Friends,
This story was forwarded to me as an email and it touched my heart in such a way that I thought I would post it here. I hope it touches you the way it did me.
Are your blinds open?
For all the liberal press, I have never heard a better analogy of U.S. aggression. Nobody wants to see our troops have to go to war but someone has to do it. The other day, my nine-year-old son wanted to know why we were at war...My husband looked at our son and then looked at me. My husband and I were in the Army during the Gulf War and we would be honored to serve and defend our country again today. I knew that my husband would give him a good explanation. My husband thought for a few minutes and then told my son to go standin our front living room window. He said, "Son, stand there and tell me what you see?" "I see treesand cars and our neighbors' houses," he replied. "OK, now I want you to pretend that our house and our yard is the United States of America and you are President Bush." Our son giggled and said, " "Now, son, I want you to look out the window and pretend that every house and yard on this block is a different country," my husband said. "OK Dad, I'm pretending." "Now I want you to stand there and look out the window and pretend you see Saddam come out of his house with his wife, he has her by the hair and is hitting her. You see her bleeding and crying. He hits her in the face, he throws her on the ground, then he starts to kick herto death. Their children run out and are afraid to stop him, they are screaming and crying, they are watching this but do nothing because they are kids and they are afraid of their father. You see all of this, son.... what do you do?" "Dad?" "What do you do, son?" "I'd call the police, Dad." "OK. Pretend that the police are the United Nations. They answer the phone. They listen to what you know and saw but they refuse to help. "Dad....... but the police are supposed to help!" My son "They don't want to, son, because they say that it is not their place or your place to get involved and that you should stay out of it," my husband says. "But, Dad... he killed her!!" My son exclaims. "I know he did... but the police tell you to stay out of it. Now I want you to look out that window and pretend you see our neighbor who you're pretending is Saddam turn around and do the same thing to his children." "Daddy... he kills them?" "Yes, son, he does. What do you do?" "Well, if the police don't want to help, I will go and ask my next door neighbor to help me stop him," our son says. "Son, our next door neighbor sees what is happening and refuses to get involved as well. He refuses to open the door and help you stop him," my husband says. "But Dad, I NEED help!!! I can't stop him by myself!!" "WHAT DO YOU DO, SON?" Our son starts to cry. "OK, no one wants to help you, the man across the street saw you ask for help and saw that no one would help you stop him. He stands taller and puffs out his chest. Guess what he does next,son?" "What, Daddy?" "He walks across the street to the old lady's house and breaks down her door and drags her out, steals all her stuff and sets her house on fire and then... he kills her. He turns around and sees you standing in the window and laughs at you. WHAT DO YOU DO?" "Daddy...." "WHAT DO YOU DO?" Our son is crying and he looks down and he whispers, "I'd close the blinds, Daddy." My husband looks at our son with tears in his eyes and asks him."Why?" "Because, Daddy... the police are supposed to help people who need them... and they won't help...You always said neighbors are supposed to HELP neighbors, but they won't help either... they won't help me stop him...I'm afraid....I can't do it by myself, Daddy ...... I can't look out my window and just watch him do all these terrible things and do nothing ... so I'm just going to close the blinds ... so I can't see what he's doing . And I'm going to pretend that it is not happening." I start to cry. My husband looks at our nine-year-old son standing in the window, looking pitiful and ashamed at his answers to my husband's questions. He says...."Son....." "Yes, Daddy?" "Open the blinds, because that man...... he's at your front door..."WHAT DO YOU DO?" My son looks at his father, anger and defiance in his eyes. He balls up his tiny fists and looks his father square in the eyes, and without hesitation he says, "I DEFEND MY FAMILY DAD!!! I'M NOT GONNA LET HIM HURT MOMMY OR MY SISTER, DAD!!! I'M GONNA FIGHT HIM, DAD, I'M GONNA FIGHT HIIM!!!!!"I see a tear roll down my husband's cheek and he grabs our son to his chest and hugs him tight, and says...."It's too late to fight him, he's too strong, and he's already at YOUR front door, son... you should have stopped him BEFORE he killed his wife, and his children, and the old lady across the way. You have to do what's right, even if you have to do it alone, before it's too late," my husband whispers. "THAT scenario I just gave you is WHY we are at war with Iraq. When good men stand by and let evil happen, son, THAT is the greatest mistake, believing that the atrocities in the world won't affect them. "YOU MUST NEVER BE AFRAID TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT!EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO DO IT ALONE! BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! BE PROUD OF OUR TROOPS!! SUPPORT THEM!!!SUPPORT AMERICA SO THAT IN THE FUTURE OUR CHILDREN WILL NEVER HAVE TO CLOSE THEIR BLINDS..."
This should be printed in every newspaper and posted in every school in America. Of course, that won't happen. Spread the word about this story. Even put it into email and pass it on.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Lessons in Humility and The Smile of a Child
Last night I had the opportunity to truly make a fool out of myself. I knew this ahead of time, but I didn't know what a fool I would really be.
You may have read on a previous entry that I was going to dress up as an elf for our church's Christmas dinner and sing silly songs. Well, I did. However, It didn't go as planned. My brain completely froze and I couldn't remember any of the words. So in the middle of the Sugar Plum Fairy (to the tune of the Little Drummer Boy) I began singing I'm the Sugarplum and doing stupid little "ballet" kicks. The song ended and I thought things could only get better. Boy was I wrong. I forgot the words to the next song after the first line. I tried to play it up, but I was so embarrassed that I walked out of the room. This has never happened to me before and I hope it never happens again. I was so humiliated that I didn't know how to face the people in the room (there were about 80). Somehow, about 15 minutes before the end of the program, I managed to work up enough courage and go back to my seat at the table. I couldn't look anyone in the eye. I was having my own little pity party inside when a gentleman came over to me and said, "My wife and I have been having some problems lately and it was really nice to be able to have that to laugh at. There's only a handful of people in this room that could have put themselves out there like that and I thank you."
How humbling. I appreciated the comment, but as a performer I was still beating myself up and feeling very depressed.
When my wife got home with the kids (they were at the church and we were in separate cars) they kids were very loving and cuddly. They worked really hard to cheer me up. When I put Ava to bed, she wanted me to kiss her forehead, the top of her head, her cheeks her nose, etc. I complied and she returned the favor. Seeing her beautiful smile and hearing her giggle during our "kissing games" lifted my spirits. It's amazing how a child's smile can do that. They just look at you with bright eyes and a big smile and it melts your heart.
Another experience that I had today was one that, after last night, I didn't want to have. I woke up this morning still feeling pitiful and wanted to do nothing but stay in bed. But I made a commit to help out my father-in-laws ministry "Spice of Life" by feeding the homeless and passing out much needed supplies, like blankets, coats, batteries, clothes and the like. Reluctantly I went. Once I was there and got involved, I really began to feel less pity for myself and realize that worse things could happen in my life the failing as an elf. I could be living on the streets as these people were. To see them come and have some warm soup and sandwiches and walk away with bags full of clothes and supplies they need was very satisfying to my soul. It's amazing how giving of yourself can make you feel so good about yourself. It can lift your spirits out of the dumps.
While my ego is hurt and I'll be quite embarassed to go to church tomorrow, I'll be able to go knowing that I helped some people who were seriously in need.
You may have read on a previous entry that I was going to dress up as an elf for our church's Christmas dinner and sing silly songs. Well, I did. However, It didn't go as planned. My brain completely froze and I couldn't remember any of the words. So in the middle of the Sugar Plum Fairy (to the tune of the Little Drummer Boy) I began singing I'm the Sugarplum and doing stupid little "ballet" kicks. The song ended and I thought things could only get better. Boy was I wrong. I forgot the words to the next song after the first line. I tried to play it up, but I was so embarrassed that I walked out of the room. This has never happened to me before and I hope it never happens again. I was so humiliated that I didn't know how to face the people in the room (there were about 80). Somehow, about 15 minutes before the end of the program, I managed to work up enough courage and go back to my seat at the table. I couldn't look anyone in the eye. I was having my own little pity party inside when a gentleman came over to me and said, "My wife and I have been having some problems lately and it was really nice to be able to have that to laugh at. There's only a handful of people in this room that could have put themselves out there like that and I thank you."
How humbling. I appreciated the comment, but as a performer I was still beating myself up and feeling very depressed.
When my wife got home with the kids (they were at the church and we were in separate cars) they kids were very loving and cuddly. They worked really hard to cheer me up. When I put Ava to bed, she wanted me to kiss her forehead, the top of her head, her cheeks her nose, etc. I complied and she returned the favor. Seeing her beautiful smile and hearing her giggle during our "kissing games" lifted my spirits. It's amazing how a child's smile can do that. They just look at you with bright eyes and a big smile and it melts your heart.
Another experience that I had today was one that, after last night, I didn't want to have. I woke up this morning still feeling pitiful and wanted to do nothing but stay in bed. But I made a commit to help out my father-in-laws ministry "Spice of Life" by feeding the homeless and passing out much needed supplies, like blankets, coats, batteries, clothes and the like. Reluctantly I went. Once I was there and got involved, I really began to feel less pity for myself and realize that worse things could happen in my life the failing as an elf. I could be living on the streets as these people were. To see them come and have some warm soup and sandwiches and walk away with bags full of clothes and supplies they need was very satisfying to my soul. It's amazing how giving of yourself can make you feel so good about yourself. It can lift your spirits out of the dumps.
While my ego is hurt and I'll be quite embarassed to go to church tomorrow, I'll be able to go knowing that I helped some people who were seriously in need.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Lessons from the Torah
If any of you have ever read the Bible from cover to cover you know that the books of Exodus and Leviticus are not exactly the most exciting books to read. In fact, you probablly want to skip that part. Well due to the busyness of life I have been listening to the Bible on tape in my car during my 20 minute commute to and from work. I have finally finished the book of Exodus and am beginning the book of Leviticus. I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to hit fast forward or switch tape to a more interesting one. But I have learned one lesson while listening to these books. GOD CARES ABOUT DETAILS!!! As the Israelites were building the Tabernacle God gave them specific instruction on the size and color of the curtains, where bronze and gold should be used, and even the exact placement of the precious stones that were to be on Aaron's robe.
In Leviticus, God tells the Israelites exactly what and how they should make their sacrifices, right down to how to clean the animal to prepare it.
If God cares so much about these details, surely he must care about the details of our lives. I know that sometimes I find myself bringing "petty" things to God, but to God there are no petty things. He cares about them. He loves us that much that it doesn't matter what we bring to Him, He will listen to our prayers.
Another lesson I learned just today at church came from the story of Simeon when he met Jesus as a baby in the temple. The scripture in Luke 2 states that Simeon was eagerly expecting the birth of the Messiah. It also states that he was "filled with the Holy Spirit." This was approx. 34 years before Pentacost. Can you imagine knowing that the God was going to let you live to see the birth of the Messiah and that you were so righteous that God filled you with the Holy Spirit years before He filled anyone else? These days were are waiting on Christ to return to take us home with him. Are we eagerly expecting Him living righteous, spirit-filled lives, or are we living dull, hum-drum lives going through the day-to day routines of life? I know for me the latter is true. I am challenged by this message to eagerly await Christ's return and to devote myself to Him. Then maybe the pieces of my life that are so scatterd in places I can't seem to find will fall back into place.
In Leviticus, God tells the Israelites exactly what and how they should make their sacrifices, right down to how to clean the animal to prepare it.
If God cares so much about these details, surely he must care about the details of our lives. I know that sometimes I find myself bringing "petty" things to God, but to God there are no petty things. He cares about them. He loves us that much that it doesn't matter what we bring to Him, He will listen to our prayers.
Another lesson I learned just today at church came from the story of Simeon when he met Jesus as a baby in the temple. The scripture in Luke 2 states that Simeon was eagerly expecting the birth of the Messiah. It also states that he was "filled with the Holy Spirit." This was approx. 34 years before Pentacost. Can you imagine knowing that the God was going to let you live to see the birth of the Messiah and that you were so righteous that God filled you with the Holy Spirit years before He filled anyone else? These days were are waiting on Christ to return to take us home with him. Are we eagerly expecting Him living righteous, spirit-filled lives, or are we living dull, hum-drum lives going through the day-to day routines of life? I know for me the latter is true. I am challenged by this message to eagerly await Christ's return and to devote myself to Him. Then maybe the pieces of my life that are so scatterd in places I can't seem to find will fall back into place.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
It's been too long...
Hey all! It's been quite a while since I posted. It's been quite difficult to find the time to post, even just a few minutes. Home and work life keep me pretty busy. I'll try to be a more frequent poster.
So, life has been plugging along. Many of you know (and many of you don't) that I have bi-polar disorder (and ADD). This drastically affects every part of my life. Life is a cycle of ups and downs. Extreme highs and then pretty low lows. Right now is one of those down times. It's been really hard to get into the spirit of the holidays. Please pray that things will improve. I have a lot of work to do in life to conquer this disorder and not let it run my life. Please pray that the Lord will help me take control of the reigns.
So, on a brighter note I have a wonderful family. I have a beautiful wife and the two best looking, most adorable, beautiful children on the face of the earth!!! What more could a man ask for?
Many of you know what kind of idiot I can make of myself. Well, on December 15th I get to do it in front of a lot of people at our church. Most of them don't know me well enough to know this side of me and that I sing. Well are they in for a surprise!!!! I will be dressing like an elf and singing songs that are to the tune of popular Christmas songs but the words are rewritten to be hilarious. On example (the title only) is "Something in My Brother's Underpants" to the tune of Winter Wonderland!!! Another is "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" to the tune of the Little Drummer Boy. I'm going to put on a tutu and do "ballet" while singing the song!!! Hopefully I'll have some pictures to post after that.
Well, enough rambling. I should get back to work. I love to hear from you all.
Eric
So, life has been plugging along. Many of you know (and many of you don't) that I have bi-polar disorder (and ADD). This drastically affects every part of my life. Life is a cycle of ups and downs. Extreme highs and then pretty low lows. Right now is one of those down times. It's been really hard to get into the spirit of the holidays. Please pray that things will improve. I have a lot of work to do in life to conquer this disorder and not let it run my life. Please pray that the Lord will help me take control of the reigns.
So, on a brighter note I have a wonderful family. I have a beautiful wife and the two best looking, most adorable, beautiful children on the face of the earth!!! What more could a man ask for?
Many of you know what kind of idiot I can make of myself. Well, on December 15th I get to do it in front of a lot of people at our church. Most of them don't know me well enough to know this side of me and that I sing. Well are they in for a surprise!!!! I will be dressing like an elf and singing songs that are to the tune of popular Christmas songs but the words are rewritten to be hilarious. On example (the title only) is "Something in My Brother's Underpants" to the tune of Winter Wonderland!!! Another is "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" to the tune of the Little Drummer Boy. I'm going to put on a tutu and do "ballet" while singing the song!!! Hopefully I'll have some pictures to post after that.
Well, enough rambling. I should get back to work. I love to hear from you all.
Eric
Friday, November 17, 2006
Am I good, or what?
I totally called it on "Dancing with the Stars!!!" Emmitt won!!! Whoo hoo!
Now, I'm calling the OSU vs. Michigan game. OSU will win.
Enough said.
Now, I'm calling the OSU vs. Michigan game. OSU will win.
Enough said.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Go Emmit!!! Go Emmit!!!! Go, Go, Go Emmitt!!
Hey all you Dancing with the stars fans!!! I don't know about you, but I've made my decision about the champion. Emmitt has grown the most and has just been amazing. Mario is really good, but he is just too focused on his the moves and doesn't get emotionally into it.
As far as the freestyle dance goes, Emmitt's rocked the house!!! Mario's had the old school stuff, but it wasn't nearly as enjoyable as Emmitt's. I completely disagreed with the judges comments about Mario's freestyle.
Anyway, enough about Dancing with the Stars, and on to the real world.
This week has been a crazy week as my dad and I are moving our office. We are only moving across the hall, but it is an incredible mess. It looks as if the file cabinets threw up all over the office and then a whirl wind came through. :) And, to top it all off, we thought we had until the end of the month to get the move done, then someone told us that someone else was moving into our old office on the 23rd. So that added a little stress. But wait! It's gets better. The rental lady came in to drop off our new lease (which begins December 1) and said that they needed to do work on the old space before anyone can move in and we need to be out by the weekend. So, in addition to cleaning up the mess and all of our regular work, we must quickly pack up and move!!! Joy, Joy!!!!! But, Praise God for the new space!!!! It is 200 sq. ft. bigger than the old office! Some would say 200 sq ft more to clutter up, but I won't allow that to happen!!!! (I hope.) Please pray for this move!!!
Also, I am taking H&R Block's tax course and the final is the Wed before Thanksgiving. I've missed several classes due to work, etc. and I am about 4 chapters behind the rest of the class. So I have to catch up and move the office all in the same week. Please pray that this will happen as smoothly as possible.
I hope all is well with you all! Sorry to dump my load on you all. I just needed to vent!!!!
Have a great and splendiferous day!!
As far as the freestyle dance goes, Emmitt's rocked the house!!! Mario's had the old school stuff, but it wasn't nearly as enjoyable as Emmitt's. I completely disagreed with the judges comments about Mario's freestyle.
Anyway, enough about Dancing with the Stars, and on to the real world.
This week has been a crazy week as my dad and I are moving our office. We are only moving across the hall, but it is an incredible mess. It looks as if the file cabinets threw up all over the office and then a whirl wind came through. :) And, to top it all off, we thought we had until the end of the month to get the move done, then someone told us that someone else was moving into our old office on the 23rd. So that added a little stress. But wait! It's gets better. The rental lady came in to drop off our new lease (which begins December 1) and said that they needed to do work on the old space before anyone can move in and we need to be out by the weekend. So, in addition to cleaning up the mess and all of our regular work, we must quickly pack up and move!!! Joy, Joy!!!!! But, Praise God for the new space!!!! It is 200 sq. ft. bigger than the old office! Some would say 200 sq ft more to clutter up, but I won't allow that to happen!!!! (I hope.) Please pray for this move!!!
Also, I am taking H&R Block's tax course and the final is the Wed before Thanksgiving. I've missed several classes due to work, etc. and I am about 4 chapters behind the rest of the class. So I have to catch up and move the office all in the same week. Please pray that this will happen as smoothly as possible.
I hope all is well with you all! Sorry to dump my load on you all. I just needed to vent!!!!
Have a great and splendiferous day!!
Saturday, November 11, 2006
FAMILY...PRIORITIES
Hello again friends! Today has been a great day. Today I got the opportunity to spend the entire day at home with my kids. My wife is away this weekend at her parents house (who are out of town) getting some much needed mental, physical and spiritual R&R.
I realized how much I take my family for granted. Every morning when I leave for work Lukas stands at the door and yells "Bye Daddy!!! I love you! Have a good day at work!!" over and over and over and over until I drive out of sight. Every night I come home from work and they beg me to play with them, but I always seem to have something to do that seems to be a bigger priority. How foolish am I to think that anything (besides God) can be a bigger priority than my family.
I have also realized how much I love and miss my wife. Once again, I have taken her for granted as well. She also begs for my time as I put things before her. Now that she is gone for the weekend, I realize that nothing (again except God) should be a bigger priority than her. She is truly and amazing woman. I really don't know how she manages everything she does and puts up with a husband like me. She is truly a saint. She has to be to have stayed with me for 10 years. (friends, dating, and 8 1/2 years of marriage.) I miss her smile. Her blue eyes that grab your attention as you walk into a room. I could read her like a book, if only I would take the time to look into her eyes. Instead I busy myself with the worries of the day. I love her more than I love myself, but she'd never know from my actions. That's just it. Love is more than a feeling, it is an action. It is feeling put into action. I truly am sorry for the lack of action and all of the self-centeredness that rears its ugly head. My wife's life is devoted to raising our two children, homeschooling them and being wife (and it seems all too often, mother) to me. The way she poors her heart into everything she does for our children is another great part of her beauty. To watch her teach Lukas to read, or see her snuggle with Ava to read, it truly makes me reflect on what a blessed man I am. I could ask for no better family than I have. Thank you, God for giving them to me!!
Well, here I am being all dramatic, but it is truly the way I am feeling.
Until I write again, have a great and blessed day!
I realized how much I take my family for granted. Every morning when I leave for work Lukas stands at the door and yells "Bye Daddy!!! I love you! Have a good day at work!!" over and over and over and over until I drive out of sight. Every night I come home from work and they beg me to play with them, but I always seem to have something to do that seems to be a bigger priority. How foolish am I to think that anything (besides God) can be a bigger priority than my family.
I have also realized how much I love and miss my wife. Once again, I have taken her for granted as well. She also begs for my time as I put things before her. Now that she is gone for the weekend, I realize that nothing (again except God) should be a bigger priority than her. She is truly and amazing woman. I really don't know how she manages everything she does and puts up with a husband like me. She is truly a saint. She has to be to have stayed with me for 10 years. (friends, dating, and 8 1/2 years of marriage.) I miss her smile. Her blue eyes that grab your attention as you walk into a room. I could read her like a book, if only I would take the time to look into her eyes. Instead I busy myself with the worries of the day. I love her more than I love myself, but she'd never know from my actions. That's just it. Love is more than a feeling, it is an action. It is feeling put into action. I truly am sorry for the lack of action and all of the self-centeredness that rears its ugly head. My wife's life is devoted to raising our two children, homeschooling them and being wife (and it seems all too often, mother) to me. The way she poors her heart into everything she does for our children is another great part of her beauty. To watch her teach Lukas to read, or see her snuggle with Ava to read, it truly makes me reflect on what a blessed man I am. I could ask for no better family than I have. Thank you, God for giving them to me!!
Well, here I am being all dramatic, but it is truly the way I am feeling.
Until I write again, have a great and blessed day!
Friday, November 10, 2006
IT'S ABOUT STINKIN' TIME!
Hello all!!! I have finally managed to post a second time, only most of you didn't know there was a first time because I only showed it to my wife. How dumb is that!!!!
Well anyway, I just wanted to let you all know that I do exist in the world of blogging and I am looking forward to reconnecting with all of you through this wonderful and fascinating thing we call blogging!!!
I love to get comments, so if you visit, you better leave a comment!!!!
Blog On!!!!!
Eric
Well anyway, I just wanted to let you all know that I do exist in the world of blogging and I am looking forward to reconnecting with all of you through this wonderful and fascinating thing we call blogging!!!
I love to get comments, so if you visit, you better leave a comment!!!!
Blog On!!!!!
Eric
Monday, October 23, 2006
WELCOME!!!!!!
Welcome one and all to Eric's World! I am finally entering the world of blogging. My wife entered it originally as a family blog, but it ended up as pretty much hers, which is ok. So I thought I would start my own.
Here in my world I may spew words about my day that don't have a lot of meaning, but I may from time to time actually share something from the heart, presuming I have one.:)
I hope that you all enjoy my blog! I will look forward to hearing from you all!
Eric
Here in my world I may spew words about my day that don't have a lot of meaning, but I may from time to time actually share something from the heart, presuming I have one.:)
I hope that you all enjoy my blog! I will look forward to hearing from you all!
Eric
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