Memorial Day

To the families of those who have fallen in battle for our freedoms, our liberties, our existence, I say thank you.

This is what Memorial Day is. We commemorate and give thanks for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our national cause. No matter the war or conflict, no matter the politics, those who have fallen in battle have done so for your sake. Think about that. They fought, and died, for you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).

I cannot, in good conscience, avoid the parallel that exists between those men and women who have fallen for us and the reality of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He also fought a battle for us, and won.

One definition of a hero is a person who demonstrates unusual courage or nobility of purpose, especially in sacrifice of their own life. When I hear the stories of what the members of our military have done, I am amazed. From the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan . . . and so many more, the feats of bravery, courage, and sacrifice are innumerable. And the numbers of those we today remember--staggering.

Call to mind Arlington National Cemetery, or the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial; The Wall listing the names of those who fell in Vietnam; the iconic picture of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. If you do not get a chill down your spine, feel the goosebumps raise your skin, or have tears form in the corners of your eyes, picture them again and think about it. They died for you and me, that we may have what we have today.

Greater love has no one than this . . .

Our national fallen are heroes. Their acts, known and unknown, are the payment for our freedom written in the ink of blood, just as are the acts of Jesus Christ. We should not and cannot take that lightly. And observance of their sacrifice one day a year, while right and good, is insufficient. We owe them our freedom, our liberty, our country. They gave us all they had. We can give them more than a three day weekend to go camping, fry fish, and have a short work week. Remember them. Honor them. 

I end as I began. Thank you to the families of those who have fallen in the name of The United States of America. I am proud, and thankful, to bear that name.

Patience

Patience. Whose idea was that? Waiting for something to happen, not knowing if anything is going to happen--not my idea of a good time.

But we have to have patience in this life. Patience with our children, our spouses, our families, our friends . . . and the world in general. We don't always get what we want when we want it. People don't always do what we want them to, when we want them to do it. And God knows the world in general often does not understand my timetable.

Know what I mean? When I want to do something, I want to do it now. I don't want to wait. I don't want to put it off until my kids, my wife, or the world in general is ready. When I'm ready, I'm ready. And that's what matters, right? Uh, no. I know this, but it's hard.

My stories of patience do not always have a happy ending. How many times have I spoken harshly to my children when I thought I had waited for them long enough to do whatever I wanted them to do--instantly? How many times have I childishly pouted when my wife was not ready right now? How many times have I been . . . impatient? Too many.

And you know how many times it has paid off, being impatient, that is? Zero. Zip. Zilch.
Doing so usually just results in waiting longer for what I want, or never getting it at all. And I've tried all the tricks--you know what I mean--harsh words, cold shoulder, folded arms, stomping feet . . . even kicking the lawnmower when it won't start. None of them sped up a single thing. Impatience has never paid off.

But I'm still learning that. I'm learning--often the hard way--to be patient with my children and family. I'm learning to be patient at work. I'm learning to be patient with God. And, so it would seem, I'm a slow learner. I still want what I want, when I want it. But age, maturity, and the school of hard knocks is teaching me. Slowly.

So here I am, waiting for the long weekend. Waiting for a publisher to say yes to my book. Waiting for a revival of the Spirit of God in our church and community. Waiting for life to happen, not at my pace, but His. It's not easy, but it does pay off.

Being patient, and then getting what you have waited for, makes the wait worthwhile. A fulfilled desired undiluted by the bitterness of impatience is so much sweeter. Why, then, do we try to rush everything along? I don't know.

What are you waiting for in your life? Are you waiting patiently, or are you chomping at the bit, stomping your feet, counting the often unknown seconds until it happens? If this is you, like me, try a new way. Try patience.

Like me, you might be surprised by the results.

What Really Matters

What really matters in this life? Is it the job, the spouse, the kids? Or the house, the car, the money? Is it family, friends, others? Is it ourselves?

We've talked about hopes and dreams, the deaths of two friends, birthdays, Mother's Day, and various other topics. We've explored how different experiences make us feel, how we should respond to the good and bad in our lives, and briefly mentioned the role of God.

I want to be clear.

God matters. Jesus Christ matters.

Does that make you uncomfortable?

Good. Because I want to talk to people who don't already accept the truth of that statement. For those of you who already agree with me, praise God! For those of you who do not, read on. Read on out of curiosity or confusion, anxiety or apathy, indulgence or indecision; but read on.

What do I mean when I say Jesus Christ matters? I mean He is the most important thing in your world, whether you know it or not. I do not intend to offend anyone, but this is my belief. In my opinion, regardless of your beliefs, Jesus Christ is more important than anything. Your thinking otherwise doesn't change a thing, just like ignoring the speed limit or not wearing your seat belt doesn't change the law. Just because you don't agree with it, or chose not to follow it, the reality remains.

I know I'm going out on a limb here. One of the purposes of this blog is to build up a group of people who are interested in what I have to say so that when my books get published, people will read them, spread the word, and get other people to read them. I'm going out on a limb because what I have said will offend some. So be it.

And some of you who haven't been around me for a long time might be thinking, "Bill Severt, talking about God? Really?" Yep. I grew up. It took a while, but it happened.

So what is so important about this Jesus Christ anyway, you may ask? Your decision about Him is the one thing, the only thing, that decides what happens to you. We're all going to die, unless Jesus comes back first. Either way, your belief, or disbelief, in Him decides where you end up. Either you accept Jesus Christ died for your sins, in which case you live on (in paradise) in heaven, or you don't accept Him, and you live on (suffering) in the real place called hell.

Don't know how to accept Jesus? It's simple (which is not the same as easy). You know you have done things in your life which are wrong--God calls that sin. The penalty for sin is separation from God, called (spiritual) death in Romans 6:23. The rest of that verse gives us the way out: Jesus. Jesus died on a cross, paying the penalty for our sins. To accept that, you simply--accept it. You admit you have done wrong, understand there is a payment required for your lawbreaking, then accept that Jesus Christ died to make that payment for you. You make this whole deal by talking to God out loud, or in your head--just like you talk to yourself. He hears you either way.

That's the truth in a nutshell. Is there more to it than that? Yes and no. Yes, there is a relationship with God that goes on from there, but that's where you have to start. That's what matters first.

Questions? There is a Contact Me utility on the right hand side of the page. It will send me an email. I'm happy to talk about this with you.

Comments? Feel free to use the Comment box below. Start a conversation about what matters. And if you think there is someone on your Friends list who would like to read this, or needs to read this, share it. I did.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day. That day we act like we should act every day, honoring those women in our lives--be they mothers, wives, grandmothers, or others--as they deserve. Or at least, we try. Because really, think about it--are they, or you, if you be a mother, ever honored as greatly as deserved? Probably not.

What is a mother? From the outside looking in, meaning that I am not a mother, I would say a mother is one who cares for, nurtures, protects, provides for and, above all else, loves her children. And it never stops. My mother continues to strive to do these things for me, even when I'd rather she not. And her mother does it for her. It is in their nature.

What is it like to be a mother? I can only imagine. It seems to be tremendous work and responsibility, trial and tribulation, sorrow and heartbreak at times. But yet, mothers experience reward, encouragement, joy, and happiness from their children. Even in the failings of those children of all ages, mothers find the positive. I don't know how, but they do.

What would the world be like without mothers? I mean, obviously, it would be empty, right? Without mothers, none of us would be here. But what if God had not created them as He has, with their drive to nurture, protect, and love their children? What would the world look like then? Imagine if the world were made up of men and women who were like me, and most fathers. Did a chill just go down your spine? Mine too.

So how should we honor these women as they deserve to be honored? Did our little cards, perhaps flowers, or, for the particularly fortunate, a few lines of written thanks really honor these women sufficiently? Can we truly give them their just reward in a single day?

Hardly.

As I said before, I am as guilty as anyone and everyone in the laxity of recognizing and acknowledging what my mother and wife do and mean in my life. And, by example, my children are learning that same laxity. I take for granted what these women do for me and mean to me, so my children do the same.

It's shaming, really.

Here's where I take a stand and make a promise that this year will be different. From this day forth, I will never again overlook the contribution of mother or wife.

Yeah, right. Wishful thinking.

Just as I drive a stake in the ground and resolve that never again shall I . . . or that from today forward I will always . . . These are usually empty promises that are forgotten when life gets too busy, too hard, too easy, or just too long. The memory of the promise fades, and pretty soon, it's Mother's Day again and I'm writing about how I've missed the boat.

But, we can be better. I can be better. Not every day will be Mother's Day, but every day I can recognize the mothers in my day. It's not that hard, is it? A thank you, a hug, an I love you. That's not too much to ask. I can do that.

In closing, thank you especially to my mother and my wife, for all you do. And a broader thank you to those other women out there who are mothers as well. You do a great job. A job us men would botch horribly. We couldn't do this life without you.

Thank you.

Friends

It only seems fitting, after a weekend of sharing with so many friends, to talk about the subject a bit.

What is a friend?

I read somewhere once (I'd reference it if I could remember where it came from, but I can't) that every guy needs two or three friends who would help him bury a body in the backyard. I would never ask my friends to do that, and I pray my life never comes to that. But, if it ever did, I have friends like that. Guys who would not only stand by me, but roll up their sleeves and jump in a hole to help me dig.

Dedicated. Unswerving. Through thick and thin.

Friends.

Now don't get me wrong. I am not saying you have to be willing to commit a felony to be considered a friend to me or anyone else--that's not the point. The point, in this case taken to an extreme, is that a friend is there for you in good times and bad. A friend is someone you celebrate with, and cry to. Someone you lift up, and lean on. A person who will listen, and give advice when needed--and usually knows the difference.

This past weekend I have been encouraged by many friends. And I thank you all. The emails, cards, gifts, Facebook messages, phone calls, texts, and personal conversations all meant something to me. They told me I am not alone. They told me I matter to someone. They told me I have friends.

I am not what many (anyone!) would call a social butterfly, but friends matter. Though I say I would be quite content locked away with only my computer and solitude to keep me company, I know that is not true. Everyone needs friends. Even me.

Without friends, where would we be? Or, more correctly, how would we be?

Alone. Depressed. Without joy. Tired. Defeated.

The list could go on and on. But with friends, with our companions in this life, we may feel any of those emotions for a short time, but need not feel them for long. Our friends will help us, lift us up, and get us back in the game. And when things are going well?  Friends just make it all the better.

So that's it. Just a short (for me) note on friendship and what it means to me. It's my way of saying thank you to the people who walk with me.

Oh, and by the way--that's you, whoever you are.

Thank you for being there.

Birthdays--Big Whoop?

Birthdays. They come and go, leaving another tick on the chart of life. The sun will rise, the day will pass, and night will fall once again. It is just another day.

Or is it?

We celebrate the day of our birth as a special occasion, which it is. Were it not for that day however many years ago, we would not be here at all. That day was the one which God intended for us to enter the world, and as such, it is important indeed. We are well served to pause and give thanks for the fact that we are.

But maybe we shouldn't stop there. Maybe we should look a bit deeper, and think a bit harder, about where we have been, and more importantly, where we are going. I am not an advocate of crying over spilt milk, or looking back with regret at the past; but I do think we are well served to recognize the mistakes of the past for the purpose of avoiding them in the future. A birthday seems like a good day to do that.

This is not where I delve into my past and expose all the skeletons in the closet--those were hung on the cross of Christ. But it is where I reflect inwardly, and muse outwardly, on how I can avoid the skeletons of the future.

This year I will not . . . what? How would you fill that space? How will you fill that space? This year I will not . . . Go ahead. Fill it in. It may not be your birthday. That's just fine. Pretend. Or start your year today. Make a decision. Decide what you will not do. I'll do the same.

Now.

This year I will . . . This can be a lot more fun. Dream a little. It's OK. Some of the I wills are the not-so-fun variety of necessities in life such as I will eat better, or I will stop this habit . . . You get the idea. Those are good, and right, but not fun. I'm talking about the I will go on vacation to . . . or I will write that book, or I will do that fun thing. Those are the I wills that I often overlook. And that is actually on my I will not list. I will not overlook the dreams I have for myself. I will go after those dreams with ambition.

I will, and I will not. Are they just Birthday resolutions, like so many made on New Year's Day? Probably. Does that mean they are worthless? Not necessarily. It depends on whether or not you mean it. I don't look at them as resolutions, but goals. Something you set your eyes on and strive to reach. I will do everything I can to become a published author. I will not give in to self doubt or laziness. For me, those are two good ones to start with.

What about you?

Have any goals you might be able to set for yourself? If your birthday is near, that might be a great day to set a course for yourself. If not, why not start today? Because, after all, if a birthday is just another day, today is as good a day as any.