Reminders

If you follow the Atlanta Braves, or Major League Baseball for that matter, you probably heard that outfielder Jeff Francoeur was sent down to the minors last week to the Double-A Mississippi Braves.

Francoeur has been mired in a brutal slump, and is all out of whack. He has changed his batting stance a couple of times, and had even started growing a beard (often a sign of a player who is in a slump - they refuse to shave until they get out of it).

Over these past few weeks, Francoeur has been taking some poor hacks at pitches nowhere near the strike zone. This is exactly the type of hitter that opposing pitchers love to face. The pitcher has the upper-hand because the hitter has absolutely no confidence. And, worse, the hitter is desperate to get a base knock and hopefully shake the funk off his swing - so he swings at everything!

Seeing that Francoeur's troubles were getting worse by the day, the Braves optioned him to Double-A, where the outfielder last played in 2005, before being called up in August that season. I'm sure he hoped to never go back.

Nonetheless, Francoeur spent a whopping three days in Mississippi, and proceeded to go 7-for-13, including a 4-for-5 performance on Sunday. I heard this afternoon that the Braves have recalled Francoeur, and he will be joining the team in Los Angeles for the beginning of their series with the Dodgers.

Now, I am not a Major League player, coach, or scout. But, I'd bet that Francoeur didn't have to be taught anything he didn't already know in those three days in Mississippi. What he did hear, however, were REMINDERS. He didn't need to hear what he was doing wrong, or how NOT to hit the ball. He needed to be reminded of what made him successful in 2005 and 2006.

The same goes for us when we hit the skids. Too often we attend seminars or hire consultants or even ask friends for sound advice, when what we really need is a reminder. A pat on the back, and some encouraging words, and a brief refresher course is often the panacea that eludes us when we are trying to grind it out on our own.

I am a huge fan of Jeff Francoeur. He gives it his all on the field, but he's an even greater role model for kids looking for someone to show them how to battle adversity. I pray his 3-day sojourn helps him turn his season around, and ignites the Braves offense for the second half.

Now, if they could only be reminded what worked in 1995...

Now-n-Laters

There's two segments of society in America. The Nows and the Laters.

The Nows are those who want everything, well, NOW. Instant gratification is their game. They pass up the larger payoff LATER for the smaller reward that is right in front of them.

My kids would fall into this category. From time to time, we'll have an exchange that goes a little something like this:

Kids: "Dad, can we have __________?"

Dad: "Well, why don't you wait until such-and-such time, and we'll make a special trip to such-and-such place, and you can have _______________!"

Kids: "But, we want it NOOOOOOOWWWW Can we please? Please. Please. (jumping and smiling)."

Dad: "Well, it's up to you. But, you'll get a bigger/ better ___________ if you wait."

Kids: (puzzled look, like they have no clue what it means to wait for something) "I want THIS one. Brother: "Me too. I want THIS one" (more jumping and smiling, and now clapping and cheering).

And, I just shake my head. I know what the wise choice is, but they see what's right in front of them.

Adults are NOWs also. In fact, I'd bet 90% of adults are NOWs in the United States. They want to get a ________ now and surrender the best that could come later.

It's most often witnessed in material possessions, but it doesn't have to be. It can be compromising myself relationally NOW for what "feels right" instead of making a wise choice and waiting. It could be saying or acting upon something on the spur of the moment or whim, rather than planning and pressing the pause button.

A small percentage of people are LATERs. Later people are typically not emotional in making decisions. They are pragmatic, calculating, and see the big picture. They pass up instant gratification for the big payoff in the long run. They are visionaries for what could and should be. The one drawback to LATERs is that they may pass up a great opportunity in front of their eyes because they fear it could prevent them from attaining their long-term goal. In other words, the risk rarely outweighs the rewards.

So, which category do you fall into? Do you have a tendency to get caught up in the moment and lose sight of what you COULD have later? Or, do you typically weigh the pros and cons all across the board, waiting patiently to make the absolute best decision possible?

In all honesty, in today's world, most people are likely both NOW and LATER people. They want - and often get - the best of both worlds. And, that is why 90% or more are truly "NOW" people. Because NOW people will look at LATER people and think, "I'll get THIS now, but in a couple years, I'll get THAT. I'll upgrade. So, I don't need to wait."

The Bible tells us that those who wait for God's best for their lives will receive the greatest rewards - perhaps not on earth - but in eternity.

In terms of eternity, I think I'd rather be a LATER than a NOW.

How about you?

Don't Pass Me!

If you have kids, chances are you've learned some profound lessons from their childish and selfish behavior. In fact, the more you watch young children interact, you'll likely pick up on the fact that it's not too dissimilar from adults.

All this week on our trip to Charleston, S.C., there's a phrase I've heard my 4-year old shriek more often than Amy and I belting out the words "NO!" or "Stop that!" It's just three seemingly insignificant words, but uttered like the most menacing villain to ever walk the earth: "DON'T PASS ME!"

You see, Chandler is a natural leader. Just ask him. Or, better yet, try to walk in front of him. He will take you down. He wants to be in front. The problem is, so does his 8-year old brother. So, about 20 times each day, Amy and I have to threaten our boys to within inches of their lives - all because they both want to be FIRST.

We've tried to explain the whole Biblical notion of "He who is first is last in the Kingdom of God, and he who is the least is the greatest" (etc.), but the impact of those words doesn't pack as much punch with two young, hyperactive male siblings as it would with a meek and reasonable person later on their years.

But, what I've witnessed with my two boys isn't much different than how I catch myself thinking and acting. You can probably relate. You see, when I see people "pass" me - whether it's intellectually, financially, in wisdom, manner, respect (anything, really), it gets my attention. And, by that, I mean that it often will get in my craw. I'll wonder how they got ahead of me. I'll think, "What do they have that I don't?" Or, I'll just come up with rationalizations to explain the situation just to make myself feel better.

None of us likes to be passed. We want to be in front. We want the best view. The top rung on the ladder. The top notch on the totem pole. When we aren't out in front, we become insecure, and many times we'll do whatever it takes to get back in "the lead" - no matter the cost to ourselves and those who love us the most.

In the end, we've got to use the correct standard by which we should measure ourselves, and worry less about where others stand. When we seek to serve, and to take the back seat, and to allow people to pass us - we see things much differently. And, we can rest assured that the eternal rewards we'll earn for putting others first will far surpass the fleeting ones we devour in this life.

A Week with My Favorite People

Those who know me well (and even those that barely know me) can tell you that I really enjoy going on trips and spending vacations with my wife and kids. It's been a running joke that has followed me around since I began working for a living back in 1996: "Where is C.A. this time?"

In fact, at my previous job I was often ridiculed for actually using my vacation time. I almost had a falling out with a friend at work because he just couldn't stop making wise cracks about the fact that I would actually choose to spend vacation days I had earned to go away for a few days at a time with my family. Initially, I laughed it off. Then, I started to get defensive. And, finally, I refused to take it any more and fired back.

He admitted he had taken it a little too far and he apologized. And, I don't have any hard feelings over it. But, I refuse to allow the fact that others don't spend time with their families or go on vacation to deter me from doing it with mine.

Amy told me the other day that she thought that I'd become a professional traveler if I could get away with it. She may be right. I obsess over every detail of a trip. And, it's not stressful at all. it's invigorating! I love planning trips!

But, even more than that, I enjoy getting away with my loved ones. Planning to vacation is fun, but it would be pointless if I had no one to spend these priceless moments with.

This week, we're staying in Charleston, South Carolina. Already, we have hit the beach, the pool, Patriot's Point (click photo above for an even better look), and some great local eateries. And, we have some more great things planned the rest of the week. And, as funny as this sounds, I am bummed that we only have 4 1/2 days left on our trip.

Oh well...guess it'll be time to start planning the NEXT getaway!!

Grabbing the Snake's Tail

Man, taking a risk is tough stuff. We work so hard to build "security," that we often get to a point when we either think we have it made, or we pass up opportunities to enrich our lives even more by going out on a limb.

This morning, I heard a great reminder about the endless possibilities that God has awaiting us...if we trust him.

Mike Linch (our Sr. Pastor) shared a lesson from the life of Moses - perhaps the greatest leader ever to walk the earth. The funny thing is that Moses had no clue how incredible of a leader he was - or that he could become. He did his very best to try and talk God out of using him to change the course of history.

Moses was a "but" guy. Every time God would explain to him what he was supposed to do, Moses replied with a "but." He came up with every excuse in the book. However, God knew Moses better than Moses knew himself.

During his encounter with the famed burning bush, Moses' outlook changed. He went from being a "but" guy to becoming an "OK, I suppose" guy. It wasn't until later that he fully trusted God...but one step at a time.

For 40 years, Moses meandered through the Midian wilderness tending sheep. He had been on the run for quite a while, and settled down with his wife's family. It wasn't luxurious by any stretch, but it was "safe."

But, in the end, I'm certain God knew that for Moses, being a shepherd wasn't fulfilling. And, I feel confident in saying that Moses - deep down - knew that he had been spared from Pharaoh's hand as an infant for a reason. He knew God had plans for him - big ones.

But, one thing Moses likely never had to lean on during those 40 years as a shepherd was his trust in God. He felt forgotten and disqualified. And, while God wasn't finished with him, it was ultimately up to Moses to take the next step.

The turning point came when God (speaking out of the bush) told Moses to throw his staff on the ground. Doing so, Moses witnessed the wooden rod turn into a snake. God then instructed Moses to pick up the snake - by the tail! I, for one, would run from a snake. But, Moses lived in the wilderness, and surely knew that IF you picked up a snake, you did it by the head, so it couldn't dig its fangs into you.

But, Moses was obedient - and trusted God. So, he grabbed the tail of the snake, and it turned back into the staff he would later use to deliver a nation - God's nation - from slavery.

When we're wandering through life after years in the wilderness, God may be asking us to pause and turn our eyes on Him. He may even ask us to grab the snake by the tail - to boldly and confidently trust in His ability - not ours. It'll likely be the only way we'll escape the wilderness, and discover the amazing things He has waiting for us on the other side.