Life is Not About Things
Papa Silverfiddle gave me a copy of Pastor Rick Warren's Purpose Drive Life. I know, he's built up an entire money-making industry, he gave an invocation at Obama's inauguration, yadda yadda, yadda...
The man has written a very good book that makes a Christian think, and I'm not even an evangelical. It got me thinking about where my life would be without those people who have helped me, shaped me, and seen me to the successful place in my life that I now enjoy.
It's Not About Me
I grew up in a Mayberry RFD kind of existence. We ran around and played all day, and if you got into mischief, your parents would know about it before you got home. My young life was full of uncles who taught me how to shoot, build bicycles and work on engines. Grandpas who taught me how to build things, clear brush and chop firewood. I learned the value of hard work from these great men.
I thank God for Papa Silverfiddle pushing me into the Air Force at the tender age of 17. I had plans to go to California and become a rock star, but he was having none of that. Without his guiding hand, I more than likely would have turned into a worthless hometown bum.
Tech Sergeant Hess taught me everything I needed to know about life in the Air Force. His guidance laid the foundation for a pretty successful career. Captain Blake is the man who challenged me to get my bachelors degree. I was lazy, and I talked about it a lot but took no action. One day he got in my face and poked me in the chest, telling me in effect to sh*t or get off the pot. Enroll in a degree program, get to class, or stop talking about it! Five years later I received a Bachelor of Science from the University of New York.
My wife (a common story among men) pulled me off of a bad and twisted road and showed me what true unselfish love was really all about. The kids came along and I shed more of my cynicism and selfishness.
John, a trusted older friend, challenged me to aim higher in my job search when I retired from the Air Force. The job positions he recommended looked so daunting, but I went for it and landed something good, and at a higher salary range than I had thought possible.
My parents first, and later helpful friends and mentors, taught me the value of frugality and budgeting and warned me about the siren song of "easy" credit.
None of us got where we are on our own
Thanks to all these people, I have a wonderful family, a modest but nice home in a quiet working class neighborhood, and a well-paying job for a man of my modest education.
I have a clean conscience, a clean record, and owe nothing but a small monthly house payment. We're healthy and happy and we know how to take the good with the bad, and we enjoy life's little pleasures.
God may not bless me with a new pickup, but I thank Him all the same.
