What an incredible thing the gospel writers record Jesus as having said, as he was being put up on the cross: "forgive them." Jesus asked that the people who were causing his life on earth to end to be forgiven. Jesus, it seems, realizes that the people who were doing this did not realize what they are actually doing. That is really powerful stuff.
It is difficult enough for me to try to forgive someone who does something small against me, even when they ask for forgiveness. To ask forgiveness be given to people who are causing someone to die . . . that's just unfathomable.
Nevertheless, followers of Christ are given an example, a goal of what to shoot for. So, we are to forgive.
To forgive when someone seriously harms and/or abuses our son or our daughter . . . to forgive when we are unfairly not offered a job or a promotion . . . to forgive when people would rather talk behind our backs than talk to our faces . . . to forgive when someone's words are offensive and full of bigotry and hate . . . and to forgive when the one who has wronged us neither realizes it nor asks for forgiveness.
Can we forgive in these sorts of instances, and in all things? I don't know. Perhaps a good first step, especially in the most difficult of circumstances, is to just not lash out in anger, or in rage, or in jealousy, or in spite. If we can try to wrap our heads around that, then we are on the path of forgiveness.
We must also come to understand that forgiveness is not just something we are to extend to others. We must extend it to ourselves, too. So, "forgive them" also becomes "forgive myself."
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Honey Badger Maybe Making Amends?
I was impressed to read about the latest twist from the story of the Honey Badger, former LSU cornerback, Tyrann Mathieu. Mathieu is an incredible football talent that has had trouble with substance abuse, among other things. His university, or the coaching staff, anyway, finally had enough and kicked him off the team, a fairly shocking thing to do considering how much of a blow to the team it will be.
Most people expected Mathieu to transfer to another school, possibly McNeese State, and play football elsewhere. The part of the story that I am impressed with is that he is, reportedly, considering staying at LSU, paying his own way through school this year, to get his life on track and prove to the football team, especially, I assume, Les Miles, that he is worthy of another shot:
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8264350/tyrann-mathieu-interest-staying-lsu-sources-say
You don't hear stories like this much in sports. You hear stories of things going wrong, sure. But you do not generally hearing athletes saying they messed up and then trying to do something about it.
Charles Barkley was correct when he said that athletes are not role models. But, nonetheless, kids, and even adults, look up to them. So when you hear of something like this, you want to applaud and pat Mathieu on the back.
Most people expected Mathieu to transfer to another school, possibly McNeese State, and play football elsewhere. The part of the story that I am impressed with is that he is, reportedly, considering staying at LSU, paying his own way through school this year, to get his life on track and prove to the football team, especially, I assume, Les Miles, that he is worthy of another shot:
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8264350/tyrann-mathieu-interest-staying-lsu-sources-say
You don't hear stories like this much in sports. You hear stories of things going wrong, sure. But you do not generally hearing athletes saying they messed up and then trying to do something about it.
Charles Barkley was correct when he said that athletes are not role models. But, nonetheless, kids, and even adults, look up to them. So when you hear of something like this, you want to applaud and pat Mathieu on the back.
The Christian Thing to Do
I have heard that phrase, I guess, all my life: "the Christian thing to do." It's an interesting one. What does it really mean? Sure, I know what most people mean when they say it. They are usually referring to what they ought to do: they ought not make fun of someone, they ought to go help their neighbor, etc.
But when you stop and think about it, and sort of dissect it, what does it really mean?
For instance, is the Christian thing to do to support the death penalty or to oppose it? Is the Christian thing to do to go eat at Chick-Fil-A on a certain day or to not support them at all with your money? Is the Christian thing to do to not oppose legislation that benefits people who are homosexual or to "hate the sin but love the sinner?" Is the Christian thing to do to support nonviolent protests or to picket injustice with posters and screaming? Is the Christian thing to do to be pro-life or pro-choice?
(And while we're at it, maybe the Christian thing to do is to quit using labels. Neither of those aforementioned labels truly encapsulate people who might line up with that way of thinking . . . nor do those labels make any sense. "Pro-life" does not mean that one necessarily supports legislation that denies death in all cases, be it abortion, criminals, etc. "Pro-choice" does not mean that one necessarily supports legislation that upholds one's choice in all cases, be it abortion, right to health care, etc.)
"The Christian Thing to Do." The Christian thing to do is to love one another. Beyond that, it looks like it's pretty stinkin' hard to nail down exactly what the Christian thing to do is, at all times, in all instances. The reality is most people fall in-between the sides listed above. . . . because there's a wide variety of how Christians view things and believe. And that's a good thing.
But when you stop and think about it, and sort of dissect it, what does it really mean?
For instance, is the Christian thing to do to support the death penalty or to oppose it? Is the Christian thing to do to go eat at Chick-Fil-A on a certain day or to not support them at all with your money? Is the Christian thing to do to not oppose legislation that benefits people who are homosexual or to "hate the sin but love the sinner?" Is the Christian thing to do to support nonviolent protests or to picket injustice with posters and screaming? Is the Christian thing to do to be pro-life or pro-choice?
(And while we're at it, maybe the Christian thing to do is to quit using labels. Neither of those aforementioned labels truly encapsulate people who might line up with that way of thinking . . . nor do those labels make any sense. "Pro-life" does not mean that one necessarily supports legislation that denies death in all cases, be it abortion, criminals, etc. "Pro-choice" does not mean that one necessarily supports legislation that upholds one's choice in all cases, be it abortion, right to health care, etc.)
"The Christian Thing to Do." The Christian thing to do is to love one another. Beyond that, it looks like it's pretty stinkin' hard to nail down exactly what the Christian thing to do is, at all times, in all instances. The reality is most people fall in-between the sides listed above. . . . because there's a wide variety of how Christians view things and believe. And that's a good thing.
Monday, August 13, 2012
The Black Sheep of the Family
I remember a song from my childhood by country music artist, John Anderson. The title is, Black Sheep. In it, Anderson sings about being the black sheep of his family. I remember thinking the song was fun, because of Anderson's deep voice. I also remember not knowing what in the heck he was talking about by being the "black sheep." Remember, I was a kid.
As I have grown older, I came to understand what being the black sheep of one's family, or social grouping, means. I understand that sometimes we, or sometimes we become, make others the butt of our jokes or derision as we take out our own fears and limitations upon others who might be a little different than us or everyone else. It's too bad. Too bad especially for the one going through that.
I listened to a Sklarbro Country podcast episode yesterday. Normally, they have a comedian on in which they talk about sports, comedy, pop culture, etc. Yesterday, they had Richard Simmons on. Yes, that's right, Richard Simmons. They met him on a plane ride; and he agreed to come on their show. This particular episode was a complete departure from anything they had done in their over one hundred episodes to date.
The guy is crazy, in a good way. He is, as they described him, "the mayor of wherever he is at." I had kind of always thought the guy was a bit strange, myself. But after having spent over an hour with him yesterday, I have a whole new appreciation for him.
One of the more interesting things I learned about Simmons is that he never does anything socially. He says that he never goes to parties, get-togethers, etc. He has not been to someone else's house in over seven years; and he rarely has people over to his house, except for meetings. Besides doing work at his workout studio, he spends most of his time at home, with his housekeepers and his dog.
The main reason for this, he said, is because he still remembers being made fun of and being the black sheep as a kid, in school. School, particularly elementary school, was not kind to Simmons, as I can only imagine. Simmons is unique, in many different ways. The scars he bore from his childhood are still with him to this day; and they keep him from doing much of anything in social situations.
That's horrible. The bullying and abuse Richard Simmons received as a kid keeps this incredibly famous person from ever going out because he's afraid it might still happen to him.
We need to remember things like that when we are tempted to make fun of someone. We need to remember things like that when we, ourselves, are the butt of other people's jokes. And we need to remember things like that when we have the chance or the opportunity to stand up for someone, especially the opportunity to do something about the awful epidemic of bullying in schools.
As I have grown older, I came to understand what being the black sheep of one's family, or social grouping, means. I understand that sometimes we, or sometimes we become, make others the butt of our jokes or derision as we take out our own fears and limitations upon others who might be a little different than us or everyone else. It's too bad. Too bad especially for the one going through that.
I listened to a Sklarbro Country podcast episode yesterday. Normally, they have a comedian on in which they talk about sports, comedy, pop culture, etc. Yesterday, they had Richard Simmons on. Yes, that's right, Richard Simmons. They met him on a plane ride; and he agreed to come on their show. This particular episode was a complete departure from anything they had done in their over one hundred episodes to date.
The guy is crazy, in a good way. He is, as they described him, "the mayor of wherever he is at." I had kind of always thought the guy was a bit strange, myself. But after having spent over an hour with him yesterday, I have a whole new appreciation for him.
One of the more interesting things I learned about Simmons is that he never does anything socially. He says that he never goes to parties, get-togethers, etc. He has not been to someone else's house in over seven years; and he rarely has people over to his house, except for meetings. Besides doing work at his workout studio, he spends most of his time at home, with his housekeepers and his dog.
The main reason for this, he said, is because he still remembers being made fun of and being the black sheep as a kid, in school. School, particularly elementary school, was not kind to Simmons, as I can only imagine. Simmons is unique, in many different ways. The scars he bore from his childhood are still with him to this day; and they keep him from doing much of anything in social situations.
That's horrible. The bullying and abuse Richard Simmons received as a kid keeps this incredibly famous person from ever going out because he's afraid it might still happen to him.
We need to remember things like that when we are tempted to make fun of someone. We need to remember things like that when we, ourselves, are the butt of other people's jokes. And we need to remember things like that when we have the chance or the opportunity to stand up for someone, especially the opportunity to do something about the awful epidemic of bullying in schools.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Thank you, David
I preached at a church in Houston this morning. They did a really cool thing to begin the service. They started off with announcements, getting that done before the service actually begins. While this happened, the choir and worship leaders stepped inside the sanctuary, at the back.
Then the first hymn started and the choir/leaders stepped into the foyer in the back. As the first verse began, we all walked down the middle aisle together, as a sort of processional, signaling the beginning of worship. At the chorus, we all stopped halfway up, sang the chorus, then when the second verse began, and we all walked up on the stage.
That was really cool, I thought.
As I walked into the church this morning, the person waiting for me was there. After we met, we walked into the church to get things ready for the service; and he slyly fixed my suit coat collar. I seem to always have it flipping up. And he, without a word, fixed it for me.
I really appreciated that. Saved me lots of awkward moments and probably some embarrassment when I met the other members of the church later. It was a small thing, done without notice or words.
We have people in our lives who do big, great things for us. Maybe they offer us big-time advice at some point or maybe they make something happen in our lives. But we don't need to forget the Davids in our lives who, in the background, do the small things that make a big difference.
Then the first hymn started and the choir/leaders stepped into the foyer in the back. As the first verse began, we all walked down the middle aisle together, as a sort of processional, signaling the beginning of worship. At the chorus, we all stopped halfway up, sang the chorus, then when the second verse began, and we all walked up on the stage.
That was really cool, I thought.
As I walked into the church this morning, the person waiting for me was there. After we met, we walked into the church to get things ready for the service; and he slyly fixed my suit coat collar. I seem to always have it flipping up. And he, without a word, fixed it for me.
I really appreciated that. Saved me lots of awkward moments and probably some embarrassment when I met the other members of the church later. It was a small thing, done without notice or words.
We have people in our lives who do big, great things for us. Maybe they offer us big-time advice at some point or maybe they make something happen in our lives. But we don't need to forget the Davids in our lives who, in the background, do the small things that make a big difference.
". . .," nobody says, ever.
I like this new phrase that I'm starting to see in social media, pop culture, etc. It works well with so many things, like: "I could take Chuck Norris down with no problem," nobody says, ever. "I love how the Rangers won it all last year," nobody says, ever. "Brian Edwards is the coolest person on the planet," nobody . . . well, wait that might be said.
I have been on church staffs as a student minister for eleven years. I felt that because of that and because I was around young people a good bit, I had a pretty decent handle on pop culture, new music, movies, etc. But having not been a student minister for the last year, it seems that I have had to look to other things to gauge a sense of what's in and what's out.
Twitter has helped with that. Keeping posts to less than 140 characters is just right. You can get your point across without being too wordy. So you can do things like "nobody says, ever" well.
And speaking of that phrase, I see a new trend starting within the trend of this phrase. It should be ". . .," nobody says, ever. NOT ". . .," Nobody says. Ever. or NOT ". . .," Nobody. Says. Ever.
I am not at all a fan of this new thing where people put a period after every word in a sentence to give it emphasis. Don't do that. I don't have like a big moral or ethical reasoning for saying this. I just don't like it. It. Bothers. Me. Greatly. Because. I. Really. Really. Really. Really. Don't. Like. It.
See what I mean?
I have been on church staffs as a student minister for eleven years. I felt that because of that and because I was around young people a good bit, I had a pretty decent handle on pop culture, new music, movies, etc. But having not been a student minister for the last year, it seems that I have had to look to other things to gauge a sense of what's in and what's out.
Twitter has helped with that. Keeping posts to less than 140 characters is just right. You can get your point across without being too wordy. So you can do things like "nobody says, ever" well.
And speaking of that phrase, I see a new trend starting within the trend of this phrase. It should be ". . .," nobody says, ever. NOT ". . .," Nobody says. Ever. or NOT ". . .," Nobody. Says. Ever.
I am not at all a fan of this new thing where people put a period after every word in a sentence to give it emphasis. Don't do that. I don't have like a big moral or ethical reasoning for saying this. I just don't like it. It. Bothers. Me. Greatly. Because. I. Really. Really. Really. Really. Don't. Like. It.
See what I mean?
Saturday, August 11, 2012
The Best American Ever
One of the catch-phrases for the new movie that's out, The Campaign (the Will Ferrell/Zach G. movie), is: "You know who the best American ever is? Jesus."
That's funny. So funny it's sad. Because a whole lot of Americans believe that. Too bad it's so incredibly incorrect (not to mention, wrong, on so many levels).
That reminds me of the Talladega Nights scene. You know the one: eight pound six ounce Baby Jesus. This one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6AlEYreD6k
We like to think of Jesus in terms that we like, be it baby Jesus, grown-up Jesus, teenage Jesus, bearded Jesus, in a tuxedo t-shirt, as a Republican, as a Democrat, or as an American.
These terms are our own, not Jesus'. To be impacted by the incredible, life-changing, upside-down story of Jesus, we have to let the story impact us, not the other way around.
If we don't and are not careful and mindful of this, our Jesus can have giant eagles wings, singing lead vocals for Lynyrd Skynyrd or our Jesus can justify any wrong or atrocity that we commit against other people . . . or worse.
Seems to me that Will Ferrell, with his ways of showing us who we really are and how we really act, makes for a pretty good American . . . and not too bad of a prophet.
That's funny. So funny it's sad. Because a whole lot of Americans believe that. Too bad it's so incredibly incorrect (not to mention, wrong, on so many levels).
That reminds me of the Talladega Nights scene. You know the one: eight pound six ounce Baby Jesus. This one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6AlEYreD6k
We like to think of Jesus in terms that we like, be it baby Jesus, grown-up Jesus, teenage Jesus, bearded Jesus, in a tuxedo t-shirt, as a Republican, as a Democrat, or as an American.
These terms are our own, not Jesus'. To be impacted by the incredible, life-changing, upside-down story of Jesus, we have to let the story impact us, not the other way around.
If we don't and are not careful and mindful of this, our Jesus can have giant eagles wings, singing lead vocals for Lynyrd Skynyrd or our Jesus can justify any wrong or atrocity that we commit against other people . . . or worse.
Seems to me that Will Ferrell, with his ways of showing us who we really are and how we really act, makes for a pretty good American . . . and not too bad of a prophet.
A Story With a Good Ending
I guess I'm pretty cynical. No, I know I'm pretty cynical (just asks anyone that knows me).
I really enjoy watching a movie that does not have a good ending. Does that make me a bad person? Not sure. But I know that I have seen hundreds upon hundreds, if not thousands, of movies in my lifetime. I'm no Gene Siskel. But I have seen my share of movies.
I have seen enough to guess how most movies will end. The good person will eventually win out. The bad person will get what's coming to them. So when you have been set up for that ending, over time, it's sort of novel, sort of unique to watch something that doesn't end how you expect it will, something that surprises you.
The truth, I think, is that deep down we all want good endings to movies (even me, deep down). We want the good person to win, the bad person to lose . . . because that's how we want it to be in our lives. Our lives are like movie scripts (or is the other way around??). We have good stuff happen to us and plenty of not so good stuff mixed in, too. We hope that everything turns out in the end . . . like most movies do.
That's why, I believe, so many people are drawn to the story of God, particularly the whole Jesus part. It has a good ending. And I do not mean the Get Out of Jail Free Card that modern Christianity seems to be so enamorated with. There's more to the story of God than what we conjecture will play out after our earthly lives are over. Much, much, much, much more.
That's because God's story is still unfolding, it's still being acted out. It seems to me that God is very, incredibly interested in what's going on in our world. Not necessarily like a white-bearded old man ready to zap us when we do wrong. Actually, nothing like that at all (though many famous preachers and ministers might have you believe that).
Through the good story of Jesus, we see that God wants us all at the table. The rich, the poor, the fortunate in life, the unfortunate in life, the successful, the unsuccessful, men, women, Jew, Greek, slave, free, _____ (insert ANY other barrier that we have humans have come up with). God wants us all there. God likes us. God thinks good of us. God loves us. We're good enough, we're smart enough . . . you know the rest.
That's one thing (one very important, huge, gigantic) thing that the story of Jesus shows us. God is for us (not against us). I feel as though I'm rambling. So here it is: we find victory in Jesus when we live like Jesus. When we help bring others to the table, particularly the lonely, the hurting, the vulnerable (in other words, all of us). When we do that, our stories can't help but end GOOD. When we live like that, our lives are good . . . and the ending will be pretty darn good. Trust me, it will be. Or better yet, trust God.
I really enjoy watching a movie that does not have a good ending. Does that make me a bad person? Not sure. But I know that I have seen hundreds upon hundreds, if not thousands, of movies in my lifetime. I'm no Gene Siskel. But I have seen my share of movies.
I have seen enough to guess how most movies will end. The good person will eventually win out. The bad person will get what's coming to them. So when you have been set up for that ending, over time, it's sort of novel, sort of unique to watch something that doesn't end how you expect it will, something that surprises you.
The truth, I think, is that deep down we all want good endings to movies (even me, deep down). We want the good person to win, the bad person to lose . . . because that's how we want it to be in our lives. Our lives are like movie scripts (or is the other way around??). We have good stuff happen to us and plenty of not so good stuff mixed in, too. We hope that everything turns out in the end . . . like most movies do.
That's why, I believe, so many people are drawn to the story of God, particularly the whole Jesus part. It has a good ending. And I do not mean the Get Out of Jail Free Card that modern Christianity seems to be so enamorated with. There's more to the story of God than what we conjecture will play out after our earthly lives are over. Much, much, much, much more.
That's because God's story is still unfolding, it's still being acted out. It seems to me that God is very, incredibly interested in what's going on in our world. Not necessarily like a white-bearded old man ready to zap us when we do wrong. Actually, nothing like that at all (though many famous preachers and ministers might have you believe that).
Through the good story of Jesus, we see that God wants us all at the table. The rich, the poor, the fortunate in life, the unfortunate in life, the successful, the unsuccessful, men, women, Jew, Greek, slave, free, _____ (insert ANY other barrier that we have humans have come up with). God wants us all there. God likes us. God thinks good of us. God loves us. We're good enough, we're smart enough . . . you know the rest.
That's one thing (one very important, huge, gigantic) thing that the story of Jesus shows us. God is for us (not against us). I feel as though I'm rambling. So here it is: we find victory in Jesus when we live like Jesus. When we help bring others to the table, particularly the lonely, the hurting, the vulnerable (in other words, all of us). When we do that, our stories can't help but end GOOD. When we live like that, our lives are good . . . and the ending will be pretty darn good. Trust me, it will be. Or better yet, trust God.
Friday, August 10, 2012
You're Never Really Laughing If You're Never Really Crying
You probably woke up this morning and thought to yourself: "I want to find a new artist to listen to." Well you're in luck.
I highly recommend our friend, Dylan Sneed, to you:
http://about.me/dylansneedmusic
http://www.myspace.com/dylansneed
Dylan has been described as a mix between Bob Dylan & Townes Van Zandt. I haven't heard a lot of Townes Van Zandt. But he's definitely some Bob Dylan . . . maybe some Ryan Adams . . . and just really good stuff. A rockin' folky singer.
Anyway, he's good. You should check him out.
I was listening to a song of his this morning, called Selfish Boy. There's a line in the song that says: "You're never really laughing if you're never really crying." I think that's great. We can't really laugh, and experience the good things that we want to in life, if we never cry, and experience that stuff that we don't necessarily want to in life. At least that's my take on it. Life is about the full range of emotions. And to really experience life, we have to be open to all of it . . . and not push down the stuff we don't want to deal with.
Easier said than done. But Dylan has some wisdom in his lyrics. There's a real maturity to them. And what I really appreciate is that his lyrics are impacted by his faith and spirituality . . . but he's not pushy or showy with it. It seems to me that his faith has helped make him who he is. And that just sort of comes through, seeps out in his lyrics.
Seems to be much more genuine and much more real than many of the so-called "Christian" songwriters and singers, in the Christian music industry. In my opinion, many of the lyrics of songs in that subculture are pretty shallow and have "theological holes" all in them. That's not to brand everyone doing that stuff that way . . . but there's a good bit out there that's just plain not good.
Dylan does not seem at all, from my perspective anyway, to want to be labeled by any terms like that. He seems to be a singer/songwriter, doing his thing. That sure seems to be a better way of doing things to me. But then again I'm biased. But anyway, he's good. Check him out.
I highly recommend our friend, Dylan Sneed, to you:
http://about.me/dylansneedmusic
http://www.myspace.com/dylansneed
Dylan has been described as a mix between Bob Dylan & Townes Van Zandt. I haven't heard a lot of Townes Van Zandt. But he's definitely some Bob Dylan . . . maybe some Ryan Adams . . . and just really good stuff. A rockin' folky singer.
Anyway, he's good. You should check him out.
I was listening to a song of his this morning, called Selfish Boy. There's a line in the song that says: "You're never really laughing if you're never really crying." I think that's great. We can't really laugh, and experience the good things that we want to in life, if we never cry, and experience that stuff that we don't necessarily want to in life. At least that's my take on it. Life is about the full range of emotions. And to really experience life, we have to be open to all of it . . . and not push down the stuff we don't want to deal with.
Easier said than done. But Dylan has some wisdom in his lyrics. There's a real maturity to them. And what I really appreciate is that his lyrics are impacted by his faith and spirituality . . . but he's not pushy or showy with it. It seems to me that his faith has helped make him who he is. And that just sort of comes through, seeps out in his lyrics.
Seems to be much more genuine and much more real than many of the so-called "Christian" songwriters and singers, in the Christian music industry. In my opinion, many of the lyrics of songs in that subculture are pretty shallow and have "theological holes" all in them. That's not to brand everyone doing that stuff that way . . . but there's a good bit out there that's just plain not good.
Dylan does not seem at all, from my perspective anyway, to want to be labeled by any terms like that. He seems to be a singer/songwriter, doing his thing. That sure seems to be a better way of doing things to me. But then again I'm biased. But anyway, he's good. Check him out.
A Good Time Was Had By All
Small-town newspapers are great. You can find all sorts of nuggets of awesomeness in there.
Growing up, our small-town newspaper had reports from even smaller towns that were in the surrounding area. People from those communities would write a few paragraphs about what had been going on: whose relatives had come in, family reunions, vacations, particularly good crops, etc.
One particular community had a woman wrote the weekly report for her community for years. Whenever a specific story dealt with a number of people doing something together, she would almost always finish it with the phrase: "And a good time was had by all."
That phrase has stuck with me through the years. That is normally our goal whenever we, along with others, come together to do something: whether it's a family reunion, a trip somewhere, going to a ballgame, whatever it may be. For various reasons, this does not always happen. But when it does, we can rejoice that a good time was had by all.
Come to think of it, that would be a pretty good way to be remembered, once our time here is up. If we helped others have a good time, enjoy themselves, better themselves, help them understand who they truly are, deep down, that'd be an allright way to be thought of. Perhaps we can shoot for having that phrase on our tombstone: "A Good Time Was Had By All."
Growing up, our small-town newspaper had reports from even smaller towns that were in the surrounding area. People from those communities would write a few paragraphs about what had been going on: whose relatives had come in, family reunions, vacations, particularly good crops, etc.
One particular community had a woman wrote the weekly report for her community for years. Whenever a specific story dealt with a number of people doing something together, she would almost always finish it with the phrase: "And a good time was had by all."
That phrase has stuck with me through the years. That is normally our goal whenever we, along with others, come together to do something: whether it's a family reunion, a trip somewhere, going to a ballgame, whatever it may be. For various reasons, this does not always happen. But when it does, we can rejoice that a good time was had by all.
Come to think of it, that would be a pretty good way to be remembered, once our time here is up. If we helped others have a good time, enjoy themselves, better themselves, help them understand who they truly are, deep down, that'd be an allright way to be thought of. Perhaps we can shoot for having that phrase on our tombstone: "A Good Time Was Had By All."
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