georgia. They passed on a lot of good, practical, advice to me (the oldest child) and my siblings, but they also instilled their fear into us, in unhealthy ways. It has taken the Lord many years to teach me to fear Him, rather than all those things one can be afraid of in the world. It’s been the hardest lesson for me to learn, but I’m getting it bit by bit. Sounds like along with the practical lessons you were taught Floyd, you too picked up a good amount of fear. Wearing flip-flops out to dinner was a great victory for you I’m sure. I can just picture it as you flipped and flopped your way to freedom of that fear. Good for you!!
Just got a call that my brother came through surgery just fine today, they say they got everything, and all looked well outside the one bad kidney. Thank you so much for your prayers!! Blessings Dear Floyd!!
Floyd
Thursday, November 14, 2013 @ 5:40 pm
I’m so glad to hear about Wayne! Thanks for sharing that and I’ll continue to pray for him in all ways. We all have fear, but I’m with you, Betty, I’m learning to fear and revere our Father and not the things sitting next to us in the palm of His hands. Thank you, Betty. You gotta be on cloud nine! I’m so happy for you! Tell Wayne you have your sisters and brothers pulling for him.
Hazel Moon
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 6:40 pm
Great Post Floyd !! Our parents and those older do offer advice, and your dad was wise enough to explain WHY and also your brother did too. Kids are dense at times and a good explanation is needed. Not just “Because I said so.” Flip flops are something I can not wear as they hurt my toes, and my arch. AND they are cold! smile.
Floyd
Thursday, November 14, 2013 @ 5:41 pm
I know if anybody knows the lessons from childhood and life, it’s you, Hazel! Love to hear your stories… they inspire mine…
Lynn Morrissey
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 9:58 pm
Floyd, as always, a great post. You are such a really fine storyteller, and you always make a point. My father gave me some great advice, and sometimes his tone was a little harsh. But in retrospect, I see that all he really wanted to do was to protect and prepare each of us. A lot of times I would tell Sheridan to do something, without explaining why. Parents have this habit of saying no or telling a kid what to do w/o filling in the blanks and saying why. I learned that that can soften the blow, much like how your father explained why having your hands o.o. your pockets could hurt you. I think we should obey our parents no matter what, but when there is an explanation on their part, I think it fosters our cooperation. God gives us His commands, and when we read the “whole story,” we realize the reason He gives them: because He loves us and wants to protect us. I’ll add too that when I was in the workforce, when I told my staff and/or volunteers my reasoning behind some directive that might not have made sense to them, it immediately garnered their cooperation. Your dad gave good advice, and so do you! Thanks, Floyd!
Fondly
Lynn
Floyd
Friday, November 15, 2013 @ 10:43 am
That’s a great comparison to how our Father gives us the reasons that all count for our own good. It’s also a great point of how to give a big picture in leadership. It brings everyone together with a common vision as opposed to the one who leads by insecurity that doles out just enough info to keep things moving forward, but it’s never as good as when leading by painting the big picture. I’m not surprised to find that’s your style as well. It also worked well for me in coaching. Great point, Lynn, you got me going! Thank you.
Voni
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 @ 11:13 pm
LIL! Thanks, Floyd. Older and wiser has you understanding the why’s and when’s of breaking a regulation. (You’d never break a rule, right?) 🙂
Floyd
Friday, November 15, 2013 @ 10:39 am
Who me? Of course not! (as far as you can see…!) Thanks for the chuckle, Voni. Have a great weekend.
Mia
Thursday, November 14, 2013 @ 7:31 am
Hi Floyd
I want to male you all a little jealous now! Here in Gonubie we are VERY laid back. You think nothing of going to the supermarket with your costume and sarong, or ladies in the morning quickly buying bread with a track suit top and slippers. For many years we only had this one supermarket and that is where you usually saw all your friends as well. My friend, it is just shocking how the world gets worse day after day. There is nowhere where one can feel safe anymore.
Blessings XX
Mia
Floyd
Friday, November 15, 2013 @ 10:34 am
I go in comfort, maybe to comfortable sometimes. I like loose fitting cotton and tennis shoes mostly, but I’m trying to be a bit more laid back when it’s not work time. And yes, it is getting crazy. A man around the corner from our house murdered his wife and daughter a few days ago… Who could do something like that? That didn’t use to happen around here… Heart wrenching what is happening in this crazy world.
Hope you have a laid back and safe weekend, Mia. Thanks, sister.
Mia
Friday, November 15, 2013 @ 12:22 pm
Dear Floyd
Oh, I am speechless! I am so sorry to read this shocking news and I can just think how traumatized your whole neighborhood must be. We were also shocked to the core this week when a mother poisoned her three children and herself, because she couldn’t look after them properly with the child grants she received each month from the government. Last I heard, only the mother survived! All I can say is, “Come, Lord Jesus, come!”. Praying for you and yours, my brother.
Mia XX
Floyd
Friday, November 15, 2013 @ 4:56 pm
It’s hard to imagine! The natural instinct is to care for your children… Hard to fathom… The twisted husband burned his wife after he shot her but was still alive. He did hold up in his house for a while and finally shot himself. I believe that’s what God’s word refers to as “a reprobate mind.” Thanks for the prayers, Mia, I’m praying for you and yours as well.
Bernard
Thursday, November 14, 2013 @ 10:49 am
It is funny that you write this. I was preaching to my son the other day about wearing the proper clothing during this season. I told him the same thing my father use to tell me that is better to have it and not need it than to not have it and need it. I had to make him put on more clothes. I told him he can always take it off and put it in his bag. Later that evening he was glad that he took the extra clothing because the weather changed from warm to real cold.
Floyd
Friday, November 15, 2013 @ 10:30 am
Too funny. The good lessons and wisdom continue on. What a blessing to have the parents we did and be able to pass down the simple lesson of life and the most important ones that have eternal implications. Nice job, dad. Thanks, Bernard.
tcavey
Thursday, November 14, 2013 @ 12:55 pm
Being prepared…good lessons. I’m like you though- shocker! I can be too prepared and not trust in God, not enjoy the world, and so on.
It’s nice to wear flip flops…just make sure you pack a spare set of shoes in case you do break down.
I’m continuously being made fun of for how I like to be prepared- but it’s come in handy! Slowly my family is starting to appreciate my preparedness.
Floyd
Friday, November 15, 2013 @ 10:27 am
What? We’re on the same page? What a shocker!!! We can tend toward cynical though can’t we? It’s a fine line to walk that’s for sure. Enjoy, TC… and don’t forget to wear your flip flops! Thanks, TC. Have a great weekend.
Joanne Norton
Thursday, November 14, 2013 @ 1:08 pm
As usual, obviously sharing reality … at the beginning and the end. AND your dad and the brother really made sure you knew the reality of life. AND in your present day, most places, wearing flip flops is a reasonable way to live. I wear them any time I can, b/c it doesn’t keep my toes inside ANYTHING. Now, with today’s weather, I wear layers of socks and slippers. As soon as it warms up in the Spring, my shoes disappear again. Bless your day… as usual, of course.
Floyd
Friday, November 15, 2013 @ 10:25 am
Reality is tough, but with God on our side we don’t need to let it make us cynical… which is something I tend toward. Flip flops seem to help me through it! Blessing to you as well, Joanne. Thanks.
Betty Draper
Friday, November 15, 2013 @ 10:30 am
Papua New Guineas had the thickest calluses on their feel. They could walk hot coals. True poverty offers no choices such as flip flops. It was a step up to get a pair of flip flops. So different in America, we have soo many choices most of the time so we can do what is right in our own eyes all the time without consideration even to our safety or to others.
We have learned and taught our kids you can always go from dressed up to dressed down and find freedom. But if the requirement is the other way…do you have freedom to do that without it causing a major attitude problem? I am with Bernard…preparing is wise. Not preparing when possible brings problems down the road even a simple thing like take a jacket, it might get cold later. I think your Dad was pretty wise and cared a lot about you to wanted to protect even your feet.
On the spiritual side, trusting in Christ finished work on the cross prepares me for heaven…and that is pure freedom to give up my freedoms and rights while on this earth for the sake of a bigger picture. I am a total barefoot girl but my feet do not have the toughness required to walk that way in all places. Great post Floyd…I love reading all the comments brought about by your thoughts. I am sure I don’t have enough years left to get to the place even in southern California to wear flip flops and shorts to church. Yet I feel very free in that fact.
Floyd
Friday, November 15, 2013 @ 5:03 pm
I’ve never been able to bring myself to wear flip flops to church. Living in Arizona wearing shorts is somewhat common. I’m still enough of the old school to wear my nicest clothes to church out of respect for our Father. I agree with you that we need to teach our children to be prepared, but that faith is a big part of being prepared in our spiritual world.
Our rights and freedoms are subject to the One we serve, couldn’t agree more, Betty. True freedom is the peace and joy that only comes from within when we’re in the will of He who resides there. Thanks, Betty. Have a great weekend… Tell Ace I said “Hey.”
Jennifer Dougan
Friday, November 15, 2013 @ 6:45 pm
Hey Floyd,
It’s fun to hear about your childhood with your brothers and dad passing on advice. My husband grew up in a rougher neighborhood too. He still carries those “street smarts.”
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Floyd
Saturday, November 16, 2013 @ 12:37 pm
All things have a purpose, it’s just when taken to far that they become damaging. Your husband uses his in the most important ways. Thanks, Jennifer.
Rachael
Friday, November 15, 2013 @ 10:31 pm
I think you stepped on something with the control word. Giving up some of those controlling self-protective (over-protective) mindsets really does bring the freedom that Christ preached. Being prepared with the ability to took ahead is a life lesson we all want to teach our kids. When we add learning how to fully trust the Lord with our past, present and future then we are equipped for the battles of life. Why does it take so long to learn this?
Floyd
Saturday, November 16, 2013 @ 12:39 pm
Excellent question, Rachael! I think maybe our children might do a bit better than we did… That is most certainly the prayer of all of us. Being prepared is good, especially when grounded in the faith and wisdom given by our Father. Well said, Rachael. Thank you.
Dan Black
Sunday, November 24, 2013 @ 7:53 pm
It’s amazing the wisdom and sometimes commons sense we can learn from those around us. Our thinking can be shifted by the comment of a friend or family member (which can save us at times). Great post and thoughts:)
ps. I’ve been transitioning jobs so have been mainly offline for the past couple weeks. It looks like I have some great content to get caught up on.
Floyd
Monday, November 25, 2013 @ 5:37 pm
I know you’ve been busy with the new job, Dan. Hope that’s working out well for you, man. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by, I appreciate it.
Dan Black
Monday, November 25, 2013 @ 8:33 pm
Thank you for understanding. I’ve been missing reading everyone’s blogs. Hopefully this week I’ll be able to get back into them a little bit more.
Floyd
Tuesday, November 26, 2013 @ 10:32 am
I like your priorities, Dan, family first…