I hope and trust this post finds you having a great day as the beautiful, fresh, new day dawns! I can't say bright as the sun has yet to shine this month on the Gulf Coast!!!
Wow! It has been 4 weeks since my last Happy Friday. The last month has been a complete blur...and pretty exhausting.
- On December 23rd I worked half a day, picked up the family, hopped in the car and drove 16 straight hours to Arizona. We arrived at 4:00 a.m. on Christmas Eve morning. The drive was awesome. The Haslam 5 talked, laughed, fought...we were a family. I cherish those times.
- The next week was a blur of family, friends & football. There were so many great conversations, it was great to see family & friends we hadn't seen in months...a truly blessed time.
- New Years Eve was a blast. My Beautiful Bride was asleep by 9:00 p.m., Payton was with his precious girlfriend and their friends, Gehrig was with his buddies...this left me and Landry to ring in the new year. I had no idea what was in store for me. Yes Friends, that was Landry & I running up and down the street at midnight with sparklers in hand. Yes, that was also us running to the park, to the next street over, to the end of the street...you get the idea, to get a better view of the fireworks we could hear but could not quite see good enough.
- New Years Day was filled with football & naps...I love those naps! (yes, multiple!) :)
- January 2nd I was awakened a little before 6:00 a.m. by my cell phone ringing. I had left it in the living room and I could hear it from the room where my Bride and I were sleeping. I jumped up and ran to the phone. I got there in time to see it was my Mom calling however I did not answer it in time. I picked up my phone and headed back to the room. Just as I got to the room Kath's phone started ringing. It was my Mom...somethings wrong. Kath answered the phone and we learned that my Mom's husband Dennis had passed away late at night on New Years Day. A wave of emotions...
- The initial plan was for me to go out to the house we own in Arizona, do the yard work I had to get done, come back to get Kathy & the boys and head to Mom's. As Payton and I drove out to do the yard work we learned that a bad winter storm was moving into New Mexico where my Mom lives. The plan was changed to us driving back to Texas the next day and then going to see Mom.
- Another 16+ hour straight drive. We got back home a little after 2:00 a.m. I got some sleep on Sunday and then flew to New Mexico to be with my Mom last Monday.
- My Mom & I had a truly remarkable time last week. I was able to get some things done for her around the house and we talked & talked & talked. I cherish those talks.
- Last Saturday I had the honor & privilege of officiating the memorial service for Dennis Davis. It was a truly special day. After much prayer I knew that the message that would be delivered was God's message.
- A couple hours after the service Kath, the boys & I hopped back in the car - they had driven to New Mexico on Thursday - and began the drive back home. We drove about 5 hours Saturday and then drove the remaining 7 hours on Sunday. We got home in time for Payton to see the 4th quarter of his beloved Packers win - the rules say it wasn't a catch by the way!
- It was back to work Monday and now, here I am! :)
Here is the thing I really want to talk about this morning.
- Did you know that your life has meaning, a purpose for which you have been perfectly equipped to complete? Hebrews 12:1 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,"
- Race = Purpose
- Marked out for us = Indicating that it is all set up. The purpose is clear and you are equipped. God would not ask you to do something that you cannot do with Him...the key is with Him.
- The very next verse begins, "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
- On January 1, 2015 Dennis Davis completed his race. As God revealed to us at his service, there are three great lessons to be gleaned from his life:
- We are all different. The key is, what do we do with those differences? Do we love people and embrace them for who they are? Or do we use differences as an excuse to ignore them and to treat them poorly? Romans 12:10, "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
- Dennis truly epitomized "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." How did he do it? Philippians 4: 6 - 7 tells us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
- Dennis was a master craftsman...dude could straight build anything! He used this gift to serve others, to help others as they run their races. 1 Peter 4: 10 tells us, " Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
- On January 4, 2015, Stuart Scott, a beloved sportscaster and anchor on ESPN, completed his race. In July Stuart was honored at the ESPY awards. He said in part,
- "When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and the manner in which you live."
- I completely understand and get Stuarts point however I think his incredible, God-inspired words of wisdom could, should, be stated more broadly.
- In honor of Stuart I would say this, "When you die, it doesn't mean you lose. You win by how you live, why you live and the manner in which you live."
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your families. I will always help you any way I can.
Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families.
Kev
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